Hi All
Im a newbie who just joined today and need some advice on turntables
Basically Im looking to invest in high end turntable. I saw a turntable/record player featured in the background of a TV show the other day (i think it was extreme makeover) and it was the most amazing object I have ever seen.
It was very futuristic and sophisticated looking and im dying to know the make of it. Would anyone here have any ideas?
I don't want to buy any standard box looking player (design is really important to me). I had a look at Bang and Olufsen and Bose but they don't appear to make anything outstanding. Can anyone recommend any design focused makers of turntables??
Many Many thanks!
Maverick
How much do you want to spend? You can empty your bank account in a hurry if you want.
I'm guessing this was the turntable. It is beloved of stage set designers and was in the movie ClocknWork Orange. I have see it turn up on sets a number of times. It is the Transcriptors turntable.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Transcriptors-UK
Now you can look at the gallery on the vinyl engine site.
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album.php?sid=51f32e04b11c922f73e19d31590cc1db
This is their home page.
http://www.vinylengine.com/news.shtml
Now if you want the best I personally think the SME is as good as it gets, and has been for most of my life.
http://www.sme.ltd.uk/content/Home-940.shtml
These are available in the US from Flat Earth Audio.
http://www.flatearthaudio.com/
For your cartridge needs this is who you need, Jerry Raskin Needle Doctor. He is in Dinky Town Minneapolis near the U of M. I have dealt with him for years and he is honest and knowledgeable. He also carries a huge inventory of turntables for every budget.
http://www.needledoctor.com/
Now you might want to consider going the vintage route. If you want my personal opinion I think the best of the equipment from the hey day of the LP is hard to beat. LP reproduction at its best is the sum of compromises. Now I'm an old geyser and have had this stuff for most of my life, all my adult life anyway, so that is why I use it.
http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077056
Now the Garrard 301s are one of the best turntables ever produced. This was replaced by the 401. Loricraft of Swindon Wilts. UK have restored these for years. If you want a 301 expect to pay $1200 to $2400 depending on condition, and that will be without plinth or arm, and these are fifty or more years old! Loricraft now own the rights to the Garrard name. Garrard by the way were the crown jewelers, and the owners got into turntables at the dawn of the gramophone era. With the LP onslaught the turntable division was sold to a Brazilian outfit, who produced junk and went broke. Loricraft were able to purchase the name and now in addition to restoring 301s and 401s produce the Garrard 501.
http://www.garrard501.com/
If your budget is lower I would recommend something from Music Hall, Rega or Thorens.
Just one other word of advice. Turntables are mechanical devices in essence, therefore within reason increase in price does correlate with increased performance as a rule and within sensible limits. This is quite unlike digital players.
So there you have something to start you off. This load will keep you busy for a while.
