First Vinyl Player Suggestions

[Kimomono]

Hello, I'm new here and am looking into buying my first vinyl player. I currently have a 5.1 system with a Denon AVR-X1300W, Bowers and Wilkins 600 Series HTM61 S2 Center, 683 S2 fronts, 686 S2 sides, and a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub. I will be buying another set of the 686 or 685 S2s in the near future for a 7.1 system.

I'm looking for an entry level player that will compliment this setup, and that will be upgradable in the future while being as close around the $100 mark if possible, but hopefully not more than $200. Ideally, it would be direct driven or readily upgradable to, and maybe have a built in amp, but I'm not sure if that is needed? Apart from that, I'm not too sure what things I should look for.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

My initial reaction is why? You already have a collection of vinyl to play?

The Denon 1300 doesn't have a phono stage so if you do get a player it would need to have one built in or you'd need to buy a separate one. Your budget doesn't allow for much of a player except something like the lower end AudioTechnica ATLP60; not even sure that cartridge is replaceable/upgradeable. Maybe find a used turntable of better quality on craigslist....

 

[Kimomono]

I have a small collection that will probably grow. I'm a very tactile and visceral type of person. I like vinyl for the same reason I like hardcover books. Not having a player to actually play them on has been the only thing that has kept my collection from growing more than it has.

There are many "decent" players that I have found for between $100-$200. Like the Denon DP-29F for $150. However I am not sure if it is easily upgaradable, I know it's belt driven, and there may be other options that better suit my needs.

I did say "if possible" on the pricing, so it's flexible. I don't know what all is out there that meets my qualifications as there are probably numerous brands I've never heard of, and short of doing countless hours of research, I figured it would be faster and more effective to reach out to an audio community to help me to this end.

 

[slipperybidness]

@Kimomono
If it were me, my $, and I was needing an entry level TT, I would go here
https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

I have never heard this one, but it does get praise online, in general. For the price point, and for what you say you want, this would be my choice.

Seems your AVR does not have a phono input, so you are gonna need a separate phono pre-amp.

 

[Bucknekked]

@Kimomono
If it were me, my $, and I was needing an entry level TT, I would go here
https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

I have never heard this one, but it does get praise online, in general. For the price point, and for what you say you want, this would be my choice.

Seems your AVR does not have a phono input, so you are gonna need a separate phono pre-amp.

slippery
I have the orbit custom turntable. I bought it last year. With the custom you can add the features you want at the time of purchase. I don't know about after the purchase, but its an ala carte way to choose your features. My AVR at the time didn't have a phone stage either so I bought the external phono stage that orbits sells on their website. I got the external one because I knew eventually I'd get an AVR with a phono stage. The turntable is just fantastic as far as I'm concerned. It looks great and there are a lot of color options and other gadgets. I would give two thumbs up for the Orbit folks.

 

[Bucknekked]

Hello, I'm new here and am looking into buying my first vinyl player. I currently have a 5.1 system with a Denon AVR-X1300W, Bowers and Wilkins 600 Series HTM61 S2 Center, 683 S2 fronts, 686 S2 sides, and a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub. I will be buying another set of the 686 or 685 S2s in the near future for a 7.1 system.

I'm looking for an entry level player that will compliment this setup, and that will be upgradable in the future while being as close around the $100 mark if possible, but hopefully not more than $200. Ideally, it would be direct driven or readily upgradable to, and maybe have a built in amp, but I'm not sure if that is needed? Apart from that, I'm not too sure what things I should look for.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

kimomono
I forgot to say welcome to the forum ! Hope you enjoy your time here and get answers you find useful.
I posted about my turntable in the previous post.

 

[Kimomono]

Thanks! I often lurk audio forums, this is the first time I've really needed to post though.

I've seen the Orbits around and heard good things about them too. Slippery slope is right. I hopped on their website and checked out the custom, it looks promising. Do you know if they can be upgraded later on, or would you need to purchase a new unit? Also, if I get a built in preamp, does that limit me with using eternal preamps in the future?

 

[Bucknekked]

Thanks! I often lurk audio forums, this is the first time I've really needed to post though.

I've seen the Orbits around and heard good things about them too. Slippery slope is right. I hopped on their website and checked out the custom, it looks promising. Do you know if they can be upgraded later on, or would you need to purchase a new unit? Also, if I get a built in preamp, does that limit me with using eternal preamps in the future?

Built in pre-amp : I don't know if it would cause problems. I would suspect no problems because you would simply use a different input on your AVR and not the phono input. You could take an unused input and just rename it to Phono and be fine with the built in.

For me, I decided to buy the external one because I fouled up and thought my AVR had a phono input. It didn't. I felt stupid. But, it wasn't the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last. Right now its on the shelf because I'm using the built in in my AVR. But I may use it in the future . Who knows.

I do not know about adding features after the fact. You could certainly upgrade the platter after the fact. That's a pretty easy swap out. I think you can also add the queuing lever after the fact too . I would call the Orbit folks and just ask them. They are a small shop so they will be easy to ask. I found their customer support to be excellent. I had a belt question and they nailed it.

 

[cpd]

At your price point I would also recommend the Orbit. In full disclosure, I do not own one nor have I heard one, but from what I've read they are a great value in your price range. Can I ask why you want a direct drive? I have a Pro-Ject turntable which is also a great brand and one which I recommend, although I believe their entry level is a touch outside your budget.

Also, if you are in need of an external phono amp, send me a private message. I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box I would sell for a good price. It was used for about 6 months and works great, but my new receiver has a phono input so I don't need it.

 

[Kimomono]

At your price point I would also recommend the Orbit. In full disclosure, I do not own one nor have I heard one, but from what I've read they are a great value in your price range. Can I ask why you want a direct drive? I have a Pro-Ject turntable which is also a great brand and one which I recommend, although I believe their entry level is a touch outside your budget.

Also, if you are in need of an external phono amp, send me a private message. I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box I would sell for a good price. It was used for about 6 months and works great, but my new receiver has a phono input so I don't need it.

I heard that direct drives are better with playback speed, and any noise can be eliminated these days by having some sort of isolator between the platter and the motor. As I'm doing more research though, I'm finding that these days rumble almost negligible for both drive styles in the higher price ranges, but much more prominent on more "budget" model direct drives. Belt driven may be the way I go. I may be interested in the amp. I'll message you.

 

[Bucknekked]

I heard that direct drives are better with playback speed, and any noise can be eliminated these days by having some sort of isolator between the platter and the motor. As I'm doing more research though, I'm finding that these days rumble almost negligible for both drive styles in the higher price ranges, but much more prominent on more "budget" model direct drives. Belt driven may be the way I go. I may be interested in the amp. I'll message you.

rumble, never heard any. speed issues, never had any.
Remember, theoretical issues are just that: theoretical.
I only worry about audible issues. In this piece of equipment, I don't hear any audible issues.
Sometimes analysis paralysis can take over when shopping. It clears up right after the purchase when the buyers remorse sets in. You fix that by buying good stuff and enjoying it.

There are lots of choices out there. I can only share my experience with this one.
Someone mentioned Pro-ject turntables. That was the other choice on my shopping list last year.
If I had bought one of those, I would probably be equally as happy. I hear great things about them.
Enjoy which ever choice you make. There are a lot of great ones

 

[DubPlate]

Hello, I'm new here and am looking into buying my first vinyl player. I currently have a 5.1 system with a Denon AVR-X1300W, Bowers and Wilkins 600 Series HTM61 S2 Center, 683 S2 fronts, 686 S2 sides, and a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub. I will be buying another set of the 686 or 685 S2s in the near future for a 7.1 system.

I'm looking for an entry level player that will compliment this setup, and that will be upgradable in the future while being as close around the $100 mark if possible, but hopefully not more than $200. Ideally, it would be direct driven or readily upgradable to, and maybe have a built in amp, but I'm not sure if that is needed? Apart from that, I'm not too sure what things I should look for.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Fluanxe RT81

Fluance Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Dual Magnet Cartridge, Elliptical Diamond Stylus, Belt Drive, Built-in Preamp, Adjustable Counterweight & Anti-Skating, Solid Wood Cabinet RT81

The fluance really punches above its price point (Amazon $249, Fluance website $200).

I collected records at yard sales for a number of years, buying a new one only on occasion. With the presumption that all record players should sound pretty much the same, I went out and bought a $100 Sony TT. Boy was I wrong. The Sony had no adjustment for weight or tracking. There wasn't anything that was adjustable or replaceable. The sound was hollow, no base, no nuance.

I really started to think that records were overrated (well maybe they are, but the Sony really did sound horrible). Did some research and came upon the Fluance, and I could not be happier. For some perspective, I believe the accompanying Audio Technica Stylus alone is around $50. They must be taking a hit on this, given the price point, features and parts. The sound is full, and the bass is not lacking.

There is a somewhat less expensive model that has a plastic cabinet.

Hope that helped.

 

[slipperybidness]

I heard that direct drives are better with playback speed, and any noise can be eliminated these days by having some sort of isolator between the platter and the motor. As I'm doing more research though, I'm finding that these days rumble almost negligible for both drive styles in the higher price ranges, but much more prominent on more "budget" model direct drives. Belt driven may be the way I go. I may be interested in the amp. I'll message you.

For DD, the Technics SL1200 is really the only TT you should be considering, and it is well out of your price range. Just maybe the AT is worth consideration as a DD, I personally don't have any experience on that. The SL1200 has engineered out the problems typically associated with a DD table, I'm not sure if the AT has also copied that design.

The real advantage of the DD tables is the torque and quick recovery to full speed--items that pro DJs NEED. You don't need that!

I own both an SL1210 (DD) and a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (belt drive). Overall, I prefer the SL1210, but it was also ~3x the $!

 

[lovinthehd]

For DD, the Technics SL1200 is really the only TT you should be considering, and it is well out of your price range. Just maybe the AT is worth consideration as a DD, I personally don't have any experience on that. The SL1200 has engineered out the problems typically associated with a DD table, I'm not sure if the AT has also copied that design.

The real advantage of the DD tables is the torque and quick recovery to full speed--items that pro DJs NEED. You don't need that!

I own both an SL1210 (DD) and a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (belt drive). Overall, I prefer the SL1210, but it was also ~3x the $!

I think the top model of the AT line (LP240?) isn't too far from the Technics 1200 series IIRC some specs correctly, but still a lesser clone. I'm glad I kept my 1200 around, still works like a champ.