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IN NEED OF SOME EXPERIENCED ADVICE

  • Thread starter Thread starter Coat2017
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Wasn't sure since both ads indicated Pittsburgh craigslist; you're at least in a good sized metro area for used gear, but there's always the question of how are you at determining condition and willingness to deal with age related issues? If looking at Technics clones (actual Technics tables these days are pretty pricy), the Audio Technica 1240 or 120 may be a consideration. I'm not a belt fan but there's also stuff from ProJect, Rega, Music Hall, U-turn....
 
lovinthehd said:
Wasn't sure since both ads indicated Pittsburgh craigslist; you're at least in a good sized metro area for used gear, but there's always the question of how are you at determining condition and willingness to deal with age related issues? If looking at Technics clones (actual Technics tables these days are pretty pricy), the Audio Technica 1240 or 120 may be a consideration. I'm not a belt fan but there's also stuff from ProJect, Rega, Music Hall, U-turn....
Click to expand...

I keep seeing used uturns, is that a reputable name?
 
My preference is technics, I have a sl-b20. it's a cheap simple p mount. My dad was the original owner so there is some of that playing into me being partial on technics. The big reason I prefer technics (I've heard a ton of them) is that technics in general is a solid table across the board. They have tables for all markets and do a great job. I havent listened to many that i just didnt like. My table does have rca out jacks, not a soldered on rca cable, i prefer that design. I have heard great Pioneer, Sanyo, sansui, teac, Kenwood but have heard more bad than good. So on a safe bet I'd go with technics.

You asked before and I never answered, I'd love to have a rega, but at the $2k price point it's hard to justify lol. In MY opinion, anything under $1k is going to play back relatively the same. That's another downside of vinyl, it gets costly, confusing, and a royal pain. The hobby takes on aftermarket headshells, tonearms, platters, mats, cartridge and styli for all types of music (the link I posted, different cuts for different sound). Keeping things clean is a royal pain, dust and residue on vinyl, even brand new records can be dirty enough to clog up a nice styli.

None of that is being said to deter you from moving forwards and enjoying records, just key points to read up on. It's also why I still use my cheap entry level table and play my records sparingly.
 
Coat2017 said:
I keep seeing used uturns, is that a reputable name?
Click to expand...

LOL have no idea about these new guys, they weren't around back when I got mine; I haven't really shopped for a tt in 30 plus years...altho do notice Technics and the clones somewhat. If there's a lot of used ones from such a relatively new company, wonder why?
 
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@lovinthehd great point haha

@pewternhrata I hear ya! I'm only 2 weeks in and as beginning to realize how much time and money might have to go into this hobby... I want to find as much of the setup as I can before I change my mind haha

I think I'm going to be on the lookout for technics or audio technica . I see them everywhere, and have owned a couple AT items in the past (not to mention this nice new cart to match lol)

Well find out.
Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and the belt I [already] ordered for the current table can fix the issue until I save a couple more bucks... fingers crossed, we'll see what happens

Thanks for the continuous help
 
Honestly, if the recommendation is to wait, I'm going to wait and spend a couple bucks. Buy one and be done for a while, instead of the continuous need to upgrading the same component.

I was looking at this one.... as it has EVERYTHING I'd need, with some great ratings

https://www.amazon.com/AT-LP120BK-U...=UTF8&qid=1503410476&sr=8-2&keywords=at+lp120

Is it just preference for belt vs drive then? Should that be a deciding factor? ... my assumption was that it's not a big deal if everything else meets my requirements

Thoughts?
 
OK, now we got you to slow down and ponder the thought of saving for something better, excellent.

Serious analog requires pretty serious $$ so while you're not there even to 'enjoy' analog requires at a minimum what you have provided (AT / Amazon). If you can double your investment (save a little longer) you can perhaps put yourself into a better cartridge for example.
 
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Coat2017 said:
Honestly, if the recommendation is to wait, I'm going to wait and spend a couple bucks. Buy one and be done for a while, instead of the continuous need to upgrading the same component.

I was looking at this one.... as it has EVERYTHING I'd need, with some great ratings

https://www.amazon.com/AT-LP120BK-U...=UTF8&qid=1503410476&sr=8-2&keywords=at+lp120

Is it just preference for belt vs drive then? Should that be a deciding factor? ... my assumption was that it's not a big deal if everything else meets my requirements

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I think that's a good starter tt, not quite Technics direct drive quality, but for the cost not too bad. You even get another AT95e cartridge in the deal (at least that's the normal bundle with the 120). It's not easy to find actual measurements outside the manufacturer's but I think it'd hold up well against similarly priced belt tables and comes with some features they don't.
 
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haha right, I've been hearing improvements along the way so far, and feel like as soon as I reach a comfortable point where I have the record spinning [as close to] perfectly as I can, I'll probably not have to worry about "the next upgrade" for a while.

If my current table wasn't having an issue with the RPM, I wouldn't even be on here... the new AT cart that I installed would have been the deal sealer. BUT, of course, once that was done, something else popped up haha
So, on that note, if I COULD find a cheap but great quality player, I would not think twice to jump on it.
However, I see that this AT that I linked has even more capabilities that I currently don't have: height adjuster, strobe dot indicators for RPM determination, pitch adjuster.... basically, almost everything you need to ensure optimal setup/installation and playback!

I do think I want to stick with AT, they're solid, good name, and it even looks awesome.

I do want some input on the exact specs though. I know everyone has their own opinion and all, but some general insight/experience is what I'm looking for.

Belt vs direct drive
Automatic vs Manual
Do I REALLY need a brand new table to even have all of those options? I already know I'm not going to really need the USB option, but it's included.... basically, would I be JUST as set with the LP60?

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Techni...3136&sr=1-5&keywords=audio+technica+turntable

I REALLY like the LP120, but would need to justify that spending the extra 200 is definitely worth it... I mean, that's normal right? hahaha

thoughts?
 
Might want to review some thoughts along those lines like among these results.

You get a fair bit less with the 60, I think the 120 is a better way to go. Unfortunately not a lot of specs to go on for comparisons, nor detailed reviews with measurements...
 
lovinthehd said:
Might want to review some thoughts along those lines like among these results.

You get a fair bit less with the 60, I think the 120 is a better way to go. Unfortunately not a lot of specs to go on for comparisons, nor detailed reviews with measurements...
Click to expand...

You got me good there...

https://www.audioadvice.com/content/2017/06/28/belt-drive-vs-direct-drive-turntables/

I feel like the odds of my running into another situation like the one I'm in now (slow turning, RPM effected playback) will be nonexistent with a newer table. Plus the benefit of "less motor noise" from belt driven tables... I'm not scratching or DJ parties, I'm just trying to get the cleanest sound.... it sounds like, and makes sense that, direct drive will produce more sound.

So maybe the LP120 is not for me. I mean.... if I was made of money, I would just buy and it and try it out to see if it was what I needed, BUUUUUUUT no lol

In that case, possibly....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6YK1GA?ref=emc_b_5_t

I attached a spreadsheet to see which options fit my needs and budget... The AT-LP3BK has everything I'm looking for, and the Fluance model is a close second.

Thoughts?
 

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Coat2017 said:
You got me good there...

https://www.audioadvice.com/content/2017/06/28/belt-drive-vs-direct-drive-turntables/

I feel like the odds of my running into another situation like the one I'm in now (slow turning, RPM effected playback) will be nonexistent with a newer table. Plus the benefit of "less motor noise" from belt driven tables... I'm not scratching or DJ parties, I'm just trying to get the cleanest sound.... it sounds like, and makes sense that, direct drive will produce more sound.

So maybe the LP120 is not for me. I mean.... if I was made of money, I would just buy and it and try it out to see if it was what I needed, BUUUUUUUT no lol

In that case, possibly....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6YK1GA?ref=emc_b_5_t

I attached a spreadsheet to see which options fit my needs and budget... The AT-LP3BK has everything I'm looking for, and the Fluance model is a close second.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

When I bought my Technics it was superior in spec to the belts, even if I spent a bit more on the belt models but I haven't found very good specs for these newer tables. If you want an automatic then you're not pure :) LOL used to love my Dual changer, and the quality was fine and the convenience of auto lift at the end of the side is nice. With your record collection you may just as well hold off shopping until your replacement belt comes in and see if that suffices until you grow your collection. I've got about 1000 LPs, but haven't bought one in a coupla years (and it was only one, have to go much farther back for more purchases).
 
So what I'm hearing is that if the new belt doesn't fix the issue on the current table, don't replace it until I can afford a 500+ table.... I sound a bit fudged hahaha

I feel like if it doesn't fix, I'm going to end up getting SOME sort of replacement until down the road, when im able to splurge a bit. Almost any of these options will be an improvement right? So ill take the progress until a couple more years when I can upgrade again.

Ill update about the belt and go from there
Thanks folks!
 
Coat2017 said:
So what I'm hearing is that if the new belt doesn't fix the issue on the current table, don't replace it until I can afford a 500+ table.... I sound a bit fudged hahaha

I feel like if it doesn't fix, I'm going to end up getting SOME sort of replacement until down the road, when im able to splurge a bit. Almost any of these options will be an improvement right? So ill take the progress until a couple more years when I can upgrade again.

Ill update about the belt and go from there
Thanks folks!
Click to expand...

Patience, grasshopper. With the number of albums you have, I'd spend as least as possible until you're sure you really need this and still apportion more of your budget on content than playback. Wait for the belt and then come back and advise how you're doing?

I can sell my Technics SL1200 for more than I paid for it...altho haven't done the adjust for inflation calculator, lol. Current Technics SL1200 NOS tables now go for pretty high prices (saw $2k for an SL1210 new recently!).

Seems these days 300-500 is a decent pricepoint range (excluding cartridge, altho some include it).

Then again, there's the reissue by Technics of their flagship model http://www.technics.com/us/introduction/hifi-direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200gae/
 
again, good points made by lovin, so be sure your committed to the format and if you are then spend a little more so as to get more in return when you listen.
 
If I wasn't confused before, I sure as hell am now lol I got the new belt, installed it... it turned too quickly.. like, chipmunk vocals quickly.

I thought, wtf? ... so I put the old one back on.... sounds perfectly fine. I even played the cd right after to make sure it wasn't just my ears needing to readjust.. it was spot on.

So... Just bought this belt for no reason apparently haha
 
Coat2017 said:
If I wasn't confused before, I sure as hell am now lol I got the new belt, installed it... it turned too quickly.. like, chipmunk vocals quickly.

I thought, wtf? ... so I put the old one back on.... sounds perfectly fine. I even played the cd right after to make sure it wasn't just my ears needing to readjust.. it was spot on.

So... Just bought this belt for no reason apparently haha
Click to expand...

Hopefully you can return it then? So the old belt now turns the platter at the correct speed? Isn't vinyl fun?
 
Update
Belt was returned, seller is providing full refund. Table turns perfectly fine now lol

I stumbled on an Audio Technica ATLP3 used on eBay. I love it, it turns smoother and quieter. Looks better. And for a killer deal. Not to mention I'm selling a bunch of stuff, so at the end of the day I essentially got it for free.... I couldn't pass it up.

So, all problems solved, setup is officially up and running wonderfully.

Speakers are next after I save a couple bucks, but for now I'm pleased.

Figured I'd share
Probably won't have any updates for a while so.... thank you all for everything. VERY helpful
Cheers
 
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