Inexpensive Turntable Recommendations

[dolynick]

My father has decided that he would like to be able to listen to his aged record collection at his new place. I picked up a well reviewed, inexpensive Fosi phono pre-amp for him (as his AVR does not have a phono input) but when we hooked up his turntable, we discovered it was not well. It's a very old, inexpensive basic Kenwood so it was not really surprising. He would like to replace it with something more functional.

I have never gotten into vinyl myself and don't know a whole lot about the ins and outs of players, etc. So I'm looking for some recommendations for an inexpensive player for him.

So far, what I'm looking at are:

Fluance RT81 ($349 CAD)
Audio Technica AT-LP70X ($229 CAD)

Looking for thoughts concerning one over the other. Or other recommendations entirely.

He doesn't need anything terribly fancy. Something in the $200-$400 CAD range that sounds good, is easy to operate and generally trouble free is the goal.

 

[Mikado463]

The Fluance tables have generally been well received. I'm assuming his eyesight and motor skills are up to par ?

 

[dolynick]

The Fluance tables have generally been well received. I'm assuming his eyesight and motor skills are up to par ?

Yes, but I wouldn't say he has a deft touch.

Something with an automatic play/start to move the arm into position wouldn't be a bad idea. It's unclear if the Fluance will do that or not. It does have an autostop feature though, which I like.

Edit: Checking the RT81 manual, it does not have auto start.

 

[Mikado463]

Yes, but I wouldn't say he has a deft touch.

Something with an automatic play/start to move the arm into position wouldn't be a bad idea. It's unclear if the Fluance will do that or not. It does have an autostop feature though, which I like.

Edit: Checking the RT81 manual, it does not have auto start.

a cueing lever will for sure be a must ! I'd say in the $$ range you're looking at the Fluance would be the top choice,
the Pro-Ject T-1 might be another option

 

[lovinthehd]

I think either of those players would work well, altho I might look further up the AudioTechnica lineup if going with that brand (but just took a look, they're more expensive now than last I looked, too). Let him choose how manual he wants it....but a cuing lever goes a long ways but auto stop might be nice in case he can get distracted....when I do play vinyl and maybe go into another room, all bets are off with my fully manual one.

 

[dolynick]

I did speak with him briefly today and he was inclined to go with the Fluance which reviews suggest is the better built and sounding player. The cueing lever does allay some of my concerns regarding a little carelessness/clumbsiness with a manual start too.

Currently I am thinking it will be the RT81 or possibly the RT81+ with the upgraded cartridge and isolation. I'll let him decide if he wants to spend the extra $70 there.

 

[lovinthehd]

I did speak with him briefly today and he was inclined to go with the Fluance which reviews suggest is the better built and sounding player. The cueing lever does allay some of my concerns regarding a little carelessness/clumbsiness with a manual start too.

Currently I am thinking it will be the RT81 or possibly the RT81+ with the upgraded cartridge and isolation. I'll let him decide if he wants to spend the extra $70 there.

"Sounding"?

 

[dolynick]

"Sounding"?

I'm not sure I follow what you're questioning there. My inference from various reviews and comparison is that the Fluance should be sonically superior to some degree. Although I'm sure they both will sound better than what he had.

Or are you suggesting that all turntables and cartridges, like digital will sound the same? But I woiuldn't think that's your meaning.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm not sure I follow what you're questioning there. My inference from various reviews and comparison is that the Fluance should be sonically superior to some degree. Although I'm sure they both will sound better than what he had.

Or are you suggesting that all turntables and cartridges, like digital will sound the same? But I woiuldn't think that's your meaning.

No, my point is more it is about the arm/cartridge rather than the actual tt part, altho a poor drive/platter/plinth may contribute some. Just saying tt doesn't convey a lot as to what might contribute to poor performance let alone a particular "sound"

 

[dolynick]

No, my point is more it is about the arm/cartridge rather than the actual tt part, altho a poor drive/platter/plinth may contribute some. Just saying tt doesn't convey a lot as to what might contribute to poor performance let alone a particular "sound"

I see. I am basing that comment on the assessment that the AT95 cartridge the RT81 comes with does offer better quality than the one the LP70X comes with (and part of the reason it is more expensive). Likewise the VM95 in the RT81+ is supposedly a further improvement if he wants to go up a few more dollars. There was some speculation about the construction of the Fluance with its heavier plinth construction and isolation feet also contributing though. I don't know how accurate that speculation is, but in an analog device like a turntable I can see that being a (small?) possible contributing factor.

 

[lovinthehd]

I see. I am basing that comment on the assessment that the AT95 cartridge the RT81 comes with does offer better quality than the one the LP70X comes with (and part of the reason it is more expensive). Likewise the VM95 in the RT81+ is supposedly a further improvement if he wants to go up a few more dollars. There was some speculation about the construction of the Fluance with its heavier plinth construction and isolation feet also contributing though. I don't know how accurate that speculation is, but in an analog device like a turntable I can see that being a (small?) possible contributing factor.

The cartridge is temporary, tho. My tt came with a particular cartridge only because of the retailer I bought it from, not the tt manufacturer....and have replaced it many times with many different cartridges, but performance didn't change much. Mostly is the poor medium of vinyl.

 

[dolynick]

The cartridge is temporary, tho. My tt came with a particular cartridge only because of the retailer I bought it from, not the tt manufacturer....and have replaced it many times with many different cartridges, but performance didn't change much. Mostly is the poor medium of vinyl.

Yeah I understand that the cartridge isn't permanent. And one feature of the Fluance is that it can be replaced. I'm not sure the LP70X's can be. But I'm pretty positive that he's not going to be playing the cartridge game, short of a failure. So this is more of a buy something that with a decent sounding cartridge included situation. He's not like you or I and has pretty much zero interest in chasing more fidelity beyond his initial purchase.

If I'm off the mark on how much some of this stuff influences the sound, I'll defer to the group. This is the first time I've even gone shopping for a turntable, so I'm kind of just inferring from what info I've been absorbing while browsing.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah I understand that the cartridge isn't permanent. And one feature of the Fluance is that it can be replaced. I'm not sure the LP70X's can be. But I'm pretty positive that he's not going to be playing the cartridge game, short of a failure. So this is more of a buy something that with a decent sounding cartridge included situation. He's not like you or I and has pretty much zero interest in chasing more fidelity beyond his initial purchase.

The LP70 seems to use a standard mount cartridge, so why do you think it can't be replaced? I have used a lot of cartridges over the last 50 years and don't find them particularly different for the most part. Chasing more fidelity with a tt/vinyl is somewhat a losing proposition, tho.

 

[dolynick]

The LP70 seems to use a standard mount cartridge, so why do you think it can't be replaced? I have used a lot of cartridges over the last 50 years and don't find them particularly different for the most part. Chasing more fidelity with a tt/vinyl is somewhat a losing proposition, tho.

I seem to recall reading somewhere at some point that it had very limited upgrade options - which I assumed included the cartridge. Perhaps I was mistaken in that though. I didn't see the same screw mounting for the cartridge as on the Fluance though so I may have just jumped to the conclusion that it didn't offer the same flexibility.

 

[lovinthehd]

I seem to recall reading somewhere at some point that it had very limited upgrade options - which I assumed included the cartridge. Perhaps I was mistaken in that though. I didn't seem the same screw mounting for the cartridge as on the Fluance though so I may have just jumped to the conclusion that it didn't offer the same flexibility.

It might be limited in adjustments for the arm to accommodate the cartridge perhaps. Mine has adjustable arm height for the cartridge, which can perhaps make a difference. If it uses a standard cartridge, then that's not much of a limit (altho there are some weird tt/cartridge combos out there I suppose)

 

[highfigh]

I see. I am basing that comment on the assessment that the AT95 cartridge the RT81 comes with does offer better quality than the one the LP70X comes with (and part of the reason it is more expensive). Likewise the VM95 in the RT81+ is supposedly a further improvement if he wants to go up a few more dollars. There was some speculation about the construction of the Fluance with its heavier plinth construction and isolation feet also contributing though. I don't know how accurate that speculation is, but in an analog device like a turntable I can see that being a (small?) possible contributing factor.

Look at the other AT cartridges- many manufacturers make a few with different tips but the rest of the stylus can be the same- this allows stepping up in quality without changing the cartidge body.

The usual differences between turntables include:

- Speed accuracy
- Isolation from noise/rumble coming through the base from people walking and other impact sounds, or from the speaker(s) being too close and the base being too light and unable to dampen the sound. Mass prevents easy transmission of sound from the speakers, but not necessarily from underneath- damping feet and material in the bass help with this.
- Better tonearm- the design of the tonearm matters WRT how the stylus aligns with the groove and the angle changes as it moves from the outside of the LP to the middle. It's only 'correct' in two small areas- the rest of the time, it's not but the error is generally small enough that the effect is inaudible UNLESS there's a way to compare perfect alignment with the turntable in question.
- The mass of the platter- if the platter weighs almost nothing, it will be badly affected by sounds in the room. A heavy, rubber mat can help.

 

[highfigh]

I seem to recall reading somewhere at some point that it had very limited upgrade options - which I assumed included the cartridge. Perhaps I was mistaken in that though. I didn't see the same screw mounting for the cartridge as on the Fluance though so I may have just jumped to the conclusion that it didn't offer the same flexibility.

The screw that holds the headshell to the tonearm may be flush with the bottom of the tonearm- if you can check one of the AT tables in person, look for that.

 

[dolynick]

Just to update on this...

I put in an order on a Fluance RT81+ Friday evening. Should arrive in a week or two. Kind of looking forward to putting it together and giving it a spin - even though it's not for me and his LP collection is not really my cup of tea.

 

[Squishman]

If I was looking for a lower budget TT, I'd consider what cartridge they are putting on there. Don't forget to research that. If you like the TT, check how the cart measures up against other units in the same ballpark.