Turntable for Daughter

[lovinthehd]

I had no desire for a manual at first when I was a teen (I got a Dual changer for my first "serious" record player), I liked the idea of the changer as well as not fussing with cueing particular (but could do it manually with the cueing lever in any case). Later on was convinced to go totally manual for "purity" of the mechanism plus I was more picking particular tracks and making mix tapes, too...but not having at least an auto lift at end of record I did miss a bit (and you can get a doohickey still for that to add to a manual table) but probably would have become a service item at some point, too. Why don't you ask your daughter for a preference?

 

[Cos]

I am reading this and there is a lot of good input, the one thing that stands out is that your daughter is 13. I would think a pair of powered speakers with an entry level turntable would do well. She is 13, so fully automatic, while not as good typically, might be the smart choice.

• Look at powered speakers with phono preamp (Kanto comes to mind) I own the YU6 which i used with a turntable for my bedroom and was pleasantly surprised., The YU4 also would work. I also have the Kanto Tuk on my Computer desk, no turntable
• They are a little on the costly side, but here is my thinking

Your daughter is 13, she may get into and out of vinyl as a fad. I don't think she will be doing in room calibration or measurements, so it just has to sound good to her. If you get a pair of powered speakers that have bluetooth, she can also stream directly from her cell phone if she has spotify or other streaming services. This way if she gets bored with records, she has a pair of useful speakers that should last her a long time.

 

[1911]

@lovinthehd: Yep. That's my tought as well regarding the automatic TTs. Daughter's preference is for an automatic - I explained the differences to her some time ago. I await TLS Guy's reply to learn more about his reasoning regarding a manual for her.

@Cos: Agreed. Kanto is on the list. She does have Spotify and Pandora accounts, so if I get a Bluetooth TT, she will be able to stream Spotify from her phone, as you mentioned, regardless if the speakers are bluetooth enabled or not, but I will make sure she has the option, whether through the speakers or the TT.

 

[TLS Guy]

@TLS Guy: Mark, I understand that automatic turntables have a much more complicated mechanism than manual tables, but could you please give me some more information on why you wouldn't recommend an automatic for my daughter? I was thinking that the precise movement of the arm (with an automatic) and how it gently drops the stylus to the vinyl would be better than her trying to manually and gently place the arm/stylus. On my old Dual 1225, she attempted this several times and while she was able to do it, it was none too gentle - no damage caused, but it seems an automatic would be easier for her to use. Thanks.

Also, very impressive set-up you've got there. Your RTR collection is especially nice - I see you've got a ReVox...

Thanks again.

It is all about how much work the arm has to do dragging unnecessary hardware and excess friction. The grooves should have no more friction than the arm bearing. In general the more expensive the turntable the less the friction. So dear old GAB was right back seventy or more years ago. All that is required is a good lift on the PU arm. So that it lowers the arm gently and lifts it gently. Automatic mechanisms are just harmful gratuitous complications.

I actually have four Revox recorders in the rig, and two I have not got around to restoring. I also have a very rare Brenell Mark 6. They were primarily built for the BBC, but I had a bespoke machine built for me by Brenell in 1973.

Interestingly I had a 40 plus year master brought to me recently and the Brenell much to my surprise gave the best account of it.

 

[1911]

@TLS Guy: Thank you. Do you have the same opinion of semi-automatic TTs?

 

[TLS Guy]

@TLS Guy: Thank you. Do you have the same opinion of semi-automatic TTs?

Absolutely, the arm should just have the friction of the bearing at the arm base and NOTHING else.

 

[1911]

Thankyousir. I had wondered why the higher end TTs were all manual.

 

[Eppie]

I think the manual Audio Technica TLS Guy quoted does not have a pre-amp but if the Kantos have a phono in then both options are open. The Kantos have reviewed well here and on other sites. They are also good for near field listening as the amps have no hiss. Would be near the top of my list.

I have a manual tt and it's easy enough to lower the stylus gently with the cue lever. No need to handle the tone arm directly except to position over the groove. The downside is no auto-return. I can do without auto-start but I will be investing in an auto-lift to raise the tone arm at the end of the LP. While TLS Guy is the expert on phonographs, I would still lean towards an auto-return tt for a teenager.

 

[1911]

@Eppie: Thanks. I'll look into it. I don't doubt that TLS Guy is correct - especially for audiophiles - but I agree that either semi or auto would be better for my daughter. At this point in her audiophile journey, I don't think such concerns are particularly warranted, but we'll see what I can find for a decent price.

 

[1911]

Picked up a used Audio Technica AT-LP60 locally for $50.00. We hooked it up to that old Yamaha CR240 I had serviced recently - it works great and my daughter is fired up. She's been listening to records every day since I picked it up early in the week.

We've been to the record store several times and she's been listening to my LPs as well. Now to find her a set of good active, BT speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

Picked up a used Audio Technica AT-LP60 locally for $50.00. We hooked it up to that old Yamaha CR240 I had serviced recently - it works great and my daughter is fired up. She's been listening to records every day since I picked it up early in the week.

We've been to the record store several times and she's been listening to my LPs as well. Now to find her a set of good active, BT speakers.

What genre does she go for?

 

[1911]

@lovinthehd: She likes classic rock, jazz (Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Samara Joy), new rock (not sure what its called - bands like Black Keys, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Parquet Courts, etc. Alternative or Indie?) & classical (she plays violin & piano). She also likes blues. She's still discovering new music and it's interesting watching when she finds something she likes - most recently Dave Brubeck.

 

[Verdinut]

She likes classic rock, jazz (Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Samara Joy), new rock (not sure what its called - bands like Black Keys, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Parquet Courts, etc. Alternative or Indie?) & classical (she plays violin & piano). She also likes blues. She's still discovering new music and it's interesting watching when she finds something she likes - most recently Dave Brubeck.

If she has never heard Oscar Peterson play, I suggest that she gets one of his CDs. He was an amazing pianist and even some classical pianists have been mentioning him as an outstanding performer. One of his best CDs is "Night Train". I just hope that he still has some of his albums on vinyl.

Another excellent pianist is Bill Evans. His album "You Must Believe In Spring" is a must have.

 

[1911]

@Verdinut: Thanks. I'll let her know.

Edit: She said she's heard Oscar Peterson before, but she will take another listen.

 

[afterlife2]

Bill Evans Left Right is a must too!

 

[1911]

Thanks