Need a new turntable...

[tommy p]

I can't believe that after just 30 years of use, my turntable died!

This puts me in the market for a new one and I'm looking for suggestions in $200 and under price range with both RCA jacks and a USB connection. I know there are plenty of these on the market now, and most come with some kind of pop/scratch cleanup software.

Any suggestions welcome!

[a.bandini]

My B&O Beogram 2000 died a couple years ago too. I can't easily afford a new cartridge (MMC3 IIRC), and it warbled something wicked before the cartridge died. Still, I am unwilling to get rid of my vinyl. Too many memories; too much time spent in used record stores. Johnny B, what do you think? I'm willing to lay out a little cash for this over the next few months.

[JohnnyB]

I can't believe that after just 30 years of use, my turntable died!

This puts me in the market for a new one and I'm looking for suggestions in $200 and under price range with both RCA jacks and a USB connection. I know there are plenty of these on the market now, and most come with some kind of pop/scratch cleanup software.

Any suggestions welcome!

I got this one for my stepson for last year's Christmas.

It has a built-in phono preamp and USB converter. It's a heap sight better than most of the other USB turntable trash out there. You can actually get this one to make music. And the price is right in your stated price range. It comes with a DJ style cartridge, but you'd be better served with a better cartridge that also tracks lighter. This one would do very nicely.

My B&O Beogram 2000 died a couple years ago too. I can't easily afford a new cartridge (MMC3 IIRC), and it warbled something wicked before the cartridge died. Still, I am unwilling to get rid of my vinyl. Too many memories; too much time spent in used record stores. Johnny B, what do you think? I'm willing to lay out a little cash for this over the next few months.

Although cartridges can get a bit fussy, turntables are a good value in the long haul. I have owned 7 or 8 CD players in the last 23 years. Several quit working or got to where they could read only 20% of the discs I fed it, while a turntable could last that whole period with a couple of belt replacements (and stylus every 2-3 years).

Anyway, how much cash over the next few months are you willing to lay out? The Beogram was good in its day but most turntables today will have better bass, dynamics, and slam and less obvious surface noise. I know it's painful at first, but a good cartridge is worth the money. It has a profound influence on how much you enjoy playing the records, so it's a worthy investment.

If you're willing to lay out some cash and want a completely set up and aligned single vendor solution, I recommend the Marantz TT-15S1. It may seem steep, but the price includes an $800 wood-bodied cartridge made by the OEM behind the turntable. Or you can get a similarly priced one from the original maker, Clearaudio, shown below on the right.

Another approach is to get a Technics SL12x0 direct drive blueprinted and modified by Kevin Barrett at www.kabusa.com. He does a thorough QA check and re-machines the platter when necessary to get it within factory spec. He also has some very effective mods (tonearm rewire, fluid damper for tonearm, better mat, etc.) to bring out better performance and has a range of excellent wel-matched cartridges that have been mounted, balanced, and calibrated. So you can get an out-of-the-box solution there as well.

The cartridge thing is tricky because the compliance of the cartridge (how stiff or wiggly the cartridge cantilever is) has to be matched to the effective mass of the tonearm. The higher the mass, the stiffer the cantilever needs to be...and vice versa. That's why getting a cartridge and setup from the seller or mfr can be a good thing.

[tommy p]

Thank you, Johnny B!

That Audio Technica was at the top of my list, so you just gave me the vote of confidence I needed. I also appreciate the tip on the cartridge.

I don't use a turntable often enough to justify spending big bucks for one (conversely, lack of talent has never stopped me with guitars, in expense or number!).

I'm curious as to what you think of the Audacity software that comes with it if you'd care to comment or shoot me a PM.

[JohnnyB]

I'm curious as to what you think of the Audacity software that comes with it if you'd care to comment or shoot me a PM.

To my knowledge my stepson has never used it to rip LPs to iTunes, so I don't know how good/effective the software is.

If you want to reduce ticks and pops, you might start by running your LPs through one of these.

[Brewmaster]

JohhnyB, your opinion on these would be appreciated.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF2.2

[gtone]

Thanks JohnnyB for your sage advice. I'm in the same boat - in the market for something around this price range. Points well taken all...

[JohnnyB]

JohhnyB, your opinion on these would be appreciated.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF2.2

There are only a few worthy contenders in the $500 range and that's certainly one of them. The Technics SL1200 is evidently out of production now, so what I previously wrote about getting a modded Technics DD from KABUSA.com is no longer valid.

The drummer in my band is a fellow audiophile, and he recently set his vintage Dual belt drive 'table (sourced from Thorens) aside in favor of this MMF 2.2. He got his from Needle Doctor, and took their advice and got the upgraded acrylic platter and an Ortofon high output moving coil cartridge. He managed to score a used cartridge locally for about half price, but got the 'table and upgrade platter from Needle Dr.

Anyway, before he was using an older belt drive Dual turntable with an Ortofon 2M Red (a $99 cart), and he says this Music Hall setup is in a completely different league.

Other viable turntables at around this price are the Rega RP1 and the Pro-Ject RPM1.3. The Music Hall turntables are made at the Pro-Ject factory in Czech Republic.

Another package to consider is the Rega RP1 with Performance Pack, which includes a better belt, mat, and made-to-fit Rega cartridge. It's pre-aligned for Rega arms.

I don't think there's a clear winner there; they're all good, though I think an acrylic-plattered MMF 2.2 would be noticeably better.

[a.bandini]

Johnny,

I'd like to add my thanks for these recommendations too. CDs and iPods are all well and good and convenient, but I loved, and miss the ritual of playing an LP. I've wanted to go beyond the nice stereo category for some time (about three decades, truth be told) so these nuggets of experience and advice are really helpful, and appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[belgian]

These have a good reputation over here, but I don't know if they are available in the US.

http://www.project-audio.com/inhalt/en/pdf/essentialusb.pdf

[JohnnyB]

These have a good reputation over here, but I don't know if they are available in the US.

http://www.project-audio.com/inhalt/en/pdf/essentialusb.pdf

We're real familiar with Pro-ject out here, and Pro-ject USB turntable is available stateside. It's probably the same 'table; includes the same model 8.6 tonearm, but packaged a little differently (no Ortofon OM3e cartridge).

[Brewmaster]

I ended up with the AT LP120. I ordered the AT95e cart right away. With I saw the recommended tracking force for the AT2 that came with the TT I cringed. I'll also ordered a replacement stylus for the Shure M97ex cart I have. The other POS TT I had chewed it up. I'll mount it on a spare head shell and then do some A/B comparisons in my spare time. A separate phono preamp is also in my future.

[JohnnyB]

I ended up with the AT LP120. I ordered the AT95e cart right away. With I saw the recommended tracking force for the AT2 that came with the TT I cringed. I'll also ordered a replacement stylus for the Shure M97ex cart I have. The other POS TT I had chewed it up. I'll mount it on a spare head shell and then do some A/B comparisons in my spare time. A separate phono preamp is also in my future.

Right now you can get a Shure M97xE from Amazon for $54.95. Considering that the replacement stylus is $61.95 at best, you might as well get another cartridge for backup.

Or if you would like a significant upgrade for the smallest outlay, replace your worn out M97xE stylus with an aftermarket hotrod stylus. I've read some very enthusiastic comments from owners. There are a few reviews or at least forum-based extensive user comments out there.

[Brewmaster]

I actually found a replacement stylus for 39.99 @ J&R Music World.

http://www.jr.com/shure/pe/SHU_N97XE/

The new cartridge there is 54.99 so why bother with just the stylus to save 15.00.

I didn't buy either yet but now that you mentioned the SAS stylus I will wait a little longer.