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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: Koremora on 10 Jun 2009, 12:48
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So, I have been seriously considering purchasing a vinyl/record player. However, I have no idea what brands are good/cheapest, or where to start looking. All I would need is a player that has a standard 3.5 audio jack so I could hook it up to my logitech speaker system, but I assume that is pretty standard order. So, I'm looking for recommendations for good and cheap record players, and where to find them. Thanks!
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3.5 audio jack so I could hook it up to my logitech speaker system, but I assume that is pretty standard order.
It's not. Most turntables need phono pre-amps and those usually output to the red and white RCA connectors. Do you have any kind of stereo amp just now? Or a budget?
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I don't have a stereo amp, and I would like to keep the budget within the lower 100-200 range if at all possible. If not, then just as low as possible. Are there players that DO have the jack, even if it isn't standard?
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Yeah, you're going to need a preamp unless your amplifier has a specific input for record players that has a preamp section built in.
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Alright, well, extend the recommendation request to the system as well.
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For the setup and price you're talking about I'd look at something like this TEAC turntable (http://www.thefind.com/instruments/browse-teac-pa688-full-automatic-turntable).
I bought an Audio Technica equivalent (http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipment/1/1992/12851.html) a couple of years back and it does the job. Like most turntables, it outputs to an RCA pair. The relevant cable to adapt it is really cheap. (http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Mini-Plug-Jacks-Adapter/dp/B0009JFF7K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244682052&sr=1-3)
It's not an audiophile's dream (no turntable with a built-in pre-amp is) but I never, ever think "man, this sounds a bit shit". I'm sure a back-to-back comparison with a better setup would show up all the deficiencies, but right now I find it fine. I basically listen to stuff via various PC speaker set-ups or on headphones with competing background noise, so ... fucking whatever.
I also have no idea if it's relevant to what you're planning to do, but there are cheap turntables that output digital over USB as well. Designed specifically for oldies who want to digitise their collections, so far as I can tell.
Edit: Further to what I said about the audiophile stuff above, if you're looking to buy vinyl because of superiority in the sound or anything like that, don't. You will not get the benefits of any argued superiority unless you're shelling out fuck loads for a top-end setup, in my experience, and you're going to have your music in a format that's not as easily portable or manageable (space, handling, etc) as digital formats.
That said, I've obviously got a turntable and have bought a lot of vinyl. It's either been because a) I saw it cheap in that format or b) it's something that wasn't released on CD / downloadable format. Recent singles that I could download, I've still opted for vinyl and recorded them to my computer on the first listen. I see that as a kind of future-proof approach - if better file formats come along or I think I want shit in FLAC or whatever at some point, I've got what I need to do it myself.
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Man, I didn't even know about those. That's much cheaper than what I would've expected.
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Thanks fish, that was a really helpful post.
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Glad to help, but I forgot to mention if you don't spend ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS on a FUCKING LASER TURNTABLE you don't REALLY love music (http://www.elpj.com/main.html).
Can't believe that slipped my mind.
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Pfffff, actually spinning your LPs to play them is so 20th Century...:
Digitizing Vinyl (http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/digitizing_vinyl.html)
Edit Edit: even better link
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Or scan to play recordings that were never even expected to be played: 1860 recording (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23835160/)
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Whoa, dumb jokes rewarded with awesome spooky sounds! Thanks, champs.
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I'm also looking for a turntable, a budget model with a built-in preamp and standard phono outputs. I'm not fussed about USB (handy but not essential for me) and I'm no audiophile, it's just that a lot of music I like doesn't get a CD release and I have a ton of vinyl so I need alright quality not anything special. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find either that TEAC or the Audio-Technica equivalent from any UK sellers. Does anyone know of any roughly equivalent models, or alternatively of anywhere that does sell them in the UK?
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The Pioneer PL-990 is a pretty decent budget turntable with built in pre-amp. I got mine refurbished for $100 and it sounds pretty decent and switches between 33 1/3 and 45 rpms with a simple switch. I recommend it as a good place to start before you eventually upgrade to one of those fancy lil pro-ject III for around $300 or so (really they're a hell of a lot better than the Pioneer but the Pioneer is a great started).
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I'm also looking for a turntable, a budget model with a built-in preamp and standard phono outputs. I'm not fussed about USB (handy but not essential for me) and I'm no audiophile, it's just that a lot of music I like doesn't get a CD release and I have a ton of vinyl so I need alright quality not anything special. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find either that TEAC or the Audio-Technica equivalent from any UK sellers. Does anyone know of any roughly equivalent models, or alternatively of anywhere that does sell them in the UK?
there is an audio technica one available, where i work sells it - i think it's around the £200 mark, and there's a fully automatic denon one which records direct onto a USB stick for the same kind of money. however, there's some good deals going around on the Project Debut 3 USB, which wipes the floor with both of them in terms of quality, you should be able to get it for around £200 if you shop around. if that's above budget, there's an Ion, Pioneer, and a Sony one all around the £100-120 mark.