i'm missing vinyl (ot audio advice)

#1 03-07-2008, 01:37 PM

in my life and thinking about turntables....
what's a good not too expensive turntable.. new or used? i'm short on funds for the slow economy so i just want basic bang for the buck.. and simple.

i'm decades out of the loop...

avalonracing · #2 03-07-2008, 01:40 PM

Check used stuff although pretty much everyone who was going to get rid of the turntables for a CD player did that already... ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO!

Don't forget a good cartridge for the turntable they make all the difference.

Grant McLean · #3 03-07-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoop

i'm decades out of the loop...

that's the best part, nothing has changed.

Definitely go used. I'd say a Rega Planar 3 with the RB300 arm,
and get a new cartridge. Paging DavidS.... Paging DavidS....

-g

Pete Serotta · #4 03-07-2008, 01:44 PM

I have an old Bang and Oulsen (B&O) that works well......it was cheap but then I have tin ears.....

Check Craig's List or the local high end stereo shops for used (trade in).

Grant McLean · #5 03-07-2008, 01:46 PM

forgot the link:

http://www.audiogon.com/

-g

znfdl · #6 03-07-2008, 01:52 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but what is the best way to get my vinyl records into my ipod?

#7 03-07-2008, 01:55 PM

oh.. they have a usb turntable.. i think you can get it at amazon... but i also think it involves compressed files.. i was searching this stuff out about cassettes the other week...

znfdl · #8 03-07-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoop

oh.. they have a usb turntable.. i think you can get it at amazon... but i also think it involves compressed files.. i was searching this stuff out about cassettes the other week...

I saw the USB tirntable, I jusy wondered if there is a better solution, sound quality wise.

mcteague · #9 03-07-2008, 02:12 PM

Vinyl??? Just invest in some good speakers. If you must buy ancient technology, Rega gives you the most bang for the buck. Of course you realize that the "warmth" you hear from vinyl is really just distortion from dragging a needle along the grooves. I so don't miss the cleaning ritual, flipping the disk halfway through a symphony, bass rolled of so as to not have the cartridge jump out of the groove. When CDs came out I jumped with both feet and never looked back. Of course, great speakers such as my Linkwitz Orions make even harsh CDs listenable, unlike my previous Thiels.

Tim McTeague

Kevan · #10 03-07-2008, 02:13 PM

getting a couple people involved investing in that usb table. So many folk have vinyl simply standing on end with no place to go. The table I've seen advertised was 2 bills, I think.

Me personally, I don't think I'll ever go back.

Grant McLean · #11 03-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

Vinyl??? Just invest in some good speakers. If you must buy ancient technology, Rega gives you the most bang for the buck. Of course you realize that the "warmth" you hear from vinyl is really just distortion from dragging a needle along the grooves. I so don't miss the cleaning ritual, flipping the disk halfway through a symphony, bass rolled of so as to not have the cartridge jump out of the groove. When CDs came out I jumped with both feet and never looked back. Of course, great speakers such as my Linkwitz Orions make even harsh CDs listenable, unlike my previous Thiels.

Tim McTeague

hey, no politics on the phorum !

-g

Bernie · #12 03-07-2008, 02:13 PM

yeah there is a better way sound quality wise but it seems like a lot of work. I researched it and it appears you will need the correct turntable, some recording software, some editing software, your computer with the right audio card, and a whole lot of time. There are several sites that have instructions and sell the stuff you need if you google it. If I remember, you need to play the record while recording it on your computer w/the recording software. Then you need to edit the recording and store it as a single file. You need to do this with every track, or you could just have one very large file for the whole side. I gave up on the idea until I come across a cheap usb turntable.

thwart · #13 03-07-2008, 02:15 PM

If you run it through your preamp (for RIAA equalization) you can then run it into your computer with a program like Toast (for Macs). Well... and the right cable (for mic input).

Works well, IMHO.

The best cheap but good turntable... Rega Planar 3. Atmo.

Grant McLean · #14 03-07-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znfdl

I saw the USB tirntable, I jusy wondered if there is a better solution, sound quality wise.

I use a product called "iMic"
Just plug an RCA adapter cable from your turntable, (or pre-amp)
and it has a USB on the other end.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic

There are lots of software options out there,
but i just use the little program that came with the hardware.

-g

davids · #15 03-07-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant McLean

that's the best part, nothing has changed.

Definitely go used. I'd say a Rega Planar 3 with the RB300 arm,
and get a new cartridge. Paging DavidS.... Paging DavidS....

-g

Yep. That's what I would have said. Except the "Paging DavidS" part.

The Rega P3/RB301 is just under $900.

If that's too much, the P2/RB250 is $545.

And a Grado cartridge. The Black is $80.

A good turntable is a revelation, atmo. A mediocre turntable is a horror show, as much a waste of money as a WalMart bicycle.

I'm not as up on the market as I used to be, but feel free to bounce any ideas/deals off me via PM. I'm here to help.