My turntable is a vanity piece, a Technics SL-V5. I don't have a picture handy here at work, but, its a gorgeous piece of kit, in my humble opinion. I like all my new music on vinyl too, not just old stuff.
I got over 250 albums on vinyl, sadly all I got is an ion usb turntable (wish I had a technics but a bit out of my range currently). Might post pics of my collection one of these days. But yes I do collect it and love it.
I'm wondering whether to splurge on a budget audiophile turntable or buy a cheapo player and see if I use it enough to justify it first. Seeing as I've got hundreds and hundreds of CDs and only about 60 records I'm not sure I'll have to time to justify £100. With all the mentions of Technics, I know the 1200s are the go to classics for DJing, but does that mean they are decent for home listening, or just a case of hype/trendiness? Are Technics turntables decent all round? Any suggestions for Technics turntables with integrated pre-amp? Or any seperate pre-amps that are a good deal.
I've got a lovely vintage Pioneer. Something is loose on the inside, though, as every once in a while it coasts to a halt until I go over and whack it gently. Don't know the model since I'm not at home right now, but it looks very similar to this but with different switches (I think mine's a little older, judging by the style)
Yes, they are awesome, and you can get them used rather cheaply. I think I paid 10,000 yen for mine recently. What you should be looking for here is build quality and durability, which is where it excels.
10'000? Wow, that's one hell of a deal. Usually they go for 300-500 Dollars, depending on the condition (tangible parts have been replaced or not) and the needle that sometimes comes with it. IIRC, I paid 300 Euros for mine (1210mk2).
Mine was w/o needle, but you can get a very good medium-end needle for another 10,000. You can even get a "good" one (Shure?) for like 3000.
I went digging through my parents' records the other day, and found some good stuff. "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd, and "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse.
In the UK they run for £150ish sans needle which is more than I'd want to pay even if I were after a really good turntable. My CD transport/DAC/AMP cost about £250 over all and given any one part of your set up is only as good as the cheapest component it would probably be pointless spending that much. Build quality is probably a secondary priority - I know it will have a net effect on the sound quality but I wont use it much (as I say mainly CDs) and its not going to get lugged around clubs or abused. Does getting a decent needle have a disproportionate (with regards to the cost of the turntable) effect on sound quality?
Well, as you stated, your overall setup is only as good as the cheapest component. Well, I guess that's not totally true since you will simply hook your turntable up to your AMP. And yes, as far as the needle is concerned, sound quality is a factor. However, it's not the only factor. You will really need to do some research, but basically anything Ortophone is quality. I got their needle that's made for digitizing vinyl. Against the point, but I have a lot of vinyl that has no other release (download or CD) and some of it I want to listen to on the go. I think the pros for getting a pair of 1200's is you can pretty much guarantee them to last longer than any of your other components. It's a shame they're discontinued as they're such an awesome piece of hardware. So, one day, I guess everyone will have to pay top dollar for good turntables, but that will be a while. They were constructed w/ lugging them around and being used by drunk hipsters and jack asses doing coke on them in mind.
1200s are great but I think the price on 'em is inflated due to the hype. Research will get you a fantastic table at an even better price. This isn't a car you're buying, it's a damn phonograph. Just shop smart and you'll find something that will last you many many years. I don't think anyone in this thread plans on hauling their table around, spilling drinks on it, or tossing any grenades inside it. It's a box that sits quite stationary on your surface of choice. Since one has to be gentile with their wax, that will trickle into the care of the player. Anyway. I just finally finished moving my vinyl into my new place. Reminder: record collections are heavy. Forgot that part. Had a fun time alphabetizing them on the floor while blasting some Jethro Tull. Well, not blasting... I can't do that anymore since I've got roommates. As a fun side-conversation (and separate from the other What Are You Listening To? thread), what is everyone spinning currently? Past days: The Autokinoton - (ST) Jethro Tull - Aqualung Genghis Tron - Board Up the House Genghis Tron - Board Up the House Remixes (Anticon Records) Tambersauro - Split with The Blue Letter The Robot Ate Me - Good World Itinerary for today: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Van Halen - Diver Down (Apparently I have two copies of this? Not sure how I let that happen) Harry Chapin - Portrait Gallery Gay Beast - 7"
