Turntable Recommendations Welcomed

[megatrends]

My girlfriend told me to pick out a turntable for $500 ....

I really like Technics direct drive turntables as the radio station I do a show at has the SL-1200 MKII ones.

I am not looking for a used Technics model of the SL-1200 MKII mainly because when you buy online you don't know what you are getting.

So with this in mind I need NEW and Technics but open to other options (Obviously Audio-Technica comes to mind) and GOOD for $500.

I don't care about USB this and rip vinyl to PC that. I am not interested, I own a CD analog recorder and can record anything on CD from any analog source.

Post links, pictures, info etc. I am most looking forward to looking at your suggestions.

This photo is what I am used to at home now and have used this for years and years with NO malfunctions and still works beautifully. It is a Technics Quartz Direct Drive SL-Q300 from around 1983.

[Trackside]

SL-1200 MK2 is pretty robust so if you buy one that has not been used for DJ use it's almost certainly going to be fine. If you still have cold feet about online buying from private individuals then I'm sure you can buy a good S/H one from a dealer for this amount. BTW - the Audio technica version of the SL-1200 is junk

[megatrends]

SL-1200 MK2 is pretty robust so if you buy one that has not been used for DJ use it's almost certainly going to be fine. If you still have cold feet about online buying from private individuals then I'm sure you can buy a good S/H one from a dealer for this amount. BTW - the Audio technica version of the SL-1200 is junk

I'm leaning towards this one here the Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT ... ef=lh_ni_t

I am also wanting to get this for a cartridge and stylus. SURE MX97XE cartridge.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High- ... pd_cp_MI_1

[Trackside]

I'm sure your GF will be happy with your choices.

[megatrends]

I'm sure your GF will be happy with your choices.

I'm happy because she bought them for me as a gift. Both are paid for and I just await their arrival. I think I made good choices, I like Amazon when they have good bargains like that cartridge.

I didn't expect to buy the TT that quickly but I researched it heavily and really found not much in the way of complaints from anyone. I must have skimmed over at least 150 reviews. The model under this one had complaints which doesn't have the speed slider button so i got this one which has more "stuff".

I know what it comes with, its features etc.

I like the ease of analog use for a home stereo and the built in pre-amp for USB as well as software for recording on a PC should I choose to, male RCA jacks, female one, ground cable etc. very cool. I do prefer my cd recorder i own, I have recorded everything from band demo cassette tapes to vinyls, the remote has a track increment button on it. One push and it starts a new track.

I just hope stuff lasts these days, I have doubt that anyone makes something to last anymore unless they pay for the best top end gear and even then ...


My Technics TT I am replacing in that picture has been through everything and it lives. never repaired once ever for anything.

[cafe latte]

Audio Technica turntables are complete junk, the lp1240 is the best of the bunch, but still horrible. The problem is all the Audio Technica tables regulate there speed every rotatiom instead of when needed like with the Technics. What this does is cause a pulsing/cogging which is reflected in the very high wow and flutter measurements of the Audio Technica. The other problem is the speed of the Audio Technics is not adjustable and is set incorrectly correctly in most cases. They rely on the value of the resistors being exact which they never are and there have been reports of them running slow which for a quartz locked direct drive it is rather hard to do. You would be better getting a Technics that has had a hard life and fixing it up as even a tired Technics will walk all over the Audio Technica, the visual similarity is were the similarity ends. Also what are you worried about buying a used Technics? The motor has no touching parts, the main bearing is only 25 dollars, an arm is only 65 dollars, even a main board can be picked up used for 60 dollars on ebay so the Technics is very servicable and you would have to buy a real lemon to be seriously out of pocket.
Please dont waist your money on the AT
Regards
CL

[raphaelmabo]

Technics no longer makes turntables, they are no longer in production.

If not buying a used..
I recommend the Music Hall MMF 2.2 turntable.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Hall- ... ategory=46

A lower cost alternative is the Pro-Ject Essential.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Es ... ategory=46

(they uses the same motor and tonearm, but the Music Hall comes with a better plinth and an upgraded cartridge).

Note: Those two are fully manual turntables, with manual speed selection (you select speed by lifting the belt and moving it). They also requires a phono-input with RIAA on the amplifier they are going to be connected to, or a separate pre-phono amplifier.

Those two turntables are enjoying to listen to.

[HT Performance]

My girlfriend told me to pick out a turntable for $500 ....

Lucky you!

I wish my GF would tell those things to me!

Just don´t buy plastic turntables!!!

[cafe latte]

My girlfriend told me to pick out a turntable for $500 ....

Lucky you!

I wish my GF would tell those things to me!

Just don´t buy plastic turntables!!!

Technics is not plastic, but I imagine you mean the Audio Technica..

[cafe latte]

Technics no longer makes turntables, they are no longer in production.

If not buying a used..
I recommend the Music Hall MMF 2.2 turntable.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Hall- ... ategory=46

A lower cost alternative is the Pro-Ject Essential.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Es ... ategory=46

(they uses the same motor and tonearm, but the Music Hall comes with a better plinth and an upgraded cartridge).

Note: Those two are fully manual turntables, with manual speed selection (you select speed by lifting the belt and moving it). They also requires a phono-input with RIAA on the amplifier they are going to be connected to, or a separate pre-phono amplifier.

Those two turntables are enjoying to listen to.

Technics is not in production, but a music hall 2,2 is way lower than a Technics sl1210. I had a Project rpm 6.1sb and ran it side by side with my Technics for a while and sold it as the Technics far out performed it and the 6.1 is one of the better Project turntables. Projects and Music hall are good tables but if you buy used you can do a lot better. The problem is for the spend you are talking buying new you are at the bottom of the pile, but used you can get something quite nice even it you dont go Technics.
Regards
CL

[raphaelmabo]

I agree with for that amount of money one can get a very decent used turntable. It is not enough money for anything more than entry level / beginner / budget turntables. The Technics SL12x0-turntables were clearly above budget turntables when sold new so it is like comparing apples and bananas. But if used is not an option and 500 USD is max, then I believe those turntables I mentioned are among the better ones..

[Bob in STL]

Megatrends,

I just checked Craigslist in your home town of Lewiston, ME.

Here is a Technics SL-1200mk2 for $350. http://pullman.craigslist.org/ele/3071415241.html

He already dropped the price once. I will bet you can get it for $300, after you inspect it and test it.

Craigslist is a good place to look because you don't have to ship and you can see and test the equipment before you buy it. Plus you are not competeing with the rest of the country (or world for that matter).

Good luck.

Bob

[youngdand]

Get the technocs 1200, just make sure the speed is steady and the arm doesn't rattle and you are good to go. a new arm costs very little, and ou can upgrade it over time, with better arms, improved power supply, and a decent cart.

[megatrends]

Audio Technica turntables are complete junk, the lp1240 is the best of the bunch, but still horrible. The problem is all the Audio Technica tables regulate there speed every rotatiom instead of when needed like with the Technics. What this does is cause a pulsing/cogging which is reflected in the very high wow and flutter measurements of the Audio Technica. The other problem is the speed of the Audio Technics is not adjustable and is set incorrectly correctly in most cases. They rely on the value of the resistors being exact which they never are and there have been reports of them running slow which for a quartz locked direct drive it is rather hard to do. You would be better getting a Technics that has had a hard life and fixing it up as even a tired Technics will walk all over the Audio Technica, the visual similarity is were the similarity ends. Also what are you worried about buying a used Technics? The motor has no touching parts, the main bearing is only 25 dollars, an arm is only 65 dollars, even a main board can be picked up used for 60 dollars on ebay so the Technics is very servicable and you would have to buy a real lemon to be seriously out of pocket.
Please dont waist your money on the AT
Regards
CL

This model does have a speed adjust, it can be seen in the photo.

It is already done, bought and paid for as posted above. I am getting the SURE MX97XE cartridge as a separate order. Got that for half off at $70.

I'm sure this turntable doesn't "suck". I very much appreciate the feedback, I am not a professional DJ and it just for home use to replace my 1983 direct drive "cheap" turntable. I won;t be doing this junk with it (same thing I am getting) lol. http://youtu.be/s94NvWBc6to I read between 150 and 200 reviews before deciding on it and virtually were all favorable. if I were entering it in a 'best turntable ever contest" then I could go along with your arguments and agree it isn;t the best one you can buy. For home use and will never travel anywhere? Just fine I am sure.

The radio station I do a show at has 2 Technics SL 1200 MKII turntables and I am very very familiar with them. I am sure I won;t be disappointed here with the Audio-Technica one I just bought.

Look at the Technics I used from 1983 until now .... lol. It served me well.

Girlfriend insisted on NEW only, buying it for me as a gift. That is that.

This was the best I could get for the money new.