Getting back into my old vinyl

[teseract]

Can anyone tell me anything about my turntable which is an Akai ap-b20 I picked up at a yard sale. I have decided to get back into listening to my vinyl again and had sold my old Technics player a long time ago. I didn't want to go all out and spend a great deal of money on everything but I did buy a cambridge 640p preamp and a new shure m97xe Stylus. The only thing I am not familiar with is the Akai I picked up. I know they made some good turntables back in the day but is mine one of them. If not can anyone suggest a good 500 and under turntable. I was leaning towards the Pro-ject table that I've been hearing good things about.

The arm on the Akai is NOT suitable for for your cartridge( which is a good one),nor, in fact, is the turntable itself. Opinions to the contrary are simply wrong, and will lead to disapointment. The turntable is also not good enough, it's very lightweight platter is highly resonant. Buy the project, fit your M97xe to it & discover you precious vinyl all over again. Good listening

[wonka1]

Youngand,

You are correct. Not sure why I stated the Rp1 was P mount. I just went to my local audio dealer and they had one set up there. I liked its performance but there are many variables as you know when listening to any music. I think I'm almost where I want to be with my setup. I din't want to spend to much money right away but I didn't want low end either. I've decided against a used TT because most want way too much for them. Gotta thanks Vinyl Engine for giving me a base to research what I might be buying. i.e someone selling a sl-3200 for 180 bucks with no dust cover and tonearm. Anyway I'm almost there with my setup. What I really want to invest in and what I have heard many times because my brother in law uses one is the "Imp Amp" by ZVEX.

[youngdand]

If you can find one cheap enough, the Technics 1200 / 1210 will better most turntables in its stock form, and over time you can upgrade the things that really make the difference, eg tonearm and cart. but as it is, a technics with that shure cart, will be a great combination and will make very nice accurate sounding music. ask cafe latte! the like of project and the lower end regas, are just going to be a stepping stone for you, whereas if you get the technics now, when you have the moey, you can invest in the arm and cart.

[avole]

You should avoid the cheaper Pro-jects. Because of the way they mount the motor noise is transmitted to the cartridge, and is clearly audible, sometimes badly so.

The Rega is a much better bet.

[wonka1]

Just noticed a Kenwood Kd2055 for sale near me for $100. Its stock. I was about to buy the Rega P1 just because I need a TT now and have a small budget. What would you buy, the KD2055 or the Rega P1?

[Alec124c41]

I'd take the Kenwood. It should do a decent job while saving you money, and when you want to upgrade, you should be able to resell it.

Cheers,
Alec

[youngdand]

I second that, i had a kenwood KD 1033 for my first tabke, and got to sa it was a very capable performer, and cam fitted with a shure v15RS, made nice music.