Do these look like a good buy?

[Secretninja]

Hi all, I'm new here and was looking to get a decent turntable to enjoy my dad's pretty extensive vinyl collection. I found these two on craigslist, and they seem to be a pretty good price. I was wondering if anyone could tell what carts are on them, and which would be better in your opinions. I wouldn't want to buy a new cart anytime soon if I bought one of these, do you think these would be suitable for home listening?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2884712242.html

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2884713557.html

[Alec124c41]

They are good turntables, if they have not been abused.
The cartridges are Ortofon DJ units. You would want to replace the stylus with one made for hi-fi, that tracks lighter. (You can do that with Ortofon.) They should have rubber mats.

Cheers,
Alec

[avole]

They look like they're DJ units. You'd want to check everything for signs of wear, abuse etc.

[Secretninja]

I have been reading these dj stylus just eat up records, which is exactly what I DON'T want to do. I guess I will just keep looking, rather than buying one of these and having to immediately buy a cart as well, which is more than I was wanting to spend at the moment.

[Alec124c41]

Finding a cartridge is the easy part.
An OM10 stylus should fit those cartridges, tracks at 1.5 grams.
http://www.lpgear.com/product/ORS010.html

Cheers,
Alec

[Van_Isle]

Took a cruise on your craigslist ... pretty slim pickin's

Yamaha YP-211 for $150 - it needs a new stylus and while that's a pretty nice vintage table I can't help but feel that $ is really pushing the envelope: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2880053081.html

If it's still availabe - an AR-XA - a real classic turntable - not sure exactly what they are asking for it. Again needs stylus, but I think if you can find a MicroAcoustics stylus it would run you $$$ ... so if that table interests you plan on a new cartridge: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2871781599.html

Denon DP-300F with a separate Audio Technica pre-amp - these are a current model and while not my 1st choice, it might be a good option to get you going - you would have to plan on putting a Stanton 681EEE stylus on that DJ 680HP cartridge. Not a bad deal for $275. If you don't need a separate pre-amp you could resell it to further reduce your cost: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2905601366.html

Couple things you can do:

1) search your craigslist for 'turntable' and 'record player' ... and don't limit it just to electronics section.
2) become a subscriber at Audiokarma.org ($25 for a year) so you have access to bartertown - post a wanted ad.
3) check out for sale ads at audiogon.com
4) check out some estate sales - I've picked up some decent gear at them in the past.

[mickb69]

I could be wrong, but for the price of an established secondhand dj turntable you could buy a brand new entry level rega or project brand new.
I would advise against buying second hand if you can help it, at least with record players anyway.
But ultimately, my advice is this, when you are buying a second hand turntable, always assume the stylus or cartridge needs replacing, I bought a second hand Thorens of a local guy through eBay the other day,
And in the description it said it had a brand new ed Saunders stylus on a shure m95ed.
I got it home and put it on only to find that the stylus was completely knackered.
I then had to go out and order a brand new audio technica at 95 at a cost of 40 quid, and I only bid as hard as I did on the auction because it was supposed to be spot on,
So assume the worst, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Also, when buying knew, everything is covered by warranty and you know it will be right.
There can be allsorts wrong with turntables that you only notice when you get to know them better

[Van_Isle]

Well I certainly wouldn't suggest buying a SL-1200 that has been abused as a DJ unit, that's for sure.

If there is a Rega or Pro-ject dealer in St. Louis I would suggest obviously a good listen 1st ... personally I've listened to the entry-level models of both and too much W&F for me - I can hear it. Mind you the Rega I listened to had a very visible platter wobble so that might have had something to do with it.

Too bad you were not able to demo your Thorens before purchase ... kind of defeats the benefit of a local pickup I guess.

[mickb69]

yeah, i suppose.
the main reason i wanted local pick up was so i could make sure it was delivered safe, i could have rung him up and made him refund it or sort something out but i just decided i'd rather keep it, it is a really nice turntable in great condition and it has the rega rb250 tonearm.

[gjb1969]

in a word yes!!!

[Bob in STL]

Took a cruise on your craigslist ... pretty slim pickin's

Yamaha YP-211 for $150 - it needs a new stylus and while that's a pretty nice vintage table I can't help but feel that $ is really pushing the envelope: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2880053081.html

If it's still availabe - an AR-XA - a real classic turntable - not sure exactly what they are asking for it. Again needs stylus, but I think if you can find a MicroAcoustics stylus it would run you $$$ ... so if that table interests you plan on a new cartridge: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2871781599.html

Denon DP-300F with a separate Audio Technica pre-amp - these are a current model and while not my 1st choice, it might be a good option to get you going - you would have to plan on putting a Stanton 681EEE stylus on that DJ 680HP cartridge. Not a bad deal for $275. If you don't need a separate pre-amp you could resell it to further reduce your cost: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/2905601366.html

Couple things you can do:

1) search your craigslist for 'turntable' and 'record player' ... and don't limit it just to electronics section.
2) become a subscriber at Audiokarma.org ($25 for a year) so you have access to bartertown - post a wanted ad.
3) check out for sale ads at audiogon.com
4) check out some estate sales - I've picked up some decent gear at them in the past.

I have been looking in St. Louis too and the pickings are slim.

I personnally looked at the first to TT's on your list. The Yamaha looks nice and clean. Did not get a demo on it, there was no cartridge on it at the time and he was tweaking it. I already have a Yamaha DD and I want to take a big step up from it so I passed.

The AR was in poor condition. My opinion is it is not playable in current state but can certainly be stripped down, cleaned up, and in some areas rebuilt. It is the two motor type. Good feature is the solid wood plinth. The AR headshell is inoperative (one of the cartridge screw housings is cracked but the nibs are intact). He used a Pioneer headshell and the left channel was out. He claimed the amp was faulty. Potential is there for someone with time and money to bring this thing back. No offer made by me on it.


Good luck.