Can someone help me please?

[nevermindtheswan]

Hello, my names Tom. I recentley have gotten into vinyl's and love them. The only problem is my crappy compact player. I really would like some help finding a decent setup thats not to pricey, but will let me enjoy my dad's old records and my own newley bought ones.
Thanks to anyone who can help a newbie out.

[studio57a]

The best method is to use Craigslist in your area, or even outside your local listing. Sometimes you can get them to mail you a good top line turntable. Watch out for the cartridge. Most have them included but often have broken or no needles on them. For that, search the net on the make of cart, and compare prices on a replacement stylus.

[bauzace50]

Hi,

here's another approach, and I am going out on a limb with specific suggestions of NEW equipment.

( There are ways of finding bargains in the used market, but somebody else might have good suggestions).

This is a suggestion for components of Very Low Cost whith expectations of DECENT sound which will please and will not embarrass:

One Vendor only: http://www.needledoctor.com

TURNTABLE: Brand: "Pro-Ject". Model: "Debut Carbon" including the Ortofon Red cartridge in a "combo" deal, $399.00

AMPLIFIER with Phonograph Preamp Included inside: Brand: "Cambridge Audio". Model: "Topaz Integrated AM 10". 35 watts per channel. $349.00

SPEAKERS: Brand: "Mordaunt-Short". Model: "Carnival 1" bookshelf-size. $199.00 the pair.

For $1,147. PLUS shipping, this is a complete, and decent, system with full Moving Magnet Phonograph capability and sufficient inputs to add other music sources outlined in the amplifier description.
You can see each component's description in the website/store of Needledoctor.

Best wishes

bauzace50

PS: let us know how it goes, as you develop ideas and look into the suggestions.

[nevermindtheswan]

Thankyou guys so much! Im really glad you have helped me out on such a open question
and I will defiantly keep in touch on my progress!

[bauzace50]

definitely do. Best wishes.

[mickb69]

hi mate, here's a copy and paste of a post i sent to another guy wh asked the same question (please bear in mind that opinions and budgets will differ, but i was after top gear and lowest prices, here's advice i was given, and what i bought):

i might have the necessary info you are after, as i spent months studying the market for cheap second hand-but good-stuff.
i also had a cheap all in one hi fi which was good, but i wanted something better, but without spending ridiculous amounts of money.

for turntables, i was recommended: rega planar, project, dual cs-505.
for amps " " : rotel, arcam alpha, audiolab 8000a, creek, nad 3020.
for speakers: wharfdale diamond, mission, royd.

basically any legendary british or european stuff. all/most the brands mentioned are really good entry level gear that is well within your budget and you will be able to play about a bit with your budget. but bear in mind, if you go for a second hand turntable, budget for a new stylus and/or cartridge.

here's what i ended up with:

turntable: thorens TD166 mkvi BC (with rega RB250 tonearm) £155 from ebay (local seller just up the road)
new cartridge and stylus for above: audio technica AT-95 £40 (local shop.)
amp: integrated arcam alpha 3 in mint condition £46 (ebay, picked up from chorley)
speakers: mission 731 bi-wireable £35 from cash converters in wigan.
speaker cable: free from our carls shed

all in, about 276 quid. it sounds really crisp.
there's maybe a more expensive amp that i would have liked to have gone for, or splashed out on a better TT, or fancy speakers.
with your budget you have a broad range of choice and leeway and can really treat yourself

[youngdand]

Generally speaking. Pioneers PL ## or PL ### kenwood KD#### ariston, thorens TD15# TD16# tehnics SL1200 are all respectable turntables.

my first table was a Kenwood KD 1033, which was a decent enough table with a good shure V15 RS cart and sounded great. Not in the league of the ariston i now own, which again wasn't very expensive second hand.

the ariston RD11's is a sibling of the Linn LP12 but without the price tag.

Search, gumtree and preloved some good bargains come up.

[youngdand]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/proje ... /102604675

[youngdand]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/pink- ... /102525345

this may be a good starter deck.

[youngdand]

if you can stretch to it, this is a bargain.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/linn- ... /102312184

[youngdand]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/rega- ... /102052607

[mickb69]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/pink-triangle-lpt-turntable-rega-rb250/102525345

this may be a good starter deck.

eh!? does that say that the guy wants one pound for it?
that is a bargain