choosing my first turntable, what to do?

[AtomHeart]

Hello people,

I know I'm quite new here (I have been reading the forum threads for a while though), and I'm also quite new to the whole vinyl'business'.
Nevertheless I would like to ask you experts a serious question.
I've read many threads on 'beginner turntables', 'budget turntables', etc. but I was never able to find an answer that really suits my needs.

I'm in search of a budget, yet as close as possible to audiophile quality, new turntable. My budget range is about €500 or $635.

I have done some research on my own and came up with the following possibilities:

- NAD C555i (A dutch brand) http://hificorner.nl/media/catalog/prod ... 52-1_1.jpg

- Dual CS 505-4
http://hificorner.nl/media/catalog/prod ... cs505.jpeg

- Denon DP 300-F
http://hificorner.nl/media/catalog/prod ... _groot.jpg

- Thorens TD-190-2
http://hificorner.nl/media/catalog/prod ... d190-1.jpg

--> Also, if I can upgrade a cheaper turntable (for instance a Project debut III) with a better cartridge... I'd like to hear the possibilities

Many thanks for the ones willing to help me!

Greetings!

[kevindoyle]

I'm not familiar with any of the tables you mentioned, but my advice would be twofold.

1. Don't spend too much money, in case you ultimately decide vinyl isn't for you.
2. Don't spend too little, because you'll end up thinking vinyl stinks, or just upgrade quickly. I had made this mistake.

With those two things in mind, I'd look for a dealer demo Rega P3-24. That'd be good enough to keep you off the upgrade path for a while, and hopefully not cost much more than your budget.

BTW, the new version of the Project Debut III is now called the Carbon and comes with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge which can easily be upgraded to an Ortofon 2M Blue. I had the Debut III and thought it was pretty good, but I upgraded to a Clearaudio Cpncept within the first year of ownership. Looking back, I think I should have just gotten the Rega.

[AtomHeart]

I've already looked into the Rega-segment, but don't seem able to find me a Rega-dealer here in Belgium. I saw one store ocassionally selling the Rega RP1, how does this turntable come along?

Thanks for your reply!

[youngdand]

with that budget i would go for a technics sl1200 and a ok cart. this will give you fantastic quality and if you decide that vinl isn't for you, you will get back every penny you pa for it.

[raphaelmabo]

Hello and welcome!

Well, the four turntables..
The NAD is based upon a Rega with a Rega tonearm. It is a fully manual construction and you change speeds by lifting the plattern and moving the belt on the motor pulley. It is a musical and good performer, but needs a solid stable base (as most other turntables at this price point). It comes with a nice Goldring cartridge for a warm and engaging vinyl sound.


The Dual is a classic design and it is semi-automatic (auto-liftoff for the tonearm at the end of the vinyl tracks, a nice thing IMHO...). This turntable has been around since the 80's in various upgrades, but it is a good classic buy with solid reputation. Tone arm is not as good as the NAD, but this turntable is less fussy and you get electronic switch of the speed so it is user friendly for the beginner. Comes with an Ortofon OM cartridge that you can easily upgrade by changing the stylus to a better Ortofon. An easy going sound.

The Denon is a fully automatic turntable. You move a switch and it plays the record for you - starts the platter and moves the arm into position and lower it and at the end of the record it lifts the arm again and return it to the starting point. Many feels this is convenient. It also comes with a built-in RIAA stage so you just have to plug it into your amplifier in an easy way even if your amplifier would lack a phono input for turntables. For other turntables, a separate phono amplifier can be bought separately, there's plenty of options... and won't cost much. Denon has a solid reputation for quality turntables and also makes good cartridges.

The Thorens is also a fully automatic turntable, like the Denon. The Denon looks more classy with the laquer. Thorens is a solid and nice user friendly operation and easy on the ear sound, but if you want a Thorens I would recommend the TD 235 instead because it is semi automatic and has heavier plattern and sounds better. Comes with the fun Audio-Technica AT95 if I'm not mistaken now? One of the best budget cartridges. Very musical and fun if not the last word in detail or neutrality. If it comes with Ortofon then it is more relaxed but easy on the ear.

Those doesn't come with the same cartridge and the cartridge also plays a role here of course for sound quality, but looking at the turntables only - the NAD sounds the best but is the most fussy one to use.

I see the Dual as a good compromise between user friendliness and nice sound.

As to your question regarding buying a less expensive Pro-Ject.. yes you can upgrade the cartridge but I do advice on getting the best turntable for the money first, you can upgrade the cartridge on all those turntables.. and a solid turntable means it will benefit more from a good cartridge, and even lesser cartridges will still sound good.

But if you are interested in Pro-Ject then the Genie 1.3 is a nice and fun starter turntable.

There are of course many options 2nd hand, but if buying new then you have limited choices.

[AtomHeart]

Thank you for your very helpful reply, Raphael!

So, if I understand correctly, the obvious choice would be between the NAD and the Dual. I figured fussyness can't be a big problem since my room has a very solid floor (tiles) and I would put it upon a relatively steady cupboard.

Also, if I play my records, I would be around for listening, so the manual thing can't be a problem either (and hey, it's part of the fun right?)

My amplifier does have a phono input (Marantz PM66SE KI) so this can't be a problem either.

What a shame I can't find much information upon the NAD on the Internet, but I'll keep looking

Any other thoughts are still welcome!

Greetings!

[cafe latte]

with that budget i would go for a technics sl1200 and a ok cart. this will give you fantastic quality and if you decide that vinl isn't for you, you will get back every penny you pa for it.

Agreed and if you really find you love vinyl the Technics despite being a fantastic performer stock standard can be modded by changing the arm or even adding an external psu. Have a look on the Technics forum and see how far modding some guys have gone with the Technics, here is a link of one thread
viewtopic.php?t=33594. As youngdand said few other TT will get you your money back if vinyl is not for you.
Regards
CL

[bubba45]

The Technics SL1210 gets my vote too. As CL & Youngdand say if you don't like it you'll get your money back.
If I was starting over with vinyl again I'd definitely get a Technics 1210 or 1200 as my 1st TT.
If you get one you may not feel the need to upgrade anything with it for a long while.

[megatrends]

Well hats off to ya in your quest for that money you have available you should be able to get a fine and dandy turntable with it per other user's suggestions in this thread.

This being said welcome to a new world of vinyl. It will be a lifelong passion as you already OBVIOUSLY have a passion for music to begin with.

[Billnot]

This being said welcome to a new world of vinyl. It will be a lifelong passion as you already OBVIOUSLY have a passion for music to begin with.

I bought my first vinyl record (a 7" single) in 1955, and my first LP (*) in 1958. My most recent was yesterday. So that's over 55 years and still counting.

I'd say it's more than a passion - it's an addiction

(*) Beethoven Symphony No. 5 by the Embassy Symphony Orchestra cond. Serge Lamont. 10" Embassy label (Woolworth) WLP 5000. I still have it.

[Squiffything]

This being said welcome to a new world of vinyl. It will be a lifelong passion as you already OBVIOUSLY have a passion for music to begin with.

I bought my first vinyl record (a 7" single) in 1955, and my first LP (*) in 1958. My most recent was yesterday. So that's over 55 years and still counting.

I'd say it's more than a passion - it's an addiction

(*) Beethoven Symphony No. 5 by the Embassy Symphony Orchestra cond. Serge Lamont. 10" Embassy label (Woolworth) WLP 5000. I still have it.

Hey Billnot you have been into vinyl a long time. Did you see Beethoven live?

[cats squirrel]

is Beethoven dead?

[raphaelmabo]

Here is a review of three "under 500 pound" turntables, including the NAD.
http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/UAN/698/v/3/

But please note that this article is quite old now and the 555 is featured, not the 555i. Also note that the Goldring turntable (a cousin to the NAD, they are both made by Rega) are no longer in production, but neither is the NAD 555 or 555i. Actually, you should be able to get the NAD 556 which has an upgraded tonearm.

[Billnot]

Hey Billnot you have been into vinyl a long time. Did you see Beethoven live?

Yes. I tried to tell him how good he was, but he couldn't hear me