so i've got the vinyl......but how am i going to listen to it?

NMyTree

HollisBrown wrote:

Just remember the cartridge costs extra.
Plus, a belt driven table is better than a direct drive. Just a tad of a hassle when changing speeds.

Well, he can find some turntables that come complete with cartridge/stylus and a place like Acoustic Sounds will install it and set up the turnatble for him, for free; prior to shipping.

As for the belt/ direct drive issue. It all depends.

Traditionally belt driven tables are better.

But you have to take into consideration he has no knowledge of tables, has no clue how to work them or set them up.

So a direct drive would be better for this guy, as a starting point. They're easier to operate, set up and change speeds.

Plus, what kind of quality recordings will he be listening to?

Direct drives are said to smear the sound a wee-bit, but it's also widley known that the "smearing" also helps to smooth out not-so-high quality recordings and make them easier on the ear.

If he's going for high quality, detailed recordings and has experience with turtables; then, belt drive would be the best options for him.

But in his case, I would suggest Direct Drive.

NeilJam

Yielded wrote:

I've always been dubious about those USB turntables. Converting vinyl to mp3 seems a bit nonsensical to me.

Back to the topic though. You can get very good record players for a decent price nowadays.

Converting vinyl to mp3 doesn't make much sense because you loose the superior sound quality you get from vinyl.

If you're really serious about getting some high quality sound I suggest Technics or Numark turntables. Both are high quality brands and most have pitch control to change the speed of the record (I often play my Pearl Jam records at a slightly higher speed).

In addition to the turntable you will need a receiver to play it through. You could get a cheap all-in-one stereo, but it won't sound as good as with higher quality components.

You will also have to a needle (stylus). I'm unsure of the availability of replacement needles for newer all-in-one setups. You'll have a hard time finding needles for most old turntables, and having a good needle is VERY important because you don't want to damage your records.

My setup consists of two Technics 1200MK2's hooked up through a mixer so I can play music seamlessly from one record to another. I also play around with the sound with the equalizers on the mixer and sometimes mix music together. The mixer is plugged into the receiver, which is hooked up to two 3-way speakers.


I ordered my stuff from this store long ago, here's a link to turntables on the site:

http://www.pssl.com/DJ-Turntables/?pg=100

Dr. Delight

NMyTree wrote:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Technics-SL1210MK2-Turntable?sku=807058

quote]
This is the table I have. Awesome player, got it for $100 on ebay. Spent $50 on a solid stylus and sounds great with my Polk Towers.

I wouldnt say the MK2 is starter table either.

eMMI

Tombourine wrote:

Being 20 is no excuse! I'm 20 and I not only have a record player, but I also know how to operate it!

exactly! statements like that (I'm only 20 so..) will ruin our reputation! :eek: just kidding of course.

I wish I had a record player though (yes, I know how to use one).. not that I've got many records. but I'd have no place to put it.

NMyTree

Dr. Delight wrote:

NMyTree wrote:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Technics-SL1210MK2-Turntable?sku=807058

quote]
This is the table I have. Awesome player, got it for $100 on ebay. Spent $50 on a solid stylus and sounds great with my Polk Towers.

I wouldnt say the MK2 is starter table either.

It is compared to the $1,500.00-10,000.00 dollar tables:)

I'm not belittling that MK2, I think it's a great table that punches way above it's price point. As good or better than a lot of tables in the $500-$800 price range.

I just think that if he's going to get into vinyl and buy a table, he should start off with a reasonably priced, quality table; which will allow him to actually enjoy the good qualities and benefits of vinyl.

If he buys a piece of crap he'll be wondering what all the hype is about vinyl.

The piece of crap won't do justice to the vinyl records and get the best out the vinyl.

NeilJam

NMyTree wrote:

I just think that if he's going to into vinyl and buy a table, he should start off with a reasonably priced, quality table; which will allow him to actually enjoy the good qualities and benefits of vinyl.

If he buys a piece of crap he'll be wondering what all the hype is about vinyl.

The piece of crap won't do justice to the vinyl records and get the best of of them.

QFT

If you get a cheapo turntable you won't get good quality sound. Although there are deals to be found as Dr. Delight found.

Get a high quality turntable and it will give you years of great sound. It will be worth it now and in the long run.

Dr. Delight

NMyTree wrote:

Dr. Delight wrote:

It is compared to the $1,500.00-10,000.00 dollar tables:)

I'm not belittling that MK2, I think it's a great table that punches way above it's price point. As good or better than a lot of tables in the $500-$800 price range.

I just think that if he's going to get into vinyl and buy a table, he should start off with a reasonably priced, quality table; which will allow him to actually enjoy the good qualities and benefits of vinyl.

If he buys a piece of crap he'll be wondering what all the hype is about vinyl.

The piece of crap won't do justice to the vinyl records and get the best out the vinyl.

Of course, I agree.

My first player was a low end Technics model I bought at a flea market for $5. The thing actually lasted a long time.
I finally had to "upgrade" though. I love the MK2.

NMyTree

Dr. Delight wrote:

NMyTree wrote:

Of course, I agree.

My first player was a low end Technics model I bought at a flea market for $5. The thing actually lasted a long time.
I finally had to "upgrade" though. I love the MK2.

Dr. Delight,

The great thing about the MK2 is that in it's stock form, it is a woderful turntable. But if you want to improve on it even more, you can call KAB and talk to them about the modifications they can do; that will elevate the MK2's performance to a new level. I know a few guys who have had the improvements/modifications and the results are amazing!! It brings the MK2 to a level that it competes hard with $2,000/2,500 dollar tables. Maybe some tables that are even more expensive than that. KAB does a killer, high-quality job with their mods. It's a less expensive way of upgrading your turntable (MK2) without spending $2,000. And you can pick and choose what mods you want. Get several at one time, or only one or two at a time, over the period of a year...two years...what ever you want.

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm

MasterFramer

NMyTree wrote:

Here's a bunch of turntables at varying prices.

All of which are good starter tables.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=38540

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=15263 Basically it is the exact same table as the Pro-ject)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProJect-Debut-III-Audiophile-Turntable?sku=807600

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Technics-SL1210MK2-Turntable?sku=807058

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTT500

Do you really think $300+ is the price range for a "starter table"?

NMyTree

MasterFramer wrote:

Do you really think $300+ is the price range for a "starter table"?

Yes, I do.

I believe you get what you pay for. You pay peanuts, you get crap.

Crap that you won't even really enjoy.

Because crap can't convey the beauty and benefits of a good vinyl record.

Crap could only convey the cheap and crappy parts used to make crap.

Crap could only convey the crappy design specifically conjured up.....to make crap.

MasterFramer

NMyTree wrote:

Yes, I do.

I believe you get what you pay for. You pay peanuts, you get crap.

Crap that you won't even really enjoy.

Because crap can't convey the beauty and benefits of a good vinyl record.

Crap could only convey the cheap and crappy parts used to make crap.

Crap could only convey the crappy design specifically conjured up.....to make crap.

:rolleyes: please...

NMyTree

MasterFramer wrote:

:rolleyes: please...

That's reality.

Believe what you want.

Let me give you an example.

A friend of mine always buys cheap DVD players. The ones that go from $39.99- 49.99 at Wal-Mart. Every year her DVD player craps out on her and she has to go buy another one. Over the last seven years she has bought seven DVD players (and her most current one is right on schedule to crap out, too). It's already freezing up and shutting off on it's own. So she'll be shopping for another one, shortly. Furthermore her DVD players always have a terrible picture and never look clear and sharp; from day one. Always kind of slightly distorted or fuzzy.

My first DVD player lasted eight years ($400.00) and the picture was always great, till the drive unit broke from the abuse it took from my kids. My current DVD player (going on it's fourth year of excellent service for me) an Integra DPS 10.5 is a high end model and cost a lot more ( Kids are forbidden from touching it). The picture is outstanding and works flawlessly. No doubt this player will be still cranking and working perfectly for another 10-15 years.

bazzer

How do these "DJ" turntables (if I can refer to them as such) compare to similarly priced "audiophile" turntables (pro-ject, rega etc...)?

emeraldkity

If you can't tell the difference you can't tell the difference and you will be wasting your money.

Some of us have other things to spend our money on like concert tickets

Oh that reminds me- have to go down to the Showbox to get tix for Matt's benefit concert in a couple weeks. Ticketmaster wants to add 100% of the cost of ticket for service charges.

NMyTree

bazzer wrote:

How do these "DJ" turntables (if I can refer to them as such) compare to similarly priced "audiophile" turntables (pro-ject, rega etc...)?

In my opinion, the difference is more about features and design.

At those price points............

Rega & Pro-ject=Belt Driven

The DJ tables=Direct Drive.

The DJ tables have a ton of features ....for DJs, that the Rega & Pro-ject for home stereo systems do not.

They all have a little difference in sound (which can also be changed with different cartridges/tonearms and such).

But remember DJ tables are made to withstand a lot of heavy footfalls and floor shock/rumble.

While those made exclusively for home use are made to withstand your average floorshock/footfalls.

DJ tables may not deliver the finesse of the home tables, with the same delicacy.

Speaking for myself, I prefer the Techics and Numark for DJ tables. Don't like the Stantons.

The Regas are nice, but you have to be careful with system matching (the other components in your system; i.e. speakers, pre amps, amps); because in some systems they may come off bright sounding. But not usually.

If you don't need or want the features of a DJ, buy one of the Regas/Pro-ject.

If you want a turntable that can withstand the bouncing around...or dancing....or rough-housing of your friends or kids, while the music is playing on your turntable; get the Technics or Numark.

Just my opinion.

Manimal

emeraldkity wrote:

If you can't tell the difference you can't tell the difference and you will be wasting your money.

Some of us have other things to spend our money on like concert tickets

Oh that reminds me- have to go down to the Showbox to get tix for Matt's benefit concert in a couple weeks. Ticketmaster wants to add 100% of the cost of ticket for service charges.

Yeah I know I ordered my tickets will-call it came to $40 for 2 tickets. That's unreal. They were $12 each.. Oh well still cheap for the chance to see Matt up close.

As for record players. A lot of bands have begun to release there stuff on vinyl. Presonally, I'm 25. I have my parents old record player and buy as much of my music as I can on vinyl. Then if I want I'll just download the mp3s to add to the ipod. My personal opinion is that any big music fan should have a record player. CD's dissolve and break down, records do not. There if you want your collection to last longer than a decade or so, buy vinyl

NMyTree

emeraldkity wrote:

If you can't tell the difference you can't tell the difference and you will be wasting your money.

That's also true.

Some people's hearing isn't sensitive enough to hear a difference.


Some people don't care to hear a difference, they just want it cheap. Not my way of doing things or my approach but to each his/her own.

I prefer to at least get equipment that compliments the format/medium, so I can hear/get the best out of that format/medium. Seems sensless to me to not provide the format/medium the vehicle (in this case a turntable) which conveys all the positive elements of the format/medium.

Otherwise, in my opinion, it's like buying a vacume cleaner that really doesn't suck too well. What's the point?

NeilJam

NMyTree wrote:

But remember DJ tables are made to withstand a lot of heavy footfalls and floor shock/rumble.

While those made exclusively for home use are made to withstand your average floorshock/footfalls.

Also keep in mind that if you play your music loud, it could cause vibrations that would knock the needle off track on a turntable not made to withstand some rumble.

Speaking for myself, I prefer the Techics and Numark for DJ tables. Don't like the Stantons.

I gotta agree with this. I have Technics, and a friend had some Numarks and both make great turntables. I played around with a Stanton once and it just seemed like a cheap turntable.

Super Vedder

ha ha all this expert talk is making me so embarassed of mine here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acoustic-Solutions-DR130-Midi-Turntable/dp/B000VVMS44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200346687&sr=8-1

plugged into a TEAC H300 http://www.teac.co.uk/reference300_main.html#
if anybody could take a look at the amplifier specs and let me know where im going wrong
, it kind of does the job but ya do have to have the volume turned up a LOT more than if playing a cd. Is this normal or is it just cos my turntable is shit, or just cos i should have it plugged into a separate amp?

if anybody could take a look at the amplifier specs and let me know where im going wrong i would be most grateful


any help greatly appreciated

NMyTree

NeilJam wrote:

Also keep in mind that if you play your music loud, it could cause vibrations that would knock the needle off track on a turntable not made to withstand some rumble.

Yeah, there's a lot of contributing variables involved. That's why it's difficult to just suggest or tell anyone to "buy that one".