I'm interested in this as well. I do not have any kind of stereo setup...I just listen to MP3's everywhere, be it on my iMac, iPhone, car, etc.
I was liking the look of the Crosley systems, and loved the idea of it being able to play by itself (without having to be hooked in to a full stereo system), and transfer to MP3's. But in reading reviews, I'm hearing they trash the records and sound like garbage?
I guess my question is - do you have to buy a whole stereo system? Are there any stand-alone turntables that perform well and are worthwhile, or do you really need to build a full system?
I like the Pro-Ject Debut III. Not crazy expensive, but not overly cheap either.
PJ: 2003 Mansfield: July 2 2004 Boston: Sept 28 & 29 2005 Montreal: Sept 15 2006 Boston: May 24 & 25 2008 Hartford: June 27, Mansfield: June 28, 2010 Boston: May 17 2013 Worcester: Oct 15, Hartford: Oct 25, 2016 Hampton: April 18, Raleigh: April 20 (cancelled), Columbia: April 21. Quebec: May 5. Boston (Fenway): August 7
Audio Technica AT LP 120 is a great USB turntable. Very affordable. I own 2 of them and have been absolutely floored by the performance for the price point.
I have never anything good about a Crosley. Make sure you do some research on that before purchasing. Take a read on uturnaudio.com on a pretty decent set-up for a higher-ish price.
It's been said a couple times already on this thread but I'll say it again... Don't get a Crosley. They are basically decorations. Save your money and put it towards something decent. I have a Rega RP1. I love it and use it everyday. Good luck to you and be careful...this can become an addiction...
Go with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or a Rega RP1. DO NOT buy a Crosley and don't buy a TT with a USB output. There's people that are gonna tell you go vintage and get a Technics 1200. I personally don't recommend that. I had a Pro-Ject and now I have the Rega RP1 and I have been very satisfied with both of them. But you have to get a good preamp, amp and speakers as well. It's not just about the TT. With the RP1, the upgrades are more expensive so if cost is an issue for you, you're probably better off with the Debut Carbon. And the Carbon comes with a very good cartridge. At this point, I just prefer my Rega because of how it interacts with my system. There are so many variables when it comes to analog sound and one deck might sound better with a certain amp and speakers than another. There's so many interchangeable components, so you just have to find what sounds good to YOU. People have a lot of opinions, but they pass them off very strongly so take suggestions with a grain of salt and make up your own mind based on your budget and what sounds good to you. Needle Doctor and Music Direct have pretty liberal return policies so you can do test runs. Also, Music Direct was running a clearance on Wharfdale speakers at great prices. The 10.1s are good speakers to build a system around.
Audio Technica AT LP 120 is a great USB turntable. Very affordable. I own 2 of them and have been absolutely floored by the performance for the price point.
Go with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or a Rega RP1. DO NOT buy a Crosley and don't buy a TT with a USB output. There's people that are gonna tell you go vintage and get a Technics 1200. I personally don't recommend that. I had a Pro-Ject and now I have the Rega RP1 and I have been very satisfied with both of them. But you have to get a good preamp, amp and speakers as well. It's not just about the TT. With the RP1, the upgrades are more expensive so if cost is an issue for you, you're probably better off with the Debut Carbon. And the Carbon comes with a very good cartridge. At this point, I just prefer my Rega because of how it interacts with my system. There are so many variables when it comes to analog sound and one deck might sound better with a certain amp and speakers than another. There's so many interchangeable components, so you just have to find what sounds good to YOU. People have a lot of opinions, but they pass them off very strongly so take suggestions with a grain of salt and make up your own mind based on your budget and what sounds good to you. Needle Doctor and Music Direct have pretty liberal return policies so you can do test runs. Also, Music Direct was running a clearance on Wharfdale speakers at great prices. The 10.1s are good speakers to build a system around.
That's the Pro-Ject I had, but it wasn't all tricked out like that. I began not to be a fan of the S-shaped tonearm and it was a giant pain in the ass to adjust that arm when I changed cartridges.
Crosley is BAD,BAD,BAD avoid. I have a Music Hall 2.2le that I absolutely love as my main turntable for listening. I also have an Audio-Technica AT-LP120 USB that I use for transferring vinyl to my CPU that's more of an "every day" turntable that's pretty solid. Cartridge's are going to make a big difference as well. The Shure M97x is a really good $99 cartridge, if you want something higher I really like the whole Ortolan 2M line (use a Bronze with my music hall) but Red and Blue are excellent as well.
I second (or third?) the Pro-Ject Carbon Debut. I just picked one up at Needle Doctore (the day after the St. Paul show!) and it's fantastic. A little bit of set-up is involved, but once you've got it, it's very smooth and easy. The new models also have a new DC power supply, so you don't have to update your setup with a speed box (something that was frequently done before, I've heard). I went with the Pro-ject Phonobox S phonoamp and a set of Audioengine A5+ speakers...a little pricey all at once, but it's really beautiful, works in the size of room I've got it in, and sounds SO good.
Before you spend money on a turntable, make sure you have good quality speakers. Money is better spent on speakers to improve the quality of your system over a turntable. Don't do like $100 speakers and $400 turntable, do it the other way around.
I, too, have just recently purchased a Pro-ject Debut Carbon and have nothing but great things to say about it. I ordered it from Needle Doctor and had them upgrade the stylus to an Ortofon 2M Blue. Bear in mind, the 2M Red comes stock on this table and is a damn good stylus on its own. And yes, what others have said about your complete system is also correct. A $400 TT will do you no good passing thru a Craig amplifier and Realistic speakers, e.g.
I started with a rega rp-1 and loved it, it was a huge step up from an old sony I found at an auction....the rp 1 was like taking a plastic wrap off my records and that was good for a long time... But then I was researching the next model and the rp-3 can be upgraded but it would be a lot more than just buying a rp-5 and getting the same equiptment.....so I got the rp-5 now and can upgrade the cartridge and I'm sure it helps but it's a huge step from an rp-1. But I'm so happy with rega products and would highly recommend their products!! Next for me is a rega CD player, but I gotta save for that! The rp-1 goes for around $450 new
I'd add in the U-Turn Orbit as well. Built in the US and comes ready to play with for $179. It's not going to be as good as a Pro-Ject or Rega, but it's definitely going to sound better than any Crosley- plus it looks awesome and won't eat up your records.
I Got Shit - A PJ Poster Trading Site
Looking for the following prints!
Ames Merriweather Post 1996 (Mermaid)
Ames San Bern 2000 (part of holy trinity set)
Ames Cincy 2003 (record player)
Ames Hershey 2003
Klausen Boston 1/2 2004 (Phoenixes)
Klaus Reading 2004 (NEOCON)
Klausen Borgata 2005
Klausen Washington DC 2006 (Reaper)
Heart Pensacola 2012 (Gator)
Comments
I was liking the look of the Crosley systems, and loved the idea of it being able to play by itself (without having to be hooked in to a full stereo system), and transfer to MP3's. But in reading reviews, I'm hearing they trash the records and sound like garbage?
I guess my question is - do you have to buy a whole stereo system? Are there any stand-alone turntables that perform well and are worthwhile, or do you really need to build a full system?
2003 Mansfield: July 2
2004 Boston: Sept 28 & 29
2005 Montreal: Sept 15
2006 Boston: May 24 & 25
2008 Hartford: June 27, Mansfield: June 28,
2010 Boston: May 17
2013 Worcester: Oct 15, Hartford: Oct 25,
2016 Hampton: April 18, Raleigh: April 20 (cancelled), Columbia: April 21. Quebec: May 5. Boston (Fenway): August 7
EV Solo: Boston 8/2/08, Boston 6/16/11
London, ON - Sep 12, 2005
Toronto, ON - Aug 21, 2009
Toronto, ON- Sep 11 2011
Hamilton, ON- Sep 15 2011
London, ON- Jul 16 2013
Buffalo, NY- Oct 12 2013
Components make a HUGE difference too. I am currently shopping for them.
http://vinylmeplease.com/the-top-5-beginner-turntables/
It's been said a couple times already on this thread but I'll say it again... Don't get a Crosley. They are basically decorations. Save your money and put it towards something decent. I have a Rega RP1. I love it and use it everyday. Good luck to you and be careful...this can become an addiction...
Like others said and from what I've been reading COMPONENTS! Amp, speakers, they all make a difference.
I have these speakers and I love them.
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41245-focal-chorus-705v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx
If you have a large room and need a little more oomph
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41246-focal-chorus-706v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx
You don't need a preamp with this integrated amp; it has a phono input
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-12627-marantz-pm5004-integrated-amp.aspx
This would be a very respectable system. If you wanted to add a subwoofer, you would have to do it at the speaker line level.