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Record Player Suggestions?

ecremes714ecremes714 Posts: 16
in All Encompassing Trip
I was thinking of finally dipping my toe into the vinyl waters (it doesn’t seem to be going away, lol). I was wondering if some of you folks had a suggestion for a good starter record player. 
Would like it to be good quality and reasonably priced. Quality is more important to me than cheapness. I want the thing to work properly and sound good more than anything. It should be a stand alone unit w/ speakers. Since the kids came along, I don’t even have a sound system set up. Ugh. 
Anyway, appreciate the help. 
“Sometimes wonder if they know that I’ve gone, but I’m drifting, drifting along”

Comments

  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,038
    Anything but cheap stuff like Crosleys.  Cheap record players are hard on records, cause inner groove wear, and sound like crap.  I wouldn't recommend anything new under $400 although I have heard some possibly good arguments for Audio-Technica players in the $250 range.   I'm mostly happy with my $400 ProJect Carbon Debut.   We're it not for my current economic hit, I'd be seriously considering a Rega Planar 3 with Elys cartidge but at $1145, that's just not in the cards for me any more.

    Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni











  • darwinstheorydarwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 6,862
    I have recently been contemplating getting a new record player as well. I have VERY little knowledge of record players but I like the aesthetics of the suitcase looking record players. 

    There are also probably only 75-100 records I'd want to buy, but I don't know that I would drop that kind of money on them. I was at an antique shop back in January. Came across A copy of Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps. A top 10 album for me...maybe top 5. I've just loved it since the late 90's. The sleeve was pretty beat up and the ask was still $35. Seemed salty to me.

    Sorry I offer no values input to the original post. 
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,038
    darwinstheory said:
    I have recently been contemplating getting a new record player as well. I have VERY little knowledge of record players but I like the aesthetics of the suitcase looking record players. 

    There are also probably only 75-100 records I'd want to buy, but I don't know that I would drop that kind of money on them. I was at an antique shop back in January. Came across A copy of Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps. A top 10 album for me...maybe top 5. I've just loved it since the late 90's. The sleeve was pretty beat up and the ask was still $35. Seemed salty to me.

    Sorry I offer no values input to the original post. 
    The all in one "suitcase" or school box record players are actually a lot of fun for playing old beaters that you wouldn't want to put a quality stylus onto, but if you plan on purchasing new, near mint or even VG+ LPs and want them to sound good and last, you're better off getting a quality turn table with separate amp and speakers.

    Antique shops notoriously over-price vinyl records.  In the 55 years or so I've been purchasing records I think I may have only ever bought one record from an antique shop.  Better to find a good record shop (when they re-open).   If you don't have one near enough and are going to shop on line, check out Discogs.   I think generally there are better sellers there than the alternative sites and the ratings for Discogs sellers are generally more dependable.  But of course, buying on line is always a bit risky until you find some reputable sellers.  Carefully reading the buyer feedback comments for various sellers will help you get there more quickly.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni











  • rw160510rw160510 Posts: 1,022
    I have a project debut carbon. I don't know how much they cost nowadays but I've been very happy with it for the past 6 years or so. I did upgrade to the acrylic platter after a few months though.
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,313
    I got an Audio Technica LP120.  Solid turntable for the price.
    The cartridge that comes with it isn't the best, so I swapped it out for a Nagaoka MP110.  Big difference in sound quality with the Nagaoka cart!
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