Record Player Help

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

GlowGirl said:

LukinFan said:

mrussel1 said:

LukinFan said:

mrussel1 said:

LukinFan said:

mickeyrat said:

LukinFan said:

mrussel1 said:

LukinFan said:

I really like the Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB but it’s out of stock everywhere, including at AT. I contacted AT, and they said they would be eventually back in stock but they don’t know when.  

Anyone know of another record player with similar features? Thanks!

What are the features important to you?  USB, phono stage,  belt driven,  speed switch?

Direct Drive
Bluetooth 
USB (I doubt I will ever use it, so it's not super important)
Anti-Skate control
Pre-amp
Speed Switch 

I think that's about it. 

what about this?

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-lp1240-usbxp

as of the 2nd a local has 6 available at $499.....

sure something can be worked out.

I was looking at this one too. It’s a little more than what I wanted to pay, and I don’t think it has Bluetooth capability. I’m not sure if I’ll use BT that often but was wanting the option. 

Blue tooth for what?  Do you mean so you can stream music from your phone to the record player which then sends a signal to your pre amp?  Or is it to connect with Bluetooth speakers?

Personally I only look at the analog side of things, so I'm curious how bluetooth plays into a TT. 

I was thinking for Bluetooth speakers. I’ve read the sound quality isn’t as good as wiring it but I wanted that option. 

Anyone here have a Bluetooth record player? If it’s that bad, maybe I don’t want one. 

I think it's going to depend on what you want out of your TT.  Every feature you ask for is going to reduce the investment in the core of the TT (the tonearm, platter, cart, etc.)  So I would be cautious about 'features', unless convenience is the name of your game.  And if that's the case, then why a TT?  I'm not dogging you, so don't take this the wrong way.  But think of it like AVR's.  People just want more and more out of their AVRs.. dolby atmos, streaming, 7 HDMI ports, etc.  But they aren't going to pay $3k.  So manufacturers save on the amplifier stage, and the pre amp processing, go cheap on the DAC, etc.  And you can hear it.   It's all tradeoffs.  A $500 pure analog TT is going to sound substantially better than the one with the laundry list of features.  

No, that actually makes sense. Like I said, if the sound quality is reduced by using Bluetooth, I doubt I’d use it anyway. I appreciate the advice. 

I don’t have a Bluetooth turntable, but my speakers have Bluetooth capability. They are connected to the turntable with wires so they are not portable. But I am also able to play songs off my phone or computer with them. They are Audioengine a5+. 

From what I understand, a Bluetooth turntable is so you can copy your records on to a CD or flash drive using your computer. If that is what you want I don’t know anything about that. 

No, the USB on the TT is so you can rip the vinyl.  

no, the usb on the TT is so you can record the record WHILE IT PLAYS. there is no ripping in analog......

C'mon Mickey.  That's exactly what I meant. If you look at Orpheus and other sites, they are called "Vinyl Rip". Ripping is a generic term and I'm distinguishing it from the statement about Bluetooth, which has not role in the ripping/recording of the record. 

Did you really think I thought you could record a record without it playing, like a cd?

I'd have to agree with @mrussel1 on this. I think bluetooth defeats the point of getting a turntable. Especially when you often see the cheapest TT's (like Crosley) advertising Bluetooth and USB features.

My Dad was looking for an under $500 turntable recently. I advised him to go with an Orbit. I know he's not that tech savvy, and the Orbit tonearm comes balanced out of the box, so I thought it was a good match for him. They have a pre-amp option as well. You should look at their website, you can custom build your TT.

Pro-ject is also something to look at. For the price you get a nice tonarm, probably better than most TT's in that range. And they're easliy upgradable which is bonus. There are options to improve the platter, cartridge, power supply, etc, so if you don't want to lay out a lot now, you can gradually increase the performance. 

Question- what will you be running it through? Type of amp, speakers?

LukinFan said:

mrussel1 said:

LukinFan said:

Thanks everyone. You have convinced me to stir clear of BT. And like I said, I probably would never use it anyway. I really appreciate all of the advice. I still have no clue what I'm going to get though. 

So two more questions. 

1. Does your integrated amp or pre amp have a phono stage today?
2. Do you really think you will to to digitize your records? That's the only reason you need a USB. 

the preamp I use now was pretty cheap. I'm not currently at home, but I do not think it has a phono stage. 

As for the digitalizing records, I don't know...knowing me, I seriously doubt I will. But saying that, I have so many records that I do not have a digital copy of and I wish I did (for on the go listening). But again, I doubt I will ever use it. Maybe in the beginning? 

Okay, we're getting somewhere now.  There are plenty of good TT's with built in phono stage under the $500 mark.  Music Hall and Orbit immediately come to mind.  The other thing is that they are upgradeable as well.  I think you have to decide on the USB.  Wanting that will limit your options and probably reduce analog quality.  It would keep you in the Technics and I think Sony, maybe one or two more.  Crossley and other garbage would have them, but you don't want any part of that.  

LukinFan said:

GlowGirl said:

Even though I have had my turntable for only a little over a year - I am itching to upgrade. This is the one I want:

Is it pretty common to not have a hinged dust cover on more modern turntables? 

This one does come with a hinged cover. It’s just not in the photo.  

2-feign-reluctance said:

Questions for the tech savvy here. My ATLP150 has a phono/line switch, and my Marantz has a phono input. How should that be connected? I think I have it phono out from the table, to phono in on my Marantz. 

15 S1?  If so, I'm 99% sure that does not have a built in phono stage, so you would connect it to the phono input on your Pre/Integrated, or use a standalone phone amp. 

edit - I'm sorry, I thought you were saying you had a Marantz TT.  

So I would read the instructions to be 100% sure becuase it can be confusing.  GENERALLY speaking, the phono switch means you connect it to the phone input on your Marantz.  Line level would typically mean connect to the line level (generic input) because the signal is line level (AKA amplified).  But it's super important that you read your manual to be sure. And when you connect, start with teh volume off and then slowly increase it to be safe.  You don't want to blow your speakers.