[RawB8figure]

hey.

I am looking at trying vinyl out and want some recommendation on a turntable set up.
I have a onkyo A-9555 And it has a phono input .
I would like to keep it under 500$
Also what are some good site to buy from in North America preferably canada

thanks

[Rashiki]

I'm just slightly ahead of you. I got a new preamp with a phono input and decided to try out vinyl without putting too much cash into it. I ended up deciding on the Pro-Ject Debut III, which I managed to get for $280 from Musician's Friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProJect-Debut-III-Audiophile-Turntable?sku=807600). Musician's Friend is a pro-audio store, but they do carry the entry level Pro-Ject turntable and offer free shipping and often have $20 off coupons (that's how I got $20 off on the Pro-Ject). They're based in the U.S., but they do ship to Canada. I picked the Pro-Ject because it was considered a good entry level turntable (reviewed recently in Stereophile). It's also made in the Czech Republic rather than China if that matters to you.

Buying used could get you a much better turntable in your under $500 range, but if you want to stick to new, you might also want to look at the Rega P1 or the Music Hall MMF-2.2. They're both considered decent entry-level turntables and can be found for under $400.

Next, I'd suggest buying a record brush (usually in the $20 range) and spend the rest of your budget on vinyl. Music Direct (http://www.musicdirect.com/) sells a bunch of closeout vinyl, some of which can be had for $3 to $10. I think it's worth having some cheap records on hand to play with while setting up your turntable. Getting the tracking weight right can take a few tries and you wouldn't want to damage any of your "good" records. Besides, sometimes buying cheap records can introduce you to some good music that you would've never heard otherwise.

I hope that helps.

 -Rob

[SET Man]

Hey!

     Used TT like Rega, Pro-Ject and Music Hall will get you started nicely The Rega come with a nice arm (250 or 300) With the Onkyo you have it is likely that you will need to stick with MM or high output MC cart.

     If  you are going set it up yourself than make sure you have basic tool to do so. If not maybe you could find someone from here nearby with proper tool to do it for you first.

Take care,
Buddy

   

[ricmon]

Hey guys I would suggest you buy as much TT and cartridge as you can muster.  Because whats going to happen is that you are going to love it.  Next, more lp buying.  Next, this sounds better than my cd. Next, I want more of it. Next.  Next, Next and so on.  So just get it over with now.  Go for it.  I went from Xperaaion to RM 9.1.  I don't regrett the move.  In fact I wasted my time and money starting out down stream when in fact us in this hobby are always striving for more.

Good luck Ric

[strider]

Hey guys I would suggest you buy as much TT and cartridge as you can muster.  Because whats going to happen is that you are going to love it.  Next, more lp buying.  Next, this sounds better than my cd. Next, I want more of it. Next.  Next, Next and so on.  So just get it over with now.  Go for it.  I went from Xperaaion to RM 9.1.  I don't regrett the move.  In fact I wasted my time and money starting out down stream when in fact us in this hobby are always striving for more.

Good luck Ric

Well said. I have the Debut III and wish I had gotten the Xpression instead. It's not that the Debut's not a decent entry level table, but I after owning it for 6 months or so I find myself wanting more.

[Wayner]

strider,

2 areas you can work on is table resonance and cartridge alignment.

For TR, get some plast-i-clay or non-drying modeling compound. This stuff likes to absorb vibrations! it's great on the tone arm. I put a small band 2/3's the way up the tone arm and it kills alot of unwanted vibration that would go into the cartridge. I also put some dots of this stuff right on the cartridge. Some guys cram their plinth full of this stuff as well (John TCG).

The other area is to attempt to get the cartridge in the exact correct position. That means fiddling with VTA, the actual stylus position and offset angle. Also tracking force is something that must be experimented with.

W

[RawB8figure]

I am trying to find a price on the music hall mmf 5.

are there any sites that sell these or is it better to order form manufacture direct.
\
And if I am looking for used where should i look.

[Rashiki]

I am trying to find a price on the music hall mmf 5.

are there any sites that sell these or is it better to order form manufacture direct.

Music Hall MMF 5.1 $699 from Music Direct (http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73928) or from Audio Advisor (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF5%2E1).

Music Hall MMF 5.1SE $995 from Music Direct (http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73929) or $895 from Audio Advisor (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHMMF5SE).

[RawB8figure]

also are there any diy kits out there that are good.

Thanks,

[Mountain-ear]

Check with Walter (aka Wally) Underwood at Underwood HiFi  .  He often has a demo or floor model that he will sell at an attractive price.  I got my MMF 7 from him because he had an excellent price and a great reputation for service.   

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/

Steve

[Mountain-ear]

Two more things...

First Walter is Walter Liederman (not Walter Underwood).  His store is Underwood HiFi.  My mistake.

Second, send Walter an e-mail if you are interested in a Music Hall table.  He might have some things that are not listed on his web-site.  I've found him to be very responsive to e-mail.

Steve

[TheChairGuy]

I didn't realize the price of the Music Hall had zoomed to $699.99.

If that's the range you wanna' pay, I might suggest the Moth Alamo S/Incognito for the same money. It is made in the UK by Rega for the Moth Group and sold with the famous RB250 re-wired with Incognito wiring and has the structural enhancements, too, for that money.  I think it would run circles around the Music Hall at that price (but cartridge would be extra to it, while the Music Hall includes one at $699).

If the itch comes to you the easy upgrade path includes outboard speed control (Rega or Heed), plinth enhancements, upgraded platter and subplatters.  As you are starting off with a great arm to begin - it's worth investing in this first deck as you go along 

Then again - a Technics SL-1200/1210 Mk. II can be found for $400 out there...slap a KAB damping trough on it for $150.00 and you might well have better performance for less money at that.  Add an Isoplatmat submat to it for $100 and you probably have a superb sounding deck, in excess of the Moth or Music Hall, for $550. Hard to beat value at that.

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

That leaves bunch for a good cartridge (AT or Grado), an auto record cleaning machine and or some records.

Whatever way you go - enjoy the ride 

[RawB8figure]

I found this vintage turntable for 125$ with granite

1970's Sharp Optonica RP-3500 Turntable

http://kijiji.ebayimg.com/i7/02/k/000/78/6a/b9d7_20.JPG

[RawB8figure]

can you guys tell me what ou think of this one

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/products/xpression3.htm

if you had to choose between this one and the mmf-5.1 which one would you pic

[woodsyi]

This has been sitting around for a while.  How about if you make play on it for a little more than the xpression.  May be he will bite.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1200324371\



I can tell you that this table is head and shoulders better than Music Hall MMF5.

[Dan_ed]

I agree, Woodsyi. That Basis 1400 is much better than any table that has been mentioned so far. It comes with the same motor that Basis uses for their top of the line model, very speed stable. The Rega arms have already had the wiring upgraded and, I think, they have also been fitted with the better aftermarket counter weight. The Rega also offers a little more flexibility in cartridge choices.

Ofcourse we blew the OP's budget, but in the long run this table could be a keeper for most  people.

[nrenter]

I had a Music Hall MMF-5 as my starter table. I did a head-to-head shootout against a Rega P-25 w/ a Rega RB-900 arm in my home with my system. The Rega was not significantly better (not that you are considering a P-25, but just as an FYI). IMHO, there isn't really a significant "step up" until you are ready to drop $3k. I'm on my 2nd Teres table.

If I was to recommend a table that stuck close to a $500.00 budget, I'd find another $35 and order a KAB Technics SL-1200MK5SE. Have KAB set up up with a cartridge, too. KAB will ensure your table is set up correctly - setup is the most important aspect of a starter table. This will push you closer to $600, but will be well worth it.

One of the problems of asking this type of question on these forums is that you'll get mostly "if you just spend a little more, you'll get *much* better performance" or "buy something that you can constantly tweak / fiddle with so you're never satisfied with what you have." Your first table should be something that is set up correctly, works reliably, and helps you decided if vinyl is something you want to commit to. You can fiddle with your 2nd and 3rd table. Just play music with your first.

[lcrim]

If I was to recommend a table that stuck close to a $500.00 budget, I'd find another $35 and order a KAB Technics SL-1200MK5SE. Have KAB set up up with a cartridge, too. KAB will ensure your table is set up correctly - setup is the most important aspect of a starter table. This will push you closer to $600, but will be well worth it.

One of the problems of asking this type of question on these forums is that you'll get mostly "if you just spend a little more, you'll get *much* better performance" or "buy something that you can constantly tweak / fiddle with so you're never satisfied with what you have." Your first table should be something that is set up correctly, works reliably, and helps you decided if vinyl is something you want to commit to. You can fiddle with your 2nd and 3rd table. Just play music with your first.

I couldn't agree more.  This is terrific advice.  The Technics has adjustments for everything that actually work.  You will be able to hear for yourself what good analog playback sounds like not whether you have it set up correctly.  I wish I had received this advice and followed it when I started back into analog.  Worrying about whether you got the most for your money can come later after you have more experience to draw on.  Don't be surprised if the Technics is the last TT you need.

[RawB8figure]

I was looking at the KAB site. What do they do to it compared to buy a new technics 1200. I thought the 1200's were for DJs or scratching. is it comparable to music hall or rega.

[Jampot]

I think there must be more stuff written in hifi fora generally about the Technics 1200 and whether it is good or not than any other subject except wire

Have a read at this thread -

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=43641.0

I have not (yet) been a Kabusa customer, but I wouldn't hesitate in your position. Even if you go with the standard table (and don't get any mods initially to keep within your budget) as Icrim suggests, you have the benefit of Kevins quality control. And if you buy a cartridge from him as well he will set it up so you can play it right out of the box (just make sure it's level on it's support.

The Sharp on ebay looks the part but shipping could kill it.

My 2 penny-worth ( we don't use cents here in UK!)

Jim