[chgolatin2]

I have to admit that I am no audiophile nor do I have the funds to purchase some of the extravagant systems out there, I'm just a simple guy looking for simple advise.  So far, I have looked into 3 turntables and I am wondering if some of you could assist me with my selection process.  I just want to play vinyl that's all, hmmm audio nirvana~!  aa

So far I have looked into various TT and my selection is as follows.

1) Technics SL1200MK2
2) Technics 1210M5
3) Audio Technica AT-PL120

I like the fact that the Audio Technica has a built in phono pre amp and it plays at 3 different LP's speed rates (33, 45 and 78)

Could someone please advise the pro's and con's of my above selection?   Thanks to all for your advise

[David Ellis]

About 1 year ago I purchased a Technics 1200.  It doesn't have a bunch of mods, but has a reasonable (not uber expensive) cartridge.  IMO, the sound is shockingly good compared to my CD player.  The really great thing is that I have found some older recordings on LP that sound wonderful.  The "average" CD sounds quite mediocre IMO, but the "average" LP is quite tolerable.  I guess what I am trying to convey is there are is a plethora of music that sounds very good on LP.  I completely understand the cult movement towards old vinyl  aa.  I also understand why there are guys using

However, in the end, I don't use my vinyl very often.  flipping a record every 15-20 minutes is quite tedious while I putter around the house.  I also find cleaning and maintaining vinyl quite tedious.  It is much more time consuming to use vinyl and therefore I use my CD player 98% of the time.  I suppose if I were a sit-down listener ( I'm not ) vinyl would easily become my favored source material.

I highly encourage some pursuit of Vinyl.  It will be a very ear-opening experience. 

Dave

[Wayner]

David,

You'll have to pick up an old Technics SL-Q2. It will at least pick up your arm at the end of the record (semi-automatic), while your running around............works great in my garage!

Wayner

[JimJ]

I have to admit that I am no audiophile nor do I have the funds to purchase some of the extravagant systems out there, I'm just a simple guy looking for simple advise.  So far, I have looked into 3 turntables and I am wondering if some of you could assist me with my selection process.  I just want to play vinyl that's all, hmmm audio nirvana~!  aa

So far I have looked into various TT and my selection is as follows.

1) Technics SL1200MK2
2) Technics 1210M5
3) Audio Technica AT-PL120

I like the fact that the Audio Technica has a built in phono pre amp and it plays at 3 different LP's speed rates (33, 45 and 78)

Could someone please advise the pro's and con's of my above selection?   Thanks to all for your advise

Out of those, I would pick the MK2.

[WGH]

I just want to play vinyl that's all, hmmm audio nirvana~!  aa

Here are a couple of choices from Craigslist if you want to drive to Berwyn:

Pioneer PL-5 Direct Drive Turntable w/Audio-Technica Cartridge - $75

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/891612754.html


MCS by Technics 6502 Turntable w/Audio-Technica Cartridge - $40
Nice, simple belt-drive 2-speed turntable with pitch control.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/891597137.html

If you end up liking vinyl, then you can move up in price and get a SL1200MK2.

Wayne

[chgolatin2]

Thanks it seems that the standard of tt are judge by the the Technics SL1200MK2, I also looked into the Stanton STR8-150 or St120.  Hmmmmmmm choices, choices and more choices it will be a close race in this selection.  aa

[TheChairGuy]

I think the Stantons are true DJ decks...stubby/underhung, straight armtubes best left for DJ uses.

The Technics was developed for the consumer market long ago....and soldiered on as a DJ deck during the digital era of the 80's.  It's remarkable it survived and we have DJ's to thank 

It's a darn good deck....that, for sane money, can be turned into a real performer up there with some of the pricier spread (over time and as budget allows)

John

[chgolatin2]

Since they are DJ decks, I would imagined that they would be built to withstand all the abuse the DJ's give it, therefor for a regular consumer it would be a well built tank..  A good cartridge and the rest is audio heaven

[TheChairGuy]

Since they are DJ decks, I would imagined that they would be built to withstand all the abuse the DJ's give it, therefor for a regular consumer it would be a well built tank..  A good cartridge and the rest is audio heaven

A dang well built tank, indeed.

Mine was sent 3000 miles from So. Florida to CA in a thin/wobbly box with next to no padding.  It crashed around for a week and 3000 miles in that box.  It had a very obviously abused life before it....cobwebs and a dead insect was found under the platter once removed.

The platter was stuck to the spindle and took 24 hours to pry it loose to inspect it.  The motor had obviously never been oiled (as it needs to every 2-3 years). The speed selectors (33 & 45) were stuck and needed lubrication.  I'm NOT an engineer, nor even that handy and I was able to resurrect the beast.

It came in with a smashed stock tonearm and looked/looks like hell-in-a-handbasket....but once plugged in, ran like a top and is my everyday unit now.

No turntable that I am aware of would have survived such a life and journey as the Technics SL-1200.  The fact that it is build to well, keeps speed so well and for modest sums can be upgraded to a truly high level of performance bodes very well for it.

There's a very good reason why even 10 year old, well worn examples fetch 60-75% of their original value on the used market....they are built to last and sound good 

John

[David Ellis]

I lamented for many months about which turntable to purchase.  I am surely not an expert in these matters, but suggest that you just... buy one of them.  Sure the VPI units look quite fancy, and there are some older units that seem appealing too, but I am quite pleased with my humble Technics 1200.  It cost less than a single midwoofer used in my speakers, but is quite impressive.

Dave

[chgolatin2]

I am leaning more and more into the Technics or the Stanton ST150, great reviews on both of them and they are nice tables.  Technics been around for ages, ages and I remember them from way  back in the 80's

[doug s.]

in this price range, my first choice would be a used empire, either a non-suspended 208/298/398, or a suspended 498 or 598.  these are killer decks, even w/their stock arms; even better w/upgraded replacement arms.  my second choice would be the technics sl1200...

doug s.

[chgolatin2]

Empire?  More info please 

[chgolatin2]

A few days I picked up a 6 LPS, Marvin Gaye, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles and some Motown stuff, hmmmmmmmmm Vintage LP stores are the way to go, plus I spent less than $10 and I got more music than a regular cd, now that's smart shopping, lol

[Wayner]

Here is my Empire 598, thou Doug is more of a fan of the earlier 498/398/298's which did not have a sub-suspension. Still a very nice table (about 38 years old now). I've had this since I was 16.

Wayner

[Vinyl-Addict]

Here is my Empire 598, thou Doug is more of a fan of the earlier 498/398/298's which did not have a sub-suspension. Still a very nice table (about 38 years old now). I've had this since I was 16.

Wayner

That's a beauty Wayne! So you've owned it roughly 10 or so years.   

[Wayner]

I still remember my dad shaking his head wondering why I would spend $204 on a damn turntable, to play records? Then he asked me if I was on dope! Swear to god it was like living with Archie Bunker.

Wayner 

[doug s.]

Here is my Empire 598, thou Doug is more of a fan of the earlier 498/398/298's which did not have a sub-suspension. Still a very nice table (about 38 years old now). I've had this since I was 16.

Wayner

wayne, slight correction.  the 498 is an extremely rare deck - it has the heavier platter of the early unsuspended 200-300 series, w/the suspension of the later 598/698's.  i sold my 208 to pursue a 498.  i now have one, but i have never had it up and running.  the jury is still out as to whether or not the suspended iteration is better than the unsuspended iterations.  but, the 498 definitely has a better (ie: heavier, single-piece) platter than the 598/698's.  if you have a stable floor, and can run a turntable w/o a suspension, the older series would be a better choice, imo, if for no reason other than mounting an aftermarket arm is a lot easier to do w/the plinth set-up of the unsuspended decks...  this is one reason i haven't set up my 498 - my o-l modded rega rb250 needs to have the 498's subchassis modded, to accept it.  but, yust the other day, i was looking at my grace 727 arm; it looks like it may be a direct fit, w/no mods necessary - if so, i may give it a go... 

a site i have posted links to, many times before:

http://cognitivevent.com/av_empire.html


also, the heavy-platter lenco's have gotten excellent press as world-beaters, after mods.  but, i have no first hand experience...  there's much web info on these, including a site by the same guy who did up the empire above:
http://cognitivevent.com/av_lenco.html


prolly the most popular lenco site:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/maddogmcq/myart/lencoheaven/johnnantais.htm

doug s.

[TONEPUB]

The phono pre in the AT is useless, but you can pick up the AT table new for about 200.
Personally, I liked it better than the SL1200, but perhaps that's because of different
tonearm wiring, system synergy, etc.

$200 for the AT, get yourself a nice cart for 200 bucks and a good phono pre for
2-400 and you'd have a nice analog rig for not crazy money...

Get an inexpensive Shure Mono cart for playing 78's and you are stylin'

let us know what you come up with!

[David Ellis]

I agree with the poster above - that's a gorgeous table Wayne! 

Dave