Buying a record player

[DallasLemonade]

So, i've run into some money this holiday season and am pretty set on buying a record player/turntable but really don't know what to get. I don't need anything of super audiophile quality. but nothing that's complete shit. I've been looking at the Denon DP-200 USB, Stanton T.92 USB, and the Audio Technica AT-LP120. I've got about a $300 budget so i'd prefer things with a built in preamp. Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated thanks

[D.o.S.]

If you're interested in building a "serious" setup, I'd shop around for a Rega or something similar--maybe an old Pioneer. If you want something you can just plug into your stereo, that Audio Technica is fine.

[The4455]

Out of those three I'd go with the Audio Technica. I have the AT-LP-60, which I'm very pleased with as an entry level budget record player.

I would contact this guy: http://www.upscale.net/

He knows more about turntables and stereo equipment than anyone I've ever met. the last time we talked it was for an hour and that just about one record player, ONE! I'd call and ask about the stuff he has on his website first. He's a very interesting person, and he plays bass - a white ric. to be exact, and he doesn't bullshit at all, AT ALL! He even told me when I bought a cassette player form him that I should use on deck untill it breaks, because it will, and then use the other one until it breaks and then toss it. He told me that before I even bought it. For used I wouldn't go anywhere but this guy, he repairs/refurbishes everything he gets in too. Just call him.

[DallasLemonade]

Out of those three I'd go with the Audio Technica. I have the AT-LP-60, which I'm very pleased with as an entry level budget record player.

I would contact this guy: http://www.upscale.net/

He knows more about turntables and stereo equipment than anyone I've ever met. the last time we talked it was for an hour and that just about one record player, ONE! I'd call and ask about the stuff he has on his website first. He's a very interesting person, and he plays bass - a white ric. to be exact, and he doesn't bullshit at all, AT ALL! He even told me when I bought a cassette player form him that I should use on deck untill it breaks, because it will, and then use the other one until it breaks and then toss it. He told me that before I even bought it. For used I wouldn't go anywhere but this guy, he repairs/refurbishes everything he gets in too. Just call him.

oh whoa, i'll definitely contact him, thank you!

EDIT: Speaking of the lp-60, how is it?

[The4455]

I like it. It doesn't have an anti-skating control like the 120 does, and you can't upgrade the cartridge, it only takes the one it comes with. So those two things aside, I really like it. The record store I bought it from has been in business for forty years this year and they just started carrying them, I was actually the first one to buy one from them. Basically what the owner said is that this all you really need, it plays records and singles (45's), and you know what? That's what it does, nothing else. I then asked about the Technics 1200 they have in the store, the answer was mostly BS. The AT-PL60 is nice, the counter weight isn't really heavy enough to go over minor scratches so it picks up everything as apposed to a the AT-PL 120, which is a clone of the Technics 1200 (best turntable ever), because of the anti-skating feature it puts more weight on the needle so it"glides" over small scratches and stuff, so if a record is 70% or maybe even 6%0, who knows, it'll play fine without any pops or skips. Also since the At-PL60's cartridge can't be upgraded it makes it, well, you can't upgrade it, you have to buy a better turntable. So eventually I'll be buying a nice turntable. The one thing I really like about the At-Pl60 is that it's fully automatic which means that, you press a button and the needle goes over to the record, drops down, and plays. When the record is done playing the needle, just before it touches the center label, pops up and returns to a standby position. So in a sense the At-Pl60 is only on when you press "play." The AT-PL120 is manual, so you have to pick up the needle and place it gently on the record and then when the record is done playing you have to go over and pick up teh needle before it starts bumping against the label, scratching the record and damaging the needle, of course that part of the record is really negligible because there aren't any grooves there.

Bottom line:

If you want to get into records and stuff, but are still testing the waters the At-PL60 may be the way to go, mainly because of the price and ease of use.

If you are dead set on starting a vinyl collection, then the AT-PL120 is the way to go, it's a much nicer turntable but has those few "draw-backs" I mentioned.

[DallasLemonade]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, i went ahead and bought the LP 60, just in case this is just a passing hobby. I figured i'd upgrade in a few years if it sticks

[The4455]

Good choice. It leaves more money for vinyl!

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

Good choice. It leaves more money for vinyl!

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

i recently got one of those portable jawns with the rechargeable usb battery. its really nice actually. small compact. comes in a sick leather briefcase looking thing.
its got rca outs and built in speaks

[Josh Pelican]

I don't know much about "modern" record players, so I can't help much. All of my gear is from the '70s aside from the speakers. Vinyl fucking rules, though. I can tell you that much.

[The4455]

I've met better people in the six record stores I've been to than in the 3,600 person high school I go to, wtf. that's a huge part of the record store deal, talking to the clerks and geeking out about music and stuff, also with other customers. I was in a store yesterday and thsi girl asked me if I worker there , and I could too.

[DallasLemonade]

I've met better people in the six record stores I've been to than in the 3,600 person high school I go to, wtf. that's a huge part of the record store deal, talking to the clerks and geeking out about music and stuff, also with other customers. I was in a store yesterday and thsi girl asked me if I worker there , and I could too.

see, all the records stores around here are filled with either pretentious assholes and idiots. There's only like 4 within a 40 mile radius of me though

[Chankgeez]

see, all the records stores around here are filled with either pretentious assholes and idiots. There's only like 4 within a 40 mile radius of me though

You need to start planning your vacations as record buying trips.

[The4455]

see, all the records stores around here are filled with either pretentious assholes and idiots. There's only like 4 within a 40 mile radius of me though

You need to start planning your vacations as record buying trips.

True, when I went to Arizona the primary reason was to look for colleges, then to go to the Grand Canyon, but there was also a record store in one of the towns we stayed in for two days. And that is honestly one of the reasons we stayed there as apposed to another nearby town. There was a) stuff to do and b) a record store. I talked to the guy for about an hour and 15 minutes after I had already purchased my vinyl, that is what your experience should be like.

[DallasLemonade]

see, all the records stores around here are filled with either pretentious assholes and idiots. There's only like 4 within a 40 mile radius of me though

You need to start planning your vacations as record buying trips.

Next fall once college starts i'll be about an hour from Atlanta, so that'll make it a little easier