Recommend me a turntable for listening to vinyl

[ImmortalSix]

Recommend me a turntable for listening to vinyl.

I grew up with a Pioneer turntable, but I want to know what's out there for a casual audio listener.

I love music, and I love hearing music deeper than what you get on earbuds and computer speakers. Since college, I haven't listened to anything on vinyl or with a real amp, and I'm feeling the pull back to vinyl.

So --- what do I look for in a turntable?

Thanks team!

-Hunter

[nondeplume]

this place is a good source for such... http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php

I'm using an old Thorens TD 125, bought used at http://www.audiogon.com/

...good luck.

[Trandy]

This is a fine turntable at a good price:

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/72052

[Baxtercat]

Guitar player Mike out here just played me his latest garage sale find this weekend: a cool 1950s mono hifi/ record player console in perfect working condition.
Open the lid and stack either 45s or LPs on the spindle...
Really gets the vibe!

[GAD]

I bought a Techniques SL1200MK2 on ebay in mint condition for just over $200. Fabulous choice IMO. This one even came with a preamp and cartridge! Be patient and you can find killer deals. It's a trip spinning vinyl again. Makes you realized how spoiled we've become when you have to flip sides after three songs. :)

GAD

[keefsdad]

this place is a good source for such... http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php

I'm using an old Thorens TD 125, bought used at http://www.audiogon.com/

...good luck.
Used to have a TD 125, got a 166 now. You can't go wrong with Thorens.:beer

[Shnook]

Also check out the www.audioasylum.com (http://www.audioasylum.com) forum. The Vinyl section has some good advice.

Purchase wise, www.uptownaudio.com (http://www.uptownaudio.com) has some really nice stuff and the owner knows his stuff.

I personally own a Rega P2 and think it's a fantastic middle of the road TT.

[theRocco]

I have a $500 Technics turntable with a $100 Shure cartridge at home that sounds very good, but a $100 Sony with cheap came-with cartridge at work that also does the job.

The new Sony also has a built-in pre-amp so it plugs in to modern receivers that don't have the Phono input with their own pre-amp built in. For these modern receivers you plug the turntable into the Auxillary input and a turntable needs a pre-amp, so old vintage turntable will not work unless you also get a stand alone pre-amp.

If you have an older amp/receiver with a good Phono section with its own pre-amp, then something expensive like the Technics or others with upscale cartridges will indeed sound great.

[The Golden Boy]

NOT a linear tracking turntable...

[mcmurray]

What's your budget?

I'd recommend a Linn Sondek if you're serious and don't mind paying a bit extra for top quality.

[dohootowl]

this place is a good source for such... http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php

I'm using an old Thorens TD 125, bought used at http://www.audiogon.com/

...good luck.
+1 on the Thorens! Get a good cartridge, too!

[dohootowl]

What's your budget?

I'd recommend a Linn Sondek if you're serious and don't mind paying a bit extra for top quality.

A BIT extra?! If you're gonna splurge like that, you'd better have equivalent gear all around. We should have stated this to the OP--if you've got mid-fi gear, don't spend a fortune on a high end turntable.

[Scott Miller]

I bought something from Esoteric Sound. I think it's a rebranded Technics. It plays 33s, 45s, and 78s, and has one of those cartridges that is easy to switch between the LP and 78 needle. I have a bunch of 78s, which are great to hear, but pretty soon you start wishing someone would invent a long-play record.

[ImmortalSix]

Thanks for all the great replies so far, you've been a big help. I hadn't been thinking about preamp.

Budget: I have always been the kind of guy who figures out the budget after I see what's in the field. If there's a notable difference in a higher end piece of equipment (guitars, amps, guns, etcetera), I'll evaluate if the increased cost is worth it to me. I shop for the right ______, and don't usually shop a budget until I've explored the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, and the killer value stuff in the middle.

You're talking to someone who has guitars that range from 2 digit price tags to 4 digit price tags, and I can see the value in both.

Again, thank you.

-Hunter

[R13D]

There are tons of great turntables out there at all price ranges,check out Clear Audio,Perspex,Music Hall,Marantz,Thorens,VPI,SME,Avid..........the list just keeps going.

[open strings]

I had the very lowest model Bang and Olufsen turntable. It sounded great and lasted 25 years.