1st Turntable - Please help a Noob!

[Grado-shot-first]

Hi there, would appreciate some quick advice on my first turntable.

Should I buy a Rega Planar 3, old school with the R200 tonearm OR the Rega RP1, just a few months old? Both are about the same price.

OR, a common theme I've picked up rates the Technics SL1200/1210. Probably about twice the price of the Rega's to get a decent set. Is it worth it?

Cheers

 

[Al ears]

Hi there, would appreciate some quick advice on my first turntable.

Should I buy a Rega Planar 3, old school with the R200 tonearm OR the Rega RP1, just a few months old? Both are about the same price.

OR, a common theme I've picked up rates the Technics SL1200/1210. Probably about twice the price of the Rega's to get a decent set. Is it worth it?

Cheers

Firstly welcome to the forum.

If you look through other older threads on here you might pick up some useful info.

Regards what to get I would most certainly start with the newer RP1 assuming it comes fitted with arm and cartridge.

Whilst I would say the Planar 3 is better it is now showing it's age and unless you can guarantee it has been serviced I would not go for it.

NB this is my ever-so-humble opinion and I am sure other forumites will beg to differ.

If you are not to sure about turntables and know their history I would go carefully with Technics as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[chebby]

Should I buy a Rega Planar 3, old school with the R200 tonearm OR the Rega RP1, just a few months old? Both are about the same price.

An R200 equipped Planar will be at least 30 years old (RBnnn arms introduced in 1983). Despite their simplicity there are still quite a few things that could bite you in the bum (unless you don't mind the risk of taking on a refurbishment project).

I would save up a bit more and get a brand-new RP1 with full dealer warranty.

 

[Grado-shot-first]

Alears, thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, thought it was time to stop "lurking" and start posting especially when there's some really helpful folks out there.

You've kind of confirmed what my gut instinct was telling me. The Planar 3 with R200 tonearm was going to be late '70s!

Why would you recommend being cautious with the Technics? I've heard them described as "bomb-proof"

Cheers

 

[Grado-shot-first]

Thanks Chebby, much appreciated

 

[Al ears]

I've heard them described as "bomb-proof"

Well let's just say some of the ones I've encountered must have taken a whole stick of them.

They, again, are usually quite old and they are going to get expensive to maintain. Whilst I would love a modern direct-drive deck I find they are way too expensive but I have never been tempted by an old Technics.

Unless you can find one very cheap and know a good place to get them serviced then stick with something new and with some sort of warranty as already stated by chebby.