Advise on a Home Mix turntable

[marb67]

My brother has a Home-Mix turntable with a 14 year old Stanton 500 cartridge . He doesn't really understand the technacalities of hifi as he is autistic but when I had a look, the headshell still tilts from side to side on it's axis with the locking ring fully tightened. There are 2 small screws underneath so I am assuming these could be loose?

Anyway, I just need some advice if this model is worth investing in a new cart and setting up (which I can just about do) as he only plays old 80's singles and 12" 45's.

Thanks.

 

[Al ears]

My brother has a Home-Mix turntable with a 14 year old Stanton 500 cartridge . He doesn't really understand the technacalities of hifi as he is autistic but when I had a look, the headshell still tilts from side to side on it's axis with the locking ring fully tightened. There are 2 small screws underneath so I am assuming these could be loose?

Anyway, I just need some advice if this model is worth investing in a new cart and setting up (which I can just about do) as he only plays old 80's singles and 12" 45's.

Thanks.

I would say no if you were going to go out and buy the turntable but as you already have it then it's worth a try isn't it? You are going to have to buy a new cartridge someday.

 

[marb67]

Ok, but what about the lose tone arm ?

 

[Al ears]

Ok, but what about the lose tone arm ?

Not sure. Have a play with those screws. In my opinion it's not worth repairing.

 

[marb67]

We have a budget of no more than £100 to replace this. What would be the best we could get ?

 

[Al ears]

We have a budget of no more than £100 to replace this. What would be the best we could get ?

Very tricky to advise with that budget. If original is not repairable, i.e. replacing the forearm alone, then you'd have to resort to eBay but you are unlikely to find anything reasonably useable with a decent cartridge.

 

[chebby]

We have a budget of no more than £100 to replace this. What would be the best we could get ?

I don't know about 'the best' but this looks pretty good ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL-D2-Turntable-/282270818069

Better hurry. Not long left to go.

 

[Al ears]

We have a budget of no more than £100 to replace this. What would be the best we could get ?

I don't know about 'the best' but this looks pretty good ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL-D2-Turntable-/282270818069

Better hurry. Not long left to go.

Nice spot unfortunately the details don't list a cartridge although the photos show it fitted with something.

 

[chebby]

It was just to point out that there are stacks of decent(ish) Japanese built, direct-drive turntables out there for £100 or less ('Buy it now' included) so long as you steer away from the 'usual suspects'.

You just have to look.

I've been looking for the last 30 minutes and there are plenty and it's fun. Too many too post here. (Not your researcher, sorry.)

Ok, one more ...

clicky

 

[Al ears]

It was just to point out that there are stacks of decent(ish) Japanese built, direct-drive turntables out there for £100 or less ('Buy it now' included) so long as you steer away from the 'usual suspects'.

You just have to look.

I've been looking for the last 30 minutes and there are plenty and it's fun. Too many too post here. (Not your researcher, sorry.)

I think it's always good to see what's going and for that budget it's quite illuminating, just hope they have a better cartridge fitted than that 14 year old Stanton he mentions. ;-)

Mind you many of those listed I have no idea as to their desirability so makes it difficult to advise OP as to which is best.

 

[chebby]

See my amended update above with a link to a nice Pioneer DD. (Serviced and in good nick and with an AT91 cart.)

 

[Samd]

See my amended update above with a link to a nice Pioneer DD. (Serviced and in good nick and with an AT91 cart.)

Now I'm upset! I just wandered off your new link and saw a Pioneer PL-L1000 for £800 - I gave mine away!

 

[Al ears]

See my amended update above with a link to a nice Pioneer DD. (Serviced and in good nick and with an AT91 cart.)

Now I'm upset! I just wandered off your new link and saw a Pioneer PL-L1000 for £800 - I gave mine away!

Ouch!

 

[marb67]

It's a Christmas present so has to be brand new. What about this ? or would it be better to get a new tone arm for the Home Mix ?http://www.richersounds.com/product/turntables/sony/pslx300/sony-pslx300

 

[chebby]

It's a Christmas present so has to be brand new. What about this ? or would it be better to get a new tone arm for the Home Mix ?http://www.richersounds.com/product/turntables/sony/pslx300/sony-pslx300

If the budget is £100 (or very near) and it has to be brand-new* then yes, get whatever you like. At £100 it'll not make much difference what [brand-new] deck you get.

*Presumably to get the receipt, so the recipient can get a refund and buy something else.

 

[Al ears]

It's a Christmas present so has to be brand new. What about this ? or would it be better to get a new tone arm for the Home Mix ?http://www.richersounds.com/product/turntables/sony/pslx300/sony-pslx300

As chebby says just about any at this price point would do but be careful how the one you mention is connected to an amplifier as it already has a built-in phono preamp. However, not sure exactly what the old turntable was connected to.