New Turntable... brand new or ebay old?

[admin_exported]

Hey, say i have a budget of about £200 - £300 for a new turntable, what is the best thing to do, buy a new one (i see some sparkling reviews in that price range in the review section...) or a second hand one of ebay, perhaps quite an old model therefore cheap but still pretty good? are the ones made in that price range superior to the older ones i'll find for about that price or vice versa?

i need something that'll be much better than my Dual 505 (which just stopped working at 45rpm, all my singles in slow motion, a good excuse to get a better turntable)

 

[Frank Harvey]

Turntables rely on build quality and engineering to sound good. You can never really be certain of turntables past, as bearings, suspensions etc can wear out. Using a well used, unserviced turntable can wear your vinyl out prematurely, so with something completely mechanical, we'd recommend buying new, unless you can be certain of it's history.

 

[Anonymous]

If you can run to 400 pounds then the Technics SL 1200 is the one to go for. Just bought one of its predecessors off ebay cheaply and the sound surprisingly leaves my Rega behind in terms of sheer musicality - was going to post on this later.

Otherwise try a Rega P2, it's the best of the cheaper decks. I'd leave the lower price Pro-jects as they're not good value for money any more, and there's noticeable hum from the motor.

 

[Anonymous]

thank you, both of you

do hifi shops like sevenoaks and phase 3 set up turntables anymore? because i really have no idea how to set it up and all the guides ive found on the internet require specialist tools that i dont have... many thanks

 

[plastic penguin]

ubercooldave:

thank you, both of you

do hifi shops like sevenoaks and phase 3 set up turntables anymore? because i really have no idea how to set it up and all the guides ive found on the internet require specialist tools that i dont have... many thanks

It's worth looking on retailers web sites - they sometimes have ex-dem TT, this is maybe a safer bet then buying direct off Ebay - unless you buy from reputable sources from the auction site.

If you go the retailer route and purchase one they would be happy to set it up for you.

 

[SteveR750]

Just to balance the thread a lttle, I bought a 25 yr old Sondek and it was in as good condition as you cold expect (local cardiff dealers prognosis not just mine). If you are confident of sussing out genuine sellers on fleabay etc then its well worth searching out a bargain. The key thing is though knowing your way round the shark pit that such websites are...

 

[seasiders rock]

you cant go wrong with a used pro-ject.

try for a mk1 expression, decent carbon fibre arm, will take a good m/m, or a light weight m/c.

if your new to vinyl avoid suspended chassis decks, to much hassle to keep set up. the pro-jects are set it up and forget.

all spares are readily available.

example...a mint rpm4 went on fleabay last week for £112....BARGAIN.....

 

[chebby]

Not suprisingly I am going to recommend a brand-new Rega P2 with Rega Bias 2 cartridge factory fitted and aligned. It slips into your budget nicely at £294 (inc cartridge)

I would also recommend ordering the P3 felt mat as an extra for about £11 (I think) it is far better than the mat supplied with the P2. (And the P3 mat can be ordered in a range of funky colours as well as black.)

You should get a 3 year guarantee from an offical UK Rega dealer and the deck is a doddle to set-up.

Stick it on a level, rigid surface and replace the belt and cartridge a couple of times a decade and it will serve you well.

 

[matthewpiano]

I've currently got a Pro-ject Debut III and, I have to say, I'm not particularly impressed with it on balance. You can buy much better for less 2nd hand if you buy carefully.

The old Thorens decks (TD150MkII/TD160) were beautifully engineered and a good one can be had for about £100. Similarly Rega Planar 2 and 3 decks make excellent buys and there are plenty around so you can be selective.

 

[Anonymous]

Tough call, I bought my Rega Panar P3 with an RB300 arm and AT110 cart for £160 from ebay, replaced the stylus for £24 and it now sounds amazing.

Picking up a single Technics 1200/10 is a bit trickier as they're usually sold in pairs by DJ's but you could probably get a good one for about the same price and it is an amazing, bomb proof, deck (don't let the snobbery of a lot of so-called "audiophiles" - who regard it as not worth considering - put you off). I think if you make sure the feedback of the seller is up to scratch then you shouldn't go far wrong.

Chebby's advice is also worth serious consideration as you do have the peace of mind of a warranty and new cartridge.

Happy hunting.

 

[Anonymous]

ubercooldave:do hifi shops like sevenoaks and phase 3 set up turntables anymore? because i really have no idea how to set it up and all the guides ive found on the internet require specialist tools that i dont have... many thanks

depends on where you go. my p3 came set up so it was just plug and play by my dealer (if youre in glasgow area thats Loud and Clear). All you can do is ask if they will

 

[Anonymous]

Spacehopper:
Tough call, I bought my Rega Panar P3 with an RB300 arm and AT110 cart for £160 from ebay, replaced the stylus for £24 and it now sounds amazing.

Picking up a single Technics 1200/10 is a bit trickier as they're usually sold in pairs by DJ's but you could probably get a good one for about the same price and it is an amazing, bomb proof, deck (don't let the snobbery of a lot of so-called "audiophiles" - who regard it as not worth considering - put you off). I think if you make sure the feedback of the seller is up to scratch then you shouldn't go far wrong.

Chebby's advice is also worth serious consideration as you do have the peace of mind of a warranty and new cartridge.

Happy hunting.

Yes, I'd look carefully if buying a secondhand SL 1200/1210. However, even at current prices new it's a bargain. The more I listen, the more musical the Technics seems, so much so my Rega will be on ebay later to-day and the money will go towards buying a new SL1200.

 

[Anonymous]

Seen a legendary and almost new AR Turntable on ebay the other day that had a LINN Basak arm and cartridge fitted!

Sold for £160

 

[Anonymous]

what about a lenco goldring turntable a bit older i admit but they are supposed to

sound outstanding those swiss do know how to build stuff well

i have a friend who services them puts good carts on them for 60 quid apparently

a lot of people say they sound as good as a deck that costs the earth and much better than the technics s1200/1210

although i have toyed with the idea of of buying a technics as people say they are unbeatable.