New turntable for a complete noob

[steve_1979]

I'm quite tempted to try out this black plastic spinny disc thing that I keep hearing is all the rage with the yoof of today. The Project Debut Carbon for about £400 looks like a good place to start for an idiot proof and easy to setup system.

My first logical thought is do I really want to waste £400 just so that I can rebuy some of my favourite albums in black plastic even though I already own the digital version? My heart says yes it will be nice but my head and to a lesser degree my wallet says no it'd be a waste of money and will sound worse than what I already use.

Any thoughts?

 

[Vladimir]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

 

[steve_1979]

Also can the Phono/USB version be plugged straight into my AVR without needing a phono amp?

And what about the ground. What does that need to be connected to?

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debutcarbonphonousbdc&cat=turntables&lang=en

 

[steve_1979]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

 

[Vladimir]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

No more Thompson simulations. It's getting Dave upset.

I owned two 1200s and loved them. Where I live they come up sometimes s/h and are 500-800 eur in good shape. This year 2 sold as a pair in immaculate condition for 1000 euros. So it is in your budget range. However, looking for one in good condition is like the hunt for the Red October. As with everything second hand you have to watch out so it doesn't bite you in the a$$. If you buy a new ProJect Debut Carbon, you just go to the shop and you buy it. Done.

It's just an idea. Older audiophiles prefer wood, belts, no subchassis, old school decks. To them the SL1200 is a DJ table for rap and techno and it makes baby audiophiles cry. That doesn't change the fact that it is superior table performance wise and has more heritage than any of the audiophile belt driven legends.

If you buy the Carbon, you are harmless like a eunuch neighbor. Audiophiles will pat you on the back, like "Aww so cute, he bought his first turntable. Time to save more money for a serious one in a few years." SL1200 owners wont even bother looking at you since you probably just don't know any better and bought into the hype.

It's a whole culture and I've seen some turntable wars that make cable wars look like puppies licking their noses. Whether you like it or not, your turntable purchase defines your status in the analogue jungle.

 

[steve_1979]

No more Thompson simulations. It's getting Dave upset.

I owned two 1200s and loved them. Where I live they come up sometimes s/h and are 500-800 eur in good shape. This year 2 sold as a pair in immaculate condition for 1000 euros. So it is in your budget range. However, looking for one in good condition is like the hunt for the Red October. As with everything second hand you have to watch out so it doesn't bite you in the a$$. If you buy a new ProJect Debut Carbon, you just go to the shop and you buy it. Done.

It's just an idea. Older audiophiles prefer wood, belts, no subchassis, old school decks. To them the SL1200 is a DJ table for rap and techno and it makes baby audiophiles cry. That doesn't change the fact that it is superior table performance wise and has more heritage than any of the audiophile belt driven legends.

I've always wanted an SL1210 ever since I was a kid when I had a pair of cheap fakes for DJing rave music with. As far a sound quality goes I know that Techies can be as good as any out there so it's a very tempting option.

If you buy the Carbon, you are harmless like a eunuch neighbor. Audiophiles will pat you on the back, like "Aww so cute, he bought his first turntable. Time to save more money for a serious one in a few years." SL1200 owners wont even bother looking at you since you probably just don't know any better and bought into the hype.

It's a whole culture and I've seen some turntable wars that make cable wars look like puppies licking their noses. Whether you like it or not, your turntable purchase defines your status in the analogue jungle.

If I get the version that also has a digital USB output will that annoy both camps and alienate me from them both? I don't know why but that thought actually appeals to me.

 

[Vladimir]

No USB on an old Technics.

If you want eternal hate from all humanity on this planet, buy the Crosley Executive with a ceramic cartridge.

 

[steve_1979]

Even I hate that and I have no taste.

 

[steve_1979]

No USB on an old Technics.

They do a Debut Carbon with line-level outputs and USB built in (see the link I posted above).

 

[Vladimir]

Even I hate that and I have no taste.

But you can dress up like Don Draper while playing some Al Bowlly.

 

[Vladimir]

No USB on an old Technics.

They do a Debut Carbon with line-level outputs and USB built in (see the link I posted above).

You may get some finger waving from flatearths with that one. USB output is convenience, and that defeats the whole purpose of going vinyl in the first place. (I don't think it's really about sound quality)

Obscure, expensive, quirky - Good.

Common, affordable, convenient - Bad.

 

[steve_1979]

An Audio Technica ATLP120 would really annoy both camps and £200 isn't such a waste if I decide I don't like it.

 

[drummerman]

The SL1210 is a very good deck but has its own shortcomings, mostly the arm.

If you subscribe to the camp that say the arm and cartridge are the most important thing, I'd discount the above unless you spend money on it.

Rega arms always measure decent with the exception of headshell vibration and a certain 'zing' because of the very stiff but under damped armtube.

Some aftermarket mods can improve on that.

One Turntable that measured (and reviewed) very well recently (HifiNews) is Projects Genie Carbon.

It would be my choice for a one stop dip your toe into vinyl try without breaking the bank but hasn't got a cover (baad). Second choice ... Rega RP3 and modd the arm slightly.

You get a warranty and it will be easy to re-sell should you not enjoy the 'plastic spinny disc thing' as much as you thought

 

[Al ears]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

He can't be, Thompson would at least get a turntable thread in the right subsection of the forum. ;-)

Regards the 1210 I have a mint one in my lock-up, only done 500 gigs with my friend the DJ.

 

[chebby]

You know my latest suggestion. It's on PP's thread.

 

[steve_1979]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

He can't be, Thompson would at least get a turntable thread in the right subsection of the forum. ;-)

Regards the 1210 I have a mint one in my lock-up, only done 500 gigs with my friend the DJ.

There's a turntable section?

 

[drummerman]

An Audio Technica ATLP120 would really annoy both camps and £200 isn't such a waste if I decide I don't like it.

I have a feeling that would put you off vinyl almost before you started (if you were serious in the first place).

However, as a way of re-living your youth for a week or two ... why not

All these 1210 clones seem to come from the same chinese factory with similar arms.

I'd rather buy a bog standard entry Rega RP1 or Project Debut.

 

[Vladimir]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

He can't be, Thompson would at least get a turntable thread in the right subsection of the forum. ;-)

Regards the 1210 I have a mint one in my lock-up, only done 500 gigs with my friend the DJ.

I'm not the thread OP, Steve is.

If you take a 1200 to 500 gigs it will still be mint and work as new. Guess what happens if you take a Rega to 500 professional gigs.

 

[drummerman]

If I were you, I'd get a Technics SL1200.

Are you doing that Thompson thing again.

Where can a get a 1210 in good condition for £400?

He can't be, Thompson would at least get a turntable thread in the right subsection of the forum. ;-)

Regards the 1210 I have a mint one in my lock-up, only done 500 gigs with my friend the DJ.

I'm not the thread OP, Steve is.

If you take a 1200 to 500 gigs it will still be mint and work as new. Guess what happens if you take a Rega to 500 professional gigs.

Yes, I can see that be an important consideration

 

[Vladimir]

I haven't circulated the vinyl crowd for a while but back when I did I remember only ones that would put everyone into shame were EMT owners.

 

[steve_1979]

I have a feeling that would put you off vinyl almost before you started (if you were serious in the first place).

I am seriously considering trying the black spinny plastic thing and as tempting as a 1210 clone may be I think I'd probably end up wondering what I'd be missing out if I didn't get a Debut Carbon or similar.

 

[steve_1979]

Also can the Phono/USB version be plugged straight into my AVR without needing a phono amp?

And what about the ground. What does that need to be connected to?

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debutcarbonphonousbdc&cat=turntables&lang=en

 

[matt49]

We* got a Project Debut Carbon for Xmas last year. Easy to set up and use, though the string connecting the anti-skate weight does sometimes slip out of its guide.

My daughter uses it more than I do; she's into my old The Smiths LPs. There are some recent LPs I like that measure better in DR terms than on CD: one random example being Gorillaz 'Plastic Beach'. Quite groovy. I also bought the vinyl remasters of Springsteen's first five albums. TBH they sound better on CD on my system.

* my 15-year-old daughter and I. Go figure.

 

[matt49]

Also can the Phono/USB version be plugged straight into my AVR without needing a phono amp?

Yes.

And what about the ground. What does that need to be connected to?
http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debutcarbonphonousbdc&cat=turntables&lang=en

As you don't have a conventional amp (which is where you'd normally connect the TT's ground) this may require a workaround.

 

[steve_1979]

Common, affordable, convenient - Bad.

That kind of sums up what I want though.