Second hand turntable on a budget - suggestions.

[DIB]

I'm looking at buying myself a decent turntable and notice that there are quite a few Rega Planar 2 & 3's on offer on eBay round about my budget £100/£150. I'm no expert by any means but believe these are pretty decent bits of kit. Am I right?

Also, approximately what sort of price are you looking at to get one of these serviced if need be?

Rega aside, any other make/models that I should look out for. I'm in no rush to buy just keeping my eye out for a good deal.

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[the record spot]

Yep and see also Systemdek II / IIX and the Thorens TD160 which are good substantial decks as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Linn Axis well worth a look. Slightly better value than a rega I feel.

 

[chebby]

The last few Systemdeks I have watched recently seem to go for £250+ (with arm and cartridge)

The days of £150 Systemdeks are over now I think. (For decent, complete, working ones rather than 'basket cases' anyway.)

 

[John Duncan]

Yes, shame. I waited and waited and got a IIX Buy it Now for £100, so they do come up once in a while when people don't know what they've got.

But a £100 Planar 2 (or even a £50 one recently) will be easy to come by.

 

[chebby]

I thought you had a Michell Tecnodek.

What have you got there, a turntable museum or something?

 

[John Duncan]

Me? No - turntables in chronological order: Dual CS505-2, Revolver (RB250), Systemdek IIX (RB250), Project RPM5.2.

I'll only upgrade when I can afford a Gyro SE so I can look at it and go oooooo.

 

[chebby]

If the OP ('DIB') is still reading this then get yo'self to ebay now and search for Systemdek.

There you will find one with it's original arm and a Nagaoka MP11 cartridge (new stylus + spare) and a new lid and new belt.

It has recently been fully serviced by the same people in Scotland who originally made it! (Now trading as 'Art Loudspeakers'. I researched this claim myself and it sounds genuine.)

The seller has been lowering the 'Buy It Now' price since Thursday from £270 (+£20 delivery) to £190 today.

If someone doesn't go for it, I just may do so myself!

(I have no connection with the seller and do not accept any responsibility but the seller feedback is impeccable.)

 

[DIB]

chebby:
If the OP ('DIB') is still reading this then get yo'self to ebay now and search for Systemdek.

There you will find one with it's original arm and a Nagaoka MP11 cartridge (new stylus + spare) and a new lid and new belt.

It has recently been fully serviced by the same people in Scotland who originally made it! (Now trading as 'Art Loudspeakers'. I researched this claim myself and it sounds genuine.)

The seller has been lowering the 'Buy It Now' price since Thursday from £270 (+£20 delivery) to £190 today.

If someone doesn't go for it, I just may do so myself!

(I have no connection with the seller and do not accept any responsibility but the seller feedback is impeccable.)

Thanks for that, it's slightly more than I was thinking of paying but it looks like it might be worth it. I'll let you know.

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[oldleodensian]

Project make some very good turntables; Debuts are very easy to come by and often quite cheap, but the Project Xpression has a good carbon fibre tonearm (5 * best buy in 2003) and is often recommended on this site as a low cost high quality 2nd hand deck.

You could get a Project Xpression for £100 or less ( on eBay for example) and upgrade the cartridge. All spares are easily available from online retailers and the importers (henleydesigns.com) are not only a useful source of info but will also give very helpful advice either by telephone or email.

 

[DIB]

I've bought myself a Project Debut 2 fitted with an almost unused Ortofon 2M Red cart, £90 off eBay. That was about my budget give or take a few pounds, and I must say I'm really pleased with it. Local as well so was able to collect in person.

Just need to start cleaning my old LP's now

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[John Duncan]

DIB:Just need to start cleaning my old LP's now

 

[oldleodensian]

DIB: I've bought myself a Project Debut 2 fitted with an almost unused Ortofon 2M Red cart, £90 off eBay. That was about my budget give or take a few pounds, and I must say I'm really pleased with it. Local as well so was able to collect in person.

Great to hear an update, glad you like your Project deck.

DIB: Just need to start cleaning my old LP's now

JD's suggestion in the previous post is spot-on. Well worth the money. Best price seems to be about £40 (inc p&p from Germany) or so from a German retailer. I bought from them, great service. Link below to their website

http://www.thomann.de/gb/knosti_schallplattenwaschgeraet.htm

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[DIB]

oldleodensian:
DIB: Just need to start cleaning my old LP's now

JD's suggestion in the previous post is spot-on. Well worth the money. Best price seems to be about £40 (inc p&p from Germany) or so from a German retailer. I bought from them, great service. Link below to their website

http://www.thomann.de/gb/knosti_schallplattenwaschgeraet.htm

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Thanks a lot for the link. I was going to buy a Knosti Disco Antistat and the best I could see over here was about the £50 mark, so you've saved me a few quid there. Cheers.

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[DIB]

I'm a real happy camper. This second hand Pro-Ject Debut 2 is the real dogs doo dar's! I'm so enjoying playing my LP's, some of which have not seen the light of day for over 15 years or so.

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