Turntable recommendations please

[PeteW1959]

I have just dug out my vinyl collection (500+ albums) and want to get a turntable to be able to listen to them again. I haven't had a turntable for at least 20 years and am comletely out of touch with what is good/what to avoid.

My amp is a TEAC AG-D9300 AV Receiver, and it does have a dedicated phono input, so I don't need a pre-amp. I am not worried about USB (I have a decent sound card in my PC if I do decide to digitise the albums) so all I need is a straightforward turntable.

I think I am looking for direct drive (but have belt drives improved early 90s?) and my budget is £100-150.

Looking around the internet it seems most of the units around my budget have USB, but if I get one of those am I paying for something I don't need at the expense of overall sound quality?

Another possibility is buying used and just replacing the cartridge/stylus, but is this wise?

I would greatful fo any recommendations

 

[Freddy58]

Hiya, and welcome.

For that budget I think you need to look at s/h. My own preference would be to look out for an old-ish Rega Planar 3 with RB300 tonearm. I've had mine for some 25 years or more, and still runs fine. Of course, you need to be a bit careful when buying s/h, so do as much as is reasonably possible to make sure you get a good one

 

[stevebrock]

As Freddy said - a used Rega with RB300 arm, reliable easy to maintain deck.

i would steer away from a USB deck - horrid things

 

[PeteW1959]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately even a used Rega is outside my budget (recent eBay sales are £200-300).

I am currently watching several used Technics direct drive units on eBay, which seem to be closer to my budget.

 

[thescarletpronster]

If you can bide your time until a Planar 3 comes up within your budget - there are a number which came up in this eBay search - it'll be worth your while. However, if you're desperate you start playing those records, it's worth considering a Planar 2, which was the entry-level turntable from Rega. You should find one well within your budget much more easily. Even the latest model in that entry-level, the RP1, retails new for a little over £200, so you might well find an RP1 second-hand for £150 if you're lucky.

I used an ancient Planar 2 until I upgraded to an RP3 a couple of years ago. The difference between the two is big - especially considering the stylus I was using on the Planar 2 was pretty worn - but I was happy with the sound I got out of the old Planar 2, so I'd recommend considering it if your budget is tight.

Oh, and if you can get a Planar 2 with the RB250 arm (the straight one in matt black) rather than the RB200 (the S-shaped one in silver), that's good.

 

[ifor]

Which Technics models are you looking at? You should be able to pick up an SL-7, SL-QL1 or SL-DL1 within your budget. All are great TTs. The SL-7 and SL-QL1 both have quartz locked speed control which the SL-DL1 doesn't and are likely to be a bit more expensive. I recently picked up two SL-DL1s; one for £20 and one for £50. You can't really go wrong as long as they are working.

 

[jamesrfisher]

If you can bide your time until a Planar 3 comes up within your budget - there are a number which came up in this eBay search - it'll be worth your while. However, if you're desperate you start playing those records, it's worth considering a Planar 2, which was the entry-level turntable from Rega. You should find one well within your budget much more easily. Even the latest model in that entry-level, the RP1, retails new for a little over £200, so you might well find an RP1 second-hand for £150 if you're lucky.

I used an ancient Planar 2 until I upgraded to an RP3 a couple of years ago. The difference between the two is big - especially considering the stylus I was using on the Planar 2 was pretty worn - but I was happy with the sound I got out of the old Planar 2, so I'd recommend considering it if your budget is tight.

Oh, and if you can get a Planar 2 with the RB250 arm (the straight one in matt black) rather than the RB200 (the S-shaped one in silver), that's good.

A used 2 or 3 would be good. If no cartridge included, or an old one is, then an Audio Technica AT-95 for about £35-£40 would be a great starter. Had a 2 plus the AT-95 for years before I upgraded by pimping the Rega, via Inspire hifi, so still using the arm, subchassis and motor 25 years later