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So, I’m getting back into vinyl for the first time in over a decade. I was gifted an Audio Techinica LP60-USB which is an okay commercial unit. With a little bit of leftover Christmas money, I am looking into upgrading my turntable mainly because I don’t like the sound and look of these plastic “from a mold that looks like it belongs on a spaceship” kinda record players aimed at the mass market. At the same time, I’m not about to spend $1000+ on an audiophile unit. So I’ve been doing some research and really like U-Turn Orbit Special (Walnut), the Fluance RT88 and the Pro-Ject Debut.
Every review I read is really good, but many, they all say “great starter turntable if you’re just getting your toes wet in vinyl.” Really? A $400-500 piece, which needs a separate pre-amp is a “starter”? I would think the one I have is a starter unit. I get the Crosley’s are considered “toys” and I agree. But wouldn’t a U-Turn and the like be at least a “mid-range” unit? Do you really need to sell your car to buy something better than a “starter” unit?
Not that I really would be inviting audiophiles over and flaunting my setup, but jeez. I even breaking my minimal bank for one of these still makes me feel like a kid riding a popularity wave.
Anyway, does anyone here have any experience with these tables? A lot of my vinyl is from the 50's - 70's.
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In your case I think the best course to take would be to first determine how serious you are going to get into vinyl. Then let that dictate how much you are going to spend. If you have no plans to become a fanatic (like so many vinyl enthusiasts turn out these days), then the AT you have is a perfectly good machine and don't let the snake-oil sellers tell you different.
If you are going to dig deeper, then a $500.00 unit should work out well for you too.
I can’t say I’d be a fanatic, but I really love making listening to music an actual activity. When I pop on a CD or just play music files, they tend to become background while doing something else. That’s great when I need it for that, but nothing helps me unwind like sitting and listening. Records need to be flipped over. And if you don’t have an automatic tone arm, you need to be nearby to stop it when the record is done. Also, my lower end turntable sounds kind of flat and I would like to get better sound out of my records (my receiver and speakers are actually quite good but still budget minded). I have a decent beginning of an LP library (maybe 75 - 100 albums) and would really like to get the best sound that I can afford out of them. Upgrading my turntable which would allow needle upgrades seem like this would suit my needs better than one with a $20 cartridge I’m stuck with.
I've had a lot of different tables over the years (but not an AT, oddly)--from belt-drives to direct-drives to linear-tracking and back again. Back in 2001 I thought, "screw this, I just want a good quality unit that will last", so I bit the bullet and got the Technics 1200 MKII. The thing is a tank and I could not be more pleased with it. But it's not cheap and I rationalized it to myself that I wanted something slightly better than I would ever need, and wanted to never have to buy another turntable again. For the amount of time that I spin vinyl, it's perfect and I expect it to outlive me.
That’s kind of what I have in mind: the notion of spending a bit more and having it for enough years to enjoy it. Thanks for the advice!
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The last turntable I had was a Technics SL 1210 Limited Edition piece; it was a wonderful turntable, big, heavy, excellently built. I ultimately sold it some time ago for way more than I paid for it and see it now fetch prices even more than I sold it for, so a good turntable may be expensive, but they hold their value quite well. All things considered, I had it for a few years and it cost me nothing, rather the opposite. :-)
I currently consider the AVM Rotation R 2.3, but mostly because I enjoy the look of that piece. While I still own some vinyl records, it is definitely just something I will have use for or play once in a while for the fun of it. Acoustically, I find audio compact discs and digital (high-res) finds clearly superior.
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Scott, the way your system is set up right now, would you say that there is a notable difference in the sound quality between listening to an album on CD and then hearing the same album from vinyl?
Yes, the vinyl is noticeably flatter. Bass is lower, it's very middle of the road.
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I have bags of patience. Cash, not so much! 
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And Nic, that SL-1210 is gorgeous.
Yeah, I thought so too... but my wife just did not like it as much. She was not so keen on the "gold" look. :-D And I have to correct myself, it was a 1200, not a 1210 (same model, just different color), the difference between the two was the 1200 was silver, the 1210 was black... the 1200 GLD, which was mine, was... Technics color with gold.
There it was.. just found a pic.. that's my ex-turntable. :-)
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Well I think the gold looks really cool.
My 1200 doesn't have the logo across the front.
Dang, I feel deprived now!
I enjoyed it while I had it, it was the best turntable I ever owned. For sure.
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Posted: |
Jan 28, 2020 - 5:58 PM
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By: |
leagolfer
(Member)
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Scott, the way your system is set up right now, would you say that there is a notable difference in the sound quality between listening to an album on CD and then hearing the same album from vinyl?
Yes, the vinyl is noticeably flatter. Bass is lower, it's very middle of the road.
Although Technics 1200 etc.. are solid I wouldn't rate em 100% for movie/scores especially more orchestra, symphony style, I rate "Garrard 401" a mid 60s model that is king & castle of turntables if you can get one for cheap £ you've done well its golden-sound, for a fact any 60s 70s Garrard has grand ability there cheaper than 401, only negative there all pretty ugly designs but that doesn't bother me just the performance, Look on Ebay for those, & "Pink Triangle" "Mitchell Focus One" have ex music reviews.
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Although Technics 1200 etc.. are solid I wouldn't rate em 100% for movie/scores especially more orchestra, symphony style, I rate "Garrard 401" a mid 60s model that is king & castle of turntables if you can get one for cheap £ you've done well its golden-sound.
Why would it be better than the Technics 1200 for orchestral music?
I think a turntable should do two things: get the music from the vinyl as precise as possible and produce as little mechanical noise as possible, and both things accomplishes the SL 1200 exceptionally well.
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