Talk to me about vinyl record players…
Discussion
Evening all, I would like buy something to play vinyl on as a gift for a teenager. My knowledge on such things is from the 80s to early 90s, so my first thought was to get a Second had Technics deck and maybe a Cyrus 1 to go with some Mission speakers I’ve got lying around. Having second thoughts and it’s probably a bit old fashioned now, and maybe a bit complicated to maintain and use.
Are there any recommendations of current products? To me, the advantage to vinyl is the sound, but I suspect this may not be the primary motivation for said teenager wanting this as a gift! Not sure how much use it’ll get so looking for a fairly modest budget.
Are there any recommendations of current products? To me, the advantage to vinyl is the sound, but I suspect this may not be the primary motivation for said teenager wanting this as a gift! Not sure how much use it’ll get so looking for a fairly modest budget.
Check out my thread from a few months ago for a similar discussion:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Speed 3 said:
Check out my thread from a few months ago for a similar discussion:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thank you - I’ll have a read through when I get a minute. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just had a look over Speed 3’s thread and this looks like what we’re after: https://www.kbaudio.co.uk/products/edifier-r1280db... any thoughts folks?
There’s always mission creep on PH-
“I’ve got a budget of x”
“Here’s something for 10x”
I purchased the Audio Technica LPT120USB for my father a few years ago- it’s a “clone” of the technics sl1200 and is built very well. If your budget stretches to that I’d recommend it as it’s very solid and sounds good. There are the usual options as well at that level from pro-ject or rega but additional kit would be needed and they aren’t as impressive looking for a teenager.
I don’t know those speakers but powered speakers do offer a saving on needing a separate amp - if you have working speakers I’d be tempted to get a separate amp as the upgrade path is there. These USB turntables include a standard line out so you don’t need a separate phono pre amp.
“I’ve got a budget of x”
“Here’s something for 10x”
I purchased the Audio Technica LPT120USB for my father a few years ago- it’s a “clone” of the technics sl1200 and is built very well. If your budget stretches to that I’d recommend it as it’s very solid and sounds good. There are the usual options as well at that level from pro-ject or rega but additional kit would be needed and they aren’t as impressive looking for a teenager.
I don’t know those speakers but powered speakers do offer a saving on needing a separate amp - if you have working speakers I’d be tempted to get a separate amp as the upgrade path is there. These USB turntables include a standard line out so you don’t need a separate phono pre amp.
Pro-Ject have always been highly rated as a budget choice, and they do some rather nice higher-end stuff also
https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
NumBMW said:
Pro-Ject have always been highly rated as a budget choice, and they do some rather nice higher-end stuff also
https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
Good choice and second place in the What Hifi awards.https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
v9 said:
Just had a look over Speed 3’s thread and this looks like what we’re after: https://www.kbaudio.co.uk/products/edifier-r1280db... any thoughts folks?
That looks pretty good, the issue with powered speakers that I can see is that you need to plug them in so need a 13a socket where you place them (else you have extension cables draped around the room). Miserablegit said:
There’s always mission creep on PH-
“I’ve got a budget of x”
“Here’s something for 10x”
I purchased the Audio Technica LPT120USB for my father a few years ago- it’s a “clone” of the technics sl1200 and is built very well. If your budget stretches to that I’d recommend it as it’s very solid and sounds good. There are the usual options as well at that level from pro-ject or rega but additional kit would be needed and they aren’t as impressive looking for a teenager.
I don’t know those speakers but powered speakers do offer a saving on needing a separate amp - if you have working speakers I’d be tempted to get a separate amp as the upgrade path is there. These USB turntables include a standard line out so you don’t need a separate phono pre amp.
I've got the LPT120XUSB plugged into a pair of powered Edifer R1280DB powered speakers and can't fault the setup.“I’ve got a budget of x”
“Here’s something for 10x”
I purchased the Audio Technica LPT120USB for my father a few years ago- it’s a “clone” of the technics sl1200 and is built very well. If your budget stretches to that I’d recommend it as it’s very solid and sounds good. There are the usual options as well at that level from pro-ject or rega but additional kit would be needed and they aren’t as impressive looking for a teenager.
I don’t know those speakers but powered speakers do offer a saving on needing a separate amp - if you have working speakers I’d be tempted to get a separate amp as the upgrade path is there. These USB turntables include a standard line out so you don’t need a separate phono pre amp.
Also the speakers have bluetooth so I can stream from my phone if I want to.
v9 said:
Just had a look over Speed 3’s thread and this looks like what we’re after: https://www.kbaudio.co.uk/products/edifier-r1280db... any thoughts folks?
That’s my website, happy to answer any questions on that setup. Just a though for the OP, speaking as someone who has sourced dozens of turntables for dozens of people - it's worth checking the recipient's opinion on two things:
(1) If they're happy with a completely manual deck (i.e. no return of arm to the rest and switch off at the end of the record)
(2) If they're happy to remove the platter and move a belt by hand to change speed.
If either of these elicit a horrified look (and it's happened to me many times!) then you'll find your choices reduced considerably.
Personally, for a first-time vinyl user, I'd be recommending a second-hand Sony/Technics/Pioneer belt drive auto-return deck fitted with an Ortofon OM Pro S DJ cartridge. A deck like this will be sturdy and reliable, belt drive means no direct drive electronics to worry about, and the cartridge sounds surprisingly decent but the stylus will cope with abuse/accidents and, if the worst does happen, a new stylus is only about £25.
(1) If they're happy with a completely manual deck (i.e. no return of arm to the rest and switch off at the end of the record)
(2) If they're happy to remove the platter and move a belt by hand to change speed.
If either of these elicit a horrified look (and it's happened to me many times!) then you'll find your choices reduced considerably.
Personally, for a first-time vinyl user, I'd be recommending a second-hand Sony/Technics/Pioneer belt drive auto-return deck fitted with an Ortofon OM Pro S DJ cartridge. A deck like this will be sturdy and reliable, belt drive means no direct drive electronics to worry about, and the cartridge sounds surprisingly decent but the stylus will cope with abuse/accidents and, if the worst does happen, a new stylus is only about £25.
NumBMW said:
Pro-Ject have always been highly rated as a budget choice, and they do some rather nice higher-end stuff also
https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
I have the jukebox and it's a great piece of kit. https://www.project-audio.com/en/turntables/
And prices
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/project-turntable-ra...
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