New or used turntable

[macp]

So I want a turntable and I am undecided whether to go new or used. My uppermost budget is three to four hundred quid. I want to go manual or semi-auto at most. I have had a Rega Planar 1 so a new one of those is close to the top of the list. I like the 80s turntables but there is always the concern of it packing up shortly after purchase. Although it is possible to buy one used which is tested.

Over to you folks. Thoughts ?

[saveloy]

A few good choices over on eBay, offering a substantial saving over new. I'd stick with established brands, with a good history of reliability.
There's VPI, Michell and Technics decks at your price point.

Kyri

[miniman]

Your budget gets you into some lovely Pro-Ject and Audio Technica decks. I’d pay a visit to Richer Sounds and hear a few.

[macp]

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

[danb79]

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

Stick with the Rega; you'll not go wrong with that

My brother had the Audio Technica TT; had a few issues, took it back and bought the Rega. It's been faultless and sounds superb

He had some of my older separates and then bought some powered speakers; but he's now got the Rega IO amp and Fyne Audio standmounts and it's a belting little system

Zoot Money & Bonzo Dog never sounded so good

[808 Estate]

Old Technics Direct Drive turntables are great, if you want a rubber band turntable, I would go for a Systemdek IIX.

[Lucid_AV]

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

IMO, the only thing Fluance has going for it is the optical speed sensor on the RT82 and above. In fact, if you're buying an 83, 84, or 85, you're actually buying a tarted-up 82, no improvements to the plinth, motor, main bearing or tonearm.

[macp]

danb79 said:

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

Stick with the Rega; you'll not go wrong with that

My brother had the Audio Technica TT; had a few issues, took it back and bought the Rega. It's been faultless and sounds superb

He had some of my older separates and then bought some powered speakers; but he's now got the Rega IO amp and Fyne Audio standmounts and it's a belting little system

Zoot Money & Bonzo Dog never sounded so good

Funnily enough I have the Rega Brio amp and im delighted wit it. Drives my B&W's lovely.

[macp]

808 Estate said:

Old Technics Direct Drive turntables are great, if you want a rubber band turntable, I would go for a Systemdek IIX.

I hear they are built like brick outhouses. But they are strong money. An old SL1200 is totally out of my budget.

[macp]

Lucid_AV said:

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

IMO, the only thing Fluance has going for it is the optical speed sensor on the RT82 and above. In fact, if you're buying an 83, 84, or 85, you're actually buying a tarted-up 82, no improvements to the plinth, motor, main bearing or tonearm.

I didnt know that about Fluance. Apart from Amazon nobody else seems to sell them in the UK.

I have a good dealer for Rega in a town near me. So its making sense to go that way again. But I guess though I like the idea of the auto return and a selectable speed switch on the plinth. Auto return is certainly not a deal breaker though. But then neither should the switch.

Anybody had any humming issues due to the unique earth design on the Rega TT ?

Edited by macp on Sunday 5th January 11:48

[danb79]

macp said:

danb79 said:

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

Stick with the Rega; you'll not go wrong with that

My brother had the Audio Technica TT; had a few issues, took it back and bought the Rega. It's been faultless and sounds superb

He had some of my older separates and then bought some powered speakers; but he's now got the Rega IO amp and Fyne Audio standmounts and it's a belting little system

Zoot Money & Bonzo Dog never sounded so good

Funnily enough I have the Rega Brio amp and im delighted wit it. Drives my B&W's lovely.

It was the Brio I suggested to him but the Io is more than enough for what he needs

He had my B&W 601 S2s at first; then tried my Fyne Audio 302s whilst I was away with work and he loved them; so bought the standmount 301s

They're superb speakers and very much remind me of B&Ws earlier stuff like the original 600 range. They're a superb blend between B&W and KEF IMO

The Edifier powered speakers he bought we're great; they're now partnered with his Mac Mini in their office

[AlexGSi2000]

I was in the same boat around 5 years ago, ended up finding an old Technics SL-1310 on ebay for just over £100.

Spent a further £75 on some replacement wiring / new cartridge (Ortofon) and its been fantastic ever since.

For me, I love the chunky design of the 70s Technics equipment, especially the tonearm, so that highly influenced my decision at the time.

[king arthur]

macp said:

Thanks all I think I will stick with a full manual TT. But it seems like a new Rega Planar 1 is hard to beat. There is Pro-ject, Fluance, Auto Technica. But im just not sure they will offer anything over the Rega. At a couple hundred quid used I have seen a two or three nice looking Acoustic Research EB101. And a decent looking Technics SL1800.

About 34 years ago I tested an AR EB101 alongside a Rega Planar 1 at Radford Hifi in Plymouth, and for me the AR beat the Rega hands down for detail and stereo imagery (I seem to remember). Think I paid £200 for the EB101 back then. I can't remember what cartridge I went with, may have been Linn K5. My tastes in musicality may have changed since though, I no longer have the EB101 unfortunately.

[macp]

Thanks all
The latest is im thinking of going for an Audio Technica LP5X. Direct drive and with a very good rated cartridge as standard. And relatively easy to upgrade it.

[heisthegaffer]

There was a Roksan Attessa TT for £399 at Richer Sounds recently I saw on hotukdeals.com

[macp]

Just to update. Its done pulled the trigger on the LP5X. Got a great deal from Richer Sounds too.

[Hoover.]

My 1973 Rega Planet is going strong …. Bought it second hand 22years ago ….not a lot to go wrong really

[craigjm]

I have a Rega Planer 1 plus which I think is great for what it is. The only thing I miss is the auto return. The other thing that annoys me is you cant switch off the phono stage because im about to move to a new system where I dont need it built into the deck anymore so I will probably need to move it on an go for a new one. If I do ill get a Planer 1 or 2