2. analog
  3. 1247207990

I need a turntable, only have $450 to spare...

More than likely used. I haven't had a turntable since when I was in Germany in 1989 when I had a Denon 37F but I still have my 392 count vinyl collection. I've searched and read plenty of things but they were always with a larger budget. My budget will grow (hopefully!) in the future but I need something to get me along now as I plugged my Teac X-1000r over the weekend and it reminded me how good analog sounds.
My noisemaker goes as follows: CEC 3300R cd player, tube DAC-68, Adcom GFP-750 preamp, 2 Adcom 545 amps biamped to a pair of Wharfedale diamond 9.6 speakers, Dayton interconnects and homebrew power cables. In anticipation to my future TT purchase I got a Bellari VP-130, new but open box. With my current equipment and what I have to spend I'm not expecting a masterpiece BUT I don't want a $99 piece of junk either, just something that I can play for a while and be happy. I understand it may need to have the belt replaced, cartridge. Musically I'm all over the map but mostly Jazz (Monk, Marsalis, Coltrane) and Brit Wave (Joy Division, OMD, Smiths). Where should I start?
mtandrews

Showing 8 responses by narrod

narrod
1,064 posts
 
Mtandrews, while not my favorite, there is nothing noisy about the 1200. It is quiet as a tomb and speed stabilty is absolutely accurate. I prefer belt drive too. If I wanted new and $450 was my budget, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Rega P2 or P3 can be found used within your budget. Technics
SL-1200 can be bought new for about that. There are lots of good used tables within your price range.

Good luck,

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Glued in? You can pretty much count on the alignment not being correct.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Johnnyb53 said,

"You have to get north of $2K, and more often $4K..."

I don't agree but I do feel the 1200 is a bargain at it's price.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
I would choose the 721. I wouldn't change anything until you live with it awhile and hear how it sounds. Is the Shure Stylus in good condition? If not, replacements are available.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
$199 for a restored 721 sounds like a bargain. I lusted for that table when it was released in the '70s but it was too expensive.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Timeltel, why did the come glued from the factory?

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Hiho, you're correct. It's in the engineeringexecution. The Goldman is one of the finest tables I've ever heard. The new Grand Prix, which I've only read about, is direct-drive.

Wendell
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