Sound should fill out when the cartridge is run in.
Dirt cheap set-up
Short story:
Found a $10 Pioneer PL600 (black, not silver) on facebook marketplace. Discovered after I bought it that it needed a serious cleaning and new belt and cartridge. Took it apart, replaced the belt ($8.99); cleaned all contacts; slapped a Stereophile-recommended AT-VM95E MM cartridge ($49) on the arm; Feickert measured the overhang; set up the VTF and adjusted the VTA. Bam! After a thorough cleaning/detoxing and adjusting/installing, placed an original pressing of Getz/Gilberto "Girl from Ipanema" and pressed "play".
Yes, compared to my VPI HW-19 MK4/Hana SL/Jelco 850, the sound was thin and the depth was much more 2D; more crackles and such. But for a $70 (total) turntable, it wasn't bad at all. It'll be in the family room system where my boys ( 9 and 7) can use to learn the joys of handling and listening to vinyl.
Found a $10 Pioneer PL600 (black, not silver) on facebook marketplace. Discovered after I bought it that it needed a serious cleaning and new belt and cartridge. Took it apart, replaced the belt ($8.99); cleaned all contacts; slapped a Stereophile-recommended AT-VM95E MM cartridge ($49) on the arm; Feickert measured the overhang; set up the VTF and adjusted the VTA. Bam! After a thorough cleaning/detoxing and adjusting/installing, placed an original pressing of Getz/Gilberto "Girl from Ipanema" and pressed "play".
Yes, compared to my VPI HW-19 MK4/Hana SL/Jelco 850, the sound was thin and the depth was much more 2D; more crackles and such. But for a $70 (total) turntable, it wasn't bad at all. It'll be in the family room system where my boys ( 9 and 7) can use to learn the joys of handling and listening to vinyl.