Your turntable history
When did you get your first turntable and what’s been your turntable history since then ?
At 60yrs old now, I've had many CD players, speakers and amps, but ONE turntable that has avoided upgradeitis since 1987 (nearly 40 years!).... and that's my SOTA Sapphire. For whatever reason, it just sounds and feels right! I'll admit though in recent years, wanting to get a Technics 1200G variant, just to experience something different, and maybe a bit easier to use. |
@mirolab On the subject of, “…. it just sounds and feels right” l started nearly 60 years ago with a BSR and have been through many classic 70s and 80s gear. The weird thing with being a Hi-Fi enthusiast (as those like us in the UK were called back then), is that after owning some top vintage gear, most has now been sold off in favour of less expensive equipment that surprisingly is more pleasing. l took the Garrard path first with an SP25 mk3 through to a Garrard 301 and 401, along with the obvious choices of top end SME arms and Shure cartridges.
l eventually ditched all of these after l found my ideal “sounds and feels right” turntable and there’s no turning back. A 40 year old restored Logic DM101 mk3 Electronic with an Audio Origami rewired Syrinx PU3. What was just a turntable project ended up a more musical experience. Sometimes what is considered the best surprisingly gets beaten by one of the rest.
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I'm pretty new to vinyl, so my journey is just beginning. I got my first record player recently after spending years listening to music mostly through digital formats. I always liked the idea of vinyl — slowing down, looking through an album cover, and actually taking a moment to listen instead of just having music playing in the background. My first setup is a XJ-HOME all-in-one turntable with built-in speakers. I know many experienced vinyl collectors prefer separate components, and I completely understand why, but as someone just getting started, I really enjoy the simplicity of it. I can just pick a record, drop the needle, and enjoy the music without worrying too much about matching different pieces of equipment yet. So far I've been building my small vinyl collection and learning more about cartridges, speakers, and different setups. There’s definitely a lot to discover in this hobby. I'm sure my setup will probably evolve over time, but for now I'm just enjoying the experience and exploring new records. |
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The above was my SECOND turntable, found in my parents attic when I was 7 or 8. Mom’s? Dad’s? Uncle’s? No clue. Big upgrade from the "toy" record player -- this one had bass and treble controls!