What did you buy last & post pics of collection!
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Buying a turntable
First rule: Don’t be cheap.
If you’re just getting into the hobby and would like to experience at least the minimum it has to offer, do yourself a favor and invest enough to get going without the constant presence of a headache. Sure, any supermarket pile of plastic abomination will “technically” do the job (the record will spin and some sound will come out of it), but if you don’t like music enough to want to hear at least a rough approximation of what the artist intended, then why even bother?
Stay away from Crosley
Stay away from Ion
Stay away from Stanton
Stay away from Audio Technica (at least the LP60 model)
Stay away from anything that looks like a Crosley, Ion, Stanton, Numark, AT LP60 or a combination of any of the above. A “USB” in the name is usually also a big giveaway, though Pro-Ject does make such a model, for some reason.
The entry level turntables worth considering are mentioned in this thread, but I’ll repeat them.
Pro-Ject Essential ($300)
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon ($400)
Rega RP1 ($450)
Music Hall MMF-2.2 ($450)
U-Turn Orbit (if it proves to be a worthwhile contender)
Many might not consider them “budget” options, but it is a worthwhile investment even for those that might end up deciding it’s not for them and will abandon the hobby altogether. The resale value is high enough to make these THE cost-efficient choice.
If you really, really cannot afford any of the above, the following aren't the worst choices you can make:
Audio Technica AT LP120 ($200)
Music Hall USB-1 ($250)
Numark TTUSB ($100)
Vintage vs. New
While it’s true that one can get far better sound for far less pennies spent with the right vintage choice, it is an educated man’s market. You might get lucky. The table in question might have been cared for properly, it might be one of those models that can stand the test of time, and the seller might have zero idea what it’s actually worth. A lot of might’s though. If you don’t mind a $20 gamble, by all means, go for it. But to really make the best of such a purchase, the buyer has to posses enough knowledge to determine value, quality and condition of the equipment. It can be fun, it can be tiresome, and it can be rewarding. Not my first suggestion for a newcomer though.
Buying a used newer model can be a two-sided blade as well. The turntable is a “delicate instrument”. If not used properly and with care, a lot of things can go wrong in a short period of time. An in depth conversation with the seller is crucial to determine, or rather, guess the table’s history.
Buying a new table is always the safest bet, but it comes with a heftier price tag.
For buying something under $100 however, at least in my opinion it's better to lose $20 with a vintage table that doesn't work than losing $100 for a cheap new table that, in all honesty, doesn't really work.
All tables listed below include a cartridge.
<$250
Numark TTUSB ($100)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120 ($200)
Stanton T92 ($200)
A used table from the <$400 category
A vintage thrift store record player (from $10 on), with pros and cons briefly explained above
<$400
Pro-Ject Debut III ($300) - still available at some places for this price
Pro-Ject Essential ($300)
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon ($400)
Denon DP300F ($320) - inferior in quality to those above, but includes a built-in phono preamp
<$700
Rega RP1 ($445)
Music Hall MMF-2.2 ($450)
Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 ($500)
Pro-Ject Xpression III ($700)