Record player recommendations?

[treacheroustexan]

My girlfriend and I are getting into the whole vinyl thing.. I wanted to buy her a record player for Christmas but I have no idea what I am looking for quality wise, but I don't need anything too fancy. Any recommendations or anything? Thanks!

 

[Homercidal]

I have a few records, but never got back into the whole vinyl thing. The records I own are kind of collectible. One is the E.T. soundtrack with an image of ET pressed into one side and I think a picture of him flying across the face of the moon on the other. I can't remember exactly which albums I have to go with it though. I think Empire Strikes Back??

To be honest, I never thought vinyl was better than CDs. In my experience, except for a few genres, they sound pretty much the same on decent equipment, except CDs are easier to use, more compact, and don't get filled with dust.

I was looking for a decent turntable a few years ago, so I could convert my albums into MP3 and CD, but then I realized it was just easier to download them already ripped.

There are still a few people making turntables. Crutchfield sells a decent selection in a wide range of prices. Wish I could suggest a brand, but I'm not up on the brands these days.

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_10500/Turntables.html?tp=48766

 

[brew_ny]

TEAC makes a new one that gets good reviews for 399$

depend on the records you got and how much you are into it

any vintage audio stuff is getting big bucks today

all the best

S_M

 

[LLBeanJ]

Do you have an audio receiver or will you be connecting it to a computer via USB? If you have a receiver, does it have a dedicated phono input?

 

[aopisa]

The Uturn Orbit is getting some good feedback on the audio forums for an entry level TT.

As stated you will either need a receiver, integrated amp or amp/pre-amp set up with a phono input or a separate phono stage to play records.

Do not buy anything made by Crosley if you are even marginally serious about vinyl.

You might want to consider something vintage like a Dual TT from the 70s. That was the golden age of stereo equipment. Lots of good stuff to be found at decent prices. I have two complete vintage systems and they rock!

Head over to audiokarma.org to learn more. It's the HBT of audio.

I am afraid like brewing, you are now standing on the edge of another rabbit hole. Jump in, you won't regret it when you here the difference.

 

[antony]

I picked up an ion usb turntable for my wife a few years ago, she seemed to like it. Rips to her laptop & jacks in to our old receiver.

 

[dthoc16]

I have a Pro-Ject turntable. I love it, BUT... If I were to get another one, I would buy an automatic one (one that lifts the arm at the end of the record so you don't have to run over the when the last track is done). However, if that isn't a bid deal, the Pro-Ject intro tables are great.

I would also agree that vintage is the way to go for best / most enjoyable per dollar. Technics, Dual, Thorens, Pioneer, etc... You can score some good ones for not much money, and they sound great. The cartridge (needle) is really where you will get the best sound quality.

 

[IslandLizard]

There is something about Vinyls you don't get from CDs or Lossless CD rips. It's not in the specs (CDs outshine vinyls there in most aspects) but in the process. Many refer to Analog warmth, 3rd and 5th Harmonic distortion, Saturation, etc. Nowadays some artists are releasing vinyls concurrently with their CDs. And that's not a gimmick, they sell.

A CD in general sounds great from a $30 player, a Vinyl needs significantly more investment to be really enjoyable. How much more? Well from $200-$200,000 if you look around. Check AudiogoN for current trends and frenzy. Careful where you step there, 10 minutes makes you think your current equipment and ears are totally inferior.

Bottom line, as long as the turntable runs at the right and constant speed, the platter and tonearm don't vibrate from mechanical and acoustic feedback, the cartridge and needle are fairly decent, and you have an amplifier that has a phono stage or a phono pre-amp, you're in business.

I bought a near mint vintage Denon DP2000 deck off Craigslist and a few cartridges from various sources to check it out, and yes, I concluded I still like vinyl, it definitely has its place. The problem is finding (near) mint vinyls, and some can cost a small fortune if you have to have them. Therefore I'm always on the lookout for HiRez posts of skillful needle drops on good equipment.

Added:
As aopisa mentioned, Crosley products (and many others as seen on TV or from gadget catalogs) are to be avoided, and Audiokarma is [edit] still fine. They [edit] used to have a great classified section. I'd stay away from the all-in-one USB turntables too. They are poor quality, tailored to certain markets and most likely not yours [...are getting into the whole vinyl thing...].