Turntable recommendation approx $400

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danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#249029 21-Apr-2019 11:26

Mother in law wants a turntable.
She's already got a stereo with radio and CD player. Speakers also sorted.
Any recommendations? No more than $400.
I know bugger all about turntables.
I don't want her to waste money on a turntable, which is way beyond her requirements of playing some of her old records now and again.

darthmeow

101 posts

Master Geek

#2221640 21-Apr-2019 11:36

One main question: Does the stereo have an input labelled "PHONO"? - if it doesn't chances are it does not have the required pre-amp for a turntable so you'd need to purchase one with the pre-amp built in. It'd probably also have an earth grounding terminal near it.

My personal recommendation would be a nice Audio Technica one. I know the LP-120 is out of price range at around $700-800 BUT has everything that could be required from a turntable in the modern era. Pre-amp for those stereos without one built in, 78rpm mode for the old shellac singles (though you will need to buy a special 78rpm stylus), a stylus and cartridge that isn't total bollocks, counterweight, anti-skating, autoreturn etc. They do have cheaper models but you start losing out IMO, and given the LP-120 is based on the classic Technics SL-1200, it's built like a damn tank.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2221648 21-Apr-2019 11:57

Thanks.
I'll check reg Phono.
She's 73 years old and without being an expert, I really think $700-800 is too much.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#2221688 21-Apr-2019 12:10

darthmeow:

One main question: Does the stereo have an input labelled "PHONO"? - if it doesn't chances are it does not have the required pre-amp for a turntable so you'd need to purchase one with the pre-amp built in. It'd probably also have an earth grounding terminal near it.

You can get separate turntable preamps very cheaply (or very expensively). The cheap ones are fine unless you've got a high-end low output moving coil cartridge, which is highly unlikely on a $400 turntable.

I "auditioned" a range of MC preamps a while ago, several high end samples with high prices and "advanced" features (input impedance adjustments etc etc). I couldn't tell the difference. One had different RIAA eq curves - I could tell the difference there, but subjective "quality" difference - nope, and nothing that couldn't be EQ'd out with bass/treble adjustments anyway. I plugged a $40 Jaycar one in to have a listen. I still couldn't tell the difference. Unless you've got golden ears, I suggest not to overthink it and not to overspend.

Output from preamp just goes in to any "aux" (or tape in etc) RCA input on the amp.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2221696 21-Apr-2019 12:29

Photos of her stereo and speakers (2 of them).

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#2221706 21-Apr-2019 12:46

Can't see the audio input, but apparently it has one.

Something like this should work:

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio/home-audio/components/audio-technica-atlp60bk-bt-fully-automatic-wireless-belt-drive-stereo-turntable/prod148193.html?&nst=SEM&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhuvlBRCeARIsAM720HoZaW76H2HA58oVvwUjD2KdpCFRNPJMNOIm1J8CIzgnLDjI2LRr2sEaAtEdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Has built in phono preamp, so output could go directly to the audio input - no need for a separate phono preamp.

Edit: I can see it - a socket on the front panel. You'd probably just need an RCA to 3.5mm plug adapter like this, to get the output from the turntable with built-in preamp in to the stereo:

The turntable above may even be overkill - there are probably cheaper ones available that would do the trick.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2221714 21-Apr-2019 13:09

Thanks.

Would something like this work too? https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/ion-classic-lp-turntable/R2542266.html

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#2221720 21-Apr-2019 13:21

Should do. If the records have some value, I'd probably go for something better like the Audio Technica turntable linked to. Vinyl records wear out, poor quality cartridges etc won't help preserve them.

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danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2221726 21-Apr-2019 13:32

Thanks.
Will recommend the one you linked to.
She also talked about Pioneer (even I know this brand). There's one for $450 or so.
But if there's no difference, then it's the one you recommended, that she'll get.

Edit: Pioneer PL30. $480 at Noel Leeming.

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio/home-audio/components/pioneer-pl30-turntable-pl30-turntable/prod161289.html

shk292

2858 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2221795 21-Apr-2019 18:40

In your situation, I'd download her old albums, burn them to CDs and give her those. My parents' turntable died a few years ago and I started the process of transferring their small collection of vinyl to CDs before realising that downloading was quicker and vastly better quality.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2221842 21-Apr-2019 19:58

She's VERY old fashioned.
Not going to happen.
It's unfortunately the original vinyls or nothing.
When I suggested adding a Logitech Bluetooth box ($50) to her old stereo, so we could stream Spotify, it was a no, almost before I'd finished the sentence.
Don't get me started... (yawn)

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#2221857 21-Apr-2019 20:54

I like the look of the Pioneer better, conventional and time-proven counter-weighted adjustable tonearm with anti-skating, I can't see with the AT model. But it's more expensive and either/both are possibly overkill. I'd say go and look at both at NL. Both are reasonable brands. Consider ease of use, they're both auto models, see how easy that is to operate. OTOH as they're both at Noel Leeming, lord knows if they'd have a display model set up, or a record to try it out with.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2222053 22-Apr-2019 11:06

Harvey Norman will have the Pioneer turntable... some may actually have it set up and ready to demo.

Don't know about price matching though, you could always try your luck.

I prefer the Pioneer to the AT as well.