Best Budget Turntable < $500.

[devuonoste]

I plan to eventually purchase a turntable and am wondering if it's possible to get a good quality turntable less than $500. I also would like to have everything included in that price, like tone arm, etc.

Also, I will be getting a tube amp within the next couple of months and was told it has a tube complement of: 4 6550's/KT88's, 2 12ax7's and 2
12au7's. I was told it only has only one available line stage input and there is no phono stage. To be honest I'm not exactly sure what a phono stage is exactly. I am wondering what the best approach to take would be, as I would like to hook up my CD player and a turntable to this amp but there's only one input. Would I have to buy a phono stage and a line stage adapter that could allow more than one input? If anyone has any helpful information it would be much appreciated. Thanks

[poppachubby]

I plan to eventually purchase a turntable and am wondering if it's possible to get a good quality turntable less than $500. I also would like to have everything included in that price, like tone arm, etc.

Also, I will be getting a tube amp within the next couple of months and was told it has a tube complement of: 4 6550's/KT88's, 2 12ax7's and 2
12au7's. I was told it only has only one available line stage input and there is no phono stage. To be honest I'm not exactly sure what a phono stage is exactly. I am wondering what the best approach to take would be, as I would like to hook up my CD player and a turntable to this amp but there's only one input. Would I have to buy a phono stage and a line stage adapter that could allow more than one input? If anyone has any helpful information it would be much appreciated. Thanks

There are several fantastic options under $500 which would include a cartridge also (needle).

You can begin by looking at the Pro-Ject Debut, Music Hall 2.1 or the Denon DP-300f. These are all fine tables. If you wanted to go used, you could step up in quality. There are great used tables available also.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject...e-Multicolor_5

http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP...=2&category=46

http://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Ha...=2&category=46

You will need a pre-amp for your tube amp. This will allow you to connect several sources, control the tone and volume, and output to your amp. You will need one with a phono stage otherwise you would have to buy an external one.

What kind of budget would you be looking at for a preamp?

[02audionoob]

Tell us more about this amp. 12ax7's are preamp tubes.

[devuonoste]

I don't have a lot of info on this amp other than it is an integrated tube amp that has the tube complement I mentioned and has two volume knobs, one for each channel and it is 50 or 55 wpc. I was told it only has room for one input.

[02audionoob]

Then maybe what you need is a phono preamp and a source selector. The phono preamp is the box that brings the turntable signal up to line level and the source selector controls which one goes to the integrated amp. The Denon DP-300F has its own phono preamp if you decide on that model.


Lots of phono preamps...

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Preamps


Example of budget source selector...

http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc716pp.html


Example of budget phono preamp...

http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750pp.html

[devuonoste]

Thanks for the info.

I'll have to do some research on source selectors and phono pre-amps. I don't want to spend a ton but I want to ensure the source selector does not reduce the sound quality of my CDP by using the selector vs plugging the CDP directly into the amp. Also, want to ensure the source selector does not degrade the sound quality of the turn table as well. It sucks having to deal with an amp that allows for only one input and no phono stage; however, it is supposed to sound amazing with my speakers for 2ch.

[02audionoob]

I hear what you're saying about source selectors and I suspect I'd be concerned about them, too, but remember...a preamp is a source selector, in addition to pots, gain stages, switches and other controls. And preamps are in very good systems. It seems to me degradation would usually be less with a simple source selector than a preamp.

Of course, you can always aim higher, depending on budget...

http://www.goldpt.com/sw4.html

[blackraven]

Thanks for the info.

I'll have to do some research on source selectors and phono pre-amps. I don't want to spend a ton but I want to ensure the source selector does not reduce the sound quality of my CDP by using the selector vs plugging the CDP directly into the amp. Also, want to ensure the source selector does not degrade the sound quality of the turn table as well. It sucks having to deal with an amp that allows for only one input and no phono stage; however, it is supposed to sound amazing with my speakers for 2ch.

Take a look at Niles Audio. They make high end quality selectors. I use an amp selector and cannot hear any degradation of sound.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_de...ems&catcdID=10

Check ebay as they sometimes become available. My amp switcher sells for $150 and I picked it up on a bid on Ebay for $10. The guy begrudgingly sold it to me.

[devuonoste]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate the input.

[JoeE SP9]

I hear what you're saying about source selectors and I suspect I'd be concerned about them, too, but remember...a preamp is a source selector, in addition to pots, gain stages, switches and other controls. And preamps are in very good systems. It seems to me degradation would usually be less with a simple source selector than a preamp.

Of course, you can always aim higher, depending on budget...

http://www.goldpt.com/sw4.html

Thanks for the heads up on Goldpoint. One of their attenuators would be a good change for just about any preamp. I'm thinking about my ARC SP-9

[poppachubby]

Thanks for the heads up on Goldpoint. One of their attenuators would be a good change for just about any preamp. I'm thinking about my ARC SP-9

You're thinking about selling me your SP9? Sounds good...

[JoeE SP9]

R' you tryin' t' gimme a case of preamp withdrawal!?

[dean_martin]

Pro-Ject is bringing its RPM1.3 to the US in March. Apparently it's been a popular table in Europe. Comes in black, red and white. Price will be $499. I'm interested in reading what the audio press has to say about it.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject...7&category=947

Not too long ago musiciansfriend.com carried the Technics SL-1210 Mk II for around $450. I picked up one for $389 during a sale. Haven't seen it on their site lately but it's one worth looking around for.

[devuonoste]

I'd like to thank all of you for all your input.

[nightflier]

Dean, that Pro-ject table looks really nice. I was just about to go for a Rega P2, because of the RB250 arm and the positive write-up in Stereophile, and it's being offered as a special in several places, but the Pro-Ject is another option for me.

I know it sounds a bit petty, but I really like the clean lines on the P2. And I know the anti-skating tether is important on the Pro-ject and MH arms, but it's another one of those things I'd rather not have dangling there. In a perfect world, I'd be looking more up-market (Clearaudio/VPI), but I think I need to go simpler this time around.

P.S. Does the new Pro-ject table come with a dust cover?

[JohnMichael]

Dean, that Pro-ject table looks really nice. I was just about to go for a Rega P2, because of the RB250 arm and the positive write-up in Stereophile, and it's being offered as a special in several places, but the Pro-Ject is another option for me.

I know it sounds a bit petty, but I really like the clean lines on the P2. And I know the anti-skating tether is important on the Pro-ject and MH arms, but it's another one of those things I'd rather not have dangling there. In a perfect world, I'd be looking more up-market (Clearaudio/VPI), but I think I need to go simpler this time around.

P.S. Does the new Pro-ject table come with a dust cover?

The Rega P2 is a good table to begin with and there are so many after market parts to increase the performance. The sliding adjustment for antiskating allows finer adjustment than the three notches for the string and weight with the Pro-ject/Music Hall arms.


One thought I wanted to add was that when I was shopping for my Rega I was discouraged from the Rega Planar 3 due to the spring for tracking force. Many feel the spring can resonate and stretch over time. Most of the after market counterweights advise turning the tracking force dial until it has no influence over the arm and then add tracking force with the new counterweight.

[dean_martin]

Dean, that Pro-ject table looks really nice. I was just about to go for a Rega P2, because of the RB250 arm and the positive write-up in Stereophile, and it's being offered as a special in several places, but the Pro-Ject is another option for me.

I know it sounds a bit petty, but I really like the clean lines on the P2. And I know the anti-skating tether is important on the Pro-ject and MH arms, but it's another one of those things I'd rather not have dangling there. In a perfect world, I'd be looking more up-market (Clearaudio/VPI), but I think I need to go simpler this time around.

P.S. Does the new Pro-ject table come with a dust cover?

Dust cover doesn't come with it. Someone reported on it from CES so I thought I'd check the usual online table dealers for availability.

My older Pro-Ject table has an arm with the weight and fishing line anti-skate. I've used the same notch setting with three different carts based on the manual's suggestions with no problems. Even someone who's all thumbs like me can loop the line in the right notch on the second or third try. After it's set, there's nothing else to do. I was concerned about its accuracy at first. It didn't seem like it would be precise, but it's really a "set it and forget it" feature. It's position at the back of the table keeps it out of the way.

I've considered the P2 too, especially when the last of the glass platter tables were on clearance. It's probably the safest purchase in that price range for those of us who have to shop for turntables online.

[02audionoob]

Dean, that Pro-ject table looks really nice. I was just about to go for a Rega P2, because of the RB250 arm and the positive write-up in Stereophile, and it's being offered as a special in several places, but the Pro-Ject is another option for me.

I know it sounds a bit petty, but I really like the clean lines on the P2. And I know the anti-skating tether is important on the Pro-ject and MH arms, but it's another one of those things I'd rather not have dangling there. In a perfect world, I'd be looking more up-market (Clearaudio/VPI), but I think I need to go simpler this time around.

P.S. Does the new Pro-ject table come with a dust cover?

I could have sworn you had a nice turntable, already. Am I confusing you with someone else? Pixelthis, maybe? OK...kidding on that part.

The Rega P2 is a good table to begin with and there are so many after market parts to increase the performance. The sliding adjustment for antiskating allows finer adjustment than the three notches for the string and weight with the Pro-ject/Music Hall arms.


One thought I wanted to add was that when I was shopping for my Rega I was discouraged from the Rega Planar 3 due to the spring for tracking force. Many feel the spring can resonate and stretch over time. Most of the after market counterweights advise turning the tracking force dial until it has no influence over the arm and then add tracking force with the new counterweight.

I saw an exchange on the asylum today where someone said you're supposed to listen to a Rega turntable the way God and Roy Gandy intended, rather than circumvent that spring.

[nightflier]

Yes, I have a MH MMF7. This is for another room/system, albeit, a more visited/seen one, so looks are important. Actually I'd also like to see how well a new $500 table compares to mine.

[daviethek]

turntable selection depends to some degree your personal experience. For a novice, a reaonsable table would be a nice technics table and upper level Audio technica mm cart. Your total investment might be around 650.00. but you can't beat the durability and quality and most importantly, it is highly re-sellable if you get the upgrade bug. Sorry, I don't think re-sellable is a word.

[nightflier]

Dean, can you point us to some reviews of that Pro-ject 1.3 project (sorry, I had to work that one in there)?

The red one sure looks flashy, IMO. I really wonder how it performs. BTW, what are the options for a 3rd-party dustcover?

[02audionoob]

You could get a Gingko dustcover, but they're a little expensive...

http://www.gingkoaudio.com/claravu.html

Pro-Ject has one that's a big box, too...for something like $350. Or maybe you could get a glass/plastics fabricator to build one out of clear acrylic to your specs.

...and I wonder if this one will fit...

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74473

[nightflier]

Considering both are sold at Music Direct, I'm sure they have some suggestions. I have to imagine that the ubiquitous "Customers Purchasing This Item Also Purchased..." feature will give some clues as well.

As far as comparing it with my own table, I'm pretty sure the carts will be the deciding factor. That Sumiko on the Pro-Ject is OK, but it's clear they've skimped a little on that end - certainly not a fair match against my Goldring Eroica. Also, with dustcover, a better cartridge, I'm now nipping into the Rega P2 range.

One more question: all these budget tables are coming from abroad, I presume. So given our dollar's dismal slide against just about every other currency, that makes these imports a less appealing value. Is there anything made domestically that might offer much more bang-for-the-buck, or have all US manufacturers given up on this market sector. I'd be willing to consider some smaller mom & pop outfit too. Anything out there?

[02audionoob]

It seems like even with the currency difference, Pro-Ject would always be able to do it far cheaper in Czech Republic than anyone could do it in the US.

[nightflier]

I dare not ask this, but the fact that Pro-jects are made in Europe does bring the obvious other question to the fore: any decent TTs coming from the Far East at these price points?