going retro...need advise

[Woochifer]

Hi Tarheel,

Ebay is the place you want to go. Get a used 80's vintage direct drive turntable. Stay away from belt drive, as it's really hard to find replacment belts.

Here's one that caught my eye; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=48649.

The sellers got 200 comments with a 100% rating, so you know he's doing the right thing.

Gotta disagree with you on the direct drives! Most of the ones I've tried in the past introduce audible noise into the signal path, with some of them exhibiting audible rumbling sounds. The only ones I heard that did not do this were Denon's direct drives. IMO, the main application for direct drives would be for DJing because the higher torque direct drive motors are better for quick starts and stops, and backcuing. Otherwise, belt drives generally run quieter, use low torque motors (which reduces potential for electrical interference), and you have a lot more options with regard to isolation platform designs since belt drive turntables are basically all you find in the high end market.

Not sure if I would go the ebay route on a turntable for the aforementioned shipping problems. Turntables are a lot more delicate in general than other audio components and don't take abuse very well.

Finding belts is actually not all that hard. I order mine directly from PRB, who make belts that can fit just about every turntable ever made. A lot of electronic parts vendors stock PRB belts and you can order them online as well. The Needle Doctor also sells belts, and can even do custom orders if your turntable requires an unusual belt size.

http://www.russellind.com/prbline/index.html
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c....category.12/.f