Turntable

So, now I have an excuse to buy a new turntable. Can you recommend me a nice budget turntable? I live in Colombia, so my options are limited to what I can found in Amazon or a few more on-line shops. I'm thinking of something between $100 - $150.

My setup is a Yamaha stereo receiver RX397 (which has a dedicated phono input), hooked up to a pair of Bose 301 series IV speakers. 

Suggestions?

Before you do, I suggest you ask yourself what is "acceptable" - something that plays vinyl without damaging it is the minimum - most of the "quality" of a turn-table comes from the cartridge and tone-arm, what the plinth and platter is made of is secondary and whether it is belt-drive or direct is something you'll have to listen to to see if it makes any difference for you.

 

I do not tthink the Rega P3 is the minimum, there are other turntables available for less than $500 that are perfectly acceptable, such as the Rega RP1 or Pro-Ject Debut III ... the Pro-ject Essential at $399 is not a bad buy for someone who has an old system and just wants to modernise... I know this is over double your budget but unfortunately that is how it is in the hi-fi market at the moment - a turntable for less than $400 is not looking good because the demand isn't there so what is being sold "on a budget" is really very poor.

 

Ivan is making a good recommendation with the Dual table....if you can find one. If you spend sometime searching the internet you should find a dealer or seller that has demos for sale and also returns on upgrades. What I mean is sometimes a person will buy a table but usually have less than 1 yr to return the table for full value if they purchase a table twice the price.....So they are "gently used" tables, a demo might be better as you should still have the mfg warranty available.

A demo might simply be one that a dealer took out of the box for display or actually only used it to take pictures for some literature or their website....Those are really good deals and you can get an expensive table for less money.

Try the following sites that will ship international:

MusicDirect.com

Soundstagedirect.com

Spearitsound.com

Audiophileliquidator.net

Audiogon.com (this site is like an ebay, but you can find great deals on audio gear)

All of these online dealers have a demo or used section....And you can always try to bargain with them.

 

Just be aware with a "vintage" (older) tables you might find the need for parts and those could be hard to get in Colombia.

I have a Music Hall table (mmf-7.1) its a gorgeous table, their entry level tables perform well above price point, you will not be disappointed, and Roy Hall is a great person for product support....He will answer emails rather quickly.

 

Put a bit more budget into the cartridge, that is where you will find the big differences in sound....Another topic once you find a table.

 

Good luck on your search and enjoy your vinyl.

 

Un saludo

 

José

 

 

Just a thought

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 I believe is a USB turntable, which will allow you to record your vinyl to your computer so you can digitize all your vinyl. This table would have its own internal preamp so you can connect it direct to your Yamaha AUX input as a LINE OUT or use the PHONO OUT to your Yamaha phono input. From there you can decide which phono amp sounds better.....The ATLP120 can be a noisy table, its wow&flutter is high, I had one for about a year as I digitized a lot of my vinyl but I did not hear the noise much. It holds speed very well and can play 78rpm vinyl, it has a lot of good features, worth the US$215, especially for a direct drive TT, IMO.

 

The MH USB-1 is probably a bit better

 

But.....I would highly recommend the mmf-2.2. The plinth is made from MDF and is a very good dampening material for both sound and vibration. The motor is isolated from the base to help with any vibrations from your environment, you can upgrade this table with a better cartridge later on and enjoy the table even more. I am not sure if the phono cables are removable, if so that is another chance to upgrade the table later on with better phono grade cables.

You will have better results from this table than the other two......Depending on your listening habits I doubt you will want another table for sometime....Excellent musical return for your money.

 

Did you get the new remastered Abbey Road?

 

Good luck on your decision! Enjoy which ever you choose..

 

Nice wish list!! My only problem with VPI machines, is the need to upgrade almost endlessly. Wonderful machines, I just think they are about 20% too expensive.

I almost bought one from Definitive Audio in Bellevue...

 

Right now my wish list is:

Preamp: Musical Surrounding Phonomena II (I trialed one for about a month and had to send it back....now I want it)

Cartridge: Nagaoka MP-300 (I have the MP-110 and its brilliant)

 

 

 

That is a very good choice for a TT......Eventually you can sell this one for probably close to what you paid and move up a few steps.

I have the mmf-7.1 and it is a brilliant sounding table.

 

Enjoy it!