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Topic: Starting to Get Into Vinyl (Read 7824 times) previous topic - next topic
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Starting to Get Into Vinyl

I really want to get into records because my dad has a lot of old ones that I really want to listen to.  I also have some myself from newer bands.  I need a turntable, but I'm not sure what brand or type to get.  So far the only one that looks great to me is the Audio Technica AT-PL60 for around $65.  Does anyone else know of a good record player/turntable that is under $100?  I'm not looking for the best of the best, I just really need one that is great for its price and will play my vinyls well.  I now realize that I'll need to get a decent pair of speakers.  The Sony SS-B1000 Bookshelf speakers look nice to me, but again, you guys know more than I do.  Are these good speakers?  Are there better speakers out there for under $50?  I also realized that I need an Amp.  What is a good amp for this turntable?

Thanks!

Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #1
What you need:

- A turntable

- A phono cartridge. (The part with the stylus/needle.  Some turntables come with a cartridge.)

- A preamp. (In the old days, stereo receivers came with phono inputs.  Some turntbles have a built-in preamp and line-level outputs.)

- A receiver or integrated amplifier.  (An integrated amplifier has multiple inputs and volume/tone controls, etc., and it may have a phono preamp.    A reciever will have all of the above, plus a tuner.  Receivers are often cheaper than integrated amplifiers, because they are mass-marketed.)

- Speakers

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Quote
So far the only one that looks great to me is the Audio Technica AT-PL60 for around $65.
The price is on the low end.  On one hand, it's a good idea to keep the cost down because no matter how much you spend, you are never going to get digital sound quality from "scratchy" analog records.  On the other hand, analog quality does tend to improve as you spend more money. 

Does that turntable have a USB connection?  A USB conection allows you to more-easily digitize your records, and you can listen through your computer speakers if you wish (and you don't need a preamp).  Knowzy.com has reviews & resommendations for many USB turntables.

Quote
The Sony SS-B1000 Bookshelf speakers look nice to me, ...Are these good speakers? Are there better speakers out there for under $50?
Again, these are on the low end.  Speakers make a bigger difference in sound quality than anything else, and all speakers sound different.  And, you can't tell much from the specs.    For that reason, it's best if you go to an audio/video store and listen to some speakers, before you make a purchase decision.    (Just don't get too intimidated by all of the high-priced stuff.)

Quote
I also realized that I need an Amp. What is a good amp for this turntable?
Unlike speakers, most receivers/amplifiers sound alike.  You can consider things like power (Watts), inputs/outputs, controls & features, and "build quality".


Of course, use your receiver & speakers with digital sources such as a CD player,  your computer, or as part of your home theater system.


 

Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #3
Thanks for all the advice Doug!  For one thing, I'm not really looking to connect it to my computer or anything.  I really just want to have my own vinyl stereo set up.  I pretty much threw the ATPL60 out the window and now I'm going to try and get my hands on an old Technics from craigslist or Goodwill.  I've heard a lot of good things about them.  I still have no clue what some good speakers are and a good preamp though.

Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #4
For one thing, I'm not really looking to connect it to my computer or anything.



Thing is, LPs degrade with use, so the sooner you digitize them to computer files the better your sound will be, forever preserving the sound you got on the first play of that record (even if your exposure to that particular LP is its 50th play).

Getting one of these makes digitizing a snap and its only $30 at Amazon. Check out the video:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UFO202.aspx

You get a highly regarded external sound card, (identical to the UCA202 regarding its line input, which has a good rap here) it happens to have a built-in phono preamp that can be used either for digitizing, or I'm 99% sure just as a stand alone phono pre-amp, and a bunch of software for record noise reduction, if you are into that.

[In this post, I'm assuming you at least in some sense listen to music that's computer based on occasion, considering the forum we are in, but perhaps I'm wrong.]

Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #5

Does the software allow setting the analog level before the A-D conversion or do you put up with the level variations between LPs?


Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #6
Don't know for sure, I don't own it, but I think its primary software it comes with is Audacity and I'm pretty sure that does have an input level control before the A to D.

Starting to Get Into Vinyl

Reply #7
That does look pretty awesome, and I'll probably buy it.  But I still don't know which turntable or speakers or amp to get.  I honestly have most of my music collection on my computer, even the vinyls I own.  I just want to set up a stereo system where I can listen to my vinyls as they are and without being on my computer.  Also, my computer speakers are crap, but that's not the main problem.