SONY PS-LX250H TT -- worth getting?

[daveman]

I'm thinking of buying this from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005T3XH/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.1-pos.1/103-9780064-4305424?v=glance&coliid=I3N5MHWG14K0NC&me=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQS

Now I know it's not a good TT, but its CHEAP and I have amazon gift money to spend. I'm on a college budget, and even 200 is too much. This is less than 100 and has a built in preamp so I can hook it up to my stereo, which is what I really would like to do. Is it worth getting, I basically only want to play my old Beatles LPs that I've started to accumulate. I'm not looking for audiophile quality here. Thanks for any info.

[Sckott]

It's ok. It will get you into vinyl cheaply. No, it's not the best, but that budget obviously won't get you something awesome.

Use it and if in the next 5 years you start making more bread, at least it got you somewhere. Just treat your vinyl well. Use this as entry-level.

[daveman]

Good, that's all I wanted to hear, that its 'okay'. I was expecting worse :laugh:

I may or may not buy it, I'll see.

[MMM]

Here's some used turntables on eBay that might be worth looking at:


This one's probably out of range, as it's starting at $100 and has a reserve:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3057234304&category=3283


This one couldn't have been sitting in his closet for 20 years as said in the auction since I'm almost certain it wasn't made 20 years ago:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3057322552&category=3283


Another turntable:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3057311315&category=3283


Another turntable:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3057464236&category=3283


The stylus for the Shure cartridge included with this one needs to be replaced, so this may go cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058178849&category=3283


There's a reserve on this one, but hopefully it's not high - the starting bid before the reserve is $25 - looks like it has a decent arm too (though I'm not familiar with it):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2572365106&category=14987


Another turntable:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058405113&category=3283



None of these turntables have a built-in phono preamp. If you need a phono preamp, there are quite a few cheap ones out there that may hold you over until you can get something better. Or you can maybe find a decent used one if the price is right. Here is a good one on eBay with a starting bid of $0.01 - I seriously doubt it will go for that cheap, but you might want to watch it and bid on it if the price doesn't get too high for you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058307622&category=14974

[daveman]

Thanks for the tips. I would very amenable to buying one on eBay if it weren't for the fact I have Amazon gift money, and that is going to have to be my funding for it unfortunately. The hand-me-down TT I have at home now is not only large (as its more of a system with tape decks as well), but it plays the records a bit too fast (easily noticeable however). I don't see that getting fixed anytime soon so I thought I'd invest in one from Amazon. I'm not sure what I'm going to do just yet.

[daveman]

I also found two cheap TEAC's on amazon. Are these any better than the aforementioned Sony?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006I5VL/qid=1068529295/br=1-4/ref=br_lf_etk_ce_av__4//103-9780064-4305424?v=glance&s=electronics&n=229192

or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002EIXO/qid=1068529295/br=1-5/ref=br_lf_etk_ce_av__5//103-9780064-4305424?v=glance&s=electronics&n=229192

[audio]

Sorry to rain on your parade or if this sounds harsh, but I'd be lying if I told you that I thought that turntable was a good idea. My room mate had one of those, or the model before it a few years ago. They sound awful, are EXTREMELY noisy, and the tonearm is garbage. You will be doing your vinyl collection and your ears a grave injustice by purchasing this table. You would be better off with a nice, quality, used vintage table in your price range or a new, entry-level 'audiophile' turntable. There are many reputable companies such as Rega, Music Hall, and Sumiko who have turntables starting at just under $200. Use your Amazon gift money to pick up some new cds. That turntable is a piece of junk.

[audio]

Okay, I didn't realize that there was a Music Hall dealer on Amazon. Here you go. For the price, you can't go wrong with this table. It is well made, reasonably good sounding, and it won't ruin your record collection with poor tracking geometry. This is a nice unit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009MDBO/qid=1068532655/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-8908987-4316817?v=glance&s=electronics

[MMM]

There are no new Rega's for $200, but there is a $200 Music Hall. Most people recommend at least buying the one Prix linked above, but since that's more than you wanted to spend, the cheapest Music Hall might be OK for the price. I think the $200 Music Hall is the MMF-1.

[daveman]

Cool, thanks again for the info. In that case I think I will just hold out until something better comes along or until I can afford something better. It's not exactly urgent that I get a new turntable this instant.

[daveman]

Is there any way I can fix my current one that plays the records a hair too fast?

[audio]

Originally posted by MMM
There are no new Rega's for $200, but there is a $200 Music Hall. Most people recommend at least buying the one Prix linked above, but since that's more than you wanted to spend, the cheapest Music Hall might be OK for the price. I think the $200 Music Hall is the MMF-1.


I did not mean to imply that Rega made a turntable for $200, rather I was saying that audiophile tables started at that price. The MMF-1 actually lists for under $200.

[audio]

Originally posted by daveman_84
Is there any way I can fix my current one that plays the records a hair too fast?

If you fill in your profile so I can see what turntable you have, perhaps I could offer some advice.

[Damián]

Originally posted by daveman_84
I'm thinking of buying this from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005T3XH/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.1-pos.1/103-9780064-4305424?v=glance&coliid=I3N5MHWG14K0NC&me=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQS

Dave, if you can hold it and save some money I'd seriously recommend you pass on this one. I picked up one once for $9 at a flea market (unused) and those are c-r-a-p.

Mind you, I don't have a mega-bucks TT at home (I've gone by with an early-70s sony and a Sansui until now), but this one you mention isn't much more than a toy.

The whole thing is made of plastic, and not even 'good' plastic at that. The platter is plastic and the tonearm does not have any adjustments, the cartridge (albeit not bad itself) is fixed -glued- to the arm and there's not even a counterweight, just a chunk of lead under the back side of the arm.

The arm tube itself is flimsy thin metal and the cueing is 100% mechanical, non damped. Which means you have to 'damp' the button yourself while operating it or you'll just smash the stylus on the record (which, BTW, is just what the automatic does).

I did use it for quite a while (it broke, eventually) trying to transfer LPs to CD and my LPs do not appear to have been worn by it, on the other hand.

BTW, the on-board preamp IS a godsend. Not too shabby.

I'd suggest going with the MMF if you can stretch it (I've only read good things about those) or some of the ones the guys pointed out on Ebay if you're feeling a bit more adventurous.

Best of luck, regards

Damián

Edit:

fer cripessakes watch this one! (the Technics SP-15 w/ Audio Technica Tonearm). I think those 'stand alone' Technics DD units were supposed to be quite good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2572365106&category=14987

Edit II: Ooops, my comments above are on the TEAC you linked in your later post. The Sony doesn't look all that different from those anyway Originally posted by daveman_84
I also found two cheap TEAC's on amazon. Are these any better than the aforementioned Sony?

[KeithH]

I don't have the 'LX250H, but I do have the 'LX350H, which is the step-up model and sells for around $300. For what I paid and as a casual vinyl listener, I am happy with the turntable. I know it isn't all-world, but it has served me well. It doesn't sound harsh to me.

A key difference between the two models is that the 'LX350H lacks the built-in pre-amp. So I bought the NAD PP-1 phono pre-amp for under $100, and it works great.

One thing I like about the Sony turntables is that, unlike many "audiophile" turntables, they have detachable cables. While detachable cables on a turntable may be the first sign of amateurism (:)), I needed that because I simply could not situate my turntable and integrated amp right next to one another. This is a key reason that I have not upgraded the turntable.

[daveman]

Originally posted by prix


If you fill in your profile so I can see what turntable you have, perhaps I could offer some advice.

I'm not at home now, at school rather, when I get home in a few weeks I'll be certain to examine the TT more closely and fill in my profile to reflect it. Thanks again! :)

[Sckott]

The folks above have a very good buying ethic. Get yourself a Music Hall even if it means Cheeze-Wizz and Ramen Noodles for a few months. :) The extra bread you spend on that table will come to you ten fold.

I mean, vinyl will be that much nicer.

[KeithH]

Sckott said:

The folks above have a very good buying ethic. Get yourself a Music Hall even if it means Cheeze-Wizz and Ramen Noodles for a few months. The extra bread you spend on that table will come to you ten fold.

I mean, vinyl will be that much nicer.

Absolutely good advice. Music Hall makes a great turntable. I've been toying with the idea of ditching the 'LX350H in favor of a Music Hall MMF-5 or possibly the Rega Planar 2. The thing is, if I do the upgrade, I know I will go broke buying vinyl. I'm already a CD collector. All I need now is to get into vinyl in a big way. My wife would love that. Oh sure. :)

[GabeG]

If you can find the extra money, go with the Music Hall, if you can't stay away from all those Sony and Teac models above. You'll be sorry if you go with one of those because they have lousy tonearm bearings.

If you can't go to $200, find a used Technics like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005T3Y8/qid=1068691483/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1_etk-electronics/102-8044167-3884111?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282

Much better (and consistent) tonearms in the units I've looked at. You're records will be happier without chatterig tonearm bearings on top of them.

[BradOlson]

We can order Technics DJ turntables at NorthernLightFX and we also carry Stanton, Gemini, Numark, American Audio.

I use a Gemini XL-200 turntable with a Stanton 680 ELII and it treats vinyl with care as the tonearm is quality, the cartridge is HiFi quality, I use an American Audio Q2422 DJ mixer as my phono preamp and to connect my other components as I only have a minisystem with an AUX jack and my Gemini TT doesn't have a built-in preamp. With this setup, I can even take my system to special events and do PA speaking as well as play music.

The mixer I have is http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=Q-2422SX (one of the best lower end DJ mixers available) but for a more higher end mixer, I recommend this model from American Audio: http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=Q-SPAND which can really boost the bass and midrange via the SRS WOW button which the Q-2422SX mixer I have obviously doesn't have. Gemini, Stanton, Numark do make some fine DJ mixers as well and we do carry mixers from Mackie and Phonic as well.

The turntable I have: http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=XL-200 and this is my cartridge: http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=D-6800ELII

If 78 playing are essential: http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=TT200 or http://www.northernlightfx.com/cart.php?Action=closeup&prod=STR8-80-520SK are the cheapest turntables can play 78s and we can order 78rpm styli for the turntables that do have 78rpm capabilities.