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View Full Version : recommendations for a new turntable?

shrive
11-11-2003, 01:25 PM
hello, i'm new to this site, but i thought i would ask for some recommendations on getting a new turntable for my home system. i'm trying to put together a poor man's audiophile system, just something that will sound good, but not be too expensive. for my receiver i have a technics sa-500, and my speakers are klipsch heresy floor standing models. i have a low end technics turntable now, but am looking to upgrade to something that will sound better. any help or suggestions are much appreciated. thanks...
PMC7027
11-11-2003, 01:26 PM
What is your budget for the turntable and phono cartridge?
Jamie Tate
11-11-2003, 01:28 PM
Rega P3. A forum favorite.
Sckott
11-11-2003, 01:36 PM
Boy howdy.
mudbone
11-11-2003, 01:39 PM
and howdy boy, too, on that Rega P3.

mud-:D
teaser5
11-11-2003, 01:46 PM
I'd say P3. Nice affordable and easy to use TT. And it comes in colors!
Welcome to the Forums!
Best-
Norm
audio
11-11-2003, 06:09 PM
What is your budget?
BradOlson
11-11-2003, 06:13 PM
if you have a low budget but want a good turntable, a $100-200 DJ turntable would be the best bet and NorthernLightFX does carry lots of different DJ turntables
shrive
11-11-2003, 06:35 PM
i'd like to keep the cost around $300 or so...thanks for everyone's suggestions.
Sckott
11-11-2003, 06:59 PM
Music Hall. Something like an MMF2. That will give you good performance. Not as good as a Rega, but the P3's start around $600. The MMF2 starts around $225 or so.
ksmitty
11-11-2003, 07:59 PM
Rega P3 is a fine TT for the price point . I have owned one now for several years and love it. I do like the Music Hall MMF5 as well though. I guess it mainly depends on budget that you have aloted yourself, Because there are better TT's out there but the price goes way up for real quality audiophile tables.
-=Rudy=-
11-11-2003, 09:53 PM
Is there a Rega that is sold without a tonearm? I thought there used to be.
AudioEnz
11-12-2003, 12:39 AM
All Rega turntables are sold with a Rega tonearm, Rudy.
Claus
11-12-2003, 12:44 AM
Regaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
-=Rudy=-
11-12-2003, 05:18 AM
Originally posted by AudioEnz
All Rega turntables are sold with a Rega tonearm, Rudy.

Back in the 80's...? I keep thinking there was a model available without one.
Joe Koz
11-12-2003, 07:54 AM
Music Hall has a MMF2.1 that runs around $325.00 a little nicer than the MMF2.
Joe Koz
11-12-2003, 08:07 AM
Shrive,
Red Trumpet has the MMF2.1 on sale for $296.99!

MMF2.1 (http://www.redtrumpet.com/new_hardware/item.php?item=13572&sid=1180028774)
JohnT
11-12-2003, 08:54 AM
The MMF2.1 @ < $300 is not a bad way to go. I did one a few months ago and use it exclusively for recording to CD-R.

I use it with the stock cart for now which is doing fine. No tracking problems that I'm aware of and I've got a couple of warped LP's that played with no issues.

Minor problem with the cover which is probably just an adjustment I need to make. Can't get to the back of it without disturbing the area where it sits so I've just let it be for now. Also lacks a 45 rpm belt which was not included in the purchase. I'm sure it's a nominal charge but shouldn't they include one for $300? One other gripe, do most players no longer have an automatic arm return when reaching the dead wax? Not the end of the world but...

Overall, it's a solid table and gives good sound. I think I got what I paid for and recommend budgeting another $100 for Disc Doctor fluids and brushes.
Rspaight
11-12-2003, 09:37 AM
The $500 MMF-5 doesn't have an arm return either. I think a lot of these sorts of tables avoid extraneous mechanical things on purpose...

Ryan
Leppo
11-12-2003, 12:14 PM
Shrive,

Yeah, those low end Rega and Music Hall tables are decent for their price point. But, keep in mind that you'll need to upgrade the cart/stylus on these to get the "good sound" you are after. I would suggest looking for a higher end table used and saving your pennies for a shure v-15 cart and then you will be set. Good luck and let us know if you have any additional questions! :)
proufo
11-13-2003, 01:31 AM
Originally posted by Leppo
Shrive,

Yeah, those low end Rega and Music Hall tables are decent for their price point. But, keep in mind that you'll need to upgrade the cart/stylus on these to get the "good sound" you are after. I would suggest looking for a higher end table used and saving your pennies for a shure v-15 cart and then you will be set. Good luck and let us know if you have any additional questions! :)
A V-15 may not be a good match to the tonearms in these turntables.
Leppo
11-13-2003, 05:39 AM
Originally posted by proufo

A V-15 may not be a good match to the tonearms in these turntables.

yes, which is why i suggested "looking for a higher end table used" instead of low end Rega and Music Hall tables. :sigh:
shrive
11-17-2003, 03:13 PM
thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations. i went with a technics 1200 m3d. i chose this because of the price (i found one brand new for $300 on craigslist) and because of their durability and reliability. also because they are so popular, i figured i would not have a problem reselling it down the line if i decided i did not like it. i didn't want to have to buy a tt and then immediately spend lots more on upgrades and whatnot. i'm still setting my new technics up, but so far it sounds great.