Cheap record player advice
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Cheap record player advice
My wife bought me a record player but it was faulty and I’m having to return it to Zavvi. They didn’t have a replacement so I’m getting a refund.
After the issues with the first one I’m reluctant to just buy the same model from another store. I’m thinking of getting myself a slightly nicer one but at the same time I don’t really have much of a budget.
Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?
After the issues with the first one I’m reluctant to just buy the same model from another store. I’m thinking of getting myself a slightly nicer one but at the same time I don’t really have much of a budget.
Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?
- Walk In My Shadow
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Don't start with vinyl. You'll end up poor.
That's my best advice.
That's my best advice.
Beneluxfunkmeisterlurvegod
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Re: Cheap record player advice
I suppose it depends what you mean by cheap. I would always suggest buying a Rega, but even their cheapest costs £300 or more. That said I bought my one over 20 years ago and it is still ace.
- Darkness_Fish
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Yeah, a bottom of the range Rega or Project turntable is generally pretty bloody good.
Like fast-moving clouds casting shadows against a hillside, the melody-loop shuddered with a sense of the sublime, the awful unknowable majesty of the world.
- robertff
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Darkness_Fish wrote:Yeah, a bottom of the range Rega or Project turntable is generally pretty bloody good.
They’re pretty good starting points.
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Do they come with built in preamps? I’ve already got some cheap speakers but I don’t want to be having to buy/set up/find space for loads of additional parts…
- Tom Waits For No One
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Re: Cheap record player advice
I'd echo what has already been said, an entry level Rega or Pro-ject would serve you well. (See Richer Sounds)
If you can stretch your budget then that would be a better longer term investment than getting a cheaper player.
You could always try your luck with eBay, you could get a decent bargain.
If you can stretch your budget then that would be a better longer term investment than getting a cheaper player.
You could always try your luck with eBay, you could get a decent bargain.
Give a shit or be a shit.
- Tom Waits For No One
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Re: Cheap record player advice
ChrisChopping wrote:Do they come with built in preamps? I’ve already got some cheap speakers but I don’t want to be having to buy/set up/find space for loads of additional parts…
The turntables mentioned don't.
A separate amp or integrated tuner/amp would be needed, again a basic but decent model would add about £100 to the cost.
Hugh Jarse is the man to ask, maybe drop him a PM.
Give a shit or be a shit.
- Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Think you can get an entry level Rega with a built in pre amp.
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Consider buying second hand from your local hifi dealer’s trade in stock; you will get more for your money. I’d go Rega over Project if you can.
- BARON CORNY DOG
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Re: Cheap record player advice
ChrisChopping wrote:Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?
That would be a no.
take5_d_shorterer wrote:If John Bonham simply didn't listen to enough Tommy Johnson or Blind Willie Mctell, that's his doing.
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Re: Cheap record player advice
der Freiherr wrote:ChrisChopping wrote:Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?
That would be a no.
Truth. I think you. Would be looking at a couple of hundred pounds for a second hand turntable, maybe £70 for a phono amp and £150 for an amplifier. Most cheap amplifiers tend not to come with a phono amp built in.
You can go cheaper but it’s not worth it in the long run - your vinyl will sound crap and be at risk of damage.
- C
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Darkness_Fish wrote: Rega
Positive Passion wrote: Rega
Agreed - but with no disrespect to anybody else Hugh is the man
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Lord Rother wrote:And there was me thinking you'd say "Fair enough, you have a point Bob".
- C
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Positive Passion wrote:I suppose it depends what you mean by cheap.
Agreed - how long is a piece of string?
A mate of mine spent £6,500 on two three metre runs of speaker cable a couple of years ago.
Now, that's expensive in anybody's books
Regarding the turntable nobody has mentioned the cartridge...
It all adds up
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Lord Rother wrote:And there was me thinking you'd say "Fair enough, you have a point Bob".
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Hugh wrote:der Freiherr wrote:ChrisChopping wrote:Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?
That would be a no.
Truth. I think you would be looking at a couple of hundred pounds for a second hand turntable, maybe £70 for a phono amp and £150 for an amplifier. Most cheap amplifiers tend not to come with a phono amp built in.
You can go cheaper but it’s not worth it in the long run - your vinyl will sound crap and be at risk of damage.
- Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice
C wrote:Positive Passion wrote:I suppose it depends what you mean by cheap.
Agreed - how long is a piece of string?
A mate of mine spent £6,500 on two three metre runs of speaker cable a couple of years ago.
Now, that's expensive in anybody's books
Regarding the turntable nobody has mentioned the cartridge...
It all adds up
.
I think the Rega 1 & 2 are factory fitted with an Audio Technica cartridge and although its an inexpensive cartridge it sounds good on those turntables. You can get a replacement stylus for about £20 too.
- C
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Good Night Dallas, Texas wrote:C wrote:Positive Passion wrote:I suppose it depends what you mean by cheap.
Agreed - how long is a piece of string?
A mate of mine spent £6,500 on two three metre runs of speaker cable a couple of years ago.
Now, that's expensive in anybody's books
Regarding the turntable nobody has mentioned the cartridge...
It all adds up
.
I think the Rega 1 & 2 are factory fitted with an Audio Technica cartridge and although its an inexpensive cartridge it sounds good on those turntables. You can get a replacement stylus for about £20 too.
I had a Rega Planner 3 many moons ago
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Lord Rother wrote:And there was me thinking you'd say "Fair enough, you have a point Bob".
- Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Yeah same here and i've still got it hooked up but 99% of the time i play CD's. I might even try streaming one day.
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Streaming, done properly, is fantastic.
- C
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Re: Cheap record player advice
Hugh wrote:Streaming, done properly, is fantastic.
I'll drink to that!
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Lord Rother wrote:And there was me thinking you'd say "Fair enough, you have a point Bob".