Cheap record player advice

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ChrisChopping
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Cheap record player advice

Postby ChrisChopping » 14 Jan 2022, 17:56

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?

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Walk In My Shadow
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Walk In My Shadow » 14 Jan 2022, 18:00

Don't start with vinyl. You'll end up poor.

That's my best advice.
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Brickyard Jack
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Brickyard Jack » 14 Jan 2022, 18:47

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.

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Darkness_Fish
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Darkness_Fish » 14 Jan 2022, 18:54

Yeah, a bottom of the range Rega or Project turntable is generally pretty bloody good.
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robertff
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby robertff » 14 Jan 2022, 19:27

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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ChrisChopping
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby ChrisChopping » 14 Jan 2022, 21:32

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…

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Tom Waits For No One
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Tom Waits For No One » 14 Jan 2022, 21:35

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.
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Tom Waits For No One
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Tom Waits For No One » 14 Jan 2022, 21:41

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.
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Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Good Night Austin, Texas » 15 Jan 2022, 12:25

Think you can get an entry level Rega with a built in pre amp.

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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Hugh » 15 Jan 2022, 13:58

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.

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BARON CORNY DOG
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby BARON CORNY DOG » 15 Jan 2022, 14:13

ChrisChopping wrote:Can anyone recommend a cheap record player that will actually work and not damage my records?


That would be a no. :lol:
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Hugh
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Hugh » 15 Jan 2022, 16:06

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. :lol:


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.

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C
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby C » 15 Jan 2022, 16:15

Darkness_Fish wrote: Rega


Positive Passion wrote: Rega


Agreed - but with no disrespect to anybody else Hugh is the man





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C
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby C » 15 Jan 2022, 16:19

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".

Hugh
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Hugh » 15 Jan 2022, 16:37

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. :lol:


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.

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Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Good Night Austin, Texas » 15 Jan 2022, 17:25

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.

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C
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby C » 15 Jan 2022, 18:55

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".

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Good Night Austin, Texas
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Good Night Austin, Texas » 15 Jan 2022, 22:06

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.

Hugh
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby Hugh » 15 Jan 2022, 23:50

Streaming, done properly, is fantastic.

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C
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Re: Cheap record player advice

Postby C » 16 Jan 2022, 00:05

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".


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