Vinyl me up baby

[badgermark]

I want a record collection. I used to mess around with my Dad's paltry vinyl a few years ago, a few Rush live albums and some Maiden, and loved the sound and the artwork. And the prospect of having my favourite albums as lps is an awesome thought.

Basically what do I need? I have a good Technics stereo unit, all separate units, 2 good speakers and an awesome amp section. Ideally I don't want to spend a lot initially, so a turntable under £50 would be lovely. What do I look for?

The idea of listening to all my favourite Radiohead, Nirvana, The Shins and the classic rock stuff on vinyl on a lazy Sunday makes me a happy badger. Help me BKP squad!

[FELINEGUITARS]

There are a lot of good turntables out there
Some of the good ones are real Hi-fi stuff and others pitched at the DJ market
You may find one on ebay cheap that was sold to a "failed" wannabe DJ who has now realised his limitations and gone back to wearing his baseball cap the right way round

Ben (TO) can give some good advice on the HiFi end of the market for sure and also maybe tell you what is good on the low/mid price market

[badgermark]

Really looking for something low(-ish) end for now, like I mentioned I have a decent stereo with amp to hook it up to. Shall keep watching for more advice  :D

[FELINEGUITARS]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stanton-STR8-30-Direct-drive-turntables-decks-dj_W0QQitemZ250172600560QQihZ015QQcategoryZ48460QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Buy these and get a mate to have one as well??
Current bid £100

Or look in local cash converter shop or secondhand shop

[HTH AMPS]

Cheap turntables sound awful - worse than CDs by a mile & you're just gonna get a horrible brittle noise.

I've got a Project Audio turntable - it was the entry level one around 5 years ago (£150) but they have cheaper ones now.  Check 'em out...

www.project-audio.com

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/2016

 :twisted:

[badgermark]

I was hoping you wouldn't say that... So nothing in the £40-£50 region will sound remotely decent?

[HTH AMPS]

I was hoping you wouldn't say that... So nothing in the £40-£50 region will sound remotely decent?

Not any new turntable imo - you might get something second-hand for that price if you're really jammy.  The older Technics decks ain't too bad.

 :twisted:

[ToneMonkey]

Dual are good for the money.

EDIT: And check that either the record player or your amp has the relevant pre-amp.  My home stereo amp (Denon) originally came without the pre-amp card for records.  It's easy enough to put in and only costs £20, but they left it out as most people don't need it and obviously it increases the cost of the amp.

I can't play my old mans record player through it as neither have a pre amp.....however, my bro's POS player that came with an aiwa *shudder* works as it contains an onboard pre-amp.

[Ratrod]

Usually you can find some good turntables at garage sales and such. I got a great Technics for a couple of Euros. It only needed a new needle. Not every radio shack has needles in stock, though. Needles are pretty expensive.

[gingataff]

Get a Pro-ject or Rega, they are cheap as hi-fi turntables go but not cheap
(actually I'm going to brag at this point and say I've got one of these http://www.michell-engineering.co.uk/pic/tur/michell_gyrodec.jpg)
 You will not regret it, also make sure you get a decent cartridge (this is basically the same thing as a pickup in a guitar, and I think we already know what kind of difference these make) I'm not a fan of the British hi-fi press (What Hi-Fi?  ..was there ever a more appropriate name for a magazine?!) but check them out for reviews and to get an idea of whats around, read a few in WH Smiths rather than buy them though 8)

[sgmypod]

always loved the look of those..and the sound but couldn't afford one