I second the Technics 1200 option. (A Mk5g is worth paying a small premium for). Absolutely tons of stuff on the net.
Hated my Pro-Ject Debut III looking for another budget option. Kind of thinking Thorens
Hi,
I finally got rid of my Pro-ject debut III and I am looking for another budget. The ultimate deal breaker for me was that it was crazy noisy, loud hum, also would generate a ton of static a couple of minutes into playing a record. I always use an anti static brush, and I started using an antistatic gun from work but the problem always continued.
Lifting the plate up to change speeds was also way more annoying than I expected, and I listened to less of my 7" records because of this. that fishing line counter weight was so corny, for something that cost almost 500.00 USD I think Pro-ject could try a little harder (also has anyone ever had the knot come undone, took me over an hour to rethread the weight) its like they finished designing this thing on a friday before a 3 day weekend.
I am looking to get another turntable in that price range. I can get a Thorens TD-170 next time I am visiting my in-laws in Germany for 380.00 USD and swap out the power supply for the US. I like the idea of a built in phono stage so I can run line level straight into my passive volume control in then into my amp for even lower noise.
Any suggestions? people seem to say great things about the decked out U-turn but other than being less expensive at its core looks like the same thing as the debut III/carbon, Music Hall, entry level rega, etc
Also to note a lot of my records are relatively rare and have never been re-issued or released so I am not always listening to perfect 180 gram virgin vinyl.
Any suggestions would be welcome. Thank you,
I finally got rid of my Pro-ject debut III and I am looking for another budget. The ultimate deal breaker for me was that it was crazy noisy, loud hum, also would generate a ton of static a couple of minutes into playing a record. I always use an anti static brush, and I started using an antistatic gun from work but the problem always continued.
Lifting the plate up to change speeds was also way more annoying than I expected, and I listened to less of my 7" records because of this. that fishing line counter weight was so corny, for something that cost almost 500.00 USD I think Pro-ject could try a little harder (also has anyone ever had the knot come undone, took me over an hour to rethread the weight) its like they finished designing this thing on a friday before a 3 day weekend.
I am looking to get another turntable in that price range. I can get a Thorens TD-170 next time I am visiting my in-laws in Germany for 380.00 USD and swap out the power supply for the US. I like the idea of a built in phono stage so I can run line level straight into my passive volume control in then into my amp for even lower noise.
Any suggestions? people seem to say great things about the decked out U-turn but other than being less expensive at its core looks like the same thing as the debut III/carbon, Music Hall, entry level rega, etc
Also to note a lot of my records are relatively rare and have never been re-issued or released so I am not always listening to perfect 180 gram virgin vinyl.
Any suggestions would be welcome. Thank you,
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- 23 posts total
davidadavid: The Debut III if I am not mistaken is a non-US model More than just the power supply would need to be changed. The pulley system, the motor AND the power supply need to be swapped out.The Debut III has been a US model for at least 9 years, and is still a US-distributed model. It's most likely that his current version is a US-spec model. It just isn't very good, and it may have been an assembly line lemon. However, I don't consider even the current version of the Debut III as good a value as the Debut Carbon DC, which, for $75 more gives you:
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IMO, Cheap cartridge on a good turntable/tonearm will beat an expensive cartridge on a cheap or poorly designed turntable/tonearm, every time. So, stretch out to get a good turntable first of all, is my advice. Surprised no one mentioned "vintage" in this connection. In addition to the SL1200, I think you can still find a Lenco idler that fits within your budget (under $500) and can play with some of the big boys. Then too, you can find vintage Denon DD turntables up to the level of the DP62 at or near to your upper limit of cost. |
Had the same table and also hated it. I bought it from Audio Advisor and the salesman told me it was their best selling TT. Then, he informed I could not return it or trade it. However, it was 3 months old. So much for AA's alleged advisers. The table is a piece of junk. However, avoid Thorens's new line of tables. And double avoid, the so called Thorens "vintage" models on ebay that may be upgraded or refurbished. They are a nightmare of problems and don't offer the vintage sound they claim. Check out either the Pioneer PS-1000( approx. $600, (and reviewed in Stereophile about 2 years ago by Herb Reichert) or the new Rega Planar 1 table which is approx. $450 and includes a cartridge. I would contact Music Direct, or check their website for new or clearance analog items. Good Luck |
- 23 posts total