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Recommendation on a basic turntable setup

Quick intro. I have been in audio for many years now.  Never tried a turnatable.  With this Covid, I have some free time and want to give it a try.  I am quite happy with my Theta Va DAC with Logitech streaming or Spotify streaming through Chrome Audio.  So if you can recommend a turntable that will be comparable or better that will be great.

The system I am planning to set it up with includes the following components (extra gear laying around):
- Sonic Frontiers SFL 1 Pre-amp
- Sonic Frontiers SFS 40 Amp
- Sonus Faber Concertino with stand

I would prefer a setup that is not too complicated to setup.  Budget is under $1000.

Thanks!
Sean
seanchau
seanchau OP
47 posts
 
Came across uturn orbit setup with Ortofon 2M Blue for under $600.  
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 

@seanchou, if your area is anything like mine, Mint Minus copies of used LP’s will be readily available starting at around $5. But I would be hesitant to buy used without a vacuum (or ultrasonic) machine to wet clean them. The one from Project at around $500 would be my first choice, the VPI HW-16 second.

For a table, if you can find a nice used VPI HW-19 (Mk.2 or 3) with a Jelco arm would be hard to beat. The HW-19 is built like a tank, and will last forever (I've owned four including my current one). For bargain-priced cartridges I can’t be of no help.

seanchau OP
47 posts
 
@bdp24 definitely look into vpi. Thought it would be over my budget. I guess I'm not really fixed on that either. I found a few old record stores nearby and it seems like a fun hobby. For $5 it is worth a try.  I still have a large collection of sacd that are just sitting there. To me it is more of a fun process, I'm far from being a perfectionist. I would try to stay away from cleaning lp gears but we'll see I might get the bug. 

I got some interesting choices. Always wanted a classic vintage looking TT so the pioneer has great reviews but looking like it is for a dj.  But the pioneer with nagoaka mp-150 sounds like a very good value combo. 
jay73's avatar
jay73
219 posts
 
Since your just curious about TT's at the moment and don't want to make a huge investment and sounds like also do not want to fuss with it too much (for now), I'm going to recommend a Denon DP-300f with a Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge.

It did me well for a while. You would probably be able to find the Denon used in good condition too.

It's full auto and has a phono pre-amp built in also (although you did state you have a phone in).

isochronism
2,893 posts
 
As far as record cleaning goes, we all agree. Although even Steve Guttenberg admits to using his kitchen sink(!) Anyway an (great) inexpensive item on eBay usually ($20 plus) available is a "Label Saver". It's a start. Good Luck Sean!
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