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Cheap starter system for kids

A friend who is definitely not an audiophile has two kids who have gotten into vinyl using some junky all-in-one turntables that just now broke. He wanted my advice on helping them put together their new systems but definitely isn’t ready to jump into the deep end just yet.

I generally enjoy the game of building theoretical systems from scratch so hoped some of you would too. The system needs to be for beginners in their tweens/early teens, include a turntable, be relatively compact as it goes in a bedroom, does not need deep bass to avoid annoying their mom, and it needs to be as cheap as you can get with still good sound quality (he hasn’t given me a sure budget yet but definitely under $1k and the lower the better). He’s only comfortable with new/refurbished gear rather than used or vintage.

So far I’m leaning towards:
Turntable:
Project debut carbon - $400
or
Rega P1 - $475

Phono:
Schiit Mani - $130
or
Cambridge Alva Solo - $180 (if he’d rather pay $50 to avoid all the Schiit jokes from a tween boy)

Speakers: Audioengine HD3 - $350

Look forward to your ideas & comments.
ethos123
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
DJ turntables are mostly rubbish, except for Technics (the leader of the industry for decades) and recently a Pioneer and Denon as alternative, please ignore any others, they are not good!

Buy what professionals are using (not amateurs), even if you think they are looks the same they are not the same at all. Every brand tried to clone Technics and make it cheaper (bad idea).

Technics is the best you can get and this is actually great Hi-Fi component (the mk7 is what you have to look for) ! Don’t be afraid to pay a bit more for it, you’re paying for the quality and this turntable can be used for 30 years.

Pioneer and Denon re not bad, especially for kids.

They are easy to re-sell, but those can be used for a very long time and kids will not destroy them.

You can have new Technics mk7 (this is the best of them all).
Pioneer PLX1000 as alternative
or Denon VL12

P.S. Don't even think about belt-drive when you're buyin turntable for kids, it will be destroyed quickly :)) 

thatavidguy
7 posts
 
If it were me in this scenario and I didn't want one of the newer, cheaper belt drives, I'd go for something from this guy.

https://horiatis76.com/

He sells fully refurbished decks, often with new dust covers, interconnects and stylus (if needed).  I don't personally have experience buying from him but he's been at this a long time... and the higher end stuff goes quickly.

But right now he has a nice selection of lower end DD tables, and I'd think any of them would work well for kids just getting into this stupid hobby. ;)

Yea I get that your friend isn't into used but I think this is a pretty safe option.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I would be FAR more interested in what they listen to than what they
hear  it on .
letch
111 posts
 
@thatavidguy

I like your idea. I use an old Dual turntable to play my 45's since some of those are in less than optimal condition. Especially my punk stuff from the 80's played on a series of console wrecker players. 
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