Turntable recommendation


My wife and I are looking into getting a turntable. It would get light use as we mostly stream music via Qobuz. Current system is Bluesound Node, Yamaha CD-S303, Schiit Saga+, Schiit Vidar,  NSMT Chorus 25 speakers and NSMT EXP15 sub. We do not have a record collection as of yet. Based on current gear and the fact that it will get light use. What makes sense? The $379 Yamaha CD player gets light use as well. Seems like a reasonable place to start budget-wise unless its all junk at this price point. 

njwvista

@elliottbnewcombjr +1! This AT turntable for $328 is a very good choice! I'd add the Schiit Mani ($160) and a Grado Prestige cartridge ($90). The Mani and Grado are considerably better than what comes with the AT. Regarding the advice about a record cleaning machine - you don't need one if all you play are brand new LPs. Those don't need cleaning! Stay away from secondhand LPs - surface quality varies widely depending upon prior usage. Just buy new ones.

It's so easy to get caught up on the looks alone of the TT. I can see the budget getting tweaked a bit just like my other gear. I had a firm $1000 budget for the whole system. A mark well missed.

One more thing - get a record weight to be placed atop an LP during play. This will couple the LP to the turntable mat quite effectively! Nothing fancy required. AT makes a good one.

For a budget of $1K the Pioneer PLX1000 ($699) with the Schiit Mani ($160) plus Grado Prestige ($90) and AT record weight ($38) comes in under the wire! Check out the review of the PLX1000 by Herb Reichert a few years back in the Stereophile archives. I bought one when I wanted to add a brand new turntable to my collection.

 

jasonbourne71, OP

My suggestion for a cartridge upgrade. It has both wide channel separation and tight channel  balance, which yields improved imaging. That TT has a removable headshell, having the upgrade cartridge pre-mounted in a headshell is an advantage.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm540ml-h

It has an advanced stylus shape, Microline, info here

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

Yes, center weight, good idea

I use this one

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at618a

btw, I don't work for Audio Technica, they just make well priced good stuff!