2. analog
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Newbie looking for cheap dependable table

I have been lucky enough to be asked to "store" about 1,000 of my father's LP's. While growing up he would buy a few new albums every week & we would listen to them over the weekend together. They are in perfect condition, he would always clean them & store them perfectly so I know they are worth having.

My dilema is that as much as I want to get into vinyl playback it seems like a MAJOR PITA. I am intimidated by everything that I am reading here about setting up the stylus, proper cleaning & care of everything. I am not much of a tweaker with my system now unless I get off on a tangent for a little while. I also never get enough time right now to listen to my system as it is, I will need a table that is ready & waiting for me when I have few free hours. Now that being said I was intimidated when I first got into this hobby a few years ago & everyone here was kind enough to help me get my feet wet.

So the question at this point is with about $1000.00 to spend should I purchase a used Rega, Music Hall or refreshed Thorens for about $500.00? I figure with the rest of the money, I will try one of the cheaper phono stages plus necessary tools, cleaners & any other widgets.

Obviously like anything else in this crazy hobby if I find this is for me I will spend way more than I ever expected. For the moment though I am looking for a good table that will let me get used to this new world & hopefully make me want to get in over my head. If I find this isn't where I want to be I will either sell it all or offer it to my father. At this point I am still thinking I will be listening to 90% digital & only 10% analog.
fishwater
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
All of the comments above provide sound advice. The sole option I'd add is -- given your budget of up to $1k -- to consider a used VPI HW-19. If you are patient and willing to watch the A-gon ads, you can acquire a HW-19 Mk3 (or even Mk4). The HW-19 is a fine TT, and largely "set and forget". My HW-19 (now in the Mk4 version) was originally acquired in 1988, and has performed flawlessly while providing great playback.

With a little luck, you might also be able to pick up a VPI Scout within your budget. IMO, the Scout is a killer-good TT for the money.
reubent
7,005 posts
 
One additional comment. Personally, if I were looking for a no-fuss table, I would immediately rule out any turntable with a complicated suspension. You aren't going to want to go through the hassles of leveling the deck and getting the correct spring tension, etc. Look for a table with a very simple suspension. That is why I recommended the Linn Axis in my original reply.

The Linn is the only non-suspended table I've owned, but I'm sure there are many others.

Enjoy,

TIC
bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
Given your system, and budget, I think you may be better off skipping the Music Hall MMF-5 and going to something more - such as the VPI, MMF-7, or Linn mentioned above, or something else in that class (sorry, I don't have any specific recommendations). I have nothing against the MMF-5, in fact I had one and it's a great value and thoroughly trouble free, but once I really got back into vinyl, I found quickly that I wanted more. Based on the amount of vinyl you have, and the rest of your system, I think spending all of your budget on a good table will be worth it.

As for your concerns with the tweaking aspects, I think you'll find once you get into that it's not such a big deal. I was also concerned/intimidated, but it turns out it's not any bigger a deal than you want to make it (IMO)
fishwater OP
178 posts
 
Wow guys alot of really good responses. One part of me thinks I should spend more & get the best turntable I can afford but the other part of me is unsure.

The Thorens seem like a good bet used, as I was researching them I realized that Vinyl Nirvana is located less than an hour from my home. It seems he may be a logical first step helping me get started if I wanted a vintage Thorens.

On the other hand I have managed to get this far in the audio world without a local source so should I spend more a table more fitting of my system? The Music Halls seemed to get more support than I expected in this thread, that is good to see. I also have seen & heard that VPI is a good choice as well. I am certainly more worried about spending less vs. more. What a crazy hobby!

I honestly do hope I find analog to be the 90% of my listening. My old man's taste in music wasn't half bad, I picked up some of his tastes myself. The biggest turn off with vinyl has been the fact you have to repurchase music all over again but I would be getting quite the head start if I get to "store" his stuff for a while.
restock
831 posts
 
Since Dave from Vinylnirvana is close by, I agree that Thorens will be a very good option for you (a TD150 or TD160 with a Linn Basik arm might be a good way to go). The Thorens requires adjusting of suspension every couple of years, but with good service person close by it should not be too much a problem.

Otherwise a Rega P3 would be a good solid suggestion. If you are willing to spent more you could take a look at Nottingham Horizon, VPI Scout, Rega P5 etc. Rega turntables are really set it and forget it turntables, no hassles at all.

Also, with 1000 records stacked away, it might be worth investing in a good record cleaning machine. I got mine only very late in this hobby but it would have made life much easier from the start.

Good luck,

Rene
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