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Turntable selection advise

I have to admit that I am no audiophile nor do I have the funds to purchase some of the extravagant systems out there, I'm just a simple guy looking for simple advise. So far, I have looked into 3 turntables and I am wondering if some of you could assist me with my selection process. I just want to play vinyl that's all, hmmm audio nirvana ~!

So far I have looked into various TT and my selection is as follows.

1) Technics SL1200MK2
2) Technics 1210M5
3) Audio Technica AT-PL120

I like the fact that the Audio Technica has a built in phono pre amp and it plays at 3 different LP's speed rates (33, 45 and 78)

Could someone please advise the pro's and con's of my above selection?
chgolatin2
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
bill is right. its amazing how many stereotypes jump into a turntable and all the trappings of record collecting, without having a record collection. before jumping in, just know vinyl is expensive, imperfect, and interactive in a variety of ways.
les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
I will add to the Technics SL-12XX series. For the money they are no brainers. Look you will find most who have had these with an open mind will state they are knockouts to anything you can remotely get in their price point. Add some KAB USA mods and you get a real champ.

I fell into the direct drive being bad cr@p when I got back into vinyl in 2002 and let m tell you the arguments against good direct drive is cr@p. The drive system on the SL-12xx series is excellent and dead silent. I have a KAB USA distributed SL-1200mkII with the Cardas arm rewire and it's a beauty with my Denon DL-110 H.O. moving coil cartridge. I will add the fluid arm damper down the road.
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
As to the belt drive being cheaper, if you look at top end turntables available today, they are belt drive (10-28-08: Stanwal)

That's because no one of the world famous TT producers has money to invest studing and building such wonderful motor inside the Technics SL1200 , no enough numbers of TT sold to justify the amount of $$$ , a cheapo little belt motor is perfect for them

God save the Technics SL1200!
azmoon
126 posts
 
Definitely get into vinyl. It can re-ignite your music passion.

You will have fun building a collection. And it is worth the money if you truly appreciate the vinyl sound.
bholz
3 posts
 
I recently purchased an SL1200MK2 from KABUSA with the Cardas rewire and the Fluid Damper. I have been very happy with this table. So easy to use and sounds wonderful (yes I did audition several other tables from other manufacturers. In the end I chose the KAB technics).

Anyway, as someone mentioned earlier, KAB does offer a mod for 78's. If you are serious about collecting/playing 78's I would recommend you call Kevin and discuss which table and what mods would be best for you.
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