2. analog
  3. 1247207990

I need a turntable, only have $450 to spare...

More than likely used. I haven't had a turntable since when I was in Germany in 1989 when I had a Denon 37F but I still have my 392 count vinyl collection. I've searched and read plenty of things but they were always with a larger budget. My budget will grow (hopefully!) in the future but I need something to get me along now as I plugged my Teac X-1000r over the weekend and it reminded me how good analog sounds.
My noisemaker goes as follows: CEC 3300R cd player, tube DAC-68, Adcom GFP-750 preamp, 2 Adcom 545 amps biamped to a pair of Wharfedale diamond 9.6 speakers, Dayton interconnects and homebrew power cables. In anticipation to my future TT purchase I got a Bellari VP-130, new but open box. With my current equipment and what I have to spend I'm not expecting a masterpiece BUT I don't want a $99 piece of junk either, just something that I can play for a while and be happy. I understand it may need to have the belt replaced, cartridge. Musically I'm all over the map but mostly Jazz (Monk, Marsalis, Coltrane) and Brit Wave (Joy Division, OMD, Smiths). Where should I start?
mtandrews
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Pal,
you've got a nice piece of digital set up. To match it with turntable with no dissapointment, you should probably stretch for more budget plus decent phonostage too.
mtandrews OP
43 posts
 
I'm not worried about being disappointed at this point, I just don't want to be horrified! LOL! Not expecting musical nirvana out of a 450 dollar platter, I just don't think an old Montgomery Wards table is gonna cut it (LOL!). Will the VP-130 suffice for a "decent" phonostage?
mtandrews OP
43 posts
 
isn't the SL-1200 direct drive? I should have added that I prefer belt drive, not as noisy...
miner42
709 posts
 
I concur with a used Rega P3 - a very good entry table. Add a Rega exact cartridge and you will be good to go. These are easy to setup, hassle free.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I'd agree to SL1200. Had P3 and hated the fact that I couldn't adjust VTA. That limits the choice of a good cartridges. SL1200 isn't noisy at all despite being DD. As to your phono, it might be an interesting 'instrument' to me. How's headphone out in there?
More to discover