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What Sets Price on Turntables?

So, just starting out on a very limited budget and needing a turntable, the first thing I did was check ebay. I know, probably not the best move but I am a beginner and on an extremely tight budget.

After settling on a Bang & Olufsen 4004 turntable (brand due to my dad's old B&O RX) I checked the listings and found two options. One was at the starting bid of $200, while another had a starting bid of over $700, a third had a $300 listing and a fourth had a $500 listing.

I compared the pictures and didn't see any major flaws in the lower priced turntables that, in my opinion, would mark it down from $700+ to $200.
I decided to check this out and again found listings for a Beogram 4002 with the same stylus for $103 at 13 bids and $925. I also saw two listings for a Beogram 8002, one with a MMC2 stylus ($1,295) and the more expensive ($2,000) with the MMC 1.

So, what/why do some of the same TTs with the same styli have such massive differences in price? Is it true that the devil is in the details and every minor scratch can deduct hundreds from the price? Or is it something like the condition the table has been kept in, or even ignorance on the owner's end as to what they are selling?

And if you want to know, I got the Beogram 4004 as my first Turntable at $200 with an MMC 20CL cartridge but lacking a dust cover which I will now be looking for.
isaac_berger
isaac_berger OP
3 posts
 
so, got the table today. More chips/aesthetic defects then hoped but it works. Stylus seems to be okay. I don't have the proper RCA adapter yet so I can't actually listen to anything. Also, the platter seems to be off center and slightly un-level, going to check that out when I can. Hopefully won't need expert help. Either way, I should be able to sell it and at least beak even if I have to. But hopefully I won't have to.

Also hoping to take another look at my dad''s broken RX when I can but I am pretty busy right now.

Acman3: no preamp asides from what is built in.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Isaac Berger, Shame on you for not buying an audiophile approved turntable. It's your money, buy whatever you want. BTW, Cartridges are available for B&O.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
In addition to Lewm's statement. All B&O carts can be repaired by Axel in Germany. He is a former dealer for the B&O (www.schallplattennadeln.de). The prices are from 99 Euro - +/-300 Euro depending on the model.
Post removed 
isaac_berger OP
3 posts
 
I managed to get the RX working again with a replacement fuse seeing as the original was blown. Also figured out how to adjust the arm (wasn't in the right place) so it is working again, just need to get rid of some rust in trivial areas and clean it up.

Seeing as I have a working 4004 (table actually not off center and leveling problem fixed) a working MMC 20CL cartridge, and a working RX, I am thinking of selling everything when I am done. Looking to get maybe 6 or 7 hundred for everything. So, taking Rrog's comment and a couple others into consideration, I will use that money to get a "audiophile approved turntable"

so, any turntables you would recommend in the $600 to $800 price range? not sure about exactly what I will make selling all the gear so this is just an estimated price range. thanks.
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