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Beginner in Vinyl - How far should I go?

I'm full of questions these days, but...

My question is, how far should I go? I recently went on holiday in Europe and picked up a few vinyls for really cheap (Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Diana Ross & the Supremes), and I'd like to listen to them, but I'm not sure how far I should go into investing into a turntable.

How much difference is there between getting some fully-automatic Sony/Teac turntable with built in phono pre-amp and actually making a further step up to a manual turntable with separate phono pre-amp?

For example, I could:

1) Get the TEAC PA688 turntable with cartridge, phono pre-amp, already included for $79.88 off J&R;
2) Get a Project 1.2 turntable with Sumiko Phono Box and a cleaning kit for $500 from Needle Doctor; probably less if I go with something like Music Hall.

How much of a difference would there be in the sound? I've also heard that vinyls get worn out and sound a lot staler and less detailed, so perhaps I'd be better off just getting the TEAC (or any other el cheapo one - any recommendations?)

I guess how much I invest into buying vinyl records depends on how nice the sound is, and how durable it is as a medium.

I appreciate any recommendations on hardware, both ways. Thanks.
lennychen
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I've just gotten back into vinyl after a 10 year absence.
Before I used inexpensive turntables (one had a decent moving coil cart.) and this time around a found a used pristine
Music Hall MMF-5 w/goldring cart. There is no comparison.
Night and Day difference. I very much enjoy this turntable.
My int. amp didn't have a built-in phono amp so I purchased
a Rotel phono pre-amp. (under $200 retail) and I would recommend. Spend the extra $. Bill
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
A cheap TT like the TEAC will wear the records more than than the entry hi-fi TTs due to lack of cartridge/arm adjustment and maybe b/c of the poorer quality cart. A well set up rig with a decent cartridge goes a long way in avoiding wear. And i agree with Kotta, there's a big difference in sound quality between your prospects. I own a mothballed $100 Pioneer, similar to the TEAC.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Respectfully I submit either do it reasonably right or not at all. I doubt I can convince you to spend $1500-2000 for used playback and cleaning equipment for vinyl but that is about what it would take, IMHO. Vinyl that is well cared for does not wear out nor does the sound quality degrade with time.
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