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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
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.
avideo
222 posts
 
I'm just starting out also - but I already have a well
preserved collection of 200+ records I've been planning to
transfer to CD for some time.
I did intially consider going the "cheap-o" route too;
but realized that if I wanted to do some decent quality
transfers, I would need something better than a bargain
basement turntable.
Also, you should take into account your current audio
system and consider how well it will match your other
equipment. If you have some decent equipment - do you
really want to use a low quality source with it?
If you want to simplify things, you might want to look
at the Musuc Hall line of turntables. You can buy a
complete setup, including the phono cartridge for as little
as $300.00 list. (And no doubt less for "street" price.)
As for phono preamps, there are some available for
less than $100.00 that I'm sure would blow away the Teac
setup. And, of course, there is lots of decent used gear
at this site to be had.
angela100
435 posts
 
Kelllllllleeeeeeeee. yer dyin' I just KNOW it! --aj
Lennychen, do a search on vinyl in the forums, there is probably tons of info for you :)
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
You need to get out of the mass market or junk stuff.I hadn't used my B&O turnatable since early 80's and then the jazz collecting bug made me break down and buy a Rega 2 w/cheapo Dynavector made for NAD.Blew me away.So much better,so little surface noise.You can get used for $300 that will get you "in the door" but as somebody who sold that Teac for a few years and other junk plastic tables i can tell you they are only for folks who don't care about sound quality one iota and want something to listen to the 15 old records they have.If you like jazz listen to a Miles Davis LP in good condition from the 60's ot and audiophile re-issue (Not that OJC crap for $9.99) and then the excellent current (4th gen ) CD out there.So much warmer,chromactic,and harmonically correct you really want at leat a $500 list to start.BTW in a month I ditched the NAD for a real Rega 3 and could have been happy with the $700 I spent there forever.But now my$5000 rig mightbe overkill but I dig it.Yet that Rega and a VPI 16.5 would leave me happy for the rest of my days collecting oldewr music,in my case jazz, which i love so much.I only play CD's of newer stuff that I can't listen to wax.GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!
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