Turntable newbie in need for newbie help

You may want to give some of the newer models now available at very reasonable prices a look and a listen. Project has many models with their base models at a very attractive price. A number of other manufacturers sensing the renewed interest for vinyl playback are coming out with reasonably priced models, these may or may not be available in the Canadian market though. What you may want to do is look at what is offered here on Audiogon in the used section at the price point you are contemplating. I would be on the lookout for an Acoustic-Research table in good shape. While the manufacturer no longer makes these or supplies parts, the belts and motors are easy enough to find and these tables still sound better than a lot more expensive units. You have to remember that replacement parts may be impossible to find though for most if not all of the older tables. Another important point to think of is how much of your listening you contemplate doing with a vinyl front-end. If it is only to test the waters, you could start out with almost any decent turntable. However, don’t expect a lot of magic with an inexpensive table/arm/cart combination. Good luck.

Good information, thank you very much!

I will have a closer look at all this, but I'll have to get to know the brands and parts a little more before I go any further (did not even figure out what exactly is the difrence between a stylus a cartridge and a needle...).

If you would have a good reference to give me -- an FAQ or lixic of some sort -- to help me out in knowing a little more, I would appreciate.

Thanks again.

Start reading hifi magazines. You can pick up something like the dual 505 listed today on audiogon for $50 or go for something like a new music hall for $200 or so.

I wouldn't spend much more than that if you aren't sure on what you want/like. Several things you must consider:
1-do you want 33rpm only or 45's also
2-do you want an automatic table or are you willing to move the arm by yourself
3-don't get a stacking table
4-The needle rides in the grooves of the album to pick up sound. It is plugged into the cartridge which then sends the signal through tiny wires to the pre-amp. A cheap cartridge can NOT be improved and must be replaced if you aren't happy with the detail and delicacy. Don't hesitate to spend 1/3 to 1/2 your budget on the cartridge/needle combination. Just like interconnects, you don't want to use a $20 cartridge with a $1000 table or vice versa.
5-Finally, does your pre-amp have phono input? If not, you will have to buy a phono pre-amp also. Sumiko and parasound make very inexpensive units. Make sure that your phono pre will work with your cartridge (either MC moving coil or MM moving magnet). Some will be switchable between both.

The Stylus (or needle) is the point which contacts the record grooves; this is attatched via a cantilever to the cartridge, which is screwed onto the tonearm and also connected via small wires. Basically, this is the system which picks up moving energy, tranduces it to electronic energy, and sends it off to your preamp to be amplified. It's akin to the laser and converter of a CD player.

There is a ludicrous amount of info here: http://www.vandenhul.com/artpap/artpap.htm

and here: http://www.turntablebasics.com/advice.html

I second the recommendation for an Acoustic Reasearch deck, the "AR Turntable." Look for the modern models made in the 80's, not the old X* models from the 60's which are fairly antiquated.

If you can find an AR with something other than the stock arm--like an SME, Linn, or Sumiko which were all common, that would be a big plus. The cartridge will depend on what tonearm you're using and also what your phono amp is capable of. We can help you with this when the time comes.

Good luck and welcome to vinyl :)

Try a Connoisseur(Sugden) BD2A. A nice turntable for under $100. Put a low priced Goldring cartridge on it, and enjoy.