NFT: Vinyl Record Player advice

Vitrola and it works fantastic. Like $40. Does the job just fine and that was my first player.

Otherwise, if you wanted a good player with speakers etc, I have always supported Audio Technica. You could get a great setup for a few hundred dollars.

While helping the Binghamton/Upstate economy.
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In comment 14168237 HoodieGelo said:

Quote:

Vitrola and it works fantastic. Like $40. Does the job just fine and that was my first player. Otherwise, if you wanted a good player with speakers etc, I have always supported Audio Technica. You could get a great setup for a few hundred dollars.

My daughter (college-aged) has a Victrola "suitcase" turntable that she wanted as one of her high school graduation gifts. The sound quality is pretty good for something that doesn't look like much.

have a receiver/amp?

Can work with computer, wireless system, and old school set up... can't beat it.
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for some great information. Stay away from the Crosley's and the ones with built in speakers. If you're buying new, Audio Technica 120, U-Turn Orbit are good entry level. Buying used is also a great way to start with the hobby without a huge upfront price and you can replace pieces over time.
r/vinyl resources, useful links, and guides. - ( New Window )

I started my collection with the Columbia record club deals back in the mid 70's and I still buy Vinyl today.

When you say "advice on equipment" do you mean a complete system or just a turntable? I'll assume a complete system for a teenager so here goes.

Ideally you should have an amp or receiver that has a Phono input. Some modern day turntables have the phono pre-amp built-in so you to use the aux input. Turntables can be manual, fully automatic and somewhere in between.

With manual you do everything from turn it on, to position and drop the tone arm, to picking up the tome arm and turning off when record is done. Automatic, just push a button it does everything and when the record is done it resets. The later is better if you tend to fall asleep while listening. Like I do.

On audio equipment these days you can spend lots..But he's 16 and just starting out. With that in mind go to a site called accessories4less.com. Good deals on equipment.

The yamaha stereo receiver R-S202 and a Denon DP-300F turntable would be a good choice.


Both these can be bought at accessories4less for about $279

The receiver normally sells for $149. A4L has it as factory refurb for $99 and the Denon is $199 minus a $20 coupon. I think this a good starter set for a teenager.

I have the same Denon turntable and love it. I have a few turntables but the Denon is the go to because its automatic. I upgraded the cartridge a few years ago and it sings beautifully.

A4L also has speakers but you can get a pair of speakers anywhere online. You can search online and look for reviews at Amazon.

Good luck.

something new or classic? Check antique shops, Goodwill and those type of places for turntables. I still have two systems purchased in the 70s. They work just fine and you get that retro feel.

Why in the world does he want vinyl though? The options for today's music are limited and the problems we had with records skipping, crackling or warping. I still have my old LPs even though I sold my whole library of 45s.

but at 16 I don't see the need for an entire system, get something with a pre-amp that's plug and play with a set of speakers. Music Hall and Audio Technica both have decent base models for under $300. If he gets into it as a hobby he can start upgrading as his budget allows.

As for the question of why vinyl, I like collecting things. There's something about a gatefold, 180 gram double album that's just more desirable to me than a CD or especially a MP3 download. I also still value the album experience. I appreciate the ease with which we can acquire music these days, but I still enjoy music best when listening to an entire album, and some albums are just better when taken as a whole. I don't always listen to my records, but when I do it's a more active listening experience. It's not just background noise. I like to come home, get the fireplace going, sit down, and really listen to an album. Going chemical-free the past few years, it's my preferred way to relax.

Wasn't sure what the OP was looking for so tried to keep it as cheap and entertaining as possible, while enjoying the vinyl experiance. The receiver I mentioned also has Bluetooth so he could also stream music thru it.

Your point on the turntable with the built in preamp would be a good way to go but he would still need an amp to drive the speakers unless he went with powered speakers. A set of powered 2.1 computer speakers would work nicely, brands like altec Lansing have nice setups for $100 or less.

Another option to consider would be a headphone amp and headphones. But maybe save that for down the road.

Also on your comments regarding record albums and the enjoyment of listening to vinyl, I couldn't agree with you more. Friday evenings are my time to just relax and enjoy music. Over the last 40+ years I put together nice size collection of vinyl, CDs, mp3 and wav and still listen to all of it at different times. But ultimately I always reach for vinyl when I want to just sit back, have drink and relax.

My 13 year old daughter also loves to listen my music, especially my records. She actually enjoys going thru the steps to clean and play a record. She appreciates how things used to be.

Devin Townsend is a modern day Frank Zappa. His voice, writing, guitar playing, and quirky humor is second to none. Gojira might be the best metal band out there live right now.

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Big Bucks Turntables - ( New Window )

About to recommend the Denon DP-300, but I see Bill has already. Some of the really expensive players are not really worth it, so be careful. There are some incredible players but the Denon is absolutely perfect for what you are looking for.

I highly recommend Scottish manufacterer Linn.
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It doesn't have a built in preamp. It has an equilizer switch but that's more for setting impedance so you can use an Aux instead of phono input.

Could try one of these Behringer UFO202-U-PHONO preamps. Also allows you to tie in a computer and output to powered speakers

Ultimately a receiver with a nice pair of book shelf speakers will give you a much nicer sound. But this is a viable option that lets you tie in a PC too.
Behringer UFO202-U-PHONO - ( New Window )

I'm not, but I can appreciate a nice sounding system.

Now I remember specifically when music went digital. Audiophiles back then said you couldn't beat the sound of a CD. I remember hearing CD's for the 1st time and thinking "WOW! What a clean sounding media....these things are awesome!"

Now people yearn for the rich tones of analog through well made turntables.

I get it...not into it as much as you people, but it's interesting to see.....

In comment 14168291 Existenz said:

Quote:

for some great information. Stay away from the Crosley's and the ones with built in speakers. If you're buying new, Audio Technica 120, U-Turn Orbit are good entry level. Buying used is also a great way to start with the hobby without a huge upfront price and you can replace pieces over time. r/vinyl resources, useful links, and guides. - ( New Window )

I bought a U-Turn, and I would advise against it, especially for first-time turntable owners. It has an exterior belt, and mine keeps falling off, and it's a bit of a PITA to put back on. Cool looking design, but very flawed in practice.

In comment 14168659 I Love Clams Casino said:

Quote:

I'm not, but I can appreciate a nice sounding system. Now I remember specifically when music went digital. Audiophiles back then said you couldn't beat the sound of a CD. I remember hearing CD's for the 1st time and thinking "WOW! What a clean sounding media....these things are awesome!" Now people yearn for the rich tones of analog through well made turntables. I get it...not into it as much as you people, but it's interesting to see.....

I remember that also Clams ... "No static, no pops, no scratch sounds ... etc" But, it was a con. The dynamic range and frequency ranges (I think those are the terms I am thinking of) were cut way back. We were seduced by the clarity and the "cleanliness" of the recording.

I still have every record I bought since the mid 70s, they made it through college, the military, and all of my moves. I don't have anything to add on the equipment side, other than to reiterate the idea that his interest could wane after time and the need to store and move the records and all the equipment.

Anyway, just some thoughts on purchasing records - buying them brand new from bookstores etc can be very expensive. I've seen some of them in the $25 (and up!) range. I personally like the idea of buying them used/original. They can still be found at good record shops and should cost in the $10 range, some less, some more. You can slide the record out and take a close look for scratches, etc and also see if its complete (liner notes, lyrics, posters, etc)

Not sure what area you live in, but you mentioned Pa -- there is a good record store in Stroudsburg. My favorite is in Milltown NJ. That place also sells refurbished and tested vintage equipment. Oddly enough I also had good luck in the discount/used section of Barnes and Noble -- the back room where they sell old books. Often there is a section of used records.

I set my boys up with turntables at college and apartments etc -- and then blew their minds with some cool records (ELP - Brain Salad Surgery, Faces, Pink Floyd, etc).

Have fun and good luck