This. I did the same and am VERY happy/impressed with the quality of sound I’m getting from the Fluance.
Turntable recommendation
- Thread starter Jeru
- Start date
This. I did the same and am VERY happy/impressed with the quality of sound I’m getting from the Fluance.
northernguitar
Poster Extraordinaire
The OP asked for something new and hopefully got some good advice. However, in answer to your question, it’s simple; old gear was made well. New gear (like new appliances) isn’t built to the same specs and will be no where near as robust.
aging_rocker
Poster Extraordinaire
Rega. They've been the 'go-to' turntable in that price range for ever.
The Fluance seems good too, but I have no experience of it.
The Fluance seems good too, but I have no experience of it.
notmyusualuserid
Poster Extraordinaire
Old turntables may have been well made, but their tonearm bearings have probably never been changed, the motors are as old as the rest of the deck and unless it's a Linn or similar, the chassis suspension isn't all that.
Speakers are probably going to need new crossovers. Amps are a bigger nightmare. Only high end amps had quality components back in the day, everything else had generic stuff that could be sourced cheaply.
I could put together a good quality vintage amp/speakers/turntable, but it wouldn't be cheap.
The guy's asking for new, and budget. Not esoteric stuff from our younger days
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northernguitar
Poster Extraordinaire
I dunno. I have a Technics amp from ‘75 as my main home stereo. It gets a cleaning periodically, but it’s still chugging. I also have a direct-drive Technics turntable from the early ‘80’s and it still works great, albeit it could use a new stylus. I don’t think I could get much for this on the used market.
My experience with Project was very good. I forget the model that I had. It was around $1500CDN, acrylic plinth, carbon tone arm, hinged acrylic lid. That was about 10 years ago, so the model may no longer be made.
There are not many options that are "good" at the $500 price point. You get what you pay for and Project is the largest turntable manufacture in the world, sp they have plenty of options at many price points.
At that time, it was the best turntable I had, and it was my re-introduction back to vinyl. It served me well for two or three years until I decided to go whole hog, throw down the gauntlet, by the dream. The low end Rega would also be a good option, though I'm not sure what their cheapest offering is.
Presumably you're in the US? Audio equipment is a rabbit hole that one needs to be careful about climbing down. It can be very addictive and very expensive. At some point, the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Audio equipment is like a home renovation, one thing leads to the next, and you don't know it until you're in hook, line and sinker. Best.
NEW turntable?
I have no clue.
Was there a specific need stated?
I have no clue.
Was there a specific need stated?
I bought a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo along with the Pro-Ject Phono Box about 18 months ago and honestly couldn't be happier with it. There are a lot of options in that price range like the Rega Planar 1 but I don't know that there's really anything that much better than the Debut Carbon in the $500-$600. The choice between the Planar 1 and the Debut Carbon was a bit of a coin flip, but I liked that the Debut Carbon has a switch to change between turntable speeds instead of having to move the belt.
Listening to records at home in basement.
Thx all for your suggestions — super helpful. Keep ‘em coming.
rxtech
Tele-Holic
This is definitely, definitely a good choice! Also, U-turn make good turntables! Do you know?
Are there any modern tables with the simple conveniences that old ones had like auto return arms? I am not enough of an audio snob to get into sonic differences between old versus new ones. But I do like the conveniences that were driven by the practical reality that vinyl was how people listened to music in the turntable heyday. Modern tables seem to leave most of those real world features out.
After many happy years and cartridge changes with a Linn Axis, I decided to upgrade and went with a Rega. Why a Rega? There are many other very worthy turntables, but I decided that I am done setting up cartridges for overhang, azimuth, etc. Regas and Linns feature three-point mounting in their tonearms. As long as you’re mounting a Rega or Linn cartridge, you should be good to go without any fussy adjustments.
???
Last year I bought an audio-technica turntable that's probably cheaper than anything recommended in this thread. I put a record on the platter, close the lid, and press the "start" button. It starts the platter, moves the arm and lowers it. At the end of the side it raises the arm, stops the platter, and moves the arm back to the rest.
Cool. Which model? When I looked at new ones 2-3 years ago nothing did that. At least in the plebeian price range I sought. I ended up with a restored 80s Techniques that cost
$150 and sounds and works ace. But the guy who repaired them retired so if it goes south I’ll need replacement.
bottlenecker
Poster Extraordinaire
There are many old turntables that were much better designed, and executed, and can be purchased in good condition from a shop for less than a new pro-ject debut or planar 1. How expensive they are depends entirely on your location. My pro-ject is ok, but it was just a convenience to buy a new one. Almost every old table I've had has been better in almost every measure of quality.
The one I miss most is good suspension. I think trying to make a decent full featured table today would be really expensive, so they just make primitive tables and pass it off as minimalist "audiophile".
The turntable probably isn't where you should be putting big money. There are several new and used units out there that perform to real audiophile levels at pretty moderate price levels.
Get the best CARTRIDGE that suits the music you're playing. There was a pretty good article phono cartridge review.
A-T may be the best game in town (all around).
Get the best CARTRIDGE that suits the music you're playing. There was a pretty good article phono cartridge review.
A-T may be the best game in town (all around).
Oh I wasnt asking what your need to listen to records was.
Is there a specific need to replace the old turntable?
Just want a second one?
Want to see what new turntable tech has to offer?
Old one is falling apart?
Hoping for less rumble?
Heard that new turntables can manage less weight for less wear on the grooves?
FOMO?
Audiophile cash burning a hole in your pocket?
Writing a revue of old vs new?
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