Just started in to analog audio, Looking for a decent used TT

[krisballa]

Dear members,

Myself Kishore and I'm from Hyderabad. Registered in this forum long ago but I'm not active due to various reasons, one is when I registered I was more into portable audio.

Recently I have been reading around about TTs and wanted to get into the analog audio. Right now I'm looking to purchase a used TT which is in good condition for starters. My budget is under 10k.

My current setup is PC>>Asus Xonar U7>>Sonodyne SiA320>>Sonodyne Sonus 2605 V3 speakers.

SiA 320 has a phone input so I guess I won't be needing a pre-amp. I would be thankful if you guys could drive me in the right direction procuring a good TT.

Thanks,
Kishore

 

[reubensm]

Welcome to the world of Vinyl, Kishore.

With a budget of 10k you can definitely make a decent start, assuming the 10k will be diverted fully towards hardware. Hopefully you have some records with you or plan to accquire some.

There are many options out there but the first decision you'd need to make is whether you'd want to buy new or pre-used vintage. If you want to go new, then the entry level belt drive turntables fit your budget. If you choose the vintage route, then if you look around carefully and be patient, you can get yourself a decent direct drive turntable, like those from Technics, which can give you many many hours of listening pleasure.

In my opinion, its better to start on a small scale and move up the value chain, once you've familarized yourself with the format. I would suggest that you reach out to some of our Hyderabad FMs and listen to their TTs playing, and talk to them about their experiences before you take the plunge. The risk associated with those moving from digital to vinyl is that there is an instant comparision made, which usually leaves the naive listener, disgruntled. Unlike the plug-and-play digital formats, vinyl has a lot of dependencies and you'd have to get most of these right, in order to obtain analog bliss. Read as much as you can to get a good understanding of these dependencies and how they would ultimately impact the sound that you would hear from your speakers.

 

[krisballa]

@reubensm Thank you for your inputs. I have few options at hand.

1) Philips 242 - 5000/- from Hyderabad
2) Audio technica AT LP60 - 10,236/- from grabmore
3) Pyle PLTTB1 - 9326/- from grabmore

I'm confused on which one take, at the same more inclined on the Philips 242. I have contacted one of our forum member Mr. Raghunadh who is also from Hyderabad and learned some wonderful tips from him on Vinyls & TTs.

I looking forward to take a pre-used TT if any of our forum members are looking to sell theirs. As of now I do not own any records, planning to get some once I have the TT at home

 

[reubensm]

@reubensm Thank you for your inputs. I have few options at hand.

1) Philips 242 - 5000/- from Hyderabad
2) Audio technica AT LP60 - 10,236/- from grabmore
3) Pyle PLTTB1 - 9326/- from grabmore

I'm confused on which one take, at the same more inclined on the Philips 242. I have contacted one of our forum member Mr. Raghunadh who is also from Hyderabad and learned some wonderful tips from him on Vinyls & TTs.

I looking forward to take a pre-used TT if any of our forum members are looking to sell theirs. As of now I do not own any records, planning to get some once I have the TT at home

In my opinion, the Philips 242 is superior when compared to the others. Its a vintage belt drive turntable with a lot of character and class. The Audio Technica and the Pyle are extremely entry-level and if you indulge in these, you will soon find the need to upgrade. If you put thse 2 up for sale, there will be very few takers, especially on this forum. Having favoured the 242, you'd need to check it carefully before indulging. The 242 had what was called a electronic brain (basically a electronic speed controller) which tended to get un-reliable with age. Amoung the low end entry level belt drives that I've come across, the Technics SLBD20B is a decent bet. Also the 242 which you have been offered would need to be in mint condition at that price point.

 

[navinsinha]

When the 242 was first introduced (probably early 1960s) it cost around Rs. 300 when gold was around Rs. 200 for 10 grams. In today's value, therefore, it is worth around 45,000. A point to think......That apart, it is a nice sounding and well built TT with auto stop.

 

[Record Player]

Forum member Raghunadh is indeed a fantastic guide for you on this one.

 

[manniraj]

@reubensm Thank you for your inputs. I have few options at hand.

1) Philips 242 - 5000/- from Hyderabad
2) Audio technica AT LP60 - 10,236/- from grabmore
3) Pyle PLTTB1 - 9326/- from grabmore

I'm confused on which one take, at the same more inclined on the Philips 242. I have contacted one of our forum member Mr. Raghunadh who is also from Hyderabad and learned some wonderful tips from him on Vinyls & TTs.

I looking forward to take a pre-used TT if any of our forum members are looking to sell theirs. As of now I do not own any records, planning to get some once I have the TT at home

I am using the 242 since more than a year brought from this forum thru Shafic, a nice gentleman. I would say its a superb entry level vintage TT and if it works then please go ahead you will not be disappointed. Recently I changed the cart to M44-7 and loving it more. Please speak to Raghu a fantastic person and keep an eye on this forum especially that Shafic puts lots of TTs on sale.

 

[krisballa]

Thank you guys for your valuable suggestions. So, I went today to checkout the Philips 242 TT. When he(seller) first switched it on there was a green light but he forgot to connect the power plug of the amp. So he removed the TT's power plug from the spike and connected to a different power port along with the amp's power plug. After reconnecting there was no light and the platter was not started rotating . He and myself tried moving the power cable and tried the on/off button several times but no luck.

He/I didn't had a clue on what's going on so I came back to home. Now, I have to start the hunt again ... Thanks again.

 

[thx911]

Recently I changed the cart to M44-7 and loving it more.

Hi manniraj, where did you buy the M44-7 from? looked up amazon.com and unfortunately they don't ship to India!

 

[manniraj]

Hi manniraj, where did you buy the M44-7 from? looked up amazon.com and unfortunately they don't ship to India!

Oh yes it was brought by my brother in July when he came down to visit me. Yes shipping to India is not possible and getting it thru courier sites does not make economic sense for such a small item. Look if you can get thru somebody from US the cheapest option.

 

[Saket]

Hi manniraj, where did you buy the M44-7 from? looked up amazon.com and unfortunately they don't ship to India!

You can get if from any Shure dealer. Some Shure dealers also ship the items directly to your address. Do let me know if you want contact details.

 

[reubensm]

If you buy the M44-7 in the US and have a friend carry it down for you, your total spend would be around Rs.3000/- (watch amazon for new and ebay for new/used and you can get even better deals, however never buy pre-used with worn/broken or without stylus)

Overall from a pricing perspective, there is no comparison with Indian pricing. Most Indian sellers would have procured their M44-7s the same way and are making over 100% margins on them.

 

[navinsinha]

There is an authorised dealer for Shure products in Mumbai. Kindly contact Mr. JD on 98209 01941. I don't know if he would ship it to you place but kindly find it out. Otherwise, any friend of yours coming to Mumbai can bring it for you. Cheers!

 

[navinsinha]

Further to my above reply, just checked up the US prices - Needledoctor.com in US is selling it for USD 120 plus shipping which may be around USD 30. You have a benchmark now.

 

[krisballa]

Guys, I think this topic is going off the track .. kindly let me know if any of you or your friends having a spare TT which you can let go for newbie who are looking to have a taste of vinyl audio

 

[reubensm]

Further to my above reply, just checked up the US prices - Needledoctor.com in US is selling it for USD 120 plus shipping which may be around USD 30. You have a benchmark now.

That is way too expensive. The M44-7 with Technics Headshell normally falls within that range.

 

[Naturelover]

bajoo.com has it for Rs 6,700. Still rather expensive, though, considering amazon.com $52 price.

 

[thx911]

Thank you guys! thanks for all the suggestion. I'll have it sourced from the US. Don't want to hijack the OP's thread

Appreciate the information sharing gents!

 

[krisballa]

Finally, bought an used Philips 242 TT locally. But having issues playing constant crackling sound coming while playing any LP even after washing/cleaning the LPs. When the seller played at his place there is no crackling sound except few pops and clicks now and then.

I have connected the TT to Sonodyne SiA 320 amp phono inputs. But I can't see the grounding connection anywhere on the TT. Is I'm doing something wrong anywhere?

Please suggest me if you guys know any solution for this problem.

 

[Selvin]

Finally, bought an used Philips 242 TT locally. But having issues playing constant crackling sound coming while playing any LP even after washing/cleaning the LPs. When the seller played at his place there is no crackling sound except few pops and clicks now and then.

I have connected the TT to Sonodyne SiA 320 amp phono inputs. But I can't see the grounding connection anywhere on the TT. Is I'm doing something wrong anywhere?

Please suggest me if you guys know any solution for this problem.

Hi.. Don't under estimate your TT. Philips 242 is one of the good built TT. The crackling and pops are depends the record condition and Cartridge in use. In old records crackling sound is little normal but it is again depends stylus. Even once I tested an average condition record in my previous owned Sansui SR333 TT with different Cartridges. The cartridges are Audio Technica AT95, Ortofon OM5E and our Indian Classic 700. Pops were almost nil in AT95 and high in Classic 700 for the same record. But the Classic 700 sound quality is much better to my taste than the other two. So try with another good / new record and possible try with some other cartridge.

If you not hearing any hum (even if you are very close to speaker) don't bother much about the Ground connection. Even in my system If I connect TT ground wire the humming is audible and I am not using it.

Wish you happy listening.