Turntables & Records for Beginners

[reubensm]

fond this good article, very useful for those starting out into the world of vinyl:

24 Things You Should Know Before Starting A Vinyl Collection

 

[RMCWS]

Very informative article. Thanks a lot for sharing.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

It's good information for all vinyl fans and not just for beginners. I do disagree that one should go for new turntable instead of vintage ones. I can vouch that vintage ones are far superior to entry level new ones provided they are well serviced before it's second innings begin. This is from my practical experience.

 

[reubensm]

It's good information for all vinyl fans and not just for beginners. I do disagree that one should go for new turntable instead of vintage ones. I can vouch that vintage ones are far superior to entry level new ones provided they are well serviced before it's second innings begin. This is from my practical experience.

cant agree more, for example, never knew that an old beat up Garrard RC210 with a "lowly" ceramic cart can be so good, really enjoying it now.

 

[shibashis]

Beautiful article especially for those who are looking to start their Vinyl journey.

 

[Naturelover]

Thanks reubensm.
I take this opportunity to bring your earlier thread to the notice of anyone who has missed it.
http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/37318-beginner-s-guide-buying-your-first-turntable.html

 

[jimmy_tulip]

It's good information for all vinyl fans and not just for beginners. I do disagree that one should go for new turntable instead of vintage ones. I can vouch that vintage ones are far superior to entry level new ones provided they are well serviced before it's second innings begin. This is from my practical experience.

Sir,

With all due respect, I would like to disagree to your "disagree" . I have been in that boat, few years back. It is very difficult to get a good condition vintage gear. There are many folks on olx and quickr who are just ready to fool a newbie in TT market. Some of these are dealers and are probably making money only with this technique.
Also it is getting even more difficult to get vintage TT's repaired.

If I had a reliable guru like you in my city then I would not mind going for vintage gear. However , people like you are very short in supply.
With all these factors in place, my safe bet would be a new crappy china made plastic TT. It would server my purpose till I understood the details of a TT and Vinyl.

 

[reubensm]

Jimmy, I think you are right logically. It is never easy to get vintage TTs in good condition. You have to look closely and also be lucky. Or you have to be a guy who know the inside well. Enthusiasts like Mr. Kuruvila are the Evil Kenivels of the TT world. They are so knowledgeable and skilled to the extent that they can pull of any dare devil stunt on old TTs and restore them to their former glory, however bad the condition the TTs may be in. I personally am not at that level but people like us are supremely confident that we can get almost any piece of rubbish (formerly called TT) and get it to run and sing. You may have read a few notes from us on these restorations and may have noticed that every single time, when the restoration is successful, the end result is very enjoyable. i can personally vouch that these restored masterpieces are much much better than most modern TTs out there. Having said this, its easier to go the way of the modern TTs especially if the DIY flavour is missing. The sad part is that there are many guys out there who are trying to take advantage of turntable and record enthusiasts. Hence, we have to be all the more cautious.

Sir,

With all due respect, I would like to disagree to your "disagree" . I have been in that boat, few years back. It is very difficult to get a good condition vintage gear. There are many folks on olx and quickr who are just ready to fool a newbie in TT market. Some of these are dealers and are probably making money only with this technique.
Also it is getting even more difficult to get vintage TT's repaired.

If I had a reliable guru like you in my city then I would not mind going for vintage gear. However , people like you are very short in supply.
With all these factors in place, my safe bet would be a new crappy china made plastic TT. It would server my purpose till I understood the details of a TT and Vinyl.

 

[eddie_fox]

Sir,

With all due respect, I would like to disagree to your "disagree" . I have been in that boat, few years back. It is very difficult to get a good condition vintage gear. There are many folks on olx and quickr who are just ready to fool a newbie in TT market. Some of these are dealers and are probably making money only with this technique.
Also it is getting even more difficult to get vintage TT's repaired.

If I had a reliable guru like you in my city then I would not mind going for vintage gear. However , people like you are very short in supply.
With all these factors in place, my safe bet would be a new crappy china made plastic TT. It would server my purpose till I understood the details of a TT and Vinyl.

I totally agree with this. I think 'newbies' (like myself) should be encouraged into this new world without the added burden of 'vintage' exploration, restoration or repair...(unless they see the beauty in this adventure and seek it themselves). But, scorning at the very mention of a 'Crosley', browbeating anyone seeking advice on a 'Rega' TT or dismissing cheap plastic entry level automatics out of sight will only serve to discourage a lot of entrants.
Hopefully, once they begin the journey, they will discover the depth and the hidden mysteries of the treasures available.... and we know the rabbit hole runs deep

 

[greenhorn]

to put things in perspective, here is a snap I took at a turntable/record seller in chennai.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I know of at least two such dealers in chennai. If you want to know where they are, just head over to (let's not make it too easy, shall we )
http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/47587-vinyl-lp-tressure-hunting-event-lets-join-camp.html

I know both of them are selling basic belt drive TT's starting from 2.5K. Sure, the low end ones are plastic and flimsily made, but it just doesnt make sense to see people spending 9k on a new TT of the same quality when these things are there.

I suppose if you want to add the price of the phono pre and a new cart, it might make sense, but a belt drive turntable is pretty simple. Check the arm and bearing for play, see if the speed is stable, and the motor runs fine. Auto return might not work, but that's about all that can go wrong. Cosmetically, they might not look great, but otherwise, they're quite a decent deal.

 

[reubensm]

Let me try and guess what's on the pic

 

[shibashis]

I am smiling looking at your post Reuben.

 

[reubensm]

I am smiling looking at your post Reuben.

:lol: was having some fun, posting this one :lol:

 

[Naturelover]

I am smiling looking at your post Reuben.

Me too. No, I do not know any of the stuff so I have no idea of the accuracy of Reuben's guesswork.
This forum does have the spirit missing on so many AV forums.
Great post Reuben :clapping:.

 

[greenhorn]

the two suspect Kenwoods, the top is a sonodyne, the bottom was a Nordmende. The newish looking one is an NX. The rest, your guess is as good as, if not better than mine

 

[tanaka]

The article was quite informative and a good place to start if you wish to get down and dirty.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

My dear friends,
I think you guys are absolutely right about buying old TTs from OLX and Quicker. These TTs are cheap at times and not so cheap at other times but the problem is that they are TTs which are not serviced before it is sold and this is where the problem lies. Any old turntable which may be at least 25 years or older needs a complete overhaul before it can play as well as it it supposed to. Believe me, a well refurbished vintage TT can beat any new plastic new ones. Many of the Forum members can vouch for that as I have been fortunate to have helped many of them get fully refurbished TTs which they are enjoying and can continue to enjoy for several years from now because they have all been fully serviced . Another problem of buying from unknown guys from OLX and Quicker is that they are unable to give proper guidance to the buyer on dos and don'ts nor are they responsible for damage in transit. Many new vinyl enthusiasts are tempted to buy TTs at Rs 2.5 K but don't realize that these may not even have a decent cart or belt. Also, the bearing of the tone arm needs lubrication with special watch oil for smooth functioning.

 

[AmitKumar]

fond this good article, very useful for those starting out into the world of vinyl:

24 Things You Should Know Before Starting A Vinyl Collection

Very nice article Reuben.

Was held up in the speaker build up, could not see it earlier.

 

[shibashis]

This goes to reuben and this forum in general. Inspired by all of you and over zealous to have piece of Vinyl nirvana I bought an old Philips 242 turntable.
I am not able to quite manifest in words the lucidity, neutrality of the music even though it is accompanied by pops and crackles (strangely that seems to be adding a tangible aesthetics to the music, somehow in my minds eye I can render the singer, the instruments and the act of production of music itself. These 'pops and crackles' if we choose to call them aberrations add a familiarity to the listening experience that is lost otherwise, at least to me. A throwback to a bygone era I am sure, but it is enabling me to connect to the soul of music, the idea behind the lyrics and the passion against the creation.

This is the beginning of my Vinyl journey, and I have a long way to go in terms of proper equipment and their synergy to produce music as best as it can be done, but the first steps have been so very sweet and gratifying.

I mentioned reuben's name especially because his simple and explanatory posts and little stories pushed me ever so close to Vinyls, so thank you Reuben and all of you.

 

[reubensm]

You are very welcome shibashis also a very warm welcome to the world of vinyl. Yes, the aura of listening to vinyl is very different. The Philips 242 is no mean machine but it is more than decent when it comes to performance. Regarding my approach, we grew up in a household during the days when there was no TV, so listening to vinyl and the radio where the only sources of entertainment. Dad was an enthusiast right from his school days in the 1940s and 1950s and had a lot of experience with vinyl and vinyl pre-amplification. We used to sit and talk for hours and hours about audio and hi-fi. Those were the days!!

This goes to reuben and this forum in general. Inspired by all of you and over zealous to have piece of Vinyl nirvana I bought an old Philips 242 turntable.
I am not able to quite manifest in words the lucidity, neutrality of the music even though it is accompanied by pops and crackles (strangely that seems to be adding a tangible aesthetics to the music, somehow in my minds eye I can render the singer, the instruments and the act of production of music itself. These 'pops and crackles' if we choose to call them aberrations add a familiarity to the listening experience that is lost otherwise, at least to me. A throwback to a bygone era I am sure, but it is enabling me to connect to the soul of music, the idea behind the lyrics and the passion against the creation.

This is the beginning of my Vinyl journey, and I have a long way to go in terms of proper equipment and their synergy to produce music as best as it can be done, but the first steps have been so very sweet and gratifying.

I mentioned reuben's name especially because his simple and explanatory posts and little stories pushed me ever so close to Vinyls, so thank you Reuben and all of you.