Turntable Suggestion

Unless your need for a used turntable is very urgent, I recommend spending a little time and having fun shopping around for a good deal on a used SL-1200. It's famous for its build quality. Technics sold millions of them, so used ones come up for sale quite often.

Helpful checks when buying:

 

Thanks for the video, good stuff. I looked for a few hours today, but there are no deals to be found, nothing like some guys are describing on here. I’ll try and be patient, but I’ve been without a decent table for a month after dealing with the pro-ject

 

Kenwood KD 500.

 

Buy the VPI HW19 in the SH classifieds.

 

I would also urge the vintage rout. I just decided to jump back into vinyl a few years back..... for fun and not audiophile quality. I also did not want to ruin any of my LP's with any junk. I simply wanted to spin vinyl like I did in my HS and college days (circa 75-85) with decent (but not great gear). I was very unimpressed with the new TT's in the $200-$400 price range (with maybe the exception of the Audio Technica DD's). So, I scoured the local scene, ebay, repair shops etc....looking for decent vintage starter tables. I decided that if the price was right I might get a couple in working order so that I might have a back-up (as I would be dealing with 35+ year old equipment.) After about six months I ended up with.......

1. Pioneer Pl-115D (Belt drive)
2. Pioneer Pl-300 (Quartz DD)
3. Technics SL-Q5 (Quarts DD, Linear Tracking)

While none of these would be considered high end tables in the day....they were all cleaned & refurbished and functioning perfectly. Total cost for all three (not including styli/cartridges) ....$400

 

Vintage Acoustic Research AR XA Turntable w Dust Cover

What do you think?

 

Thanks, I will look into those.

 

My main concern is if you can switch out cartridges on that arm.

 

Look for a Technics SL-D2 in good condition. There were a lot of these sold.

 

Used PLX-1000 at a local Guitar Center. You should be able to have used ones shipped to the store, where you can check them out for function before finalizing.

 

As it is in most regions. I have yet to see a ~$500 SL1200 that isn't a cosmetic mess. A near-mint example for that price is a pipe dream, unless you get lucky enough happen upon a seller who doesn't know better. You can wait and hope for such an unlikely circumstance or you can buy a lightly used, mint Pioneer PLX-1000 that will perform just as well.

 

I don’t think I have access to the classified portion of the forum yet

 

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Technics/SL1200MK2-Black-Turntable-114230754.gc ??

 

The "inland empire" has sad offerings on Craigslist, but here's a Technics SL6 for $85 in El Monte, with some classic Audio-Technica cart on it.

Technics sl6 vintage turntable

GO NOW and bring an LP! This is a good turntable.

 

Thanks, just sent an email. Also on the hunt for a plx-1000

 

Weird, my pro-ject dc with acrylic platter never had a humming issue. Upgraded to a VPI prime scout though.

 

You're lucky. Hum issues with Debut Carbon are unfortunately very common and well documented in various SH forum threads and elsewhere. It's really a shame because it's actually a good table when it's free from hum. I enjoyed mine for many years.

 

U-Turn Orbit Custom , zero noise, acrylic platter, with 2M red is $329.00, upgrade to blue and still in your price range.

 

This is a tempting option, not sure how it would hold up against a plx-1000 being the same price

 

Hard to compare. Different philosophies and different features.

 

Synergy matters more in a TT than anything else. Cart to arm, arm to plinth, suspension to cabinet, even cabinet to floor, and house to earth. Everything can affect a turntable (if you let it get to you). I think that’s why I love the 1200 so much. Works pretty well with everything and has solutions available for anything it don’t. Can’t say that for any other TT for <$800 or so

 

Technics SL 1200 MK2

I think I found one, and it is still available. They are firm on the price. What do you think?

 

Too expensive and the cartridge is nothing that makes the price worth it.

 

Thanks, it’s down to this, or a mint plx with a Stanton 500 cart for $400