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Record player for a newb

kenrhodeskenrhodes
in DIY

My daughter thinks she needs a record player... Looking for recomendations under $150.
I need simple as this is her first record player and mine as well. This will likely be her Christmas present, so I have some time to shop.
Thanks for the help.

Comments

  • KornbreadKornbread

    Want one that needs work?

  • jr@macjr@mac

    You can do a lot worse than a new Audiotechnica, at least for kids. The AT-LP60XUSB can be found for under $150 from Amazon and Fleabay.

    https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-lp60xusb

    Probably not the best budget player out there, but it is likely the best we can do under the $150 point. Stepping up a bit can get you into some pretty decent starter players, Fluance has a couple models that are remarkably well reviewed, for example.

    I have a signature.
  • KornbreadKornbread

    Read some horror stories with Fluance's customer service.

  • Silver1omoSilver1omo

    A bit over budget but this was supposed to be a good option.
    https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

  • kenrhodeskenrhodes

    The U turn looks like a great option for the money.
    Kornbread, what do you mean by "needs work"?
    I'm not one to shy away from putting in sweat equity but I know almost nothing about record players.

  • KornbreadKornbread

    Bought a Dual 1237 off ebay 'as is'. Arrived in a loosely packed box. $hitty packing job. Anyhow, it didn't work. The forums said replace the sterempimple and everything would be good to go. Nope. Upon opening the TT, a small spring and something else fell out. Placed the parts in tape and taped them onto the dust cover. Messed with it some more then ran across two more Dual tables locally. These were in very nice condition. ChaChing. I have too many projects and do not need another, so the ebay TT sits in a corner somewhere. Using the low $ and probably wore out AT needle that came with it in another table. Cartridges are $ all over the $ place from as low as $30 to whatever you want to pay. I'm running a $200 Ortophon in one of the other tables.
    Although Duals are well respected and spec good, they have plastic bases with fake wood laminate. They are not a 'good looker'. A real wood bottom would look sweet.
    Here's the thread. https://vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=111292
    If you want it, it's yours for the price of shipping but be warned, I do not know what is wrong with it or the level of involvement to fix it. The dust cover is cracked and missing the small areas in back where the hinges slide onto it. A real wood base would make it bling, otherwise it's, well, plastic with fake wood laminate. I may also have replacement safety capacitors for the old ones that crack and sometimes explode, or make the table run backwards.

    My $.02, IMO, YMMV ... buy one of the U-Turn Basic TTs. They have a pretty good reputation for sound and quality in a bargain basement priced $179 TT, and they look nice to boot. Their Pluto phono preamp is, or was, also a good deal.

  • KornbreadKornbread

    And Discogs has a huge selection of vinyl. https://discogs.com/

  • KornbreadKornbread

    If someone else here wants another project and they'll fix it and actually put it to good use. Let me know. These tables win no good looks awards but they are solid performers.

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