Turntable around 400€

[DVDdoug]

it looks like a DJ's turntable... im afraind its a deal breaker for me!

Why do you say that? The requirements for a DJ turntable are that it's mechanically "solid and stable" for back-cueing and that it has a high-torque motor for fast start-up. Those aren't bad things.

The AT-120 comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in preamp. Plus, it's got USB for digitizing records (which personally, is the only reason I have a turntable these days). And it's direct drive so there are no belts or pulleys to wear out. If I was in the market for a turntable, I'd be considering it.

My 40-year old Technics (which was not expensive) is direct drive and I've never had any trouble with it. (It hasn't had that much use for the past few decades and now I only use it to occasionally digitize a record that's not available digitally.)

And if I wanted to play records I'd get the Waxwing preamp (because it has noise reduction and I don't enjoy the "warm crackle" of vinyl) But that's the whole reason I don't play records... And I already have software for cleaning-up digitized copies.

 

[aldo24]

Why do you say that? The requirements for a DJ turntable are that it's mechanically "solid and stable" for back-cueing and that it has a high-torque motor for fast start-up. Those aren't bad things.

The AT-120 comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in preamp. Plus, it's got USB for digitizing records (which personally, is the only reason I have a turntable these days). And it's direct drive so there are no belts or pulleys to wear out. If I was in the market for a turntable, I'd be considering it.

My 40-year old Technics (which was not expensive) is direct drive and I've never had any trouble with it. (It hasn't had that much use for the past few decades and now I only use it to occasionally digitize a record that's not available digitally.)

And if I wanted to play records I'd get the Waxwing preamp (because it has noise reduction and I don't enjoy the "warm crackle" of vinyl) But that's the whole reason I don't play records... And I already have software for cleaning-up digitized copies.

maybe im a little biased, but I'll try to reconsider....

 

[Multicore]

Thanks for the recomendation, it looks like a DJ's turntable... im afraind its a deal breaker for me!

Then you and I are enemies, as are our tribes.

I had a cheap Music Hall and it was terrible. The platter bearing just didn't work without producing significant vibration. I grew out of fussy low-mass Brit-style TTs and arms despite growing up in Glasgow in the 70s and early 80s, Linn in the Art of Audio Marketing.

But if you really want to go for the HiFi look, the best options are I think properly refurbished 80s gear that you buy from a local dealer/service shop. It will likely cost more than your 400E budget but not double it. You might even find a Denon DP-67L (the most desirable non-DJ deck ever) for under 700. For new I suggest Denon DP-300F (great value) because it is automatic, which Audiophiles typically hate and I therefore love. What I hate is listening to a run out groove click while I try to read stretched out on the couch.

 

[Multicore]

maybe im a little biased, but I'll try to reconsider....

Try using them.

My road to Damascus was deejaying on the radio. I took my own vinyl and Ortophon Concorde carts to use with the studio's Technics SL-1200s. Thoroughly convincing experience.

 

[Robin L]

maybe im a little biased, but I'll try to reconsider....

The AT-120 series is modeled after Technics' 1200 DJ turntables but don't perform at quite that level. Direct drive turntables have distinct advantages as regards speed accuracy and stability. I've owned a lot of different turntables in the past, always had better luck with direct drive 'tables than belt drive. I know Rega 'tables have a great reputation in the UK but I was never all that impressed. In any case, one of the virtues of the AT-120 series is how easy it is to upgrade the stylus. The cartridge that comes with the turntable - Audio Technica's AT-VM95E - has a stylus interchangeable with various upgrades, including a Shibata and Microline stylus. These upgrades will do more to improve sound quality than just about anything else you can do.

 

[Robin L]

My road to Damascus was deejaying on the radio.

KPFA had a Technics SP-10 and an SME II arm with a Stanton cartridge designed for back-cueing. One of the most stable and noise-free turntables I've encountered.

 

[pogo]

Shabita

 

[Mikig]

I'm not a great expert, but from my experience of a few years with turntables I have always considered the Technics SL superior to the many other turntables.

I've seen some old Technics SL 1200 or the SL 120 for as little as 350 Euros online. If you find one that is mechanically fine, you can never go wrong... I keep one, which I plug in once a year. I connect it, press play and it works great!!

 

[JeremyFife]

Just found out that Rega actually have "refreshed" their Planar 1 series, feauturing new RB110 tonearm, 23 mm, higher mass, phenolic platter, and a 24v synchronus new PCB motor and aluminium pulley. I think im going for it... I just can't find any details if I can upgrade to a glass platter in the future...

Go with your heart and be happy.
I wouldn't bother with platter upgrades or anything like that though - stick with the stock kit.
A cartridge/stylus upgrade later on would be sensible, but don't put money on things that don't make a difference

 

[Multicore]

Shabita

It was a spelling error. Shibata designed a needle geometry in the 70s for the higher bandwidth required by quad LPs. You can web search for more info on it. I'm not sure it's such a good idea to be using these exotic diamond cuts with extremely narrow profiles owing to the wear and tear effects. If you want to play your vinyl over and over I suspect a big old spherical might be the best bet. But I really don't know. The AT-VM95E stock in the AT-120 is a diplomatic compromise elliptical.

 

[Robin L]

Oops (fixed).

 

[Robin L]

It was a spelling error. Shibata designed a needle geometry in the 70s for the higher bandwidth required by quad LPs. You can web search for more info on it. I'm not sure it's such a good idea to be using these exotic diamond cuts with extremely narrow profiles owing to the wear and tear effects. If you want to play your vinyl over and over I suspect a big old spherical might be the best bet. But I really don't know. The AT-VM95E stock in the AT-120 is a diplomatic compromise elliptical.

As I recall, both the Microline and Shibata styluses have more groove contact than spherical and standard elliptical styluses, so there should be (paradoxically) less groove wear. They also would be playing more of the unworn areas of used records.

 

[Multicore]

As I recall, both the Microline and Shibata styluses have more groove contact than spherical and standard elliptical styluses, so there should be (paradoxically) less groove wear. They also would be playing more of the unworn areas of used records.

So they say in the marketing literature. Do you really believe it? It is elsewhere mentioned that these more exotic geometries quickly wear out to something close to spherical that is not damaging to your vinyl. My preference remains: play each of my disks only once again, very carefully and with the best fidelity I can muster as I digitize it.

 

[Robin L]

So they say in the marketing literature. Do you really believe it? It is elsewhere mentioned that these more exotic geometries quickly wear out to something close to spherical that is not damaging to your vinyl. My preference remains: play each of my disks only once again, very carefully and with the best fidelity I can muster as I digitize it.

I'm all through with LPs - in any case I'm getting CDs for ridiculous prices, someone gave me 13 yesterday for free, so far all but one have turned out to be winners. I figure I've got more than enough experience to be useful. All but two of my cartridges had elliptical styluses. One was a high-output moving coil with a Shibata stylus, the other a Shure M-44-7 that tracked at 3 grams, very useful for playing back otherwise intransigent LPs.

 

[Mikig]

I also add, just because I find it beautiful, but I've never listened to it, the Michell Focus One.
I was going to buy one for 300 euros, without an arm... but then I gave up, it would have remained on a piece of furniture gathering dust...

anyway they range from 300 euros to 1000 if they have an arm mounted, usually the evergreen 3009!

 

[Multicore]

Shure M-44-7

Oh yeah. That's the business.

And an excuse to share a fav video

 

[aldo24]

Why do you say that? The requirements for a DJ turntable are that it's mechanically "solid and stable" for back-cueing and that it has a high-torque motor for fast start-up. Those aren't bad things.

The AT-120 comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in preamp. Plus, it's got USB for digitizing records (which personally, is the only reason I have a turntable these days). And it's direct drive so there are no belts or pulleys to wear out. If I was in the market for a turntable, I'd be considering it.

My 40-year old Technics (which was not expensive) is direct drive and I've never had any trouble with it. (It hasn't had that much use for the past few decades and now I only use it to occasionally digitize a record that's not available digitally.)

And if I wanted to play records I'd get the Waxwing preamp (because it has noise reduction and I don't enjoy the "warm crackle" of vinyl) But that's the whole reason I don't play records... And I already have software for cleaning-up digitized copies.

Fuck me bro! I can get my hands into a NEW AT-LP120XUSB in silver for 280€... the price is SO GOOD!

 

[JeremyFife]

Fuck me bro! I can get my hands into a NEW AT-LP120XUSB in silver for 280€... the price is SO GOOD!

and, if that comes with the AT-VM95E cart/stylus (which is decent) then you can simply swap the stylus out for a better one. For me, the EN (Elliptical Nude) is the sweet spot, but ML (Microline) and SH (Shibata) are fine options - and they are all basically just plug 'n play.

 

[aldo24]

and, if that comes with the AT-VM95E cart/stylus (which is decent) then you can simply swap the stylus out for a better one. For me, the EN (Elliptical Nude) is the sweet spot, but ML (Microline) and SH (Shibata) are fine options - and they are all basically just plug 'n play.

Yeah it comes with the AT-VM95E... FUCK! You guys aint making this any easier, im afraid im at the point i was BEFORE posting, just with a little more knowledge...

 

[Roland68]

Yeah it comes with the AT-VM95E... FUCK! You guys aint making this any easier, im afraid im at the point i was BEFORE posting, just with a little more knowledge...

Maybe I can go one better with that.
MD-Sound.de currently offers the Pro-Ject Xpression Carbon Classic Blue turntable 8.6" carbon tonearm with Ortofon 2M Silver for € 470.