Cheap TT

[simon e]

Hi I'm looking for recommendations for a cheap turntable and phono stage for a friend.

It needs to be something pretty simple to set up, but it would be good to find him a proper turntable instead of one of those cheap plastic USB ones.

I was thinking about a rega planar 2 or similar.

[The Grand Wazoo]

How much does he want to spend?

[simon e]

Probably around £100

[The Grand Wazoo]

Eek - that is cheap!
A phono stage too, for that price?

[Andrew B]

Probably the cheapest real turntable out there is the Revolver Rebel. You may even get a full spec Revolver. I think they are a bargain.

[simon e]

Eek - that is cheap!
A phono stage too, for that price?

I know but there must be something out there.

[simon e]

Probably the cheapest real turntable out there is the Revolver Rebel. You may even get a full spec Revolver. I think they are a bargain.

Cool I'll have a look at them.

Project look like they have a couple entry level turntables which may suit if any turn up second hand.

[DSJR]

The Revolver is a thirty or so year old audio classic I believe. The best pro-jects of yore at this money would be a 1.2 if you can find one. The Debut series offered a lot, but the noisy drive (motor breakthrough into the speakers) spoiled the package and the Ortofon OM5e supplied with the older ones is a bit of a screamer in comparison with the better OM models, which get more subtle and musical (better timbres) as you go up in the range.

Old Rega Planars in decent nick go for well over a ton these days, the earliest ones now fetching far more than their original new price. Easy to use and very cheap parts if needed though :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

I have a project turntable for sale I'm asking £40 for it, it will need a tonearm however.

[simon e]

Does anyone know if this is any good?

http://m.ebay.ie/itm?itemId=161156423222

[synsei]

If your mate isn't bothered about originality but fancies something rather better than your run of the mill Projects etc, then this is well worth a punt. It's direct drive too according to the seller although I would double check on that as I am pretty certain RD40's wore a belt. Even so, they were good performers in their day and this one looks very tidy. Be warned, the arm and cartridge aren't included in the sale although I wouldn't let that put you off ;)

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ariston-40-turntable-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/WlEAAMXQfvlSk224/$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ariston-40-turntable-/151175066974

[The Grand Wazoo]

It's belt drive and the suspension turrets on that one look to be on the wonk to me.
He's been messing with them between taking the various photos - something wrong with it, I reckon.

[walpurgis]

It's belt drive and the suspension turrets on that one look to be on the wonk to me.
He's been messing with them between taking the various photos - something wrong with it, I reckon.

Yes, that one looks a bit squiffy. And well, the belt is directly driven! ;)

I still stand by my regular recommendation of a Pioneer PL-12D as a basic TT. They can cope with a pretty decent cartridge and always sound far better than you expect. Not to mention the exemplary reliabilty!

[ortofan]

Hi there!

Here you've got yet another RD-40, complete this time:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141134136940

This one would also benefit from new powder coating and may be a bit far away, as it's to be collected only.

Cheers, JPB