Newbie Turntable - Budget £200

[chris_s]

Hi Folks,

Pretty simple one this - friend of mine asking for advice on a turntable for around the £200 for her fella's birthday - first foray into Vinyl....

I guess less compliacated the better - inbuilt phono stage ideal..

So far i've come up with:-

Flexson VinylPlay £200 (includes inbuilt phono stage and USB which is handy)
Project Primary £189 (includes inbuild phono mm stage and usb)

Any others anyone can reccommend?

Regards

Chris.

[CageyH]

A secondhand RP3 would be much better.

[hifi_dave]

Any Rega will be better but no inbuilt phono stage.

[blackstar]

Grab a cheap phono stage because 99% of those inbuilt players are poor.

[Simon_LDT]

Don't waste your time on any 'all in one' solution as they're just poor and will destroy records. I would personally look out for a used Rega (ideally an RP2 or 3) and then get a 2nd hand phono stage to go with it. I reckon you could get something decent for £200 if you keep an eye out on all the usual places for 2nd hand gear.

[Paul-H]

For £200 you can get a Thorens TD-160 which IMHO is better than either of the OP's options

No built in Phono stage though but they can be had for little money these days, as long as you don't want one with a recognised Hi-Fi name on it, often around £20 for something to get you started.

[struth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THORENS-TD150-MkII-TURNTABLE-with-Ortofon-VME20-cartridge-/401289359138?hash=item5d6eb5af22:g:7DEAAOSw4CFYxAL ~

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-Stereo-Turntable-PL115D-Full-Working-Condition-XQHJ/371887762437?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%2 6asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dad4db09c05c44231b8c 6275f0bc2a0a1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26 mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D401289359138

[Floyddroid]

I agree with most of the above suggestions. A Schiit Mani phono stage with a decent 2nd hand Rega or their likes will simply blow all in one TT's into the weeds.

[Jac Hawk]

I would agree with the suggestions above, but air on the side of the Rega as they are so simple.

[shire]

Got msy lad a Project Elemental for last Christmas, as near plug and play as you can get, nothing to set or adjust, good tracking, fair sound, £160 ish.
£190 with USB £30 for starter phono stage. All from Amazon

[JohnMcC]

Going to annoy the belt drive fans but I'd go for the direct drive ATLP120USB. Just under £200, reasonable phono stage, good AT95e cartridge fitted, easily upgradeable with a better cart and phono stage as funds allow. Plus it's new, and will carry a warranty. Better speed stability than any cheap belter, for me a very convincing sound.

[Jac Hawk]

Better speed stability than any cheap belter, for me a very convincing sound.

I would say a good belt drive is as stable with regard to speed as direct drive, i've had direct drive, my last one an Aiwa AP2600, it ran at 33.2 rpm with + or - .07rpm, my latest TT a Rega planar 3 runs at 33.4rpm with + or - .05rpm, so nothing in it really, i regularly check the speed with an app on my phone, as peace of mind, especially after i've been tweaking, i will say though you need to check the speed more often on a belt drive, as belts wear out, something that doesn't happen with DD and a worn belt has a massive effect on overall speed and speed stability.

[paulf-2007]

I would say a good belt drive is as stable with regard to speed as direct drive, i've had direct drive, my last one an Aiwa AP2600, it ran at 33.2 rpm with + or - .07rpm, my latest TT a Rega planar 3 runs at 33.4rpm with + or - .05rpm, so nothing in it really, i regularly check the speed with an app on my phone, as peace of mind, especially after i've been tweaking, i will say though you need to check the speed more often on a belt drive, as belts wear out, something that doesn't happen with DD and a worn belt has a massive effect on overall speed and speed stability.how accurate is a phone app, I gave a sprit level on my phone that's way off. A good direct drive will be spot on speed unlike your God belt drive. The AT turntable will be perfect for your hipster friend.

[Jac Hawk]

how accurate is a phone app, I gave a sprit level on my phone that's way off. A good direct drive will be spot on speed unlike your God belt drive. The AT turntable will be perfect for your hipster friend.

How accurate is quartz lock or the strobe for that matter? can you see speed variation of 2 decimal places? i would say no you can't, furthermore i would say the gyroscope in my iPhone is pretty accurate and easily as accurate as a strobe or quartz lock. A new good quality belt sorts most speed issues out on a belt drive, however any speed issues on a direct drive and it's either scrap or new circuitry, at the end of the day you get what you pay for, no matter if it's belt or direct drive

[Spider]

Get a used Rega planar 3 or an RP3, get a Schitt mani phono stage and a rega mm cart, job done. he'll be hooked on vinyl in minutes.