Turntable or Record Player?
I want to buy some modern LP's from some bands (The National, Gaslight Anthem, Elvis Costello, etc...) and was wondering where to start?
Should I buy a Record Player or a Turntable?
Would the speakers on the record player go out pretty quick, leaving me needing another one?
Would either of them play all the different sizes of records, or would I need to buy special attachments?
Would they both be able to play older records if I picked some up at garage sales?
What are some good brands, should I go used or new, do turntables have something where I could plug speakers into?
I am completely clueless when it comes to this topic, but am itching to start collecting them. Thanks!
Edit: Like for example; what if I bought a turntable that had a speaker jack, and then bought a little guitar amp. Would this work?
Like something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-SRCD873-Radio-Turntable-Silver/dp/B002UXHXUU
With type of amp:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Mini-Deluxe-Amp-480704-i1145406.gc
?
Most of the record players out now are not very good. If you check the reviews on Amazon, you’ll see LOTS of complaints about them not lasting long, turning at the wrong speed, etc… Sound quality is not very good either. To get decent sound from vinyl, you really need a high quality turntable and cartridge with at least an elliptical stylus for clean tracking and a good frequency range. You’d really get far better sound playing CDs on a nice (let’s say $100.00 Sony Xplod) boombox than playing records on anything selling for near the same price.
Guitar amps are mono and just about all turntables you’ll find for sale are stereo. Guitar amps have much of their sound focused in the mid-range frequencies. They’re not great for listening to recorded music through. They’re GUITAR amps.
To plug a turntable into a standard line-level input (CD, tape, DVD, aux, line-in, etc..) requires a phono preamplifier. Some modern turntables have a built-in phono preamp… Some stereo or home theater receivers have an input marked "phono", meaning no phono preamp would be required.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028QCYS0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000H2BC4E&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VFRS0FNV8A87Q230E21
The least expensive way to get into vinyl and get decent sound that would compare favorably with the sound of CDs…
Find a decent ’80s turntable used in good working condition with a decent cartridge for around $100.00. You may have to put a new stylus (needle) on that if the seller can’t verify low hours on the one installed.
For a system to plug it into, I’d look at a big boombox or shelf system with an input jack. You’d need a phono preamp and the proper adapter cable… Or you could buy a stereo receiver with a phono input for a little over $100.00 and a decent pair of speakers (like the Sony SS-B3000) for another $100.00.
So, you’re looking at around $200.00 - $300.00 to get decent sound from vinyl. If you can’t spend that, I would stick to CDs. It makes no sense to buy LPs and listen to poor sound quality on poor equipment when the same amount of money would buy a really nice sounding little CD system.
If you’re interested in a fantastic used table for $100.00 with a new Audio Technica AT95E cartridge and stylus installed, email me. I have one I bought in non-working condition mainly for the vintage cartridge that was on it. Also, I love to tinker and repair old tables, but I don’t have room to keep them.
The table is a Dual 522. Dual turntables were built like tanks and generally just require a little tune-up like I did on this one to ensure many more years of service. I have the original box, manual and cartridge alignment tool. I’ve installed a new part that restored the automatic functions. I’ve cleaned and lubricated everything. I’ve installed a new drive belt and the great sounding new Audio Technica AT95E cartridge and stylus. Everything works, the table functions as new and is in well above average cosmetic condition as well. I’m one of the few people you could trust to ship a turntable safely. It’s hard to find a high quality used table "ready to go" with a new belt, needle and absolutely no problems for $100.00. So, I like to help the newbies out when I can… I’d even be willing to throw in a little Behringer PP400 phono preamp I bought just for kicks. It really surprised me for the money. Not bad at alll…
Here’s a pic of the table with the old cartridge that was on it…
http://www.4shared.com/photo/DnWQnd1V/Dual_522.html
Anyhow… Good luck! I hope you end up with a system that brings you much enjoyment.