What is a good record player brand?
I'm thinking about buying a new record player. I don't want to spend a lot of money. Around 100$ or under would be ideal. I might go with the Crosley brand but I've seen some pretty bad reviews. I just want to be able to listen to my old 78's and 45's.
Stay away from Crosley. I used to sell their "retro" line in the store where I work… The return rate is pretty high. Never a good sign.
I have had my Pioneer (model, PL-516) turntable since 1977. I have replaced the belt 3 times and the cartridge once. Not bad at all, and it’s still going strong after 30 years of faithful service. Pioneer still makes turntables. If I needed a new one… I would look at Pioneer first. Their current model, PL-990 runs about $100.
Also a friend still owns a Bang and Olufsen (model Beogram 7000) turntable. He uses his (with it’s striking tangential tonearm) fairly regularly, and has never had a problem with his either. But Bang and Olufsen products are very hard to find in the US, and very expensive when you can locate them… I don’t believe they even make turntables any more. These were always very expensive when new. Well out of my reach. But now… If I saw a used one for sale… I’d buy it. Just based on the mechanics , they are more likely to be up for sale because the owner stopped using it, than because it doesn’t work. Also anybody who had the money to buy it in the first place… Probably treated it with care.
Sony.