Turntable recommendations

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I have a collection of vinyl records that has been boxed up and stored for a long time now. I'd really like to bring it out of storage and go through it and enjoy it again. Anyone have any suggestions on what turntable to get..... without breaking the bank? I don't really have a desire to transfer or record anything to mp3 or anything like that, so that feature is not necessary. I just want to listen to my old albums.

[cjefferys]

I wouldn't mind some recommendations myself. I set up an AV system in my office, and the last thing I need now is a turntable. I still have lots of LPs and I miss playing them.

[rche]

I have always been fond of Dual turntables.
My favorite being the 1019.

There are plenty of other fine disc spinners out there tho that will do the job satisfactorily.
I had a direct drive Yamaha something or other that was a workhorse for years. It is really a combo of having a stable platter system and then the stylus you choose that will determine your sound and longevity. My favorite of all my platters was a belt drive Acoustic Research model that had a Shure cart that was originally intended for quad sound. It was a stereo turntable, but man, that extra sensitivity made for some great sound. Unfortunately, I bent the stylus and replacements are about 70-80 bucks for those if you can find them.

good luck

[ScottA]

I've actually seen these at Target before. Nothing real fancy. It that just plays the record. My mother has one she bought there some time ago. It looks like a radio from the 1960's from the front until you open the top to reveal the turntable. It's actually pretty nice looking. Also, you might check Crackel Barrel. Soemtimes they have stuff like this, especially with the holidays coming.

[rche]

^^ those things are made by a company called Crosley and they do not sound very good, nor are they very kind to your vinyl.

[megoapesnut]

Pioneer Elite PL-90

Pioneer Elite

Oops, missed the "without breaking the bank" criteria. Never mind...

[Brad]

I have a Technics linear tracking turntable that I bought brand new about 28 years ago that still works great. I also use Shure cartridges. Do an eBay search for the Technics and you will find a bunch of them. They were pretty popular so you should be able to pick one up for not a ton of money. I believe mine was around $150-200 when it was new.

[Mark]

You can never go wrong with a direct drive turntable.

[johnmiic]

Bill, while you are dragging out those old records perhaps consider getting a machine that also allows you to convert them to MP3 format. Just in case some of them are irreplaceable. Sharper Image carries a turntable w/conversion unit but there are probably better ones out there.