Budget Vinyl Rigs

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by Merrick, Feb 26, 2016.

  1. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,796
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Pick it up. Excellent price...also consider that you won't buy another table for a few years if ever.
     
  2. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,533
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Austin
  3. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    To get a Classic 2, 3, or Signature ;)
     
  4. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,272
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Boston
    I was given an AT-LP60 as a gift a couple years ago, right as I was getting into this whole hobby, so I didn't know much better. I've been using it more as a novelty, for background music when cleaning the house or having guests over...etc. I more recently hooked it up to my main system with the built in phono (Mjolnir 2, many headphones, LSR305's) and it sounds like trash compared to digital out of the Gungnir Multibit, with a noticeable hum/noise floor to boot. I'm also worried about it damaging my records?

    So I'm looking to get my vinyl rig to passable condition, budget $500-$600ish, I still envision using digital over 80% of the time, but something that's enjoyable.

    My naive idea: Spend almost all of this money on the TT, use the stock cart until it needs replacement, with a budget phono (Mani? I have no idea here)

    Turntables I'm considering after due diligence of research here and elsewhere:
    U-Turn Orbit Fully Upgraded (Acrylic platter, Grado Black1 or Blue1 cart, cork mat...etc.)
    Rega RP1 (or maybe a used higher model if worth it? RP3?)
    Pro-ject Debut Carbon

    Grab a Mani (maybe even right away to use with LP60 right now) then upgrade cart and phono when and if it strikes me.

    Any input or better ideas? I welcome your feedback and suggestions! IF truly a good idea long term I could stretch the budget on the TT, but definitely under a grand.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2016
  5. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    980
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Eindhoven
    i read on one of the changstar threads that the tc750 with the sigma11 power supply was pretty awesome for the money, maybe you want to get that?
     
  6. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    980
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Eindhoven
    hang on, the sigma11 pre built seems to cost a lot more than i thought - $300. Probably $100-120 if you DIY
     
  7. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Here's the continued conversation regarding the TC-750 http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/tc-750-phono-pre-amp-continued.150/

    The SOLA HD power supply can be bought on ebay for $20-$30, and makes the TC-750 an absolute bargain. Having owned the Mani and the "Franken TC-750" w/SOLAHD power supply. I can confidently say the TC-750 is a step above the Mani for a lot less money.
     
  8. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,272
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Boston
    What about the two of them compared both with their stock power supplies? I'm not sure I'm confident enough in my DIY skills to pull that off, at least not right away.
     
    • Miss Information Miss Information x 1
    • List
  9. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    I would still take the $43 TC-750.

    I would be willing to sell my modded TC-750 with SOLAHD power supply for roughly half the price of the Mani +shipping (it's some what heavy) if you're interested. I've moved up to the RSA F-117 Nighthawk phono, and have no need for the TC-750.
     
  10. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,272
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Boston
    @JK47 Thanks for the answer and comparison.

    Also, PM'd
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    The SOLA 3.4 amp power supply sounds better: less thin and more dynamic.
     
  12. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    980
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Eindhoven
    ive noticed that apart from the models with and without an output level control, the TC750 comes in two variants in terms of the frequency response - one is a bit of a sine wave and the other a (low, relatively straight) positive slope line. None of this is advertised or really mentioned but its a noticeable detail..

    Its also sold by a couple of different manufacturers - TCC, Dynavox, etc

    Anyone have any experience with this?
     
  13. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,066
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, ME
    I bought the TCC Audio with the gently rising frequency response. I bought this as it was the cheapest and I really only bought it to mod. From the posts here and on Changstar looks like most people have tried out this version.
     
  14. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,754
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.

    Those look really nice. Anyone have any more input about how these should perform based on the specs? Better than a basic Orbit? The higher end model is only $230 USD it looks like. I like the wood design.
     
  15. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,425
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Here
    $230 is something I can really work with. But I'm going to wait to see what some of the users here have to say about this table.
     
  16. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,070
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Cape Town, South Africa
    Hey folks, a bit of advice. I'm not interested in vinyl whatsoever, but my wife wants a turntable out of nostalgia. I'd like to indulge her on the cheap, without buying utter crap. FWIW this will go into a Marantz Melody Media AIO with a couple of B&W floorstanders.

    There is a Kenwood KD 1600 with a new Audio Technica ATN70 cart for like $75 available near me, in apparently good condition. I'd need to add a simple phono stage as well. Is this a better option than buying one of those cheap-ass retro looking USB turntable things?
     
  17. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,119
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bay Area CA
    Can't say I know much about that table except what I can find with the google...

    If I was looking for a good and reliable turntable from that era I'd probably look at some of the Japanese direct drive options.

    Chris
     
  18. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    690
    Trophy Points:
    93
    "Is this a better option than buying one of those cheap-ass retro looking USB turntable things?"

    Yes. However, that's a really low bar.

    Don't know anything about this specific deck either, but reading between the lines (don't want to spend a lot of time/money/effort, this is available now to pick up) it might be worth a look. It's a belt drive, but belts are still available, inexpensive MM cartridge, but new stylii are available, semi-auto so you don't have to rush over to pick up the tonearm at the end of the record. I'd download/printout a free strobe disc to see if it's running at 33.3, make sure everything works and music comes out of the music hole, and just get a general sense of how badly (or not) it's had the shit beat out of it. Then maybe offer 50 bucks. (-:
     
  19. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,070
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Cape Town, South Africa
    LOL. f**k, reckon I can do better than that :). I'll look at the recommendations under $1k all in.
     
  20. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,093
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Suburban DC
    I feel the consensus on budget turntables here is U-turn audio Orbit. I would research which flavor you want to get. If you are interested they sell them at Turntable Lab. They have a Plus on open box for discount plus you can combine with 15% coupon code VIP-BLK16. I purchased an open box Pro-ject Debut Carbon from them and it was brand new. If you search around here you will find both Marvey and Muppetface both said the Uturn orbit is better deck than budget Pro-jects. @Pyruvate owns a Uturn orbit and can probably weigh in with his advice. I think the budget consensus for phono stage is TCC-TC750. I have an unmodded one that I ordered upgrade plug for and it is better than my Mani.

    Feel free to PM me if you need more info and advice.
     

Share This Page