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Newbie needs advice

Hello everybody,

I just have a basic question and need an advice. I got bored with my computer speakers and felt like I need to get something better than what I already had. I was looking at different options and everything out there seemed boring as hell and without a character. So I came up with this idea of getting a vintage Marantz and a pair of bookshelf speakers. So I found this Marantz Model 2220B $130 and a pair of Polk bookshelfs $100. For some reason a vintage Marantz or Sansui was always something I wanted to get and this seemed like a perfect opportunity, and while the 2220B might not be the best of the bunch Marantz released in the 70s I read it has a pretty decent phono stage. Oddly enough a turntable is another thing I wanted to explore, as a side hobby only, so this seems like a perfect opportunity to get started.
So the question is what turntable would you guys recommend? Can be vintage, must be cheap, has to "move me". Any recommendations?

Great thanks!
topsel
vicdamone
850 posts
 
Generally, I discourage people who don't already have record a collection stored away to get involved with vinyl.

If I'm spinning vinyl and a guest is becoming enamored and begins to ask those how much questions, I have a routine of making them aware of every trip to the turntable. Even with the most minimalist record care there is still a level of commitment that accompanies playing vinyl that they're not aware of.

In those rare instances when my little dog and pony show fails I have a second act. I sit them down and give them the CD vs computer playback demo. Combined with the undeniable convenience of the Squeezebox Touch, this never fails.

No, I make no mention of the Squeezebox being out of production.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I agree with vicdamone. If you don't have a collection of vinyls already, don't get involved. There are a lot of hidden costs associated with vinyls. It can get expensive quite fast.
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Baloney. Get a TT. Used, inexpensive new, whatever you can afford. The LP world does NOT have to be expensive to be a lot of fun and really rewarding. New things are available like entry level tables, inexpensive phono preamps, etc., that are killer. Vinyl is rising from the ashes with increasing interest among newbies (and some oldbies), new pressing plants, and more good sources for LPs all the time. Don't be denied!
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
TTs dont need to be expensive or complicated if you are new to vinyl.

google Needle Doctor to see all the possibilities.
I suggest staying away from vintage, since you may need to spend $ to get them up to spec. I recommend a "plug and play" TT. Also, budget tables will come with a cartridge.
les_creative_edge
170 posts
 

I would say to not be afraid to try vinyl playback. BUT! as a newbie I'd suggest start out with a minimal budget. If you search an old vintage table even a thrift store find, PRE 1985 model I'd say. By the late 80's Made In Japan tables were SHITE!

If you need a phono preamp don't go to high yet.

The idea of mine is to see if the effort and ritual of pulling out a LP and putting it on a table, running a min. a carbon fibre brush over it and then dropping a needle, listen for about 20 min, get up flip album over and repeat.

If you find you are ok with that then set a budget to move up to a more serious table and NO you do not have to spend mega bucks!

You can get a quality turntable, cartridge, phono preamp set up for between $500-$1000. Of course if you have a budget to let you go more than that well then fine.

But do not be afraid of trying vinyl, just don't go crazy until you find if you are willing to learn how to handle, store, clean and spin LP's as well as if you are ok with flipping disc over every 20 odd minutes.

BE CAREFUL IT CAN BE ADDICTIVE AND FUN TO THE RIGHT TYPE OF MUSIC LISTENER! :-)
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