Record Player/Turntable

[tinkerbell615]

My DD loves to listen to vinyl records. She purchased a turntable about a year and a half ago and it just doesn't work very well. It tends to drag quite often. DH and myself are thinking about getting her a new one. We don't need the kind that a DJ would use, but would love to have one that she could use as a stand alone or add speakers. I was hoping to find one at a retail store that we did not need to order online and have shipped.

Do any of you have any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[HM]

I'd go to any of the local electronic stores and see if they carry them. If not, ask for recommendations from the staff.

(We bought ours a long long time ago.)

 

[tinkerbell615]

I'd go to any of the local electronic stores and see if they carry them. If not, ask for recommendations from the staff.

(We bought ours a long long time ago.)

Thank you!

 

[verleniahall]

I've seen them a barnes and noble - i think they were maybe 100.00?

 

[tinkerbell615]

I've seen them a barnes and noble - i think they were maybe 100.00?

I never thought about them. Thanks!

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Personally, I'd head to a flea market or a used store and look for an older one from the 70s or 80s. You can still order needles online as well. But they're built to last. You can probably pick one up for a decent price, if you can find someone who sells used.

My father bought a cheap record player at Radio Shack a couple of years back and it broke within six months. He then swore never to buy anything but vintage ever again.

 

[verleniahall]

If you have their membership card - you can save on it even more -

 

[tinkerbell615]

Personally, I'd head to a flea market or a used store and look for an older one from the 70s or 80s. You can still order needles online as well. But they're built to last. You can probably pick one up for a decent price, if you can find someone who sells used.

My father bought a cheap record player at Radio Shack a couple of years back and it broke within six months. He then swore never to buy anything but vintage ever again.

I so wish my DH still had his stereo system. We got rid of it many years ago. It was a really nice one and I could kick myself now! DH would like for her to have something that she would add speakers like he had when he was younger. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[rwdavis2]

Since vinyl is making a comeback there are more choices. I would buy Sony if it's available. Others to consider: Audio-Technica, Denon, although Denon can be pricey.

 

[bcla]

Here's a cheap self-contained unit:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YGH5LO?psc=1

I suppose one of the caveats about a used turntable is that a lot of preamps/receivers these days don't have a proper phono input with the grounding connection. They have a special equalization curve built in.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I so wish my DH still had his stereo system. We got rid of it many years ago. It was a really nice one and I could kick myself now! DH would like for her to have something that she would add speakers like he had when he was younger. Thanks for the suggestion!

There are definitely people out there who deal with old stereo systems! I swear, every flea market I go to has one guy with just tons of equipment, all guaranteed to work!

If you go that route, I'd get a record player, a small set of speakers, and a receiver that offers a couple other hookups. That way she could add to her system if she ever wanted to get a CD player... I've even set up my TV to my receiver, so that I can watch movies with my good speakers.

For a ball park, my receiver was 70 bucks (it's a Sony from the 80s), but I have a record player, CD player, tape deck, radio, and TV set up to it.

Does anyone know if the newer record players use diamond needles? I found the last time I looked at new record players, they all use what my father called "a nail", which was the cheapest needle you can get. I'd never ever play some of my more expensive records on a player like that.

 

[moon]

Urban Outfiters sells those really cute record players that were in fashion in the '60s (I think). They were portable, and you could carry them around like a little suitcase

 

[rwdavis2]

Here's a cheap self-contained unit:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YGH5LO?psc=1

I suppose one of the caveats about a used turntable is that a lot of preamps/receivers these days don't have a proper phono input with the grounding connection. They have a special equalization curve built in.

I forgot about that. A separate phono input is essential and can be pricey.

 

[bcla]

I forgot about that. A separate phono input is essential and can be pricey.

They were pretty common back in the 80s on every receiver, integrated amp, or preamp.

These days it might take a separate standalone phono preamp to convert to normal line level. They're not that expensive though. Less than $20 although the choice could be the difference between buzzing or clear sound.

 

[mandy200587]

Hastings if you have one. They have good quality ones. Also look for local mom and pop record stores, they will be able to point you in the direction of a good one.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Urban Outfiters sells those really cute record players that were in fashion in the '60s (I think). They were portable, and you could carry them around like a little suitcase

Really? I had one in the 70's but it only played 45's.

I have an "all in one" thing, that has a radio, stereo, and CD player.

Also look on Craigslist, you might be able to score a console for FREE!

 

[scrapquitler]

My DD loves to listen to vinyl records. She purchased a turntable about a year and a half ago and it just doesn't work very well. It tends to drag quite often. DH and myself are thinking about getting her a new one. We don't need the kind that a DJ would use, but would love to have one that she could use as a stand alone or add speakers. I was hoping to find one at a retail store that we did not need to order online and have shipped.

Do any of you have any suggestions or recommendations?

It's been a long time since I used a record player, but isn't the dragging a symptom of needing a new needle? Maybe that would solve the problem?

 

[MIGrandma]

I love vinyl!

I have a Detrola record player, bought it from K-Mart probably 15-20 years ago and it works great.

Whenever I don't know where to find something, I search Amazon. They seem to have everything.

 

[mjkacmom]

The kids got this for DH http://www.amazon.com/SOUND-VS-2002...qid=1427831831&sr=1-1&keywords=Vibe+turntable

Sounds ok to me!

 

[Squirlz]

I'd like to get one to play my old vinyl collection, but I need to see if either of my receivers have turntable jacks.