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Turntables & Tonearms Where Analog still Rules

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  #1  
Old 12-02-2019, 08:31 AM
n_brio n_brio is offline
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Default Best turntable for 500$

Im thinking about to buy my first turntable to see if i like it.
What is the best one new or used for around 500$?
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:57 AM
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I bought and liked the U Turn Special and upgraded the cartridge to the Ortofon Blue 2M after some time. Solid Walnut plinth, set up out of the box and playing in about 10 minutes.

It does have a built in Phono that can be used or bypassed by a press of a button.
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:37 AM
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The Rega Planar 1 for $475 is also a pretty good entry level table.
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:58 AM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antonmb View Post
The Rega Planar 1 for $475 is also a pretty good entry level table.
Tony, 'pretty good' is all I'd give it, IMO the mdf platter is a POS.

Op, do you have Lp's to play or merely looking to get your feet wet ? if the latter and IMO only, analog 'on the cheap' is a waste of $$. I'm not trying to say you need to re-mortgage the house just that good analog is a far greater cost than good digital.

I'm an old fart that's been spinning 'black pizza' for 50 plus years, I have a modest record collection (1000-1500 Lp's), if I were starting out today would I ?...... nope.
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Old 12-02-2019, 12:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
Tony, 'pretty good' is all I'd give it...

Well, “pretty good” is what you’re going to get for $500
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Old 12-02-2019, 12:47 PM
clpetersen clpetersen is offline
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Default Low Cost Turntable

U-turn is a good place to start.

Consider also the Audio-Technica AT120 (about $250). Makes many number 1 recommendations for budget turntables.
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Last edited by clpetersen; 12-02-2019 at 03:02 PM.
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Old 12-02-2019, 03:51 PM
Mikado463 Mikado463 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antonmb View Post
Well, “pretty good” is what you’re going to get for $500
regardless, an mdf platter is junk !
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Old 12-02-2019, 04:29 PM
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Default Best turntable for 500$

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
regardless, an mdf platter is junk !


Whatever you may think of an mdf platter, the table sounds pretty good and is a bargain for the price. I don’t disagree that it would make a lot of sense to stretch the budget a bit, but the OP asked for recommendations at $500.
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Old 12-02-2019, 04:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antonmb View Post
Whatever you may think of an mdf platter, the table sounds pretty good and is a bargain for the price. I don’t disagree that it would make a lot of sense to stretch the budget a bit, but the OP asked for recommendations at $500.
yep, understood .......
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Old 12-06-2019, 03:07 PM
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Just for the sake of accuracy, the current Rega Planar 1, which retails for ~$475, has a phenolic platter, not an MDF platter.

Key Features:
Tonearm
Brand new RB110 tonearm built with the new Rega designed, bespoke, ultra low friction bearings (Patent Pending). New bias assembly and integrated arm clip. Includes automatic bias adjustment negating the need for the user to set bias, making this the most ‘Plug & Play’ turntable we have ever manufactured. New ergonomically, re-designed and stiffer headshell for improved usability and appearance.

Cartridge
Rega Carbon cartridge supplied fitted as standard.

24v synchronous motor
The first entry level Rega turntable to use a 24v, synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB and aluminium pulley offering low noise and better speed stability.

Plinth
Brand new Thermoset, gloss laminated plinth with vastly improved appearance and new ergonomically positioned on/off switch located on the underside. Two stunning plinth finishes available, gloss black and gloss white.

Central Bearing housing
Re-designed brass main bearing, offering improved fit and removing stress on the bearing itself whilst minimising the transfer of potential energy. (Patent pending)

Platter
Brand new, 23mm, higher mass, phenolic platter with improved flywheel effect for improved speed stability.

Re-Designed feet
New improved feet to increase stability and reduce vibration transfer.

Motor cover tray
New motor cover tray with integrated cooling.

Balance Weight
New 111g ‘Plug and Play’ balance weight.
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