If you want a record player for convenient home use, don't buy a DJ deck without automatic start/stop, better get a used Marantz, an 80s/90s standard Technics like ki mentioned, a Dual or even and old Teac, remove the original crap system (head + stylus/needle) and buy a proper one for it, my fave is the Ortofon range of products, not cheap but well worth the money.
Never buy a record player where the arm and head are one piece. I've seen some that had excellent mechanics but bad systems. Bad system = bad sound, and really crappy ones may also damage your records.
I was at a high performance audio and video store and they were trying to sell me
a 1200 dollar player. belt driven and single construction arm. his arguements were
that belt driven is quieter than direct drive, that direct drive has noise from the motor that
is included in the sound as opposed to a belt driven where the motor is not directly under the
vinyl. also that the single construction arm when made right is the best for sound quality.
do I believe the guy?
kinda, but I wouldn't go that route. I was raised by my dad to accept nothing other than direct
drive. my first turntable was a technics. I love my baby, anyways, if you're looking for
it on the cheap i'd reccommend hitting the goodwills on a regular basis (but don't buy just
any turntable there, test it out). It would probably be good to pick up a receiver.
you'll need one if the player you get doesn't have a preamp which is the case 90%
of the time if you're picking up something used and is old equipment.
I got a pioneer dd in dallas at the sidewalk sale where alot of folks
unload stuff that they buy in bulk from estate sales for 25 dollars. got a broken sansui receiver
for 4 bucks at goodwill that just needed some fuses.
Listen to tak and get a decent needle. but the brands listed are great.
do you need a direct drive? not really, I love the ability to control the pitch and make sure
it's running at the right speed so I don't accept anything less.
Listening to vinyl is the way artists wanted they're music to be played.
listen to the entire album as an entire body of work.
cds made it convenient to ignore songs other than the popular singles,
and even worse in my mind, it's encouraged to just buy singles from places like I tunes.
I tunes is pandora's box that'll can never be closed for music as far as I'm concerned.
vinyl is cool.
have fun.
