Looking for recommendations for a turntable setup (1 Viewer)

[Beakertwang]

Hey audiophiles!

I'm look looking to get a decent setup as a Christmas gift for my son. He's just getting into vinyl, and has a small collection of records, but got one of those lousy all-in-one setups from a friend. Don't need anything high end, just looking for bang for my buck.

Do I get powered speakers, or a separate amplifier? Tube or solid state? Etc.

Please help a brother out. Thanks!

 

[dkellerd]

Budget?

 

[ekricket]

I’d recommend thrift stores once you have an idea on what you are looking for. It’s unbelievable the stuff they get, stuff that was unobtainable when I was a teen is now $5 at goodwill.

 

[dkellerd]

I went with the most expensive Fluance turntable off Amazon, external Fosi Audio preamp, and Sonos 5 speaker. But you can get a cheaper Fluance with built-in preamp and a Sonos ERA 100 and have a great setup.

 

[dkellerd]

Go look at the turntables Reddit if you really want to spend time researching.

 

[Beakertwang]

Budget?

Not sure. I suppose I'm kind of like a new PCF'er who wants to upgrade from dice chips. Give me the china clay recommendation, not the leaded THCs.

 

[btbmason]

I’m about 10 years removed from my vinyl collection, but I had a uturn orbit that was great. You can also customize them which make them unique and great for gifts.

https://uturnaudio.com/

My budget table before that was an Audio-Technica LP60 which was decent for the price but you may need to upgrade the cartridge. These are available at most big box retailers too (Target, Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) just Google the model. Every once in a while you can catch a good sale to put them at $99-$129 but I believe the going rate is $149 right now.

I know absolutely nothing about external speakers, I was strictly a headphone user with my tables. I did use a headphone amp, made by Schiit, though I forget which model it was.

 

[Beakertwang]

I’m about 10 years removed from my vinyl collection, but I had a uturn orbit that was great. You can also customize them which make them unique and great for gifts.

https://uturnaudio.com/

My budget table before that was an Audio-Technica LP60 which was decent for the price but you may need to upgrade the cartridge. These are available at most big box retailers too (Target, Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) just Google the model. Every once in a while you can catch a good sale to put them at $99-$129 but I believe the going rate is $149 right now.

I know absolutely nothing about external speakers, I was strictly a headphone user with my tables. I did use a headphone amp, made by Schiit, though I forget which model it was.

I like the U-Turn idea, especially with the built-in preamp. The colors are fun. Then I would just need some decent passive speakers, right?

 

[btbmason]

I like the U-Turn idea, especially with the built-in preamp. The colors are fun. Then I would just need some decent passive speakers, right?

You may still need/want an amp, but that should largely depend on the speakers. The preamp increases the strength of the signal while an amp provides power to the speakers.

If you bought powered speakers you could skip an amp. I haven’t really ever shopped for speakers but I’ve seen some friends setups and they’re all feeding into amps to power the speakers.

I had a set of tiny (powered) desktop speakers I plugged in a few times when my wife wanted to listen to something and didn’t want to use headphones. Did it produce music? Absolutely. The sound quality just wasn’t great because the speakers weren’t great.

That’s about all I can give with my limited knowledge of speakers though. Best of luck with your search!

 

[Chipandchair]

Following. My 18 year old in same situation.

 

[Chipandchair]

Just about to pull the trigger on this one but will wait for feedback if there is any.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8ZCV2Z...sw_r_apin_dp_DAQ0FW20RT6934CBYS7T&starsLeft=1

 

[SpaceMonkey420]

I was a professional vinyl DJ for many years (20) and I traveled to many places, including $100k+ a year residencies in Las Vegas but enough about me.

If he is serious about performing, he is going to need to buy the techniques M3D tuntable or the older version technics MK2 (with the funky power switch and pitch click.)

Go ahead and buy these tables used as they are easy to repair with YouTube, I’ve bought several used from eBay in the 300 to 800 range each. Well worth every penny on M3D. They are the “THC” of tables aka the worldwide standard for sure, bar none. All other turntables are measured from these. It’s not even close when it comes to DJ’s performing.

When it comes to speakers have him get some self powerer Mackies. Two of those in the house will rock up to 50 people no problem. Unfortunately, if you’re gonna add more bodies than that, you’re gonna have to add more speakers as humans absorbs sound.


Feel free to DM me with any more questions, I’ll be glad to help.

 

[Beakertwang]

I was a professional vinyl DJ for many years (20) and I traveled to many places, including $100k+ a year residencies in Las Vegas but enough about me.

If he is serious about performing, he is going to need to buy the techniques M3D tuntable or the older version technics MK2 (with the funky power switch and pitch click.)

Go ahead and buy these tables used as they are easy to repair with YouTube, I’ve bought several used from eBay in the 300 to 800 range each. Well worth every penny on M3D. They are the “THC” of tables aka the worldwide standard for sure, bar none. All other turntables are measured from these. It’s not even close when it comes to DJ’s performing.

When it comes to speakers have him get some self powerer Mackies. Two of those in the house will rock up to 50 people no problem. Unfortunately, if you’re gonna add more bodies than that, you’re gonna have to add more speakers as humans absorbs sound.


Feel free to DM me with any more questions, I’ll be glad to help.

Just listening, not DJ'ing.

 

[SpaceMonkey420]

Just listening, not DJ'ing.

Sorry can’t help ya there…. =)