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Help...cluless about turntables!

post #1 of 24
9/25/09 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 
Hello all...
My boyfriend's bday is coming up. He has mentioned before that he would like a nice turntable...record player...same thing?.....that has a nice wooden enclosure. He has mentioned that something like this would run a few hundred dollars. I would love to surprise him with one but am clueless as to where to start. I don't mind spending the money but need to know I am spending it on quality. Could anyone point me in the right direction? I don't even know what a good brand is. I don't know what features he is looking for and if I hint around to him to get more info he will totally see through it and I really want to surprise him. I think his major interest as far is features would be sound quality.
Thanks !
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post #2 of 24
9/25/09 at 6:45am
Here is a good place to start looking at turntables:
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Turntables;jsessionid=0a0108431f43eab8922133c545028d7d94df08dd486a.e3eSbNyQc3mLe34Pa38Ta38PbN90
As you can see, turntables can cost into the thousands. Those with real wood, tend to run a little more expensive, than a lot of them. I'm sure he'd be happy, even if his new turntable didn't have wood. You may have noticed that some of the most expensive TTs don't have wood. You may also be able to get a very good deal on Craig's List, for a good vintage TT, possibly with wood. A lot of people prefer the vintage turntables. Something like this?
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/1377853430.html
or this: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/1361639019.html

As far as features, they don't have a lot. I'm not an audiophile, so they may have more than I realize. They are usually either automatic or manual. Real audiophiles usually prefer manual. I, personally, like a cue lever, to set the needle onto the record. My hand is so shaky.
Good luck with it................
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post #3 of 24
9/25/09 at 9:05am
Thread Starter 
Hey Thanks Ed, that needle doctor has some cool stuff......Do you have any idea if Crosley is a good brand, seems they have been around for a long time.....
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post #4 of 24
9/25/09 at 11:14am
I don't think Crosley is what you're looking for. They are just ok, and serve a different purpose than what it sounds like your boyfriend is looking for. It doesn't sound like he's looking for a USB turntable either. Sounds more like he's looking for a Denon, or something nicer (Rega, Thorens, etc.). Whatever you decide on, remember to see if a cartridge comes with it. Cartridge is extra with a lot of them, but necessary.
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post #5 of 24
9/25/09 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks again! I checked out those other brands and it seems that the Crosley is the only one that has those nice wooden enclosures....I think that's what he wants....ugh, I will keep researching and if he doesn't care for what I get, I won't be offended if he exchanges it 
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post #6 of 24
9/25/09 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by helpmeplz09 View Post

He has mentioned before that he would like a nice turntable...record player...same thing?.....that has a nice wooden enclosure. He has mentioned that something like this would run a few hundred dollars.
I promise you he's not talking about a Crosley...............
I'd almost bet he's talking about something like this:
http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntables-TD-240-Cherry-Veneer-Finish?sc=2&category=355
and just doesn't realize how much it costs.
But I guess you know him better than me. Good luck!
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post #7 of 24
9/25/09 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Holy Moly that's expensive! I don't know, I have been researching Crosley's all day and they do seem pretty cheap. He did specifically mention the wooden, vintage style enclosure....seems the only kind I can find like that are Crosleys......Grrr, I am about to buy him a package of tube socks and call it a day!! Lol....thanks for all your help Ed, I really appreciate it!
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post #8 of 24
9/25/09 at 4:20pm
By wooden, vintage style enclosure, I'm betting he meant one like I linked to earlier, on Craig's List: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/1361639019.html
Like I said earlier, check your local Craig's List. If you can find one in good shape, like the one in the link, put a new belt and cartridge on it, he'd love it. I bet he'd even like one without the wood, to get by with. Then you could both keep your eyes open for a good one on Craig's List. You might could even get a good deal on one of the real expensive ones.
Where are you located? I see it's not listed in your info...........
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post #9 of 24
9/25/09 at 4:30pm
If has to have a wood enclosure, although I'm not sure why it would have to, how about a vintage Dual?

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post #10 of 24
9/27/09 at 10:34am
Another option at a lower price point (relatively) is on of the top of the line Denon's.

www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP-500M-Turntable

This deck has gotten quite nice reviews over the years.   New price runs around 700, but there are some used and.or refurb units available on Ebay for around $450.  
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post #11 of 24
9/28/09 at 6:12am
He may actually be looking for something like the little Crosley nostalgia units, they are very cool.  What kind of "stereo" does your boyfriend have now?  Does he have a home theater system with some components and speakers and a subwoofer already?  Knowing that would help us out a lot.  If he has a "stereo"  system to plug a turntable into, he would probably love the Denon at Needle Doctor has for about $300.   http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP-300F-Fully-Automatic-Turntable?sc=2&category=46  It's a good quality turn table at a very reasonable price.  

If he doesn't have a "stereo", check into the Crosley units, buy the one you like the look of and make sure to tell him that he can return it if he's after something else.
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post #12 of 24
9/28/09 at 6:23am
It's possible, but I took it for granted he wanted better than a Crosley, because she said "He has mentioned that something like this would run a few hundred dollars." I consider "a few hundred" to be more than the price of a Crosley.............. I could be wrong though.
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post #13 of 24
9/29/09 at 8:16am
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone, thanks for all your suggestions...he does have a very nice stereo setup, not sure what it involves, just know that it sounds good and loud! He's very good with music stuff. I am really leaning towards the Crosley, as I think that is the style he wants. I saw a few that are between 2 and 3 hundred....I just hope it is good quality. I assume if the speakers aren't the best he could hook it up to his existing system and make it sound better? They have the Crosleys at Target which would save me money on shipping but then I worry, can I really get something that is really good quality at Target?? I still have a month to decide so i will research some more...thanks again!
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post #14 of 24
9/29/09 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 
Another thing about the Crosleys that concern me is that the higher priced ones all seem to have a CD recorder built in. I don't think he would care about that option and don't want to pay extra for it.
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post #15 of 24
9/29/09 at 3:06pm
Vanessa,

If I wanted a 'nice' turntable for my existing stereo, Crosley would NOT be on my list.  Now, if I wanted something to play that did not plug into my setup, then I would consider them.

Don't expect Crosly to sound great if you can somehow plug it in.  Most likely it will have its own phono amp and completely bypass the existing one (if there is one) on his stereo.

It sounds to me if he is willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a turntable, he isn't looking for a portable.

Check these out - http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/index.htm.  You can find them starting less than $400.  I know they aren't 'wood', but most modern turntables aren't.
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post #16 of 24
10/5/09 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Okay all....after a week of intense research....I have thrown ot the idea of a wooden enclosure, really, not that important!....
I have my eye on this Audio-technica, reviews seem to be almost all positive....

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90128651&listingid=10805630#cRevSec

Any thoughts on that brand?

Thx
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post #17 of 24
10/5/09 at 7:09pm
That will definitely be better than the Crosley.
I think though that it's meant to be a DJ turntable, since in the name it says "Professional" stereo turntable. I'm sure your boyfriend will be much happier with that one.
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post #18 of 24
10/5/09 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I thought that too about it being a DJ turntable but I have also read that it just plain sounds good....plus you can download your records right onto the computer....definitely the best reviews I have read....going to research just a bit more but I may have found a winner....so sick of searching....those Crosleys really do look nice but I am guessing they sound like crap....thx for opening my eyes to that and all your help, I really appreciate it!
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post #19 of 24
10/5/09 at 8:38pm
The Crosleys are ok for people that don't really care how good they sound, as long as they can play their records. You'd be amazed at how many people are like that. Afterall, look at how many people like mp3s. You can record your album onto a cd on most of them. They sell them here at Belks. If you have a Belks store near you (Belk, Belk Tyler, Hudson Belk, etc.), you can go see one. They may have them at Target also.

Since you said he had a pretty nice system, and wanted one for a few hundred dollars, I was pretty sure he wouldn't like the Crosley. Glad you've found something else.............
Good luck!
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post #20 of 24
10/6/09 at 5:18am
The Audio Technica turntabe you are considering has a very good reputation.  Highly recommended.
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post #21 of 24
10/6/09 at 7:16pm
I have the Audio Technica TT mentioned in the link, bought it for myself last December, and I've been very happy with it.  For the price, it's an excellent "starter" table that still beats the lower end stuff out there.  I had my eye on a Technics 1200, but couldn't swing it.
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post #22 of 24
10/7/09 at 11:56am
The best you can possibly get is an Audio Technica, but hell I find my old Sony HMK-229 I got at Goodwill for 20 bucks still sounds rediculously good when plugged into my computer.
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post #23 of 24
10/15/09 at 3:11pm

I highly recommend Rega turntables.  I have the P3 (I bought 6 years ago) but perhaps the P1 would be more in your budget.  Excellent turntables.

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post #24 of 24
11/4/09 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everybody.....I just gave my BF his turntable, he was so surprised and he really likes it!! Thank you so much for all your help!!!
Vanessa
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