Beginner's Guide for Turntables: Where to start?

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

There's some great info here. People ask me for advice all the time regarding a first time turntable purchase. I always tell them they're looking at the $250 - $500 range to really get started. That's considering everything they'll need outside of the deck itself. Most people are surprised and thought it was something they could get into for $100 or so.

[@AnthonyLGreen-cz9wy]

So I started out (in 2019 during COVID) with an AT LP60XBT I got with a AT BT speaker for $199. I loved it, it was inexpensive, automatic and easy to run. The last few months I felt like I wanted to upgrade so last week I upgraded to the AT LP120XBT. I did this because I will eventually upgrade the cartridge, arm and Amp as suggested here. But just the way it sounds out of the box is amazing

[@Amigafur]

Covid didn't start until 2020.

[@chrisshort6966]

@@Amigafur Jan 20th I believe but that is pretty close to 2019 lol

[@R0ndras]

its called covid 19 for a reason @@Amigafur

[@420247paul]

no its in the name SARS cov19@@Amigafur

[@surpoz4321]

Why do you think it has 19 in the name :)@@Amigafur

[@Kwippy]

As a person who started his turntable journey over 40 years ago and has evolved from a student budget Japanese turntable culminating in the Linn Sondek, my advice to anyone starting out, is to find a good hi-fi dealer who will let you listen and compare turntables in a proper auditioning room environment, not a room where there are other shoppers milling around. Ask yourself what is most important to you, the quality of the music, or the nifty but useless strobe lights or the technical specs like wow and flutter.

[@MarvinHartmann452]

And bring your own record.

[@allenmacias273]

Ngl getting into vinyl and record collecting sound too complex and expensive for me. I’ll probably just start collecting CDs

[@Fatasha776]

It’s not even complex. If you can’t comprehend how to put a vinyl onto a turntable, that’s concerning…

[@allenmacias273]

@@Fatasha776 HOLY SHIT IS THAT FATASHA 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@zilog1]

You are missing the point. Its not about the music, its about the experience and process. Its why tech nerds like Linux and not mac or windows. Or why some photographers shoot on film. But you do you tho.

[@allenmacias273]

@@zilog1 HOLY SHIT IS THAT ZILOG1 🤯🤯🤯😩

[@laidyoutorest-8747]

@@allenmacias273 your funny asf but damn it’s really not hard get an automatic turntable and sone speakers hook them up put on a record and hit start what imma do

[@aussierob7177]

It is absolutely necessary to thoroughly clean new records before you play them, otherwise there will be irreversible damage to the record at the very first play. Try to spend as much as you can on the turntable, arm and cartridge. because this is the source signal which travels to the amplifier .

[@ENGLISHISBEST]

Now who would guessed that.

[@ref6122]

What is the " irreversible damage" Ive played multiple albums without cleaning and they sound the same.Plus I assume the previous owner didnt clean them. ??

[@martyjewell5683]

Got my first "component" TT in 1975 after military service and broke. A budget job for sure it was the BIC 920. Belt drive/full auto with "viscous damped cueing". It served me well until I got a Pioneer PL-518 in 1979. I still happily use the PL-518 and it's held up well for forty five years. Good specs to boot (rumble 73dB's/Wow-flutter 0.03%). The 920 cost $60 and the Pioneer cost $118 (less pickup).

[@spiderqueenemma]

Will you be making a video about speakers related to this subject yet?

[@Andersljungberg]

You should have told that there are turntables with a built-in preamp, but the quality of them varies. and if you have an amplifier with a phono input dictated by you, you do not need a Preamp. Then you do not all amplify a good built-in Preamp. but that is another matter. Then I can point out that there are automatic record players that cost $300 or more. in the past, direct drive was considered to play with lower sway value. Unfortunately, there are still players who do not have the correct speed. Then there is a difference between USB disc players and USB watch players. some mats are only out 16 becomes while other record players can Mats out full 24 bit yes also DSD

[@Toby0147m]

Should I buy vertical turntable!? Like Gramovox or Pro-Ject??

[@jonathanboyle6853]

Kudos for the excellent video quality, information delivery, and aesthetic. Impressive work.

[@0720black]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@eastcoastwest3009]

I'm new to vinyl, my girlfriend got me a suitcase style player, obviously I would need to buy speakers but is the player itself decent enough for playing vinyl?

[@smarthomesounds]

If it’s good enough for you and you enjoy it’s that’s great. You can always upgrade and the suitcase models are normally classed as more budget. But see how you go 👍

[@eastcoastwest3009]

@Smart Home Sounds cool thanks

[@norbertkuhse3790]

@@smarthomesounds , NO ! NO ! 1000 Times NO ! There is not One of "Players" this Typ , that are not Shit ! 99% of these devices sooner or later destroy the records , and none of them come close to producing anything that could be called sound ! All of them , you can Buy New , is China backyard garbage . If you want all in One buy a old Dual from the 80th , not HiFi but not really Bad .

[@markcarrington8565]

Buying records can be cheap if you visit second hand record shops, antique shops, charity shops etc. The records will be of variable quality but you might be lucky and with a good clean you may end up with some bargains. If, however, you find yourself really enjoying the vinyl experience, due to the better mastering of the records, it often leads to reaching for the new record racks where costs will soon mount up. Same if you start hunting for excellent quality original pressings which cost even more than modern represses. At this point I strongly recommend you consider a dedicated turntable to increase your listening pleasure and look after your records better. It will track the records better at a lighter tracking force, introducing less distortion and also reducing wear. No rush to do this but if you’re curious there’s no harm in asking a dealer to demonstrate an entry level separate system for you.

[@borbalaschneller70]

Hi everyone, I need a little help. I want to buy a really cheap turntable, and I could buy these for around the same price (from second hand): -Soundwave P-1000MKII automatic stereo turntable -Grundig PS2750 automatic Belt Drive stereo turntable - Clatronic TT-184 Full automatic Belt Drive stereo turntable -JVC AL-F350 Full automatic stereo turntable - TCM 234207 stereo turntable -Universum F4391 semi auto belt drive turntable Thank you for your help!

[@Andersljungberg]

it may be possible to find a record player package of decent quality. for example, built-in amplifier with separate speakers

[@AnthonyLGreen-cz9wy]

Look for an AT LP60XBT which can come with a separate BT speaker. A Crosley C6 can also come with a separate speaker. I upgraded my speaker to a pair of KLIPSCH R41M powered speakers which are $140 now.

[@MarvinHartmann452]

I collect records, cd and factory recorded reel to reel tape. As long as the music is great. For me it's about the music.

[@sergiopaulino859]

I have AV receiver , in the front selection it has phono , DTS , so I can assume my receiver has preamps for phono I think the brand is Technics

[@colegeddie8047]

Could you do a video where you have three different setups in each budget range?

[@srijithps]

Very good presentation.. keep doing more videos

[@VST1254]

Great Info friend.

[@smarthomesounds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewlawson3694]

Thanks great information Andrew

[@mdluk199]

When I was a kid we had a choice between vinyl records or cassette tapes which I'm told is also unbelievably making a comeback. Cassette tapes sounded like shit and often tangled themselves up while playing. Vinyl records were better but the hiss and crackles are annoying. When CD came along people couldn't dump their records and tapes fast enough. I have no idea why vinyl has comeback it's utterly bizarre.

[@gnavarro957]

People like "owning" there music. It's also to a degree a collectible.

[@mdluk199]

@@gnavarro957 I like owning music but CD's make way more sense. You can rip them and listen on your phone as well play them on a good hifi system when at home.

[@gnavarro957]

@@mdluk199 vinyls are a collectible essentially they are way more of a Hassel. CDs are convenient and great ! But a vinyl is something you can take out and be like look bro so cool. I am not saying vinyls are better I'm just saying the resurgence of them is not a as a music format but as a collectible.

[@gingernutpreacher]

I found tape's to be ok but I was given 3 in one's system's from the 80's worked out £800 with inflation so had a very good cassette player with Dolby ect same with walkmans and my experience of cd player's was cheap portable ones or my now wife separate system that was crap not till I brought a Techniques separate in 1999 that I noticed any difference

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Pop into a good hifi dealer and listen to a good turntable. You will then know why vinyl is better.

[@Danny.1.007]

Yes Hello just a quick question could i connect a turntable to a B&W Panorama 3 soundbar as it doesnt seem to have many connections on the back or would i be better with the sony bluetooth turntable with a built in pre amp. ? Many thanks in advance

[@aprilking6588]

So I’m basically wanting to buy a few records and I bought a all in one. I love it but scared it isn’t good. What do you think?

[@trinityanne9016]

I was thinking about getting an all in one to save on some money not having to buy speakers. Now I’m second guessing that decision.

[@aprilking6588]

@@trinityanne9016 I brought it back! I’m going to buy the audio tech and get speakers later. This decision stressed me out! Lol.

[@DavidUKesb]

If both the turntable and amplifier have a preamp, then which preamp will the system use?

[@jungle_cs]

Refer to your turntables instructions. If the turntable does not have a built in amp it will use the external one. If it has a switch AND you have an amp switch it to use the external amplifier. If you try to use both (like using built in preamp with a set of powered speakers that have an amp it will create a horrible distorted sound that can damage speakers

[@markcarrington8565]

My advice would be to try one at a time. The phono stage works in conjunction with the cartridge so if the manufacturer has provided the turntable, arm, cartridge and phono stage, you would hope they have designed them all to work together well. However, if you have a really nice integrated amp, it may have a high quality phono stage, so best not to assume and just give each one a listen and judge for yourself.

[@ron6344]

Can I play a turntable through my Sonos arc?

[@arjay399]

You can but it’s not straightforward. You will need a Sonus port, or amp or a Sonus 5. Turntable will need a built in pre- amp to play through whichever Sonus bit of kit you choose to enable connecting to the Sonus Arc.

[@BASCKIT13]

Can you lift the arm on its own on a auto medic turn table?

[@TuffyAndBetty]

yes

[@KlingonGamerYT]

I sold my Queen collection..... man Im gutted ..... 5k GONE lol oh well spent it on the kids ...

[@5BASSIP]

Turntable plus preamp plus speakers, you still need an amplifier in the system to play the records. You didn’t emphasise that.

[@electroimpyo]

Moving coil cartridge

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Snap crackle pop great

[@windymiller6908]

Not if you take care handling records.

[@Andersljungberg]

There are active speakers with phono input, i.e. built-in preamp

[@analoguecity3454]

There's no point to using Bluetooth with analog! Your getting a "dumb down" signal, in other words your turning your beautiful pure analogue sound into MP3! You might as well stick with just streaming, because your not getting the nuances from the original signal!

[@brandenbran]

Yeah I’ve been wondering about that. It seems so pointless. I’m new to this stuff so I figured I must be wrong because so many record players come with Bluetooth but it seems pointless

[@distilledfreedom1840]

Man people are just absurd. I mean what the heck are they thinking? They should just buy apple music and listen with headphones.

[@merkox7857]

how many turntables were sayd?

[@hambo1147]

?

[@charlesshepherd2004]

Don't bluetooth vinyl. Just dont

[@81722Les]

I'm new to vinyl as an adult, as a kid I was exposed to it by my father and it pissed me off that there are Bluetooth rubbish options. Kills the purpose

[@dehoang2625]

Just an AD video

It's not vinyl!! It's called records!!

[@stevebeschakis9775]

Turntable? ...really? Should I get a horse 'n' buggy too?

[@frederickdumoulin8861]

🙄🥴

[@morenocasalegno3532]

Don't be silly, and take back your bow for the night, the hunt ain't been over yet.

[@TheChrisheath7]

Many people prefer the sound of vinyl. I am a fan. You have nothing digital in the audio pathway. Sound is an analogue entity by nature. Each to his own, anyway. We could argue about this forever, not sure there is a correct answer.

[@Twineandribbon]

I mean the metaphor works though. Lots of people still enjoy riding horses. Downtown in my city they offer romantic horse and buggy rides all summer. Riding a horse, or by horse and buggy is a different experience than riding in a motor vehicle. The main difference, just like with modern music, is practicality. You do not NEED a horse to get around now, anymore than you need a turntable to listen to music. Vinyl is an experiential choice at this point just as horse riding is.