Turntable Buying Advice: 3 Mistakes to AVOID!

[@tuturuism]

You're back! I bought one crosley cruiser type when I started as I didn't know better and also turntables were kind of expensive in my country. Moving up I got one cheap DJ turntable with magnetic cartridge then the Audio Technica LP 140XP. I'd say what matters the most is the adjustments it has, the more the better for me! I know some prefer to just press play and be done with it but I like to tinker with my stuff to get the best sound possible to what I have

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Thanks for chiming in! And being able to make adjustments is so important 👍🏾

[@ScottTice1971]

“Where my CD’s at?” Hah, love it! The one thing that matters the most to me is a quality machine that has all the adjustments needed… like my Technics 1200 Mk2. Bulletproof.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Makes a lot of sense. Nice turntable!

[@s.r.gemmill6246]

My rec. - Buy a good brand TT, with features you want, avoid features u don't use, keep controls basic & update the provided cartridge.

[@CamelotRecords]

Great vid man, so glad you're back, enjoy your content. Most important thing... Had to pick only one it's gotta be speakers overall. However, talking vinyl and only one choice I'd have to say cartridge/stylus. Go Browns... But we'll take Cincinnati representing the Buckeye state in the Super Bowl next best.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Thanks for watching. Hard to argue against going with speakers. Yeah, I can’t be mad at the Bengals making it to he Big Game!

[@oso_Peligroso]

I was using an Audio Technica 120LP with a crap cartridge for a while but never thought to swap cartridges (dumb!). I bought a U-turn Orbit and it did sound better immediately BUT when I went from a AVR amp/Infinity box speaker to an Adcom Pre-Amp and Amp with Magneplanar speakers, I could suddenly hear the Orbits motor on every quiet passage. Leveling up in sound brought out the flaws of the table so as an experiment I put an Ortofon Red on my abandoned Audio Technica because everyone raved about its price/performance ratio and man, what a difference. The ATLP120 sounds amazing now. The point is, that as you said, you have to look at the overall package and future plans when buying. I had always planned on getting Maggie's and Adcom gear so I should have started with cartridge upgrades. I still may upgrade to a Project or Rega down the line but I'm relatively happy so I can take my time and audition a few. Who knows, I may upgrade to an Ortofon Black and never switch tables. :)

[@somd_fishing5860]

Great video! Glad to see you’re back and doing well 👍🏻

[@Shoebutie]

Really like your approach. Thanks

[@pip5528]

I think the cartridge is the most important component since it makes the biggest difference when you change it.

[@richmck007]

I am glad I came across your devoted to vinyl article on Google talking about investing in your first record player. I refer to the At 60x which is an upgrade on their previous version. I would like to invest in a Bluetooth or ISB version but with pitch control. What would you recommend on a budget of 300$? Many thanks

[@s.r.gemmill6246]

Thx Michael, i updated to the new Teac direct drive MC/MM TT w/ a Phono pre ($700 @ Crutchfield), I really like it. Hey I see you are a CLE / Browns fan. Heck Ya!

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Oh yeah! It's been a magical season so far, hasn't it?

[@mjbfan791]

I would say it’s sound for me. I definitely would like to get the best sound quality I can get. I love my current set for now it’s perfect. In the future I’m going to upgrade my speakers an turntable.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Thanks for sharing buddy.

[@richmck007]

Oh, the most important thing when buying a turntable for me is that it plays the standard 33 & 45 rpm, has a ground wire, has BT / USB connections weighs between 10-14 kilos and comes with a pitch control. Of course, one cannot have everything so I’m guessing that Kind of turntable would cost more that 600$ Am I correct??? My budget is 300$ max.

[@sinfoniarc]

All good things. I’m usually looking for something that’s low noise From the motor. I prefer direct drive turntables but there are some belt drives as of recently that have caught my interest. Cartridges and styli can always be swapped out. Just remember that the cartridge is like a microphone for the record. You can buy them at RadioShack and they work but don’t sound as good as something that you buy at a professional audio shop.

[@georgegolden532]

WELCOME BACK!! 🥳🥳🥳 Where have you been? Glad u posted this video. I was planning to buy an LP120BT last year but stopped when the price rose twice and now goes for $400 if u can find one.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Thanks George! Did you end up buying a different table, or are you hoping to find the 120BT for a good price?

[@georgegolden532]

@@DevotedtoVinyl … I’m looking at the Fluance RT81. This would be my first serious turntable and it’s got the same cartridge as the LP120 and basically the same feature set but a $250 price point which is closer to what I want to spend. I have noticed tho that stock seems to be limited and the price on Amazon has now jumped to $300 … not sure why turntable prices are fluctuating so much 😕

[@georgegolden532]

After a lot of “analysis paralysis”, I finally made the leap on a Fluance RT82. Should arrive in about a week. Now my mind is dizzy with accessory options: preamps, record cleaning, proper storage.

[@burntable]

Great video! We're in the cartridge/stylus camp, more specifically the stylus shape. The AT VM95 series (start with the ML) should be on every turntable unless you can afford to spend over $1k on a turntable/cartridge! A micro-line or shibata stylus will be the biggest upgrade to your sound. Then pre-amp, power amp, speakers and lastly turntable

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Nice order!

[@RigVader]

I wanted to get into vinyl, buy despite getting a TT setup at double the outlay of my DAC, it does not compare.. So I never listen to my records. My takeaway is that underspending was a mistake and that I’ll have to spend at least double again (e.g. Rega P6 or P8). But obviously I’m an audiofool 🙃

[@raygu1818]

I have a Crosley C8 table and a Fluance RT82. A lot of people sleep on the Crosley C8 table because of the association with the cheap portable suitcase players. It blows my mind that Crosley doesn't market it as their crown jewel. Go Steelers! We may be in a 2 year rebuild.

[@ramiro1726]

haha great video! I think the hardest thing for me was choosing the right pre amp and amp for my set up. It was a nightmare. Btw, browns aint going nowhere with Baker! Just like my 49ers aint winning the chip with Jimmy G another year.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Oh yeah, preamps are huge. Nice choice. Sigh…I think you’re dead on with Baker actually! But y’all have gone pretty far with Jimmy.

[@danieelistikhor]

Welcome back, Michael! 🥳

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Thanks Danieel!

[@danieelistikhor]

@@DevotedtoVinyl thanks for the love!

[@michaelmartens4913]

Thanks, this video was helpful. Go Browns!

[@Faustustopheles]

We got oir first turntable last year. It's an Audio Technica and cost 400. We think it's pretty spiffy and we got it at our local Finders store so it makes us feel good for doing the local thing. I don't know how long we'll still have the store here. The owner asked if I wanted to buy the place... Too bad I don't know anything about running a business 🤔

[@SmokeyMcPotProductions]

Love the channel, great information for those just getting into the hobby.

[@LutherusPandragon]

My first record player was something i found in basement, soviet era massive wood turntable that sounded like elephant farted into speakers. After many years i pulled the trigger and went on market to buy first real turntable and get into the hobby. I took pro-ject debut carbon evo and hated every single thing about it. When i first got it motor was emitting some strange high pitched noise, left output was not working and tonearm would not stay in level as counterweight was broken. Got replacement, worked fine but after a while motor was having some strange sounds going on. When i wanted to upgrade i got really pised off that almost all higher end turntables have same style antiskeat as pro-ject, small weight hanging on a thread. Sorry to say but that really does look like jerryrigged and not premium at all. Ended up with clearaudio concept and love it. And since i live really close from their HQ someone from clearaudio actually drooped box front of my door. Guess it was cheaper then using dhl

[@jaman878]

The table itself. If your turntable is noisy, or can’t hold a speed, you are stuck. You can change you cartridge, and sometimes your tone are but you can’t change the table. You have to start over.

[@georgegolden532]

UPDATE: I settled on the Fluance RT82 turntable and I’m really loving it! I chose it over the LP120 because I felt like it gave me a better stylus and more upgrade options while being $50 cheaper. It took awhile to come to a decision but honestly, when the LP120 jumped in price, it really made me examine the overall package and ultimately I feel like the FLUANCE was the better overall package. Now I’m getting dizzy with the whirlwind of accessories - what’s critical, what’s optional, and what’s a good value.

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Congrats on your new purchase!

[@curtbradley549]

Change the rubber mat to a cork mat ,I've had mine 3 yrs and love it .cheers.

[@vinylgroovers]

Awesome video!

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1988casco]

For me, the cartridge is the first priority, then functionality. I'm a bit forgetful, so I need semi auto at the least otherwise the stylus will be spinning in the runout groove for days 😂

[@andyshacks7812]

I’d say get a turntable where you can easily change to another cartridge. The cart probably has the most impact on the sound you can get out of your deck.

[@AndyP126]

The cartridge. I've taken OK turntables and turned them into gold with a half-decent cartridge.

[@maxima1202]

Brand is most important.

[@stevenannett1739]

GO BROWNS,,,We are almost there !!!!

[@DevotedtoVinyl]

All we can do is keep the faith!

[@leonhardtart7163]

Direct drive and not. DJing and just High Fifi or even high end ...

[@Mister_Majesty]

I say don’t buy a belt drive turntable…… especially if you wanna deejay

[@tumbleweed-z5l]

The cheap portable record players DAMAGE vinyl with its heavy tone arm. Serious record collectors know this. People new to collecting should avoid these unless they don't mind playing any kind of vinyl of no particular value. Also, the sound from these portable players are just plain AWFUL.

[@HongNguyen-my5oq]

Avoid this hobby altogether please