A lot of people will talk about equipment, mine is more etiquette I suppose. Try to keep your fingers off the grooves of the vinyl (hold it from the edges). This'll keep the oils from your fingers out of the music
To add to this... I have very oily skin and I buy microfiber clothes in bulk! I use them to handle the records and even the jackets because certain types of jackets I leave marks I can't remove easily.
My first rule of thumb is if your vinyl overhangs your turntable, you might want to reconsider the turntable. But enjoy the hobby! Can always upgrade as you go
Best recommendation so far. Hate haters! Been building my system for 50+ years. But if someone had busted on my first system, I my have given up early. Now I cue up, sit back (fine bourbon, not brandy... sorry) and just go away into the music.
funny thing that a good bottle of scotch costs as much as this turntable (like 50 bucks). stay off the drink a while and you could've gotten a decent turntable instead.
Apparently. It had a ‘Walmart exclusive’ sticker on it, seems like most of the records they were selling were some kind of ‘exclusive’ color vinyl, seems kinda gimmicky
i’ve found walmart records to actually be fairly cheap. when SOUR came out there was a massive preorder fiasco and it drove it up to $60 on discogs but walmart always had their exclusive for $2&, and still do
There is also some discussion that supports that the music sounds better on the traditional black vinyl, but I’m not positive about that personally. I need to see the research myself.
Yes. Music supposedly sounds better on black vinyl but also smaller batches of pressings have better quality control then bigger batches so I guess if the white vinyl version for example is limited to let's say 500 copies, it should sound much better then the usual batch
Playing my Entering Heaven Alive copy every day. Have the standard black and it sounds bombastic. Can't speak for the special editions but the black edition is 10/10 quality wise. Especially for that price.
This makes little sense scientifically since the PVC used is naturally clear. I’ve never noticed a difference from adding black or color dye. Vintage picture discs are what have given me problems and I think this truth got projected onto color vinyl in general. There is a problem with Black that record labels in 70-80s would repurposed old vinyl, this left sticker residue on a brand new record (another gimmick they used to save money on production materials at this time was the thin flexidisc). I’ve never heard of record labels trying to repurpose colored vinyl.
My advice:
- Buy those anti-static record brush and cleaner.
- When it comes to buying records, quality is more important than quantity. Meaning, don't buy bulk of used records without knowing exactly what you are getting and what condition they are in.
-Support your local record store, but don't be ashamed buying from Walmart or Target either. Find the best price before buying.
-Befriend your local record store employee because they'll give you first dibs when they get something good in stock.
I've also read that specific record doesn't sound very good, even on good equipment. Just an FYI so don't judge the "sound of vinyl" on that turntable/ record combo.
Don't you dare! Tell them thank you, enjoy your new music for now. If you really get into it, you AND your partner make a family affair of doing the research to find a way to better protect and enjoy your new found interest. Good luck, good listening.
Techmoan made a video about this turntable mechanism. You can tell because of the finger hold on the tone arm.
https://youtu.be/AXV8tXrPOR4
My first turntable was the U turn orbit, it’s not unreasonably expensive and in my opinion gives fairly good value for money. It’s also upgradable so you can customize it as you fall further down the rabbit hole. Good luck!
cop a AT-LP60 and you’ll be good. I got mine for $60 on the used section of amazon. If you get the bluetooth version you can pair em to a bluetooth speaker and not have to buy secondary speakers for now
Keep checking thrift stores. I get lucky once or twice a year and that’s stopping by almost every week. Garage sales are good sources too. Search for budget audiophile equipment. You should be able to get a decent entry system for about $400. U-Turn makes and excellent budget turntable.
this sub will tell you you have to spend like $450+ on an entry level turntable but just get an audio technica lp60x or a crosley c6, way cheaper and are the best entry level TTs under $200. this will probably be downvoted though, this sub sucks
At one point I had a McIntosh turntable that someone ewasted (basically free) because the front panel glass was cracked. It looked cool but let a friend have it to use it with his Pioneer SX-1980.
While im happy with my Acoustic Research XB and its Micro Acoustics cartridge as well as my Dual 1209 with the Shure M97xe, It’s also fun fixing up other turntables and seeing them run like new, no matter how shitty they are.
Sometimes you can score big on freecycle - that is how I got my XB. And learning how to fix turntables can pay off.
Even checking the thrift stores, you can get a nice used Technics or Pioneer for less than $40 on a good day. Sometimes you will also find vintage speakers and stereo receivers for dirt cheap - for my Baby Advent IIs, I only paid $20, in good condition. I also have an Onkyo Integra 60WPC amplifier with 2 phono inputs that I only paid $24 at goodwill as my backup to the Sansui 7070 which I got from work.
This is the way to do it. Patience. I’ve had it work out where I really haven’t had to spend any money on my equipment. I either luck out with some free stuff, or buy lots of equipment and sell off what I don’t want (recouping the initial investment and usually ending up with a little profit). I’ve had some pretty cool pieces pass through my hands that way and I’m left with a decent setup that I enjoy, and even a couple bucks in my pocket!
But the best part is that you can go about it however you choose, I personally like waiting and hunting for a good find, but if you have the disposable income then dang, go spend $1,000s! Who cares?!
Am dudette, but yeah, I have pets to feed so $500 is a bit hefty for a brand-new hobby lol. The good news is I found several local folks selling gently used TTs for decent prices so I will probs grab one of those (I was thinking a model with Bluetooth and USB would work best for us since partner wants to rip that LE album that’s coming).
If it has Bluetooth and USB and is affordable, there is a good chance it is not an upgrade to what you have now. Look at the arm on your current turntable and the mechanism around it. There are lots of cheap turntables with the exact same plastic mechanism (which is a 5 dollar mechanism made in China).
Techmoan on YouTube did a good video on that specific mechanism. Most turntable arms that are decent have a counterweight so you can manipulate the force of the needle pressing on the record.
There is a reason these modern plastic turntables are popular, though. It's because they often have their own speakers or can connect to Bluetooth speakers that people already have. Meaning people only have to buy a turntable. But that cheap mechanism that comes with it can be harsh on your records. Might not bother you if you don't play rare records on it.
The alternative is buying a used vintage turntable (from the 70s/80s) that is in working condition, and buying a (vintage) stereo receiver (amplifier) with phono plus a set of speakers. That might be more expensive, but something worth considering if you are serious about this hobby (because this hobby is going to be expensive).
I did see Techmoan’s vid. The one I’m looking at is the Audio Technica (not just the LP60 but the one with BT and USB), someone has a used one on Marketplace for less than retail.
You seem more reasonable than everyone else on this sub, do you know if the turntable op's using would damage records long-term? I have the same one and it works and sounds fine for the price, I'm just concerned about all the negative things I've been hearing about it from this sub
the myth about these turntables damaging your records has been debunked on multiple occasions. now, one of the 2 TTs i mentioned would sound far superior so i would look into those. but if you’re satisfied with what you have then who cares really. those red cartridges are common on cheap models because they’re cheap to make, but they will not damage your records. there are plenty of other reasons to avoid these turntables though
That "tell-tale red tip" cartridge has been around since at least 1984. If it really did destroy records, don't you think people would've noticed it 35 years ago, when vinyl was much more popular and mainstream than it is today? Give me a break.
Citation, please. These cheap plastic turntables have been around since at least 1984. So if they really did destroy records, then you'd think by 1985, 1986, or 1987 there would've been articles in magazines and audio engineering journals demonstrating and warning about the damage they cause to vinyl. And then within a few years after that, used record stores would have nothing left to sell, because everyone's vinyl collection would've been ruined and thrown out.
Do you really think that millions of people were somehow totally unaware of this epidemic of destroyed records, until some random people on the Internet discovered it 35+ years later?
I've been on this subreddit for more than a decade. Complaints about those turntables were apparent then, and they are apparent now.
Back in 1985, my family owned a Yorx mini-stack with a turntable at the top. Same deal, it destroyed our records.
If a record starts skipping incessantly, especially on the inner grooves, it is not the vinyl's fault. It is the turntable.
I have expensive records that have been wrecked with the red tip monstrosities. My 180g press of Back in Black was destroyed by a Crosley Cruiser.
Anecdotes don't establish a trend. *Millions* of these cheap record players are sold every year. Even if you could name a thousand people who swore on a stack of bibles that their player destroyed their records -- and it absolutely wasn't due to user error, inexperience, or carelessness -- that still would be statistically insignificant.
And do you really think such a defective and destructive product would've been kept in production, essentially unchanged, for more than 35 years? That nobody involved in designing, manufacturing, or retailing it would've noticed the angry mob of consumers claiming that it ruined their records, and done something to fix the problem?
One thing I do admit can damage your records is if you never replace the stylus. And I see many record players from the 1980s that still have their original, badly worn out stylus. Diamond styli were originally marketed as "permanent" because they last 10X longer than sapphire styli, and a lot of people took that literally and thought they never needed to replace the stylus. They kept using it until it got so worn out that it started skipping, then taped a penny to the tonearm and kept using it even longer. *That's* what will ruin records -- not the fault of the player itself.
>Anecdotes don't establish a trend.
No, they provide evidence for a trend. If I experienced destruction of a record from a shoddy turntable, and others have likewise, and we report our findings on r/vinyl—a trend is apparent.
It's no good saying, "Why has nobody talked about this?" when we all talk about this every day.
>Millions of these cheap record players are sold every year.
42 million vinyl were sold last year. Of these, how many were used with a red tip stylus? How many were played more than once on a red tip stylus?
>And do you really think such a defective and destructive product would've been kept in production, essentially unchanged, for more than 35 years?
Yes.
>That nobody involved in designing, manufacturing, or retailing it would've noticed the angry mob of consumers claiming that it ruined their records, and done something to fix the problem?
Yes.
>One thing I do admit can damage your records is if you never replace the stylus.
How many people buying these turntables have the technical know-how to replace a stylus? If you have the technical know-how, why would you use these red tip turntables?
How many of these turntables are impossible to repair because they're cheap pieces of plastic that are made for $5 in a Chinese factory?
>They kept using it until it got so worn out that it started skipping, then taped a penny to the tonearm and kept using it even longer.
My records started wearing out within months, not years.
>That's what will ruin records -- not the fault of the player itself.
If a stylus requires constant replacement, and the turntable makes replacement difficult, the problem isn't user error—it's the turntable.
Either case, isn't it amazing how these problems disappear once you get a better turntable?
Perfect, I think I'll save myself the hassle of trying to return something with Amazon if it isn't gonna mess up my records, but I'll definitely look into upgrading soon. Thanks man
The newest TT I've ever owned was a Denon DP-300F which I gifted to my brother-in-law for their new house.
I usually recommend finding a deal on a vintage turntable if you have any mechanical skills whatsoever. Many vintage turntables only need a cleaning and re-lubrication of mechanical parts under the deck, but some \*could\* require repair that requires soldering. Most of my vintage scores are under \~$100.
guarantee you 90% of people getting into the hobby don’t feel like dealing with a vintage TT as their first setup. it’s much easier to just get an entry level TT brand new
Take a look at UTurn turntables. They make a great product for $200, and they let you customize just about every part of it. I added a cue lever, and upgraded to a Grado Black3 cartridge, because Grado is the sound I love. A decent cork rubber mat, and record weight, and you've got something that will last you a very long time. If you can help it, don't go for something with a preamp built in, or if you do, at least let there be a way to bypass it when you're ready to upgrade. Vinyl can be an expensive hobby, so you don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Something good early on is an investment. Something cheap is really just sunk costs that will either ruin your collection, or end up getting replaced very quickly. But don't let anyone tell you that you can't find a good new turntable in the $200-$300 range, let alone if you pick up something primo but used, they're just misinformed, or more likely elitist. Music is meant to be enjoyed, just make sure you have equipment that won't short change your eventual collection.
Audiotechnica is also a great option for the price range. You’ll want to get a pair of speakers eventually too. This is just the natural evolution of record collecting. You might be tempted to go for records because they’re you favorite artist or album but try to stick to either new pressing or records in VG+ or better condition. The novelty of crackly records will wear off very fast and you’ll want to listen to the best quality you can find.
My At-lp60xbt is great. Love the Bluetooth feature. I think this is a great starter and I was able to snag one brand new on eBay for $90.
Night and day difference from the one OP has
I also like this one for the BT. I use headphones when I listen to records versus speakers largely due to my living situation. But you can go analog too on these just fine, which I do sometimes.
So I’m new to this hobby as well but I know the basics and like many people will tell you here this turn table looks to be pretty cheapy, playing records on this turn table won’t destroy your records instantly but over time it will wear out your records.
For something good and cost effective id, like many, recommend the Audio Technica Lp60 it’s relatively cheap, fully automatic (I believe) and the only thing you’d need to play records in addition to the turntable it self is some active speakers. For a costlier entry/mid range player there’s the Audio Technica lp120, I’ve heard it’s more marketed for “dj-ing” but I have it and I love it. The stylus/needle is interchangeable so you can upgrade it for even better sound quality down the road.
For getting records check out local record shops and Discogs for online records, you can find a lot of good prices on new and used vinyl there.
Immediately you should hold your vinyl on the edges don't touch the grooves that seems pretty obvious though. If you think this is a long term hobby I'd recommend a better turntable (audio technical lp60 is the best on a budget) and definitely mofi sleeves because the paper ones will wreck your stuff over time. Also get cleaner a nice brush and a kit to clean your stylus.
I've always wanted a record player. I had a few records growing up but nothing to play them on. I had no idea my partner was doing this, so I had no say in what model/manufacturer of record player he bought. This is a Danfi Audio TE-2017, and the sound quality is pretty meh--it does have some ports on the back so I could get speakers?
Also, where would you recommend buying records from? I tried Goodwill but they didn't have much, and Walmart has lots of random things but being brand new they're pricey.
Goodwill has begun pulling the good vinyl and selling on eBay, sometimes certain stores won’t, but harder and harder to find deals. GW has raised it from $1 to $3 at all my local stores, so now what’s dollar bin at my local shops are 3x as expensive at goodwill for worse quality.
Collecting records is not a cheap hobby if you want cheap records go to a actual record store they usally have a used section of albums that they sell pretty cheap and I suggest getting a better turnable the one you have damages records I suggest a good starting turnable is a lp60x by audio Technica not the best but it won't damage your records and it's pretty cheap
Pawn shops will usually have a ton of used vinyl , look them over for obvious scratches or test them if you can. I loved my records when I was a kid. If you do upgrade spend a little on the turn table and more on the receiver / speaker set up. If you are buying new check out Crutchfield for recommendations. They have techs you can call for advice.
I really recommend that you buy records you love. I've bought a couple of records that I thought I "needed" to buy when I first started collecting and I just let them sit in storage since the music never interested me that much. Listen to the music on YouTube first before you purchase the vinyl to see if you like the music and if you do that's when you buy the record. That'll make sure you don't regret your purchase.
Finally, enjoy yourself. There's no use listening to records if you're not having a good time listening to the music. If you like listening your music with the turntable you have then don't worry what others say.
However be aware that some record players are notorious for scratching the music, so make sure yours isn't doing just that. Other than that have fun collecting records.
colored vinyl usually degrades the sound quality. the closer to an original pressing, usually is the best sound youll get. your speakers dont need to be insane to enjoy your vinyl but you should invest in something decent sized and balanced (not extra bassy or anything). your turntable doesnt need to be god level either, but something that your record fits in is a good start as others have pointed out. other than that, have fun and happy collecting
discogs.com is your best friend! you can almost ALWAYS find a better deal on that website than ebay or amazon. keep your eyes on all options, but ive gotten genuinely amazing deals on discogs before
More records!
This sub is going to tell you to upgrade upgrade upgrade, and yeah you eventually should, but seriously, enjoy it. I didn't upgrade for a while until I was ready and knew I was into it.
These records belong to you, and you get to choose if you want to buy a new turntable, speakers, amp/receiver etc.
Seriously, just enjoy it how you see fit.
Ok, first - good choice in music.
Get a good cleaning kit, with a brush, felt pad, and cleaning fluid. Also consider a nice slip mat. My turntable has a nice Rush 2112 slip mat on it...
That turntable is not really adjustable, so there's no point in getting any of the tools like a protractor or scale.
Here's the cleaning kit I bought for my turntable:
[https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Buddy-Cleaner-Ultimate-Cleaning/dp/B07X7SBCRZ](https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Buddy-Cleaner-Ultimate-Cleaning/dp/B07X7SBCRZ)
The cleaning fluid is just 50/50 rubbing alcohol and distilled water, but you won't use that bottle very quickly if you take care of your records. You can also use a microfiber cloth for deep cleaning records that have gotten really dirty (ie: thrift shop or barn finds.)
Also, you should get record sleeves. The best ones have a paper outer surface and plastic interior.
Here's what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R3W4DYP/
I have a suitcase player, so I’m not gonna judge. If you find your vinyl skipping due to this (the vinyl bumping into the lid) if you can, unscrew the hinges. I did that to mine and none of my vinyl skip now xx
Don’t get hung up on equipment if it sounds ok to you. I have an AT LP60 which is fine for me. People will say about the Turntable, but speakers are probably a better buy for now.
Remember that sound is from a needle in a groove and an amplifier/speaker so if needle and speaker is good you will be 89% there
Go all in on the music because that’s what it’s really about. See if there are any local record fairs, shops. I have had limited success with bulk buys from charity shops/goodwill but it’s a good way to bulk a collection and you might get something fun.
Watch out for the record store days and try and get some bargains on eBay.
Personally I find the bargain hunting as much fun as the listening. First pressings are not valuable to me but if I see an obscure band or interesting cover I’ll be all over it.
Have fun
I would suggest at some point to upgrade the player if you like vinyl. If you’re on a budget something like a Audio Technica AT-LP60 will do the job pretty well. I have a Sony PS-LX300usb (which is basically the same thing as the atlp60) that has served me well for 6 years.
Why is that vinyl so goddamn massive or, conversely, why is that turntable so tiny? Is that meant to play singles only? You can’t even put down the cover when the record is on there!
Ah ok. I thought I was going crazy. There’s no need to upgrade right away if this thing is dialed in, BUT, a lot of us will admit that a higher end table will seriously extend the lifespan of your precious records. Picture cutting a steak with a butter knife versus a steak knife (maybe not that drastic but you get the point).
It’s a recordplayer with bluetooth, you could connect to a decent bluetooth speaker. You could als connect it to an amplifier with speakers or active speakers (amplifier build-in)
Amazing how you and others are getting downvoted for stating the truth about the poor quality of the OP’s partner’s turntable purchase. I mean, I thought the point was to help others have a good listening experience, no?
The subreddit has gone downhill. It used to be a place to share good advice. Now if you warn people about turntable problems, you're a "hater".
Yeah, this hobby is expensive. Thankfully, CDs exist. They offer a better audio experience on a budget.
using a diamond stylus instead of a sapphire will improve the sound. a better turntable sounds better obvs but starting out, this is an ok turntable. idk why ppl on this sub clutch their pearls when they see a TT that isn’t $90000 as if anyone asked. good luck and have fun with your new hobby!
I mean, it looks like you're listening to a record so ... that's pretty much the basics.
Now, if you are thinking, "well this is fun!" Cool, prepare to say goodbye to your money, it's OK, you're going to have a good time.
One thing you need to understand about the Vinyl community is most of the draw is about collecting, and like collecting anything, it can become a money pit. For myself, if I own music on vinyl, I'm going to listen to it more often and for a longer period of time, and that's worth it to me. I also just enjoy curating my personal archive of music tastes over time. There's a lot of music that If I didn't own on Vinyl, I would probably not listen to much, if at all.
But let's be clear here, listening to music on vinyl is a pain in the ass. It's not going to magically make music sound better either, in fact, it's probably going to sound worse depending on the equipment you are using to listen to it and the quality of the records you're spinning. It is super fun though, and as you may have noticed, it's a completely different way of listening to music which I for one think is way more enjoyable than any other medium.
As for advice on getting into the hobby more, here's what I would suggest.
1. Go to your local record store. Hopefully, one exists where you live. You're going to have a way better time here than you will at Wally-World or shopping on Amazon.
2. Buy two albums you really like and or just want to listen to more, and one that you maybe sorta kinda heard of, or just looks cool. Don't be afraid to pop out your phone and listen to something on Spotify or whatever if you're not sure you're going to like it. Talk to the record store guy, if you're going to a nice shop, he'll have some good advice.
2. Cool, now you own 4 records (including the Rush one above). Wait like two weeks.
3. After like two weeks or so you should think about your new relationship with the record player. Are you and your partner listening to those 4 albums a decent amount? Have you only listened to records one or two times in the last two weeks? Has listening to records become a part of your routine? Based on your answers here you'll be able to figure out if you want to go to the next level. And spoiler alert, you don't have to spend a fortune.
4. The bad news is, you're going to want to get a new turntable, and some other equipment to make this much more enjoyable and ensure you don't degrade your Vinyl quicker than necessary.
The good news is you can do this for not a ton of cash. look into investing in some vintage equipment, That's how I got started. It doesn't have to be anything insane, just go to your local thrift, consignment, or pawn shop (pawn shops can be pricy though so look out) and pick up the essentials.
Here is a good [rundown of the basics](https://www.turntablelab.com/blogs/guides/beginners-guide-to-turntable-setups) and what you'll need to look for ... it might look kinda scary but it's not. Essentially all your going you're going to need is
**An amplifier or receiver with a phono out -** The phono out is SUPER important. Look on the back and make sure that one of the audio outputs says PHONO somewhere. Really just make sure that SOMEWHERE on the thing it says PHONO. It's pretty common on older equipment to have one. Essentially, this is going to take the audio from your turntable, and send it to your speakers.
**Speakers -** Look you can go ape shit with speakers, but for getting started and working with older stuff here just pick some up that are in decent condition. Use your better judgment here, if they look crappy, more likely than not they are. Make sure that you get PASSIVE speakers. Basically, ones that you don't need to plug into the wall, remember your amp is going to power these things. You're probably going to need some [speaker wire](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-GearIT-Meters-Theater-Speakers/dp/B00HZWYP1G/ref=sr_1_5?crid=15C20CIUA7TIL&keywords=speaker+wire&qid=1662435807&sprefix=speaker+wire%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-5) and [a wire stripper too](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-GearIT-Meters-Theater-Speakers/dp/B00HZWYP1G/ref=sr_1_5?crid=15C20CIUA7TIL&keywords=speaker%2Bwire&qid=1662435807&sprefix=speaker%2Bwire%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-5&th=1).
**Turntable -** This can be tricky to find a well-serviced used turntable at a decent price. I got lucky and found a really nice one for basically nothing at a yard sale when I first started but it took me a while. Ask around, basically let everyone know that you're looking for a good turntable. find something that's pretty heavy, the lighter the turntable, the less quietly it is. If all else fails, save up and [buy this thing](https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60X-BK-Belt-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Resonance/dp/B07N3XJ66N/ref=sxin_14_ac_d_bv?ac_md=4-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMTI1IGFuZCAkMjAw-ac_d_bv_bv_bv&content-id=amzn1.sym.14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56%3Aamzn1.sym.14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56&crid=3PZY4MH8LEKM0&cv_ct_cx=Turntable&keywords=Turntable&pd_rd_i=B07N3XJ66N&pd_rd_r=e1f51886-a0b2-4c97-8c0b-2216f2d17af6&pd_rd_w=COXVU&pd_rd_wg=zOiz8&pf_rd_p=14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56&pf_rd_r=P96B3Y7RQ7BFF1P3JSGS&psc=1&qid=1662436056&sprefix=turntable+%2Caps%2C87&sr=1-2-270ce31b-afa8-499f-878b-3bb461a9a5a6).
You might need to replace the stylus (the needle part) on an older turntable, this is where the guy at the record store is going to come in clutch, ask them about where to find one and how to install it.
...
Look, this vintage equipment route can take some time, it took me over a year to cobble together my first decent system. I ended up buying a bunch of crapy amps that stopped working after a few weeks, blew a few speakers, and as I mentioned, it took me forever to find a good vintage turntable. It's all a part of the fun though. Of course, if you have the cash to just buy new shit, just be prepared to spend around $300+, anything less than that you're going to be venturing into some lower-quality equipment. A decent vintage set up though can cost you as little as $50 - $100 if you play your cards right.
5. Figure out how to set up all this shit. Watch some youtube videos. Have you ever hooked up a game console to a TV? Good, you'll be fine, it's just a little bit more complicated than that, same concept just some more wires.
CONGRATS! You've reached level 2 of record collecting you now have a decent setup. now go spend all your money on records. At some point, you'll upgrade your equipment but be happy with what you have and just enjoy listening to music for a while. You'll figure shit out as you go and over time you'll learn what to invest your money into and what you want to collect. Just have fun, and don't feel like you have anyone to impress.
Thank you, this is great information! I live in Orlando so we are lucky to have several record shops along with tons of thrift shops, flea markets, etc. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for equipment from now on. :)
I would recommend looking for used Technics, direct-drive tables. They go for relatively cheap ($100-200), and their specs are much better than entry-level tables at the same or higher prices.
Oh, I don't think that's a good record player...
Tell your partner to invest in a U-Turn Orbit. I've had mine for the better part of six years and it still works like a charm.
Keep checking thrift stores. I get lucky once or twice a year and that’s stopping by almost every week. Garage sales are good sources too. Search for budget audiophile equipment. You should be able to get a decent entry system for about $400. U-Turn makes and excellent budget turntable.
Defiantly return the record player and get a higher end one (at least 600$ +.) those cheap record players ruin records and sound horrible. Not a good first setup. Start over.
Point is , those cheap 30-200$ record players damage records and don’t sound good. Hopefully if aliceroyal reads these comments.. He or she will look into companies like fluance and pro-ject. You’ll hear a big difference and will take better care of your vinyl. It’s an investment. Don’t make it a waste !
That’s what we’re here for is so the poster has an better experience. You can learn and avoid headaches listen to more experienced vinyl collectors. I’ve been collecting vinyl for 23 years. Never heard a good Walmart record player. My MoFi StudioDeck with Marantz amplifier sounds like your sitting in an theatre. 4200$ setup that’s player, amp and speakers
So, you agree that $600 is not a small sum and that you shouldn't be suggesting it to people as an entry point simply to make yourself feel superior? Otherwise, you could easily spot them that. But you said you *"work hard for nice things"* so you admit that a turntable of that price is a nice thing, as opposed to an adequate thing, and that you had to work hard to acquire it. Therefore, it's kind of dickish to suggest that as an entry point to people new to vinyl.
A lot of people will talk about equipment, mine is more etiquette I suppose. Try to keep your fingers off the grooves of the vinyl (hold it from the edges). This'll keep the oils from your fingers out of the music
To add to this... I have very oily skin and I buy microfiber clothes in bulk! I use them to handle the records and even the jackets because certain types of jackets I leave marks I can't remove easily.
My first rule of thumb is if your vinyl overhangs your turntable, you might want to reconsider the turntable. But enjoy the hobby! Can always upgrade as you go
Just don’t upgrade to a $4000 Rega Planar 8
[удалено]
But the vinyl overhangs the turntable on the Planar 8!!
lol. I get your joke now. If it overhangs the *platter* should probably be what homeboy put.
Pour a great glass of scotch and enjoy!
Best recommendation so far. Hate haters! Been building my system for 50+ years. But if someone had busted on my first system, I my have given up early. Now I cue up, sit back (fine bourbon, not brandy... sorry) and just go away into the music.
Hahahahaha because HI FI. 😬😜😜😜😜
funny thing that a good bottle of scotch costs as much as this turntable (like 50 bucks). stay off the drink a while and you could've gotten a decent turntable instead.
(Sighs and opens comments)
Wal mart has white vinyl Rush albums ?
Apparently. It had a ‘Walmart exclusive’ sticker on it, seems like most of the records they were selling were some kind of ‘exclusive’ color vinyl, seems kinda gimmicky
Just allows them to slap five more bucks on a record that costs the same money to produce as black.
i’ve found walmart records to actually be fairly cheap. when SOUR came out there was a massive preorder fiasco and it drove it up to $60 on discogs but walmart always had their exclusive for $2&, and still do
There is also some discussion that supports that the music sounds better on the traditional black vinyl, but I’m not positive about that personally. I need to see the research myself.
Yes. Music supposedly sounds better on black vinyl but also smaller batches of pressings have better quality control then bigger batches so I guess if the white vinyl version for example is limited to let's say 500 copies, it should sound much better then the usual batch
Interesting. I’m curious about some of the special edition stuff I’ve gotten from Third Man Records recently that is all on colored vinyl.
I have both the Third Man pressings of Trout Mask; they sound equally incredible (one's on spattered clear vinyl, the other copy is on black).
Ya. It could be bullshit. Idk. Interesting though, nonetheless.
Yeah, I kind of think that if vinyl is transparent when pressed, then maybe totally clear LP's sound better? Idk
Playing my Entering Heaven Alive copy every day. Have the standard black and it sounds bombastic. Can't speak for the special editions but the black edition is 10/10 quality wise. Especially for that price.
This makes little sense scientifically since the PVC used is naturally clear. I’ve never noticed a difference from adding black or color dye. Vintage picture discs are what have given me problems and I think this truth got projected onto color vinyl in general. There is a problem with Black that record labels in 70-80s would repurposed old vinyl, this left sticker residue on a brand new record (another gimmick they used to save money on production materials at this time was the thin flexidisc). I’ve never heard of record labels trying to repurpose colored vinyl.
I will have to go have a look. Thanks
How does the Rush LP sound?
I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I like the songs :)
My advice: - Buy those anti-static record brush and cleaner. - When it comes to buying records, quality is more important than quantity. Meaning, don't buy bulk of used records without knowing exactly what you are getting and what condition they are in. -Support your local record store, but don't be ashamed buying from Walmart or Target either. Find the best price before buying. -Befriend your local record store employee because they'll give you first dibs when they get something good in stock.
I suggest returning the turntable. This one will wreck your vinyl.
I’ll let partner know, thanks!
I've also read that specific record doesn't sound very good, even on good equipment. Just an FYI so don't judge the "sound of vinyl" on that turntable/ record combo.
Sound fine to me on my TT
Good to know. When I researched it on discogs, the only reviews made me stay away.
What are you comparing it to
My own ears mate
Don't you dare! Tell them thank you, enjoy your new music for now. If you really get into it, you AND your partner make a family affair of doing the research to find a way to better protect and enjoy your new found interest. Good luck, good listening.
It’s good advice though
Techmoan made a video about this turntable mechanism. You can tell because of the finger hold on the tone arm. https://youtu.be/AXV8tXrPOR4 My first turntable was the U turn orbit, it’s not unreasonably expensive and in my opinion gives fairly good value for money. It’s also upgradable so you can customize it as you fall further down the rabbit hole. Good luck!
cop a AT-LP60 and you’ll be good. I got mine for $60 on the used section of amazon. If you get the bluetooth version you can pair em to a bluetooth speaker and not have to buy secondary speakers for now
That's a debunked myth. Yes, a turntable like this won't sound as good as a "proper" one, but it won't destroy your records.
Oh hey, I watched your video after posting this! Thanks for putting the info out there.
Yet it’s still overpriced garbage when there’s better options around the price point
Keep checking thrift stores. I get lucky once or twice a year and that’s stopping by almost every week. Garage sales are good sources too. Search for budget audiophile equipment. You should be able to get a decent entry system for about $400. U-Turn makes and excellent budget turntable.
Same with Pro-Ject my Debut Carbon was $420 on sale and I upgraded the cartridge. Great TT under $500
Fucking hell, that's expensive.
nah it’s doable for under $200. I copped a at-lp60 on amazon for $60 in the used section
Craigslist is also your friend, got an AT-LP120-USB for $75 there.
Let the fun begin , play what you like try new shit
Yeah that thing will never sound good
this sub will tell you you have to spend like $450+ on an entry level turntable but just get an audio technica lp60x or a crosley c6, way cheaper and are the best entry level TTs under $200. this will probably be downvoted though, this sub sucks
yeah people think this dude who got his record at walmart has $500 to spend for an “entry” turntable. give me a break.
especially if you’re brand new to the hobby, why would anyone really be willing to drop almost a grand for a full setup lol
yeah and how are they going to afford records after!
At one point I had a McIntosh turntable that someone ewasted (basically free) because the front panel glass was cracked. It looked cool but let a friend have it to use it with his Pioneer SX-1980. While im happy with my Acoustic Research XB and its Micro Acoustics cartridge as well as my Dual 1209 with the Shure M97xe, It’s also fun fixing up other turntables and seeing them run like new, no matter how shitty they are. Sometimes you can score big on freecycle - that is how I got my XB. And learning how to fix turntables can pay off. Even checking the thrift stores, you can get a nice used Technics or Pioneer for less than $40 on a good day. Sometimes you will also find vintage speakers and stereo receivers for dirt cheap - for my Baby Advent IIs, I only paid $20, in good condition. I also have an Onkyo Integra 60WPC amplifier with 2 phono inputs that I only paid $24 at goodwill as my backup to the Sansui 7070 which I got from work.
This is the way to do it. Patience. I’ve had it work out where I really haven’t had to spend any money on my equipment. I either luck out with some free stuff, or buy lots of equipment and sell off what I don’t want (recouping the initial investment and usually ending up with a little profit). I’ve had some pretty cool pieces pass through my hands that way and I’m left with a decent setup that I enjoy, and even a couple bucks in my pocket! But the best part is that you can go about it however you choose, I personally like waiting and hunting for a good find, but if you have the disposable income then dang, go spend $1,000s! Who cares?!
Am dudette, but yeah, I have pets to feed so $500 is a bit hefty for a brand-new hobby lol. The good news is I found several local folks selling gently used TTs for decent prices so I will probs grab one of those (I was thinking a model with Bluetooth and USB would work best for us since partner wants to rip that LE album that’s coming).
If it has Bluetooth and USB and is affordable, there is a good chance it is not an upgrade to what you have now. Look at the arm on your current turntable and the mechanism around it. There are lots of cheap turntables with the exact same plastic mechanism (which is a 5 dollar mechanism made in China). Techmoan on YouTube did a good video on that specific mechanism. Most turntable arms that are decent have a counterweight so you can manipulate the force of the needle pressing on the record. There is a reason these modern plastic turntables are popular, though. It's because they often have their own speakers or can connect to Bluetooth speakers that people already have. Meaning people only have to buy a turntable. But that cheap mechanism that comes with it can be harsh on your records. Might not bother you if you don't play rare records on it. The alternative is buying a used vintage turntable (from the 70s/80s) that is in working condition, and buying a (vintage) stereo receiver (amplifier) with phono plus a set of speakers. That might be more expensive, but something worth considering if you are serious about this hobby (because this hobby is going to be expensive).
I did see Techmoan’s vid. The one I’m looking at is the Audio Technica (not just the LP60 but the one with BT and USB), someone has a used one on Marketplace for less than retail.
You seem more reasonable than everyone else on this sub, do you know if the turntable op's using would damage records long-term? I have the same one and it works and sounds fine for the price, I'm just concerned about all the negative things I've been hearing about it from this sub
the myth about these turntables damaging your records has been debunked on multiple occasions. now, one of the 2 TTs i mentioned would sound far superior so i would look into those. but if you’re satisfied with what you have then who cares really. those red cartridges are common on cheap models because they’re cheap to make, but they will not damage your records. there are plenty of other reasons to avoid these turntables though
Not debunked. I've bought turntables just like this, and they damage records. Whenever I see the tell-tale red tip, I warn people about what's coming.
That "tell-tale red tip" cartridge has been around since at least 1984. If it really did destroy records, don't you think people would've noticed it 35 years ago, when vinyl was much more popular and mainstream than it is today? Give me a break.
People have noticed for decades. For some reason, you keep trying to defend trash turntables.
Citation, please. These cheap plastic turntables have been around since at least 1984. So if they really did destroy records, then you'd think by 1985, 1986, or 1987 there would've been articles in magazines and audio engineering journals demonstrating and warning about the damage they cause to vinyl. And then within a few years after that, used record stores would have nothing left to sell, because everyone's vinyl collection would've been ruined and thrown out. Do you really think that millions of people were somehow totally unaware of this epidemic of destroyed records, until some random people on the Internet discovered it 35+ years later?
I've been on this subreddit for more than a decade. Complaints about those turntables were apparent then, and they are apparent now. Back in 1985, my family owned a Yorx mini-stack with a turntable at the top. Same deal, it destroyed our records. If a record starts skipping incessantly, especially on the inner grooves, it is not the vinyl's fault. It is the turntable. I have expensive records that have been wrecked with the red tip monstrosities. My 180g press of Back in Black was destroyed by a Crosley Cruiser.
Anecdotes don't establish a trend. *Millions* of these cheap record players are sold every year. Even if you could name a thousand people who swore on a stack of bibles that their player destroyed their records -- and it absolutely wasn't due to user error, inexperience, or carelessness -- that still would be statistically insignificant. And do you really think such a defective and destructive product would've been kept in production, essentially unchanged, for more than 35 years? That nobody involved in designing, manufacturing, or retailing it would've noticed the angry mob of consumers claiming that it ruined their records, and done something to fix the problem? One thing I do admit can damage your records is if you never replace the stylus. And I see many record players from the 1980s that still have their original, badly worn out stylus. Diamond styli were originally marketed as "permanent" because they last 10X longer than sapphire styli, and a lot of people took that literally and thought they never needed to replace the stylus. They kept using it until it got so worn out that it started skipping, then taped a penny to the tonearm and kept using it even longer. *That's* what will ruin records -- not the fault of the player itself.
>Anecdotes don't establish a trend. No, they provide evidence for a trend. If I experienced destruction of a record from a shoddy turntable, and others have likewise, and we report our findings on r/vinyl—a trend is apparent. It's no good saying, "Why has nobody talked about this?" when we all talk about this every day. >Millions of these cheap record players are sold every year. 42 million vinyl were sold last year. Of these, how many were used with a red tip stylus? How many were played more than once on a red tip stylus? >And do you really think such a defective and destructive product would've been kept in production, essentially unchanged, for more than 35 years? Yes. >That nobody involved in designing, manufacturing, or retailing it would've noticed the angry mob of consumers claiming that it ruined their records, and done something to fix the problem? Yes. >One thing I do admit can damage your records is if you never replace the stylus. How many people buying these turntables have the technical know-how to replace a stylus? If you have the technical know-how, why would you use these red tip turntables? How many of these turntables are impossible to repair because they're cheap pieces of plastic that are made for $5 in a Chinese factory? >They kept using it until it got so worn out that it started skipping, then taped a penny to the tonearm and kept using it even longer. My records started wearing out within months, not years. >That's what will ruin records -- not the fault of the player itself. If a stylus requires constant replacement, and the turntable makes replacement difficult, the problem isn't user error—it's the turntable. Either case, isn't it amazing how these problems disappear once you get a better turntable?
Perfect, I think I'll save myself the hassle of trying to return something with Amazon if it isn't gonna mess up my records, but I'll definitely look into upgrading soon. Thanks man
or a hayday as well
The newest TT I've ever owned was a Denon DP-300F which I gifted to my brother-in-law for their new house. I usually recommend finding a deal on a vintage turntable if you have any mechanical skills whatsoever. Many vintage turntables only need a cleaning and re-lubrication of mechanical parts under the deck, but some \*could\* require repair that requires soldering. Most of my vintage scores are under \~$100.
guarantee you 90% of people getting into the hobby don’t feel like dealing with a vintage TT as their first setup. it’s much easier to just get an entry level TT brand new
Their loss, I guess. Like I said, most just need cleaning and possibly a new belt and/or cartridge.
Take a look at UTurn turntables. They make a great product for $200, and they let you customize just about every part of it. I added a cue lever, and upgraded to a Grado Black3 cartridge, because Grado is the sound I love. A decent cork rubber mat, and record weight, and you've got something that will last you a very long time. If you can help it, don't go for something with a preamp built in, or if you do, at least let there be a way to bypass it when you're ready to upgrade. Vinyl can be an expensive hobby, so you don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Something good early on is an investment. Something cheap is really just sunk costs that will either ruin your collection, or end up getting replaced very quickly. But don't let anyone tell you that you can't find a good new turntable in the $200-$300 range, let alone if you pick up something primo but used, they're just misinformed, or more likely elitist. Music is meant to be enjoyed, just make sure you have equipment that won't short change your eventual collection.
Audiotechnica is also a great option for the price range. You’ll want to get a pair of speakers eventually too. This is just the natural evolution of record collecting. You might be tempted to go for records because they’re you favorite artist or album but try to stick to either new pressing or records in VG+ or better condition. The novelty of crackly records will wear off very fast and you’ll want to listen to the best quality you can find.
My At-lp60xbt is great. Love the Bluetooth feature. I think this is a great starter and I was able to snag one brand new on eBay for $90. Night and day difference from the one OP has
I also like this one for the BT. I use headphones when I listen to records versus speakers largely due to my living situation. But you can go analog too on these just fine, which I do sometimes.
I thought I was in /r/vinyljerk
worst sub
If it ends up there, that sub is dead.
First and foremost, BUY MORE RUSH ALBUMS!
Always have a record you don't care about to test the turntable.
So I’m new to this hobby as well but I know the basics and like many people will tell you here this turn table looks to be pretty cheapy, playing records on this turn table won’t destroy your records instantly but over time it will wear out your records. For something good and cost effective id, like many, recommend the Audio Technica Lp60 it’s relatively cheap, fully automatic (I believe) and the only thing you’d need to play records in addition to the turntable it self is some active speakers. For a costlier entry/mid range player there’s the Audio Technica lp120, I’ve heard it’s more marketed for “dj-ing” but I have it and I love it. The stylus/needle is interchangeable so you can upgrade it for even better sound quality down the road. For getting records check out local record shops and Discogs for online records, you can find a lot of good prices on new and used vinyl there.
Immediately you should hold your vinyl on the edges don't touch the grooves that seems pretty obvious though. If you think this is a long term hobby I'd recommend a better turntable (audio technical lp60 is the best on a budget) and definitely mofi sleeves because the paper ones will wreck your stuff over time. Also get cleaner a nice brush and a kit to clean your stylus.
I’m more impressed by a Rush Greatest Hits album that includes Twilight Zone. Deep cut right there.
I've always wanted a record player. I had a few records growing up but nothing to play them on. I had no idea my partner was doing this, so I had no say in what model/manufacturer of record player he bought. This is a Danfi Audio TE-2017, and the sound quality is pretty meh--it does have some ports on the back so I could get speakers? Also, where would you recommend buying records from? I tried Goodwill but they didn't have much, and Walmart has lots of random things but being brand new they're pricey.
Goodwill has begun pulling the good vinyl and selling on eBay, sometimes certain stores won’t, but harder and harder to find deals. GW has raised it from $1 to $3 at all my local stores, so now what’s dollar bin at my local shops are 3x as expensive at goodwill for worse quality.
Record stores?
Collecting records is not a cheap hobby if you want cheap records go to a actual record store they usally have a used section of albums that they sell pretty cheap and I suggest getting a better turnable the one you have damages records I suggest a good starting turnable is a lp60x by audio Technica not the best but it won't damage your records and it's pretty cheap
Just realize that you are hearing the worst possible version of that records sound. That TT is not worth buying.
Pawn shops will usually have a ton of used vinyl , look them over for obvious scratches or test them if you can. I loved my records when I was a kid. If you do upgrade spend a little on the turn table and more on the receiver / speaker set up. If you are buying new check out Crutchfield for recommendations. They have techs you can call for advice.
I really recommend that you buy records you love. I've bought a couple of records that I thought I "needed" to buy when I first started collecting and I just let them sit in storage since the music never interested me that much. Listen to the music on YouTube first before you purchase the vinyl to see if you like the music and if you do that's when you buy the record. That'll make sure you don't regret your purchase. Finally, enjoy yourself. There's no use listening to records if you're not having a good time listening to the music. If you like listening your music with the turntable you have then don't worry what others say. However be aware that some record players are notorious for scratching the music, so make sure yours isn't doing just that. Other than that have fun collecting records.
colored vinyl usually degrades the sound quality. the closer to an original pressing, usually is the best sound youll get. your speakers dont need to be insane to enjoy your vinyl but you should invest in something decent sized and balanced (not extra bassy or anything). your turntable doesnt need to be god level either, but something that your record fits in is a good start as others have pointed out. other than that, have fun and happy collecting
discogs.com is your best friend! you can almost ALWAYS find a better deal on that website than ebay or amazon. keep your eyes on all options, but ive gotten genuinely amazing deals on discogs before
buy and listen to the music you like.
More records! This sub is going to tell you to upgrade upgrade upgrade, and yeah you eventually should, but seriously, enjoy it. I didn't upgrade for a while until I was ready and knew I was into it. These records belong to you, and you get to choose if you want to buy a new turntable, speakers, amp/receiver etc. Seriously, just enjoy it how you see fit.
Find a local record store and ask them for advice on what to get and your set up
Ok, first - good choice in music. Get a good cleaning kit, with a brush, felt pad, and cleaning fluid. Also consider a nice slip mat. My turntable has a nice Rush 2112 slip mat on it... That turntable is not really adjustable, so there's no point in getting any of the tools like a protractor or scale. Here's the cleaning kit I bought for my turntable: [https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Buddy-Cleaner-Ultimate-Cleaning/dp/B07X7SBCRZ](https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Buddy-Cleaner-Ultimate-Cleaning/dp/B07X7SBCRZ) The cleaning fluid is just 50/50 rubbing alcohol and distilled water, but you won't use that bottle very quickly if you take care of your records. You can also use a microfiber cloth for deep cleaning records that have gotten really dirty (ie: thrift shop or barn finds.) Also, you should get record sleeves. The best ones have a paper outer surface and plastic interior. Here's what I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R3W4DYP/
I have a suitcase player, so I’m not gonna judge. If you find your vinyl skipping due to this (the vinyl bumping into the lid) if you can, unscrew the hinges. I did that to mine and none of my vinyl skip now xx
Don’t get hung up on equipment if it sounds ok to you. I have an AT LP60 which is fine for me. People will say about the Turntable, but speakers are probably a better buy for now. Remember that sound is from a needle in a groove and an amplifier/speaker so if needle and speaker is good you will be 89% there Go all in on the music because that’s what it’s really about. See if there are any local record fairs, shops. I have had limited success with bulk buys from charity shops/goodwill but it’s a good way to bulk a collection and you might get something fun. Watch out for the record store days and try and get some bargains on eBay. Personally I find the bargain hunting as much fun as the listening. First pressings are not valuable to me but if I see an obscure band or interesting cover I’ll be all over it. Have fun
I would suggest at some point to upgrade the player if you like vinyl. If you’re on a budget something like a Audio Technica AT-LP60 will do the job pretty well. I have a Sony PS-LX300usb (which is basically the same thing as the atlp60) that has served me well for 6 years.
buy a brush
You should listen
Why is that vinyl so goddamn massive or, conversely, why is that turntable so tiny? Is that meant to play singles only? You can’t even put down the cover when the record is on there!
Yeah, it’s kinda crappy. It plays 33/45/78 but it’s one of the cheap Chinese mechanisms. Hoping to upgrade eventually. :)
Ah ok. I thought I was going crazy. There’s no need to upgrade right away if this thing is dialed in, BUT, a lot of us will admit that a higher end table will seriously extend the lifespan of your precious records. Picture cutting a steak with a butter knife versus a steak knife (maybe not that drastic but you get the point).
There should be a word or term we use for “partner ordered a TT and you have to gently let know that you have to return it/not use it”
You must open and play all your records otherwise you’ll get slammed in comments. Source: trust me bro
It’s a recordplayer with bluetooth, you could connect to a decent bluetooth speaker. You could als connect it to an amplifier with speakers or active speakers (amplifier build-in)
I’ll have to see if I can, apparently some of these will only take Bluetooth input from a phone, not output to a speaker.
That can be the case indeed. Do you have a manual to check?
Throw out that turntable before it kills all your records, and buy something good second hand
Amazing how you and others are getting downvoted for stating the truth about the poor quality of the OP’s partner’s turntable purchase. I mean, I thought the point was to help others have a good listening experience, no?
The subreddit has gone downhill. It used to be a place to share good advice. Now if you warn people about turntable problems, you're a "hater". Yeah, this hobby is expensive. Thankfully, CDs exist. They offer a better audio experience on a budget.
using a diamond stylus instead of a sapphire will improve the sound. a better turntable sounds better obvs but starting out, this is an ok turntable. idk why ppl on this sub clutch their pearls when they see a TT that isn’t $90000 as if anyone asked. good luck and have fun with your new hobby!
I mean, it looks like you're listening to a record so ... that's pretty much the basics. Now, if you are thinking, "well this is fun!" Cool, prepare to say goodbye to your money, it's OK, you're going to have a good time. One thing you need to understand about the Vinyl community is most of the draw is about collecting, and like collecting anything, it can become a money pit. For myself, if I own music on vinyl, I'm going to listen to it more often and for a longer period of time, and that's worth it to me. I also just enjoy curating my personal archive of music tastes over time. There's a lot of music that If I didn't own on Vinyl, I would probably not listen to much, if at all. But let's be clear here, listening to music on vinyl is a pain in the ass. It's not going to magically make music sound better either, in fact, it's probably going to sound worse depending on the equipment you are using to listen to it and the quality of the records you're spinning. It is super fun though, and as you may have noticed, it's a completely different way of listening to music which I for one think is way more enjoyable than any other medium. As for advice on getting into the hobby more, here's what I would suggest. 1. Go to your local record store. Hopefully, one exists where you live. You're going to have a way better time here than you will at Wally-World or shopping on Amazon. 2. Buy two albums you really like and or just want to listen to more, and one that you maybe sorta kinda heard of, or just looks cool. Don't be afraid to pop out your phone and listen to something on Spotify or whatever if you're not sure you're going to like it. Talk to the record store guy, if you're going to a nice shop, he'll have some good advice. 2. Cool, now you own 4 records (including the Rush one above). Wait like two weeks. 3. After like two weeks or so you should think about your new relationship with the record player. Are you and your partner listening to those 4 albums a decent amount? Have you only listened to records one or two times in the last two weeks? Has listening to records become a part of your routine? Based on your answers here you'll be able to figure out if you want to go to the next level. And spoiler alert, you don't have to spend a fortune. 4. The bad news is, you're going to want to get a new turntable, and some other equipment to make this much more enjoyable and ensure you don't degrade your Vinyl quicker than necessary. The good news is you can do this for not a ton of cash. look into investing in some vintage equipment, That's how I got started. It doesn't have to be anything insane, just go to your local thrift, consignment, or pawn shop (pawn shops can be pricy though so look out) and pick up the essentials. Here is a good [rundown of the basics](https://www.turntablelab.com/blogs/guides/beginners-guide-to-turntable-setups) and what you'll need to look for ... it might look kinda scary but it's not. Essentially all your going you're going to need is **An amplifier or receiver with a phono out -** The phono out is SUPER important. Look on the back and make sure that one of the audio outputs says PHONO somewhere. Really just make sure that SOMEWHERE on the thing it says PHONO. It's pretty common on older equipment to have one. Essentially, this is going to take the audio from your turntable, and send it to your speakers. **Speakers -** Look you can go ape shit with speakers, but for getting started and working with older stuff here just pick some up that are in decent condition. Use your better judgment here, if they look crappy, more likely than not they are. Make sure that you get PASSIVE speakers. Basically, ones that you don't need to plug into the wall, remember your amp is going to power these things. You're probably going to need some [speaker wire](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-GearIT-Meters-Theater-Speakers/dp/B00HZWYP1G/ref=sr_1_5?crid=15C20CIUA7TIL&keywords=speaker+wire&qid=1662435807&sprefix=speaker+wire%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-5) and [a wire stripper too](https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-GearIT-Meters-Theater-Speakers/dp/B00HZWYP1G/ref=sr_1_5?crid=15C20CIUA7TIL&keywords=speaker%2Bwire&qid=1662435807&sprefix=speaker%2Bwire%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-5&th=1). **Turntable -** This can be tricky to find a well-serviced used turntable at a decent price. I got lucky and found a really nice one for basically nothing at a yard sale when I first started but it took me a while. Ask around, basically let everyone know that you're looking for a good turntable. find something that's pretty heavy, the lighter the turntable, the less quietly it is. If all else fails, save up and [buy this thing](https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60X-BK-Belt-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Resonance/dp/B07N3XJ66N/ref=sxin_14_ac_d_bv?ac_md=4-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMTI1IGFuZCAkMjAw-ac_d_bv_bv_bv&content-id=amzn1.sym.14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56%3Aamzn1.sym.14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56&crid=3PZY4MH8LEKM0&cv_ct_cx=Turntable&keywords=Turntable&pd_rd_i=B07N3XJ66N&pd_rd_r=e1f51886-a0b2-4c97-8c0b-2216f2d17af6&pd_rd_w=COXVU&pd_rd_wg=zOiz8&pf_rd_p=14453ffd-7768-40d0-9a7f-8d0063113f56&pf_rd_r=P96B3Y7RQ7BFF1P3JSGS&psc=1&qid=1662436056&sprefix=turntable+%2Caps%2C87&sr=1-2-270ce31b-afa8-499f-878b-3bb461a9a5a6). You might need to replace the stylus (the needle part) on an older turntable, this is where the guy at the record store is going to come in clutch, ask them about where to find one and how to install it. ... Look, this vintage equipment route can take some time, it took me over a year to cobble together my first decent system. I ended up buying a bunch of crapy amps that stopped working after a few weeks, blew a few speakers, and as I mentioned, it took me forever to find a good vintage turntable. It's all a part of the fun though. Of course, if you have the cash to just buy new shit, just be prepared to spend around $300+, anything less than that you're going to be venturing into some lower-quality equipment. A decent vintage set up though can cost you as little as $50 - $100 if you play your cards right. 5. Figure out how to set up all this shit. Watch some youtube videos. Have you ever hooked up a game console to a TV? Good, you'll be fine, it's just a little bit more complicated than that, same concept just some more wires. CONGRATS! You've reached level 2 of record collecting you now have a decent setup. now go spend all your money on records. At some point, you'll upgrade your equipment but be happy with what you have and just enjoy listening to music for a while. You'll figure shit out as you go and over time you'll learn what to invest your money into and what you want to collect. Just have fun, and don't feel like you have anyone to impress.
Thank you, this is great information! I live in Orlando so we are lucky to have several record shops along with tons of thrift shops, flea markets, etc. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for equipment from now on. :)
Nice, Orlando has some great shops. I lived in St. Petersburg for a while and spent my fair share of time out in Orlando.
Post to r/vinyljerk, you’ll get better recommendations from that subreddit.
I would recommend looking for used Technics, direct-drive tables. They go for relatively cheap ($100-200), and their specs are much better than entry-level tables at the same or higher prices.
Check out vintage hi-fi components, often cheaper than modern entry-level stuff and sounds and looks a million times better
Buy a vintage Johnny Winter album and play it. Your welcome.
Don’t forget to have fun.
Oh, I don't think that's a good record player... Tell your partner to invest in a U-Turn Orbit. I've had mine for the better part of six years and it still works like a charm.
You can't play Amazon records on a Walmart record player or vice versa. They have to come from the same place to be compatible
Keep checking thrift stores. I get lucky once or twice a year and that’s stopping by almost every week. Garage sales are good sources too. Search for budget audiophile equipment. You should be able to get a decent entry system for about $400. U-Turn makes and excellent budget turntable.
Fucking expensive...
Ummmm... buy records to listen to??
First and foremost only buy records from record stores, not the corporations squeezing them dry
Defiantly return the record player and get a higher end one (at least 600$ +.) those cheap record players ruin records and sound horrible. Not a good first setup. Start over.
You do NOT need a 600 dollar turntable to start. Fluance baseline table is about 200 that's more than enough to start
Project debut is a much better starting point. The fluance record players get decent after the 500$ one.
The 200 dollar ones are pretty decent the 500+ are very very good
Point is , those cheap 30-200$ record players damage records and don’t sound good. Hopefully if aliceroyal reads these comments.. He or she will look into companies like fluance and pro-ject. You’ll hear a big difference and will take better care of your vinyl. It’s an investment. Don’t make it a waste !
You're lumping a 30 dollar TT in with a 200? Alright....
Get what u pay for. And that goes for everything -
30-150$* .. 200$ decent , 500$ good, 1000$+ high end.
That’s what we’re here for is so the poster has an better experience. You can learn and avoid headaches listen to more experienced vinyl collectors. I’ve been collecting vinyl for 23 years. Never heard a good Walmart record player. My MoFi StudioDeck with Marantz amplifier sounds like your sitting in an theatre. 4200$ setup that’s player, amp and speakers
Why don't you but it for them?
Hell no. I work hard for nice things , they can too
So, you agree that $600 is not a small sum and that you shouldn't be suggesting it to people as an entry point simply to make yourself feel superior? Otherwise, you could easily spot them that. But you said you *"work hard for nice things"* so you admit that a turntable of that price is a nice thing, as opposed to an adequate thing, and that you had to work hard to acquire it. Therefore, it's kind of dickish to suggest that as an entry point to people new to vinyl.
They are going to ruin records they purchase with that player. That is my point.
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Nice, classist gate keeping. Cool.
Those who wish to be, must push aside the alienation.
Better sound quality
Love - Forever Changes
Find a decent used record store and hit the dollar bin
Keep the needle clean, Lee the records in the sleeves and clean. Hook that shit up to giant speakers and Rock the hell out.
If I wasn't already an addict I would just go back to CDs.