Record Player Advice

HankScorpio1985

Hey all,

I am in the market for a record player. Complete newbie at this and don't know much about it apart from the brief bits I've read. I am looking for something that will play all vinyl (I will be buying second hand shops and online), a vintage looking finish, good value for money and good for a beginner. Connection for external speakers is also needed as I take it the sound output will be fairly low from the player. I don't mind about USB or anything like that. Radio would be a bonus.

I had a look at these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CJNQ8VQ/ref=as_li_tl?tag=independen058-21&ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00CJNQ8VQ&linkCode=as2&linkId=ZPN22PRPJD5V4AVQ
Does this play all vinyl and have ability to connect to external speakers? Someone in the comments suggested it didn't.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=Encode+3+speed+record+player&rmvSB=true&afsrc=1&clk_rvr_id=822981531308&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.XSteepletone+Norwich.TRS0&_nkw=Steepletone+Norwich&_sacat=0&clk_rvr_id=846228835614&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

Or are there any better options?

Thanks,

H

Dartz

They get sound out of records.

But the build quality in them can be horrific at times. I bought a Steepletone and regretted it - as a record player it was poor. The sound was poor, it didn't track properly. These things are all based around the same basic plastic turntable and tonearm set manufactured in china. I pulled it apart and it was basically MDF, plywood and glue inside. It's bog-basic at best, featuring a solid-state ceramic cartridge with poor sound and a tendancy to break.

A lot of people will tell you to avoid Steepletone or the like.

You're better off either picking up something second hand, or Something like this. The extra hundred euro makes a world of difference.

andy1249

LP's need to be carefully handled in order to avoid damage.

One of the big problems with the likes of those "Vintage" novelty players is that they tend to jump all over the record , and this can cause permanent damage.

So , if you really want to get into records go over to the richer sounds forum and check out their decks.

Probably the best entry level decks are the Project decks as mentioned above.
These will need a stereo amplifier with a "phono" input and a decent set of speakers.

If you dont have this input on your amp then a standalone pre-amp is required.

Note that "phono" input means an input with the required RIAA circuitry, which is needed to play back records properly.

Some decks have this built in , in which case you just connect to standard analog inputs, but most decent decks dont have this built in.

Dartz

It's not the jumping, it's the tracking force. Those ceramic cartridges are running at 5-6 grams or more to get enough signal. Compared to moving magnet cartridges on E200+ units that run at 1.5g.

Focused on a tiny point, that' a lot of pressure on the vinyl grinding down the noise.

Anyway, speaking of Phono Stages You cn get the Project Elemental with a built in Phono Stage, or you can pick a seperate one up and upgrade later.

I bought a Rega RP1from those gentlemen a few weeks back and would recommend them highly. They know their stuff.

muppetkiller

I think it's fair to say there are no good Steepletone record players out there.

Firstly what is your budget ?

Here's a good idea on new Record players for starting off.
http://www.factmag.com/2014/03/31/the-eight-best-budget-turntables-that-wont-ruin-your-records/

There are a few nice cheaper second hand players on adverts too.

HankScorpio1985

muppetkiller wrote: »

I think it's fair to say there are no good Steepletone record players out there.

Firstly what is your budget ?

Here's a good idea on new Record players for starting off.
http://www.factmag.com/2014/03/31/the-eight-best-budget-turntables-that-wont-ruin-your-records/

There are a few nice cheaper second hand players on adverts too.

Hey,

Thanks for the advice. I suppose with it being my first one I was hoping not to spend too much. Maybe 200 quid or so but if that can't get me anything decent then I'll reassess. I quite like the first one in that link. The MARANTZ TT5005. It seems to have everything I need and it looks good. Would I need much in the area of amp/speakers with it?

Cheers

akaSol

HankScorpio1985 wrote: »

Hey,

Thanks for the advice. I suppose with it being my first one I was hoping not to spend too much. Maybe 200 quid or so but if that can't get me anything decent then I'll reassess. I quite like the first one in that link. The MARANTZ TT5005. It seems to have everything I need and it looks good. Would I need much in the area of amp/speakers with it?

Cheers

Pioneer do a €200 stereo amp with a phono stage; speakers would be Misson / warfadale or Q Acoustics also sub €200

>Sol