86
by OrthodoxEaster_Archive
motorbike guy wrote:OrthodoxEaster wrote:motorbike guy wrote:OrthodoxEaster wrote:motorbike guy wrote:So, bottom line, its a decent turntable that will last a long time, but it may not be the best sounding option. If the rest of your system is sort of middle of the road, and you don't have plans to upgrade, then the $300 technics is probably a good move.Massive thanks for your perspective. It'd been serviced and looked like it was in beautiful shape. Yes, most of my system consists of durable, decent, but by no means audiophile Japanese stuff from the early-to-mid 1980s. Tape deck is a JVC KD-D4, for example. I'm guessing that you don't think $300 is steep for the used Technics? (Another benefit, of course, being that I could return the thing if it were fucked and also that I can walk it back to my apartment from the shop.)yeah, if the cartridge is decent, that's probably worth $100 by itself. and having nearby service is always great, as is supporting local shops.$300 seems to be the going rate on ebay.So... I asked the electronics repair guy to tell me more about the cartridge. Looks like an original headshell but w/"just a $20 or $30 replacement cartridge." He didn't even know what kind it was off the top of his head. Based on the logo, I surmised that it was a pretty standard Audio Technica. So it's definitely not a $100 cartridge on that $300 machine. Still think I should pull the trigger?I don't know. Just a quick Ebay check shows you can get a used Technics SL1200 (the ubiquitous DJ turntable) for around $300, but who knows how beat on one of those things is. Likewise, for $350-$400 you can buy a used Rega P1, P2 or P3, or a Linn Axis, but it will probably not be in great shape, and frankly I would not trust some random Ebay seller to know how to pack and ship something so delicate. BUT those tables would sound way better than any direct drive consumer grade technics thing. (The SP line is not consumer grade) If you look at needle doctor or audio advisor, $400 is sort of the starting point for the Music Hall and Pro-Ject lines (all of these are based on the Rega designs, as Roy Hall was the importer for Rega for many years.) So your turntable deal feels a tad overpriced, but not by much. Ask the seller to upgrade you to a nice cartridge and then give him $300 for the thing. Or offer him $250. I don't know. Can you take it home and try it out, see how it sounds? Then you get to decide if it sounds $300 good or not. I don't know how much $300 means to you.Thanks. And apologies for all the questions.It just felt odd when I asked the guy about the needle and he laughed and described it as a "total piece of crap." At least he was honest, I guess?To his credit, he's done excellent repair work for me in the past and I got a fine deal on a JVC DD-66 3-head cassette deck from him. You're probably going to cringe, but I've never spent more than $100 on a cartridge. I'm typically fine w/whatever Grado has offered at or just below that price point. Although it's been a few years.And I agree w/you about the crapshoot that is eBay shipping methods, trustworthiness of sellers, and hassle. SL1200s are typically manhandled by DJs when you see them for sale, yes.Probably not an option to just take the thing home and lug it back unless there's a problem w/it. That said, perhaps I'll offer him $300 and ask about tossing in a better needle. Although this being NYC, I don't think he's too desperate to move merchandise. His attitude is that someone will eventually buy the thing.Thanks again.