After many years of faithful service, my turntable is finally giving up the ghost, and I need to replace it. I'm looking for something that's solid and will last a while, but I don't need an audiophile setup that costs more than my car to listen to Crime or the Dirtbombs or the Stooges. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good workhorse turntable that's priced reasonably? Just as important, most decent turntables these days come without a cartridge, so can someone pass along any advice on a cartridge that would be a good (or bad) match? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks, gang.

Hi Mark,

There'll be a ton of suggestions I'm sure but I think the Rega Planar series are the definition of (relatively) inexpensive workhorse turntables. I've used mine without a moment's concern for over a decade. I'm not sure if they're quite as common in the US but here there's always a ton of them available on ebay, even bought new it's not going to break the bank. It's a good choice for an entry level/mid tier system - a design which has barely changed in 30 years (aside from some new fancy colours), there's always spares available and plenty of choice of cartridges. If your budget allows I'd go for a Planar (P3) turntable fitted with an RB300 tonearm. Rega make some great cartridges themselves - Super Bias or Elys both sound good but it's worth auditioning others.

Another great 2nd hand deck to watch out for is the Linn Sondek LP12 but they tend to be ebay bait for - what are they called around these parts? - collector scum.

Chris

cjh wrote:the Rega Planar series

Linn Sondek LP12

Chris

What sort of prices are we talking about?

Linn : Probably too much

Rega: On ebay here a P3 will typically go for between £100-200 ($180-360) depending on condition and cartridge etc. If that's too steep the Planar 2 is generally quite a bit cheaper and still a great turntable.

I'm guessing but brand new a P3 would be something around the $500 mark?

I've got a MusicHall MMF 2.1 and I enjoy it very much. It runs right around $300 new and it does come with a Goldring Elan cartridge. Some reviews I've read of it have said they didn't much care for the cartridge, but I think it sounds terrific. Admittedly, I'm not quite the audiophile purist. Like you, I just want something that sounded good that would fit in a fairly tight budget.

I've had it for three years and it still runs great.

Edward wrote: MusicHall MMF 2.1

2nd. but cheap.

I also like the Regas but they do run about 1% to fast... to me, this is
annoying.

You could also look for a used Basis 1400 or a Well Tempered Record Player. but these would be a bit more...

Good luck,

cjh wrote:I'm guessing but brand new a P3 would be something around the $500 mark?

A new P3 costs $700 and is worth it. I use the Super Elys cartridge (around $350) with it. I would describe the sound as very "tight" and "together." It does not have a very open sound, but it also does not get irritating because it is so solid. It is miles better than the MMF 2.1. I also compared a P3 fitted with an Elys (a not-as-good cartridge by Rega) cartridge to a Music Hall 5.1 with the standard Goldring cartridge. The Music Hall had a very rich treble, but everything else sounded rather scratchy. I highly recommend the P3.


-Noah

If it's still available, I can recommend the VPI, even in its most basic model.

Goldring makes a slightly cheaper Planar 2 copy called a GR-1 that's nice. you can get them for about $300 new (w/ rega tonearm and Goldring cartridge) and cheaper used, but don't expect me to sell mine anytime soon..

I'd got for a Thorens TD150 or 160.

I've got one and I love it. Plus you can tweak the utter fuck out of them and get them to sound even better. Lovely.

edit: I have the 160, in case you were wondering.