First Time Post - Which Turntable Would You Reccomend?

[sbolduc]

First off, hello all - this is my first post.

I grew up in a home with a lot of LPs and turntables and have always loved it. Everything from the sound to scouring for LPs.

I have started a collection but only have an old RCA furniture piece with the turntable in it ... hehehehe. As you know, the sound is horrid!

So I am on a mission to find a turntable now. My goal is to get a good classic TT and not spend too much money. I am limited to the system I am connecting it too - Bose Accoustimas speakers tied to a 2 channel 100W per channel Kenwood Receiver from the 90s. It's not the best in the world but not the worst either I suppose.

What I really want is a Pro Ject Debut III deck - but I cannot justify the cost at this time seeing as we are having a baby... and strollers aren't cheap!

So I have found the following and wonder what your feedback is on the following decks and what cartridges you might recommend for them:

Kenwood KD 2055 ($100)
Sony PS-T20 ($60)
Sony PS 1100 ($100)
Dual 510 ($60)

So that is it for now - any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks gang!

SDB

[Salas]

Welcome!

[sbolduc]

Thanks for the welcome, I am looking forward to learning from you all.

[planet10]

Welcome to the forum.

The only TT in your list i can comment on is the 1st Kenwood... the geometry of the arm is WAY off and is a real pain to properly align... IIRC we actually had to modify the headshell. In this price range, i'd be looking for a belt-drive (expect to have to buy a new belt)... too bad you are on the other coast, i've at least a 1/2 dozen TTs that would be suitable.

dave

[vinylkid58]

Originally posted by sbolduc
What I really want is a Pro Ject Debut III deck - but I cannot justify the cost at this time seeing as we are having a baby...

Save your money for something else, a used Rega P3 maybe. A friend bought a Debut III and was really disappointed with it's poor performance. My DJ abused SL-1200 M3D is a sonic marvel in comparison.

Jeff

[Conrad Hoffman]

An SL-1200 would be a great choice. A friend has an old one, and I'm amazed at the sound quality. I once had a Sony PS-T33 that was very good for the money, but they don't show up often and the lube is getting stiff by now. Some service would be needed, as it usually is on old tables. There are also some inexpensive Duals that would fill the bill, but I'm not up on the best numbers. You might want to peruse the Vinyl Engine forums too.

[planet10]

Originally posted by vinylkid58
DJ abused SL-1200 M3D is a sonic marvel in comparison.

How does the SL1200 compare to the Linn (Jeff's main rig)?

dave

[vinylkid58]

The Linn still does lots of things better than the stock SL-1200, even speed regulation. I can see a fully modded KAB SL-1200 getting a lot closer though, especially with the external speed box and a better arm.

Jeff

[Nanook]

as per Fremer...

regarding turntables...ever now and again you can stumble across a hidden gem, but don't count on it.

stew

[Shaun]

Originally posted by vinylkid58
The Linn still does lots of things better than the stock SL-1200, even speed regulation.

This statement worries me. Not meaning to veer too far off topic, but on what do you bass this statement (the bold text)? AFAIK, the SL-1200's speed regulation is better than that of the Linn's...