Cheap TT

All i'm after is a list of candidates please - as i know nowt - i'm not getting one just yet, just want to know what to keep my eye on, so i can gauge the market, and follow prices etc.

I'm so thick, i really don't know the difference between a cart, arm, and these other unfamiliar terms - i need one of those TT'S for dummys books. But i'll ask those questions whenever the time arises. I would just like a quick list of s/h goodies at the moment. I don't think i fancy spending heaps more than £100 - is that unrealistic? Will it have to be on some proper isolation thing or would it be ok on just a normal top shelf of a rack - 'cos if it turns out to be too much aggro, i may not bother.....

I keep seeing the Sansui SR222MkII knocking about - are they any good - it would be in keeping with my vintage flavour.

merci beaucoup

 

I wouldn't go too vintage. A new Project Debut with cartridge is £120 I think. Decent starter deck.

You should be able to pick up a secondhand Rega P2 or even a P3 for similar money (try and get one without a cartridge, as you'll almost certainly have to throw it away and get a new one, so there's no point paying for it). Regas are easily the best budget decks IMO. The NAD 533 is a rebadged P2 and comes up ex-dem or secondhand quite often.

The Emporium has a Thorens TD150 with SME 3009 arm at £150 which should be pretty decent as well.

Give me a shout if you want a hand setting up.

-- Ian

 

Around the £100.00 mark I'd be looking for a Rega Planar, either a 2 or 3 depending upon what you can get. I've picked up a couple of Planar 2's fitted with RB250's(an arm, and a good one) for under £70.00 each, and an older Planar 3 for £60.00 which was fitted with the RB200(older silver arm).

Others to look out for in the free ads would be a Thorens 150/160, Michell Focus One or Ariston RD11(similar to LP12) to name a few.

Regarding placement, the Rega decks are non-suspended so, if sat on the top of a rack on the floor, may pick up footfall vibrations that cause records to skip. The others I mentioned are all suspended and, whilst improvements can be heard when properly isolated, should work on top of a rack without the skipping.

My first serious deck was a secondhand Focus One 'S' and I'd highly recommended one if you can find one in good nick - IMHO they look lovely, sound good, and are easy to set up.

Hope that helps and good luck looking...

 

Forgot to say: don't know about the Sansui you mention but you may be taken by the Michell, too, if retro is your thang - have a look at the picture gallery at Michell Engineering's website to see what I mean...

 

Any of the second-hand suggestions would be pretty good I would think. I've got a Pro-Ject Debut II and it offers great value for money if you want to buy new.

 

Thanks.

Rega and Thorens are popular then. Although a new Project Debut sounds good as well - maybe easier for the uninitiated, less pitfalls if its new?

i'll be honest, i really haven't got a clue here

regarding the sansui, i just thought it looked quite 'neat'; one here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3051886008&category=3283&rd=1

don't know what they go far - but maybe a bit long in the tooth?

I think i'll just keep an eye on those that you have mentioned for a while, and perhaps i would benefit by learning a bit more about TT's first. My main criteria are that it works, looks ok, and is simple to set up. Just so i can buy some cheap and exotic music on the black stuff really - plus the missus is nagging me to buy a TT - maybe i can get her to chip in for it

You will definitely be helping set-up Ian, if the time arises, to make sure i put it the right way up.

cheers

 

DONT buy from epay

 

Personally (no offence to any owners) - I found the Project Debut II to be VERY VERY overrated - the one I had sounded pretty awful. Whether it's bad setup or not, it's not my problem - if I buy something new I expect it to be set up properly and if it isn't, it's not my job to do it, so I changed it for some cables and...

...got the NAD 533. It looks better than the P2 in the flesh, but both use an MDF platter! The Planar 3 (with RB300) I have in the main system is slightly better, but not by as big a margin as you'd expect given all the hype.

Themadhippy got a Rega Planar 3 with RB200 from a dealer for £80 a year or so ago - ask him or Ilockyer what they make of it (Ilockyer has the Planar 2, but with the same arm). Rega PLANARS (rather than P's) have a transferrable lifetime guarantee as well - so bear that in mind.

My Regas (both the NAD oem and the Planar) have never skipped from footfall, even in my old bouncy castle flat, so you should be OK. But if you're planning on having kids Cookie, get a wall shelf

 

Yeah - seconded - if you buy second hand, get a demo! And check the arm bearings by setting the tracking weight to 0, the antiskate to 0, and give the arm a gentle nudge - if it travels right across the platter with no probs or sticks, you're there - as if it spins at the right speed and sound comes out of both speakers, you should be set.

Don't touch auto or semi decks second hand - too much hassle! And older fully auto decks will eat your records too...

 

That Sansui looks quite nice! Not sure what they would go for, but the Ortofon OME5 cartridge that is on it is the one that ships with the Debut II.

 

Unless it's from me

 

Rega P2 or 3 is the best bet with an RB250 or RB 300 arm I suggest a message/pics on here when your ready and advice will be forthcoming...

I heard a Project 9 with a Rohmann and it sounded shite I can't say about the rest but the flagship was pony.

 

Hi


The Sansui SR 222 was an award wining budget deck from the late 70's/ very early 80's. I was a good performer. It sort of took the place as top dog from the Pioneer PL12. Sansui stopped making it in the early 80's & it's replacement wasn't as good.

The next top dog on the budget decks was the Dual CS505.

The Sansui is worth a look if the price is cheap. Also worth a look are Dual CS 503 which are simpler versions of the CS505. These can be had for less than £30.

I agree with most of the others, look at Project Debut turntable if you want a new cheap deck.

Have a good hunt for a 2nd hand Rega Plannar 2 or 3. Ones with the old style arm (RB200) will be on offer for less than £100. You may be able to pick up a Plannar 2 with the RB250 arm for less than or around £100.

If you are lucky you may be able to get a decent Thorens, Ariston, Michell etc for little money. But these may need some setting up? tweaking depending on condition.

If you want a deck just plonk & play, I would go for the Project or a 2nd hand Rega. I would go for a 2nd hand Rega. These are easy to set up. They will work on top of your rack but do improve with better isolation.

I also agree with Ian, be wary of 2nd hand cartridges.


SCIDB

 

OMG! - Information overload - hang on, i'm just reading through these posts - wow, TT's have a strong band of followers. I came to the right place......

 

I have a Linn basik that ill be getting rid of (sson as i build my new one)
needs an arm tho

 

It's cos we don't get out much these days, sonny, and always welcome the conversation....

On a serious note, I have purchased secondhand decks from ebay - I've sold them, too - and wouldn't say avoid it at all costs as have had positive results(my LP12 is from ebay, for example). The trick, I reckon, is to ask questions, not just to ascertain the condition of the deck but also to guage the trustworthiness of the seller.

Good luck!

 

Also the cartridge will have to be MM, as Ian already knows. Can you put these cartridges on any of the above decks/arms.

Thanks for all the info, the selection has been narrowed down quite nicely - its the arm/cartridge bit that i find quite bewildering though

From the surface it appears that there is not much to go wrong with a TT with age? Just substitute a newer cartridge/arm and the rest is usually ok? oh dear.......

 

Yes, providing the arm is capable of providing the necessary downward force for the cartridge to track correctly.

Bearings and motors are the things to check for - you might want to have a look in the 'buying secondhand' and 'olde world' sections of the hifiworld website for some pointers. I found both these really helpful when I was first looking for a turntable.

 

OK when it comes to arms and carts you ideally want a Rega RB series arm which is a very good budget number.

Now this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3054237533&category=3283 is a good example of what not to get yonks old early s shaped arm and very misleading copy

This
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3054237533&category=3283

seems more like it, good arm decent condition and although it would be wise to replace the cart it looks OK..

Decent carts can be had for 50 quid.

You may pay a bit more than 1oo but it will be well worth it.

These decks all have NO SUSPENSION and so a decent wall shelf or rack that is insensitive to footfall or other vibrations is essential. When you get your deck many of us will be happy to explain how to set it up...

 

Also keep yer minces peeled for a Systemdek IIx (its modern incarnation is the Audionote TT, I think). Pair it with a RB250 and a Goldring cartridge, and you'll have an extremely capable set-up. I should know, I've got one! (Many years back, I ran a close comparison with my brother's Rega Panar 2/RB250 and the IIx was a clear winner –_which is not to diminish in any way the performance or charm of the P2.)