Turntable newb

[Jabz10]

I'm after a turntable, I am a complete TT newb. Lookin at something under $300 since I'm new at it... Do I have to spend more? I got a Integra 8.8 amp and Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 speakers.

Should I get full auto? I don't want to fuss around, just want it to play and stop when it should.

What about brands like Sony, Pioneer, Denon? They make good TT?

[NeilNZ]

Get a Project Debut. It will be a little bit more than $300 though, around $500 but it will wipe the floor with the Sony/Denon/Pioneer offerings. If you're worried about sound quality don't go full auto, manual is the way to go. There aren't that many decent turntables that are auto these days...

[Jabz10]

thanks will look into it, any dealers here give a sharp price?

What does auto and manual have to do with sound quality?

[quentin]

do remember you need

a. phono stage

b. cartridge

 

have a look at trademe

[Jon1553552729]

 

jabz;95252 wrote:

What does auto and manual have to do with sound quality?

 

For a given price, compare a device with a lot of bells and whistles, and a device with just a few. All things being equal the device that does the few things will be better than the device that does a lot.

 

Fewer things generally means better quality components and so on.

[Luckiestmanalive]

 

jabz;95252 wrote:

thanks will look into it, any dealers here give a sharp price?

 

What does auto and manual have to do with sound quality?

 

Hi there - its hard to steer you to dealers without knowing where you are buying from. As for automatic vs manual sound quality, there are two possible reasons that might bias you toward a manual:

1. More bells and whistles increases cost so buying manual should yield greater quality parts when compared with an auto at the same price.

2. More bells and whistles, electrically, provides more potential for deterioration in electrical signal and lower quality output.

[Guest Guest]

I'd agree with Neil. I'm pretty sure the Debut comes pre-fitted with an Ortofon OM5e cartridge which is a pretty good starter and can be upgraded in the future (if you can find someone who sells them). $500-600 I think. Keep in mind you may need a phono stage - Pro-ject and Rega do pretty good ones in the $150+ range. IME I wouldn't get anything below the Debut if you're going for Pro-Ject.

As for dealers, I don't know where you are but Real Groovy stock the Pro-ject range and keep your eye on TM.

 

:cool:

[maxgate]

Although it is a decade old, this article alerts you to the main points for consideration when buying a turntable:

http://www.furious.com/perfect/vinyl4.html

[Guest]

 

maxgate;95290 wrote:

Although it is a decade old, this article alerts you to the main points for consideration when buying a turntable:

 

http://www.furious.com/perfect/vinyl4.html

 

Written by Marc Phillips, who also regularly contributes to AudioEnz.

[Jabz10]

Ok I've been pretty much convinced on getting the Pro-Ject Debut Mk3. Im in Auckland

Do I need a phono stage? My Integra has Phono input

[bazzer]

Then no you don't. You can always try one later if you feel the need.

[NeilNZ]

Go see Paul Turner in Onehunga, he will sort you out. On Onehunga Mall.

[Guest Guest]

 

neil;95351 wrote:

Go see Paul Turner in Onehunga, he will sort you out. On Onehunga Mall.

 

Yes!! His shop is Turned On Audio (hope I'm allowed to say that.) I'm not affiliated, just a very happy customer.

:cool:

[infinitesadness]

Yes i agree, I have purchased every peice of kit in my current system (apart from the 26 year old turntable and the granite slab underneath it) from Turned On Audio. Paul is a great bloke.

[infinitesadness]

Hehehe, I'll give you a ring when i need an upgrade....

[NeilNZ]

hehehe!

[Jabz10]

So after demoing a friends Pro-ject Xpression III a few weeks back. I have skipped on the debut and have a Xpression on order from Paul

[Shane Hanify]

 

jabz;99200 wrote:

So after demoing a friends Pro-ject Xpression III a few weeks back. I have skipped on the debut and have a Xpression on order from Paul

 

Gidday Jabz,

 

let me know what you think ... I've got my eye on that model as my next TT upgrade.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[Guest]

 

jabz;99200 wrote:

So after demoing a friends Pro-ject Xpression III a few weeks back. I have skipped on the debut and have a Xpression on order from Paul

 

Congrats.

 

A nice tt with a great tonearm.

 

What cartridge are these packaged with now ?

[Guest Guest]

Nice one! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

:cool:

[Shane Hanify]

 

michael w;99247 wrote:

Congrats.

 

 

 

A nice tt with a great tonearm.

 

 

 

What cartridge are these packaged with now ?

 

Gidday Michael,

 

That would be the Ortofon 2M Red then. Good little cart by all accounts.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[T110]

 

michael w;99247 wrote:

Congrats.

 

 

 

A nice tt with a great tonearm.

 

 

 

What cartridge are these packaged with now ?

Judging by the website they come with a 2m red Ortofon. V nice TT Jabz, good choice! Aint nothin like a grin powered by a spinning black disc.[apart from you know what!]{Oh, or a new motorbike}(or the Roosters taking out another Grand Final)

[Jabz10]

Ok so I picked it up yesterday only managed to get it out of the box this afternoon. Set it up I think I have it setup right, might just take it in to Paul to double check everything is ok.

 

Popped on record and turned on the Integra AMP, I had to turn up the volume between -13dB and -10dB to get good loud sound. Compared to my HD movies which I set the volume to -24dB which is plenty loud almost too loud.

 

Is this what should be expected or is the Phono stage of my Integra 8.8 (same as Onkyo 905) lacking?

The amp allows setting input level for each source individually may have a play with that.

 

Other than that I am throughly enjoying the Xpression TT wonderful clear crisp sound.

[Guest]

Those volume settings sound about right.

 

The output from a phono cartridge is much lower than from CD/DVD/BD.

 

Setup should be easy-peasy, just follow the instructions.

 

When I reviewed the Xpression III the hardest part of setup was keeping track of the little transit screws.

 

Good to see they are sticking with the 2M Red, a nice starter cartridge.

 

Sit back and enjoy your records.

 

[Guest Guest]

Yeah that sounds pretty normal. With a good turntable you're getting quality sound so crank it up and enjoy!