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July 20, 2015 - 9:05pm
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Turntable. Don't kill me on this one....
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Depending on your limit, you have choice. If your limit is $250, the focus would be on reliability and not damaging your records. At $400 to $500, quality improves rather dramatically. Does your receiver have a phono input or will you need a phono amplifier?
The turntable that would be best at a low price would be the Music Hall USB-1 turntable which Needle Doctor sells for $249.
It comes complete with a cartridge, has a USB output in case you want to make transfers from LPs direct to your computer music library, and also has a phono preamp built-in so that you don't have to buy a separate one.
For a higher quality setup, I would recommend the Music Hall MMF-2.2 turntable for $450, and if you don't already have a phono preamp (phono input on your amplifier), the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM for $99.
Hi, thanks for the response. I actually have a Sony and Onkyo receiver that both have phono inputs.the budget is still being decided. We weren't planning on spending $500 though.
They have the ProJect Debut III for $299 and ProJect has three inexpensive phono stages below $100. I would call them and have them guide you as to which is best. That would keep you under $400 and would be very nice.
Alternatively, I know you said you don't need or want USB functionality but commsysman's recco of the Music Hall USB is an excellent choice. $249 and it includes a built in MM phono stage. It literally will just plug into the back of your receiver. You would have but not use the USB functionality.
These are both superior to the Denon or Marantz units that are in this price range and are darn nice tables. I am optimistic you would be happy with either one.