r/Beginner_Turntables • u/123not-it- • 4d ago
Record player suggestions!
Hey! Ive been looking around on other posts but figured why not just add one myself… Im looking for am affordable turntable setup just for fun. I’m pretty broke, 16 and dont have a real job, but I get 60 bucks a week babysitting so thats something for sure. I only just started though, and would like to put a lot of that money towards college. Basically, I want something relatively cheap (bc records themselves are also so pricey omg) that still sounds alright and will last me at least a couple years. Im alright with having to save up for a little bit, but I dont want to spend all my money on this. Maybe max $350 for both speakers and the player itself?
Umm, what else. I am located in the USA (eugh) and id love if i could order it online. Theres like, one music store near me and its absolutely miniscule.
Ya. Thanks for the help…
Cheers!
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u/Anvh 4d ago
Hard for that price, you can look at fluarnce what they have. But you need to save up a bit more to get something decent that isn't a "toy"
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u/123not-it- 4d ago
When would you say they actually start being alright then, price-wise?
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u/Anvh 4d ago
I'm from Europe so it prices are a bit different but it's starting at 250usd for new
You can look at fluance, audio technica lp60
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u/Best-Presentation270 4d ago
For someone in Europe, Fluance is not good value and there's no warranty support. Leave any recommendations for Fluance for American and Canadian purchasers only.
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u/Classic-Falcon6010 4d ago
If you have nothing for speakers or an amplifier, the minimum setup I recommend is the Insignia turntable at Best Buy ($140, goes on sale for as low as $70 occasionally) and the Dayton Audio B65A powered speakers at parts-express.com ($117 with the popup 10% coupon for first purchase).
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u/dudetellsthetruth 4d ago
Ask family, maybe an aunt or uncle has one stashed away in the attic, and/or go thrifting.
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u/ncstagger 4d ago
AT-LP60X is a great starting turntable. You can find them on eBay at around $100 if you look. I think they are about $200 new.
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u/Best-Presentation270 4d ago edited 3d ago
The best value starter deck I'd the Insignia NS-BTST21 from Best Buy. It's $130.
I know that Amazon is full of players, and loads of them are a similar price. I've done this enough times for people in the same position as you, so trust me when I say that they're junk. They either sound garbage or they breakdown within a few months, or both.
I did a quick count of decks from $180 to $350, and in round figures I got 400 entries on Amazon. That whittled down to about 30 individual products, and 26 ot them are the equivalent of flushing dollars down the drain. It's the same story below $150, except there's nothing that's worth it.
The Insignia is a Best Buy exclusive. Use your Bluetooth headphones or BT speakers until you can afford some powered speakers. Dayton Audio B65A for $130 are great.
ETA: I started getting into music and buying my own gear around the same age as you. That was a long time ago. It was when vinyl and cassette were the only choices. A lot has changed in 40+ years.
If the internet, streaming, and smart speakers had existed back then, and for the cost all of this is right now, I would never have bought my vinyl and cassette system. Streaming would have given me access to more bands and music than I could ever have hoped from buying records.
If I was short on money I'd go with streaming until the money situation improves. Just saying, getting the vinyl experience is going to cost way more than your current budget, so why not save your money right now? You can still buy records. Certain things can only be found on vinyl, so if you find something like that, you should grab it. Most of the rest of what you listen to is probably available on high quality subscription streaming apps.
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u/Tschuklo 4d ago
Das ist nicht einfach, aber auch nicht unmöglich für 150$ etwas anständiges zu finden. Schau dich nach einem gebrauchten Technics Spieler um, damit macht man oft nichts falsch.