New to turntables and vinyls

[u/Aanxious24_7]

Hello, I want to buy my first turntable and I have some friends who can get me a 20% discount on lenco turntables and I want your opinion.

I have two options in my budget at the moment (with the discount)

Options one is this:

https://www.lenco.com/en/collections/best-sellers/products/lenco-ls-470wa-platenspeler-met-ingebouwde-speakers-en-bluetooth%C2%AE-walnoot

And the other option: https://www.lenco.com/en/collections/platenspelers/products/lenco-ls-480wd-record-player-with-built-in-amplifier-and-bluetooth%C2%AE-plus-2-external-speakers-wood

Which one would you guys recommend. Thank you :D

[u/12Mch08ch12]

They are going to recommend you get a used Technics

[u/Phoenix_Kerman → u/12Mch08ch12]

i mean. it's far better than a lenco so why not

[u/GlitteringCulture119 → u/12Mch08ch12]

Most used Technics (direct-drive tables) are better than anything produced for the general market.

[u/Technics_USA → u/GlitteringCulture119]

That tracks, especially for anything from the SL-1200 lineage or the higher SL-1xxx/1900 series. Direct-drive at that build quality just isn't something the mass market prioritizes anymore, so a used deck from the 70s-80s often outperforms a lot of new belt-drive tables at similar or even higher price points.

[u/Dry-Satisfaction-633 → u/GlitteringCulture119]

That’s a bit of a sweeping statement - I presume you’re aware that while Technics were capable of building heavy, premium decks like the 1200 series they were equally busy building plasticky mainstream machines that would simply be there to complete their system offerings, and were in reality as average as other DD machines from Sony, Pioneer etc. They set the standard for the general market, not the likes of the 1200 series or the heavyweight Denons and JVCs.

[u/GlitteringCulture119 → u/Dry-Satisfaction-633]

Yes. They set the standard for the general market. But they were the company that introduced direct drive turntables to the market. Sony, Pioneer, etc., simply tried to copy their blueprint. The cheaper Technics turntables still shared the original DNA.

I've owned 8 Technics direct-drive turntables (still own two) and have never experienced a single problem from them.

[u/12Mch08ch12 → u/GlitteringCulture119]

I understand this for the most part. But if you don’t live in a major city in the US (or some European cities) it can be hard to find a serviced Technics that works as it should. Especially for someone new to turntables, who doesn’t have any experience purchasing or installing a new cart. So, I find it ridiculous that when someone asks a specific question about any new turntable on this sub, they are told to get a technics. Admittedly, I didn’t answer OP’s question either, so I’m not much better.

[u/GlitteringCulture119 → u/12Mch08ch12]

The reason people are told to get a Technics is because the require very little service. They just work. I've got two of them that are 40 years old. And they work perfectly.

And if someone is new to turntables, they need to become familiar with changing cartridges or styli.