help choosing a turn table

Save a few weeks more for the Technics SL1200GR2 ($2200) with starter cartridges, Nagaoka MP110, Audio Technica VM750SH, or Ortofon 2M Blue. (Black is 1210)

"Budget is preferably < 2k and ideally < $1,500.."

Don't forget a phono amp...

If you buy, or have an integrated (or preamp) with a phono stage it makes things a bit easier. The Rega Planar 3 is a good start, plus saves a bit of money for a phono stage and interconnects. 2k goes REALLY quick in a TT setup.

rbgator94

"for a second system"

do you already have a TT in 1st system?

IOW, is this a 'toes in the world of vinyl' first experience (may find out vinyl is not for you)

or do you know you will stick with vinyl?

So the Lyngdorf has a phono stage so I don’t have to have a TT with one.. would that change suggestions ?  

there is a similar 'pick a TT thread currently, lots of info there

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/nice-vintage-2k-turntable-cartridge-and-phono-stage

The technics is a good idea, but I always recommend Rega with a rega cartridge for newbies. You just bolt in the cartridge with their 3-point mount and then you don’t have to think about anything like alignment, rake angle, whatever.  If you don’t have a dealer, you will have to set the tracking force and antiskate, but that’s easy. 
the only thing is- do you have a stable place for it?  Get a half glass of water and put it where you plan to put the table and move around normally. If the water wobbles a lot, you really can’t put a turntable there. 

Do you want a new or used turntable? Here are the specs. for your Lyngdorf TDA 1120 built in phono stage - 1 - Phono Single Ended RCA input (RIAA / 47kOhm 100pF).

I was looking for a new turntable. They Rega Planar 3 is at the top of my list.  And yes I’m a newbie to vinyl… to make you all laugh.. it’s actually my wife that wants it !!😂

@rbgator94 Search up ground problems with Rega turntables before you commit, I had a devil of a time tracking down the ground problem with my P6 , good luck.

thanks for all the advice..  the table will be on a stable shelf.. I’d prefer something relatively easy to use and reliable yet sounds good..  unlikely to tinker with it to much except perhaps for some upgrades of phono cartridge in the future or arm🤷🏻‍♂️..

Having been through the turntable / vinyl process over the past decade, I don't know that I would necessarily recommend it. . .but if you must, I would start with a Rega P3, or so.  However, the sound quality at these prices will never come close to matching a CD player or streaming (from what I hear).  I would suggest improving your digital end, until you are ready to drop $10,000 for a decent vinyl set up.  

Of course, you can get into vinyl much cheaper, and if you want to do so just for kicks, then have fun, and perhaps start with a Rega, but realize that the sound quality of the vinyl will always sound inferior to digital at these prices. . . but it is more fun to drop a needle on a record, instead of pressing PLAY on a remote. 

Enjoy the journey!

Just make sure your cartridge is compatible with the phono stage of the Lyngdorf. Moving magnet vs. moving coil.

Appreciate everyone’s advice.. will probably go with the Rega P3 as it has been recommended by multiple people and has good reviews.

I will also check that the cartridge is compatible with the photo stage of the Lyngdorf.

keep on listening !

Used VPI HW-19 III with a decent arm.  

What about a used Rega P6. I've seen 2 or 3 for sale.  Better than P3.

If you get the P3, go straight to an Exact 2. Skip the Elys cartridge.

I just received this message! This REGA looks like it should fit the bill!

: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQPIHh8tVc

What a bargain! The Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary turntable is a remarkable combination of a Rega Planar 3 with walnut wood finish, add the NEO power supply, add the Reference Belt, and add the Rega Exact phono cartridge all in one package. At only $1695, it’s a bargain and a swift seller. These are only available until December 31st and until stock runs out. There are not many left so if you are interested, it’s better to grab one sooner than later! Order here: https://generubinaudio.com/shop/ols/products/rega-planar-3-50th-anniversary-turntable-great-price

I might suggest checking out some semi-auto or auto lift turntables. I have read very good reviews of the new Technics 1500c. I would suggest, however, replacing either the included Ortofon 2M Red with a better cartridge or buy a stylus upgrade such as the 2M Bronze and up. That would put you somewhere between $1500 and $2000. Nothing against Regas, just really don't like manual TT's anymore due to age and laziness.

@ motown-l

The Technics 100c is the same as the Technics 1500c without the built in phono stage. And it is a few hundred dollars less!!

https://us.technics.com/products/direct-drive-turntable-sl-100c

I would never recommend a used table for a newbie. You will have questions and you will need dealer support. I second the recommendation to buy from Gene Rubin.  He is great to deal with and will get back to you within the hour with any questions. He is also very fair if you want to trade in your equipment to upgrade. 

Both you and your wife are ’newbies’ to vinyl.

considering that many try and do not stick with vinyl, I recommend a more modest start. If you get hooked, then move up after you have learned more and researched more.

keep or sell the ’starter’ TT.

This is my recommended ’starter’ TT. Get it level, plug it in, play! I had one for years, then 'moved up', gave the AT120 to a friend.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK-Wireless-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B089T77WK2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=177177257708&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocphy=9003512&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=15945738807677775323&amp;hvtargid=kwd-21681376952&amp;hydadcr=20167_9665940&amp;keywords=audio+technica+at+lp120+usb&amp;qid=1700229271&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&amp;psc=1

It comes with a cartridge body (VM95) that allows easy upgrading of the stylus tip.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/at-vm95-series

with several ’good, better, best’ interchangeable stylus options. Simply pull the existing stylus out, push the alternate stylus in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCva9sgRP3E

It comes with an ’elliptical’ stylus shape.

After a short time, IF you like it, then I recommend you change the stylus to this one:

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-vm95ml

the difference is: the stylus tip is Microlinear which will have more contact surface with the grooves, and last longer than other shapes.

read about stylus shapes here to get the general idea (scroll down to the diagrams):

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

final point: cartridges have to be critically aligned. the factory does that to the AT120/VM95 combo before shipping. When changing only the stylus, the VM95 body does not need to be re-aligned, the new stylus simply pushes into the aligned cartridge body.

Best of luck with Vinyl Nirvana!

I had Rega....don't like it. Get one with auto lift when the record is over....thank me later.

really appreciate everyone’s advice..  after reading some reviews, and considering everyone’s advice, I decided to go with the Rega 3 50th anniversary TT..  

warm regards and happy listening 👍🏼

Rega turntables are the most overrated and underperforming turntables.  Used VPI is the best in your price range.  

@bpoletti

You know, I have to agree with that. I have owned Rega, and have friends with Rega and I have owned VPI… I agree. You will get solidity, dead quiet, and a deeper soundstage with VPI, minus a little bit of what is called liveliness… which I remain unsure of it being a positive attribute.

Rega is definitely not the best turntable, but it is the best for a first because it is basically set and forget, which is what you want when you’re starting out. Later on you can move to other things if you like. But not now. IMO. 

Congratulations! Pay all those those naysayers no mind. Evidently they did not read your post. You made it clear that you wanted a new table under 2 grand. Enjoy your new REGA!!

I agree, congrats! When you get it up and running, let us know what you think.

I have a Rega P3. With the right phono stage, it's been a lot of fun for me - I love it. 

@rbgator94 congrats! Have fun with the new TT. You can always upgrade to whatever your budget will allow down the road. Or, you’ll have a blast with the Rega and be good to go! 

@OP, Rega or Technics are the safest choices. If you decide you don't stick with vinyl, they are pretty safe from a resale perspective. Both are good enough to listen to long term or to move up from if you decide you really like vinyl. However, if you don't have record collection, you do have to factor in the cost of the records, which can quickly exceed the cost of the turntable.

btw the rumour that Rega is overhyped and overpriced is as old as Rega. 

Is that good or bad?

@lewm If you are a Rega fan, probably not good. I like objective reviews. 

@rbgator94  Looking forward to reading your initial experiences with the Vinyl Source.

I'm sure there will be plenty of entertainment to be had. 

I’m a Rega agnostic. The design philosophy is contrarian, so it might succeed or fail in practice, but I’ve never heard any Rega so far as I can recall. If Rega is right, almost everyone else is wrong.

Enjoy your purchase, I'm sure it will workout fine.

I've never heard a Rega but they must be doing something right to sell so many tt.

Whatever you buy folks will criticize, if there was a perfect company we would only have one option.

@lewm and OP, regarding Rega's design philosophy - it's really only an issue of contention with the more expensive turntables, rather than at the  pricepoint the OP is considering. The strong points of Rega's original design were  - for the budget - a well toleranced bearing, a suspended motor (albeit with fairly rudimentary supension - a float glass platter and a really well designed and toleranced arm (once they replaced the original Acos with the RB300). Many of these features have been copied by other manufacturers since, but the fundamentals - plus improvements to the motor and the bracing on the arm/chassis of the latest models - continue to make the Rega P3 a very competitive turntable. Roy Gandy's belief that resonance in turntables is best tackled by making the TT as skeletal as possible - and the downstream design and engineering consequences of that in the expensive Regas - is where the contentiousness arises.

a $1500 turntable won't compete with 10K turntables. It will compete with other ~$1500 turntables.

Yoyo, thanks for correctly interpreting my meaning, when I wrote that “if Rega are right, everyone else is wrong”. I was indeed referring to the extreme low mass/high rigidity mantra. Nearly everyone else approaches the problem of isolation and energy dissipation in ways different from Rega.

“if Rega are right, everyone else is wrong”

can they both be right?

Funny how Rega have a Question Mark against there designs, but their Tonearm Designs are probably the most plaguerised in the past 30 years. 

As stated before, even the Rega Design is responsible for SME IV and V Models

@rbgator94 my first thought is...do you have a trusted audio dealer?

My rationale is they may have a great used opportunity and possibly one you can audition.

If new is your goal, I really appreciate the combination of simplistic solution and strong performance of Rega.

There's a lot of good turn tables out there with various design philosophies and Rega has tables like the P3 that perform and are easy to set-up.  I personally upgraded to the P8 because the simplicity is really attractive to me in higher end applications.

Yet there are great products from companies like VPI who stand behind their product and will get you where you want to go.

Good luck and enjoy the journey. 

@grislybutter , “a $1500 turntable won't compete with 10K turntables.”

+1 one must compare apples to apples.

I vote, again, for the Orbit Theory. It's made in the USA with USA components. Solid wood plinth, cast magnesium arm, simple and accessible electronic speed control (33 & 45) and on/ off switch which has great knob feel. Three (easy to level, level included) feet, optional phono stage if you need (and easy to by-pass if you don't) and you can upgrade to the Ortofon 2m Bronze (installed and aligned from the factory, the 2m Blue is standard). You will want to upgrade the phono leads (RCA), and the dust cover hinges seem a little cheap, but serviceable. You should be able to keep within your budget and you can deal directly with the factory and they are good people, too... I replaced a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC in my third system and I couldn't be happier.

Look at the VPI Cliffwood (made in the USA) for $1499---it usually comes with an Orofon Red which is easily upgraded to a Blue if you want. Very well made and great customer service if you ever need them.

Another vote for the Technics 1500c (or the 100 and a separate phono stage).

I bought the 1500 about a year ago and love the sound. I have a Nagaoka mp 110 and will be swapping that in soon. The 2M red is probably the only weakness. I am using the internal phono stage in lieu of the built in stage on my nad 3050le. 

I suggest adding an Expressimo Audio counterweight and brass stub .

I have used the original under counterweight and was surprised at the difference it made , the lower frequencies were improved in clarity .