I need a turntable, only have $450 to spare...


More than likely used. I haven't had a turntable since when I was in Germany in 1989 when I had a Denon 37F but I still have my 392 count vinyl collection. I've searched and read plenty of things but they were always with a larger budget. My budget will grow (hopefully!) in the future but I need something to get me along now as I plugged my Teac X-1000r over the weekend and it reminded me how good analog sounds.
My noisemaker goes as follows: CEC 3300R cd player, tube DAC-68, Adcom GFP-750 preamp, 2 Adcom 545 amps biamped to a pair of Wharfedale diamond 9.6 speakers, Dayton interconnects and homebrew power cables. In anticipation to my future TT purchase I got a Bellari VP-130, new but open box. With my current equipment and what I have to spend I'm not expecting a masterpiece BUT I don't want a $99 piece of junk either, just something that I can play for a while and be happy. I understand it may need to have the belt replaced, cartridge. Musically I'm all over the map but mostly Jazz (Monk, Marsalis, Coltrane) and Brit Wave (Joy Division, OMD, Smiths). Where should I start?
mtandrews

Showing 4 responses by timeltel

Greetings, Narrod: This question I cannot answer, but it would eliminate the need for an amateur to align a cartridge. I recently moved on to my son my old Dual 1219, purchased in 1972, Stereo Warehouse in San Luis Obispo. Same set-up, except the v15-111 body had a plastic shroud instead of the typical aluminum, and it was not drilled for screws. I have seen others.
Greetings: The V15t111 is perhaps the cartridge supplied with your Dual. The Shure, as well as several Ortophon cartridges were offered from the manufacturer. If so, the Shure was aligned and glued to the cartridge carrier at the factory, and will probably be spot-on. Although the cartridge will release fairly easily, glue residue will remain on the carrier and is not as easy to clean up as it would be to replace the stylus and enjoy the option.
Narrod, Mtandrews, a follow-up. I should have done the research first for a more informative answer. Currently, ebay Item number: 120449899517 shows a V15111/cart. carrier identical to the one supplied with the Dual 1219. The V15-111 was the supplied cart. for the 721, a classic Dual. Good luck with the nice TT, Mtandrews.
Mtandrews: You might consider keeping the V15 as a backup, and it could be informative to have a comparison available when you get your 2M. You may decide to keep the TOTL '70s Shure (it appears you obtained it free), or you can always sell it later. Either way, it's a win/win situation.