2. analog
  3. 189213-9347

Inexpensive turntable to play old records

I am looking for an inexpensive turntable to play old records that are not in the best shape but very important to me. I have a lot invested in my vinyl rig and I am about 80% vinyl system. Running a VPI Prime 21 - Hana Umami Blue combo into a Manley Chinook. My dad passed in early January and I found all his old Elvis records when cleaning at my mom's house. He loved his Elvis records and they traveled with him while he was in the military in Germany and Korea, so they are not in the best shape and I would not feel safe running them on the Umami Blue. I cleaned them up and put them in sleeves to preserve them. For me, it would just be cool to hear the same records my dad loved and traveled with him in the the army. Was thinking of an inexpensive table with a phono pre that I can just plug into my Primaluna Integrated and not have to disconnect my VPI from the Chinook. I mean this is really only something I might plug in a couple times a years for sentimental reasons. Would like to keep it under 250-300. Any thoughts?

128x128jmphotography
soix
8,664 posts
 

Sorry about your Dad. Here’s another ‘table from AT, this one offered on Drop with some nice features like a carbon fiber tonearm, AT-VM95E MM phono cartridge, VTA adjustment, MDF plinth, and a nice walnut veneer that looks nicer than most ‘tables in this price range IMHO. This turntable gets consistently excellent reviews from Drop customers and is actually $30 cheaper than the Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN it’s based on that I don’t think even offers the VTA adjustment. Best of luck, and enjoy Elvis!


https://drop.com/buy/drop-audio-technica-carbon-vta-turntable

theflattire
122 posts
 

I got a Dual 1218 off CL just for the same purpose.

I got a box of old records and didn't want to use my Prime.

The Dual was $60.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,373 posts
 

Follow the Manual Cleaning Method in the Link.

There is a very very good end result and the Albums will, in relation to their cleanliness be possibly the cleanest they have ever been.

This might change ones thoughts on the condition and encourage many of the collection to be considered to be replayed using any Cart'.   

 

PACVR-3rd-Edition

mahler123
3,033 posts
 

I am sure that with proper care the damage to your main system will be almost nil. However…the old records might sound more involving on a less expensive rig. These records were mixed with the assumption that the main listening would be either on AMradio , a jukebox, or the inexpensive gear of the day. I listen primarily to Classical Music, but when I am in the mood for popular music from the fifties through the mid seventies while I always appreciate the higher detail that my current system allows, the music just sounds more natural to me over something like Bluetooth or an entry level analog system

jl35
3,923 posts
 

I use a vintage Yamaha direct drive YP-D6 with a low cost Ortofon cartridge - it sounds great, and fun playing scratchy old records that way...played thru a refurbished Yamaha CR-400 Receiver, or surprisingly good  and tiny Schiit Mani 2 phono pre...

More to discover