You will get plenty of recommendations, but before they start it would be wise to see if they have a place to put it where it won't go off the rails when you walk by. I recommend putting a half glass of water on the proposed place and if it wobbles significantly when you walk, I would look for someplace else. The water should remain virtually still for best results. That said, I think the Music Hall 5.3 is a good first table. Comes pretty much set up with a decent enough cartridge. A lot of people seem to like the Pioneer PLX-1000 direct drive. It's about $700, but you will need a cartridge. Maybe if you buy from one of the online dealers, they can mount a nice $300 cart in there for you and you'll be in business. But don't overlook the placement issue.
Starter turntable and MM cartridge recommendations
My daughter and her husband are putting together their first system. They are wanting to build their system around vinyl, but are on a limited budget, with something like $700-$1000 allocated for that table and a MM cartridge. They will be using the internal MM phono preamp on a Lyngdorf 2170 integrated. A used table is fine.
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@chayro, Thanks. My daughter and her husband are new to this, so they will certainly benefit from your caution regarding placement. We will take a look at the Music Hall 5.3. BTW, I pulled my old Pioneer PL-51 direct drive out of storage where it has been since 1984. It has some issues with hum and one channel seems dead, but I suppose it could be fixed. Is it worth spending a few hundred on? I understand there is an outfit that specializes in restoring these. |
This VPI Cliffwood should fit the bill. It comes with a Grado cartridge ! https://upscaleaudio.com/collections/vpi/products/vpi-cliffwood |
Pioneer PLX1000 ($699 and free shipping from various online sellers like American Musical Supply) and a Grado MI cartridge ($79 and up). I bought one when I wanted to add a new TT to my collection of vintage TTs. Mine has a Denon 103R mc cartridge on it ($349). You can read Herb Reichert's review in the Stereophile archives. |
For that budget, here's something to consider: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_057ATLP7/Audio-Technica-AT-LP7.html Excellent, across-the-board reviews, free shipping and 60-day trial. (No affiliation): Happy Listening! |
Pioneer PLX1000 and a 150$ Grado is good . If they are not going to become audio nuts the US made U-Turn out of Boston sounds quite good .I first heard it at Frank VanAlstine’s place, its what he uses and the old fox knows what he is doing . .Turned my neighbor to one and he’’s happy .Most expensive of what they sell is less than 500$ with cart . Their web is outstanding . |
I would say this review of the U-Turn is good. I would buy it with a Grado Black3, any Grado stylus ok, with up-grade platter which is 309 $ . https://youtu.be/J_8VMdpLMG4?t=3 P.S .40 $ for a cure lever if wanted . P.P.S I imagine he is right about the Ortofon. I know the O-10 stylus at 79$ is like that , |