Turntable suggestions for a newbie

Get the MoFi, it's a great deck, and easy to live with. 

Got into vinyl a little over 2 years ago, last time I purchased a record was in the late 1980's. No idea what happened to all my old records, or even my old stereo, think my little sister stole it when I left for the service, anyway...

Vinyl is very analog. Think about that for a second. Everything about it is analog. From taking the record out of the sleeve, put on the TT, run your carbon brush over it, turn on TT, lift tonearm, place on record... It's all manual, and analog. As other have said, records need to be cleaned. Even new ones have crap all over them. You will also invest in a record cleaning supplies. It took me about 6 months before I purchased an ultrasonic machine. Expect to spend another $500-3000 on cleaning kits. 

The needle also needs to be cleaned all the time. Even a clean record can pull grit out of groves. Thought I was doing a good job with that, until I bent my needle trying to clean it, that was hopefully a one time mistake. 

Then there is setting up, out of box you don't need much, but once you change a cartridge, or really want to dial in one, you need all the setup tools. Another $100-1000 there. A good digital scale is almost a must. It also saves a lot of time. 

Now let's talk about storage, records are heavy, and take up a lot of space. I got a 800 LP storage unit, that was filled in less than a year. Got another one, and had to rearrange my music room. 

After all this, you will start to fine tune everything. Getting better cables, better needles, better carts, isolation platforms, speed boxes, etc..... 

My point is, getting into vinyl is a lot of work, it takes a lot of time, effort, and money. It's so much more involved over any other music medium.  Sadly, vinyl is also getting more expensive, records have gone from $20-25, now $30. Almost everything is a double or triple LP $40-75. 

It does sound better over other mediums, helps me connect to the music, almost forces me to listen to entire albums, brings me enjoyment. Finding a hard to find album is almost like winning the lotto, until you see how much it cost! I try to budget $500 a month for records, sadly go over that a lot. Just picked up a sealed Hendrix, that I have been searching for. 

Technics (or other tt) with removable head shell is a must have feature for me. Easier to install cartridge and use multiple head shells with mounted cartridges dependent on sound profile I want. 

I've lived with a MOFI Ultradeck for several years now. Upgraded to a HANA ML cart and added a Parasound JC3 Jr. phono pre. For me it's a great set up. Solid, firm, black backgrounds, it's dynamic and detailed, never harsh. Right now I feel I would be hard pressed to make a significant jump in performance and enjoyment, without a serious cash infusion. 

All fine TTs to be sure...

I went the direct drive route with a Technics 1500 SL and used the Funk Firm mod kit 10 to get it VERY quiet. I love it. Technics makes a hell of a TT and the 1200 series that others have mentioned is even better. One thing to consider is that while belt driven tables have their charms, they are way more fussy and typically have little to no features. The Technics, on the other hand, has instant start/stop, perfect speed stability, change from 33s to 45s with a push of a button (most belt driven tables require you to take the platter off and change belts) and tons of tone arm adjustments (that last one is the most important by a mile).  

I'm not saying you'll be disappointed with the list you've assembled, they are all very high quality TTs. Just sharing my personal experience...

Good luck!

Just don't care for the looks of sota. Except their really expensive ones. 

MattM.  Sorry if I'm not cool enough to be in your elite vynle club. Probably a bit lonely there anyway.  Maybe one of the other nice cool guys on this thread will let me in their club and teach my the ways of thy Holly Vynle 

Thanks again all!!

Check out SOTA! They come with a REGA tonearm and an optional cartridge!

https://sotaturntables.com/product-category/urban-series/

Then I would strongly suggest not to buy a friggin TT. If all you want one for is to say "hey look I have a Turn Table" Which is obviously the case.

OP,you REALLY should read this entire thread before you take 1 more step!
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/vinyl-what-if

Vinyl is it. Pure bliss. You will love it more than streaming can ever give you. Nescafé vs. the richest espresso…

Keep in mind that the Skoll has balanced inputs, so you might consider a turntable that has balanced outputs. I have the Skoll, and I am happy with my Thorens TD 1601. I run a Nagaoka cartridge with it. I enjoy the arm lift and shutoff features.

If Vinyl becomes the go to Source, then in relation to the mechanics of the TT, interest in the importance for this area for Vinyl Replays will most likely have commenced to become an interest.

Speed is an early concern to come to the Forefront, a DD TT, certain TT of this drive has Speed pretty much nailed within the initial purchase cost.

Adding on a Speed Control Device to other Drive types for a TT, can add substantially to the cost of the set up. 

WOW! Let me get this straight, you want to buy a turntable, and what records are you planning on playing? New records? Do you even own one real record? When you spend money on a higher resolution turntable and then play horrible sounding copies and Repos and just plain bad made records from horrible master sources , No Bueno. Sure you can stick to the great companies like RTI, MFSL,Hot Stampers ect...and pay a lot! You might get lucky searching for old original clean records at the used record and antique stores and estate sales, Ya! So, if none of that scares you away, then get a 2 inch slab of granite cut big enough to put under the turntable,use small rubber washers under it so you wont have a vibration issue. And remember! The Phono Preamp is the gateway to great vinyl sound :-) Also, get a nice High output MC cartridge like a Dynavector 10X5 Highly recommended.

MATT M

Thanks all. Very helpful.  I think I'm going to steal clear of an isolated drive table as physical placement of the unit and my lack of knowledge would be an issue.  They sure look bad ass though. I think I'll keep an eye out for a used vpi as suggested by stringreen. MoFi is still in the running and I've added clearaudio.  I've got a slight problem spending playmoney on stuff made in 3rd world country's.  That's why I'm not considering technics.  I know they are a solid brand and I'm a frigging hypocrite because I own 2 RELs.. ..nobody's perfect.

Axpert, 

Thank you for you advice as well. Very informative, but I don't think flattire was trying to dissuade.  I think he was just giving honest advice from his experience,  and therefore not an idiot.   BTY...what that amp u posted?

Oh yes, as far as VPI is concerned, I have no mis-giving's whatsoever. Also, an outstanding USA manufacturer of turntables and, as stated, a good company to work with.

My recommendation was steered more in the direction of the fact that you are a "newbie" as far as turntable music reproduction is concerned. There are almost an infinite number of considerations that can affect how good your TT setup will do what you are hoping for. Even your choice of music plays a great part in the end result, largely due to the fact that most "POP"; "HOP."; and "STEEL"; recordings have been recorded and mastered under less that optimal conditions. Especially, older vinyl. Then there is the matter of cleaning and restoration of records that have been handled and stored under less-than-ideal conditions. If you want the best a record can offer, sound wise, you had better consider a record cleaning machine. VPI makes those also. In that sense, be careful of products that offer miracles and produce nothing. And of course, there is the consideration of a cartridge and maintaining one properly. Another consideration that can make a world of difference, in wear and performance. The truth is, the deeper you delve into the wonderful world of vinyl, the more expensive it can get to maintain, unless of course you just don't give a damn. Unlike CD' s and digital downloads, vinyl is somewhat akin to "marriage". Be careful and choose wisely "grasshopper".

The idiot that is trying to steer you away from SCHIIT doesn't know from where he speaks. I have one.  I have several friends that bought one. Overall concensus; - - - Fantastic performance for a bargain price.

I am also a strong supporter of the TECHNICS SL-1200G turntable. Very high-quality performance. Easy to set up properly, SME style head shell which allows easy interchange of cartridges if tastes so require. Extra counterweight for heavier cartridges such as the GRADO "wood series" MM cartridges (a true musician's cartridge) Heavily dampened and isolated. Also, as a side bar; an excellent table to allow upgrades from "FUNK FIRM" to state of the art performance. Do a little research. I think you will agree.

I have had my VPI for many years.....most vinyl players are a pain to set up....but there is a great joy in reading, following suggestions and enjoying the results.  VPI the company is very helpful ...as would be the dealer you get it from.  Don't be afraid of a well cared for used VPI.  Enjoy!!

Flattire, i had the same concern about the phono stage so when I started focusing in on the Raven products I called them and spoke to James Cahn. Not sure if he's an owner, a designer or both. I asked him what pre he recommends  and one of them was the Schiit believe it or not. Reasoning is that the Schiit pre is very well made, low noise and very simply made.  It has one job to do and does it well without adding any coloration or to the signal so what you put in is what is sent out. So I figure that I'll take him at his word as I would doubt that he would recomend a pre that did a disservice to his product. 

Noromance, I'm getting into vynle/analog for a few reasons. First, I want to experience the pure analog sound. Second, just owning the physical albums with the art and inserts I think is cool and important.  Third, I feel that when you take the time to place an LP on the table one is more apt to sit and listen more intently instead of thinking about what song you're going to stream next. At least for me I think that would be true. And finally, the Raven Blackhawk should be a nice improvement in all around SQ over my Anthem AVR. 

I have an older VPI Prime and enjoy it.

I think your other choices would do you well also.

Your choice of phono stages bothers me as you would be sending the signal from a $3k TT (more with cart) through a $400 phono stage.  Maybe for the Mofi but not the Scout.

Bottleneck?  The phono stage would be your limiting factor.  

IMO the phono stage is just as important as the TT/cart and I would spend more on the phono stage than the TT.  In fact my phono stage is the most expensive component in my system.

System looks good. Why are you "getting into analog?"

You ask if location is a legitimate concern. For perspective from a current owner of the MoFi deck with that exact concern, head over to PS Audio's website and go to their forum. Look up the thread " Too much subwoofer activity." Seems that the MoFi deck has some issues, at least for that owner. My vote would be for the VPI if you can swing it. I had one the original Scouts for several years and it was a solid, reliable, good sounding well designed table. I'd be concerned about the location issue causing potential problems though. 

The dealer you buy from can and should assist you with the cartridge. But placement is a big issue. Take half a glass of water and put it where you plan to place the table. If the water wobbles a lot when you walk around, you will have problems.

A little over the price of the Belt Drive models listed id the Direct Drive option from Technics, possibly stretching out to the 1200G model will really bring something very special, Speed Control concerns won't need to be budgeted for further down the line either.