Where to start? New to Analog

Pre amps Nad PP1 or Project Phono Box have the best price quality ratio IMO to start with the hobby.

And used Thorens TD 150 or TD 160 (or 165/ 166/ 145/ 146/ 147) are very pleasant starter- TT's. Give many posibilities for mods and tweaks

What do your parents have? It may be better than you think.

Listen to David (4yanx).

David, that's eminently sensible.

Did I miss your 30th birthday? :)

I'll probably pickup the NAD PP2 as I can get it for around $150CDN locally.

Still waiting on finding out what exactly the old turntable is, turns out my sister snarfed it from the parents ;) - So i'll try to steal it back lol

A local retailer offered me a Dual 506 for $200CDN - any thoughts on this TT?

I'll let everyone know once I find out what my parent's is,

Thanks for the advice :)

The Dual 506 was a fine little budget turntable--decades ago, when it was new. I have a friend who owns one, and it still runs fine. But $200CDN? You gotta be kidding me.

'Tables are mechanical devices, and mechanical devices wear out. Doesn't mean old ones won't work, but you takes your chances, which is why you shouldn't pay top dollar for them. You just don't know when you'll need to buy another.

Ya I thought it was overpriced as I could get into an entry level Project for around $350cdn or so and a basic music hall for around the same.

The family turntable is a "BSR Macdonald" atleast that's all my sister, in another city or I would go look, can find on it to identify it. Anyone familiar with this product?

This BSR is really socks. The Dual should be much cheaper. Listen to the Thorens hobbyists. They know about TT's.

Or look for a nice Dual 505 MkII. Or a Technics 1700 or 1200 or a Technics tangential like SL- J1 This is a later product.

The BSR is a bit of a dog- no offense intended. You can get a good used Technics 1200 and cartridge for around $150 to $200, but be sure a DJ didn't get his hands on it first. Some of the Thorens are great, but be careful of which model as some of them have arms that are lacking.

Regards
Jim

Agree on the BSR. It was worth asking, time to move on.

Thanks for the advice all - Jimbo3 I'm not offended just glad that I know now :) I'll keep looking around town thanks :)

Vaystrem:

There have always been tons of decent vintage TT's on Ebay offered by Candian sellers. I assume that many of these were acquired (for resale) from the local thrifts.

If you are not in a hurry try cruising the local thrifts in the event that you get lucky.

As far as phono preamps go there is a vintage (70's) Radio Shack/Realistic MM preamp (42-2101) that is worth seeking out (they typically sell for $5-$20 on Ebay). Problem is finding one in decent operating condition (good caps w/o hum). When in good shape it easily matches the sound quality of current/popular $100-$150 phono preamps when paired with a high output MM cartridge.

There was also a 42-2101a version, but I am not familar with it (it may or may not be the same).

A local phile said that the unit's all discrete design reminded him of Jon Curl's early work (Curl is a well known circuit designer).

Anyway, this is the route I would take if on a meager budget (a little patience/diligence can sometimes offer the best bang for the buck).

i've been upgrading selling these realistic 42-2101 42-2101a and 42-2109 phono preamplifiers with great success, people really like them, they really come alive after a complete refurbishment!  they are goods stock but after the updates they have been blowing away many many high dollars phono preamps.

Project Debut III and Schiit Mani. I bet they would make you happy for quite some time and wouldn’t break the bank.

Could also get a U-Turn Orbit with built in phono stage starting around $250.