[king_buzzo]

Okay, If you tell me what are good second hand record players to look for, brands, what to look in them and stuff, I might even buy one.

Post away...

[tesla69]

My Technics direct drive is 25 years old and still works great (even if the plastic cover is a bit battered). I'd highly recommend a direct drive with a microspeed adjustment. Belts suck, they stretch, they dry up and they snap.

[gmku]

It's not really very complicated. I'd suggest going with a respected brand like Technics, Sony, Yamaha, et al. I prefer belt drives because they're quieter and the things that do break are usually just a cheap belt, which can be quickly replaced, and not some complicated motor part that you'd have in the direct drive.

I've only seen belt-drives with the speed adjustment, but maybe they make them for direct drives too. In any case, I recommend getting one with a speed adjustment knob.

Beyond that, the most important thing is to get the best possible cartridge you can afford. Best for the money in my book: Grado blue series. Whatever you get, make sure its tracking force is light--under 2 is good.

Here's a link that might help: http://stereos.about.com/od/gtgtturn...oosing_tts.htm

[king_buzzo]

Thanks guys. I have one, but the cables are fucked up and dont work.

Okay, now, where can you actually buy a new budget turntable? I've been to several tech shops and none have it...

[gmku]

And don't try to install the cartridge yourself unless your a trained technician. A good audio store will install the cartridge free if you buy it from their store, and a technician knows how to precisely fit the cartridge to the right angle and everything to ensure proper tracking.

[gmku]

The used record store here in town carries them from time to time. I've seen good ones in flea/antique/pawn shops. You have to look around. Be careful, though. A lot of these shops don't know what they're doing--like getting a used car, it's wise to let a tech shop check it out before you make a final purchase, so check their return policy.

[gmku]

Originally Posted by king_buzzo

Thanks guys. I have one, but the cables are fucked up and dont work.

Okay, now, where can you actually buy a new budget turntable? I've been to several tech shops and none have it...

Do you just need to replace/fix the cables?

[king_buzzo]

So by cartidges you mean the thing where the needle is on?

[king_buzzo]

Originally Posted by gmku

Do you just need to replace/fix the cables?

Yeah, I did that the first time, it came with almost no cables on, I put the new ones on, and tried it and it still didn't work...

Yeah, I'm probably going to look around in second hand stores...

[gmku]

Yes. there's the cartridge and the stylus (or needle). Once you have a good cartridge, normally all you'll replace thereafter is the stylus. So it's worthwhile investing in a decent cartridge/stylus. Grados are medium priced in the neighborhood of 50 to 100 bucks, but worth every penny. Very musical. There are tonal differences between various makes, and you should see if you can go to a good store where you can check them out. Grados are pretty much recognized as one of the best.

[king_buzzo]

On the one I have, the needle/cartridge is pretty good, someone told me, its from a pioneer. The thing looks so sexy, I'm really sad its not working.

[gmku]

Info on these things:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...ory_Co de=OPC

More on the Grados:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...y_Co de=GRADO

[gmku]

Originally Posted by king_buzzo

On the one I have, the needle/cartridge is pretty good, someone told me, its from a pioneer. The thing looks so sexy, I'm really sad its not working.

As long as you're getting a whole new (used) table, I say make the investment in a new Grado. You won't be sorry. I'm guessing there's a world of difference between Pioneer and Grado.

[king_buzzo]

Okay, I turned the Pioneer on by itself (no speaker/amp), it seems to be working. I think the cables are the thing thats messed up. Now, what I and some other guy did before, we cut off the old cables about half way, then we took the wires from the cables and connected them to other shit cables. Im sure that only the cables are the problem. Tell me how to fix/replace cables on a turntable properly.

[gmku]

Mmm, are you talking about the R/L output cables? I assume you are. And are they attached to the table, as opposed to plugged in? Again, since you're talking about splicing, I assume they're attached, that is, wired into the table. If I were feeling confident, I'd take apart the table and remove the bad-boy cables at the source, then attach a brand new set. Not sure where you'd get them, though--Radio Shack?

Or take the table to a good audio repair store. I wouldn't think it would be too expensive to install new cables.

Whenever you start splicing wires, you're asking for shorts and other bad stuff. I wouldn't do that.

[king_buzzo]

Okay, I'll ask around.