Hi folks.
It's coming up to Christmas, and I think it's about time that I found a present for the girlfriend. I'm looking for a decent turntable so that she can ditch her el-cheapo Sony and begin to really enjoy her vinyl again. I personally use an LP12, so (much as I know it represents a great choice) I have discounted that, as it's too fiddly and prone to going out of tune.
I want something basik, solid and reliable; something that can hold a good tune and yet not be wasted in a fairly low-end system. I'm thinking along the lines of a secondhand P3, Linn Basik (the TT I started out with; wish I'd kept it!) or somesuch.
Any thoughts?
I don't want to spend much over £100 on this, though, as she only has about 150-200 LPs.
John
Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Mick P
John
Your majoe problem is the £100.00 budget.
£130/£140 should get you a Garrard 401 complete with plinth and usually a SME 3009 arm.
Its quite a good sound and the Garrard is built to last and maintenance is the occasional drop of oil on the main bearin. Its is rather heaveir than a Linn but so much better on quality of build.
Also if she likes it, you can improve things by replacing the arm and plinth at a later date.
I let a dealer listen to my Garrard a few weeks ago and he confessed he did not realise they sounded that good.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Andrew Randle
Pro-ject (Henley Designs) produce a very very nice deck for about 115 pounds. It even comes in a variety of colours. I've just found the name, it's the "Pro-ject Debut II".
I heard the deck in a system at the Hammersmith Show with far costly amps and speakers. However the TT held its own - not ideal, but very nice sounding.
There's also a piccie of a range of Debut's in the show report in the latest edition of Hi-Fi News.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
[This message was edited by Andrew Randle on SUNDAY 26 November 2000 at 13:54.]
Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Top Cat
I've found a couple of secondhand P3s including RB300 arms and cartridges - any idea how much such a beastie would be worth secondhand?
If need be, I can up the budget and make it between her birthday and Christmas...
John
Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Andrew Randle
I'd agree with Vuk here... unless she asked you for one.
Go for the jewelry option (although you did say £100). Don't buy her a watch though, according to the Chinese it spells doom for a relationship.
I wouldn't get her anything 2nd-hand either, so if you must, buy a shiny brand new Pro-ject Debut II.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Top Cat
quote:
As much as I love audio, I don't think it is worth losing your girlfriend over. I have a feeling she would prefer many things over a turntable
True, but then I'll get her other things, too...
don't worry, I'm a generous guy, really 
John
Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Johnny Blue
At today's prices, your friend's LPs would cost at least £2,000. Isn't it worth spending a little more to get to hear them properly?
Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Top Cat
Hi folks, thanks for all the help thus far.
One further question: Tahra has loads of 45s, mainly 12" singles from the eighties (I know, I know... 
), so can the Planar 3 (and the others) cope with 45s?
John (thinking a P3 plus a giant rabbit (!) would do - anyone know any decent, respectible rabbit breeders in the central Scotland area, btw?)
