saving money for 2x turntables but what to get?

i already have a mixer but without any turntables (djm350)

i see some used technics 1200 on ebay , found this one for $375 from what it looks like a somewhat legit user

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SL-1200...item2eb6c9fc12

dont really know much about turntables
------------------------------------------------------------
$550

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SL-1200...item1c1d5e096c
-----------------------------------------------
$500 comes w/ hard case

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SL-1200...item3cba365f08
------------------------------------------------
any opinions, and what is direct drive and are they all direct drive? (as in the 1200)

I'm no turntable pro but here's what I do know

-Direct drive is the type of motor, kind of self explanatory but all you need to know is direct drive> belt drive and to always get direct drive.

-Technics are industry standard and arguably the best. Similar to mac's though you will play more for the name.

-The needles are the expensive parts IMO so be careful

There are tons of helpful articles and youtube videos to help you buy second hand turntables. I'll leave the rest of the advice for the people who are more experience with them. I use Technic MK3's in a club but I don't know know a whole lot about them.

buying technics is smart, because if you sell them for some reason you'll probably get back what you paid for it. and they are tanks!!

look for some technics 1200's MK-5

If you can get MK5's on the cheap then its a bargain. You wouldnt be let down with MK2's though.

Stick with techs in the second hand market, theyre built to last.

Also, pick them up locally if at all possible so you can run a few important checks. Follow this guys advice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHhJlTmcgqs

When you have them, get some good slipmats. I personally recommend either technics standard slipmats or some from http://www.sicmats.com/

Then you need some carts and needles. The widely considered best back for buck is the Sure M44-7. But it doesnt really matter that much if youre using timecode, I used stanton 500's for a while and they were fine, didnt collect as much dust as the M44-7's either.

Set up ebay saved searches for all the super oem turntables. Sometimes you can get the for absolutely nothing second hand and they are all pretty much identical to the stanton st150s which are arguable the best turntables currently in production.

Technics hands down, tried mixing on my mates KAM's they were shocking!

You can't say an entire brand is bad dude, you have to specify the model.

Well I have used 2 different models from the KAM brand and they weren't impressive, but when buying turntables you get what you pay for them . . .

Just make sure that the platters don't wobble, pitch faders are working correctly, no squeking when moving the platter and that the motor is working correctly with no intermittent faults.

Its a bit risky to buy off the internet, but if you are collecting you can try them out to make sure they are working correctly.

Kam DDX5000's are amazing.

I got vestax pdx 2000 mkI's avail with shure m447 carts send me a pm and we can setup a deal

MK2's for $375 is a massive rip off.
you can find them for $100-200 easily.
I let a pair of custom white technics, new pitch, Blue LEDs, Cases, slip mats, needles, 6 styli, RCAs go for $700 on ebay.. after shipping.
..that is about an average price for PERFECTLY working technics with all accessories..
I'd pay $375 for MK5's.. not MK2's

Aside from the 1200's check out the Numark TTX's or the Stanton STR8-150's. Both are really well made turntables.

The first link is scratched to hell - avoid that one mate.

The middle and last links looks like nice decks - but one is a MKII and one is a MK5.

I would look for a pair - you will maybe get a better deal.

I don't have experience on many other non-technics decks, so I can't talk from experience. I have to say this though. I have seen clubs use the a single turntable for 20 years with out ever replacing it, and only getting it tuned. They might have changed them out when newer iterations came out, but that's it. You can argue that no other brand has had that chance to challenge the durability, but why fix what's not broken? Technics turntables are the only brand I have ever seen where the product outlast genres of music.

Unless you need them right away you could wait to get a good deal on craigslist.
I got my first MK2 for $70. Only needed new RCAs and LEDs.

I also saw a pair on craigslist this month for $250.. worked perfectly (or so they said.. but still a good deal).. i just wish I had money.

U can find techs on local craigslist or ebay for around $150-$300/each depending...but most are beat to shit...everyone I've got on ebay I have to paint, calibrate among other things to get 100%... there are a few of us out there that sell fully functioning techs but not many on ebay

I'm purchasing x2 Second hand Stanton Str -150's within the next week.

Have i made a good choice ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rkid_Dan

I'm purchasing x2 Second hand Stanton Str -150's within the next week.

Have i made a good choice ?

---

Good TTs.. from what I've heard..
But really depends on the price and condition.

I remember talking to stanton rep years ago when they changed the design...they work fine but they are pretty ugly...stanton rep said they wanted the ttables to look like an island

I'll be paying £330 which is 370euro or 550 dollars.

Along with a mixer and 150 records.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DjLiquitATL

I remember talking to stanton rep years ago when they changed the design...they work fine but they are pretty ugly...stanton rep said they wanted the ttables to look like an island

---

? They look just like technics but blue and with circular buttons.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrPopinjay

? They look just like technics but blue and with circular buttons.

---

Never liked the stanton products except for some older mixers back in the day... to each their own

Same, except for the st150s. Then again stanton had basically nothing to do with them, that table comes under so many brands (except without the fancy pitch lock stuff)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DjLiquitATL

U can find techs on local craigslist or ebay for around $150-$300/each depending...but most are beat to shit...everyone I've got on ebay I have to paint, calibrate among other things to get 100%... there are a few of us out there that sell fully functioning techs but not many on ebay

---

this is good to know. maybe i should also pay attention to the refund policy since that can mean something. but is it possible to fix the majority of the problems? -i ask because maybe this can be a method on increasing my knowledge on how to fix them if it every goes wrong. (similiar to computers- i can assemble/disemble comp parts, figure out which hardware is the problem by single testing them all, shit i would love to build a skill like that w/ technics)

what you suggest, in the first page of the thread someone posted a video on how to check for errors of the 1200 or investigating if it fully works or determine if it has any issues.

most problems are pretty easy to fix if you are familiar with capacitors and such. also need a voltmeter to calibrate correctly...led mods are easy...also good to know how to sand, paint and polish so if platter is jacked up you can refinish it if you are trying to sell it...

tonearm repairs get a little more complicated depending...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DjLiquitATL

most problems are pretty easy to fix if you are familiar with capacitors and such. also need a voltmeter to calibrate correctly...led mods are easy...also good to know how to sand, paint and polish so if platter is jacked up you can refinish it if you are trying to sell it...

tonearm repairs get a little more complicated depending...

---

I've never had to mess with capacitors but I have had to replace a transistor.
Just as easy as desoldering and soldering!
If the pitch is off you could get away with using a cheap $5 multimeter.


Yeah.. it really depends with tonearms.
If you need new RCAs or want to internally ground all you have to do is take the back plate off the tonearm and you're good to solder.
If the tonearm rest is broke its probably best to take the tone arm out and replace it, unless you risk scratching your TT trying to screw form the bottom.
If the lift assembly is bad then you'll probably have to take it almost all the way apart. But should still be an easy fix depending on the part.
If the anti skate is broke it might just need to be assembled correctly..
I actually had one that was missing the actual post.. no clue why! ??
If its the actual arm itself you're probably just better off replacing it.. should be around $50 I think.
Also if the bearings are messed up you're screwed.. you'll probably need a whole new assembly!

I took mine apart to fix and paint.. the most frustrating part was removing the screws.. they did not want to budge!

I aslo had a height assembly lock up on me. I was sold on just replacing it because I tried everything.. so I just tossed it on the ground because I was done messing with it, and sure enough, it loosened right up.. I cleaned it out and it was good to go!3

tone arm rewires are somewhat challenging too... you just have to be careful...just b/c you can solder doesn't mean that you can repair a technics 1200...anything major I still send to my buddy in ATL... he's the only one in atlanta area trusted with the GOLD 1200s...he's that GOOD...

I would say i'm pretty GOOD but I don't have the years in it like he does