My vinyl collection is starting to get a bit bigger and I am (more) actively collecting records. Outside of “DJ music,” I do listen to lots of music. Right now i have a NAS drive with my iTunes library and use my Technics 1210/DJM 900 to listen to records. Unfortunately, I may be getting rid of the TTs and mixer (still weighing my options) and would like to replace them with a good “listening turntable” and speakers. For sound, I use the 5" pioneer DJ speakers/monitors.
tl;dr: any recommendations for a good “for-listening turntable” and speaker? I would like something that is…uh…pretty. lol seems shallow and half stupid, but these pieces would probably front and center in my living room.
Technics were originally marketed as Hifi tables, but DJs picked them up. Speakerwise, that’s a bit more complex…
Just buy a hifi cartridge in place of your dj cartridge. I just bought an Ortofon Omega for 30 bucks since the needle can be upgraded to their top of the line MM cartridge stylus (OM-40). Otherwise, Shure M97XE and Audio Technica AT-95 are good bets too. Denon has some nice ones as well.
Awesome site that I’m using to rebuild my Technics:
I don’t dj on vinyl. I used to, but i rather have the record collection i share with my old man just for listening purposes.
At home we were always about 1)good music and 2) good sound, so much that we more often than not gave up on vacations just to buy new gear
We’re currently using a kuzma TT&tonearm +grado cartridge to a rotel pre->krell amp to a pair of old b&w matrix 801, and a pair of diy mahogany floorstanders built with Accuton drivers as 2nd speakers
Best thing you can do is search for “turntable” on eBay and spend a good few hours looking through the 35k-odd listings you’ll find. Find a few you like the LOOK of, then check reviews on them. Then read up on cartridges, and pick one you think will suit the genres of music you listen to most.
I just don’t see a purpose in trying to hunt down a vintage table. You’re gonna have to spend like 500+ dollars to get a table that’ll compare to the Technics. The wow and flutter of the SL1200 is just insane for its cost not to mention the tonearm.
Take a look at Pro-Ject Debut turntables; they have a few under $400 brand new that are quite nice looking and have great reviews. And they come in different colors as well. If you have a few more bucks to blow take a look at Rega.
You’re probably right if you’re comparing an M5G but I would guess these belt drives do better than the Mk2 as far as speed stability goes (but in reality we’re probably splitting hairs between them). I haven’t compared specs though fwiw.
the project debut carbon with a Red pickup is the same price new as a used 1200 and its really good for listening, also good looking as furniture!
when i worked in a hifi store i sold loads of them, more popular than cd players.
Interesting info, but there’s a huge difference in pitch stability between the M5G and MK2 (at least the ones I’ve owned). “Huge” as measured in Traktor using timecode btw, I don’t mean you can hear the difference; as I said earlier this is basically splitting hairs. But I did not know that was still probably better than the Pro-Ject.
When listening and not DJing, things like .01 wow & flutter difference become obsolete to the everyday ear unless you have super-focused listening ability. The main difference in the Project/Technics argument above is the use of belt drive against direct drive.
As said earlier, the Technics is already a hi-fi table. You’d be better off spending money on the cartridge first, then amp+speakers before replacing the turntable.
For me the Technics SL1200/1210 design is not that pretty a turntable. It is definitely iconic but to me it’s the AK47 of the turntable world. Rock solid, dependable but definitely not pretty. Some audiophile turntables are drop dead gorgeous in comparison.
But there is no arguing it is a superb piece of engineering so why swap unless you are going for something very special.
