Paul Rigby firstly looks at broad issues regarding buying a turntable then examines a range from differing price points
Mainly aimed at the beginner, this turntable Buyer’s Guide will hopefully appeal to all.
What To Buy…What Not To Buy…And Why.
This is the first in a planned series of more specialist guides, aimed at future publication.
To see the video, click the link below…
9 Comments
Martin Kasemsan
28th November 2020 at 9:05 pmHi, Paul, I’ve been enjoying your site and reviews for a few years now and thought it was high time I said “thank you” for your tone and expertise. When I built up the system I have now, your was one of the voices I paid extra attention to. Even with that said, I still enjoyed and appreciated this guide. I hope you’re staying safe and sound in the UK.
Cheers from Denver, Colorado!
Paul Rigby
30th November 2020 at 3:29 pmThanks for your kind words, Martin. And right back at you in Colorado 🙂 (…incidentally, I have a penchant for the Western genre in film – sad man that I am – so I also have a soft spot for Colorado. I hear that Denver still has the odd relic from the old West?)
Chris Ryan
19th December 2020 at 6:29 pmhey there, i hope all is well,,, can you recommend a good turntable in the £300 – £400 price bracket, purely for playing rock in the best sound quality available, i am willing to go higher if the sound quality is justified, thanks in advance, great site by the way i have found it very helpful and will definitely be using it more in the coming months as i build my setup
Paul Rigby
20th December 2020 at 10:56 amMany thanks Chris – and Merry Christmas to you, by the way 🙂 I’d look at the Rega Planar 1 and also, because you’ll have sone cash left over, an external phono amplifier if you haven’t got one already. a Rega Mini Fono or Pro-Ject MM Phono will further enhance sound quality. If you don’t like changing the speed by moving the belt and the Rega looks a bit austere or you fancy a direct drive model then look at the Audio-Technica LP5x.
Chris Ryan
20th December 2020 at 4:24 pmAwesome, many thanks for the advice Paul. I cant wait to get started
George Wagner
31st December 2020 at 12:12 amGreetings from Erie, CO, USA! I’ve had a Rega Planar 1 for about a year now and love it. Now I’ve got the itch to upgrade or trade-up. Watched your video on upgrade cartridges and you suggest several great options, but I’m worried I’ll want to upgrade again in another year, and the options for P1 are limited. Can you recommend a turntable/cartridge for around $1500 for consideration? Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Paul Rigby
31st December 2020 at 11:52 amHi George – a few suggestions? Pro-Ject 2Xperience SB and the RPM5 from the same company are good choices. Do you have an external phono amplifier? If not, budget for that and grab a lower cost NAD 588 which is an under-rated performer. Give me a shout if you need help on the phono amp.
Frank Fogolin
3rd March 2023 at 2:41 pmPaul. Wonderful articles. Informative and fun to read/watch if video. A question from me is: I have a Nagaoka MP-200 MM cartridge mounted on a Rega Planar 3, running to an Audiolab 6000A. I am looking at a slightly higher than pure budget price phono stage to pair with the Nagaoka. Used, preferably(so I will have to search), so my budget range is $400 to $600 CAD. The Nagaoka cartridge output is 2-10 mV, I believe…. Do you have any suggestions which phonos I can target as per my components?
Paul Rigby
3rd March 2023 at 2:46 pmCheck out my review of the Moon 110, Frank – I’m out and about right now so can’t access a link but do a quick search and you’ll find it. And thank you 🙂