Craigslist Finds

[Friendly1]

Hello, after reading the pinned post at the top of the page, I have decided to use my saved up money to buy a used turntable from Craigslist. I am in desperate need of an upgrade.  The only problem is that I have no idea what some of these players are like. I have researched Amazon reviews on some of them, but I can't find any decent user reviews other than 1 star/5 star ridiculousness.

 

I am northern VA area. Found these players and was wondering if any are steals/decent grabs in terms of an upgrade:

Pioneer PL-L55 Turntable - $100

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/msg/5700522861.html

 

Technics SL-QD33 Turntable - $80

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ele/5685756512.html

 

Thorens TD-190 Turntable - $295

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/eld/5707235425.html

 

Thorens might be out of my budget, but it looks really nice.

[circuit bored records]

That particular thorens is not worth that price IMO. I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on those other two and hold out for something better and less...plastic-y

 

is this close to you?

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ele/5703892911.html

 

if you can get that thing for 35-40, invest $150-200 in a decent cartridge that would definitely be a respectable set up.

Edited July 31, 2016 by yanquiuxo

[allenh]

Yep all pretty much over priced.

 

The Technics wouldn't be that badly priced if it were the version you can change the cartridge on but it's one where you can't adjust anything so you are stuck with the cartridge and stylus that Technics dictate which is average at best.

 

The Thorens is way over priced, anything after a TD160 or TD166 just isn't a Thorens it's just a pale shadow of a once great turntable.

 

The Pioneer divide by 10 and you'd be closer to the true value.

 

7 hours ago, yanquiuxo said:

That particular thorens is not worth that price IMO. I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on those other two and hold out for something better and less...plastic-y

 

is this close to you?

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ele/5703892911.html

 

if you can get that thing for 35-40, invest $150-200 in a decent cartridge that would definitely be a respectable set up.

This advice is spot on so go with this one if you can, it's a solid table that can be made to sound very nice indeed, the others can't

[Friendly1]

Thanks for the advice guys. The one you suggested is just a little too far for me. 

 

I am pretty patient so I will keep checking online for it. Good to know about Pioneer as well. Was looking into their PL-30 Automatic and it's gotten horrible reviews. Same withe the Denon DP-300F. Those two are what I'm pretty much looking for. Something semi-automatic. Built in pre-amp isn't necessary considering I can get one for pretty cheap. 

 

But thanks for the help and advice, I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[Freki]

Looks like you live pretty close to a major metro area. Why not find an actual store that sells refurbished equipment so that you can 1) listen to it first , and 2) have some basic guarantee that allows you to refund/exchange in case something doesn't work?

[El Pee]

Where in DC are you? I'm in Montgomery County... I have found a few great finds on CL, but also at yard sales and estate sales. Go to fancy neighborhoods for yard sales, you'll find something.

[allenh]

yard sales in old established moneyed neighbourhoods are always a good bet, generally a better class of crap I find

[Friendly1]

I moved to the area fairly recently. I am thinking of heading to the Dupont/Adams Morgan area next weekend to all the record stores and seeing if they have anything worth picking up. No car makes it hard to go to the yard sales unfortunately.