njpunkmusic Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Hey guys, long time member and Im finally trying to upgrade my placer. I've been using an entry level Sony PS-LX250H for three years, but it kind of crapped the bed and Im looking to pick up something newer and a better. Here are is my criteria for the new one. I just need suggestions and basically some education. - Belt Drive - Built In Pre-Amp - Dust Jacket -$250 or less I say built in preamp because that's what I have right now and it does directly to my Onkyo receiver. I cant really afford an amp too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 Im also looking at the Pro ject Debut Carbon Phono USB for $400. But Im confused on one thing...is that the only one with a built in pre-amp> Or does the carbon 3 have one too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 A separate phono pre-amp can cost you as little as $30. No need to limit your choices by insisting on a table with one already built in. Also, the Carbon (non-USB version) is around $100 over your budget, but still, you should strongly consider it. Best bang for buck out there. njpunkmusic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 A separate phono pre-amp can cost you as little as $30. No need to limit your choices by insisting on a table with one already built in. Also, the Carbon (non-USB version) is around $100 over your budget, but still, you should strongly consider it. Best bang for buck out there. Yea I honestly am strongly considering. Does this also have a built in pre-amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcguirk Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 The USB version does, but I don't care for built in pres. If you ever want to upgrade you can't bypass it. Unless you luck out finding a vintage Thorens or maybe a Beogram in good condition you won't get anything for $250 which represents an upgrade over your existing setup. njpunkmusic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 Im looking at $400 now I guess lol. It's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 The USB version does, but I don't care for built in pres. If you ever want to upgrade you can't bypass it. Unless you luck out finding a vintage Thorensor maybe a Beogram in good condition you won't get anything for $250 which represents an upgrade over your existing setup. Agreed on the insistence on a built in pre it will definitely limit your choices over time and a Thorens or any of it's direct competitors yes anything B&O no, it's the Scandinavian Bose, form over function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcguirk Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Agreed on the insistence on a built in pre it will definitely limit your choices over time and a Thorens or any of it's direct competitors yes anything B&O no, it's the Scandinavian Bose, form over function. Agreed to an extent, however the beograms always go on ebay for about his budget. Problem is the proprietary carts go for $150 and there's no guarantee you won't receive a toasted one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Agreed to an extent, however the beograms always go on ebay for about his budget. Problem is the proprietary carts go for $150 and there's no guarantee you won't receive a toasted one. Its a bit sad they are in the same price range as something as good as a Thorens, over here with B&O until a couple a year or so ago it used to be you got something that looked pretty for not a lot of money and you could pick them up for $30 or $40 here for a reason. Now though they are going for very high prices and I should have bought them all up and sat on them as they do look good and snake oil always sells when hype comes to town. Yes the need to use only B&O carts is a big problem and getting them now is almost impossible but the biggest issue is they are just nowhere near as good as they look or where their original price suggested, I've got a couple of the combo units here which I love the looks of but given the choice regardless of price I would take something like the humble Pioneer PL12 over any B&O turntable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share Posted November 16, 2013 UPDATE; Well I have bought the Pro-Ject Debut Caron in blue w/ 2M Red cart for $339 brand new from my local stereo equipment dealer. He ordered it today for me and Im expecting it within a week or so. $339 seemed like a great deal plus he will give me $50 credit towards it when it comes in if I trade in my current Sony TT. So that knocks it down to $289. Not to mention I bought the Sony used 3 years ago for $50 so im not losing anything. However I have not picked out a pre-amp yet and would love suggestions. Ranging from $50-$150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcguirk Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Can't go wrong with the Cambridge Audio Azure 151P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpingBean Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Get a Pro-ject carbon (non-usb) and then get a Belari tube phono preamp. That will be a huge upgrade for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 UPDATE; Well I have bought the Pro-Ject Debut Caron in blue w/ 2M Red cart for $339 brand new from my local stereo equipment dealer. He ordered it today for me and Im expecting it within a week or so. $339 seemed like a great deal plus he will give me $50 credit towards it when it comes in if I trade in my current Sony TT. So that knocks it down to $289. Not to mention I bought the Sony used 3 years ago for $50 so im not losing anything. However I have not picked out a pre-amp yet and would love suggestions. Ranging from $50-$150 Great price for the Carbon! Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtcohenour Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 UPDATE; Well I have bought the Pro-Ject Debut Caron in blue w/ 2M Red cart for $339 brand new from my local stereo equipment dealer. He ordered it today for me and Im expecting it within a week or so. $339 seemed like a great deal plus he will give me $50 credit towards it when it comes in if I trade in my current Sony TT. So that knocks it down to $289. Not to mention I bought the Sony used 3 years ago for $50 so im not losing anything. However I have not picked out a pre-amp yet and would love suggestions. Ranging from $50-$150 Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Can't go wrong with the Cambridge Audio Azure 151P. Congrats on your new TT and this one above for ease of use and sound quality per $ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 Thanks for all the feedback guys. Im going to look into the Cambridge 151P. Anyone have an opinion on the Pro-Ject MM or Phono Box S? Im assuming Cambridge would be better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 It's 551p though, just so you don't go crazy looking for it with no results showing up. The Pro-Ject Phono Boxes are fine as well, especially the Phono Box DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 It's 551p though, just so you don't go crazy looking for it with no results showing up. The Pro-Ject Phono Boxes are fine as well, especially the Phono Box DC. lol i was just searching 151, but figured it out right before I read this. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcguirk Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 My bad, I meant 551P! Don't drink and post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozzyb Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I have a Phono Box S and it's a nice little unit. No gripes about the way my set-up sounds. mcguirk and njpunkmusic 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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