Jump to content

Bare Minimum Equipment?


Recommended Posts

I'm looking at getting into vinyl with Christmas money, but being a pastor's son, money is tight. On that note, I would like to know what the bare minimum would be to play a vinyl record without scratching it. I can get better equipment later; for now, I'd rather save some money to actually buy records. You know, start a collection first, then get a decent setup.
Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

if budget is an issue.. spend a little time combing goodwills or other thrift stores for vintage turntables & receivers.. you'll get way more for your money than  the new entry level turntables currently on the market.

 

you basically need a table, an amp, if the amp is newer you'll most likely need a phono pre amp and a set of speakers.

 

hunt around at thrift shops/pawn shops/craigslist and you can probably find some cool stuff really cheap... and then maybe drop a little cash to get a new needle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check this out it has a lot of information that can help with a small-cost setup

http://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/xs9yh/baller_on_a_budget_the_cheap_setup_thread/

 

Ignore the part about the Dayton speakers since those aren't as acclaimed as they used to be (quality of production went downhill since this was posted)

 

I had the Lepai Tripath amp mentioned in this article and it worked great, cheap cost brand new but made really well.

There's also a lot of information here http://boards.vinylcollective.com/topic/88504-beginner%E2%80%99s-guide-to-hi%E2%80%93fi/#entry1512901 your hardest part will probably be finding a good table, and if you're serious about the hobby you should expect to drop at least $200 on that alone, unless you start looking into vintage tables, but the link above also goes into that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's hard. If you can ask around you might find that your parents or their friends may have an old one laying around. Those tables from the 80s are made to last. At least you can tinker with those and find out if they're working/get a feel for the technology and if it ends up not working well anymore at least you didn't spend money on it. I have not had the best of luck at thrift stores or rummage sales but I've seen a lot of success stories here and elsewhere. I have a vintage Technics now that my friend found and fixed up and it works like a dream, but it took a lot of trial and error messing with other tables to get to where I am now. It's an overwhelming (and expensive) hobby at first but it's better than putting $100 towards a portable Crosley that will sound like total garbage and end up turning you away from vinyl.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a broke college student myself so I know the financial struggle but that reddit thread I linked has a ton of helpful comments worth a browse on how people built their first setup that didn't cost an arm and a leg. People here are always really helpful too, but good luck! I hope you're able to find one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a pastors son, just tell the flock at church god wants you to have a sweet rocking turntable. They'd be idiots to not give toward that.

Seriously though, when thrifting for quality budget gear. The best indication is to lift it. If it feels heavy, there's a very good chance it's good quality. If it's plastic and lightweight move on.

Speakers are an easy find, there are a ton of good quality vintage speakers about that really don't cost much. Again, just pick them up. If they feel heavy, buy them

Link to comment
Share on other sites

if theres a church bulletin that does ads, or a bulletin board.. post a notice that you're looking for record players... i know my grandparents all had sweet console based systems that i loved playing growing up.. you might be able to score something free for the cost of getting it out of their garage/basement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×

AdBlock Detected

spacer.png

We noticed that you're using an adBlocker

Yes, I'll whitelist