**The Official Vinyl Collectors Thread**

[DrinkNoH2O]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

My research points to the Technics as well, but what should the price point be? With no new cartridge, something around 65-75 dollars?

Search eBay, I think about $65-$75 is a good price point to shoot for. There are several up for sale right now:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

The tables are direct drive and are built like a tank. Assuming you'll replace the cartride either way the main thing I'd look out for is the dust cover being in good shape, they are expensive to replace if cracked.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Drumlax - I echo what Joe said about NewEgg. Keep an eye for when they put the Polk Monitor series on sale (they do it pretty frequently.) Some of the best bang for the buck you'll get in the speaker world, especially with NewEgg's great sale prices. In November I got a pair of the Monitor 60 series 2's for $99 each with free shipping. (They list for $299 each.) And just recently I rounded that out with the PSW10 Subwoofer for $89 with free shipping (lists for $249.) Totally re-vamped my system at a great price. IMO the Polks sound just as good as comparable Klipsch models at a fraction of the price.

How are these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290268

[wampa3]

If you're looking to get something now for below $150, i would suggest the Monitor 40s

New: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monitor-40-S...item35c60089df

Factory Refurbished: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monitor-40-B...item5af00faebc

These are the same as the Monitor 50 speakers, they are just bookshelf instead of towers. I would suggest pairing these with a sub though because the low end might be a little dampened with the smaller housing.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by Drumlax15

How are these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290268

Those are nice, but unless you are pressed for space, I'd wait until they put one of the larger tower speakers on sale -you'll get more speaker for a comparable (or even lower) price.

I'd wait till they run a sale and do these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290271

(This is the newer version of the ones I have. $199 is a good price as-is, but they'lll probably put them on sale for like $149 or $129.)

Or these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290270

Which are basically just one step down, have one less driver. I believe Stephen (wampa3) has a very similar pair.

[wampa3]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Those are nice, but unless you are pressed for space, I'd wait until they put one of the larger tower speakers on sale -you'll get more speaker for a comparable (or even lower) price.

I'd wait till they run a sale and do these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290271

(This is the newer version of the ones I have. $199 is a good price as-is, but they'lll probably put them on sale for like $149 or $129.)

Or these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290270

Which are basically just one step down, have one less driver. I believe Stephen (wampa3) has a very similar pair.

Yeah, I have the Monitor 50s which was the previous model of the same speaker. I've been very pleased but having it hooked into my surround system with my sub helps a lot. I don't think I'd get the same low end sound without it.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by wampa3

If you're looking to get something now for below $150, i would suggest the Monitor 40s

New: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monitor-40-S...item35c60089df

Factory Refurbished: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monitor-40-B...item5af00faebc

These are the same as the Monitor 50 speakers, they are just bookshelf instead of towers. I would suggest pairing these with a sub though because the low end might be a little dampened with the smaller housing.

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Those are nice, but unless you are pressed for space, I'd wait until they put one of the larger tower speakers on sale -you'll get more speaker for a comparable (or even lower) price.

I'd wait till they run a sale and do these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290271

(This is the newer version of the ones I have. $199 is a good price as-is, but they'lll probably put them on sale for like $149 or $129.)

Or these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290270

Which are basically just one step down, have one less driver. I believe Stephen (wampa3) has a very similar pair.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[WidespreadMule3]

I currently have an 80s Panasonic turntable player that sounds great and is a solid piece, but I need something to transfer my records to mp3s. I've been told to get an Audio-Technica. How good is the Audio Technica AT-LP60USB for transferring vinyl to mp3s?

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by WidespreadMule3

I currently have an 80s Panasonic turntable player that sounds great and is a solid piece, but I need something to transfer my records to mp3s. I've been told to get an Audio-Technica. How good is the Audio Technica AT-LP60USB for transferring vinyl to mp3s?

Does your current table have regular RCA outputs? You don't necessarily need one of those USB turntables in order to transfer your records to digital. If you have a compatable soundcard you may be able to plus your TT directly into it without having to bother with USB.

[DrinkNoH2O]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Drumlax - I echo what Joe said about NewEgg. Keep an eye for when they put the Polk Monitor series on sale (they do it pretty frequently.) Some of the best bang for the buck you'll get in the speaker world, especially with NewEgg's great sale prices. In November I got a pair of the Monitor 60 series 2's for $99 each with free shipping. (They list for $299 each.) And just recently I rounded that out with the PSW10 Subwoofer for $89 with free shipping (lists for $249.) Totally re-vamped my system at a great price. IMO the Polks sound just as good as comparable Klipsch models at a fraction of the price.

Glad to hear you are having such good results with the Polks. I picked up the PSW10 from Frye's last year for around $90 as well and am really happy with the results. I'm using it in my living room setup (turntable is in another room).

I'm getting ready to upgrade my living room center channel as well as replace the junky in-wall front left/right channels that came with the house.

Think I'm going to go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290042

and this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290274


How often does NewEgg run sales and is there any way to be notified? I think I could save quite a bit onsale and really ramp up what I have.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by DrinkNoH2O

Glad to hear you are having such good results with the Polks. I picked up the PSW10 from Frye's last year for around $90 as well and am really happy with the results. I'm using it in my living room setup (turntable is in another room).

I'm getting ready to upgrade my living room center channel as well as replace the junky in-wall front left/right channels that came with the house.

Think I'm going to go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290042

and this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290274


How often does NewEgg run sales and is there any way to be notified? I think I could save quite a bit onsale and really ramp up what I have.

They have sales basically all the time. Just sign up for their email blasts on their site and you'll get one basically every day with all the new sale stuff.

[DrinkNoH2O]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

They have sales basically all the time. Just sign up for their email blasts on their site and you'll get one basically every day with all the new sale stuff.

Cool, thanks! These speakers are already listed as 50% and 43% off respectively, but I think that's just their standard for sale price. The reviews on each item (some as recent as 2 weeks ago) indicate they can be had even cheaper.

I'll sign up for the blasts and keep an eye out.

[YouNeverKnow25]

A Pioneer SX-525 is good, no?

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

A Pioneer SX-525 is good, no?

Yeah, good receiver from the silver face line. Very ballsy considering only 35 watts (but these are "real" ratings, not the inflated #'s you see on stuff today.)

Good looking unit too with the blue lighting.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Worth 100 bucks, would you say?

[DrinkNoH2O]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

A Pioneer SX-525 is good, no?

Decent, yeah. On the lower end for power but those older receivers are more under-rated than today's models in terms of RMS and max power output.

I personally prefer the Marantz models however. I'd much rather have something like a Marantz 2238b in that power range than the Pioneer. Check this out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARANTZ-2238...item51ab8112f4

I have a Marantz 2252B that I rebuilt and it freaking screams. I can't even come close to turning it all the way up, not even more than half way.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by DrinkNoH2O

Cool, thanks! These speakers are already listed as 50% and 43% off respectively, but I think that's just their standard for sale price. The reviews on each item (some as recent as 2 weeks ago) indicate they can be had even cheaper.

I'll sign up for the blasts and keep an eye out.

Definitely. If you keep an eye out they'll mark them down even further.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

Worth 100 bucks, would you say?

Ehhh that's a little steep for a 525. I'm currently running an SX-650 and I paid $51 on Ebay for it. It's not a horrible price but if you're patient you can probably find a better deal.

As for the Pioneer vs Marantz 70's models, I personally prefer the sound of the Pioneers as I've owned both. It really is all about your personal preference though. I like the warm bass response and tubey-sounding top end on the Pioneers.

You can't go wrong with either though, they both made some of the top of the line units in the 70s and your ears will tell you which you like better. Marantz still makes high end gear while these days Pioneer is more of your middle of the road, Best Buy type stuff, but in the 70's they made some of the best receivers on the market.) My dream is to find an afforable SX-1250 in good working order out there someday. Hard to get one for less than $750-$1000 these days.

[YouNeverKnow25]

My bid is 64 right now. The 100 comes from the shipping.

[YouNeverKnow25]

I lost. Not upset now that I got word back from Alex, thanks for that.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

My bid is 64 right now. The 100 comes from the shipping.

Ahh, that makes more sense. Those old units are tanks so they can be pricey to ship. Mine was the same way, paid $51 but it was closer to $80 with the shipping. You see similar units pop up all the time, so just keep your eyes peeled. Anything from the Pioneer 'SX' series or Marantz '22xx' series from that era should make your ears really happy paired with your turntable and some solid speakers.

[DrinkNoH2O]

Yeah, like Alex said be be patient. New stuff comes up all the time, just keep watching and researching the various models while you wait. AudioKarma.org is your friend (it's literally the Ants of vintage audio gear).

I've always found that eBay auctions that end in the middle of the night end up with the lowest price - people aren't awake to get into a bidding war. When I won that Technics SL-D3 table I set my alarm to wake up at 4am and ensure no one outbid me.

[DrinkNoH2O]

Damn now after browsing NewEgg I want this for my living room to replace my aging JVC receiver:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

[wampa3]

Originally Posted by DrinkNoH2O

Glad to hear you are having such good results with the Polks. I picked up the PSW10 from Frye's last year for around $90 as well and am really happy with the results. I'm using it in my living room setup (turntable is in another room).

I'm getting ready to upgrade my living room center channel as well as replace the junky in-wall front left/right channels that came with the house.

Think I'm going to go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290042

and this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290274


How often does NewEgg run sales and is there any way to be notified? I think I could save quite a bit onsale and really ramp up what I have.

You could also get pretty much the same center speaker for half the price here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CS10-BLACK-T...item5aef92977e

[YouNeverKnow25]

Probably a total newb question: it's definitely better to go turntable-->vintage receiver--->speakers than it is to go turntable--->phono pre-amp--->new age receiver---> speakers

right?

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25

Probably a total newb question: it's definitely better to go turntable-->vintage receiver--->speakers than it is to go turntable--->phono pre-amp--->new age receiver---> speakers

right?

That's a question that really can only be answered by your ears.

For me, absolutely as I prefer the warm analog sound of the vintage receivers over new stuff for listening to music. Newer surround sound receivers are designed more to be optimized for surround sound listening and I often find them lacking when you go straight 2-channel audio for music listening.

Going vintage will also be easier on your wallet, as you'll likely pay less for the used vintage receiver than you will for a new one, plus you won't have to purchase the pre-amp.

Sometimes a pre-amp can give you an improvement in sound even with the vintage receiver that has a dedicated Phono input. But you don't need one, so you can just get the receiver and if you feel like adding a pre-amp later you can.

[william.hosking]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

That's a question that really can only be answered by your ears.

For me, absolutely as I prefer the warm analog sound of the vintage receivers over new stuff for listening to music. Newer surround sound receivers are designed more to be optimized for surround sound listening and I often find them lacking when you go straight 2-channel audio for music listening.

Going vintage will also be easier on your wallet, as you'll likely pay less for the used vintage receiver than you will for a new one, plus you won't have to purchase the pre-amp.

Sometimes a pre-amp can give you an improvement in sound even with the vintage receiver that has a dedicated Phono input. But you don't need one, so you can just get the receiver and if you feel like adding a pre-amp later you can.

Came in here to post pretty much this in a nutshell.

[YouNeverKnow25]

Cool, thanks guys

[dobyblue]

I think you can make up for the newer receivers with a good phono pre-amp. When I first used my AVR for vinyl it sounded good and I enjoyed it, but moving to a Parasound $200 pre-amp and then going into a regular line input..wowzers, massive difference. I never utilize the DSP modes on my AVR when listening to vinyl, it's always straight analogue bypassing the ADCs.

I also like how modern speakers utilize more smaller woofers to achieve what older vintage speakers used to try and do with just one huge woofer, it's a more manageable footprint for me to have 3 6.5" woofers in my Paradigm speakers than one big 15 or 18" woofer.

There are good modern tube amps too, look at the VAC Phi Beta 110i in Gremal's gallery over at blu-ray.com - http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gal...&folderid=3404

It's hooked up to a VPI Scout - don't follow that link if you don't want to feel jealous, lucky bugger.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I think you can make up for the newer receivers with a good phono pre-amp. When I first used my AVR for vinyl it sounded good and I enjoyed it, but moving to a Parasound $200 pre-amp and then going into a regular line input..wowzers, massive difference. I never utilize the DSP modes on my AVR when listening to vinyl, it's always straight analogue bypassing the ADCs.

I also like how modern speakers utilize more smaller woofers to achieve what older vintage speakers used to try and do with just one huge woofer, it's a more manageable footprint for me to have 3 6.5" woofers in my Paradigm speakers than one big 15 or 18" woofer.

There are good modern tube amps too, look at the VAC Phi Beta 110i in Gremal's gallery over at blu-ray.com - http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gal...&folderid=3404

It's hooked up to a VPI Scout - don't follow that link if you don't want to feel jealous, lucky bugger.

This is so true. It really opened up the space in my man cave/listening room when I switched out the old fatty's I was running (Pioneer CS-303's from back in the early 90's) that had 16" woofers and a huge footprint for the Polk Monitors with 3, 5.5" drivers.

[DrinkNoH2O]

Originally Posted by wampa3

You could also get pretty much the same center speaker for half the price here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CS10-BLACK-T...item5aef92977e

While they look the same, the CS10 and the 25C are quite a bit different (5.25" vs. 6.5" drivers, etc.), plus that CS10 is refurbished.

The 15C is much more comparable (newer version of CS10 basically) and you can get it for the same price brand new:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290273

Makes me wonder how NewEgg is selling a new upgraded Polk model for the same price as Polk is selling a refurbished unit of the older model...


I'm just going to wait for the 25C to go on sale and pick it up then. I definitely want a larger center channel, trying to correct the problem of a wimpy one now.