Turntable for Dad

Gents, next month is my dad's birthday and would love to purchase a turntable for him to relinquish his LPs collection. Err... all of them had been lying around for 1 or 1 1/2 decades, still usable right after they are cleaned? I know nothing about turntable but did some research. At the moment it will be connected to a mini hifi, (those with dvd player, amp, tuner, video). So to get started I understand I need a turntable and a phono preamp for connection between mini hifi and turntable.

Any suggestion for turntable? Budget would be around 1-1.2k with phono preamp. Preferably new unit.

I believe everyone loves their dad

Many thanks

Alex, I recently got a new, fully automatic belt-drive Denon for my dad from Mediaplex for RM1.3k, all-in,including arm, cartridge (moving magnet) and built-in phono stage. It sounds surprisingly good (through the phono stage of a Pioneer A400 and a pair of Monitor Audio 2SEs. I think it'll sound good through a mini hifi too, better than so many cheap CD players. I'm thinking of getting one for myself too! Hope this helps.

At that price?PRo-Ject Debut,hands down

Thanks for the replies jtan and tin. The Pro-Ject Debut new is retailed at 1.2k? Where can I audition it?

I think the Project can be audtioned at Tong Lee, ground floor, Low Yat Plaza. I havent heard it and yes it may sound better than the Denon, but if your dad appreciates not having to put on his reading glasses to cue up the tonearm himself and swap the belt when he puts on his 45rpm singles, then the push button convenience of a fully automatic is a god send. That said, you pays your money, you takes your choice

How about Rega? The entry level P1 is quite good also. You can audition it at Asia Sound at AmCorp Mall, PJ.

Tong Lee gives me a bad impression as I found their price tags rocketed sky high. Thanks for the info guys, think I need to add a pre-requisite here, that is my dad appreciate a fully automatic turntable. Well we might lose the fun of tweaking but I could save time on teaching my dad

Just a suggestion here...
Why not give those electrical repair shops a try?
Maybe can get a used unit there too.
Then, can use the spare money to buy phono amp.

Well, anyway, just my suggestion.......

You mean repair my dad's turntable? That is a big no no man, his unit is 30 years old, those vintage turntable incorporated with a huge cabinet. Very famous those days buy hardly seen nowadays. Even the speaker grill was made from wood.

Still keeping the cabinet to store LPs though.

Well, it's not for me but my dad so a new unit will show my sincerity........

Errm.. Actually what I meant was looking for used unit at a repair shop.
Anyway, as you mentioned that you are looking for new unit, then my idea is not feasible.

Hey, Rega should fit your budget well leh...

Which Rega and where can I find it? Plan to drop a visit at Amcorp Mall this Sat if I am free.

Thanks.

alex wrote:Which Rega and where can I find it? Plan to drop a visit at Amcorp Mall this Sat if I am free.

Thanks.

Asia Sound at Level 1 (I think) by the elevator. P1 is the entry level but it is not automatic though.

I recommend denon DP300 automatic player with built in phono stage. Some people prefer this than the Rega P1. It sells around RM1.3K...

Actually i prefer automatic models coz it is annoying when your hands dirty i.e repairing things or eating your snacks, upon finish record it will sound kux,klux....until you switch off that player. Damn irratiting, that time how i wish that rega is an automatic.

Hopes this help...

True also... Automatic has its advantage.
Sometimes, I am very afraid of damaging the cartridge while manually placing the arm on the LP.

hoyhoysum when you said built in phono stage does it means that I do not need a phono preamp? That is good news man, 1.3k for all. I think jtan mentioned he bought one Denon turntable for his dad for 1.3k from Mediaplex guess it is the same unit?

Besides Mediaplex can I find this in Amcorp Mall?

Cheers

Hi Alex, yes it is the same unit, and yes it has a built in phono amp. I I saw a unit for sale in Amcorp Mall, forget the name of the shop, first floor, next to Audiomatic (which you should drop into as well, just for fun.)

hoyhoysum wrote:
Actually i prefer automatic models coz it is annoying when your hands dirty i.e repairing things or eating your snacks, upon finish record it will sound kux,klux....until you switch off that player. Damn irratiting, that time how i wish that rega is an automatic.

Hi hoyhoysum,

Can you clarify in more detail how the annoying sound comes by? What is the difference between automatic and non-automatic turntables? I don't think I'll touch any of my gears with dirty hands so I'm not too sure how it would affect the performance of non-automatic turntables.

Thanks in advance.

Yup confirm with phono stage built in. The annoying sound comes from end of the record where the needle goes into a continuos loop. It might serve as a reminder to the listener that the record has reach to the end.

Manual- You manualy place the arm/cartridge to the start of the lp.Upon finish you manualy placed back to the arm rest.

Semi Auto- You manually place the arm/cartridge to start the lp. The arm will return automatically back to the arm rest.

Fully Automatic- The arm/cartridge will automatically placed it self to the start position of the lp and return back upon completion of the lp.

You are right, i will not touch my hifi gears with greassy hands, worse if you eat by hands like Malay do's. I do! I don't have the privillage to sit in front of my hifi set to enjoy music. But constantly moving around my house. The lp last 25 minutes and one have to flip it after that. Unlike cd you that last an hour and can auto repeat.

Thanks for the clarification. If the annoying sound comes at the end of the record where the needle goes into continuous loop, this imply the sound will still be present with fully automatic turntables am I right? If that is the case it has got nothing to do with dirty hands. Pardon my ignorance as I am planning to get my first turntable as well.

Thanks for the clarification jtan and hoyhousum. Guess it is the unit for me

alex wrote:You mean repair my dad's turntable? That is a big no no man, his unit is 30 years old, those vintage turntable incorporated with a huge cabinet. Very famous those days buy hardly seen nowadays. Even the speaker grill was made from wood.

Still keeping the cabinet to store LPs though.

Well, it's not for me but my dad so a new unit will show my sincerity........

I just restored a turntable thats older than me. (yes, very vintage and also in a wood "cabinet". The proper term for it is "plinth". )

You might be able to revive yours , care to share that brand is it ?

Alex,
Why don't you use a direct drive Turntable? It is more lasting than the semi and fully automatic Turntable.

mugenfoo wrote:

alex wrote:You mean repair my dad's turntable? That is a big no no man, his unit is 30 years old, those vintage turntable incorporated with a huge cabinet. Very famous those days buy hardly seen nowadays. Even the speaker grill was made from wood.

Still keeping the cabinet to store LPs though.

Well, it's not for me but my dad so a new unit will show my sincerity........

I just restored a turntable thats older than me. (yes, very vintage and also in a wood "cabinet". The proper term for it is "plinth". )

You might be able to revive yours , care to share that brand is it ?

I thought of reviving that but carry the plinth? Back breaking man. I can't remember the brand, need to check tonight. Care to share how you restored it and what is the damage to your wallet?

seanlee731107 wrote:Alex,
Why don't you use a direct drive Turntable? It is more lasting than the semi and fully automatic Turntable.

That was one of the question I was thinking. Does a fully automatic turntable last long? Well, as compare to semi or manual.

Errr... What is direct drive turntable? Haha really clueless here. I will google when there is free time

alex wrote:

seanlee731107 wrote:Alex,
Why don't you use a direct drive Turntable? It is more lasting than the semi and fully automatic Turntable.

That was one of the question I was thinking. Does a fully automatic turntable last long? Well, as compare to semi or manual.

Errr... What is direct drive turntable? Haha really clueless here. I will google when there is free time

a "direct drive" TT means the motor directly turns the massive platter.

The opposite of a direct drive would be a "belt-drive" where the motor is mounted not directly under the platter but instead has a belt to turn the platter. Alot of popular TT like the Linn Sondek , Rega & Thorens are belt driven.


It has nothing to do with being semi-automatic or fully automatic.

The semi or fully automatic means there is a separate mechanism that will move the tonearm from the parking position to start at the egde, and/or move the tonearm back to the parking position once the arm has finished the last track on the record.

Hiya, the brand is Prinstar as shown below. Second picture is the LPs collection.

wow ... the equipment is really OLD. Its like those integrated ALL-in-1 system.

Yeah, certainly recommend you go get your dad a new TT instead...
Maybe also a good entry level Amp and phono stage while you're at it too: like a NAD PP1 phono stage, and mebbe a Cambridge Audio Azur integrated amp. hahahaha

Haha, I tried google Prinstar nothing matches. I am still a bit confused though. Since the Denon DP300 has built in phono stage I do not need phono preamp? Can straight plug into AUX line in for those mini hifi? I think I know the answer just that I have not done it before. I am using CA 640A V2 but it is in my bedroom...

mugenfoo, I like your avatar it brings back memories my favourite anime

Alex,
Remember those new amp these days need a pre-amp and power amp to boost the perfect sound. Those new amps which have the built in phono nowdays are not good enough with the sound. Try a vintage amp like sansui AU series.. I think you will more satisfy with that. Pls check properly when you buy those vintage amp.

I really recommend a simple TT like Rega (whichever suit your budget) P3 on offer now at RM1.6k with any old trade-in at Asia Sound.
Its simple, non fussy, plug n play, simple engineering, anyone can handle it. No automatics that can potentially fail and looks great. I'm sure it'll sound a lot better than some current Japanese competition simply because of its heavy build alone. Just that the price exclude cartridge and phono stage and the belt needs replacement at 5 years. I need not explain more.

WAH !!!! RM1.6K for a P3 with trade in ???? DARN !!! I must go check it out ASAP !!!

The prices of Rega turntables in Asia Sound are cheapest in the region and was claimed to be cheaper compared to Singapore. From what I was told the original price of the P3-24 is about RM2.4k but trade-in price they can give RM1.6k. Check out the P3-24 colour with PSU. Trade-in price is a low RM2.4k(price in Singapore for this unit is said to me >RM3k). The price of the P5 is not far from the P3-24 colour with PSU.

Anybody can advise whether the P5 will sound subtantially better than the P3-24 with PSU? Or whether the P3-24 with PSU will sound substantially better than the basic P3-24?

Yes, the P5 is quite a lift from P3-24. Rega is typically what you pay is what you get. ... the higher the model, the better the arm, better build and better essential components to lift the sound quality to another level. Its NOT like your local car facelift of base line, medium line or SE model. There's real world gains with higher models, of course at a price.
Of course again there's many other TT's that'll beat the Rega hands down in some departments, so Rega isn't the last word in TT's. NO ARGUEMENT.
There's numerous upgrade parts especially for Rega P3 and later models to uplift the sonic quality but it comes at a huge cost, possibly exceeding the P5 base price. So its entirely up to oneself to weigh the pros and cons when choosing first time, otherwise play as-is. I've spent quite a bundle on my P3 and it'll possibly beat a stock P5 in some areas but not all.
Anyway, this thread is about a possible minimal budget to suffice dad...

Hi cmboy,

From what I heard there is very little difference between the P3-24 with TT PSU and the basic P5. Of course the P5 with TT PSU will outperform the P3-24 with TT PSU.

With the prices of Rega turntables I suppose there isn't many that can come close at their price range especially with the P3-24 that has received many good reviews and comments.

By the way, do you own the basic P3-24 or the P3-24 colour with TT PSU?

The gem in any current Rega is the arm itself. Properly geometrically setup and its no secret it'll give other competing mid end TT's a run for the money. Anyway, this is only the source and the other components in the hifi chain will dictate how it'll all ultimately sound whether to satisfaction of not. An excellent phono stage and a compliant cartridge is also very beneficial to the TT potential.
Mine is just before the P3-24, a slight different animal, but leagues better than the older Planar 3. As I said earlier, mine is custom souped up and again another different animal, actually quite different from any regular Planar or P3.

I just bought Rega P1 + Rega phono preamp from Asia Sound today.

Bad news, my dad says he don't listen to those LPs as he never bought them. Those LPs are for my grandma...

Seems like I need to sell it away. Any takers? I am sad...

Perhaps you speak nicely to Asia Sound, and exchange/upgrade for the P3-24, and go the vinyl route yourself?

Don't need to be too sad. There is still hope. If you are a music lover you can always get into the turntable route yourself just like me. For RM1k I believe the P1 has a lot of potential with a sound quality the can match most CD players at its price range or better them. My only nit-picking is on the limited number of titles on LPs in comparison to CDs.

You can always sell the P1 off when you decide it is not for you, and I don't think you would lose much out of it.

Why narrow yourself to thinking LP's are limited. Explore other music genre and numerous titles NOT available on CD. Its also a silly notion to own or try acquiring one album on both formats, unless you're a collector. Don't forget that the vinyl LP and associated TT gear are meant to be an alternative source of music...not entirely for comparing against CD or try to better the CD format.

I am numb Maybe I can exchange for Rotel amp or cdp I will try my luck tmr by giving Asia Sound a call.

On second thought maybe selling it off is better. Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

cmboy wrote:Its also a silly notion to own or try acquiring one album on both formats, unless you're a collector.

Different folks have different opinions, and I don't think it is silly to own an album in two formats. I have already started buying records on ebay that the titles I have owned on CDs. Most used records I've checked out on the flea market in Amcorp mall are of unknown artists and I would never buy them knowing the music would not suit my listening preference.

hmm.... does anyone own an alignment device to properly set up the tomearn swivel & stylus geometries ?

Any recommendations ?
Besides those protractor templates available on the Internet,
So far the "special tools" i've come across is a ClearAudio Aligner, and a super mini scale weighing pad that give the grams then the stylus rests on it . Accurate to X.XX grams. (+/- 10 milligrams).

OK, so what are the tools needed to properly align a Rega P-something system without to always bring it back to Asia Sound or some TT guru to have it aligned ?

mugenfoo wrote:OK, so what are the tools needed to properly align a Rega P-something system without to always bring it back to Asia Sound or some TT guru to have it aligned ?

Please google and learn the fundamentals of tonearm geometry, the different setup geometry for different arms. You may also find and download the Stevenson protractor which is usually suggested for the Rega P series in particular.
That shop doesn't have any in house guru to do alignment AFAIK. They highly suggest you buy the Rega cartridge which is straight forward and its self aligned.

hmmm.. ok , so do u use Baerwald or Leofgren or Stevenson method?

alex wrote:I am numb Maybe I can exchange for Rotel amp or cdp I will try my luck tmr by giving Asia Sound a call.

On second thought maybe selling it off is better. Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

If possible, you can try to start your TT journey as well..
Maybe after sometime, your dad will get back into TT as well..

how much is the P1 retailling for ? Complete with tonearm and cartridge also ?

The P1 was retail for RM980 nett. Yes, complete with ortofon cartridge and tonearm. Just plug and play

wow .. thats really cheap cheap price !

So how ... u thinking of selling it off s/hand or what ?

Hi mugen, I have put it up on sale since yesterday.

Link: https://www.hifi4sale.net/audio-video-equipment-for-sale-f1/rega-p1-turntable-used-t2644.htm

And I just added pictures.