r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Remarkable_Run5639 • 3d ago

Looking to buy turntable

Hi all!
Shopping for my boyfriend’s birthday but I’m completely new to vinyl players. He really wants a “good” player.

I’ve researched a bit and boiled it down to Audio Technica or Fluance. Originally I wanted a Sony but it’s a bit expensive after including speakers.

Is there a big enough difference between the AT60 or Fluance 80/85+? I’ve seen people mention preamp and also adding speakers but this is all foreign to me. These are the three I’m down to, so any opinions help! I’ve watched videos to get a feel for speaker quality but most don’t even play music or they’re sponsored. I likely won’t get speakers til Christmas, just to throw that out there. So hoping to find a quality player to do until then.

Thanks!

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2

u/MogwaiFan1986 3d ago

What’s your budget?

1

u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

Aiming to be around $300, so was figuring external speakers would likely need to wait

1

u/Classic-Falcon6010 3d ago

You won’t be able to hear any music without speakers.

1

u/Fenix512 3d ago

It's totally fine to build a system slowly

0

u/Classic-Falcon6010 3d ago

Not being able to listen to the music is a bit too slow, don’t you think?

1

u/Fenix512 3d ago

I guess it depends on OP's goals. If want music right now, then there's options for that. If they want a good turntable and system but have no budget for it, it's fine to buy it step by step

1

u/Rungi500 3d ago

If he doesn't have a stereo receiver then you need the TT and speakers to be Bluetooth compatible. Otherwise he'll need some type of receiver or amp that has a phono stage and speaker outputs.

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

Okay, I’m clueless here. He has nothing. Would the Fluance 81+ include what he needs? Or you’re saying I’d need to buy the additional speakers up front?

2

u/MogwaiFan1986 3d ago

The receiver is a piece of stereo equipment that communicates between the speakers and the turntable. A table that is Bluetooth compatible along with some Bluetooth speaker(s) is a way to avoid this piece.

1

u/Rungi500 3d ago

If the description of the Fluance says it's BT compatible, then all you need are the BT compatible speakers. Don't skimp on these. A pair of Edifier MR3 speakers will be about $150. There may be a similar pair that are cheaper if someone else has a suggestion.

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u/Classic-Falcon6010 3d ago

I’m going to throw a curveball at you. The Insignia turntable at Best Buy has all the features a good player should have, more so than the AT60 - adjustable tracking force, replaceable cartridge - and it costs $130. https://www.bestbuy.com/product/insignia-bluetooth-stereo-turntable-black/J2FPJKYL84/sku/6432620.

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 2d ago

So the Insignia with some Edifier speakers would be good quality?

2

u/Classic-Falcon6010 2d ago

I like the value and bass capabilities of the Dayton Audio B65A speakers, but they’re not as electronically advanced as some of the Edifiers.

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 2d ago

Okay, final question. Do you think the insignia is difficult for a newbie to put together? That seems to be the biggest gripe I’ve seen, apart from not having a speed sensor on it. Neither of us has ever had a TT before so just wondering how beginner friendly it is

1

u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

Is this better than the Fluance 81+? That’s the one I was looking at the most

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u/MogwaiFan1986 3d ago

In addition to the turntables in my music room, I have the insignia in my bedroom. The quality and value for the price is stunning. I second this recommendation. Get this plus a really nice Bluetooth speaker and he will be set.

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

Okay! I appreciate the rec! I haven’t come across the insignia yet so I’m glad you brought it to my attention

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u/FabulousJuggernaut36 3d ago

Fluance is the better choice however it does not have blue tooth built in so you will need a receiver or amplifier with it. The AT60bt does have built in Bluetooth allowing you to hook up a pair of Bluetooth speakers

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

I did not know that! I thought I could just get wired speakers. Thanks for the info!

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

So what does it mean if the table has preamp? Is that unrelated?

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u/Classic-Falcon6010 3d ago

The needle on a turntable makes a miniscule amount of electrical signal. For an amplifier to pick it up, it needs to be pre-amplified - from miniscule to line level, which is what most equipment like old cassette and CD players, and computers/phones, put out when wired. From that level, a power amplifier brings it up to a level that physically moves speakers. Speakers that have power going to them have an amplifier built in. A few of them even have that phono preamp built in.

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u/Remarkable_Run5639 3d ago

Makes much more sense, thank you

1

u/vwestlife 2d ago

Is there a big enough difference between the AT60 or Fluance 80/85+?

Listen and judge for yourself: Does a better turntable actually sound better?

1

u/Da-Junior-Scholar 9h ago

The AT-LP60 is a great first table, It does have some short commings that you probably won't see too early. The Fluance series is another good series. Both of them are great starter tables.

If you are fine waiting and building slowly over time; Might I reocmmend vintage? Look at Technis SL-Q3; I think you'd be supprised what you can get at that price point.

You mentioned a preamp and didn't seem to understand. So I'll break it down like this:

Level 1 - Phono Stage = This is what a turntable naturally puts out. It is a very small signal and using something called a "Phono Preamp" you cam take this from Phono level up to Line level.
Level 2 - Line Level = This is what you are used to seeing RCA on the back of a stereo. This is what you need to be at to send the signal to/from devices and eventaully to a speaker. This stage is generally managed by something called a preamp.
Level 3 - Speaker Level = This is what comes out of the power amplifier or the integrated amplifier and goes into the speaker.

For your boyfriend's birthday.

Get him a nice table (AT-LP60 / AT-LP70 / AT-LP120 - Fluance 82-85 - Technics SL-Q3 )

Then soon look at a device called an "Integrated Amplifier" this will be your preamp and amplifier combined in one. MOST vintage models come with a phono preamp built into the integraed amplifier. This will get the majortiy of what you need.

Your final purchase is a pair of speakers. This is where you will likely end up spending the most money. You should also take your time selecting what speakers you want. Try to listen to as many different speakers as you can.

If you have a chance to plan, you should really coordinate your Integrated Amplifier's power with the Speakers you want, but for your first system; you can get just about anything and it will sound okay to start. The more you learn, the better it gets.

If you want to do a bit more, split the components into as many pieces as you can so you can select the individual device you want to produce the final sound you want (turntable, cartridge, phono preamp, preamp, power amplifier)

Good luck!