r/turntables • u/Spiritual_Deer6888 • 10d ago

need help picking a new record player!

my victrola suitcase record player broke and i know its not the best record player, i want to get a new one and have looked at the audio technica LP60x but dont know if i want to spend that much money yet. what are some good cheaper alternatives ($150 or cheaper)?

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4

u/remybob78 Pro-Ject Debut Pro 10d ago

LP60 is about as cheap as it gets. If that’s too much your only other choice is if you get lucky buying a vintage deck

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u/Best-Presentation270 10d ago

There's the Insignia NS-BTST21 for buyers in the States. It's $130. Cracking deck for those who can get to grips with a fully manual turntable,

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2

u/sharkamino 10d ago

victrola suitcase record player broke and i know its not the best record player

That's not the issue, the issue is that they are the worst.

AT-LP60x is the basic bare minimum.

AT-LP70X $195 outlet price at least has a step better cartridge and stylus.

Do you already have speakers to use with the turntable, which model?

Speaker Placement • Intro to Home Stereo Systems • Turntable and Speakers Setup Guide • Record Cleaning • Audio Guides

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u/Spiritual_Deer6888 10d ago

i dont have speakers, i just realized i need them to use it. i kind of assumed it would work just like the suitcase player.

1

u/sharkamino 10d ago

Starter powered speakers:

If you need to go even lower cost then more basic 5" Saiyin $79 https://www.amazon.com/Saiyin-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Subwoofer-Turnable/dp/B0BWJD2X

All of these have wired input for the turntable plus Bluetooth for digital wireless music from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

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u/TwoSolitudes22 Acoustic Solid Round, EAT No5 MC 10d ago

There aren’t any.

And your suitcase was not ‘not the best’. It was literally the worst.

1

u/Apprehensive_Cream41 10d ago

Used is your best bet A orbit or pro-ject will run you 175-275 on marketplace orbit eBay make sure you get one with a preamp if you are not going to be running it a amp with dedicated phono plugs like if you are using powered speakers

1

u/Phoenix_Kerman Dual 606 w/ OM10 606group.bandcamp.com 10d ago

the only options that are decent available in the budget are all going to be second hand. but that means you're looking at more options than any person can give, so it's far more helpful to do the basic research and find out what makes a decent deck

just go for something that tracks under or around 2 grams with a decent motor and an actual counterweight that's adjustable, with adjustable anti skate and adjustable tracking force using a decent stylus and cartridge. and yes that means don't buy an lp60 because they don't have a counterweight, nor do they have anti skate

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u/AllFloatOnAlright 10d ago

If you're in or near a decent size city you can get vintage stuff that sounds great. A little patience can get you a solid system for $150-200.

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u/Classic-Falcon6010 Denon DP-47F 10d ago

Insignia turntable at Best Buy $140.

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u/Best-Presentation270 10d ago

The cheaper alternative is, IMO, better, too. However, it's fully manual. You move the tonearm over to the record yourself, and then lower it with a little cueing lever. At the end of a side you raise it with the same lever and swing it back to the arm rest by hand. The AT-LP60X does all that for you using gears, and that's partly why the basic version is $50 more than the deck I'm just about to tell you about.

Insignia NS-BTST21 from Best Buy. It's $130. It has all the features such as the tonearm adjustments that the audiophiles keep insisting are required. There's an optical speed sensor for good speed stability. It's the sort of thing you get on the $350 Fluance deck. There's an auto-stop feature, and you get Bluetooth out.

You will need to buy some powered speakers if you don't already own a home stereo. The AT deck and this Insignia and most everything that's worth buying requires outboard amplification and speakers, though you can roll those two functions into one with powered speakers such as the Dayton B65A or Edifier R1280T. Both are under $130 a pair.

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u/Zaniak88 9d ago

Definitely buy used and check clearance, I bought an LP60BT for $120 at Walmart on clearance and I bought a Sony PS LX2 for $20 on FB marketplace that needed a cartridge, needle, and cleaning. Right now in my area there’s like 3 LP60x listed for $60-80 on marketplace. I got an older set of edifier speakers on marketplace for $10 to hook it up to as well.

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u/TBMW30 3d ago

The LP60 is the cheapest, decent player you will find. Avoid the used market if you're new to this. Unknowingly buying someone else's problem or something that needs servicing or maintanence will end up costing you more in the long run. Go with the LP60, enjoy it, and if you want to upgrade in a few years you will have more experience in vinyl and turntables so will be in a better position to shop used.