Where to get a good quality, retro record player. - Snowboarding Forum

TexassSnow · 11-11-2011, 12:42 AM

I love going to concerts (modest mouse was amazing tonight!), and I collect shirts from every venue, like everybody else in the world. I'd also like to start building a vinyl collection, but my problem is finding a record player that isn't an mp3 converter (I have YouTube for that). Found some on eBay but ehh I'd kinda like to see them.

So if anybody knows where to get a cool retro record player that'd be awesome! I live in Dallas until the end of this year unfortunately, so if there's somewhere local you know of, even better!

CheeseForSteeze · 11-11-2011, 10:19 AM

Any mark Technics SL1200. Infallible direct quartz drive that never skips, chirps or hangs up and tank like construction. There are ones still ripping that from the 70's, they're so reliable. These are what all DJ's that scratch use. Sound quality will greatly depend on the cartridge you decide to use though. They're all over eBay and everywhere else because Matsushita made millions of them over the last 35+ years.

wrathfuldeity · 11-11-2011, 10:36 AM

how retro? some old tube record players can be quite warm, sweet and full...they also can make absoutely killer fucking guitar amps

...a 50's and 2 60's.

grafta · 11-11-2011, 11:01 AM

I'll second the call for a technics 1200. It'll last forever and you'll never have a problem getting needles because its what djs use and will use for a long time to come. They are discontinued though so grab one now!

TexassSnow · 11-11-2011, 12:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I'll have to check em out!

ShredLife · 11-11-2011, 12:31 PM

make sure you watch some videos on youtube about how to check the tonearm and antiskate functions and how to use the strobe to determine if the motor is still running good, speed control and all that know what wow and flutter are and how to check them. check for warped platter. make sure you know how to test all functions of the unit before you go to look at them.

just search youtube for 'buying a used tech 1200' and watch vids until you are comfortable with it.

if the buyer doesn't have a needle for you to try it out with then make sure you do. bring your own record,

definitely get a clean studio or audiophile piece over one that has been used by a dj. and don't get too caught up in the discontinued aspect of the deck - there are alot of tech1200s in the world.

CheeseForSteeze · 11-11-2011, 01:02 PM

I'd also add that you can definitely find other quartz direct drive tables than the Tech-12s. Numark, Gemini, Audio Technica and Pyle-Pro build some I've seen and are somewhat cheaper than the Tech-12s and have solid performance. DJ Tech has a ripoff SL-12 called the SL 1300 that feels a lot like the SL-12 so I'm guessing it has a similar, if not identical drive design. But the Techs set the unquestionable standard for quality and performance. You're just going to pay more for it.

You could also go belt drive and for just listening to records, they'll probably work fine.

11-11-2011, 12:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
TexassSnow Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 46	Where to get a good quality, retro record player. I love going to concerts (modest mouse was amazing tonight!), and I collect shirts from every venue, like everybody else in the world. I'd also like to start building a vinyl collection, but my problem is finding a record player that isn't an mp3 converter (I have YouTube for that). Found some on eBay but ehh I'd kinda like to see them. So if anybody knows where to get a cool retro record player that'd be awesome! I live in Dallas until the end of this year unfortunately, so if there's somewhere local you know of, even better!

11-11-2011, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
wrathfuldeity Resident poet Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bham Posts: 2,734	how retro? some old tube record players can be quite warm, sweet and full...they also can make absoutely killer fucking guitar amps ...a 50's and 2 60's. __________________

11-11-2011, 12:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
ShredLife The Rooster King Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,387	make sure you watch some videos on youtube about how to check the tonearm and antiskate functions and how to use the strobe to determine if the motor is still running good, speed control and all that know what wow and flutter are and how to check them. check for warped platter. make sure you know how to test all functions of the unit before you go to look at them. just search youtube for 'buying a used tech 1200' and watch vids until you are comfortable with it. if the buyer doesn't have a needle for you to try it out with then make sure you do. bring your own record, definitely get a clean studio or audiophile piece over one that has been used by a dj. and don't get too caught up in the discontinued aspect of the deck - there are alot of tech1200s in the world. __________________ get the hell off my lawn.

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11-11-2011, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
CheeseForSteeze -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,728	Any mark Technics SL1200. Infallible direct quartz drive that never skips, chirps or hangs up and tank like construction. There are ones still ripping that from the 70's, they're so reliable. These are what all DJ's that scratch use. Sound quality will greatly depend on the cartridge you decide to use though. They're all over eBay and everywhere else because Matsushita made millions of them over the last 35+ years.

11-11-2011, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
grafta Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,752	I'll second the call for a technics 1200. It'll last forever and you'll never have a problem getting needles because its what djs use and will use for a long time to come. They are discontinued though so grab one now!

11-11-2011, 12:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
TexassSnow Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 46	Thanks for all the replies! I'll have to check em out!

11-11-2011, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
CheeseForSteeze -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,728	I'd also add that you can definitely find other quartz direct drive tables than the Tech-12s. Numark, Gemini, Audio Technica and Pyle-Pro build some I've seen and are somewhat cheaper than the Tech-12s and have solid performance. DJ Tech has a ripoff SL-12 called the SL 1300 that feels a lot like the SL-12 so I'm guessing it has a similar, if not identical drive design. But the Techs set the unquestionable standard for quality and performance. You're just going to pay more for it. You could also go belt drive and for just listening to records, they'll probably work fine.