Vinyl does have some value, but it has more value if you already have a collection of 500 albums.
Generally I say, spend about $1 per album you anticipate having on the turntable. So, more or less, if you anticipate having 500 albums, then spend in the range of $500 to $1000 on a turntable.
Keeping in mind that roughly $250 is about as low as you can go, and still get an acceptable turntable. Though, more realistically, $400 to $600 is closer to the typical entry level turntable.
Audio Technica LP120 ($249) -
http://www.zzounds.com/item--AUTATPL120?siid=86605&gclid=CKre5JbulMUCFYI8aQodJ1oA1g
Decent arm, direct drive.
The
Project Debut Carbon (DC) with Ortofon 2M Cartridge ($449) is probably the most recommended turntable out there -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_252DBCDCGB/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-DC-Gloss-Black.html?tp=200
The
Denon Dp-300F ($330) has its appeal, nice tone arm, though a pretty generic cartridge, and it is an
AUTOMATIC. Push a button and the arm moves to the record, sets down, and starts to play. When it gets to the end, the arm lifts, moves back to rest, and shuts the motor off.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033DP300F/Denon-DP-300F.html?tp=200
That's an extremely handy feature.
However, the
Denon DP-300F with Ortofon 2M Cartridge ($420) is probably the best choice, if this Auto feature appeals to you. It does appeal to me, so in this price range, this turntable ranks pretty high on my list of replacement turntables.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP300F-with-2M-Red-Package?sc=2&category=348
TEAC TN-300 ($399) is certainly a sweet looking turntable with USB and Phono Pre-Amp -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_063TN300CH/TEAC-TN-300-Cherry.html?tp=200
The
Marantz TT42 ($330) looks fine,. It seems to have a pretty fair tone arm. It does have a Phono Pre-amp, though most Stereos have a Phono Pre-Amp built-in.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_642TT42/Marantz-TT42-Turntable-without-phono-preamp.html?tp=200
The TT42 doesn't seem to have the most sophisticated tone arm, but I'm sure it is adequate. One need not be concerned, but if you have a bit more money, there are other choices.
One last decent Turntable is the
Music Hall MMF-2.2 ($449), though it seems it would require an external Pre-Amp. Though again, many Stereo amps already have a Phono Pre-Amp built in.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_823MMF22/Music-Hall-MMF-2-2-Gloss-Black.html?tp=200
The
Parasond ZPhono ($199) is not the cheapest Phono Stage, but equally, coming from Parasound, I would expect it to perform first rate.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPHONO
There is also a
USB version of the
Zphono ($249)
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPHOUSB
A good basic Phono stage, if you needs are purely for Moving Magnet (MM) Cartridges, need not cost that much.
Project Phono Box MM ($79) -
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PRPBMM
The
Cambridge Audio Phono Pre-Amps are also very popular
(651P MM/MC, $229) (551P MM, $139) -
http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Cambridge-Audio-Phono-Preamps
To help you make an intelligent choice, we would need a complete run down of the equipment you have now - CD, Amps, Speakers - and the approximate prices of these components.
Then we would need some sense of the number of vinyl albums you anticipate having.
If it is in the 100 to 300 range, Then I would suggest turntables in the $250 to $500 range.
If you anticipate 500 or more, then I would say some where in the $500 to $1000 range.
If you anticipate 750 to 1000 or more, then I would say in the $750 to $1500 range for the turntable and cartridge.
Myself, I don't see much need in going over about $1500 for a turntable.
To help you get some sense of perspective,
100 vinyl albums is about 14.5 inches of shelf space. So, 500 albums take up roughly 6 feet of shelf space.
Steve/bluewizard