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What turntable for 300 ish

post #1 of 16
6/17/12 at 2:39pm
Thread Starter 
I have a chance to get a older rega planar 2 with a rb200 arm. It has no cartridge or needle. It is a older vintage one with glass platter and wood base. It is about 300. Is this a good deal? and if so what cartridge needle etc to get.
If there is a better buy please let me know.
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post #2 of 16
6/17/12 at 5:02pm
I have a Planar 2 with the R200 arm. I use an AT95e cartridge.

It sounds good for the price. I paid about the same as you. If you can stretch a little you may have better luck with a new RP1, or maybe a Project Debut Carbon. Not sure what the going rate is for them where you are.

One good thing about the Rega though... You can get heaps of different upgrades for it, and most can be carried to a later/newer/better Rega down the line if you chose to move on. That's my current plan.

You can check out some crappy pics here... Rega Planar 2 (my HT pics thread).

Another popular cartridge option for a budget is the Ortofon 2M Orange.
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post #3 of 16
6/18/12 at 5:31am
Thread Starter 
Well I wasn't able to get ahold of the rega planar 2 I wanted sadly.
So back to the drawing board.
Anyone have any other options in 300 range.
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post #4 of 16
6/18/12 at 8:51am
I own a project debut 3 turntable. I feel that is the best turntable available in the 300 dollar price range. Try one with an ortofon 2m red cartridge. that should be within your budget and is a good entry level table.
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post #5 of 16
6/18/12 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 
How do the project debut fair vs the rega planar 2 or 1
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post #6 of 16
6/18/12 at 9:39am
I am a Pro-ject guy having had a RM 1.3 and now an RM 5.1 SE. Never had a Rega so I cannot do a direct comparison. I can only say I like the Pro-jects very much, nver had any roblems with either table I've owned, and feel they are outstanding values for the money.

That being said, if you budget is $300 for a table & arm without a cartridge, then look at the new Pro-ject Carbon at $400 with a cartridge! It is a souped up version of their already best selling Debut III having the following upgrades - 8.6" full Carbon Fiber Arm, RCA jacks for your choice of cable, full 12" platter and factory equipped with the Ortofon 2M Red, a $100 cartridge that I believe was already recommended in this thread. In the $400 range for a table & a cartridge, Pro-ject appears to have a winner here. Hope this helps.
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post #7 of 16
6/18/12 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
The project carbon does seem like a pretty good deal.
That ortofon red is a MM cartridge correct?
I am thinking of ordering a yaqin tube pre amp to match my amp. But it works better with a mm Cart
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post #8 of 16
6/18/12 at 3:49pm
Yes, the Ortofon 2M Red is a MM cartridge. No worries. Good luck with your search amd may you enjoy whatever you purchase.
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post #9 of 16
6/19/12 at 1:18am
Hahaha, in my post above I mention the 2M Orange as a budget cartridge. As all the other posts here suggest the Red is the budget option. The Orange certainly ain't!!!

Dunno what I was thinking.

On another note I had a look at the Debut Carbon the other day. Didn't have a listen, but it sure looks nice.
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post #10 of 16
6/19/12 at 5:35am
Thread Starter 
I am probably ordering the Pro-ject Debut carbon today. Just waiting for needledoctor to open so I can give them a call.
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post #11 of 16
6/19/12 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Ok so I ordered the Pro-ject Debut Carbon. And a Project phono box II pre amp.
I will let you all know how it sounds once it arrives.
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post #12 of 16
6/19/12 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortyg83 View Post

Ok so I ordered the Pro-ject Debut Carbon. And a Project phono box II pre amp.
I will let you all know how it sounds once it arrives.

Nice. Throw up some pics when you get it setup too!!
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post #13 of 16
6/20/12 at 4:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortyg83 View Post

Ok so I ordered the Pro-ject Debut Carbon. And a Project phono box II pre amp.
I will let you all know how it sounds once it arrives.
Make sure your also getting some record cleaning supplies. A good record brush and some cleaning fluid.
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post #14 of 16
6/20/12 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
I ordered a Pro-ject cleaning brush. But I don't know what fluid is good. Any recommendations?
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post #15 of 16
7/10/12 at 7:06pm
Audio Technica ATLP120
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATLP120-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1341972251&sr=1-8&keywords=audio+technica
and the Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b

Total price= $280


Cant go wrong with this combo.
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post #16 of 16
3/5/13 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortyg83 View Post

Ok so I ordered the Pro-ject Debut Carbon. And a Project phono box II pre amp.
I will let you all know how it sounds once it arrives.

So what is the verdict? How do you like it? I am considering this same turntable for my rack. Thanks in advance...
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