Two weeks ago or so I posted here about fixing my old 1985 Dual CS-505-2 turntable. To those who forgot, my turntable produced an awful hum.

Well, I decided to buy a brand new one. (I am still going to fix my old one, but I want a new one as well.) I am not a DJ and thus I do not need DJ features, although I do need a great hundred percent analog sound.

I really do not want to select it by brand and instead, I want to select it by quality. One of the most important qualities to consider is of course the signal-to-noise ratio. Another one is wow and flutter.

I have looked at various turntables in local stores here in Toronto, as well as on manufacturer's websites (whatever I was able to find). The turntables offer a >60 to >50 dB signal-to-noise ratios (the higher, the better) and

One that caught my eye was a Sony PS-LX350H: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=PSLX350H.

It costs only about $200 in the US, which is about $230 in Canada. If I order it without a cartridge, it would be even cheaper. Although it does not have speed 78, it has everything else that I need. It is belt-driven, which makes it more price-efficient (or cost-efficient). Some people discouraged me to buy a belt-driven turntable, while others persuaded. I really have no idea which is better.

I will most likely be using an Ortofon OM 30 cartidge. They seem to be the best, according to reviews.

Presently, I have a cheap preamp, RCA AH500, that I bought for use with my old turntable. After I select a new turntable, I will be selecting a new preamp for it.

I have read a lot of criticizm towards Technics SL 1200 turntables, and Technics turntables in general. Nonetheless, I do believe that they are great. I do not believe that their price is in any way proportional to their quality of sound. QUALITY OF SOUND, AS I KNOW, DEPENDS MOSTLY ON THE CARTRIDGE AND THE STYLUS, as well as on the record. I know about Thorens as well. Many positive things have been said about it.

I am not trying to save on sound quality. I want to save on features that I will never be using. DJ turntables offer a lot of them and are therefore expensive, while the sound quality (if it even depends on the turntable itself) could be the same as on a cheaper non-DJ model.

I went to a Sony store today. They did not have the model I talked about, only a cheap one. Seems to me that this model is not available here in Canada.

I keep looking and reading reviews...

There is a lot more info that can be expressed about turntables. We could write a book here. So I just offered an explanation of why I picked that table as a recommendation in order to keep the post short and simple. Feel free to ask anything about tables you want and good luck.

Of course, the Technics we are talking is THE best turntable the world knows, no doubt about it. Sony, perhaps, is the second or third best.

I have been thinking about a lot of turntables, but only Technics and Sony have been taken seriously. The key difference between the two is the drive type. Technics is direct-drive and Sony (like my old Dual, that we talked about earlier) is belt-drive. One advantage of a direct-drive turntable is that motor speed is electronically and therefore more effectively maintained. Although belt-drive is more price-efficient, I am almost ready to pay a lot for good sound.

Your explanation has made me be more interested in the Technics model. A lot of electronics and record stores sell them, both new and used. A lot of used ones are in great condition (I am talking about those that were not used by DJs), but could cost 30-40% less than new. That would be a great deal.

Let me see...

Also, do you know what kind of cartidge is standard on Technics SL 1200 and what is its value?

"CD is if you listen to music; while vinyl is if you love music." – absolutely true!

Thanks!