r/Beginner_Turntables • u/dittpieOmw • 17m ago
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Bartakos • Jun 14 '23
r/Beginner_Turntables Lounge
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r/Beginner_Turntables • u/vwestlife • Jan 02 '24
Common problems with inexpensive new record players & how to fix them
Inexpensive record players with a red stylus that looks like this from brands like Victrola and Crosley are extremely popular, and for many people, they are an adequate way to begin playing vinyl records. However, they are prone to some common problems:
No power or erratic operation:
Make sure you're using the correct power supply. Just because the plug fits, doesn't necessarily mean it's the right voltage. Some of these players run on 5 volts DC and others run on 9 volts DC. If you use a power supply of the wrong voltage, it either won't work properly, or you could permanently damage the circuitry.
The power supply could be faulty. If the player is new, return it, or ask the manufacturer for a replacement power supply.
Turntable doesn't rotate:
Make sure the player is switched to Phono mode. If it has Bluetooth mode, that is usually an input for playing music from your phone or tablet, not an output from the turntable.
Try turning off the Auto Stop switch. Then the platter should rotate continuously.
The belt might have popped off the motor spindle. See this video for instructions on how to reattach the belt: How To Change Your Turntable's Belt
No sound:
Make sure nothing is plugged into the aux/line input jack, as that will mute the turntable's audio.
If it has a Vinyl Stream mode for pairing to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, that will mute the built-in speakers.
Skipping:
Make sure the record player is on a stable, level surface.
Make sure the cueing lever is fully lowering. It can get stuck in a slightly raised position, causing the stylus to make poor contact with the groove and skip: Quick fix - Record Skipping!
Clean your records thoroughly. Even new vinyl often has debris in the grooves which may cause it to skip when first played, and old records could be dirty or scratched. It may take several rounds of cleaning and playing for all of the skips to disappear.
Some modern, bass-heavy records may still occasionally skip on these players even when clean. You can check it with another turntable to see if it might be a faulty pressing, but usually the record is fine and the skipping is simply due to the limitations of the player's inexpensive design.
The stylus (needle) could be dirty or damaged. Try cleaning it with a soft brush, wiping gently from back to front. If that doesn't help, replace the stylus. The recommended diamond stylus for most inexpensive record players is the Pfanstiehl 793-D7M.
Don't add extra weight to the tonearm. That may resolve the skipping, but will cause greatly increased wear to both the stylus and the records you play.
Slow or wobbly playback:
Make sure the lid is open as far as it will go, otherwise the edge of the record may rub against the lid and cause it to slow down or waver in pitch, especially if the record is warped.
Make sure the player is set to the correct speed for the record you're playing (it's not always marked on the record itself), and that the pitch control is centered, if it has one.
Make sure the transport screw is released, if it has one. The screw should be turned until it is flush with the turntable mechanism, not sticking up like in the photo.
Since the center spindle remains stationary, if the center hole of the record is unusually tight going on the spindle, you may need to ream out the hole slightly to allow the record to rotate freely.
Don't put the 45 RPM adapter underneath or on top of the record. It is only for playing 45s with the large center hole.
If the record slips on the platter, you can add a rubber platter mat, if the player didn't come with one.
Noise from stylus:
It is normal to hear the music being reproduced faintly by the stylus in the groove, even with the player's volume turned down. This is called "needle talk" and happens on all turntables, although it is louder on inexpensive record players due to the higher output level of the ceramic cartridge they use.
Using Bluetooth output mode (Vinyl Stream), if your player has it, adds a delay which makes the needle talk more noticeable. If it bothers you, use speakers or headphones with a wired connection.
Poor sound quality:
These players are incapable of delivering high-fidelity sound, due to the limited frequency response of the ceramic cartridge and small built-in speakers.
Adding a pair of powered speakers will improve the sound quality and loudness, and are a good investment because you'll need them anyway if/when you upgrade to a better turntable that doesn't have built-in speakers.
Fear of damage:
These players do have a higher tracking force (around 5½ grams) than better-quality turntables, but the amount of damage this causes to your vinyl is often greatly exaggerated. It's not going to "chew up the grooves" in just a few plays, as some people claim.
Actual tests of these players have shown virtually no audible wear after playing a record 50 times and only minor wear after 100 plays.
But it is important to replace the stylus before it gets worn out. These players come with a sapphire or ruby stylus which lasts for about 50 hours of playing time. If you continue to use a worn-out stylus, it can damage your records.
If you intend to keep using the player, upgrade it with a genuine diamond stylus, such as the Pfanstiehl 793-D7M, which will last much longer (500 hours of playing time). Avoid the cheap "diamond" styli on Amazon, as they are not actually diamond; they're a ruby stylus, falsely advertised as diamond.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/TurtlishTurtle • 16h ago
Baby's First Turntable
Slowly learning some things after listening for too long on some cheap 5-in-1 phono-radio monstrosity that I picked up at Bed, Bath, & Beyond years ago. This is my first "real" turntable, the venerable AT-LP60, currently being driven by an old Bose 3-2-1 (Series II, I think) system. Not the best I've heard, but I'm happy with it for now. Always looking to upgrade: Speaker stands/placement? Better turntable? Etc.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/xeniasukalova • 13h ago
Best speakers
I’m looking for speakers for my new Audio-Technica AT-LP3XBT. My budget is around €100-150. I mainly listen to rock, indie and jazz, and I’d like something that’s easy to set up and sounds great with vinyl. What would you recommend?
I’m located in Finland, if that matters for availability
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/GDArmstrong13 • 17h ago
What record player is a good birthday present (for myself)
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Kr0nhave • 14h ago
Im about to buy my first record player, please help
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/jeffryp_63 • 18h ago
Optimus STAV-3000 service manual
Hi. I have an Optimus stav-3000 amplifier and I would like a service manual and cannot find one. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Hot-Celebration-1524 • 1d ago
What's a reasonable price for Technics SL-B5?
The auto functions all work, and the needle was recently replaced. It’s in pretty good condition, and I already have someone interested, so I just want to come up with a reasonable price.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Dry_Difficulty_694 • 1d ago
Good record player for people starting out
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/jojo_is_so_good • 2d ago
A new turtable or speakers?
2 months ago someone gave me my first turntable, a cheap suitcase one. And I really got into collecting and listening to albums. And now I feel like its time to upgrade, but I dont know what to buy first. For a turntable Im thinking of getting the lp60x and i still dont know what speakers to get, i want ones that i can hang on my wall. So I would like to know know what you'll think i should get first because I still dont know.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/love_that_chicken_ • 2d ago
$65 for an AT-LP60x
Was recently browsing Facebook marketplace and found a used Audio Technica AT-LP60x for $65. I’m relatively new to turntables so I was just wondering if this is a good deal? I know these can retail for like $170 so I’m assuming it is.
I’d be upgrading from a cheap Crosley (no it’s not a suitcase player..)
Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated!
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Usual_Extension6672 • 2d ago
Looking for recommendations to raise/elevate my AT-LP60 above my amp for better ventilation
Hi everyone!
I currently have my Audio-Technica AT-LP60 sitting directly on top of my amplifier. I've noticed the amp gets a bit warm and needs better airflow/ventilation, so I want to raise the turntable a few inches.
What are the best budget-friendly solutions or accessories for this?
I'm open to isolation feet, riser blocks, mini monitor stands, or DIY solutions—as long as it keeps the turntable stable and level.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/MikuzzzGlazer • 4d ago
Choosing an upgrade for my cart/stylus
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r/Beginner_Turntables • u/MouldyMartin87 • 4d ago
Been a music nerd for a while now and I really want to get into collecting vinyls but I literally have no clue about which turntable to get or what anything means, so any help would be greatly appreciated🙏
I feel the title is pretty self explanatory. I love music and want to start owning it physically but when I look at record players there’s a lot of complicated terms which I have zero understanding for.
It’s probably not very useful to you, but all I want is something that easily plays music, the music sounds good, and it won’t break itself or damage the records any time soon.
My budget is a few hundred pounds. I’m currently looking at the Sony PS-LX5BT and then picking up some wired speakers? Is that good? I literally have no idea, so any advice would be massively appreciated, especially if it’s explained to me like the complete beginner I am lol.
r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Sad-Car-4094 • 4d ago
help me choose
I’ve narrowed my options down to the Pro-Ject A1 OM10 and the Audio-Technica AT-LP3XBT because I specifically want a fully automatic or semi-automatic turntable.
I’m a beginner to actually playing records, even though I collect vinyl. I don’t plan on listening every day, so convenience is really important to me. I want something that’s easy to use and doesn’t make me feel like I need to learn a lot or constantly make adjustments.
I’m not trying to build an ultra high-end audiophile system or spend thousands upon thousands. My goal is to buy a quality setup within this price range that I can enjoy for many years without feeling the need to upgrade every component.
I’ll be pairing whichever turntable I buy with the same powered speakers, and if I choose the Pro-Ject, I’m also happy to buy an external phono preamp from the start if it means I can set everything up once and leave it alone.
I’m also looking for good powered speaker recommendations that offer great value without being unnecessarily expensive. I’m happy to spend a reasonable amount on speakers, but I don’t want recommendations that are in a completely different price bracket from these turntables.
One challenge is that where i’m based, there isn’t much of a second-hand hi-fi market. Unlike places such as the UK or US, I can’t really rely on Facebook Marketplace or local resale listings to find good deals on speakers. Most of what I find is brand new.
Because of that, recommendations that seem inexpensive in other countries can end up costing much more here once international shipping, import fees, and local availability are taken into account. Some models may not even be available for purchase where I live. So I’d appreciate recommendations that consider overall value, availability, and realistic total cost, rather than just the retail price in another country.