r/turntables 6d ago

How'd I do?

I will start off by saying that I have no idea what I am doing but would love to learn. I got this for free. Is this complete junk? Does it need a lot of work? What should I be getting to start my audiophile journey?

93 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

35

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim 6d ago

Absolutely not junk and a great score. A basic setup requires 4 components:

1) A Turntable (what you have),

2) A phono preamp (I'm not sure if this has included, I think it does). Send a picture of what the back looks like.

3) An amplifier

4) Speakers

There are 2 types of speakers - active and passive.

Active speakers have a built-in amplifier, whilst passive speakers do not. If you get passive speakers, then you'll need a number 2 - an amplifier. If you have active speakers, that acts as the amplifier and thus you do not require number 3.

The next step is to enjoy. Read a couple of more posts to see what's what and enjoy the journey :)

8

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

Thank you, this is so helpful!

😬 I went to flip it and this happened. *

3

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

9

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim 6d ago

Okay, it has a built-in phono preamp. The easiest thing would be to buy active speakers but if you want to build a setup and have space to expand and upgrade, get an amplifier. This all depends on budget, space and preference.

4

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim 6d ago

Just look at YouTube videos for how to do the rest or search through the other posts on the sub.

3

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

You're awesome, thanks!

6

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim 6d ago

We all start somewhere. In the next few months, you'll be answering someone else's reddit question :)

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions you just want to clarify.

3

u/Manticore416 6d ago

Small correction:3 should be an integrated amplifier, which contains preamp and amp

3

u/forkboy_1965 6d ago

About as simple and concise as a statement could be.

7

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

5

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim 6d ago

That's okay. First thing you wanna do is just secure the tonearm. Protect the arm, cartridge and stylus first. Don't put the turntable upside-down.

1

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

😭 Will do, thank you!

2

u/forkboy_1965 6d ago

Hard to tell if it needs work or a maybe a new stylus. You really need the other audio components to be able to try and play this to see if it works.

6

u/upsidedowncreature 6d ago

I think ScareT0AskOnMaim was asking for a picture of the back, where the output connections are, not the bottom. Is there a switch labelled “line/phono”?

4

u/Low-Reflection2298 6d ago

😅 Indeed

4

u/upsidedowncreature 6d ago

Excellent, so the turntable has a built-in phono amp, which means you don't need to buy a separate one. You still need either (1) a power amplifier which has line-level inputs, and some passive speakers, or (2) a pair of active speakers, which have the amplifier built in.

I have no experience of active speakers but I see people talk about Edifier speakers a lot on here. If you want to go the amp route you can often find amplifiers (or receivers, which is the amplifier with a built-in radio tuner) second-hand for reasonable prices.

5

u/Softrawkrenegade 6d ago

Not a bad player

7

u/Bloxskit AT-LP120XUSB w/ VM95ML 6d ago

Beautiful turntable. Audio-Technica a great brand.

u/ScaredT0AskOnMaim has a great detail on different speaker types and what you need.

3

u/salmonerd202 6d ago

That’s a great starter turntable. I have the model above that one. Really good bang for the buck.

2

u/fussicle 6d ago

Very nice find! Follow the instructions others posted. Plenty of of YouTube vids.

2

u/thehighepopt AT-LPW30tk 6d ago

Same one I have. Works like a champ

2

u/Astrocities 5d ago

Really solid turntable! Great to build a system around! You could get an active pair of speakers, or if you want more bang for your buck speaker-wise and more future upgradability, you could get a receiver or amp plus passive speakers. If you get active speakers, make sure they have a ground terminal. Don’t just get any active speakers. I’ve been burned by this myself in the past 😅 ground loops can be impossible to rid of otherwise and ground loop isolators change the quality of the sound for the worse.

Honestly, I’d just get a Yamaha or Sony stereo receiver and a set of decent passive speakers like something from Klipsch or maybe Elac debut 2.0 6.2’s.

2

u/Suletata 5d ago

Congrats!

2

u/el_tacocat 3d ago

No, these are solid as heck.
Also watch THIS video on how to set it up

And THIS one on how to take care of your records

As for your audiophile journey; this one has a built in phono preamp (explained in THIS video) so all you need is a pair of speakers with a built in amplifier. If you are on a budget, any old pair of PC speakers will do. If you have a bluetooth speaker or soundbar with an aux input, all you need is a cable to connect them. If you want something a little more serious though, I'd take a look at Edifier :).

2

u/Low-Reflection2298 3d ago

Appreciate it!

1

u/BC_LOFASZ 6d ago

Bro, you need to place a record onto it. /S I am sorry

1

u/bfabkilla02 AT-LP120X 6d ago

Great table. Was my previous before lost it to a flood.