Buying a record player

[Shaggy]

I'm looking to acquire a record player to play some old vinyl. Where and how should I go about doing this? Internets?

[pfunk]

It really depends on what your budget is and what the purpose of the record player is. Are you planning on collecting records as a hobby, or just listening to a record now and then? If your collecting I would spend a decent amount of money at an audio store. If just listening for kicks I would look at garage sales and such.

[zhn0k]

get a cheap usb turntable

[Intoxicated Shaman]

I have a record player that also plays CDs, and I own no vinyl records. So go figure.

[MunkeyQ]

get a cheap usb turntable
Don't do this. They're shit...cheap DC motor with poor speed regulation, light platter and wobbly main bearing. Worst of all, the tonearm is so cheaply made and bouncy that the tracking force is pretty high, to the point where it actually damages records.

For the price of a cheap USB turntable, you can get yourself a nice second hand turntable which is much better. IMO, it's not worth buying a new turntable unless you've got $$$ to spare as the entry level ones aren't great. Look to get a used one as it'll be built much better and of course sound better.

Watch out for 1970s era Pioneer, Naim, Mitsubishi, Dual and Technics to name a few. JVC and Sony did make some awesome stuff in the 70s but it's sought after and tends to be expensive unless the seller doesn't know what he's got.

[Dr Robb]

I totally agree with the above. Most of you who know me know my age and so know I was around when vinyl was the main choice. I have close to 700 LP's and the same number of 45's and I am very picky about what I use to play them. Now, the most important thing is the stylus [needle]. That - and the cartridge - more than anything will decide how well a record sounds [well, apart from the condition of the record...]. A friend has a USB record player and another has a self contained one that burns CD's.

I won't let either borrow any of my records. I don't have a turntable anymore - the only time I get to play my records is on my radio show - the station has two real kick-ass units. But when I had one I would only go with good name brands, like Technics, Sony and such. You can find one on eBay easy enough and you can still get cartridges and stylus online - though they are way more costly than when I was you age[s].

Don't go for easy. You DO get what you pay for.

[Vorado]

You should get an old one and old speakers for the whole experience,

[DECI4]

Go to guitar center and get a cheap turntable and a decent needle. Expect to spend 2-300 dollars.

[ComradeAsh]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-SL-D2-Direct-Drive-Turntable-DLE-Cartridge-/150543638628?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item230d19a064

I have one of these.

[usernameunavailable]

Check craigslist every day (more than once if you live in a big town), that's how I found my Dual 1219 for cheap.
Also, garage sales and estate sales. Try and get a Dual or Pioneer, and stay away from anything that's got lots of plastic on it.

If it looks like this:
http://www.doctordual.ca/Quickstart/ImageLib/Dual_1219_Jan_09_001.jpg
Go for it.

But if it looks like this:
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/pt01usb_angle_wrecord_lg.jpg
You should avoid it.