So my dad and his missus are looking for a record player.
I've been browsing through Amazon trying to help, but I know nothing about vinyl so it's a bit of a stab in the dark.
Can anyone offer some suggestions?
[b]Requirements:[/b]
- 3 speed. Must be able to play 78's as well as 33 and 45. Ideally with the minimum amount of fuss.
- big simple controls. No fiddly wee switches for speed selection. Large well labelled stuff that complete technophobes with fading dexterity can use.
- stand alone with built-in speakers
- much cheapness. ~£50 budget.
- Prime / next-day delivery (I need it by Saturday at the latest)
Current contenders:
[b]Akai A60011NB Bluetooth Rechargeable Record Player (£37)[/b]
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http://amzn.eu/48R7Tba
Nice big controls. Can run off an internal battery which is nice I guess. Two 5W PMPO speakers. Can act as a Bluetooth speaker (unlikely to ever be used).
[b]Steepletone Deckster (£55)[/b]
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http://amzn.eu/iSWD2xO
Built in record storage would suit them. Nice big main volume/power knob though the other controls (speed?) look fiddly. Not sure how a "flip-over stylus" works? Has proper pitch control (+/- 4%). Has an Aux in. 2 x 1W speakers might be a bit wimpy?
[b]1byone Belt-Drive 3-Speed Stereo Turntable (£40)[/b]
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http://amzn.eu/5dzLiBr
Looks kinda cool-ish? The USB/MP3 functionality may terrify them. More fiddly switches for speed. 2x1.5 watt speakers.
Radiogram - available from many charity shops / house clearances
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That is kinda awesome perchy, but possibly a bit bigger than they were looking for 😀
Not sure how a "flip-over stylus" works?
Flip over stylus used to be the norm many, many years ago. One side for microgrooves (33, 45) the other side with a different stylus for 78.
So is flipping the stylus easy to do for someone who is getting on a bit and a bit less dexterous?
Do all 3-speed players use a flip-over stylus or can some play without changing stylus?
Argh! This is gonna be a "don't bother, sound quality etc etc" nerdfest 😆
I might have an old Sony in the loft you can have for nothing! Well, P&P. Don't think I binned it. 🙂
(Hmm, 78s though, not sure)
( [i]- stand alone with built-in speakers[/i] ) oh. They're mad 😆
Yeah his missus mainly wants it for playing her mother's ancient 78's - I don't think high-fidelity sound is a big priority. 😀
Thanks for the offer DezB, but it's for a gift so I'd like to buy new.
Here, Argos have this beast! It's 3 speed and a built in CD player! And it's er, beautiful..?
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£100, unfortunately. But I enjoyed it anyway. 😳
Awesome - pretty sure Buck Rogers had one of those. 😉
So is flipping the stylus easy to do for someone who is getting on a bit and a bit less dexterous?
I would have thought they should be OK.
Do all 3-speed players use a flip-over stylus or can some play without changing stylus?
Well only one of those above seems to have a flip over stylus but the grooves in a 78 are quite different.
[url= http://www.charm.rhul.ac.uk/history/p20_4_6.html ]Have a look here[/url]
Flipping the stylus normally requires less dexterity than placing the needle on the record.
slowoldman: oooh that's all getting expensive quickly 🙁
From that article it sounds like the big one might be best as it has limited variable speed adjustment which the article suggests is useful.
mugsys_m8: great thanks.
Don't worry about variable speed as long as it has 78. It's the stylus I was really highlighting.
Okay because there is a different Steepletone with nice big controls, tone adjustment and a big variable speed/pitch adjuster... but it is gopping...
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http://amzn.eu/ffX3PEr
