How much does it cost to get into vinyl? Let's find out

I wanted to figure out how much it would cost to get into vinyl in 2022. A good entry-level turntable, some speakers and a few records. This is what I came up with.... Thoughts?

#vinyl #records #turntable

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Frank Landry
PO BOX 99900 RE 899 513
RPO GARDEN CITY
WINNIPEG MB R2V 5A2
Canada

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ABOUT Channel33rpm: Your channel for #vinyl, gear and more, where I try to put the fun back in record collecting.

ABOUT ME: My goal is to inspire you to grow your music collection, improve your listening experience, discover new music and support artists (and have fun while doing it).
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Videos shot live on location near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

[grahambiggs]

Thats a good shout Frank, $200 for a half decent turntable, speakers and 3 popular albums.. thats pretty good at $374. I spent £200 on a turntable, Amp and CD player for £395 and another £200 for bookshelf speakers. It can be done cheaper but I didnt want to go seconf hand or used to rebuild my music system !! Great idea for a show and will be good to see what others recommend !!

[jerrymc]

I only got into vinyl about a year ago. My dad has been into it since the 60s, so I wanted to start with something above average for starter gear, but still affordable. My starter setup was an Audio-Techinca LPW50PB I found open-box for $250 (was a non-demo display piece in a home audio store), a Yamaha RX-V479 receiver I found at a pawn shop for $120, and a set of Optimus Pro LX5II speakers my dad bought for me when I was a kid. Dad has also collected vinyl for about 50 years, so I have free reign of his 3000+ disc collection. I recently spent about $600 on upgrades (WBC RCA cables, spool of speaker wire, Schiit Mani 2, and KEF Q150 speakers) so my setup is now at Level 2. It's been a pretty fun experience so far!

[daniblues]

The biggest hurdle is not the gear but the rising prices and avalaibility of vinyl (used and new), factors which are beginning to affect cd’s, imho. That’s what is preventing music fans to boot or reboot their collections. Thanks for the video, Frank. Keep them coming!

[offthebeatentracks]

Being 50 years into record collecting, I can't even imagine starting out again today. On the upside, I was talking to a guy I know who owns three or four record stores. He thinks we are entering a golden era of used records. The people who are dying or getting rid of their collections right now are people who started to collect in the sixties and 70s. The Billy May, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk sellers are being replaced with Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd guys.

[nathanjackson]

Hey Frank, I think these were great recommendations. I can't say enough good things about Fluance. I have have and RT81 for about 5 years now and it is still going strong. I have upgraded the cartridge to a 2M Blue and I love the sound I get. The hardest part of this equation is the records. Record Prices are still at a premium it can be hard to find a good deal. That is one thing I have no problem going used on. There is no better feeling than going to a local thrift store or finding a good used record at a record shop and then getting it home and it sounding amazing. I have so many $5 and $10 records that sound incredible. This is still such a fun hobby and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Great video.

[ronny-]

I see something very positive that those of us who are more veterans in this audio equipment thing, and buy records, help new people who join the community of music fans. This way we can prevent them from being deceived, or from making the same mistakes that many of us have made for decades.

[coreystewart]

Here's what I started with... Audio Technica LP60 ($99) external preamp $50, existing Pioneer receiver (could find used for $50), Andrew Jones Pioneer bookshelf speakers ($99), auction records... $50 for 30 classic rock albums (in 2018). Have since upgraded each piece... Fluance RT-85, Schitt preamp, Elac bookshelf speakers, Pioneer Elite receiver and now up to 1300 records. Never felt like I was lacking with the initial setup but really enjoyed the depth of sound by upgrading.

[cgramlick]

I have an ATLP 60 that I’ve had for going on 5 years that is doing a good job. It’s going through a Sony bookshelf system that I had. I’ve wanted to upgrade but have a hard time justifying it since I’m happy with the current setup I have. I know a lot of people dislike the LP60 because there’s no upgrading to it which is true but if you’re looking to stay under $200 I’d have to say one couldn’t go wrong with the ATLP 60.

[inamurato]

I followed somewhat a different way: I had already had my power amp and speakers for years (as well as my CDs and CD player). Then I started buying records (vinyl I mean) before having a record player and pre-amp). Then I bought the preamp and the record player. Having started first collecting records gave me the grace of time to research more and more for the record player and preamp I would go for. Then once you complete the puzzle you're all set. You have your turntable, preamp and bunch of records to enjoy. There you go !

[dannyfannyfoodle]

For someone brand new to vinyl, I honestly would have gone with the Audio Technica LP60. It’s tried and true, comes with a decent cartridge and is fully automatic which, for a newbie, is actually a really helpful feature. It also has an “ok” built-in phono preamp.

For speakers, I would have recommended the Klipsch R-41 PM which often go on sale for $199 on Amazon. They also have an similarly “ok” built-in phono preamp plus Bluetooth, optical, etc. Buying the speakers on sale gets you under $350. I think the Edifiers are fine, but the Klipsch are worth the step up and will keep the user satisfied for longer. My 2 cents.

[mikeroeder]

Coincidentally, I just went through a similar exercise with a lady that I work with who wanted to get into vinyl. She had purchased some records at the merch tables of independent bands she saw live, but never bought a turntable. She got excited about some Record Store Day releases in April and my friends and I who normally hit RSD offered to pick some records up that she wanted to get. So, that turned into a discussion about what to get to play them. I've been suggesting the Audio Technica line for years (specifically the Direct Drive ones if the budget allows), and that's where we started with her. She had some powered bluetooth speakers she uses to stream music at home, so I suggested the Audio Technica AT-LP60XBT-BK which is US$219 from Amazon. It has a reasonable AT cartridge on it, and certainly much better than the suitcase turntables as far as construction is concerned. She loves it! She's been buying records since then, but I'm sure she probably won't upgrade her turntable for a while. It's not exactly about fidelity for her, mostly it's fun to put a record on, but is also convenient. With Bluetooth speakers, she isn't locked down to where her stereo is either.

Your choice of Rumours and Dark Side of the Moon for the first two records is kind of exactly what I think should be the first two as far as rock is concerned. One of the observations that I have is that while it's getting more expensive to buy original or early pressings these days (I'm sure I paid under $10 for a used Rumours in 2009, and I paid like $20 for the version of DSoTM I have), thankfully the "Big" catalogs are maintained in print-- Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Rumours and are readily available at Walmart, Target and (ahem) Amazon. And, the new pressings are pretty decent sounding. So, while I'm lamenting the fact that I built most of my classic record collection for oftentimes under $10 a record years ago, there are good options for new collectors. In 2009, one had to go used to get records (and that was the fun of it honestly), but at least there are options today to build a collection. And, most new artists are also pressing vinyl, so if the young collectors aren't into the classics, they have a lot of opportunities to buy their favorites.

[Vince_Tasciotti]

I have had all used equipment. My first system was a BSR turntable, a Zenith receiver matched with a pair of speakers from Winthrop. I have no background on Winthrop at all. This was the system that got me through junior high and high school. So if it has been treated the right, used equipment can work out well.

To this day when I have a soft spot for a BSR turntable. They were utilitarian in nature, but in the 1970s they were a good starting point.

To answer the question, I think used is a good place for a newbie to find his wings. For my own self, I don't know if I would go with used equipment again.
How ever, I do absorb a lot of used vinyl pressings.

[simonashton]

Another top video frank..
Started my love of vinyl for the 2nd time just before Covid..
Picked up off FB marketplace used Ariston Q-Deck- £90
Set of Gala Gold bi-wire-able speakers 100w - £50
Vintage Yamaha Amp - £45

And the sound is awesome… for under £200 U.K.

If I buy vinyl it’s usually via discogs, the description is usually spot on for quality ..

But it’s the extra bits such a new cartridge, record cleaning bit, cables, jacks, speaker acoustic mats, storage etc etc which you don’t allow for but end up buying that boost the cost…

Anyway love the videos, glad I stumbled across your channel a few years ago..

[davidcurry]

My recommendations depend on the person I’m talking to. 3 years ago a buddy of mine (50+) inherited his family’s records. His goal was to simply listen to them, he wasn’t too interested in hearing nuances like cross-talk you hear on some of the early Santana records. So for his situation I recommend the AT-LP-60 ($99 at the time) and the Edifier R1280 power speakers ($99 at the time) and he loves the system.

For my daughter I started her off with a recapped Kenwood 3500 amp that I was not using along with an AT-LP-60. She got interested in jazz recordings so I bought her a Fluance RT85 with the acrylic platter, which she uses still, today with the Kenwood.

[Opurt]

This is exactly what my setup is. Fluance rt80 and Edifier speakers. Exactly the same model. And i've been enjoying it

[markfoster]

I have a Teac compact player. Put $400 into it new. I can record to CD from tape or vinyl. It fits all my needs.

[Kane]

As you know, I'm big into buying good, used gear. That's the direction I'd go.

With setting up a system for a rank amateur newbie, I'd probably go with the AT-LP60 simply due to the automatic nature of the operation. I'd recommend buying a new turntable and then I'd steer the person to a good set of used speakers, and a good receiver or integrated amplifier with a phono stage. At pretty much any thrift shop in my area, you can find a receiver or integrated amp with a phono stage for less than $40.00. You can get a respectable set of speakers for about $50 a pair for floor standing speakers or less than $30 for bookshelf speakers. It might take 5-6 trips to thrifts to get that squared away to a good level of satisfaction. I recently bought an Onkyo TX-906 (80 w/ch with a phono stage) and a some JBL LXE770 floor-standing speakers for $56.00 total. Nothing stunning about those pieces, but they all work fine. Add $150 for the AT-LP60 and Bob's Your Uncle - Just over $200 with a new TT and you're all set.


Using your $350.00 budget - and assuming $150 for the AT-LP60, plus $40 for the amp and $40 for the speakers (just using typical pricing), that leaves about $120.00 for records.

You should link to your sub-$100 system build video.

"YES- IT CAN BE DONE!"

[chrisnunya]

The AT-LP60XBT w/ Edifier bookshelf speakers is what I use & I can't complain one bit. It uses an Audio Technica styles that sounds great and it's got BT. All under 200. (Not including records but still the best way to start in my opinion.)

[aaronz]

I Just set up a little system for my bedroom. I used pioneer speakers I already had and a old dvd player with digital out for a CD player. Picked up a little "tube amp" for 110 dollars. The expensive part was a LP 120 with Bluetooth. Wanted the option to move around the house wireless headphones. I like lower budget audio gear but not to low. I'm hearing even more detail in the music now that I upgraded my turntable.

[aitechnasus]

Merry Christmas To My Great Friend Frank Landry I Hope Your Heart And Mind Is Always Filled With Love Joy And Happiness.🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄