Help! Where to buy a decent record player?

LEH

Want to get my boyfriend a record player for his birthday next week and have no idea where to start. He doesn't need it for DJing or anything, just to play old LP's and records (he's obsessed). He currently has one that's pretty crap that he got in Argos a while back. No idea even about price ranges, brands etc. Where would be my best bet to get a really good quality record player with decent speakers? Would it be worth going to antique shops for an old one?

Many Thanks in advance.

Dmullar

Try Cloney Audio in blackrock.

Not cheap though.

lordgoat

Stick an ad up on adverts.ie looking for you, you might get lucky.

dub45

You might get some second hand decks in a place like Cloney Audio. The advantage of this way of buying one would be that you are buying from a source that know their stuff. If you are looking for a good deck I really think it would be unwise to buy from an antique shop or second hand shop as you will not have a clue how it has been treated in the past.

http://www.cloneyaudio.com/about.shtml

A good record deck needs to be set up well - the arm needs to be have the proper weights and alignment and you need a good new cartridge otherwise you are just going to damage the 'priceless' lps.

Dont forget a record deck generally wont have a built in amplifier either so its going to cost you a few bob if you really want to get him a good set up. However if he has a deck already he must have some sort of set up so why not get a good deck this time and work towards improving the overall system later.

Sounds like the bf is lucky to have such a considerate partner:)

This link might be a bit technical but also might give you some idea of what to look out for.

http://www.needles-and-spins.co.uk/buying_a_turntable_faq.cfm

Just noticed this one on Amazon - sounds like it might be ok and might give you a benchmark:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-P-110-Silber-kenwood-p-110s/dp/B000AQSIXA/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244723643&sr=1-12

Red Sleeping Beauty

I got something similar to this in Dunnes for about 40quid a few years ago (2007)

Red Sleeping Beauty

http://www.ogormans.co.uk/steepletone_radios.htm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/STEEPLETONE-WOODEN-NOSTALGIC-TURNTABLE-SPECIAL/dp/B000ZLNPDS

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_ce_0_14?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=steepletone+record+player&sprefix=ste&sprefix=ste&sprefix=steepletone+re