OK Vinyl Fanatics - Tell Me About Numark TT's

[Dan Gould]

I hadn't really thought about replacing or upgrading my decidedly mediocre turntable I got at BrandsMart four years ago but I stopped into the sole remaining used record store in Fort Lauderdale today and discovered that they were now stocking various Numark models, including one with a USB cable for direct dubbing into the PC.

So - is Numark a good brand? Sticking below, say, $250, are there decent options if I decided to upgrade?

thanks in advance.

[porcy62]

Numark is a solid DJ stuff makers, far from being HI-FI IMHO. Do you really need a USB port on your next TT?

I'd suggest to have a look at these, if you want a new TT.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Brand-Stores/Pro-Ject-Turntable

Or look for an used one: Rega, Thorens are the first name that comes to mind.

Edited December 14, 2007 by porcy62

[Spontooneous]

Had a Numark for a while. It had the loudest rumble of any TT I've used in decades.

[porcy62]

Had a Numark for a while. It had the loudest rumble of any TT I've used in decades.

That's totally ininfluent if you're mixing and scratching at a rave party with a couple of cases full of techno-music records. Now if you want to listen to Bill Evans...

[Noj]

I have the Numark TTUSB, it works for me. But then, I don't have a great stereo to listen to music on and generally listen to songs I transferred from vinyl on my iPod. I have noticed the transfer quality, while clean, isn't as loud as tracks from CDs.

[porcy62]

Or this: tho is bejond your budget

http://www.needledoctor.com/Rega-P1-Turnta...amp;category=46

[porcy62]

I have the Numark TTUSB, it works for me. But then, I don't have a great stereo to listen to music on and generally listen to songs I transferred from vinyl on my iPod. I have noticed the transfer quality, while clean, isn't as loud as tracks from CDs.

Ah, yes, the questions would be: what do you want from a TT? And how big is your record collection? How good is your audio system?

[Dan Gould]

I have the Numark TTUSB, it works for me. But then, I don't have a great stereo to listen to music on and generally listen to songs I transferred from vinyl on my iPod. I have noticed the transfer quality, while clean, isn't as loud as tracks from CDs.

Ah, yes, the questions would be: what do you want from a TT? And how big is your record collection? How good is your audio system?

Well, I thought that my description of my current TT and my price range would give you an idea. I have a lot of vinyl, but I own it to transfer to CD, not as a main source of listening pleasure. I'd like something that will sound decent at a more than reasonable cost.

This shop uses Numark TTs at their listening stations, and on headphones they certainly sound pretty good to me.

[porcy62]

If so go for Numark...BUT if you can afford it I wamly suggest you this one: http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it.A/id.8...mp;category=948.

Maybe you'll rediscover the pleasure of listen to vinyls comfortably seated in your soft sofa.

[sidewinder]

If so go for Numark...BUT if you can afford it I wamly suggest you this one: http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it.A/id.8...mp;category=948.

Maybe you'll rediscover the pleasure of listen to vinyls comfortably seated in your soft sofa.

That looks like a good choice.

Or perhaps an entry-level Rega or a Linn Axis (second hand)?

[porcy62]

If so go for Numark...BUT if you can afford it I wamly suggest you this one: http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/it.A/id.8...mp;category=948.

Maybe you'll rediscover the pleasure of listen to vinyls comfortably seated in your soft sofa.

That looks like a good choice.

Or perhaps an entry-level Rega or a Linn Axis (second hand)?

From what I understood of Dan's requirements, he need a TT that has an A/D converter and an USB, no hassle with phono stage, cables, set up, ecc. Rega and Linn are stand alone unities. Good old Dan don't want problems. So the Pro-Ject above would be perfect.

[Dan Gould]

There's no way I could even think about a $449 TT.

I also don't require USB outputs, I've been using RCAs with an adapter into the line-in plug and everything actually sounds quite nice.

What I was hoping to find out is that for close to what I paid before - maybe $50 more -that the Numark would sound quite acceptable. Maybe the Numark's flaws are more noticeable on higher end setups?

As for listening to vinyls on the couch that's highly unlikely - ain't no couch up here, and really the fact is that its relatively rare for my vinyl to be super clean and wonderful to listen to. That's why I dump it into the computer, clean up the pops and burn CDs. Then I have a much nicer sounding copy and don't have to listen to the noisy vinyl again. Although it did occur to me that if I had a USB connection, I could run output to both the PC, and if I got a really long set of RCA cables, to the stereo in the listening room that is next to the office.

[porcy62]

There's no way I could even think about a $449 TT.

I also don't require USB outputs, I've been using RCAs with an adapter into the line-in plug and everything actually sounds quite nice.

What I was hoping to find out is that for close to what I paid before - maybe $50 more -that the Numark would sound quite acceptable. Maybe the Numark's flaws are more noticeable on higher end setups?

As for listening to vinyls on the couch that's highly unlikely - ain't no couch up here, and really the fact is that its relatively rare for my vinyl to be super clean and wonderful to listen to. That's why I dump it into the computer, clean up the pops and burn CDs. Then I have a much nicer sounding copy and don't have to listen to the noisy vinyl again. Although it did occur to me that if I had a USB connection, I could run output to both the PC, and if I got a really long set of RCA cables, to the stereo in the listening room that is next to the office.

Go for Numark!

Frankly I didn't understand why you started this thread.

Edited December 14, 2007 by porcy62

[sidewinder]

Dan - sit yourself on a nice comfy couch with a real good audiophile system and a couple of mono deep groove Blue Note LPs and let us know what you think. Once you're there, there's no turning back IMO.

Edited December 14, 2007 by sidewinder

[Brandon Burke]

i'm an audiophile at work, but my home system is a vintage solid state receiver and a classic Technics 1200.

the issues surrounding turntables and affordability are many, but chief among them are playback and durability.

Numark are cheap, feather-light turntables to me. period. i wouldn't waste my money on them.

for real man, think of this purchase as you would a car or a major appliance. (i.e. how soon do you want to f*ck

around with buying another one..) brand new Technics 1200-series tables are basically the Hondas/Toyotas of TT's

in that they're solid performers and you'll get your money back at roughly 75% should you want to sell it on craigslist

within 2-3 years. honestly, the thing can basically fall down the stairs and still playback at near-archival capacity. that,

coupled with the tork (when using a slipmat), is why they've been the defacto choice of DJ's for ages. i mean imagine

how often those things get lugged around...and still perform.

folks with $10,000 systems are out of this discussion here, as far as i'm concerned; that's a whole 'nother ballgame.

save your money for an extra few months and get a 1200. it'll last you forever and you'll never need another table

unless you decide to go fancy. and then hey, more power to ya if you do..