Roots Archives Forum

I, Zion Gates, have a confession to make.

I'm 18 years old and I love reggae; i've loved it since the time I entered high school. Despite my love, I have been downloading most of my reggae: my only collection being thousands of pirated mp3s and about a hundred c-ds. It's time to change. I'm going to start building up a vynil collection, I feel this is the only way I can deepen my love for reggae and music (also the fact that I can barely find a decent reggae cd where I live.)

So guide me Roots Archive.
what are some good record players? what should I be looking for? what steps should I take? ..I also need to take money into consideration, so no insanely expensive sound system suggestions please!

Thank You!
-Zion

Nice statement to start a next step on your journey.

Pro-ject tables are a good deal for the money, and range from low price to top level.

My advice too. I bought a Project Debut II some years ago and I've been very happy with it. There are better models out there now that cost even less I think.

This one costs $380 which I think is fair;
http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-De ... Multicolor

And if you search around you can probably find it even cheaper.

Only downside with the Project is that you have to lift the platter in order to switch from 33 rpm to 45 which with reggae is a real bummer.

how does this look?
http://london.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell- ... Z115295357

...not that this is my only option, it is just extremely convenient in terms of location.

If you keep an eye on high street electrical second hand shops, cash convertors for instance they have turntables now and again, as well as other hi-fi stuff, amps, cd players. I`ve seen a few Technics SL1200 MKII`s going for £150 - £180 GBP, but you`d have to buy a new needle and maybe a new lid.

peace

Congratulations for listening to Reggae the original way! Collecting vinyl is fun and a great hobby. Years ago I quit tobacco smoking. So I can spend more money on vinyl.

If you don´t want to spend very much for a deck then forget about pro-ject. OK, it´s cheap at first. But it´s a cheapie from czechia. I experieced it blows up the motor after a while. Repair wasn´t cheap. Also their arms are of poor quality.
Don´t waste money. Get some solid quality instead. Technics is sth. reliable. Not my 1rst choice but ok. I own an old Technics tangential player which works for 24 years now. Play those crackly 7"ers on it to spare the stylus of my rega. This (rega) is another recommendation.
Not the cheapest one but worth every single cent.

Try to read some old hi-fi mags to learn basic knowledge about players. Very interesting and helpful.

it's the Rega P2 that was checked (didn't know about the higher ones) above.

Each man and woman will have their own preferences so after you gather all these advises, it's still best to take some special records and listen to the systems a bit. That may help make a final decision.

Zion-gate, it's great news. Welcome in the Fanatic Reggae vinyl Collector's CLub. You won't be disappointed, for sure.

For material, this is my advice. For beginning, take a low cost turntable (not direct turntable system), like an old hi-fi model if you don't want to loose your money in the first time. You can buy this type of turntable for 10$/€. Just put a new diamond for a good sound and more respect for your disc.

If you have money you can get some DJ/direct drive turntable of the 80-90's. In that time, there are good things. My opinion: forget new/numeric material. It cost a lot and it's bad things. Me & my friends have some old turntable (more than 20 tewnty years!) in Technics, Gemini... They always turn and still for many years think.

You must have a mixer or amplifier with phono connection, cause turntable need a specific amplification and must be connected to ground lift.

Gemini is good to begin. Search old sytem: it's the better...

Blessings.

what exactly is the difference between lo-fi and hi-fi systems?

nice on ZIon Gates, making a statement like this takes insight and courage!

Sure hope that a good soundsystem passes your way for a price you can afford.
I got two SL1200 secondhands, for the two i paid less than 200€ ... one fell of a car roof ... no damage, the other one ... recovered that one from a burned down house ... only needed cleaning, new pitch and cell ... so i believe these are build to last and soundwize ... get a good cartridge and you will enjoy them.

as for the records ... happy hunting! don't give up, things will come your way