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Advice and tips on buying and selling between private individuals
  • Leisure & Culture

Our advice before buying used turntables

  • 19 February 19

Do you want to start mixing, become the great DJ of tomorrow or simply enjoy your grandparents' old vinyl records? Then you'll probably want to buy one or two vinyl turntables! Buying them second-hand will save you a hell of a lot of money, but they're fragile items, and it's easy to miss out on certain problems that should make you back out.

Asking the right questions

Are you buying these turntables just for the fun of it, or do you know in advance that you'll be using them for a (very) long time? Do you just want to buy them and put them away soon afterwards, or do you really want to invest? Are the parts easy to replace? These questions are crucial in themselves, and will help you decide on the price you're willing to pay. Let's assume that this is a purchase that you've had in mind for a long time, and that you want to find the best value for real quality: find out about brands with good reputations! As with all electronic equipment, robustness and longevity are very important factors, so go for the safe bet! The fewer components you have to replace or fail, the better your return on investment. It's as simple as that!

Here are a few brands you might want to look out for:

  • Technics
  • Stanton
  • Clearaudio
  • Rega

You can quickly research the different models offered by these brands to determine which one has exactly the right features for your future uses.

If you buy a second-hand turntable, you can't avoid testing it - it's unthinkable!

Testing the equipment

If you buy a second-hand turntable, you can't avoid the test phase - it's unthinkable! So don't forget to tell the seller that you're going to do a real test of the equipment, so that he can prepare what's needed. They'll know it's essential.

There are two possible scenarios for the test:

  • You're a complete beginner: if you don't have any equipment (mixer, headphones, vinyl, etc.) ask the seller if they have it. If not, it's best to find a way of postponing the purchase so that you can borrow what you need.
  • You're already more experienced: take your table under your arm, your headphones around your neck and your favourite vinyl.

Points to check

When you meet the vendor and test the equipment, it's vital to pay attention to a number of points and details that will tell you a lot about the general condition and any repairs or changes that may be necessary.

Let's go through the checklist:

  • The power button: that's obvious, but it needs to be tested first.
  • The stroboscope: it should already be working! It will allow you to judge the state of the motor that turns the platter. Run it at 33 revs per minute, keeping the pitch at 0. The pattern(s) on the edge of the platter should remain motionless for at least 10 seconds.
  • Start & Stop button(s): the effect must be instantaneous.
  • The light of the diamond-tipped furrow.
  • Reading cells and diamond(s) if supplied. However, it is very difficult to judge the condition of these parts and it is always advisable to change them.
  • Toggle button(s): these are used to switch between 33t/m and 45t/m. They must be functional.
  • The pitch fader: turn it to 0 to see if it's notched, and you'll hear or feel a little click.
  • The pitch change knob: this controls the % adjustment. Test it carefully to see how responsive the equipment is.
  • The tone arm: it should be in good condition and moving it should not be a problem. An arm in poor condition can be seen, but it can also be felt when you handle it.

Accessories

Check that all cables (power, USB, RCA, etc.) are present and in good condition. You should also look out for turntables sold with their protective covers, as this says a lot about the way the seller has treated them. If the platter felt is in good condition, that's a real plus, although it's easy to change. If possible, also ask for the invoice, instructions and original box.

Payment by hand delivery

The test box cannot be skipped, so you will make the transaction face-to-face. We recommend that you use a secure payment method such as Obvy to ensure the security of your transaction, and above all to keep a record of it with the history directly on the application.