Hi all,

Hope someone can help me out. Topic says it all really, but I'll say it again - does anyone know where I could go to get some second hand hi-fi equipment, specifically old-school turntables? I'm thinking thrift-shops would be the best place to find a bargain but if there's a specialist shop anywhere that I don't know about, that would be good too.

Thanks

By virtue of the term "specialist shop" would suggest you'll pay for the privilege.

If you're looking at the thrift shop possibility then maybe visit Waterlooplein in Amsterdam. No guarantee that the junk you'd score there would work though!

There's another regular here into 'antique' hi-fi ... I'll PM and see if he can make any suggestions.

I have some info for you.

You could try Waterlooplein market, I remember seeing a guy selling lots of old & retro stuff like, reel to reel & regular tape machines and some old turntables, however I'm not sure if anything has been tested, so you buy at your own risk.

I use the German ebay, I've bought loads of bits & pieces of audio equipment without any problems.

Take a look here at the big selection of turntables, there's everything from crappy gear to high end:
http://audio.shop.ebay.de/items/Audio-Hi-F...1QQ_sacatZ10614

I recommend a make called Thorens, a German company and very good, if you look at the ebay listings you'll come across many at a good price.
http://audio.shop.ebay.de/items/_W0QQ_from...ksid=m270.l1313

If you don't have an ebay account, I strongly recommend you get one, it's easy!

How about this:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Musical-Life-Symphony-M...id=p3286.c0.m14

Too hi-tech for your antique tastes, I'd have thought ...

Why not try the 44 kilo 200-year old mahogony-chassied Nottingham Anna Log turntable?

http://www.dejavuaudio.com/ANALOGUE-NOTTINGHAM-ANNALOG.HTM

This one costs $150,000

http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-Sta...mp;category=347

You forgot to add ... it weighs 350 kilos!!!

As I mentioned to you before, some people will spend unbelievable amounts on their 'hobbies'! You could probably pay a similar amount ONLY for a stylus! Mind you, it'll be platinum wire and rolled across the virgin bamboo main core at full moon between a young virgin's thighs with a diamond-tip that was specially selected by de Beers!

I had an acquaintance in Scotland that had about 10 million(!) pounds worth of cars in his 'toy box' - his term for his 'garage'. EVERY car had some form of heritage and provenance, i.e ULTRA rare Jaguars with race history, Ferrari Formula One cars, McLaren F1 GTR (5th Placed at LeMans in 1995), etc. ALL were potential appreciating assets, not 'just' depreciating 'latest-of-the-latest' supercars.

However, as he said, some of his friends had serious investments in boats, others in aircraft and helicopters. His 'thing' was cars.

The thing that differentiates men from boys is the size and cost of their toys.

I know one or two in Amsterdam, but that assumes that you're based anywhere nearby. If you are, check out Ruad on the corner of Postjesweg and Jan Tooropstraat (close to Postjesweg metro station).

http://www.ruadhifi.nl/


A HiFi and electronics shop called RAF operate in a number of cities - http://www.raf.nl/



Another option - lots of places sell USB turntables which connect either to your stereo or to your computer. Advantage with these is that you can convert your vinyl collection to MP3 as well. Price range seems to be around 50-80 Euros. I've seen them on sale in department stores, HiFi shops, record shops, MediaMarkt, Kijkshop......

They're that cheap now?! Okay! I bought several Vinyl LP's off Ebay a few years back and have never played them!

Another nationwide chain that sells higher-end 2nd gear alongside new is www.hobohifi.nl ... go to "occassions" (second hand).

Looking at http://www.hobo.nl/webwinkel/catalog/occas...0d54b1c70b256a2 they've only one (NAD) turntable available currently though.

This make seems to be good & available in decent hifi shops, they also have a USB model that looks like the Rega:

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?list...les&lang=en