Portable Turntables

[tinobeat]

So lately I've been getting an itching to have a kind of "boombox"-level turntable, in, say, the kitchen while cooking or the bedroom or something like that. It just seems like a handy thing... So, I've been looking around.

Right now Amazon has a really sweet deal on the Numark PT01, and there's also the more classic Vestax Handy Trax (not quite as sweet a deal though).

I mean, clearly this isn't going to be an audiophile kind of deal, My main turntable is in the living room and while I love the centrality and the ceremony that goes with playing records on it, I would love to not be bound to it, I just want to be able to rock a stack of old records while I cook, etc. I just want to make sure this isn't a terrible thing that will destroy my vinyl or anything like that.

Anyone have any experience with these?

[Patrick]

If the headshell on the tonearm is not angled, the chances are good that it will destroy your vinyl.

I'd also look at the tracking force (not over 3g) and the type of cartridge (avoid ceramic).

[tinobeat]

hmm, duly noted...

So what would I look for in a product description that would clue me in to these things? I didn't see anything about angled heads or tracking force... The Numark deck got good points from turntablelab.com but I'm not sure if that's exactly a ringing endorsement.

The head looks angled in the picture attached but I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right thing. Again, I'm not looking for KILLER sound, I'm just looking for something that'll sound about as good as a cassette/CD boombox for casual listening.

[Patrick]

It's angled, so that's a step in the right direction.

No specs anywhere for the cartridge?

[tinobeat]

what I was able to gather:

The PT01 turntable comes with a built-in cartridge with a removable stylus,

and that this is the replacement:

http://www.jacksmusicfactory.com/default.asp?productid=90127

[Elijah]

Have you considered just getting remote speakers? Since sound quality isn't a huge issue, it seems like you'd save yourself a lot of hassle, while greatly reducing the chances that you'll damage your records.

Only reason I ask is that vinyl and cooking seem like a volatile mix. I think there's a much greater chance you'll damage your records with stray olive oil/cookie dough or high kitchen temperatures than with a badly designed turntable and/or stylus.

[awol]

Tino, we have that exact same Numark portable player in the record store, for the casual listeners going through the used bins. We've had no problems with it. It was recommended to us as the way to go for cheapish portable players. If that helps at all.

[Fiona]

Only reason I ask is that vinyl and cooking seem like a volatile mix. I think there's a much greater chance you'll damage your records with stray olive oil/cookie dough or high kitchen temperatures than with a badly designed turntable and/or stylus.
Exactly what I was thinking! The player you pictured doesn't have a cover, and even minimally used kitchens (eg mine) pick up layers of grease and dust which whilst easy to scour from cookers/worktops will not be something you want to deal with with regard to precious records. I'd go remote, or wire through.

[baconfat]

I'm going to put this post in the right discussion thread... no idea how that happened.