# Do you own a functioning, ready-to-go turntable? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831 "2012-05-14T01:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/41 "2012-05-14T21:43:11Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > All regular turntables require a separate ground connection in addition to the left and right audio. If you don’t have that connected, or if you have it plugged into any receiver or pre-amp input other than one marked “phono”, you’re going to have a huge hum. It’s a all-in-one portable unit. And it’s mono. It doesn’t seem that bad to me, although I suppose I could have somebody look at it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/42 "2012-05-15T00:42:32Z")
I checked “yes,” even though it’s not connected to my stereo. It’s connected to my computer, and I use it to transfer vinyl to digital. I’ll probably put it in a closet when I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/43 "2012-05-15T01:00:31Z")
No. I had a crappy old one in my teens back in the late 80s, but I’ve fully embraced the digital format since then. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/44 "2012-05-15T05:48:02Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’m 50, and I ditched that thing probably 30+ years ago, and I cannot understand why anyone else wouldn’t have. How about: huge record collection, much of which will never appear on cd or pay-for download. . ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/45 "2012-05-15T10:09:32Z")
Yep. It’s hooked up to the system right now. The only inhibition to using at this moment is an album cover lying on top of the cover. (Dire Straits, if it matters) ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/46 "2012-05-15T16:28:15Z")
Yes. I bought one last year to connect to my computer and convert my old LPs to digital. I have a steamer trunk packed full of 80’s R&B albums (some by really obscure artists) and many of them are 12in singles which would never be released on CD or on a Greatest Hits collection ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/47 "2012-05-15T17:04:00Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > no, I live in the 21st century How proud you must be. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/48 "2012-05-15T17:51:40Z")
No. I don’t even have a functioning cassette player outside of my car. I nearly bought a turntable at a thrift store a few years ago, but I let a family member I was shopping with have it instead and never got around to finding another one. Edit: I’m in my 20s. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/49 "2012-05-15T18:12:34Z")
Don’t even think about touching my Thorens TD-160 unless you want to lose some fingers! I love vinyl and am always on the look-out for records to add to the collection. Of course, I also have several Reel-to-Reel tape decks going, so I suppose that probably puts me into the category of “That crazy ol’ coot down the street that’s playing that loud-ass Opera stuff again.”😃 ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/50 "2012-05-15T18:17:16Z")
I love reel to reels, they just look so cool, and folk are surprised at just how good they sound - until I mention that a huge number of remastered CDs were originally laid down on tape. I have several B&O r2rs, a nice Akai and a very nice Sony 765 - which is regarded as one of the very best. One day I might move on to a Revox B77 - I’ll never ever be able to afford a Nagra - look on EBAY and you’ll soon see why. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/51 "2012-05-15T18:27:23Z")
In my 40s and put no. But really, I have one somewhere and don’t know if it works or not. I generally only listen to music in the car or at the gym so a turntable does not fit in with my lifestyle. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/52 "2012-05-15T18:39:13Z")
I still have most of my vinyl ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/53 "2012-05-15T18:45:55Z")
N/M ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/54 "2012-05-16T10:10:08Z")
The turntable’s fine and would work OK, as far as I know. The stylus, though, is rubbish and I wouldn’t want to inflict it on any of my LPs, so I never use it. In fact, I’m in the middle of a major cull and am going to get rid of my vinyl, since it’s taking up so much house room. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/55 "2012-05-16T14:25:56Z")
Mine’s plugged in but has a wiring fault that needs sorted before it’ll play again. I’ll either fix it or buy a new one. I’ve got far too much vinyl I want to be able to listen to to not have a turntable! And I know I’ll never bother ripping it all to mp3. When it was working, I’d go through phases of playing a lot or never touching it for months… I’m in my mid-50s. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/56 "2012-05-16T14:38:22Z")
fully functioning and ready to go in my media cabinet right this sec. most of my music _IS_ on LPs. i have maybe thirty or fourty CDs at the most, but 100s of records in perfect, playable condition. anyone for some ‘frankie goes to hollywood?’ over 50 and female. i even have all my 45s! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/57 "2012-05-16T17:22:13Z")
I listen to vinyl all the time! I also recently bought one of those retro-1930’s record/cd/tape players with a MP3 plug (except that I don’t own an MP3-thingee ). Oddly enough I still own, and play, all the records I have bought since high school. Even a stack of 45’s. I just got a small bunch of 78’s and they are so much fun! Who needs a computer? Not me. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/58 "2012-05-16T17:32:20Z")
I’m in my 50s and I’m a “No”. I haven’t owned a working one in over 15 years. I never owned an 8-track player or tapes, either. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/59 "2012-05-16T17:53:14Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I listen to vinyl all the time! I also recently bought one of those retro-1930’s record/cd/tape players with a MP3 plug (except that I don’t own an MP3-thingee ). > > Oddly enough I still own, and play, all the records I have bought since high school. Even a stack of 45’s. > > I just got a small bunch of 78’s and they are so much fun! > > Who needs a computer? Not me. Yes, now and then I even dig out my Brenda Lee. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831/60 "2012-05-16T18:11:51Z")
Of course I do. I also own more records than CDs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-functioning-ready-to-go-turntable/621831.md?page=4)