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A good used record player from the 1970s or 1980s often beats a new budget model. The parts that wear are the stylus, the belt and the tonearm bearings, so check those, listen for speed problems and remember you need a phono preamp and speakers too.
Belt drive turntables (Dual, Thorens, Rega, Pro-Ject) use a rubber belt that stretches over time; a new one costs EUR 10-25. Direct drive turntables (Technics, many Japanese decks) have the motor under the platter, start fast and hold speed well. The Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 are DJ classics and expensive used because they almost never break.
Suitcase players (Crosley and similar) and cheap all-in-one units with built-in speakers have poor tonearms and ceramic cartridges that wear records faster. They're fine as decoration, not for a record collection you care about.
Dual turntables were very popular in Germany and the Netherlands, so there are many: the 1219, 1229 and the CS 505 series are good value. Thorens TD 160 and TD 166 are solid belt drives. Pro-Ject Debut and Rega Planar 1, 2 and 3 are modern, simple and easy to service. The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 is a common modern direct drive with a built-in preamp, and the AT-LP60X is a basic automatic starter player.
Technics also made cheaper belt and direct drive decks (SL-B and SL-D series) that are a good budget choice.
The stylus (naald) is the tip that touches the record, held by the cartridge (element). A worn or bent stylus sounds distorted and can damage records. Look at it with your phone camera zoomed in: it should be straight and clean. Ask how old it is. A replacement stylus costs from EUR 20 for basic ones to EUR 100 or more.
A listing that says 'zonder element' has no cartridge at all, which means extra cost of at least EUR 40-80.
Bring a record you don't mind playing. Ask the seller to have the player connected to an amplifier with speakers.
Before transport, lock the tonearm in its rest, remove the counterweight if it unscrews, and take off the platter if possible so the bearing isn't stressed. Tape the dust cover down or carry it separately. On some decks there are transport screws under the platter; ask the seller about them. At home, set the tracking force and anti-skate according to the cartridge specs, which you can look up by its model number.
Most turntables need a phono preamp because the cartridge signal is very weak. Vintage amplifiers usually have a phono input; modern ones often don't. Some turntables have a switchable preamp built in ('met ingebouwde voorversterker'). Without one, you'll need a small external preamp (EUR 30-80 used).
If you're starting from scratch, a deck plus a vintage amplifier with a phono input is often cheaper than buying separate modern parts. On vindje.com you can ask for something like 'Dual or Technics turntable with working cartridge, under 200 euro, within 25 km' and leave out listings without a needle.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| Audio-Technica AT-LP60X | EUR 50-80 |
| Dual 1219 or CS 505, working with cartridge | EUR 80-180 |
| Audio-Technica AT-LP120 | EUR 150-220 |
| Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or Rega Planar 2 | EUR 150-280 |
| Technics SL-1200 or SL-1210 MK2 | EUR 450-700 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
Dual or Technics turntable with a working cartridge and new belt, plays 33 and 45, under 200 euro, within 25 km of HaarlemSearch Marktplaats like this
Yes, unless the turntable has one built in or your amplifier has a phono input. Without it the sound is very quiet and thin.
Worn styluses sound harsh or distorted, especially in loud passages and at the end of a side. Zoom in with your phone camera to check it's straight and clean.
Often yes. A serviced Dual, Technics or Thorens usually has a better tonearm and motor than a new budget player at the same price.
They use heavy tracking and basic cartridges, which can wear records faster. They're fine for casual listening, not for a valuable collection.