Turntables?

[thyname]

Hi guys, let me tell you that I just upgraded my speaker cables from Original Monster spk cbls to some quality 10 g. and bi-wire too, and my system is much, much improved.. I can definitely tell the difference.

Now, I never had a turntable, or vinyl records, but I've heard many people saying that music sound best (warmer, original) in vinyl. Is it true? My system is dedicated to 2ch stereo (rotel rx-1052 stereo receiver, RCD-1072 cd player with 3-way JBL e60 northridge floor speakers). Do you think that I should purchase a turntable too, as they are not very expensive? I can definitely start owning some LPs too, especially some of my old favorite band records.

If yes, which is the best brand for them? I don't see Rotel having turntables in its current line-up. Many people say Technics, it it true?

Do I really need to do this? Please help...

[George Bellefontaine]

Well I'm an oldtimer so vinyl came long before digital for me. I have a huge collection of vinyl lps and play them often. I do prefer the sound of vinyl, but they do wear over time if played a lot. You really have to take good care of them, but a good turntable and a high quality stylus can help immensely.I don't know if I'd recommend vinyl if you've never heard it before. It definitely sounds different than cds, but you may not like the sound yourself. If you know someone who has a vinyl collection and a turntable I'd urge you to give it a listen.

I use a Technics SL 1500 direct drive turntable that I have owned for more years than I can remember. On it i use a Shure M95ED stylus that has held up well over the years.

[gostan]

Funny you should ask about turntables as I am sitting here basking in the beautiful sounds of John Coltrane (Standard Coltrane) on my new Music Hall mmf-9 TT. I have wanted to add a turntable back into my system for some time now, after almost completing the balance of my system upgrades.

Vinyl is even better today than I remember from the old old days of the past. I am checking out my old vinyl to see how those lp's have survived the years, but I have ordered several audiophile re-pressings from Acoustic Sounds and Music Direct and I am amazed at the selection of lps and great sounding ones at that, which are available to purchase and listen to.

Saturday, I am going to Cambridge (MA) where in one block on Massachusetts Ave there are at least 4 used (some new) record stores.

I think that your tt and stylus should be based upon your overall system. There are many choices out there from $150.00 to over $10,000.00. Listen, investigate and play the music.

So far I would have to say that listening to vinyl is less straining on my older ears than cd's, dvd-a's and sacd's. I would be curious as to what you think when you either listen to lp's or get your own.

[Jack Keck]

I am not recommending either getting into viinyl or avoiding it. I still have my Rega P2 TT. I have only been using it to transfer LPs that I have that are not available on CD.

What I will tell you flat out is that the quality of the TURNTABLE is supremely important in making your records sound their best as well as for preserving them. The more accurately the platter turns, the better the arm and cartridge can track the grooves. Imagine driving a slolom while someone is moving the road. The less the road moves, the easier the drive. My Rega had the dame cartridge as my previous TT (Phillips GA 312). However, the improvement in the sound and the soundstage that the Rega made was night and day. I had never heard sound outside the speakers before.

So if you're gonna get a TT, get the best one you can afford!

[ZX10 Guy]

You should also consider a good LP cleaning machine too. VPI and Nitty Gritty makes some good ones. I myself have a VPI HW19 Jr with the MKIII platter upgrade, Audioquest PT9 tonearm, and a Sumiko Blue Point cartridge. I had an DJ quality turntable a while ago and found that the VPI made the vinyl experience that much more enjoyable. I occasionally go back to my vinyl collection but I haven't as much recently since I got my Meridian 598DP/568.2MM gear. The Meridian gear was the last link I needed to make CDs sound much more natural.

[eelco74]

I have never been without a record player. I have had a Dual CS-505 and a Philips 888 with the GP412 cartridge.

I could not resist getting a new one, so I changed it for a Project 1.2 with a Ortofon X1-MC cartridge and a Pro-ject Phonobox.

As far as your coice, the technics is a very fine player, but more aimed at DJ's. But brands like Project (www.project-audio.net) and Rega (www.rega.co.uk) also have some very fine players. Get a good cartrige and you will enjoy your records like never before.

Rotel has had some players in the past like the RP-955, RP900 and the RP850. I think they were made by Rega, so if you can find one on ebay, you can safely get one, Check the state, if it is in mint condition the owner has taken care of it. Check the bearings of the platter and the tonearm. Any friction or rumble might suggest broken bearings.

A good washer might be a good idea. There is a brand new budget cleaner called the Okki Nokki at around 300 Euro's. Search goole for this one.

[gostan]

There appear to be some good turntable choices on Audiogon at good prices. Do your homework and compare list prices with used prices. You should be able to save at least 30% off of an almost new tt.

My top of the line mmf-9, which has a Project Carbon tonearm and a Goldring Maestro mc cartridge was an open box special (in new condition)at a local dealer.

Listening to the few duplicate recordings I have on both cd and lp is very eye-opening. I know that I have been missing some great sounds by not having a turntable for the last decade.

[Dlite]

First before I make any comments I have to be honest and say that I do not and have never owned a turntable. However, I have listened to friends turntables and do like the sound, however turntables are not for me. I agree with a number of the points made above and wish to make a few of my own.

1. Not all albums are released on vinyl, and often need to be ordered specially and have small production runs. it is often difficult to build up a collection as some items can be hard to find
2. The quality of a turntable is very important and generally you don't get as much value for money as CD's
3. don't forget you will need a MM or MC phono input on your preamp or a seperate phono amplifier. The 1052 has MM phono inputs.
4. You need to clean your LP's occasionally to get the best out of them
5. You need to replace your cartridge periodically, they are also fragile and I have seen one friend break his $500 cartridge
6. Turntables are susceptible to vibration and should be on a good support, they also by their nature need to be on top of the support

Overall looking at your system, personally I think you would get a better improvement from upgrading some of your components. But don't believe all the hype, go and have a listen to a turntable in your price range on a system similar to your own and see if you believe the turntable is worth the investment. Even if you do decide turntable is the go, do a practive run and see which albums you like you can pick on vinyl.

Hope my ravings help.

[Chuck G]

It is hard to recommend vinyl without you having a collection already. If you have access to good/cheap vinyl it can be fun. You would need to spend $300-$400 min to get a decent setup (used phono preamp and TT). I would not recommend getting into it with an entry level technics. That may be ok for someone just testing out the waters with at least SOME vinyl on hand. I'd put the money in a better digital front end.