anybody still listen to turntables?

[Andrew Pratt]

I'm going to add a cheapish turn table to the mix soon so we can listen to a few old albums we've got around. This isn't likely going to be critical listening but it just might end up that way if the LP guys are right about its superior sounds Any one else still got a turn table connected? and what should I look for in a cheap used model?

[John Holmes]

Though I have owned a TT for as long as I can remember, I never really got into "quality/hi-fi" units.

With that said, I think that TT like all other hardware is very software dependant. Some albums will sound great while others will sound like junk. I have an old direct drive Sony. I like it's performance but, I would love to hear a Hi-end unit in my set-up to hear if I could tell the difference.

And of course a decent cartridge is a must. Now again, decent is subjective. Sorry I couldn't be more help. And welcome to the "Vintage World" of audio!




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Lex]

Well, I generally listened to my albums not my turntables. :P Other than that, I generally save my snap, crackle, and pop for my Rice Krispies. lol.

Seriously, I think the advanced age of superior DACs (sorry Theta for borrowing that term), advanced digital processing, analog stages, and the advantages of digital done right SACD, DVDA, as well as the durability of CDs/DVDs, are really leaving the LP mostly for the nostalgic crowd and folks that just love the highly machined looks of TTs. Well, that's a thought anyway.

There's just so much wear on LPs, it seemed that no matter how hard I tried to take care of LPs, they invariably wound up scratched and warped. I have a turntable, a bunch of old rock albums, but not a whole lot of desire to go through that stage again, really. Maybe if I had a great selection of old jazz LPs that never made it to CD-




Cable Guy DVD Collection

[Andrew Pratt]

The main reason I (we) want one is that Glenda has a ton of old LP's of disney stories etc that must be collectors items and a bunch of old LPs that we were leafing through the other weekend. I doubt I'll get "into" turntables in a big way but it coudl be fun to leaf through garage sales for the odd record just for the hell of it.

[John Holmes]

Well, unlike Lex, I've taken very good care of my albums. It is far and few between you will hear, the snap crackle and pop in my home!

There is quite a bit of music that I own on vinyl that has yet to make it to cd. And a lot that just sounds quite good in it's old analog format.

I have 300 or so and the only part that bothers me about them is, the amount of room that they require.




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Crimson]

Andrew,
Last year I picked up a MMF-5 TT and a Creek OBH-8SE phono pre to see if I was interested in re-listening to my 500 or so albums. Don't know why I didn't do it sooner.

Lex,
I will agree with you that that modern day digital advances are improving, BUT vinyl has its advantages over digital (and vice versa). With my entry-level TT setup and an album in relatively decent shape, the musical involvement that comes with listening to vinyl can't be matched by 99% of the CD's out there. After I got my TT, my friends (and SO) thought I was nuts. So I put my money where my mouth is and showed them the difference between the 2 formats by demoing a familiar tune to them on CD first and then vinyl. In ALL instances the vinyl was preferred. Yes it has its drawbacks, the biggest of which, IMO, is the quick rolloff at low frequencies, but once you hear it in a decent system you get to understand what the term 'digital sheen' or 'digital glare' means.




Q.

[pf]

Lex, let me know if you're giving up on those LP's of yours. To me the most important part is keeping them LP's clean and for that nothing beat a cleaning machine. Of course you'll also need at least a descent TT/cartridge/phono combo to be able to hear between those cleaned grooves

PF.

Btw, Andrew, what is your budget and have you check out places like needledoctor.com, audioadvisor.com. If your receiver/preamp does not have phono input you will have to add another $100 for an entry level one.

[JonMarsh]

I have to agree strongly with Crimson- I've been very disappointed with many of the CD releases, which didn't come close to vinyl experience on a decent rig (Denon platter, Rabco straight line arm, then a Lynn Itok Arm, Denon 103 and Dynavector cartridges- the Denon was more "tube line", but with smooth, extended highs; the Dynavectors more vivid, and without the saddle dip in the lower high treble that many cartridges had.

In the end, though, my reference has always been wide, fast tape. Which is why I'm so pleased with how SACD recreates that experience. (I know, I'm a little one note about this). Latest fun disk is James Taylor's "Hourglass"; the CD is very good, for the medium; the SACD is submlime. Try cut 4, "Gaia".

-Jon




Earth First!
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We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Lex]

Well, it seems I struck a bit of a nerve ey? Hey, if that's what it takes to get a little damn passion around here, then so be it. While I am at it, your DVDs and amps suck too, haha.

Seriously, outside of my Meet the Beatles LP I bought in the 2nd grade, I have tried to take really good care of my LPs. But the sad fact is, most play very poorly. I may try it again, as soon as I get a bit more time. (when is that again?) I have a TT, but mistakedly sold my Dual many years ago. (kick me, kick me)

Lex

[Andrew Pratt]

well for those interested i managed to pick up this TT for cheap. I know its very basic but I've heard decent things about Dual tables and it should do for now. Any suggestions on what stylus I need etc? ie where do I go from here. BTW the denon has a prono input so thats taken care of.

[Crimson]

Andrew,
Did you mean your Denon has a phono or porno input? Curious as to what the latter would provide.
As to a specific cartridge, you may want to try either needledoctor.com or toysintheattic.com who can help you find the right one.




Q.

[Wireless]

I do have a high end turntable rig consisting of a VPI Aries with the JMW memorial 10" arm and Transifiguration Temper Supreme cartridge feeding into a Lucaschek PP-1 preamp, then to my Proceed AVP in analog bypass mode. All records are cleaned with a VPI cleaning machine. I hardly ever hear ticks, pops, snaps, scraping, grunts (unless I have to lift the thing, it weighs in excess of 50 lbs). I have 500 plus records and I only started collecting about 3 years ago.

I do think my 180 gram vinyl sounds superior to any cd recording I have heard, but using the turntable is an event. You don't put a record on anymore for casual listening.




John
My HT Picts

[Andrew Pratt]

Did you mean your Denon has a phono or porno input?

opps damn typo's anywho thanks for the links. I guess my question now is since this TT already has a cartridge can I simply replace the needle or do I need a whole new cartridge?

[pf]

Andrew:

Looks like you may end up paying more for the needle than the TT. I still have my Dual DD TT sitting on the topshelf of an old entertainment center. It still plays (probably needs a new cartridge though) through my Onkyo receiver but the Rega/Lehmann/Theta combo pretty much takes over vinyl duty these days.

Check out garage-a-record.com for needles & Dual TT parts.

PF

[Andrew Pratt]

well the TT cost a wee bit more then the price listed on ebay since I had him end it early But yes it was still cheap at $50USD

[Susan]

Andrew,
I still use my TT's constantly..we have both a Dual 1218 belt drive and a Sony DD hooked up, but I prefer the Dual. You should be happy with the 1225...my Dad had one and it was a great little turntable.

My hub and I were both vinylholics when single, and our combined collections number well over 2000, so we have floor-to-ceiling closets of vinyl.We're very anal about keping them clean, etc but enjoy them more and more...after virtually ignoring them for almost 20 years it has been a really fun thing to get them out during the last year. Somehow it's soothing to hear the albums in their original order again, etc.

Tonight my album of the night was Mason Williams...the cut: "Chanson de Claudette"...beautiful piece...I love the sound of vinyl!
Susan

[Andrew Pratt]

Thanks for the info Susan and welcome to the guide!

[MannyE]

I too have just picked up a new MMF-5! My friends think I'm out of my mind to blow 500 beans on what they are calling "outdated technology". I countered with the fact that within weeks I've built up a NOS library of albums that rivals the CD collection it took me years to amass...and in thrift stores and garage sales I'm finding records for next to nothing! I figure at 5 to 10 cents (in some cases...but usually no more than a buck or two) I can take a risk on music I don't listen to and bands I never heard of.

I had forgotten how soothing the whole ceremony of playing a record was. Not to mention the hunting for jewels in the markets...fun! Everything is fun...especially when something that looked disgusting when you took it out of a moldy sleeve cleans up really well and sounds better than you thought possible! I can't believe I waited as long as I did.

But beware! It is just as addicting as HT...I've just gotten a reel to reel tape recorder I saw at the thrift store...an old Sony...and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an Otari...uh oh.




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[MannyE]

Oh and very important....you do not need to blow a hundred bucks on a phono preamp. Radio Shack sells one for 25 dollars Cat.#: 970-1018. It's a surprisingly great sounding preamp for the money, and I'm told by folks who are way deeper into this TT thing than I am that it beats a lot of the higher priced ones out there. Doesn't look like much...about 3/4 the size of a pack of cigarrettes, but it sounds good.

System:
MMF-5 TT
Radio Shack pre amp
B&K Ref 30
Outlaw 750
DefTech BP2002 mains (used for stereo listening)




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[Andrew Pratt]

Yup I think garage sales are going to be a lot more fun now ...in fact I think thats what I'm going to do this weekend

[George Bellefontaine]

I still have a Technics direct drive TT that is probably 20 something years old and still sounds great.Thing I discovered in those early lp days is the importance of the cartridge.I'm using a Shure M95ED pickup cartridge which, in its day, was a very expensive cart.It has withstood the test of time.I also have looked after my 300+ lp collection which includes many old 78s from the late forties and early fifties. I even have a couple of old Elvis 78s but the titles escape me at the moment.Unfortunately my Technics doesn't support 78rpm, so I have to borrow my son's old TT anytime I want to play my old 78s.
Also, maybe it's because I'm ancient, but I still prefer the sound of vinyl to digital.




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