What LP are You Spinning?

[David Meek]

My rig is a Nottingham Analog Horizon, Rega RB-250 arm and a Grado Sonata Reference cartridge feeding a Musical Fidelity X-LPS phono stage.

[David Meek]

As far as what's spinning - nothing at the moment. Earlier though, I was listening to Yes' Yessongs.

[Hdale85]

Thats a sweet TT there!

[John Holmes]

Yeah, nice rig David!

[bigburner]

Pink Floyd - Animals

Off the few LPs I have, this is in pristine condition, likely less than 10 plays.
This is where the difference in analog truly becomes apparent.

The only way I can describe it is liquid.
Pure sonic bliss!

Oh, and BTW, V nice selection, twitch54 :T

I bought that LP in London in 1977. Like yours it has probably had less than 10 plays. I'll get it out and give it a spin. Thanks wkhanna.

Nigel.

[miner]

Listened to my new & signed Joe Jackson 'Rain' on my Rega P7/DV20XH combo this past Sunday. Very musically talented band (Joe, Graham Maby, Gary houghton) and tight. Recording is OK. One of my faovrite LPs is Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" - half speed master.

[wkhanna]

My rig is a Nottingham Analog Horizon, Rega RB-250 arm and a Grado Sonata Reference cartridge feeding a Musical Fidelity X-LPS phono stage.

Wow! Beautiful Rig, David.

[wkhanna]

Listened to my new & signed Joe Jackson 'Rain' on my Rega P7/DV20XH combo this past Sunday. Very musically talented band (Joe, Graham Maby, Gary houghton) and tight. Recording is OK.

I have heard this album mentioned often, lately. I’ll have to look into this more.
The Half-Speed Springsteen sounds interesting, too! I have heard of the 180 and 200 gram discs, but not a Half-Speed.

[wkhanna]

Well guys……I really did it this time……………

I realize I broke the first rule and went ahead and committed to buy the MMF-7 without ever even hearing one. But then I broke the second rule, and bought a TT that will have to be shipped!

On the plus side, even though the table is a model 7 and not the current 7.1, the only big difference is that the arm tube is aluminum and not made from the composite material used in the latest unit. Also, this table is less than 2 years old, was purchased from an authorized Music Hall dealer, still belongs to the original owner, who still has the original box and packing and has offered to double box it for its treacherous journey from Arizona to Pgh.

The table was originally purchased without a cart at the owner’s request, so I went ahead and sealed the deal to include the Grado that is currently mounted. It was discounted ~ $40 from its current on-line retail of $110, the owner promising it had less than 15 hours on it, and I figure it will do just fine until I refill ye ole’ audio coffer to purchase something else. Plus, it will give me lots more time to do research on cartridges while still being able to actually listen to the TT. My pre-amp will accommodate both MC and MM carts, so I have lots to choose from. And I have to decide on a cleaning method and purchase the gear required for that, too, along with a set of CatCable interconnects.

OHHHHHH! I see this whole venture spiraling into the depths of an unwise, unsound and unending financial purgatory, just like everyone warned.

Still, every time I sit in front of this lovely borrowed, and soon to be retrieved Sota, and hear the angels singing, I loose all semblance of reality, practicality and prudent monetary practice, as I am transported ever so closer the holly grail of audio Nirvana.

I try to comfort my angst and justify my course of action by telling myself that if I just went out and bought a Rega P1, I would soon and quick arrive to the point of having to acknowledge that its performance is far below what is possible and satisfying, and I would only feel cheated and unrewarded. Having to live with my music under such circumstance would be not only less than enjoyable, but downright annoying. I would soon be frustrated and possibly even loose my enthusiasm (heresy, just the thought it!) for this hobby I love so dearly.

OK, enough melodramatic rambling from me.........it is time to break some eggs for this omelette. No remorse, No regrets.

[Hdale85]

Thats awesome Bill! I can't wait to check it out.

I don't think I mentioned this. But as I was telling you at the meet about steam cleaning the vinyl John tried it out and loves it says it made a HUGE improvement.

[PewterTA]

Now add to that over a Million records that will be on sale on Wednesday... and you're all set!!! :T

Congrats Bill, hopefully it gets here safely!!!

Definitely follow doug's advice, get a steam cleaner for the records!

[David Meek]

Congratulations Bill! :T

[dknightd]

I've never heard of steam cleaning records - do you have a link?
Nevermind - google found me some things - looks interesting. . .

[Hdale85]

Everyone swears by it and it makes sense. Using brushes and what not really doesn't get down into the tiny grooves where the needle actually sits. Steam does

[draganm]

Well guys……I really did it this time……………
I realize I broke the first rule and went ahead and committed to buy the MMF-7 without ever even hearing one. But then I broke the second rule, and bought a TT that will have to be shipped!OK, enough melodramatic rambling from me.........it is time to break some eggs for this omelette. No remorse, No regrets.

you did really well so don't sweat it. My very first TT was an MMF-5 and it was a nice unit for $500.. for a little more than that you got twice the table with a much better arm. :T Don't worry about shipping, if he has the original box and will double it up you will be fine. Make sure to use fed ex, not UPS.
BTW, The only thing you might need is a good external phono pre. I was using a Musical Fidelity XLPS for a couple of years but recently switched to the Bellari VP129. IT's really an amazing piece for $250. new and the best phono pre I have ever heard under $1000. 8O

[Hdale85]

Honestly it depends on your area as far as ups vs fedex. I've had all kinds of issues with fedex but never an issue with UPS.

[wkhanna]

you did really well so don't sweat it.........

BTW, The only thing you might need is a good external phono pre. I was using a Musical Fidelity XLPS for a couple of years but recently switched to the Bellari VP129. IT's really an amazing piece for $250. new and the best phono pre I have ever heard under $1000. 8O

Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement!

AFA a phono pre, I have a Carver C-19 that I use in my 2ch set-up. While many may pooh-pooh much of the old Carver stuff, this unit is great shape, has V good new tubes and does a wonderful job for now. It also will handle the low output carts, so I have the opportunity to try a wide range of units. I would be hard pressed to find a better pre for less than $1K. One of the reasons I got this pre a few years ago was to have the ability to add a TT in the future.

All of the suggestions you made for phono pre’s are great values, from everything I have read and heard from owners.

[wkhanna]

:E Well, Emery came by today to pick up his Sota Saphire.......... :boohoo:

ETA of the MMF-7 is a week or so.
This is going to be a looooooong week!

I am going to head over to Jerry's Records, a local store (and they mean records, they speciaize in just LP's, tons of used stuff) tomorrow. I am going to try and find a good set-up LP to help with dialing in my cart along with some Jazz standards like Kind of Blue and Time Out, and maybe some rock/blues like Aja and Laya.

[Hdale85]

Where's that place located Bill?

[wkhanna]

Where's that place located Bill?

2136 Murray Ave

You interested in going with me tomorrow?

[PewterTA]

I might be up for going tomorrow. Let me know when yinz are heading over! :T

[Hdale85]

I wouldn't be able to make it tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though.

[Bob]

Here is my fat vinyl rig:



Teres 320 TT with Verus rim drive (90lbs. of wood and brass)
Graham 2.2 Arm
Lyra Titan i cartridge
Cardas cable block and interconnects
Manley Steelhead phono
Audio Stand has 300lbs of sand in base. 50lbs. of sand in each leg. 200lbs. of sand in top sandbox. I guess you would call this a high mass set up.

[DelRay]

Awesome rig, Bob. That Graham tonearm is the bomb. I have a copy of Sterophile mag that has equipment ratings, and the 2.2 is a class A or A+ (can't remember) recommended. So, have you thought about upgrading to the Phantom? ;x(

[wkhanna]

Here is my fat vinyl rig:

I just showed your pic to my wife and told her it was the one I was getting.....
She thought it was V pretty, and gave me the :T to get it.

Then I told her how much a rig like that would cost!

Now she said she is spoiled for life, and will never like any other TT.
Well, that may a good thing, it makes my MMF-7 look like a V affordable VW Bug compared to an expensive Ferrari :lol:

[wkhanna]

I wouldn't be able to make it tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though.

I might be up for going tomorrow. Let me know when yinz are heading over! :T

Sorry you can't make it, Dougie.
I will give you a call, Dan. They are open from noon till 5:00 on Sunday.

[John Holmes]

Sorry you can't make it, Dougie.
I will give you a call, Dan. They are open from noon till 5:00 on Sunday.

Congrats on the new rig, wkhanna! :T

Nice setup Bob! ;x(

[David Meek]

Now she said she is spoiled for life, and will never like any other TT.
Well, that may a good thing, it makes my MMF-7 look like a V affordable VW Bug compared to an expensive Ferrari :lol:

But, it's a supercharged VW! :righton:

[wkhanna]

I am turning into a sly old fox........

I asked my wife to come with me to Jerry’s Records.......
She had a ball, and bought three albums!

If any of you guys or girls ever come to PGH, you must go to Jerry’s (but call me first cuz I want to with you).

I should have asked how many LP’s they have......I was like a kid let loose in a candy store, and lost all semblance of level-headed thinking, but I can tell you they have at least 10K in just ‘sealed’ records. Sealed, as in never opened/never played! I would estimate 10,000-15,000 square feet, you name it, they probably got it. Can’t name it, they got that, too! There are listening stations, at least three that I saw, and you just throw on a prospective purchase and listen on a pair of headphones.

Now comes the good part........
Yeah......it gets better!

90% of the ‘sealed’ LP’s go for $8 or less!

Here is what I came home with:

Deca label set-up and test LP $3

Miles Davis - Star People $4

Dizzy Gillespie / Roy Eldrige - Dizzy & Roy, Dbl album $7

Dizzy Gillespie - New Faces (sealed) $4

Monty Alexander / Ray Brown / Herb Ellis - Triple Treat (sealed) $5

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (in stereo) $3

Stanley Jordan - Magic Touch (sealed) $4

Steely Dan - Greatest Hits, Dbl album $6

[Hdale85]

Hmm those are some great prices! If only I had a pre/pro and amp currently I could look at a TT instead of those Oh well next time.

[PewterTA]

Sorry I couldn't make it Bill. My Dad woke me up this morning asking if I wanted to go to the Pens game... So I couldn't turn that down, I unfortuneately (in my rush) left my phone at home so I didn't get your call until just a little bit when I got back. By then I knew you'd probably gone.

I'll definitely head out next time though. And you're probably going to make me want to get a 'new' TT.

Course I need to work on my Modula MTMs first...get those things built.

Sounds like some great pickups...at a "nice price!" I can't wait to come over and hear what they sound like. It's a shame you don't have a TT at the moment... I know it will be tough waiting for yours to come.

[DelRay]

Listening...

[Hdale85]

Hey guys how much is a decent phono pre? Maybe I could build one.... hmm

Was thinking about maybe building something like this http://www.hagtech.com/cornet2.html

[Bob]

For what it's worth, I briefly tried his Trumpet phono stage and wasn't happy with it. I can't remember what it was I didn't like, I think it had a hum I couldn't get rid of.

Having said that, Hagtech has a very good reputation and you might want to give it a try. In the price range of the cornet you should be able to get a Musical Surroundings Phonomena. Stereophile Class B rating. I used to use one and loved it. Very quiet, very easy to set up. If you get one, don't bother with the battery power supply. I didn't find it made any difference and the battery stopped taking a charge after about a year.

I never got around to selling it and still have it if you are interested in giving it a tryout. I experimented with it against the Tom Evans Groove and the Rhea and didn't feel either of those two phono amps offered anything I wasn't getting from the Phonomena. But, at the time I was using a Clearaudio Champion TT with a Sigma Wood cartridge. It was a pretty forgiving set up so, probably couldn't really hear subtle differences.

[Hdale85]

I don't have a TT just yet thinking about getting one know though but I'll keep that in mind thanks!

[wkhanna]

My Dad woke me up this morning asking if I wanted to go to the Pens game...

Lets see............

Pens game.....or.......used record shop......?

Well, since you don't have a TT.........I guess you made the right choice.

I, on the other hand, am experiencing a slight change in priorities, lately :

[Hdale85]

I'm with you Bill, I'd prefer a used record shop. I'm not much into sports though :B

[Hdale85]

Hey Bill look at this http://cgi.ebay.com/Sota-Star-Sapphi...QQcmdZViewItem

Only difference is it has a linear sliding tone arm.

[wkhanna]

For a while there, I thought I got scammed on Agon, but after more than three weeks, my TT finaly arived yesterday. I am having a ball, was up till 1:30 AM last night spinning discs. Gosh! my 5:30 AM get-up came V early today

[Bob]

:T Nice.

[David Meek]

That's great Bill! Enjoy.

[PewterTA]

Wooo Hooo!!!

I'll be right over to listen to all your new LPs!!!! :T

Congrats Bill, I know it had to be bothering you that you might have gotten scammed, but all that worry and waiting has paid off I'm sure!

Now it's another trip to Jerry's!

[Citizen Kane]

Taj Mahal - Recycling The Blues & Other Related Stuff

[wkhanna]

Thanks guys!
Just finished spinning Tommy - The Who (courtesy of PewterTA)




Now I have to give up the livingroom to my wife so she can watch ‘Ghost Whispers’?!?!?
I really need a bigger house so I can have my ‘listening room’ and my wife can watch her shows at the same time!

[wkhanna]

Taj Mahal - Recycling The Blues & Other Related Stuff

I am going to look for this one this weekend when I go to 'Jerry's, our local used record shop.