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Need a Turntable, Give advice too.
ronzo
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I like music, and want to start getting some stuff on vinyl. I'm not an audiopile but I can tell the difference between shit hardware and good hardware for the most part.
So what I'm looking for is:
-Something that doesn't cost lot to replace the needles/what have you on it
-Something that sounds pretty good, doesn't have to be super awesome
-Priced about 100-150ish, closer to 100 really
I was thinking about getting a PT-01, but it would be a bit before i got it, so I thought I'd ask here first. I was also hoping for some general tips for vinyl records in general, like how to take care of them, where to find cheap ones, etc. Also, if anyone wants to show me some good speakers/subs/amps/recievers, i am all ears
So please, help out a fellow music lover who's getting his start into the "pure" format
So what I'm looking for is:
-Something that doesn't cost lot to replace the needles/what have you on it
-Something that sounds pretty good, doesn't have to be super awesome
-Priced about 100-150ish, closer to 100 really
I was thinking about getting a PT-01, but it would be a bit before i got it, so I thought I'd ask here first. I was also hoping for some general tips for vinyl records in general, like how to take care of them, where to find cheap ones, etc. Also, if anyone wants to show me some good speakers/subs/amps/recievers, i am all ears
So please, help out a fellow music lover who's getting his start into the "pure" format
ronzo on
0
Posts
The big one is to store them vertically. Placing them on their sides causes stress on the record, especially when other records are stacked on top of them. As far as storing records it is fairly simple, keeping the room they are in at a consistent temperature is important. If it is too cold or too hot, it could cause the record to become brittle. Investing in a vinyl brush would be ideal. This will allow you to dust the records off and helps reduce scratching, as well as damage to the stylus caused by dust. Inspect dust jackets for moisture damage and mold, which can become a humongous problem. Replace any dust jackets that are damaged to the point where they cannot properly hold your record anymore.
Also, for your turn table. Put the plastic cap back on the stylus when you're done using it. It will protect it from dust and other crap.
It's not so much I want a portable one as it is all the cheap ones are portable for the most part. I also don't have a space with a big enough flat surface to hold a full sized one, but i can fix that if needed. as far as storing them, just buy a record box from a music store a good idea?
If you can find an older table by Technics, it may be a worth-while investment. I inherited a Technics table a while back and after a little maintenance and cleaning it works beautifully. But styluses for these older models are usually harder to get, but not impossible.
Five years ago a 2nd hand buy would have been easy to vinyl is back in fashion so most of the good 2nd hand ones sell for real money. And as for new stuff you only really find crap or high end (which cost four digits or more!).
Also do you have an Amp that will let you hook up a turn table? You can't just use a line-in as you would with a CD/VCR/PC because a turn table needs special amplification and there are even two different types.
The key here is to buy a turntable that spins at a consistent, even rate. When buying secondhand you'll probably find that the direct drive models are more reliable for this. Belt drive units may work but have old and worn out belts with less than ideal tension, with direct drive units they will either work or they won't. Less chance of finding out after getting home that your "working" turntable only works sort of okay.
Once you've got that, throw out the cartridge and replace it. The low end new models and almost any secondhand turntable you pick up will have a lackluster cartridge and likely a worn out needle. You can get a new one for $60 that will improve your sound substantially.
All a turntable really boils down to is the mechanism by which it spins the record, and the cartridge that derives sound from it. Amplification is the job of your receiver, and the circuitry that results in the output signal that goes to your receiver comes in one of two flavours: phono level or line level. A lot of newer turntables output at line level, a lot of older ones output at phono level. If your receiver does not have a specific phono input on it, you would need to get a pre-amp to boost the signal to line level before connecting it to a CD input. These can be had for very little money.
So the point is, don't spend too much for a motor and a platter. If you're just going to listen at home, there's not much gain to be made by investing here. Sound improvements resulting from more expensive components anywhere other than the cartridge are going to be minuscule compared to the sound improvements gained at the cartridge, especially if you weigh them dollar by dollar. You could spend a thousand dollars on a better turntable, or replace your cartridge for a hundred and come out with something better sounding all the same.
Even if you do not replace the entire cartridge, replacing the stylus therein on a used player is almost a must. Going from a worn out stylus to a brand new one will likely provide a massive improvement in sound quality.
My only warning on this topic is to beware of turntables with proprietary cartridge mounts. You're looking for something with either a standard mount (sometimes called an s mount - it's where you've got 2 screw holes a 1/2" apart and it screws into the headshell) or a P-mount (one screw on the tone arm holds it in, you just plug it into the tone arm and put in the screw). These are pretty standard, though. You shouldn't need to worry about this being an issue unless you're buying something REALLY old or something really cheap and 100% plastic.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH