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Record Turntable: Getting Started
Shrieve
Game DesignerCaliforniaRegistered User regular
Game DesignerCaliforniaRegistered User regular
Hey guys! So this is my first post in the Help Forums so here we go...
This will be to all you audiophiles out there, I need some help figuring out the best route I can take here. So I'm a big lover of music; it's my second hobby after video games. When I was younger my parents had a large collection of record albums (some really amazing stuff: White Album, Led Zeppelin IV, Are you Experienced? talking original issues), and a really nice stereo system that my dad bought. Needless to say, hearing all those bands on vinyl lead me to be such a music nut.
Unfortunately all of those albums are now gone (just... don't get me started
), however my mom still has parts of the stereo. She was going to get rid of it, but that quickly ended when I found out about that, so now they're in my possession. So now what I've got is:
If that doesn't work, I did have another option that I thought might be worth looking into: I could sell off those 2 Rotel pieces and use the extra cash to buy a nicer turntable. From there I might be able to hook it into my tv's surround system (some Sony Audio center thing, can't remember the model) and just play it through there. Would that even be possible? Or would I need something to rig that up?
Anyways, thanks for reading and any advice!
This will be to all you audiophiles out there, I need some help figuring out the best route I can take here. So I'm a big lover of music; it's my second hobby after video games. When I was younger my parents had a large collection of record albums (some really amazing stuff: White Album, Led Zeppelin IV, Are you Experienced? talking original issues), and a really nice stereo system that my dad bought. Needless to say, hearing all those bands on vinyl lead me to be such a music nut.
Unfortunately all of those albums are now gone (just... don't get me started
), however my mom still has parts of the stereo. She was going to get rid of it, but that quickly ended when I found out about that, so now they're in my possession. So now what I've got is:
- Rotel RTC- 850 Stereo Tuner Preamplifier
- Rotel RB- 850 Stereo Power Amplifier
- A really shitty turntable that is trashed
If that doesn't work, I did have another option that I thought might be worth looking into: I could sell off those 2 Rotel pieces and use the extra cash to buy a nicer turntable. From there I might be able to hook it into my tv's surround system (some Sony Audio center thing, can't remember the model) and just play it through there. Would that even be possible? Or would I need something to rig that up?
Anyways, thanks for reading and any advice!
Shrieve on
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It is possible to get a special turn table amp usually called a step-up. which can sit between the turn table and a connection of the type used for CD/AUX/TAPE/DAT and so on but it will likely cost more than the Rotel amp will sell for. You could possible use the preamp as a step-up by using it's Tape-out connection to connect it to a aux-connection on the Sony audio thing.
As for turn table or rather the stylus one thing is important before you buy. There are two classes of stylus which offer different levels of signal so make sure your amp fits with what you buy. The two types are MM and MC (Moving Magnet and Moving Coil) and the later is usually more expensive and not all amps support that type. The RTC-850 should have a selector for MC/MM but check before you buy a turntable.
As for the buying a specific turntable. Look in the classifieds and google what is being offered or drop a few names here. Note that belts are made of rubber which get old and lose and that a stylus only lasts for so many hours and that a worn one will increase the wear on records played plus it will sound less good. There are companies which sell both belts, arms and all - at a price. Last year I bought a belt for a pretty rare UK-made Pink Triangle turntable from a site in the US selling only belts. An expensive piece of rubber but I saved a turn table which once cost $2000 or more.
Finally as for the records. If it's anything in the US as it is here old records are sold for nothing and many people age 30+ will have a boxes of them in the basement so ask around.
do you have any vintage record or old-school hi-fi stores around your area? if you do end up buying a second hand record player, it might be worth checking in to see if you can get new needles for it.
other than that, as long as you've got a good speaker setup, you should be fine. i've got a cheap-ass usb turntable plugged into my amp through line-out, but my speakers are big old-school boxes with heaps of oomph and it makes the records sound like sex.
and start thinking about getting records! i recommend op-shops (thrift stores), markets and dingy little secondhand stores. getting an original pressing of a classic album is so much more fun than a reissue or some new indie band doing it to be cool
I already looked up a number of record stores in my area, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything close. However I am driving up to LA later this week for other reasons, and I googled map the area and theres like 3 used record stores within a block of where I'm going to be. I'll try checking those out and maybe some of the ones in my area over the next week. Thanks guys!
Depends on the pick-up (the unit the stylus is mounted in unless we are talking VERY old gear). Unless it's a special expensive pick-up your best bet is to replace the pick-up. Most likely there are two small screws holding the pick-up and once you unscrew those it is just about detaching the small wires which carries the signal from pick-up through the turn table arm.
Once you have a new pick-up you mount the wires screw it on, align it, trim the weight and you're done... come to think of it maybe you're better off getting another turn table. It could be cheaper as well 8-)
So I checked the Rotel preamp and it does have an input for phono along with a switch for MM or MC. Now the output for preamp is just 2 standard audio cables (a red and white for both left and right), and I guess normally would just go to that Stereo amplifier that I have. However if I set it up like this, that would mean I'd also have to get a new set of speakers for the turntable and the two Rotels, along with someplace in my apartment. I'm a college student so I'm afraid I can't just get a nice set of speakers to go along with this.
So instead I was checking out the Sony audio system that is hooked up to my tv and xbox. Now the thing has like a million inputs that I'm not using, and it hooks up to my speakers. One of these inputs is labeled simply 'cd' and consists of the 4 plugs that I find coming out of the Rotel preamp. So I'm just wondering if this setup is doable: w/e turntable plugged into the Rotel preamp set to either MC/MM, which outputs to my Sony audio system and its speakers.
I'm afraid I'm not very versed in audio equipment so figured I should ask before I went out and bought anything. Anyways, thanks again!
Or he could spend the $100 to get a really decent one and have an even better sounding turntable than he had before.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Better ask one time to much that one time to little. Knowing your limitations is a sign of wisdom 8-)
I am a little confused that you see 4 plugs as one input. I would expect input for anything stereo to be in pairs of two with one connector for left and another for right. I'm guessing the preamp has output for two sets of amps and that your Sony thing has inputs for two seperate CD players.
Anyway you do not want to use the amp outputs from the preamp as that signal has passed through the volume control, balance, bass, treble and all that which is also something you should do on the Sony. Instead look for tape-out on the preamp and then hook that up to your Sony. I found this picture which shows what connections you need to use on the preamp (picture is not on your Rotel but close enough)
Cable wise you will need a standard RCA/Phono stereo cable. It should be like 2 bucks (and up if you go Hifi crazy).
Only thing extra is then perhaps to select what source that is to be send to the tape out (on some Rotel preamps there are two selectors where one selects what goes through volume control to the amp and the other selects what goes to the tape-out).
If you do it like that only thing you really use in the Rotel preamp is the turn table step-up and volume and all the other stuff is then on the Sony. The Rotel can then be hidden if you like unless of course you want to use the radio in it as well.
He could but chances are 100 bucks on a second hand turn table in working order will buy something thats better than using 100 bucks on a new pick up. Even though turn tables are sort of retro chick right now there are loads of good buys out there.
Great! This sounds perfect! Also it seems like it'll be a lot easier to set up compared to what I thought I might do. Looks like all I need to do is go turntable hunting. Thanks a ton BlindZen! I might post again checking everyone's opinion about a specific turntable, but outside that looks like I'm good to go.
took out her barrettes and her hair spilled out like rootbeer
I was afraid that'd be the answer, it was m dad's so I'd like to get it working again but that may be more viable. Fucking roommates.