New turntable for a complete noob

[steve_1979]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thakker-Velvet-Cleaning-Brush-Records/dp/B00W4NAT4I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451498535&sr=1-2&keywords=Record+brush

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J28R0OU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2GWKFQ2DZDNSS&coliid=I2DFRYPHUPM97G

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I'd look to spend a bit more.

Someone recommended this the other day, and the reviews look very good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milty-Exstatic-Carbon-Record-Cleaning/dp/B004XHBAD2

And for stylus

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/794-mcru-stylus-cleaning-putty.html

I'm not totally recommending these, as I haven't used them myself, but it's the kind of thing you should be researching about.

 

[steve_1979]

I'd look to spend a bit more.

Someone recommended this the other day, and the reviews look very good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milty-Exstatic-Carbon-Record-Cleaning/dp/B004XHBAD2

And for stylus

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/vinyl-essentials/794-mcru-stylus-cleaning-putty.html

I'm not totally recommending these, as I haven't used them myself, but it's the kind of thing you should be researching about.

Thanks.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vinyl-Passion-Dust-Buster-Polymer/dp/B004VEORZ0

 

[Womaz]

Jealous of all you guys with turntables , I live in an apartment and space is that tight that my cd purchases need to be curbed, so no room for vinyl.

There are some beautiful looking turntables out there

 

[steve_1979]

Are these new Technics 1200's aimed at audiophiles or DJs? I wonder how much they'll cost? I bet that even the cheap version will be close to a grand.

Of all the different versions of the SL1200 made so far (upto Mk6) I've always liked the original Mk2 version the best and from what I've read on the internet there are many others who share the same view. I wonder how successful these new ones would be if they'd just re-released a new SL1200 Mk 2 clone instead these new upgraded ones.

 

[steve_1979]

http://www.whathifi.com/news/technics-launches-grand-class-sl-1200g-turntable

I just bought one last week!

 

[Deleted member 108165]

https://www.avforums.com/news/technics-revives-sl1200-turntable.12219

I just bought one last week!

Flippin 'eck Steve you beat me to it by one minute!! I've posted my thread in the <ahem> correct forum for Turntables *biggrin*

 

[steve_1979]

The Technics arrived this morning. It seems to be in very good condition but I think the stylus may have been damaged in transit.

The clear plastic fold down guard had been pushed off the white plastic hinge bit on one side and had moved up towards the needle part. I'm not sure if it actually got close enough to touch the needle but it may have done. When I look at the cartridge straight on the needle bends to one side by about half a mm. I take it this is a problem and needs replacing? I have a few old LPs that I don't mind testing it on if necessary.

This photo isn't mine, it's just to show which part I'm talking about. This clear plastic guard was pushed up to the needle.

 

[Al ears]

Unfortunately this is always a potential problem when shipping turntables with prefitted cartridges. I would mention it to wherever you got it from and see if they will send you a replacement cartridge.

Actually if that cartridge has a user replaceable stylus, and it looks like it does, then they only need to send new stylus. Note: they cost about £34.

 

[MeanandGreen]

It's all sorted now. I've sent the ebay seller (Iconic Audio) a photo and he's posting out a new stylus on Monday. Iconic Audio does seem to be a good seller and if anyone else is looking for a Technics then I recommend having a look at his eBay shop. There was no quibble on getting a new stylus sent out and his communication has been good.

The record player itself is smart too. I'd forgotten how cool these things look in the flesh. The condition is exellent and although you can tell it's been used you do have to look closely to spot any signs of wear. It could easily pass as being brand new from a couple feet away.

Pleased to hear it's sorted. Bet you can't wait to try out your new toy?

 

[Vladimir]

Take out the one you got, set it on its back and adjust it so it's straight. It should work fine.

 

[steve_1979]

Pleased to hear it's sorted. Bet you can't wait to try out your new toy?

Hell yeah!

I've just ordered a test LP, a digital scale thingy and a round spirit level for setting it up properly too. It's going to be an interesting learning curve.

 

[steve_1979]

Take out the one you got, set it on its back and adjust it so it's straight. It should work fine.

I was tempted to just bend it back but I haven't got a clue what I'm doing and would be worried about it wearing out the records if it wasn't right.

With the Shure M44-7 cartridge it has a replaceable stylus so it's not a big deal or too expensive. Even though the cart was £50 a new stylus is only £18. They do a few different ones too so if I want a different sound it's easy and cheap to do a quick swap between the different shaped stylus.

(what's the pleural for stylus?)

 

[Vladimir]

Take out the one you got, set it on its back and adjust it so it's straight. It should work fine.

I was tempted to just bend it back but I haven't got a clue what I'm doing and would be worried about it wearing out the records if it wasn't right.

With the Shure M44-7 cartridge it has a replaceable stylus so it's not a big deal or too expensive. Even though the cart was £50 a new stylus is only £18. They do a few different ones too so if I want a different sound it's easy and cheap to do a quick swap between the different shaped stylus.

(what's the pleural for stylus?)

Plural would be styli.

 

[steve_1979]

Plural would be styli.

It's not stylususez then?

*unknw*

 

[Vladimir]

Plural would be styli.

It's not stylususez then?

*unknw*

Only for the Crosley™ Executive®.

 

[drummerman]

Jealous of all you guys with turntables , I live in an apartment and space is that tight that my cd purchases need to be curbed, so no room for vinyl.

There are some beautiful looking turntables out there

Get rid of your big rubbish PMC's and get yourself a Project Genie.

Sorted.

 

[steve_1979]

It's all sorted now. I've sent the ebay seller (Iconic Audio) a photo and he's posting out a new stylus on Monday. Iconic Audio does seem to be a good seller and if anyone else is looking for a Technics then I recommend having a look at his eBay shop. There was no quibble on getting a new stylus sent out and his communication has been good.

The record player itself is smart too. I'd forgotten how cool these things look in the flesh. The condition is excellent and although on a close inspection you can tell that it's been used you do have to look very closely to spot any signs of wear. It could easily pass as being a brand new item from just 2' away.

 

[Vladimir]

Myth: A cartridge is permanently damaged and should be replaced if the stylus appears even slightly bent
Cartridges and styli are hand-built and always have some finite tolerance in their construction. No stylus has a cantilever that is perfectly straight.

That said, a severely bent stylus can cause azimuth and alignment errors which may be audible. In extreme cases, it can cause record damage. However, the cartridge itself is unlikely to be at fault; only the stylus would need to be replaced.

In the case of Moving Coil this is not correct. The stylus is part of the unit and the cantilever/stylus assembly cannot be removed. Stylus can be re-tipped but not just simply replaced like a moving magnet. Its often more costly to re-tip than to replace. There are cartridges that are indeed perfect (straight) in manufacture using elements that stay straight yet can flex in service.

Steve, it will take time untill you realize what blunt instruments tunrtables and LP records are. Wait till you've tried cleaning with wood glue and fixing scratches.

 

[drummerman]

Myth: A cartridge is permanently damaged and should be replaced if the stylus appears even slightly bent

Cartridges and styli are hand-built and always have some finite tolerance in their construction. No stylus has a cantilever that is perfectly straight.

That said, a severely bent stylus can cause azimuth and alignment errors which may be audible. In extreme cases, it can cause record damage. However, the cartridge itself is unlikely to be at fault; only the stylus would need to be replaced.

In the case of Moving Coil this is not correct. The stylus is part of the unit and the cantilever/stylus assembly cannot be removed. Stylus can be re-tipped but not just simply replaced like a moving magnet. Its often more costly to re-tip than to replace. There are cartridges that are indeed perfect (straight) in manufacture using elements that stay straight yet can flex in service.

Steve, it will take time untill you realize what blunt instruments tunrtables and LP records are. Wait till you've tried cleaning with wood glue and fixing scratches.

Pretty much as your average box speaker then ... .

Most things electronic have overtaken the humble speaker in technical capabilities.

 

[Vladimir]

Myth: A cartridge is permanently damaged and should be replaced if the stylus appears even slightly bent

Cartridges and styli are hand-built and always have some finite tolerance in their construction. No stylus has a cantilever that is perfectly straight.

That said, a severely bent stylus can cause azimuth and alignment errors which may be audible. In extreme cases, it can cause record damage. However, the cartridge itself is unlikely to be at fault; only the stylus would need to be replaced.

In the case of Moving Coil this is not correct. The stylus is part of the unit and the cantilever/stylus assembly cannot be removed. Stylus can be re-tipped but not just simply replaced like a moving magnet. Its often more costly to re-tip than to replace. There are cartridges that are indeed perfect (straight) in manufacture using elements that stay straight yet can flex in service.

Steve, it will take time untill you realize what blunt instruments tunrtables and LP records are. Wait till you've tried cleaning with wood glue and fixing scratches.

Pretty much as your average box speaker then ... .

Most things electronic have overtaken the humble speaker in technical capabilities.

Yup. They are simple electromechanical devices and one has to eventually stop being shy about it and jus get hands dirty, fix up, adjust, modfiy etc. It's frustrating and fun at the same time. *dance4*

 

[steve_1979]

The new stylus has arrived!

It's the N44-GQ version which is a different one to the original. I'm not sure what difference that makes but hey we'll see. I've got it plugged in and it's all working fine. It's set up with 2g weight and 1 on the anti-skate. I'll set it up properly when the tuning/test record and spirit level arrives in the post in a day or two.

I've started testing it out with Massive Attack Mezzanine and it sounds alright. I have the digital file playing at the same time so I can do an A/B switch between them while they're playing so that they can be compared.

First impression is that the digital version is a lot quieter than the LP and the stereo image has swapped sides. Overall the digital version is definitely slightly better but the LP version is pretty good too. Not a huge amount inbetween them TBH. Which I guess is a good thing. To sum it up subjectively I'll say the digital version sounds a bit 'cleaner' and the bass seems to go very slightly deeper.

So far so good then and it's not been properly setup yet so hopefully it should improve more. I'm tentatively happy with the purchase so far but I'll let you know more at the weekend when I have more time to try it out and do a better job of setting it up.

 

[Vladimir]

*clapping*

 

[steve_1979]

Ooops. I've just spotted that 2g is too much for the M44G. Better sort that out.