Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Low Budget Vinyl Source
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Low Budget Vinyl Source - Page 11

post #151 of 186
1/21/10 at 3:50pm
I would go for a new Shure M97XE - I think that will sound better overall. Back when I was reviewing budget cartridges, I didn't think the cheap AT's sounded all that good. The 440ML is nice ($200), as is the OC9 Mk II ($399), but those are much more $$$. I would definitely spend $90 on a new M97XE rather than $30 on a new needle for the AT100.
Reply
post #152 of 186
1/21/10 at 4:31pm
Would a Grado Red be a better investment? I can get one for $95 from a local shop and that's similar to what I would be paying for the Shure.

[EDIT] Also, I have a C326BEE. Would I need a phono pre-amp to get things working or would it do fine? Isn't that what an integrated amp does?

I'm willing to purchase an preamp but it would have to wait a month or two until I get some cash (college books woo!).

I would probably get the NAD PP-2, are there better options for equal to or less, not higher?
Reply
post #153 of 186
1/21/10 at 5:12pm
I'm not a Grado pickup guy myself...
Reply
post #154 of 186
1/22/10 at 8:20am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post

The cartridge is an Audio Technica AT100E.

Looking online, replacement cartridges run $20-$40, would it be worth the upgrade instead?
It looks like a precursor of the AT110E which is a similar but slightly better version of the AT95E. I'd just get a new stylus for it and spend the remaninder on records as there isn't really likely to be anything wrong with the cart itself and you won't really do much better than this unless you go for a Denon DL110/160 which is quite a bit more money.
Reply
post #155 of 186
1/22/10 at 11:42pm
Bought the Shure. It was just over $60 shipped from Amazon.

Is it absolutely necessary to have a phono preamp to start listening to records? I'll definitely grab one down in the near future, but my wallet is finally starting to feel the Head-Fi strain. I found a Bellari for $130 on Audiogon that strikes my fancy, but the NAD PP2 is enticing.
Reply
post #156 of 186
1/23/10 at 11:13am
It is ABSOLUTELY necessary, yes. You need the gain from a phono preamp, but maybe more importantly the RIAA equalization - without this, records will sound like CRAP - all treble and no bass. Part of the the LP playback system was the RIAA EQ curve - records themselves have de-emphasized bass, and need the RIAA EQ built into phono preamps to have the correct frequency response on playback. So yes, it's required.

If you want a good one that is inexpensive, try this:

Phonopreamps.com TCC TC-750 Details and Hookup

$50 shipped - perfectly acceptable sound.
Reply
post #157 of 186
1/23/10 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
Bought the Shure. It was just over $60 shipped from Amazon.
The Shure is a nice cart alright but it's higher compliance than suitable for this Technics tonearm which has an effective mass of 16-17g.

Audio Technica is the only sub 100 USD cart which is really going to work on a higher mass arm like this I think

you will need a phono pre-amp. The Bellari is popular but a little noisier than something like a Cambridge Audio, NAD or TCC as it's a valve design.
Reply
post #158 of 186
1/23/10 at 2:32pm
I bought a Bellari 2nd hand, the original owner had a lot of issues with the noise, was in constant contact with the company etc, and ended up getting a Radio Shack power supply and that solved the problem. I have not heard any noise from it at all. There is a rumble filter to eliminate very low noise frequencies as well. Plus you can tube roll!
Reply
post #159 of 186
1/23/10 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by memepool View Post
The Shure is a nice cart alright but it's higher compliance than suitable for this Technics tonearm which has an effective mass of 16-17g.

Audio Technica is the only sub 100 USD cart which is really going to work on a higher mass arm like this I think

you will need a phono pre-amp. The Bellari is popular but a little noisier than something like a Cambridge Audio, NAD or TCC as it's a valve design.
For $60 it's just a way to get my records going now, I've got a month or two upcoming where I will have nary a penny to spare. I can still balance everything correctly, right? Or are you saying it's going to be too heavy where it will always be digging into my records?

Too much treble and no bass is acceptable as long as I get some sound. I'll see how I can swing getting a preamp sooner rather than later, but like I said, we've got a tough road ahead...
Reply
post #160 of 186
1/23/10 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngower View Post
For $60 it's just a way to get my records going now, I've got a month or two upcoming where I will have nary a penny to spare. I can still balance everything correctly, right? Or are you saying it's going to be too heavy where it will always be digging into my records?

Too much treble and no bass is acceptable as long as I get some sound. I'll see how I can swing getting a preamp sooner rather than later, but like I said, we've got a tough road ahead...
No, it just means you might have some resonance problems. You shouldn't have trouble balancing it I wouldn't think - but I am not familiar with the Technics table.

But you will not get it to work at all without the phono preamp. I may not have been clear enough - it really won't work.
Reply
post #161 of 186
1/23/10 at 5:13pm
Hm. So perhaps I'll return the Shure, use $50 of that towards the TC-750, and grab an AT-95E....just to get me going until I can upgrade both the cartridge and preamp.
Reply
post #162 of 186
1/23/10 at 7:57pm
If you want to go really cheap, go to a thrift store and pick up a vintage integrated amp or receiver. Just make sure it has a phono input. You should be able to get something for $10 - $25. It may not be great, but it will work. Use either tape out or pre out to your headphone amp.
Reply
post #163 of 186
1/24/10 at 10:17am
^^^ Yes, for a budget setup, the thrift store is a great option. With luck, you may even find a halfway decent integrated amp for cheap. Just make sure it's got a phono setting on the front panel, and that the ground wire connection for the turntable on the back of the unit is still there. Sometimes the thumbscrew may be missing. Depending on the setup, you may be able to find the correct size nut of screw to make it work if it is gone.
Reply
post #164 of 186
1/24/10 at 11:10am
That's a great suggestion, scompton.
Reply
post #165 of 186
1/25/10 at 11:13pm
I bought the TC-750 today, has yet to ship though. My Shure m97xe is on it's way, should be here tomorrow, but I'm considering returning it and using some Amazon credit for the Denon cartridge. Might as well get the turntable as good as it's going to get within my limited budget rather than buy components and upgrade a few months down the road.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Low Budget Vinyl Source