TURNTABLE SETUP Questions thread - don't start a new thread, ASK YOUR QUESTION HERE! - Page 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris J 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

In simple terms, because the differences are that noticeable - more dynamic with better bass, wider mids and sweeter highs. As opposed to just setting it on the rack...in stocking feet,
 
naked.

Thanks,
do you hear more ambience, space, reverberation, more room sound?

Hold that thought...back in a couple of hours (dinner and such).

Okay, he's back! I happen to run an avatar series called "Her Silent Smile." More on that later. In audio related news, recordings are like running water, they vary. So, in my descriptions - left intentionally simple - not every record is going to jump off the mat! 

Overall, changes in the presentation are: a more open mid-range; harder hitting presentation (dynamics); more defined and controlled bass; sweeter treble; notes have a more refined finish.

However, I do not hear anything that wasn't in the recording to begin with. Rather, the presentation is enhanced with the brass footers, Maple platforms and isoblocks. I can experience more ambience, space, reverberation with tube selection. Mood dependent, I listen to my OTL amp or vintage 1980 Pioneer SX-D7000.

Note: I use headphones, no speakers available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogsurviver 

Still, the similar applies - analog turntable is a mechanical device, it will sound different on different stands. 

 

I would certainly not dismiss the difference in sound reported - just because it is by a female. It is prettier gender who might dismiss all the hulabaloo regarding SQ - but given the opportunity, women are likely to start reporting  far minutest difference in sound than most male audiophiles are considering as important - or even able to hear at all. They might not be designers, might not understand physics/mathematics and/or theries, but that makes them more likely to actually report what they hear, because they are not predispositioned by "if it is made like that, it MUST be better" syndrome.

 

I've writen this once before, but will repeat it here. One very known tweeter manufacturer has come to conclusion that female employees shoud do the final QC on every tweeter produced. Soon enough, they were forced to stop this practice - because women discarded far too many units that were well within spec - automated measurements of THD etc do not get ever more critical as women did - considering an 0.1 % second harmonic distortion as reject !

Dude I don't give a flying toad if a man or woman said it. Also you are generalizing like a mother-

Got a Yamaha TT400U for $10 at a thrift shop (Audiophiles best friends sometimes).

A coworker of mine is a DJ and he was saying it's actually a rebranded Technics SLBD20-D (he believes) and Finding this out excited me as I was wanting something cheap that worked and I apparently got a well regarded brand in the process. 

Now the platter spins, everything seems in working order besides me being complete new to this whole thing and might have messed with the Anti-skate settings as they were when I got it. I got it a few months ago and have been waiting till I ordered an amp to use with it before setting it up past my initial tests which were far from stellar. I think it would be best to get a new cartridge, one besides the stock one, so that I can get more out of the Turntable and also have the right information to balance it properly and all that jazz. 

So basically, I wanna know what people suggest for a cartridge under $50 USD. Also, what's the difference between them? I am mainly looking for great amounts of detail and well balanced sound signature (as much is actually possible to be changed by using a better cartridge)

Thanks for the information. I'll take that into consideration. Where would you say is it best (online) to get a cartridge? and I am unable to track down the information about the stock cartridge for my turntable and so I rather just replace it with something else. I'm willing to spend money now though to get it all working and then go for that more expensive one when I use it more often. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

If you really mean it must be under $50, your options are very, very limited. Of the ones I know of that enjoy a decent reputation, there is the Audio Technica 95E, the Ortofon Omega, and the Red Ed elliptical. Never heard any except the AT, which is nice for the money, but unless your current cartridge is warn or damaged or really crappy, personally would save my pennies for an Ortofon Red at $99, which I do have one of and think is truly excellent for the money.

If someone is looking for a very good sounding MM tubed phono pre, here is one on audiogon. http://app.audiogon.com/listings/phono-cary-aes-ph-1-tube-phono-preamplifier-good-condition-2013-01-27-preamplifiers-85718

I don't know anything about the seller or this particular unit, but I own one in my second system and it sounds really good.  6SL7s/ECC35s are very nice sounding tubes.

So looking for that Ortofon cartridge you mentioned, I found the cartridge I have installed right now. A "Ortofon OMP 5E P-Mount Phono Cartridge" is what's installed If I could find out the proper installation information it might just be fine. Anyone know where I could get that? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

I don't know about "best", but I have bought cartridges from Music Direct and Needle Doctor online, both with good results.

I'm thinking of contacting Ortofon about getting the manual for the needle I have. I also wanna know if I'll get that information if I upgrade the needle on it, since that's apparently a thing you can do, use the same cartridge but swap out the needle. Everythings kinda in the air right now. I have another vinyl player, that's not exactly great, but I would be able to use it in the meantime while I save up fund for a nice cartridge if I actually need to replace it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

OK so your TT needs a P-mount cartridge - there are not that many options there, and the one you have is quite decent. Go to Ortofon.com.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenman345 

I'm thinking of contacting Ortofon about getting the manual for the needle I have. I also wanna know if I'll get that information if I upgrade the needle on it, since that's apparently a thing you can do, use the same cartridge but swap out the needle. Everythings kinda in the air right now. I have another vinyl player, that's not exactly great, but I would be able to use it in the meantime while I save up fund for a nice cartridge if I actually need to replace it. 

For p-mount cartridges, you have the most info on one place here : http://www.p-mount.net/  You can also download sample files, it is one of the few sites actually allowing you to listen to the (recording of ) the cart before you buy. At the moment, one of the best buys in p-mount is Digitrac 300SE - it is an Ortofon OM30 in disguise, actually it is the OLD version of the Stylus 30, a Fine Line tip profile with a high compliance, not the less desirable current Ortofon Stylus 30 - which is also far costlier than entire Digitrac cartridge. Digitrac styli can be used on Ortofon carts of OM/OMP/OM Super series - you only need to cut/file one plastic pin which prevents full insertion of unmodified Digitrac stylus into the Ortofon body. Removal of that 1 mm plastic pin is easy to do and in no way affects the performance.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-30-Stylus

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitrac-Ortofon-300SE-300-SE-T4P-cartridge-NOS-/400198106489

Noted for the future, but the P-Mount cartridge I have can accept a new 5E stylus or a 10 stylus. I was shooting to buy the 10 stylus, as it's only $5 more than the other and some reviews said it was better trackability and other features/characteristics. I'll check out the other site and take a listen to some cartridges. That should be fun and interesting. Maybe one day I'll get this other stylus you speak of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogsurviver 

For p-mount cartridges, you have the most info on one place here : http://www.p-mount.net/  You can also download sample files, it is one of the few sites actually allowing you to listen to the (recording of ) the cart before you buy. At the moment, one of the best buys in p-mount is Digitrac 300SE - it is an Ortofon OM30 in disguise, actually it is the OLD version of the Stylus 30, a Fine Line tip profile with a high compliance, not the less desirable current Ortofon Stylus 30 - which is also far costlier than entire Digitrac cartridge. Digitrac styli can be used on Ortofon carts of OM/OMP/OM Super series - you only need to cut/file one plastic pin which prevents full insertion of unmodified Digitrac stylus into the Ortofon body. Removal of that 1 mm plastic pin is easy to do and in no way affects the performance.

 

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-30-Stylus

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitrac-Ortofon-300SE-300-SE-T4P-cartridge-NOS-/400198106489

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenman345 

Noted for the future, but the P-Mount cartridge I have can accept a new 5E stylus or a 10 stylus. I was shooting to buy the 10 stylus, as it's only $5 more than the other and some reviews said it was better trackability and other features/characteristics. I'll check out the other site and take a listen to some cartridges. That should be fun and interesting. Maybe one day I'll get this other stylus you speak of.

Since Digitrac 300Se is entire cart, not just stylus, you need not to do anything - -replacing p-mount cart is less than 5 minute work. I know it is above your present budget, but do not delay too much - supply of these is definitely limited and once gone, they will be gone forever. 

Once again, noted. But presently pending a sale of some iPod parts that's going straight towards the purchase of a new Ortofon 10 stylus. I don't have steady enough income to make such a large purchase for another 6 months. Also, I don't use my turntable enough at this point to justify the purchase. If I use my turntable as much as I hope, then yes, it will be something I highly consider. But until that point I'm gonna try and save my empty wallet from being completely emptied for the next few months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogsurviver 

Since Digitrac 300Se is entire cart, not just stylus, you need not to do anything - -replacing p-mount cart is less than 5 minute work. I know it is above your present budget, but do not delay too much - supply of these is definitely limited and once gone, they will be gone forever.