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

[sterling1]

Hey guys, looking to upgrade my LP120, what are your thoughts the Debut Carbon and the RP1? What other turntables could be better in the $500 range? And which would be a good budget (but good) phono amp? Thanks!gniih​T

Think about what it is you actually want rather than a price point; then, see if there is a model out there that has what you want within your budget. That's to say, a turntable/cartridge purchase is usually associated with replacement of something broken which cannot be fixed, or desire to upgrade for sound improvement. In your case, you could also contrast and compare units which appear to perform as you expect that are  at your price point. Perhaps, make a vin diagram. BTW, I am still using an almost 30 year old turntable, since I have yet to hear a modern turntable/cartridge which makes any of my LP's sound better. Since you can not audition everything that's out there, look at published specifications. Some highly regarded turntables out there today are being marketed without meaningful specifications stated; but, others do, so that's where you might want to start. Also, sometime this spring Sony will be producing a USB turntable, which will code at hi-res. You might find that a very attractive turntable for archiving your LP collection to high quality files.

 

[Demo3]

  My disco ball motor (thank you Analogsurvivor for the advice) is on the way, looks like a DIY Christmas for me.
 
One thing I am absolutely sure about, you cannot clean vinyl better than ultrasonic, you can spend many $100's or $1000's on cleaning devices, or you can buy a 5L or 6L ultrasonic cleaner off eBay or Amazon for less than $150 and create an amazing vinyl cleaner using distilled water and a DIY setup to hold the vinyl in place to suspend the LP's in the water.
 
I have been able to determine the actual condition of my own collection and the albums I have bought using the Ultrasonic cleaner.
 
If you buy used vinyl I can't stress enough the importance of pulling the vinyl out for visual inspection for scratches and wear.  Dirty vinyl can be cleaned physical damage will not.

Have you done a comparison with the wood glue method versus the ultrasonic.

 

[sterling1]

When inspecting used LPs, how is it possible to know about groove damage or groove wear, damage as comes from LPs being earlier played on turntables which have not had the cartridge properly placed on the tonearm, or perhaps, from having the cartridge weight set too high.

 

[penmarker]

  When inspecting used LPs, how is it possible to know about groove damage or groove wear, damage as comes from LPs being earlier played on turntables which have not had the cartridge properly placed on the tonearm, or perhaps, from having the cartridge weight set too high.

Short answer - you can't see from eye alone.
 
I got records that has rainbow shiny colours under certain lighting like its untouched but has groove damage, and I have some that don't has that same shine but sounds better.
If there's a way to see it I'd like to know how too.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

Microscope?

 

 

[penmarker]

Used Audio Technica AT51e cart arrived yesterday with a new ATN55XE stylus. Impressions so far - pretty good. Love how it sounds with soul/blues/jazz, sounds quite ok with prog rock and other genres.

 

[ostewart]

Just ordered a ProJect Debut Carbon
 
Replacing my Dual CS 505-3 (shure M97xe cart)
 
Cannot wait, also got a free Project record cleaner due to an offer when buying the turntable.

 

[mysticstryk]

Looking to try vinyl for the first time. I was looking at the U turn Orbit basic for $180. Is this a solid entry level choice? For the phono pre amp, would I be better served getting the schiit Mani over U turns Pluto for the extra money?

What's a cheap, inexpensive way to clean records too? I'm going to be getting a collection of old records from family to use.

Anything else I should know is appreciated. I'm assuming to use with my headphones, I just plug my Vali 2 into the phono preamp correct?

 

[520RanchBro]

Looking to try vinyl for the first time. I was looking at the U turn Orbit basic for $180. Is this a solid entry level choice? For the phono pre amp, would I be better served getting the schiit Mani over U turns Pluto for the extra money?

What's a cheap, inexpensive way to clean records too? I'm going to be getting a collection of old records from family to use.

Anything else I should know is appreciated. I'm assuming to use with my headphones, I just plug my Vali 2 into the phono preamp correct?

Can I ask why you are getting in to vinyl? People's reasons and priorities kind of shape recommendations I feel like.
 

• If you're just trying to listen to old records you find that you don't have digital copies of and aren't very discerning about the sound quality, I think that's a fine starting place.
• If you're wanting a rig that sounds as good but maybe a bit different than your current digital rig, I'd maybe go for some higher end products.

 
If you're going with #2, I can't stress how important clean records are, the sound completely changes and my most valuable vinyl related purchases are definitely the Onzow Zerodust stylus cleaner and Record Doctor record cleaner. I'm not a huge expert with turntables and phono pres but it's easy to hear the benefits of clean records and a clean stylus. Especially with headphones as every static pop and bit of dust is very apparent when you're listening.
 
Can't comment on the Mani but I've heard great things, I plan to replace my Phono Box with one in the near future.
 
And yes, just take the RCAs from your phono pre and plug them in to the Vali, that's all that's needed for hooking it up.

 

[mysticstryk]

Can I ask why you are getting in to vinyl? People's reasons and priorities kind of shape recommendations I feel like.

1. If you're just trying to listen to old records you find that you don't have digital copies of and aren't very discerning about the sound quality, I think that's a fine starting place.
2. If you're wanting a rig that sounds as good but maybe a bit different than your current digital rig, I'd maybe go for some higher end products.

If you're going with #2, I can't stress how important clean records are, the sound completely changes and my most valuable vinyl related purchases are definitely the Onzow Zerodust stylus cleaner and Record Doctor record cleaner. I'm not a huge expert with turntables and phono pres but it's easy to hear the benefits of clean records and a clean stylus. Especially with headphones as every static pop and bit of dust is very apparent when you're listening.

Can't comment on the Mani but I've heard great things, I plan to replace my Phono Box with one in the near future.

And yes, just take the RCAs from your phono pre and plug them in to the Vali, that's all that's needed for hooking it up.

I fall in with #2 above. Just looking to get into it for something new to try. I listened to an Orbit (not sure if it had any upgrades) over the weekend and really liked it. Now I'm curious enough to try myself.

I just found out my father still has all his equipment from the 70s/80s. Turntable, receiver, speakers along with a few dozen records. Going over there tomorrow to check it all out.

The cartridge is the biggest sound quality differentiator when it comes to the physical turntable isn't it, or am I reading it wrong? If that's the case, I could just get the basic Orbit and upgrade to a much better cartridge down the line correct? Or would I still be better off investing into a more expensive setup? I'm trying to keep it cheaper since this is all very new for me.

 

[CH23]

I fall in with #2 above. Just looking to get into it for something new to try. I listened to an Orbit (not sure if it had any upgrades) over the weekend and really liked it. Now I'm curious enough to try myself.

I just found out my father still has all his equipment from the 70s/80s. Turntable, receiver, speakers along with a few dozen records. Going over there tomorrow to check it all out.

The cartridge is the biggest sound quality differentiator when it comes to the physical turntable isn't it, or am I reading it wrong? If that's the case, I could just get the basic Orbit and upgrade to a much better cartridge down the line correct? Or would I still be better off investing into a more expensive setup? I'm trying to keep it cheaper since this is all very new for me.

 
depending on what it is your father has stored away, it could be that all you need is a better sounding cartridge (or maybe not even that!) but it's also possible that the turntable itself resonances quite heavily (motor noise vibrating through the table, record, and ultimately the stylus)
 
the cartridge and stylus are the parts that will most affect the quality of the sound though, so in that case you're right.
 
personally i think turntables don't have to be that expensive to give a great experience, but that might be based on my own experience so far, having 2 Technics SL-7's for about €100 each.
 
 
let's say your turntable is a very nice one, then you should probably invest in a new stylus, a pre-amp, and some cables to connect the whole shebang. (i'd say about €200 for all of this max.)
 
in the worst case you might need a better turntable, and that could set you back anything between €100 and infinity.

 

[520RanchBro]

I fall in with #2 above. Just looking to get into it for something new to try. I listened to an Orbit (not sure if it had any upgrades) over the weekend and really liked it. Now I'm curious enough to try myself.

I just found out my father still has all his equipment from the 70s/80s. Turntable, receiver, speakers along with a few dozen records. Going over there tomorrow to check it all out.

The cartridge is the biggest sound quality differentiator when it comes to the physical turntable isn't it, or am I reading it wrong? If that's the case, I could just get the basic Orbit and upgrade to a much better cartridge down the line correct? Or would I still be better off investing into a more expensive setup? I'm trying to keep it cheaper since this is all very new for me.

 
The vintage stuff could be all you need! I have not swapped my cartridge out yet so can't speak on that but I bet clean records and stylus have a more drastic impact than cartridge and preamp combined. I'd personally go for the vintage stuff as long as it's working correctly. Take any money you save and invest in a record cleaner, dirty records can make a $100,000 setup sound awful.

 

[MisterMoJo]

In order to clean your records, a nice starting point would be the "Spin Clean" system.  It is, compared to other methods, relatively inexpensive.  It is not perfect but it works.  I have one, and that is where I started.  I have moved up to a VPI cleaner since then.  As far as the table itself, I second the idea of trying your father's vintage equipment to start with.  If you want brand new, however, the Orbit has a good reputation.  I have never heard one, but never hesitate to recommend them.  If I were starting over in vinyl, that is where I would start.  Also, the preamps you mentioned are both good and each would probably be worthwhile.  As far as upgrading the cartridge, I don't know what ones would work on the U-turn.  But I suggest you do a little research and make sure there is a clear upgrade path if that is what you want.  I don't think a super expensive cart would make much sense on an entry level turntable.  You just aren't going to get the full potential of the cart.  Anyways, that's my two cents.

 

[mysticstryk]

I'll report back with info on the gear I'm checking out tomorrow.

 

[mysticstryk]

He just sent a pic to me. Technics SL-D202.