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

[analogsurviver]

  So, am I correct in presuming that the short version is "Yes, the Quartz chip generally does not have speed issues nearly as much as other drive systems"?

Yes.

 

[CH23]

So, am I correct in presuming that the short version is "Yes, the Quartz chip generally does not have speed issues nearly as much as other drive systems"?

Pretty much.

Quartz is a crystal which resonates at almost exactly a certain speed, like a cheap-o atomic clock. It makes sure the electricity given off to the magnets in the platter is at a certain speed.

(Almost exaclty meaning a 0.0x% faultrate)

 

[macbob713]

I decided to keep things simple with a MM cartridge, Ortofon 2M Black.  Sounds great, tracks everything.

Nice. Any problems with VTA?

 

[bbophead]

Nope.
 

 

[Audiorobics]

My next question is with regard to speaker wire. I have the feeling that the speakers I bought off ebay will not be shipping with speaker wire. I know this is relatively cheap but what is it I need to get? I am looking at 20 foot of 16 gauge wiring with the black and red connector style. 
 
This should be enough for both speakers since they are not going to be separated by more than 6-8 feet anyway. 
 
Thoughts? 

 

[analogsurviver]

  My next question is with regard to speaker wire. I have the feeling that the speakers I bought off ebay will not be shipping with speaker wire. I know this is relatively cheap but what is it I need to get? I am looking at 20 foot of 16 gauge wiring with the black and red connector style. 
 
This should be enough for both speakers since they are not going to be separated by more than 6-8 feet anyway. 
 
Thoughts? 

It depends on how much you want to lift the lid off this particular can of worms. It can get VERY na$$$$$$ty.
 
Given the level of your present upcoming equipment, what you mention does make sense. Please allow some extra length - you do not want to be limited in the positioning of the speakers by wiring. ( And those with cables in $100 and above per foot arena should read it regardless - because they may find the sound with cheapo excess length wires but properly positioned within the room better than audiophool approved wire some foot or so too short to reach the sweet spot - the next  longer version of the same super wire available being twice the present length-twice the cost 

 ... It is good strategy to adopt once one is deciding on the custom length termination of expensive wiring - ALWAYS try excess/long enough cheapo wire first to find the best positioning and hence correct length - BUT remember, BOTH speakers should have the same length cabling, regardless of positioning of speakers relative to the power amp ).
 
Yes, higher up in quality level, cables, even speaker cables, can be audible. But one can not compensate with the cables for less than optimum acoustics of the listening room and proper positioning of the speakers. Whoever is trying to convince you otherwise is snake oil salesman.

 

[Skylab]

I decided to keep things simple with a MM cartridge, Ortofon 2M Black.  Sounds great, tracks everything.'

Very nice cartridge. Maybe the best MM currently in production.

 

[bbophead]

Thanks, that means something coming from you.

 

[Skylab]

I enjoyed the 2M Black quite a bit. Its main competitor is the Nagaoka MP-500 which I also had and liked but the 2M Black is better. The Clearaudio Maestro Wood MM is slightly better still but I don't think its still in production.

 

[BLACKENEDPLAGUE]

  My next question is with regard to speaker wire. I have the feeling that the speakers I bought off ebay will not be shipping with speaker wire. I know this is relatively cheap but what is it I need to get? I am looking at 20 foot of 16 gauge wiring with the black and red connector style. 
 
This should be enough for both speakers since they are not going to be separated by more than 6-8 feet anyway. 
 
Thoughts? 

 
 
 
That is completely acceptable.
 
I am running ~4ft each of 12awg wire with banana plugs, and am even thinking of moving up to 8awg for only madness knows why
 

 

[Audiorobics]

   
 
 
That is completely acceptable.
 
I am running ~4ft each of 12awg wire with banana plugs, and am even thinking of moving up to 8awg for only madness knows why
 

Any advice on how I should cut the wire once I receive it? I am pretty sure it is going to ship as one single 20 foot long strannd of wiring. I plan to just use normal scissors. 

 

[bbophead]

You should be able to get speaker wire already terminated the way you need it really cheap.  
 
This should not be complicated.
 
Unless, you just like to fiddle with stuff.  That's fine, too.

 

[BLACKENEDPLAGUE]

  Any advice on how I should cut the wire once I receive it? I am pretty sure it is going to ship as one single 20 foot long strannd of wiring. I plan to just use normal scissors. 

 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-1011-Stripper-Cutter-Stranded/dp/B0000302WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414980589&sr=8-1&keywords=klein+1011
 
Or I could send you my pair for $8 shipped

 

[Audiorobics]

   
 
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-1011-Stripper-Cutter-Stranded/dp/B0000302WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414980589&sr=8-1&keywords=klein+1011
 
Or I could send you my pair for $8 shipped

Thanks but they sell some really cheap ones at Walmart for like 3$ or I can use regular scissors if I am careful. 

 

[analogsurviver]

I enjoyed the 2M Black quite a bit. Its main competitor is the Nagaoka MP-500 which I also had and liked but the 2M Black is better. The Clearaudio Maestro Wood MM is slightly better still but I don't think its still in production.

Interesting - after seeing the measurements for Nagaoka 500 ( one of the very few with flying colours) , I would not expect 2M Black to be still in the game. Clearaudio Maestro Wood is no longer in production - but its improvement is : http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/clearaudio-maestro-v2-ebony-cartridge/  It goes to show how far  Audio Technica MM cartridge design can go given the attention to everything, cartridge body material/shape included - Audio Technica is the OEM for Clearaudio MMs.