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

[penmarker]

Again analogsurviver being as professional as ever. Here's the close up pictures of the tonearm. I believe it is not resized, so if you download the pictures it will show you the original resolutions.
http://imgur.com/a/Ci6Hs
 
I am not comfortable to spend a lot on this turntable yet. I am planning to invest in some good near field speakers such as the HiVi / Swan M200MKII maybe. The Grado Black I've showed you guys previously is actually out of curiosity and price point. As we all know Grado do produce some great headphones, so I have faith in the brand. Now that you've mentioned how they'll hum, yes they would probably hum on my TT as it's a DD and the motor is directly under the spindle. Guess I'm going to need to find a better one.
 
Scoured through youtube (more like the first page LOL) to find videos about the Audio Technica AT440MLa, I stumbled upon this video.
 

 
At first I was in the favor of the Shure cart, but then as the video progressed, I immediately notice how good the AT carts are at treating and reproducing the vocals. Closer listening reveals that though the cart is somewhat unforgiving compared to the Shure, it sounds a lot more articulative and detailed. The Shure is more forgiving, however the whole sound feels a little "small" (I guess that's how I could put it to words) compared to the AT. But still budget rules over me. You know how college students are.
 
I'm not very comfortable stating how much I am willing to pay for a new cart, but if I really need to put a price on it then it would be strictly $70 and below, INCLUDING POSTAGE to Malaysia. That amounts to around RM210, about two weeks worth of food money lol. I eat like a pig.
 
I wonder how I managed to keep my figure though.
 
Anyway, just want to let this off my chest, last night I played Dark Side of The Moon at 3.1 VTF. It sounded really close to the vinyl rip version I have in my computer... And I feel guilty like I was cheating on my diet.
 
I'm trying to find more information regarding Red Ed carts. Other than that, I'm pretty much good.
 
**edit
 
I found this discussion comparing the Ortofon Omega with the Red Ed elliptical
 
http://www.vinylaudio.net/forum/index.php?topic=153.0
 
I have to admit, I can't hear much discernible difference between the two, throw in a cart that cost maybe 3-4 times their price and maybe I could (like that comparison video between the AT and Shure cart).

 

[analogsurviver]

Quote:

Again analogsurviver being as professional as ever. Here's the close up pictures of the tonearm. I believe it is not resized, so if you download the pictures it will show you the original resolutions.
http://imgur.com/a/Ci6Hs
 
I am not comfortable to spend a lot on this turntable yet. I am planning to invest in some good near field speakers such as the HiVi / Swan M200MKII maybe. The Grado Black I've showed you guys previously is actually out of curiosity and price point. As we all know Grado do produce some great headphones, so I have faith in the brand. Now that you've mentioned how they'll hum, yes they would probably hum on my TT as it's a DD and the motor is directly under the spindle. Guess I'm going to need to find a better one.
 
Scoured through youtube (more like the first page LOL) to find videos about the Audio Technica AT440MLa, I stumbled upon this video.
 

 
At first I was in the favor of the Shure cart, but then as the video progressed, I immediately notice how good the AT carts are at treating and reproducing the vocals. Closer listening reveals that though the cart is somewhat unforgiving compared to the Shure, it sounds a lot more articulative and detailed. The Shure is more forgiving, however the whole sound feels a little "small" (I guess that's how I could put it to words) compared to the AT. But still budget rules over me. You know how college students are.
 
I'm not very comfortable stating how much I am willing to pay for a new cart, but if I really need to put a price on it then it would be strictly $70 and below, INCLUDING POSTAGE to Malaysia. That amounts to around RM210, about two weeks worth of food money lol. I eat like a pig.
 
I wonder how I managed to keep my figure though.
 
Anyway, just want to let this off my chest, last night I played Dark Side of The Moon at 3.1 VTF. It sounded really close to the vinyl rip version I have in my computer... And I feel guilty like I was cheating on my diet.
 
I'm trying to find more information regarding Red Ed carts. Other than that, I'm pretty much good.
 
**edit
 
I found this discussion comparing the Ortofon Omega with the Red Ed elliptical
 
http://www.vinylaudio.net/forum/index.php?topic=153.0
 
I have to admit, I can't hear much discernible difference between the two, throw in a cart that cost maybe 3-4 times their price and maybe I could (like that comparison video between the AT and Shure cart).

Sorry - in the end does boil down to money. Please PM me and I will try my best with your budget. Just because there is some reasonably priced best buy Mercedes or Rolls Royce, that does not mean I can afford one - know perfectly well how that feels.
 
Listening to SQ of phono gear on youtube - other than basic info - is close to waste of time. You also have to "listen" at min 720p resolution to get best sound YT is capable of. Still, better than written review if not familiar with anything the device under test was being compared to.
 
Grado carts are in no way "bad" - they just need a llittle ( or not so little ) more attention and better conditions than most of their rivals - but can be under right conditions absolutely divine.
They can have a certain kind of flair most others lack - despite not being the flattest, most ....
whatever. Yet they will never misrepresent the music - still have and cherish my first ever Grado, FTE+1 from 1979, along some others (much) higher up in range added since. Grado Black also used to go under Project K4 rebadging, it works very well with your Project phono box.
 
Downloaded the pics of your TT. It is a strange cornucopia of bits and pieces known from other japanese gear - the pick up arm base reminds me strongly of Grace G 707 arm. It should be possible to adjust the arm height at the bearing side - besides the big protruding bolt, there should be two more small screws on the same "collar" - if really so, you can try adjusting the height/VTA - should be possible. If yes, you can afford any stylus tip profile from the technical point of view, as it should be possible to adjust it correctly.
 
It looks like basic yet VERY solid deck. Add decent mat and cart ( and some decent support for listening with speakers ) - done.
 
Today I got one SL1200 in pretty beat up condition for servicing; it has Shure M97xe cart on and I will post photos of both AT440MLa and M97xe styli at the same magnification, plus general comment on the two. Recently, Shure quality much declined compared to past times, even those at the time of introduction of M97xe - let alone the glorious days of V15V and V15VMR. that begun - oh God time sure does fly -  30 years ago.

 

[penmarker]

Yes the base can be used to adjust the height of the tonearm, it's written in the manual I downloaded from vinylengine. The mat is actually upside down, the surface it has a Ministry of Sound design, but I don't like it so I flipped it over to the blank side. What mat would you suggest?

 

[Silent One]

How not to handle vinyl records:
 

 

[analogsurviver]

Quote:

How not to handle vinyl records:
 

Do not think there would be shortage of those willing to offer her the advice on proper handling ...

 

[penmarker]

If I were the photographer, I'd set up some lights from the front. Never mind the 3 point lighting rule.

 

[Chris J]

How not to handle vinyl records:

I think that model would be in her 70's now.
And she may not be able to fit in that dress anymore, let alone get into that pose............sorry!

 

[Silent One]

Yes, but La Parisienne still getting the message across...

 

[analogsurviver]

Quote:

Yes, but La Parisienne still getting the message across...

I was actually looking for a fitting youtube answer to your 

 post, and as always, YT decided to offer something based on my YT history with about a week delay. As it is a RCM discussed a few pages back, here it goes : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rod79YwW4PA

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

Yes, but La Parisienne still getting the message across...

I was actually looking for a fitting youtube answer to your 

 post, and as always, YT decided to offer something based on my YT history with about a week delay. As it is a RCM discussed a few pages back, here it goes : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rod79YwW4PA

Enjoyed the selection for the record that was being cleaned, as well as the one being played in the background. Though, a few moments into the vid, I realized this could take awhile.

 

[analogsurviver]

Quote:

Enjoyed the selection for the record that was being cleaned, as well as the one being played in the background. Though, a few moments into the vid, I realized this could take awhile.

Everything that is good and honest will take time. Preparing a cup of tea, cleaning a record ...

 

[MorbidToaster]

If you can manage to do both at the same time it can be even more rewarding. 
 
Quote:

Everything that is good and honest will take time. Preparing a cup of tea, cleaning a record ...

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

Enjoyed the selection for the record that was being cleaned, as well as the one being played in the background. Though, a few moments into the vid, I realized this could take awhile.

Everything that is good and honest will take time. Preparing a cup of tea, cleaning a record ...

Absolutely! My tea ceremony, listening session preparations and other lifestyle moments, are deliberate and delightful.

 
Perhaps, I was expecting the producer of the video to make "Cuts." 

 

[Chris J]

Just my thoughts and observations here:

Never touch your tonearm's VTA setting.......this is the way to madness! :mad:

 

[Eee Pee]