Vinyl Upgrade on a Budget?

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferyK You need a different phono stage. A $20 phono stage will not get the most out of any TT, I don't care how many people have raved about it on the Internet.

Any cheap recommendations? Thanks for all the other tips.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool Which wet cleaning systems have you tried?

None, really. I have a Hunt carbon fiber lint brush and a Stanton record cleaning brush and vinyl cleaner so this is some sort of "wet cleaning" system but I don't think it cleans deep inside the grooves. Maybe it's adequate. I don't know. I'll look into some of the other suggestions.

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool Hi Nak man, that link looks like an SL1200. i think the SL1900 is a more budget version? Either way the Technics will out-perform either the Rega Planar 2 or 3 if you put the RB250 on it. The Rega's have the opposite problem to the Technics, good arm with a basic plinth system.

Thanks memepool, I copied from web where it was noted as SL1900.

Anyway, what do you think biggest weakness in Rega's basic plinth system ? I really like the 'torqueless' belt drive and with concrete floor I think the plinth should be OK.

 

[memepool]

I have never been a big fan of the Rega Planar or P series as they are now called. I think the motor is not isolated enough from the plinth which is too lightweight and prone to external vibration. Putting it on a concerte floor will definitely help isolate it but this still leaves the problem of the motor. The more expensive newer P7 has an external power supply which should help enormously, but I havn't heard this. It's a shame because their tonearms are awsome.

 

[JefferyK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Any cheap recommendations? Thanks for all the other tips.

Well, probably the cheapest way to go is keep your eye out for a cheap used receiver with a built-in phono stage at the Salvation Army or some other thrift store. Plug your TT into the phono stage, then run cables from the tape out to whatever amp/sound card you want to use. Buying used is a gamble, and some receivers have very poor phono stages, but sometimes the gamble pays off.

Personally, I would buy new (I like warranties and return policies), and I think you can get something noticeably better than what you have for around $100-$150. I think the NAD PP-2 phono stage is very good for the money (I paid $129 for mine). Other good choices in the same price range include phono stages by Music Hall and Pro-Ject.

Jeffery

 

[JefferyK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nak Man Thanks memepool, I copied from web where it was noted as SL1900. Anyway, what do you think biggest weakness in Rega's basic plinth system ? I really like the 'torqueless' belt drive and with concrete floor I think the plinth should be OK.

The Regas, especially the P3, are notorious for having speed drift or simply not spinning at the correct speed period. Speed drift drives me absolutely nuts. Which is why I went with a DD table.

Jeffery

 

[OakIris]

I couldn't afford an RCM - spent way too much buying everything else - so I went for a DIY solution. Here's a very good explanation about how to build your own RCM from Chris of Teres: http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html

I'm still in the process of building mine; not as "fancy" as Chris'. probably, but it should do the trick. I couldn't find a turntable for my RCM in any of the thrift stores so I ended up buying a cheap one on EBay; I still haven't received it but am hoping to get it today so I can finish my RCM.

If you do a google search for DIY Record Cleaning Machines you will probably find other ideas, too.

If you don't want to build your own, the VPI 16.5 sometimes comes up on the used market; it's about $500 new. The Loricraft and Monk units are quite expensive - and I have no idea where the Monk RCM is available in the USA - easily $2K from what I have seen, but are supposed to be excellent. Way beyond my means, and I haven't seen any on the used market - of course, I've only been looking for about 4 months so take that observation with a grain of salt!

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferyK Personally, I would buy new (I like warranties and return policies), and I think you can get something noticeably better than what you have for around $100-$150. I think the NAD PP-2 phono stage is very good for the money (I paid $129 for mine). Other good choices in the same price range include phono stages by Music Hall and Pro-Ject.

I tend to agree with you and have looked at offerings from those brands. I was just wondering if they were worth the money as a step up from the "Li'l Rat". Some experienced members here have said good things about it. I'll probably pick something up soon.

 

[JefferyK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen I tend to agree with you and have looked at offerings from those brands. I was just wondering if they were worth the money as a step up from the "Li'l Rat". Some experienced members here have said good things about it. I'll probably pick something up soon.

Yeah, I can't say, based on my experience, that Phono Stage A is definitely better than Phono Stage B. And it's hard to decide to spend money when you're not sure you'll get an improvement. I mean, I just ordered a $1,500 headphone setup, and I'm terrified that it won't sound that much better than my current, far less expensive one!

You can always try some of the other "tweaks" people have suggested and see how they work out first, before buying a new phono stage. Maybe a thorough record cleaning using a brush and a cleaning solution will get you closer to what you're looking for.

Jeffery

 

[erikzen]

Thanks for the link, Oak Iris. Perhaps I'll build a record cleaner in my spare time. I can't really justify spending more money on a record cleaning machine though than on my entire vinyl rig!

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool Putting it on a concerte floor will definitely help isolate it but this still leaves the problem of the motor.

Thanks ! What turntable can you recommend over P2/P3 at about its price range ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferyK The Regas, especially the P3, are notorious for having speed drift or simply not spinning at the correct speed period.

I can understand the incorrect speed, but never noticed any speed drift.

 

[memepool]

Thanks ! What turntable can you recommend over P2/P3 at about its price range ?

Hi Nak Man, its hard to know what the price range is? The P3 used to be about 300UKP. For this price it's pretty hard to beat as a package and there aren't many decks in this price-range any more anyway.

If you want something new I would go for a michell tecnodek but this is almost twice as much. It's slightly cheaper than a P5.

http://www.michell-engineering.co.uk...hfw_tecno.html

This is a good option if you want an off-the shelf-design, although it has the same potential lack of suspension issues.

But then again suspended subchasis decks arn't really in vogue anymore apart from the Linn and relaunched roksan xerxes (http://www.roksan.co.uk/)
most manufacturers seem to be leaning more towards the michell skeletal approach citing lack of resonance the main reason for doing away with the plinth altogether.

The sound is certainly different, some would say less coloured. It doesn't have the same bounce but has a lot more slam in the bass.

As you like the Rega Sound you might prefer this to the sprung chassis sound. If you are prepared to do some tweaks yourself then you could find a 2nd hand Townsend Rock or the cheaper Townsend Avalon both of which can be upgraded with Origin Live DC motors and new Tonearms. This is a serious highend deck which many prefered to the Linn in the 80's.

Whatever way you go you can't escape from investing in a decent support for your turntable, but a concete floor is a good surface.

 

[Nak Man]

Thanks for your reply and suggetsion memepool !

I have enough vintage tables and not enough LPs, so my turntable hunting days are over (even sold my KD550/3009 iii to fund purchase of HD650 - no regrets in that dept =). I will take a look at that Townsend Rock though. To me a new or used P2/P3 are quite difficult to beat at their price range, especially since they include that great arm. It's still my favorite along with 125/3009 ii as well as Phase Linear 8000.

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nak Man It's still my favorite along with 125/3009 ii as well as Phase Linear 8000.

You have a Thorens TD125 with an SME3009 ? Why are you bothering with the rega at all?
You should check out the RB250 on the TD125. I have a TD125 with a fully modded OL1 (Origin Live's version of the RB250) and a Shure VMR15. Its a very transparent turntable and with the RB250 will kick ass.
I am not 100% happy with the sound (who ever is) but it is one of the best turntables I've ever heard.
Nice with the SME for classical but a much better all rounder with the Rega. The soundstage is jaw-dropping. What kind of plinth do you use on the TD125?

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by memepool What kind of plinth do you use on the TD125?

The standard one, with black vinyl. I heard Rega arms don't match well with suspended plinth like 125 or LP12 ? And ... if you have TD125/3009, would you pass an opportunity to own Planar 2 ?

Anyway thanks for the TD/RB idea ! I'm still looking for a used RB250 for my armless 150, those arm still command high price on ebay though. Btw I'm also using Shure V15-IVMR (not V) on both tables, very nice indeed