Turntable advice

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by Falcor, Oct 10, 2015.

  1. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Thanks!

    However I have decided to go in another direction and get the Music Hall mmf2.2. Seems to have a much better cartridge and is more reputable than some of the cheaper brands I listed.

    Any recommendations for a phono preamp anyone? I was thinking the Schiit Mani. I will probably wait until after Saturday at least to see if anything new for TTs are announced at the SchiitShow.
     
  2. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

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    In that price rangeā€¦Schiit Mani, Emotiva XPS-1, Haggerman Bugle2, or U-Turn Pluto. I haven't heard any of them, but have been eyeing them to pair with one of the extra tables I have laying around just in an extra room or to haul over to friend's houses. I've read comparisons between several of them in various forums/reviews but can't recall where.
     
  3. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    What's a decent but cheap record cleaner. I swear, I just bought a record and it got dust on it just from being moved from the packaging to the platter. Every little dust is a POP! Haha.

    My dad uses this:
    [​IMG]

    If it's good enough for now until I can afford a better cleaner then I'll just drop by and pick his up since he doesn't really use his player anymore.
     
  4. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    That rca cleaning set is decent, but I've found an easier solution, the EDA mark 6 brush. Look through pics of vinyl rigs and you will almost always see one close to the turn table. It's about $30 here. Doesn't do deep cleanse, but will quickly and easily get surface dust off.
     
  5. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    Here
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/beginner-vinyl-thread.1807

    ^I found this to be an extremely helpful thread before getting into vinyl. I had some new microfiber cloths lying around and use them with a record wash solution to clean my vinyl. Very inexpensive and very effective. I also have the Mark 6 brush which I use before playing any record. I get very minimal pops using these basic tools, even with my entry level rig.
     
  6. Mystic

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    Thanks guys, I'll purchase that brush right away. Looks like I use it while the record is spinning up correct?
     
  7. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Correct, my method: start up the turntable, hold brush so its tilted with front edge touching the record, slowly work you way toward outside bringing all dust particles with you, then your set to play right away.
     
  8. Mystic

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    Cool, thanks!

    Should hopefully take care of the static/pop happening as frequently.
     
  9. TooPoor

    TooPoor New

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    Has anyone heard the VPI Player? Not sure it's even officially out yet. Spending a lot of time on this board makes me want a VPI, but my budget keeps me in the sub-$2k range. I've been looking out for used VPI tables, but nothing has jumped out at me other than used Scout Jr's. The Player seems to be priced perfectly (for me), but I'm not familiar enough with the sub $2k range options. I should mention that I'd prefer whatever I go with to come with a cartridge.
     
  10. xLn

    xLn Acquaintance

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    pioneer plx 1000 or project debut carbon esprit, it will be with me for a long time, no upgrade in sight
     
  11. Jun

    Jun Friend

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    Budget $500-1000
    New or Used.

    What turn table should I get?
     
  12. The Life

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    I want to upgrade from Denon DP300F into the big leagues or at least AAA ($1K+). The problem is I have gotten married to the convenience of the automatic features. Therfore, as blasphemous as it may be, are there any quality current or vintage automatic or semi-automatic TTs out there worth upgrading to?
     
  13. Dino

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    You might take a look at Dual 1219 or 1229. They can be used as semi-automatic or auto changer.

    I had a Dual 1219 many years ago. I think it is a quality turntable. Mine had a Shure M91ED cartridge that seemed like a good choice for that turntable/arm. I came across some cassettes (Maxell UD recorded on Nakamichi 500 cassette deck) that I had made with this setup. I was quite surprised how good they sounded.
     
  14. Dino

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    From everything that I have read about the RCA version (with tan/brown brush) I would not use one on my records.

    Ebay has quite a few Discwasher (with black brush) that are $25 and under. I have used those from when Discwasher came out until 1990 when I got a VPI HW-16.5 RCM. The original Discwasher was a good record cleaning brush. Avoid the brushes that are worn out. I see quite a few of those on ebay right now.

    Looks good:
    [​IMG]


    Worn out:
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Wfojas

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    The general advice for cleaning seems to be to have a vinyl dry brush, such as

    https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-accessories/audioquest-carbon-fiber-record-brush for cleaning off the dust before and after playing.

    The Milty which lasts a lifetime

    https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-accessories/milty-zerostat-anti-static-gun-blue I've had mine in continuous use since the early eighties.

    And for serious surface cleaning, get these
    http://www.discdoc.com/
    or the ripoff, http://www.mofi.com/product_p/mfslbrush.htm

    These require you wet the surface with a surfactant, swab the fluid, dry and repeat with rinse. Use a lazy susan from Target, and dish rack for drying.

    If you use a Ultrasonic cleaner, you will still rinse, but can skip the brushes, I guess. Still researching how these integrate, as I don't Ultrasonic clean, yet, and am afraid of possible high frequency losses. Keeping vinyl for decades only to wear them out by careless cleaning is as stupid as it gets.
     
  16. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    How would ultrasonic cleaning make you lose high frequencies? If you are using 60kHz or 80kHz transducer then the cavitation bubbles are very tiny and can get very deep into the groove. If anything, it should enable better retrieval of highs. It's not going to vibrate the groove into a different shape. Records aren't magic, if the groove or its surface is unharmed then you won't have issues. I think plenty of the popular brushes are likely to make small scratches. Ultrasonic does not have that issue.

    I learned a lot from following the DIYAudio thread over the years. If you have concerns they should be able to give solid answers. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/218276-my-version-ultrasonic-record-cleaner.html

    for example, detailed info on mixing ideal cleaning fluids on this page: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/anal...ltrasonic-record-cleaner-147.html#post4821852

    And the best completed version out there: https://www.tindie.com/products/VibratoLLC/vibrato-80khz-ultrasonic-cleaner-/
    (well, you still have to make your own spindle/motor assembly to put the records on and spin them but there are detailed instructions in the DIYA thread.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2016
  17. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I think if you filter the water, that definitely reduces the likelihood of damage, and the higher frequencies are definitely recommended. Otherwise you could have bits pounding into deep grooves. Its been bandied about, by people who have been doing this a looooong time and people I do trust, so I just proceed with caution.

    I have read the DIY thread, extensively, actually, and have consciously avoided isoprophyl alcohol for decades as well.

    Thanks for the link on the Vibrato. I've been scouring for a reasonably priced UC for a while, and that might work. Now to figure out aquarium filters.
     
  18. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    I think they sold out, lol. Does anyone here use the Vibrato? I was wondering if it had a drain.
     
  19. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    They only do so many units per week or month. Click "Join Waitlist" and it shouldn't be more than a couple weeks. Just sold out a few days ago.
     
  20. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    I've never heard any HF alteration from ultrasonic cleaning.

    I use something close to the recommended values:
    2% iso
    0.02% photo-flo

    10 minute cycle at 80Khz and rinse on VPI16.5 after.

    Will order some Triton X-100, do the formulation as per the thread with the 10% base mix and let you guys know.
     

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