Turntable / Vinyl Accessories & Furniture

Got fed up with my spin-clean and just got a cheapish ultrasonic record cleaning machine. I'm surprised by how much a difference it makes. Even the gaps between songs are so much quieter now. Highly recommended purchasing one!

 

You guys have already seen my rack in the show off your stereo system thread but here's a close up of the rack. I ordered it from Timbernation and it does its job at isolating vibrations that's for sure. I was playing 40-80hz at 116db spl, and every shelf was completely inert.

 

I want to have everything I need to setup and maintain my equipment once I buy my table (likely Sol).

Looking around this is what I've found, if these are good choices:

Stylus Cleaner: Zerodust
https://www.amazon.com/ONZOW-ZERODUST-ZeroDust-Stylus-Cleaner/dp/B00ERPWAK2

Stylus force scale: Neoteck
https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY

Anti static brush: Audioquest (soft brush version):
https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Anti-Static-Record-Brush/dp/B06XK9V3KB

Turntable stand: Pangea Vulcan:
https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Turntable-Storage-Rosenut/dp/B07B5B29ST

I'll need to get a solution to help me adjust VTA. I'm going to use MoFi record keepers to keep my records safe.

Anything I'm forgetting?

 

Looks good!

(Cheaper) alternatives for the ONZO Zerodust include this watchmaker cleaning putty:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0139I1JXG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and:
https://www.amazon.com/Moongel-RTOM...1533860703&sr=8-1&keywords=moongels+for+drums

Soundsmith recommends BluTack:
https://www.amazon.com/Blu-Tack-S05...ie=UTF8&qid=1533860830&sr=8-1&keywords=blutac

Many folks (including me, sometimes) use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser:
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Original-Cleaning-Packaging/dp/B001339ZMW


In sum, I use the ONZO, but also use the Moongel, after first (sometimes) Magic Eraser. Havent tried the others, but will at some point. I think the Moongel is just as effective as ONZO for a lot less money, but it's up to you.

You'll need a 6" level for initial setup, Starrett adjustable is best (+/- $130.00) but even an inexpensive torpedo level is fine, as long as you buy it in person, and check it before hand. Easy to do: place it on a horizontal surface. Note where the bubble settles between the two lines. Flip the level 180 degrees on the exact same spot, and verify that the bubble sits between the two lines as before. Reject any that don't pass this test.

A Zerostat anti-static gun isn't absolutely necessary, and it's hard to spend 70 bucks on a cheap plastic-y gimcrack, but it really does work, it cuts down on surface noise, and it should, I said should, last a long time (note "cheap, plastic-y").

I use a tally w/ base to count album sides to help keep track of stylus wear:
https://www.amazon.com/Counter-Desk...8-2-spons&keywords=hand+tally+with+base&psc=1

Hope this helps! (-:

 

Oh yeah, don't forget a flexible, pretty intense light to be able to see what you're doing while screwing around with this stuff, I use a LittleLight but I think I bought it used many years ago. I sure as hell wouldn't spend 100 bucks on it now, many, many less expensive alternatives out there.

I also use this lighted magnifier to see if there's any crap on the stylus. Cheap, pretty effective:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0139I1JXG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Haha!

 

If you've got room recommend getting a turntable stand where the records aren't stored underneath. If your playing a record and looking through the others if your a bit heavy handed (like me) can mean the vibrations cause skipping, ain't a big deal. Something like a butchers chopping board and some blutack could help with isolation in general

 

https://www.amazon.com/Salamander-A5-Archetype-5-0-Black/dp/B0006VPUHQ?th=1

how are these for turntable shelf? heavy enough?

 

For a turntable shelf, why not this: https://www.amazon.com/Catskill-Cra...qid=1533911539&sr=1-16&keywords=butcher+block

 

I used this for a while. Its actually up for sale locally, so hit me if you want in. It was really good, but I had to have it in between the speakers, and it started to interfere with the sound.

 

Not sure how dense the surfaces are, but those might work. Knock on them, if they are not a low thud, and you live on sprung floors, those won't isolate the table enough.

 

Whats under the feet?

 

Rubber pads that came with the Boos block. The weight of the block prevents any slippage, and that protects the floor. Its so solid its like the table IS on the floor.

 

I recently picked up a 1 lb weight for my U-Turn Orbit Custom. I mainly got it for keeping some of my older, lighter records from spinning free while brushing. What I didn't expect was the very noticeable low-end boost and overall slightly better clarity. Older, lighter records are the most noticeable, but even newer stuff like my Rush DMM albums have increased low end and better clarity. The weight is the stainless steel one from U-Turn with a cork bottom. I wanted heavy and low-profile to fit under the lid, so this one is perfect.

 

Can you use a record weight with any turntable? It won't affect the speed of an older belt drive turntable?

 

Firstly credentials are that I've been vinyl exclusive for the last 15+ years, until very recently. Owned 7 TT over the years. Used some with weights, clamps, some without, and the Periphery Ring on my the Classic I had at one point

Spoiler

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/det..._hrx_weight_lyra_delos_and_mint_best_tractor/

Record spindle weights and clamps are perfectly fine to use with any TT as long as it runs at correct speed without it.

It's record weights that sit on the outside edge of records that may affect a TT with poor wow & flutter measurements. But periphery rings also add a flywheel effect so if the drive of the TT is issue free, it's typically just getting the TT up to speed with the help of a gentle hand spin that's needed.

 

Any opinions on slip mats? I've been wondering if replacing the felt slip mat that came with my Orbit with cork or rubber would be beneficial. I've also been considering no slip mat and just putting the record straight on the acrylic platter. Would I need a re-alignment to compensate for the lower height?

 

There are a million mats out there. Subtle tweak that may sway the sound in a positive or negative direction, depending on what you are looking for. With my VPI, no mat works best. The record is coupled better to the platter. Worth a try as it doesnt cost anything other than time.

For an orbit with an acrylic, some type of slip mat might be best. Ive seen people like cork better than felt (felt attracts dust), and some like the more exotic carbon fiber or cow hair looking ones.

For sonic differences Fremer did a blind needledrop - https://www.analogplanet.com/conten...ifference-and-if-so-which-these-do-you-prefer - a while back, for whatever that's worth.

Thickness of mat will make a slight difference, and VTA could be adjusted if available, but nothing to lose sleep over. Interested to hear what you think after playing around.

 

So I just listened to the DMM version of Rush - Moving Pictures - YYZ (a song I know very well) back to back a couple times switching between felt and no mat. Also using my new 1lb weight. I don't know if its the different height or just the better coupling to the platter but there is a bit more punch to the sound without the felt. Everything seems to be a bit more crisp and clean. I feel like I can hear a bit deeper into the music. I really like the sound without the felt better.

This is all pretty subtle so take my impressions with a grain of salt.

 

FWIW, having been through dozens of mat/TT combos over the years, I've settled on the George Merrill RCC mat. Cork/rubber compound at $60, works well with suspended and non suspended decks. Never used it on an acrylic platter tho, only with aluminium platters. Currently on an HK T40 with an OM20 Super,more clarity and punch than the various sorbo,rubber and leather mats I've gone thru. No static build up is a big plus too. Certainly been worth the cost of a decent bottle of single malt to me.