Turntable advice

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

  1. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    It would need a step up or a phono pre that already has gain/loading options to accommodate a low output cart. Something like the Mani wouldn't need anything else.
     
  2. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Quintet black should indeed be better. But I recommended Hana SL (or HL if you don't have enough gain) based on Mystic having a preference for HD650 with ZDS... Denon 103 probably gets closer, but Hana is just better. I don't necessarily approve of a 650+ZDS combo either. Haha. To each his own.

    Anyways lots of choices. A fun place to be!
     
  3. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    I know you're waiting for The Sol, and it could very well be a fantastic deck, priced below its
    sonic qualities, but a) we won't know until it actually hits the market and b) it's very likely to be backordered almost immediately.:rolleyes: Until that day arrives, I would put out a HiFi Shark search for a VPI Scout w/ JMW 9 arm, either gen. 1 (acrylic platter) or gen. 1.1 (aluminum platter). I think it's one of the best TTs VPI has made, certainly at the price point. Pair it with a Denon dl103r, buy one for $250.00 from the ebay guy. Don't buy the Zu, outrageous pricing. After you've listened to it for awhile buy either an aluminum or wooden body from ebay, and mod it yourself, makes a beneficial sonic difference at much less than Zu pricing.

    The 103r is a very low output MC, so you'll need a phono pre up to the task. Many options and configurations to choose from, but buy used and be able to recoup your costs when you decide to change. More later...

    Oh, if you do buy a VPI, be looking for a used VPI SDS motor controller. Should be 500/600 bucks, and well worth the price.

    The VPI/ 103r/ decent phono pre will increase your listening enjoyment relative to a Gungnir Multibit if you, like me, prefer midrange warmth and no listener fatigue. BTW, I'm not a huge VPI (the company) fanboy, but they do make a good product, and if purchased used is good value. I've owned a Scout 1/JMW 9 and really liked it (I currently own a Prime/JMW 10/SDS) , have several iterations of the 103r (including a Zu) , and listen through a Gungnir Multibit. FWIW.
     
  4. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    You can send your own 103 or 103R to Zu or Paradox for them to install their aluminum body. 3 years ago it was roughly $200 for body and labor, plus your own Denon cart. I'm not sure what it is now though. Significant upgrade in the grand scheme of things. Keep in mind the 103 family does take a while to break in, were talking 75+ hours at least. No I am not joking, I ripped vinyl at 25, 50, 75, and 100+hours and the difference was noticeable. Less high end fatigue as it broke in, I used a few different test records to expedite the process.
     
  5. Gallic Dweller

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    Look on German ebay for a Kenwood KD series deck. Check out the specs and don't forget it comes with one of the best gimbal arms, the whole thing was designed from the ground up by the Kenwood engineers. If this deck/arm combo was being made today you would kiss off in excess of $10K. A good one will cost ITRO €800. The bearing assembly is superbly engineered and using a Slick 50 oil every other year has an indefinite life. The caps and resistors used on the PCB are bog standard industrial and changing the whole lot will cost around $70 - you tyhen effectively have a new deck.

    The plinth is actually suspended as is the mains Tx - remove the plinth and you then have an exposed massive aluminium spider, nothing else looks like it (check this out online) You also can set up another 3 arms, the spider can have 4 arms.

    Take a look on Vinyl Engine, there is a thread with a guy called Hugo who has done just this.

    A really good deck should be totally neutral, the sound should come from the arm/cartridge combo. I use the AT 33EV - excellent bass and a sweet extended top end. replaced caps and resistors and for around $1000 - you have a real superdeck, that byou will never have to change.
     
  6. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    SL-1200 upgrades...

    So I finally have an SL-1200. There are a host of upgrades to improve SQ that are out there from sorbothane feet to replacing the entire tonearm with a Rega or SME.

    My question is, besides cartridges or preamp, what are the most bang for the buck upgrades? Just looking on where to start first.

    Signal chain is Ortofon 2M Blue -> Mani
     
  7. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    Make sure you have all the requiste tools for accurate setup, stylus/record cleaning-all
    the basic stuff-and then adjust, tweak, and listen for a long time before even thinking about changing the deck. Getting the most out of what's there will do far more to improve the sound than most 'tweaks', and will give you a sonic baseline for future changes (not necessarily 'improvements'). The only thing I might buy from the start is a headshell with adjustable azimuth, and you may not even need that (there is some play inherent in the headshell locking ring that will allow for some minor azimuth adjustment).

    Then I'd probably try some cheap threaded cones to replace the stock feet. Emphasis on cheap.

    Oh yeah, congrats and have fun!;)
     
  8. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Well I picked up some MoFi sleeves and a different brush (audioquest anti-static) and I'm not having any more issues. This brush is much softer and I can press it deeper without scratching the record like the Hunt with it's hard bristles. The sleeves are great, they keep my records from picking up a bunch of dust and particles from the original paper sleeves.

    Definitely learning as I go with this vinyl hobby.
     
  9. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Oh, thanks!

    I am pretty familiar with the SL-1200 sound. First time I heard one was back in 1992 or so, but that was at a radio station with a Stanton cartridge.

    I know the azimuth can be important. Is there a small L Phillips head screwdriver that you can tighten the bayonet mount without disconnecting the tonearm from the plinth?

    And any good cheap feet?
     
  10. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    -maybe buy a tiny philips, and cut the handle down short enough to tuck under the arm?

    -These will, and I'm quoting here, "dramatically improve(s) clarity, stereo imaging, and bass response"(!!!) Holy shit, you can't go wrong!:rolleyes:

    https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dss4-bk-black-speaker-spike-set-4-pcs--240-717
     
  11. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    The MoFis have been my favorites for years. Only minor issue is a corner tends to bunch up when you insert into a jacket, but life is too short etc. etc.

    I also use the Japanes mylar resealable outer sleeves.
     
  12. sfoclt

    sfoclt Friend

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  13. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    What are your thoughts on putting the record (in an inner sleeve) outside of the original card but both inside a clear plastic outer sleeve together?

    Edit: pic for reference
    [​IMG]
     
  14. sfoclt

    sfoclt Friend

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    That's what I do, unless it's one of the flimsy sleeves that AP sometimes uses (used?) for double albums, in which case I just keep both in that.
     
  15. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    When it comes to using the AQ/Hunt style dry brushes, the Wicked Witch of the West said it best: these things must be done....delicately.
    You want the bristles to lightly sweep the record surface with minimal bending while rolling the brush so the rear row of bristles pick up any dust the front row left behind. It's a dust brush, not a scrub brush.
    Fremer has a video on Analog Planet showing how it's done.
     
  16. Biodegraded

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    @Mystic - one of these (acrylic platter, JMW-9 arm) has just popped up at a dealer in Ontario for $CAD 1299 (c. $US 985). I don't know the practicalities of getting it across the border to you, but could be worth an enquiry.

    http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649450914-vpi-scout-with-jmw9-tonearm-see-photo/
     
  17. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    The problem with the hunt brush is it leaves all the dust in a line on the record unless you drag it off at an angle, which then scratches the record because the bristles are so damn hard. On top of that, the bristles on the Hunt are so hard and so tightly packed that it can't get down in the grooves.
     
  18. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    Agreed on the Hunt brush, used one briefly and now it resides in a box with other misfit hifi tweaks. I use and like very much the 2G AQ brush, worthy step up from the original. Even so,it's not an effective enough record cleaner as a simple Record Doctor vacuum, I've used the version II for ages and am still happy with it. Best bang for the buck investment you can make when getting into vinyl.
    However, vacs are noisy so when the wife says "oh,I thought you were cleaning house" do not reply "no,that's your job".
    Fortunately ,I have a comfortable couch.
     
  19. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    I purchased Isonoe ones for my 1200GR DJ decks. I got them for isolation (DJ gigs) but after some head to head they are a small sonic upgrade in terms of bass performance vs the stock feet.

    IMO the OEM Technics plastic headshells they ship with 1200s (including the new ones) are absolute garbage. If you are using that I would ditch it right away. Even the entry level Ortofon one is way superior and you can probably find a decent used one for $20.
     
  20. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    I hunted for a long time to find a headshell with adjustable azimuth that I was happy with. In terms of products that are currently manufactured, the Jelco HS-25, sold by LP Gear as the Zupreme headshell, stands out as a solid option depending on the mass of your cartridge. Be careful if you go with LP Gear. For some reason they sell the Zupreme for less on Amazon ($67 currently) than on their own website ($80). The Jelco's sell for about the same price (~$70) on eBay. The HS-25 is a hair on the heavy side at 12 g (including tonearm wires). It didn't suit my application unfortunately (LP-120), so I did some more research. I ended up picking up a used Audio Technica MS-9 magnesium headshell on eBay. For some reason, AT discontinued the models with adjustable overhang and azimuth (MS-8, MS-9, MS-10). They still sell the MG-10, but it doesn't offer adjustable azimuth. It's a real shame because the MS-x series were really well built and thought out. Super happy with mine and would like to find another one at a good price.
     

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