Turntable advice

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

  1. Ziva

    Ziva Friend

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    Sorry about the cartridge. The trade in seems like a good deal. Just in case, I’ve used both Soundsmith and VAS to retip (though I never had an Ortofon). Soundsmith may still have a backlog. Both did a great job. Soundsmith is a much bigger operation. Plenty of reviews of both on various forums.
     
  2. Biodegraded

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    Has anybody tried the magic eraser method for stylus cleaning? Option 3 here:

    https://uturnaudio.com/pages/how-to-clean-your-stylus

    Seems to work ok for me, but I haven't put the microscope on my stylus since first doing it (non-detachable headshell). @ogodei , if you haven't sent the busted-cantilever cart away yet, you could try this on the diamond to see if it gets rid of the black stuff. I've found it's ok to gently drag the stylus across the eraser, rather than just dropping it.
     
  3. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    I have been using the Mr Clean eraser for .... years? not sure when I had read about it but it has been a very long time.
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Seems like the worry with magic eraser is if the stylus somehow picked up a piece of it and deposited it on the record. Not sure if that is a likely scenario if you are just lowering the stylus into it like an Onzow.

    The makers of Tru-Lift, IntegrityHifi, make something called Tru-Kleen that you put blu-tak on one side and magic eraser on the other. A fancy $200 holder of $5 stuff. https://www.integrityhifi.ca/tru-kleen
     
  5. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Sure, you want to brush/blow the stylus off carefully afterward.
    Another bargain proudly made in Canada. :D Doubtless from marine-grade stainless steel with precision bearings to justify the cost.
     
  6. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Got in the new Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cart last week, just getting around to mounting it today. Took some pics before I start using it:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Here's one that shows off the crappy stylus placement on the cantilever:

    [​IMG]

    Now, pics of my previous cart (exact same model) that I used the Zerodust on:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Did the Zerodust leave residue on the old one? Can't tell. Looks worse but that could just be normal wear or my failure to adequately maintain the cart.

    I'll lay off the Zerodust on this one and take pics as I go along.

    Edit: Anyone cares to look at larger pics I posted them at https://imgur.com/a/GwCmbc9
     
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  7. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Trying to decide if I investigate a new cart now, or wait till the dust settles and then explore options.

    As for the zero dust working, I have seen carts in much worse shape, that looks practically new
     
  8. schnesim

    schnesim New

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    Recently I saw a video by Steve Guttenberg where he said, that the higher end the turntable, the less pops and clicks stand out / are annoying. He has been wrong before so I'm wondering, is what he says correct?
     
  9. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    No, it really has little to do with the table itself IME. Pops and clicks have to do with how clean the vinyl is, groove damage, stylus shape, alignment, and phono stage headroom.
     
  10. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    No. Everything @shotgunshane said.
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I just discovered my parents are using a 40 year old cartridge and @loadexfa was here and was horrified haha. I guess that's quite an achievement. They have a
    LinnSondek LP12 turntable with a
    Linn Ittok LV-11 pickup arm

    they've been using a Grace F-9E cartridge for 40 years.

    so I'd love some recommendations for a cartridge that is as good or better and would meet the quality of their apparently excellent turntable.

    They have a PASS XA25 amp and B&W Nautilus 803 speakers and maybe will get the Tavish phono preamp from the loaner tour if they like it, they currently have a Creek phono pre of some kind.

    Maybe a few recommendations from medium to high price?

    Thank you! My mother has a nice record collection and loves listening to them. I'm trying to update here setup and get her fixed with a streaming rig as well.
     
  12. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    This is one of the best medium compliance MM cartridges ever made. if the stylus is still sharp don't replace it.
     
  13. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    This!!

    Perfect match for that table too.
     
  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    How do I figure out if it's still sharp? @loadexfa listened to it and said he thought it should sound better so we figured it was the cartridge.
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Never heard a Grace F9 but have read plenty about them. Seems to be a legend in the MM cartridge world. Soundsmith sells replacement stylus: https://www.sound-smith.com/parts/grace-f9-replacement-stylus

    This one looks nice:
    Soundsmith laser mounted CL Nude stylus- Sapphire Cantilever "RUBY"- CL (RED) $399**
    The more expensive OCL (optimized contact line) in the $499 version supposedly requires more meticulous set up.
     
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    Last edited: Mar 4, 2022
  16. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    clean the debris off it (you can google how to do this, blutack works). put it under a microscope or 10x loupe, look for a nice pointy tip.
     
  17. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Interesting, I had no idea a cartridge could last that long.

    To add info to @rhythmdevils ’s request, I thought the music lacked separation, resolution, and clarity. The sense of presence too. I tried the exact recording when I got home on digital (both Pavane with Stratus and Wavedream with LauX) paired the a modded LCD-4 and these impressions hold up for me. Hopefully that helps in suggesting the likely culprit.
     
  18. FunHandsomeGoose

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    Starting my first vinyl system ($2000-$3500 table w/o cart) and wondering what the opinions are nowadays on the different brands.

    VPI was who I started looking at first, but it doesn't seem they are in high regard with this community anymore. The Scout 21 with Prime platter is on my list.

    There is also the ConceptAudio and Dr. Feickert tables in the same range I am looking at.

    Any opinions on the newer VPI tables or tables in that price range? The plinth could be better for the price, but idk if it matters enough to not be considered. Thank you
     
  19. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    I've always thought the VPI tables were overrated.

    I went through a ton of turntables about 15 years ago. I'd look at NA Spacedeck, George Merrill PolyTable and the Technics SL-1200G.
     
  20. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I haven’t heard the Spacedeck, but I had narrowed down my next table upgrade to the PolyTable or 1200G (before I got the table I have now). If you go for the Polytable, get the Super.
     

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