The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    My cousin's dad asked me to spec out a super-entry-level vynil table & preamp to play back, in his own words "a bunch of old records from when I was younger and dumber".

    Budget was "not much more than 300€".

    I know jack about plastic dishes, but a little research points to the very very entry-level pro-ject and a mani being about as much as I can get for that much?

    Used and modding is not an option here.
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Has your friend checked that the records are actually playable. Many from younger and dumber days are not. Best to find a friend with a turntable and check a few out before spending any money.
     
  3. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Ya.

    He says they're fine if somewhat worn.
     
  4. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    I've just scanned thru the used market.
    Made me tempted to buy new headphones!
    Focal Elear, Fostex TH-X00 and Aeon closed are for sale.
    I could also get LCD-2C or Aeon open.
    What you guys think?

    Now, I have to admit that I am not too much of a fan of the Elears.
    However, if I can "mod" them to sound more like the Clears, im all over it!
     
  5. Brad Tombaugh

    Brad Tombaugh Facebook Friend

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    I bought a Gungnir Multibit Gen 5 just after RMAF, and love it with the Jot. Would be happy to let you try it with your BW2 if you want to bring it over... I’m in Parker, not too far from you...
     
  6. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

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    U-Turn Orbit and TC-750 for preamp. Buy a bigger PSU for the preamp, which should cost less than 30 USD.

    Not sure about U-Turn availability over seas though.
     
  7. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Its not the world clock either. Its a Word Clock. Look at the picture he posted of the dac. Word clock. Same with the dCS unit. Word clock.
    Though I have no idea what that means either. Maybe a clock that spells out the numbers? o_O
     
  8. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Actually a psuedo-differential RCA to XLR cable will work fine.

    6981337A-280A-4EDE-972C-B6288EF59719.jpeg

    They sell them at Monoprice and people use them all the time for JBL LSR305s, which has only balanced inputs. Line transformers are still better because of ground loops, but not necessary.
     
  9. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Just to stop things here, we were both joking. We knew he had a typo and it was supposed to be "word clock", we were just having some fun with it.
     
  10. Brad Tombaugh

    Brad Tombaugh Facebook Friend

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  11. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Oh. I knew you were joking about it's meaning, but I guess I missed that.
     
  12. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Comes out considerably more expensive after intercontinental shipping & import tax, from what I can tell :(
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Wasn't obvious so no worries. I meant to correct in my first reply and forgot actually.

    Just to note, the post I referred from @baldr that talks about I2S connections is very interesting. Sounds like there's still potential gains out there in a new digital connection type/protocol in BWD (at least according to Mike). Will be interesting if he ever gets around to implementing it, but as he says, he'll have to actually build a digital source first.
     
  14. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Frog insurance?
     
  15. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    They have plans but no availability for now. They also use an AC motor which would run slower at 50Hz, so you can't just buy one in the US and bring it over even if you wanted.

    Best choice in Europe is probably Pro-ject or Rega. I read that Music Hall is made in the Czech Republic but its more expensive over in Europe then in the USA. Really if he just wants to play records I would probably go for an Audio-Technica lp-120
     
  16. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    That could work. I might be heading the other direction next weekend, but in a few weeks after that I think I might escape elderly mother duties again and head down. :)
     
  17. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    That would be the Peking Clock.

    (Because everything is made in China these days)
     
  18. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    With all the high end gear people post here, I would be surprised no one used one.
     
  19. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    I recently ordered a 2nd SVS PB-1000 sub for my home theater room. I have an Anthem MRX720 and have played around with ARC’s (anthem room correction) quick measure feature with the included calibrated (for ARC) USB mic. I had originally planned on using it to level match the 2nd sub to the 1st and to adjust phase (if necessary). But I have since read that an external SPL meter is necessary to properly level match the two subs at about 67db (individually) using the AVR’s “pink noise” test tone prior to running ARC. I’ve also read some conflicting advice that supports my original thinking that I should just use the quick measure feature to get the first sub “comfortably loud” and note the peak DB at about 60HZ and then run the 2nd sub on its own and adjust it to get a similar reading.

    So my questions are as follows:

    1) Do I really need an external SPL meter?

    2) If YES, the recommended meters I’ve seen are about the same price as a REW USB mic. So can REW be used to accomplish the leveling of the subs at the desired db reading? (My understanding is that you need an external SPL meter to calibrate REW and it’s mic, this in particular is what got my head spinning lol!)

    Where there is consensus is that its imperative to level match the subs before running ARC.
     
  20. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    @GTABeancounter : Re. your Q2, the REW help states under Calibrating the SPL Reading / SPL Calibration Notes "If you are using a USB mic with a cal file that contains a sensitivity figure SPL calibration is not required, REW will show this message: [info box] SPL calibration is not required, REW is already calibrated for the USB mic you are using based on the sensitivity data in the mic cal file."
     
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