OakenShield1 Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Let me tell you a little about what I have been up to of late... I HAD to take a leave of absence from this forum for a while, I'll be back spasmodically and contribute where I can, I got lured in by a good friend I had a crappy old $150 turntable I purchased about 8 years ago (I think it was, no idea really), anyway I purchased it for my wife who had a few records she wanted to spin, I was like there you go, yeah whatever. Time went by, and I spent some time over at SNA (I'm the silent type ) and I realised how good some of these peoples setups were and they claim better sound than, well, anything! I eventually worked out I must have a crappy turntable! I'm not one to buy new if I don't have to, SO I started nagging my Dad to give me his Technics turntable, figuring it's got to be better than mine, he said he would, and never did, blessing in disguise! It finally dawned on me that my late Grandfather would have had a turntable and my Nan probably still has it. Contacted her and bingo, yes he did, yes she does and I can have it! In fact, she would be honoured if I would use it... Boxing Day was Christmas day with that side of the family. The day came and went, and at the end of it I got given the turntable. I had no idea what I was in for yet, no idea what it was or anything. Unwrapped it and it was a JVC JL-A1, ripper! I had also aquired an old NAD amp for nothing, so this turned out to be a perfect pre-amp for my new turntable (The sony had a built in amp so was hooked up to my main system which doesn't have a phono input, the Nad is hooked up to my 2 Channel system in my front room) Hasn't been used in about 15 years, plugged it in, fired it up and she worked like a charm. Motor was making a bit of noise but the smoothness and warmth of the sound sucked me right in, straight out of the box it bent my Sony turntable over Thought I had better take it in somewhere and get the motor checked out and make sure all is good. Turns out I was playing it with no stylus Right, can't replace the stylus on it (It was an original). So I sourced and Ortofom 2M Blue for it and got them to put it in. Got it home, all fixed except one channel wasn't working :'(. The 1 channel sounded absolutely awesome might I add! Took it back and they claimed to have fixed it, so I picked it up, tested it, and it was working, was stoked with the sound, maybe there is some potential in it sounding better than CD's. Had a function at home and showed it to my Dad who recognised it straight away, we threw a few tracks on, and we were both in love! THEN the channel went again. I'd had a couple by now but was determined to work this out. It wasn't plugged in right at the cartiridge, so a lot of fiddling around and I got it! WELL, we danced all night to Vinyl, there were about 10 of us jiving away, it was awesome, the sound is terrific, apparently the cartridge/stylus takes 40 hours to run in, so it's going to get better??!! Happy days! I need to fix the connection properly, I kind of mucked it up when I fixed it last weekend, but I got it working, I'll fix it properly today when I haven't had ANY drinks Not bad for someone that hasn't touched vinyl before! I'm very disappointed in the repair shop for not picking up on this simple error, I think I will ring them and let them know too, however I haven't yet, and it was a week today I worked out the problem. I gave my Sony turntable away to someone who doesn't have one and wants one and doesn't care about the quality - Done! Is it better than CD? I don't think they can be compared. The records are so warm and easy to listen to, CD's are so accurate and sharp. One thing is for sure, my vinyl collection will now start growing! I do like the idea of listening to a record more than a CD at the moment, it's more "Fun" . Not to mention the fact that Grandad would be proud of me using it. It's in pristine condition, he was very precious about it, cleaning all records before listening to them, he really looked after his stuff, that's where I get it from. Sorry to bore, just thought I would share
Digital Penetration Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 You played a record with no stylus???
OakenShield1 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 Apparently! Sounded fine to me!
betty boop Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Haha well glad your enjoying none the less great to hear enjoying the joys of vinyl
gone_bush Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Not boring at all, great read. It seems that you and I have reached the same destination, albeit along different roads. I find digital sourced music to be austere and soulless. The only use I have for it is as background "noise". (I'm sure that'll provoke a few cries of disgust!) Over the next day or so my new 2M Black will be getting a fair old beating so should be just about run in by next weekend. You do realise that it's only a matter of time before you starting thinking "What would it sound like if..."?
Tweet Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) There is definitely 'something missing' from the music on CD's these days apart from all the pops and skips that a good vinyl LP can provide. Bring back the 78's I say ! Shellac was the best by far ! C.M Edited February 19, 2011 by Tweet
geoffcb1503559619 Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Not boring at all, great read.It seems that you and I have reached the same destination, albeit along different roads. I find digital sourced music to be austere and soulless. The only use I have for it is as background "noise". (I'm sure that'll provoke a few cries of disgust!) Over the next day or so my new 2M Black will be getting a fair old beating so should be just about run in by next weekend. You do realise that it's only a matter of time before you starting thinking "What would it sound like if..."? I agree. Welcome to the dark side! Nice tribute to your Grandad.
Gutty Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) Welcome aboard Oak. Time to start scouring the local op shops ;-) And yes, that 2M blue should keep improving for up to around 50 hours IME. Enjoy ! I too was lucky enough it inherit my grandads TT and all his records. Didn't keep the TT as was nothing special and not the one I remember as a kid. But I still have all his old vinyl, 78's, early stereo records, don't listen to them much but it's a joy when I do. Guess I was lucky too in that my grandad gave them to me before he passed. Edited February 19, 2011 by (_*_)
POV Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 ...........Sorry to bore, just thought I would share Not boring at all mate.....a great little read and thanks for sharing. Unfortunately because you haven't provided authenticated (by a suitable regulatory body of course) presidential, empirical, triple blind, ABXXX test reporting your opinion is of no value whatsoever, and should be disregarded. Enjoy the vinyl.
mello yello Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Not boring at all mate.....a great little read and thanks for sharing.Unfortunately because you haven't provided authenticated (by a suitable regulatory body of course) presidential, empirical, triple blind, ABXXX test reporting your opinion is of no value whatsoever, and should be disregarded. Enjoy the vinyl. or the Queensland version ABXXXX thats where they chuck a spit and throw all the results onto Lang Park
mello yello Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Apparently! Sounded fine to me! here comes another 2000 post thread re the benefits and money saving potential of listening to records without a stylus yeah good one Oak I agree great tribute to your Grandad
OakenShield1 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Thanks for all the positive comments guys I can't say I completely agree with you gone_bush, I do enjoy CD's but they are just, well, different. I'm getting a Rega Apollo soon, so hopefully that will make my CD's sound a bit "Soulful" I won't be allowed to upgrade for a while, I've spent a lot of money on my system over the last 12 months, just kind of happened I'd be in big trouble if I committed to much else in the short term!! In my opinion, vinyl sounds better, I thought that made it all official now With regards to no stylus though, honestly, I took a photo of the cartridge and I honestly thought that the bit on the end was the stylus, obviously I was wrong, but to the untrained eye, I thought I could be justified in getting this mixed up surely (Maybe? ) Unfortunately I have run into a bit of trouble, and after a heap of experimenting, I have come to the conclusion that my new cartridge is faulty So I have to send it back to Germany for them to have a look at it ! Could only happen to me. Just quickly, the right channel still isn't working, I unwired the cart, and rewired it properly, and it worked for a while, then stopped again! I was sure I had it right this time. Just to be sure, I swapped the wires over, nope same problem, the right speaker, so that ruled out the wire. I touched the end of the wire and it made a noise in the right speaker, so I knew it was working from there, so that leaves the cartridge itself! (Unless someone else has any ideas... The right channel doesn't work at all now, it went from intermittent to nothing, so I have pulled the cart off and will send it back tomorrow I'm sure it will be at least 2 weeks until I see it again, a bit disappointed, but that's what you get for buying overseas I guess. Here is a pic of my new/old toy when it was working beautifully (Love that record!) I just can't wait to get it back now and just enjoy it... Actually while I am at it, does anyone know what the black thing that goes in the centre of the record actually do (I'm using it in my pic)? I've got no idea, I assume I am right though! The hole fits just perfect And don't talk to me about my messy wires The components are hidden away so it doesn't matter! Oh, and I'll get Grandad's vinyl too, just that Nan is going to get them put on CD first, so could be a while! He LOVED Neil Diamond. I've got some great old baby's to keep me going for now Edited February 20, 2011 by OakenShield
betty boop Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 hi oak, some nice pics of your rig there. the black thing is a 'puck' that some use just as a little bit of weight on the record to keep it down. some tts use them, yours doesnt look it would do anything ? the tt you have looks like a headshell design. means if can get hold of another headshell could set up a couple of cartidges and then a quick swap between them depending on which one you want to give a go re the issues your having. unfortunate if the cartridge ? finding it hard to think that would be it though if you swapped cables around and it was still the right channel that would tend to indicate could be something anywhere in the chain on the right channel. all showing that it stayed in the right channel on swapping cable indicates its not the cable.? if read / interpretted what you said right. i might be confused ! ps looking at your old cartridge there is the stylus there yes, there is usually a tip on it as well, hard to see on yours in the photo ? to say. can take it around any specialist store in your area if want an expert opinion. same with your new cart the guys there am sure wont mind checking out before start sending off to be fixed !
OakenShield1 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Posted February 20, 2011 hi oak,some nice pics of your rig there. Thanks Al the black thing is a 'puck' that some use just as a little bit of weight on the record to keep it down. some tts use them, yours doesnt look it would do anything ? I thought I was on the money with it, I also suspected that was what it was supposed to do, you are right, I don't think it does anything on my turntable the tt you have looks like a headshell design. means if can get hold of another headshell could set up a couple of cartidges and then a quick swap between them depending on which one you want to give a go Interesting observation there, I wouldn't have thought of looking at it that way, you are of course 100% correct and it definitely something I can do - LATER! I assume any headshell will go with it? Definitely worth looking into... re the issues your having. unfortunate if the cartridge ? finding it hard to think that would be it though if you swapped cables around and it was still the right channel that would tend to indicate could be something anywhere in the chain on the right channel. all showing that it stayed in the right channel on swapping cable indicates its not the cable.? if read / interpretted what you said right. i might be confused ! It's not the amp, I hooked up another source to the phono input and both channels worked. I touched the cartridge end of the wire to get the feedback noise and it worked on both channels which means the issue is forward of that = Cart/Stylus. I'm happy to send it back, I won't really get a chance to listen to it next weekend, and with a little luck, I'll have it back the one after, failing that, it's really only one weekend I'll be without it anyway, I didn't have it before, so I can wait a little longer ps looking at your old cartridge there is the stylus there yes, there is usually a tip on it as well, hard to see on yours in the photo ? to say. can take it around any specialist store in your area if want an expert opinion. same with your new cart the guys there am sure wont mind checking out before start sending off to be fixed ! I took it to a specialist to get it all checked out originally, he put the new cartridge on as well, he told me no stylus on the original. That's why I needed a new cart in the first place, can't get stylus for that cartridge anymore, she's a little old! Appreciate your help / comments mate, thanks.
Gutty Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 Actually while I am at it, does anyone know what the black thing that goes in the centre of the record actually do (I'm using it in my pic)? I've got no idea, I assume I am right though! The hole fits just perfect Think you'll find that's actually a 45 adapter. Old 45's from juke boxes etc have a much larger hole in the middle, most older TT's come with an adapter like yours. Old 45 pics I'm guessing it's plastic, hollow and weighs almost nothing ? Record clamps/weights/pucks generally look more like these and are much bigger and heavier.
OakenShield1 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Posted February 20, 2011 Think you'll find that's actually a 45 adapter. Old 45's from juke boxes etc have a much larger hole in the middle, most older TT's come with an adapter like yours.Old 45 pics I'm guessing it's plastic, hollow and weighs almost nothing ? Record clamps/weights/pucks generally look more like these and are much bigger and heavier. You're a legend mate, that's exactly what it is!! It's plastic, hollow, and weighs almost nothing... Now I won't feel so bad leaving it where it belongs
betty boop Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 Think you'll find that's actually a 45 adapter. Old 45's from juke boxes etc have a much larger hole in the middle, most older TT's come with an adapter like yours.Old 45 pics I'm guessing it's plastic, hollow and weighs almost nothing ? Record clamps/weights/pucks generally look more like these and are much bigger and heavier. Bang ! Hit nail on head there. Something to hang onto then oak. Never know might be odd 45 you come across where you'll need this !
gone_bush Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 I can't say I completely agree with you gone_bush, I do enjoy CD's but they are just, well, different. I'm getting a Rega Apollo soon, so hopefully that will make my CD's sound a bit "Soulful" No worries, each to their own. But I will be interested to see what you think of the Apollo as it seems to be very well regarded.
betty boop Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 No worries, each to their own. But I will be interested to see what you think of the Apollo as it seems to be very well regarded. The Apollo has a very nice analog sound to it, so yeah interested what oak thinks. Have a lot of respect of the rega players going all way back to the Original planet.
Gutty Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 You're a legend mate, that's exactly what it is!! It's plastic, hollow, and weighs almost nothing...Now I won't feel so bad leaving it where it belongs No probs mate Good luck with the cart issue, maybe do like Al said and get it checked by your local shop proir to sending it off ? Highly unlikely for a new Ortofon cart to be faulty... but does sound like that's the case from your tests.
dantan Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Note to self: do not be tempted to listen to LP Players.
gone_bush Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Note to self: do not be tempted to listen to LP Players. 'Tis a well known fact that the only way to get rid of temptation is to give into it! But when you do have a listen, make sure it has an audiophile-grade power cord.
dantan Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 'Tis a well known fact that the only way to get rid of temptation is to give into it! But when you do have a listen, make sure it has an audiophile-grade power cord. You are not exactly helping me out here, mate. I always seem to give in to temptation; it seems easier than trying not to be tempted.
Gutty Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Don't be such a wuss Dan... go demo a few TT's Best buy yourself a favourite album on vinyl first though... gotta have some demo material. At the end of the day if you don't buy a TT you can always frame the record and cover, hang it on your wall and think of all that your missing out on...
dantan Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Don't be such a wuss Dan... go demo a few TT's Best buy yourself a favourite album on vinyl first though... gotta have some demo material. At the end of the day if you don't buy a TT you can always frame the record and cover, hang it on your wall and think of all that your missing out on... I think that it wil be difficult to find record albums that I like, due to my choice of Music. Would they have like John Mayer albums on LP? I have got a feeling that if I start listening to some Turntables, the urge will overcome me, and I shall then end up on the dark side.
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