Advice for a Vinyl Virgin

Dingo · Jun 19, 2011, 03:54 PM

I am looking to purchase a turntable and was hoping that some Audiophiles on the boards could offer up some advice. I have recently gone through my parents old record collection and now have some amazing old records as well as Circuital on vinyl.

Unfortunately I have no way to play them at the moment... :(

I have been looking around online and came across the Audio Technica ATLP120 which seems to be a good turntable as well as a good value. If anyone has any experience with this particular turntable or can offer up any advice about other brands and models I would love to hear it.

Thanks in advance!

YouAre_GivenToFly · Jun 19, 2011, 11:43 PM

That looks like a good one. I've had their bottom of the line model (AT-PL50) for 6 or 7 years now and have zero complaints.

Hawkeye · Jun 21, 2011, 04:56 PM

I have the same one as GivenToFly and have had no problems. Have had it for about 3 years. I haven't listened to vinyl on more than a few other turntables, so I can't really say I've heard a high end table to know the difference, but I've had a good experience with my Audio Technica. Good starter tables for sure.

Dingo · Jun 21, 2011, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think I am going with the Audio Technica. I continue to hear good things

G_Wil · Jun 25, 2011, 12:10 PM

I have an Audio-Technica AT-LP60. It's my first turntable and I couldn't ask for a better product. Audio-Technica put out quality products and are somewhat inexpensive.

oistheone · Jun 25, 2011, 12:22 PM

I have that exact turntable you're looking to buy. A great starter turntable, indeed! Plus it has a built-in pre-amp, so you can plug it directly in to most receivers.

This turntable is also very easily upgradeable. Over the last few years I've bought a new cartridge, as well as a separate pre-amp, and I've found the sound has improved immensely.

You're going to have a blast with this turntable. Welcome to the world of vinyl!

Dingo · Jun 28, 2011, 05:22 PM

Quote from: oistheone on Jun 25, 2011, 12:22 PM
I have that exact turntable you're looking to buy. A great starter turntable, indeed! Plus it has a built-in pre-amp, so you can plug it directly in to most receivers.

This turntable is also very easily upgradeable. Over the last few years I've bought a new cartridge, as well as a separate pre-amp, and I've found the sound has improved immensely.

You're going to have a blast with this turntable. Welcome to the world of vinyl!

Awesome! I've got it coming in the mail tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

G_Wil · Jul 05, 2011, 07:23 PM

Hey I was wondering if anyone knew where a good place to find the cheapest replacement needles?

darkglow · Jul 18, 2011, 08:44 PM

woot!

just scored one of these babies from the guy who owns a record store down the street.. and he scratched off 20 dollars "store credit" if i come and trade in my extra copies of the Circuital LP

Tehnics SL1700 Direct Drive Automatic Turntable Demo
http://images.shiply.com/uploads/494747_big
t's a Technics-made 6601 direct drive from the MCS series. Good working Japanese made Audio Technica AT92E stylus/cartridge. The one on ebay sold for $160 with shipping.

got mine for 80 bucks + 20 dollars store cred if i drop by the those records tomorrow

darkglow · Jul 18, 2011, 09:01 PM

this thing is a little too complex for a beginner but i couldnt resist the bargain.. and i guess it will pay off in the long run to go ahead and get a good table.. i'll try to find some kind of cheap pre-amp in a thrift store or a secondhand shop.. and just plug the RCA out to the back of my bose reciever.. should make a pretty decent living room set up

johnnYYac · Jul 20, 2011, 09:43 AM

So, you find a great deal on a great album, bring it home, and right out of the sleeve hear pops, static, and/or skips. Before returning the disc, any advice?

Brand new Tenn. Fire colored vinyl has two skips on side two of the first disc.

Brand new Choc. and Ice, blue pic disc, seems to have residue from the plastic sleeve causing static sound.

Curious about cleaning discs or other measures to avoid returning them. Thanks.

searchinbig · Jul 20, 2011, 12:18 PM

Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 20, 2011, 09:43 AM
So, you find a great deal on a great album, bring it home, and right out of the sleeve hear pops, static, and/or skips. Before returning the disc, any advice?

Brand new Tenn. Fire colored vinyl has two skips on side two of the first disc.

Brand new Choc. and Ice, blue pic disc, seems to have residue from the plastic sleeve causing static sound.

Curious about cleaning discs or other measures to avoid returning them. Thanks.

John,

I posted this in the MMJ vinyl thread. I'm beginning to think this is the nature of the beast. Here's what I posted:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey you vinyl junkies.....have a question. I now have heard three different copies if Circuital and really don't think this record sounds that great. Not the recorded quality of the music and of course not the music itself but the pressing . The green vinyl seems to have a lot of static and cracks and pops. Did any of you folks experience this? I have tons of vinyl and virgin vinyl sounds awesome when you first play it. I wonder if the colored vinyl makes a difference.
I have other colored vinyl that sounds great. What do you guys think?? "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe it is colored vinyl, although I do have plenty of other colored vinyl that sounds great. I was looking for some other opinions as well.

As far as cleaning I still have my Discwasher from when I was about seventeen years old.
Still works great.

Here's a great resource for cleaning your records.http://wax.fm/care_and_feeding_of_vinyl_records/

I have tried this and it works excellent and costs virtually nothing. I do not use the alcohol, just plain distilled water.

Oh yeah one other thing...I have the MMJ Owl anti static slipmat, but I no longer see it in the store. It looks extremely cool spinning around.

:) Welcome to your new addiction!!! :)

headhunter · Jul 20, 2011, 12:51 PM

Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 20, 2011, 09:43 AM
So, you find a great deal on a great album, bring it home, and right out of the sleeve hear pops, static, and/or skips. Before returning the disc, any advice?

Brand new Tenn. Fire colored vinyl has two skips on side two of the first disc.

Brand new Choc. and Ice, blue pic disc, seems to have residue from the plastic sleeve causing static sound.

Curious about cleaning discs or other measures to avoid returning them. Thanks.

Sorry about your problems John. Oftentimes i find that colored vinyl is nosier than traditional black vinyl but it does look so much cooler. you would think that new records would be silent but sometimes they are noisiest right out of the sleeve. Those sleeves pick up alot of static and sometimes also get "dirt" from poor pressing plants. I always use an anti-static brush prior to any vinyl spinning although I also sometimes use a VPI record cleaner (can be pricey), simply cleaning a record with some distilled water can help alot.
I highly recommend this anti-static brush http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/37213/AcousTech-Anti-Static_Record_Brush-Record_Cleaner

This vinyl cleaner is also really good. http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/16042/Disc_Doctor-Quick_Wash_No-Rinse_Vinyl_Cleaning_Solution-Record_Cleaner.

Sometimes cleaning (carefully) the cartridge also helps. There are plenty of ways to do this (affordably). PM me if you have any specific questions I can help with. If I'm luck enough to see you later this summer or fall, I'll bring you some supplies. I have a few extra goodies that might be helpful.

Crispy · Jul 20, 2011, 01:38 PM

Dammit, I am missing my turntable so much. I foolishly boxed it up in preparation for sending it away to be refurbished, and then decided not to when the guy refused to return communications. Now I can't find anyone to do the job, and I'm unwilling to get it back out of the box and set it back up. ARRGH >:(

Good info HH. I still can't decide whether the colored vinyl is the issue with questionable sounding records or master recordings themselves. I think the Circuital green vinyl sounds great, but then, it's been a while.

headhunter · Jul 20, 2011, 03:20 PM

Crispy- what kind of TT do you have again?

I have lots of cool colored and clear vinyl that sounds quite as can be (new ones by lucinda williams and hayes carll are on clear vinyl) and i enjoy the non-standard stuff just for the fun of it. Noisy vinyl that can't be cleaned is annoying (and thankfully not too common) but the shear fun of record collecting and the vastly better sound of vinyl compared to cds (not to mention all the cool stuff inside ie, liner notes, extra goodies) makes the listening and record collecting as a hobby so much better than the shiny silver discs.

By the way, anybody get the new Eddie Vedder Ukulele Songs on vinyl yet? Holy shit, what a package this one is. So many goodies inside and breathtaking sound. His Into The Wild LP is also magnificent.

Crispy · Jul 20, 2011, 03:50 PM

My TT is a Marantz 6300, It works fine, but could use some TLC (bad tonearm damper and pitch adjustment pot). There's nobody local, but I found this place, and he replied to my first query, but now he won't respond to emails or phone calls and I'm not about to send my baby away to him anymore.

If you know of a shop that could help me, I'd love to hear about it.

headhunter · Jul 20, 2011, 04:39 PM

This guy has a very good reputation
http://www.needledoctor.com/'

and some of the big mail order companys like acoustic sounds can help but it sometimes costs more to ship and fix than would be worth it.

Do you ever go to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver usually held in October?
http://audiofest.net/2011/index.php
You could probably also get help there.

And if you haven't already checked out this forum, here is a great place to get answers to all things vinyl and TT. http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/bbs.html

Crispy · Jul 20, 2011, 05:17 PM

Thanks, brother!

Also, darkster, nice purchase!

johnnYYac · Jul 20, 2011, 11:10 PM

Appreciate the feedback. Record brush and cleaner on order. I think the needle/cartridge is fine. The thing is brand new. And I'm listening to the Evil Urges picture disc right now and it sounds fantastic!

I've accelerated my MMJ collection. In the past few weeks...

It Still Moves, Z, and Evil Urges picture discs, all 3 for under $100 (incl. shipping)
Acoustic Citsuoca (black vinyl)
Off The Record/How Could I Know 7"
Okonokos
The Tennessee Fire (green/blue)
At Dawn (blue/green)
Chocolate and Ice (blue)
Celebracion De La Ciudad Natal
Yim Yames - Tribute To

And, of course

Circuital (green) - unwarped originals and free replacement set
Circuital 12"
All Birds Say (C. Broemel)

headhunter · Jul 21, 2011, 08:52 AM

Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 20, 2011, 11:10 PM
Appreciate the feedback. Record brush and cleaner on order. I think the needle/cartridge is fine. The thing is brand new. And I'm listening to the Evil Urges picture disc right now and it sounds fantastic!

I've accelerated my MMJ collection. In the past few weeks...

It Still Moves, Z, and Evil Urges picture discs, all 3 for under $100 (incl. shipping)
Acoustic Citsuoca (black vinyl)
Off The Record/How Could I Know 7"
Okonokos
The Tennessee Fire (green/blue)
At Dawn (red/gold)
Chocolate and Ice (blue)
Celebracion De La Ciudad Natal
Yim Yames - Tribute To

And, of course

Circuital (green) - unwarped originals and free replacement set
Circuital 12"

Ain't addiction great! Congrats on your growing collection Mr. Yac