Vinyl Convert, maybe?

[dcarlson]

I had a chance to setup my buddy's turntable on my system last night. I hadn't heard a record since I was a kid. We listened to Dark Side of the Moon, The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964 - 1971 and Pearl Jam's fan club Christmas singles. It sounded awesome. So warm and natural.

I think I'm going start collecting some LPs of my favorite albums and keep an eye open for a turntable. The only problem is finding places that sell vinyl. There's not much music store variety in my city.

I'm sure there's people here with turntables. Any comments, suggestions?

[HBombToo]

I am clueless but very interested in starting a very small collection of LP's. I have been searching all over the net and am totally confused on what type to buy. It seem that the Technics SL1200M3D is a pretty good start for me. What do ya's think?

I don't want to hyjack your post but it sounds like we have much in common here.

HBomb

[Olanen]

If you are in Toronto there is a store selling Turntables and
LP's at University and Queen very close to Osgode Subway.

I don't remember the store name, like I said really close
to Osgode Subway West of University Avenue.

[dcarlson]

No prob. I'm also clueless when it comes to turntables. I'm gonna start reading.

My buddy picked up Dark Side of the Moon in Berlin back in Sept. when he took it out this weekend, much to his surprise, he found 2 original posters in the sleve. Kick ass.:cool:

[Olanen]

Oh by the way they have Technics SL1200M3D for $748.00
and many different choices though.

[dcarlson]

I'm in Sudbury, I'll keep that in mind next time I'm in T.O.

Thanks.

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by Olanen
Oh by the way they have Technics SL1200M3D for $748.00
and many different choices though.

I have seen them for under $500.00 US but if there is a better way to go I would really appreciate some advice.

I had a record player as a kid but that is a far cry from what most have.

HBomb

[dcarlson]

Olanen, that's Canadian $?

[madmax]

Search the "two channel forum". There is a ton of stuff on this topic from where rlw helped me get into it. There are a lot of links to record stores as well as much info on different types of tables. For a starter check out www.acousticsounds.com for some new LP's.
madmax

[Olanen]

Yes, a Canadian dollars... not bad if you compare for $500U.S.

[dcarlson]

Excellent, will do.

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by madmax001
Search the "two channel forum". There is a ton of stuff on this topic from where rlw helped me get into it. madmax

I have and I'm in information overload. I was just hopeing for a short list to help narrow the field.

Max, you and RLW have given a lot of great info on settup but it is kinda overwhelming if I/We can't experience what were reading... if you catch my drift?

HBomb

[Olanen]

I'm dying to get one myself, also they have the new one the Technics SL1200 M5D same price...

[dcarlson]

Olanen, when I said will do, I meant search the 2 channel forum. Sorry for the confusion. We posted pretty close to the same time there.

[Olanen]

So chuck, if you don't mind what type of tables do you have?
are you using tube amps for 2 channel rig also?

[dthomps]

I have found some killer LP's at my local Salvation Army. No really. Some of the stuff is kinda beat up but once in a while someone goes in there with an armload of Mint stuff and I have scored this way. Best part- all vinyl is a buck a pop. Cant beat that!

[Tour2ma]

If you are serious about vinyl, also invest in a "nitty gritty" or other record cleaning machine. Great for bringing old albums back to life. Among other places, you can find them at:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/categorylisting.asp?hdnCat=Record+Cleaning+Machine s&sel=1&CategoryID=49

Stereophiles' top 100 list has several TT's listed that can give you some guidance. Some are "out there" price-wise, others are reasonable. If you are willing to shop used, there are always good old TT's on ebay. And if you're handy, you can piece together two (or three) "wrecks" and get a damn good one cheap... Here's the Stereoplile link. It's a fun read, too.
http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?709

I have a Thorens TD320 that I am very fond of. Heavy platter, nice suspension, decent tone arm. Also early Dual's, 1229 and earlier, had a lot going for them. I have a 1229 as well.

Next you'll be wanting to know about cartridges (MM vs. MC), phone pre-amps, etc. It's a whole new world... :) and a fun one...

[TroyD]

Funny you guys should mention vinyl. I've been thinking about adding a TT to the rig when I get home.

Anyone have any opinions on Music Hall turntables? I've heard good things about them and they seem reasonably priced (that's the miser in me).

BDT

[hoosier21]

Troy

I had a MMF-7, has a lot nice features, good tone arm and good cartridge, but I was kind of disappointed with the base, I am sure I don't know enough on the subject to really give you expert advise on what it should have been, but it was light weight and the feet were VERY cheap. It was was weird to have this 400.00 cart. ???.00 tone arm, the motor isolated from the base, and then this "cheap like" base and mounting feet, they seemed to not go together, I bought mine cheap and turned it around for what I paided for it easy enough. I would look for an old school TT on the cheap and add a good quality cart.

[madmax]

Originally posted by Olanen
So chuck, if you don't mind what type of tables do you have?
are you using tube amps for 2 channel rig also?

First of all I am not an expert. This is my first table and rlw helped make all the decisions. Given that, I will answer anything I can but be wary of the advice :)

My table is a Michell Gyro Dec with an upgraded high mass platter and upgraded motor power supply. The tone arm I chose was a SME IV. I chose a Goldring 1042 cartridge because it is a MM (moving magnet) design which has a higher output than a MC (moving coil) design which requires a more costly preamp. The preamp I picked was an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A because of it's great reviews and all tube design. Beyond that I got an orbitrac record cleaning system and a Hunt EDA brush to wipe of any debris. The Hunt brush is cool. This system could cost close to $10K but the total ebay prices were around $4K. Of course that includes the preamp which was $1100. This is considered a mid level system. You can obviously do something much cheaper and still achieve great results but you have to hunt out the good deals and pick stuff that works well toghether. From what I've heard a really good table is especially important because most of the better ones help eliminate surface noise. Choosing one with a record clamp seems to be necessary as far as I'm concerned. The MMF series looks like a good way to go but hoosier didn't think much of the base. Decide how much you REALLY want to spend before committing to anything. Remember, it is more of a system than a CD player or other source. It's mechanical.
madmax

[madmax]

Originally posted by HBombToo


I have and I'm in information overload. I was just hopeing for a short list to help narrow the field.

Max, you and RLW have given a lot of great info on settup but it is kinda overwhelming if I/We can't experience what were reading... if you catch my drift?

HBomb

I understand totally because that is where I started out. The best thing to do is start hitting the turntable sites and come up with a list of questions. A good idea of how much you are willing to spend helps too. Just to get you in the ballpark I wouldn't expect to spend less than $600 to $1000 and expect it to outshine your CD player in too many ways.
madmax