Turntable advice

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

  1. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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  2. xLn

    xLn Acquaintance

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    I called multiple vpi vendors and all of them had a different opinion on the tables, pretty miserable shopping experience. Ended up going with a project rpm 10 carbon with a pretty substantial discount.
     
  3. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    So I began with a OM5e cartridge and stylus for my Orbit. Bought a Super OM cartridge with OM30 stylus (equivalent to a 2M Blue? say people online) and slapped on that stylus onto my previous OM cartridge (stylus are swappable).

    Noticed a lot of improvements, but leaves me wondering if it's worth going through the trouble of installing the Super OM cartridge body onto the tonearm. Reading everything I could online, but can't get a clear consensus. Many say minor improvements, while a small minority say a large upgrade. Honestly, I'm just afraid of messing up the alignment and never getting it right again haha.

    Does anyone have experience with swapping out the stylus versus swapping the cartridge body? (Generally speaking, share experiences with any cartridge/stylus)
     
  4. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    There's nothing wrong with any of the bodies that the OM styluses will fit, including the integrated DJ bodies. They're all high quality but the Super OM and 2M Bronze/Black bodies are best and will sound marginally better. Deciding weather or not it's worth to install the other body is just a question of how much you value your time.

    edit: Also, the OM30 is equivilent to the 2M Bronze, not the blue.
     
  5. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    Even better! Just made a phono upgrade, I'll swap the bodies once the upgrade itch comes back.
     
  6. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    The om30 is actually comparable to but not same sounding to the bronze... I couldn't dig the bronze but the om30 super is ok in my book.

    I use the om30 super on a sl1210 and it's a decent pair. The om30 likes a lightweight arm/high compiance, the technics is just shy of that though.
     
  7. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Has anyone experienced with Grace G727 straight tonearm? I am thinking to get either Grace G727 or Rega RB250 modified by Audio Origami on Thorens TD160 and not sure which one would be better choice.... If anyone has any idea, please share your wisdom. My ear is yours.. :)
     
  8. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Been reading sparingly here and other threads a bit on TTs, and is the rough consensus that a U-Turn is a solid entry level table to get started?

    Budget is likely to be $800-$1000 for table and phono pre, and I’m not opposed to buying used.

    Thoughts?
     
  9. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    Keep saving and/or wait for Sol.
     
  10. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    I know Marv likes the U-turn as an entry level TT. The Sol might be worth a wait. Vinyl today can be a major investment. I’ve considered getting back into vinyl, but having spent more than half my life with the format, despite sound quality, I am hesitate to go back. It’s a commitment to a lot more work and money.
     
  11. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    I'd wait for Sol too. Keep in mind that the price is going to be between $600-1200, without cartridge, and without a phono. Plus we're not sure when it'll be released.

    If you really have the itch, you can easily find a used orbit with cart for around $200, and grab a nighthawk for about $500.
     
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    This guy says Music Hall is the best starter turntable

    https://www.theobjectiveturntable.com/MusicHallMMF2P2.html
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2018
  13. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    You really need to figure out what you are trying to get out of it. I think the strategy will be different if you are considering moving up in the future. I wouldn't consider spending $500 out of my budget for a phono stage if you are looking to keep an $1k setup for the long term. I think that would be overkill for those purposes.

    I bought the mofi studio phono for my soon to be turntable setup. At $250 I have high hopes it will provide good value. Another option is the Cambridge CP1. If it were me I would get either of those phono stages with a u-turn or debut carbon and a 2m blue.

    If you want to jump up a little in price you can start to find some better deals on higher end decks. I keep seeing stuff like VPI Scout, HW19, Nottingham Interspace, Clearaudio Concept pop up for around $800-$1000. Any of those tables with the aforementioned phonostages will probably be a pretty good jump up from an u-turn for a couple hundred bucks more.
     
  14. ohmaigulay

    ohmaigulay Friend

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    I can vouch for the U-turn. I picked up an Orbit Plus with Grado cart second hand for $150.

    Found out later on it had a bent motor shaft, emailed u-Turn to ask for pricing on replacement. They sent me new motor and belt free of charge along with detailed instructions/video on how to replace it. Their service has been top notch.

    That being said I’ve visited the Schiitr and the Sol sounds amazing. I’d wait for the Sol if you can wait. But if not a U-Turn with a Nighthawk at used prices is definitely a great value.
     
  15. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    @Stapsy
    Ideally I’d be looking for a rig that would be used as a secondary playback mechanism to my DAC. Something that has a decent table and a well-paired cart and phono; money spent where appropriate: 50-60% table, 20-30% cart, 20-30% phono, or whatever split is actually advised given the budget.

    I doubt I'd need more though considering the majority of the music I'm listening to is newer, and would most likely be a digital rip to vinyl, effectively nulling the the appeal. So, it would mostly be older jazz, classic rock, soul and blues that I'd dig up and and listen to occasionally.

    This would be the overall goal and strategy. :)

    ****

    Yeah, the level of commitment is a factor, but as I don’t have any money tied into any other physical media, I have a flexibility some lack. Also, as I stated above, it would be for occasional listening. That said, I am wary of “what’s in store” and would prefer to ease into it, with a modest budget ( of course relative) without buying crap.

    From my Schiit experience, the Sol will likely be a solid contender for anyone looking for a price/performance table. Great suggestion, thank you.

    More research, more listening and a “6-9 month wait" may pay dividends.

    Thanks y’all.
     
  16. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    The biggest issue I see with the u-turn or project, is that once you add a decent cart and an acrylic platter, you are getting into the range where used becomes a better value proposition. Given your goals, I would either go with a basic u-turn setup for under $500 or save a little more and try to find a nice used deal on a higher end table. At least when you buy used you can sell it on with a minimal loss if you decide vinyl is not for you.
     
  17. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    Agree that used is a worthwhile consideration. I always suggest a VPI Scout or Scout 1.1 w/ JMW 9 arm as @Stapsy says, then save up for a used SDS. You will not lose any money if you eventually upgrade, though you certainly won't need to. Lots of choices out there though.
     
  18. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    There is some weird black gunk inside my Grado ZC+ Cartridge. Any idea what this could be?
    I was checking it out to see if I could replace the needle, but there is this weird black gunk everywhere, even over these contact points.
    What do you think, should I get a needle, or just a whole new cartridge?

    Inside cartridge:
    [​IMG]


    Back of needle:
    [​IMG]
     
  19. nonamodnar

    nonamodnar Friend

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    I'm having a little trouble with my mono cart AT-MONO3/LP and I'm looking for some insights from the vinyl gurus.

    Current deck: VPI Classic Signature, AT-MONO3/LP cart with 3D printed tonearm (2nd gen I think, with separate fingerlift).
    Problem: At around 1-1.5 inches from the record label edge, the mono cart starts skipping outwards roughly every 3 seconds
    Things I've tried: increased tracking forces to near the upper limits, adjusting the antiskate, making sure the platter is level, and the records I've tried went through an ultrasonic cleaning and visibly I didn't see any debris on the surface.

    The cart tracks just fine on the outer records until the last or second to last songs. I have the Soundsmith Zephyr 3 + metal arm and encounter no troubles with the table itself.
     
  20. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    Approx. how far to the outside does it 'skip'? Has this been happening since you mounted cart to arm, or begin later? Are you using the string antiskate or the "twisted wire"?
     

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