Turntable Problem?

dcarlson · July 2003

I bought Radiohead's new album on vinyl. When I play it, it's way too slow. It's heavier, I think 180g maybe 200g. All other records seem to be fine. I don't think the belt slipping.

Any Ideas?

gidrah · July 2003

Alot of new and rereleased vinyl is 45 rpm.

dcarlson · July 2003

Really?

It is a 12 inch. I haven't used the 45 speed on my TT yet, I'll give it a try at lunch. I hope it works.

RuSsMaN · July 2003

So how many grooves are there on a record? (per side)

dcarlson · July 2003

Ya ya, Tour almost got me with that question once, nice try.

After a little bit of searching, it looks like it's pressed at 45.

Chalk that one up for a lesson in vinyl.

What's the benefit of the 45 pressing? Better quality?

gidrah · July 2003

Yes. Many single albums are now double record sets. It gives more length of the groove to handle the same information. It's often an audible difference too.

dcarlson · July 2003

Cool, keep your fingers crossed for me that the Thorens' 45 speed works.

gidrah · July 2003

If I were you I wouldn't even bother. After all it's a heavy vintage belt drive turntable. If this Thorens company you speak of is so good you'd think they'd build other stuff too. Besides it's not like you can go to Best Buy or Circuit City to look at it sitting by itself between the EQs and dual cassette decks.

On the other hand I have a Pioneer that's direct drive (you won't have to worry about the belt wearing out), fully automatic (I can hit a button and the arm moves up, over and down plays the album and returns to the integrated resting place), and has a pitch control with a way cool strobe light. It's great to speed up the songs. The dustcover does have a cigarette "hot" burn on it. My buddy was twistin' a fatty on it back in '87 and had an accident. But this doesn't effect the sound. But it does 45s great. It even has a "professional" needle. Stanton DJ cartridge (DJ standsfor disc-jockey). It has an S shaped arm with a bunch of numbers at the back. I cranked them up to 10 and it really rocks now. "Lassie Come Home" never sounded better.

If you want to trade, I will. Just make sure to not pack it too tightly as this will only add to the cost. Also, don't insure! That's where they get ya. They act like ya' need it, but it actually costs more.

Sorry to slip, but it got better (to me) as I went along.

Much of this is true. In fact, all but the Lassie and 10 references.

Good luck,
Mark

dcarlson · July 2003

Thanks for the offer, I'll have to pass.

I'm totally happy with Thorens other than a couple bumps in the road getting it going, cart and leads. Truth is, I haven't played any 45s on it yet, let alone even tested the speed.

I set it up last night in my new place after doing a bit of cleaning to it and it sounded fantastic. Soundstage much wider and imaging a little tighter than my Rotel CD player. I was in awe listening to Buffalo Springfield and heard some stuff I've never heard before, that's always cool.

dcarlson · July 2003

Lassie Come Home? What are you referring to?

gidrah · July 2003

An album.

dcarlson · July 2003

Ya, I figured that. Which album? Which band?

gidrah · July 2003

I read where this was a good album so I had a buddy download it for me and burn a copy. It was okay, but not my style.

dcarlson · July 2003

Bingo, Bango, sugar in the gas tank...

My 45 speed works, just a little rubbing from the belt leaver, nothing a bit of tweeking can't fix.

The album takes a little getting used to. I'm a huge Radiohead fan so it didn't take long for me.

Lassie Come Home? Alphaville? Am I right?

Turntable Problem?

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