uh oh

gudnoyez

chumlie wrote: »

You may want to hold off till you get back home. Transporting all that gear and records too, is gonna be a pain.

The navy will.ship his house hold goods for him at a reasonable price it takes a while but costs him little to nothing. I remember everyone I was stationed with in Germany bought massive Stereos and stuff even BMW Audis, Mercedes, you name it. It's one of the perks of serving our country.

Take advantage of it young man and thanks for serving.

chumlie

Enjoy then !!!

[Deleted User]

Hey Mark,
On your first photo that looks like a Crystal Clear direct-to-disk recording on the Technics.
Cheers, Ken

mhardy6647

Annapolis' own... the late Charlie Byrd :- )

msg

woh, holy crap, I thought I was third on my original post, but this thread got a s-ton of traffic in the time I was writing it! well done SBR!

gudnoyez wrote: »

msg wrote: »

I was seduced by Vinyl sometime last summer. That gold digging... nevermind.

It was definitely chill and relaxing, and made for a nice musical atmosphere. I really enjoyed this aspect, but in the end I made myself return the tt, because, talk about rabbit holes? Switching to vinyl is a HUGE one!

Here's what I discovered:
1. Buy a tt from a place you can return it within 30 days - like Amazon, yes - and keep all the boxes and packing materials
2. Buy just a few of your favorite albums just to see how you like it first. I had only 5 or 6, and those cost me about $350
(and then, you might become a vinyl snob real quick, and find that you want everything on double LP and/or 180g.)

5 or 6 albums for $350? Where you buying them at pretty pricey indeed
I can go to the record store down the road here and get 35-40 in mint condition, for $350, the best part is I can spend hours going through the bins looking at all that vinyl goodness.

I wish I could get stuff like that at my local record shops, but they don't carry much of what I like. it seems mostly really common, yard sale stuff, not particularly good condition, or just stuff I have no interest in. occasionally, in the short while I was in it, I found a few albums locally that I wanted. I had to get a couple off of Ebay. prob not the best place, and maybe I could have researched some other shops or other outlets to try to find stuff cheaper, but I didn't know where else to look. I had a new tt and NO records at all at the time (brother nabbed all the stuff I'd collected as a kid), and it was mostly rare, out of print stuff I was after, obviously, as is the case with a lot of records? In this case it was the first releases from The Verve and The Stone Roses that really set me back. next was a local Luna live album, 4 bonus tracks available ONLY on the vinyl version. I found that one locally, but it cost $50 - I found a couple of listings on Ebay at that time for around $100. Those three albums alone cost me around $200 to acquire. this is what I was faced with. I do like that vinyl purchases these days do seem to come with digital download rights, but it's too expensive and impractical for me under these acquisition conditions for my listening habits and variety.

the lesson here? if one wants to get into vinyl, perhaps consider the added cost of having to move to a place that has good record shops nearby that affordably offer the stuff you're after?

seabeerob213

Going home to Seattle on leave should be a good place too look, lol. Looking around that site for others, this one caught my eye http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP300F-with-2M-Blue?sc=2&category=348, mind you I'm unaware of the who's who of TT still. I know project are solid entry level, and thorens are nicer pricy ones. Rega makes good stuff too right, a price point above the project, but not crazy expensive, right.

Thank you guys so much for all the help, truly love this forum and respect you guys a lot, even if I can be a dumb, cheeky kid at times, or speak out turn. I generally try to mean well.

msg

seabeerob213 wrote: »

Going home to Seattle on leave should be a good place too look, lol. Looking around that site for others, this one caught my eye http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP300F-with-2M-Blue?sc=2&category=348, mind you I'm unaware of the who's who of TT still. I know project are solid entry level, and thorens are nicer pricy ones. Rega makes good stuff too right, a price point above the project, but not crazy expensive.

I like what @mhardy said earlier in the thread about not getting obsessive about tt's and said he likes his old Technics DD even in comparison to some of his higher end stuff

if you want to buy new, you might also look at the Audio-Technica stuff - Technics clones, apparently. their stuff was recommended to me when I was looking. can't speak to long term reliability, performance, or audio signature, but I had the LP-120 for about a month and I liked it, except for the hardwired output cables
here's the line-up: http://bit.ly/1LIeHzF

seabeerob213

Hard wired output? Sounds like its waiting for someone to pop it open and put the most BA cable they have there. Checking that link out...

seabeerob213

I have their most recent catalog sitting at arm's reach eight now, but can't understand that moonspeak its written in. Its up for grabs if anyone wants it, should a grabbed more. Some nice looking cables and stuff in there.

dromunds

mhardy makes some good points. I was a record reviewer in college and had a sweet vinyl collection. Went back to school about ten years later and sold my gear as I was a starving student, but always kept my vinyl collection. Back in the day, we LISTENED to music, sat in a chair and paid attention to the music and nothing else. When I got back into vinyl in the early 90's, I was annoyed at having to flip the album every 20 minutes, etc. But then I started to actually enjoy it, and remembered that actually listening to the music was my ideal, not convenience. Concentrating your attention is meditative and vinyl has a warmth that is lacking in other genres. I'd probably wait until you got back to the states and keep researching your options. mhardy's suggestion on Technics TT's is worth thinking hard about, many have the auto return option that you won't get on a new TT, and although its not a huge deal its a nice feature (although you can get an after-market device that will lift the arm at the end.) The cart is important and there are some good suggestions given here. The Shure M97XE is a pretty decent cart that can be had for a song these days. I still use a Diskwasher to wipe my vinyl, the same thing I used in the 70s. Probably should get a RCM, its on the list. If your amp/receiver does not have an internal phono amplifier, you'll need to get an external phono preamp. Not a big deal, plugs in between your TT and your preamp/receiver. Somebody suggested a vintage Yamaha CR-2020 receiver somewhere recently and those vintage Yamahas had pretty good internal phono amps and can be acquired for a reasonable price. But an external phono pre doesn't have to cost a ton either. I buy new vinyl all the time, as well as used. I bought a used Pro-ject TT on the forum some time ago for a friend and he likes it alot. People say the acrylic platter is a good upgrade. You will eventually need to adjust a cartridge and the weight on the tonearm but that's also not a big deal. I'd be patient and perhaps something will come up on the forum that'll suit you. Buying from a Polk forum member would be preferable. But like mhardy says, shipping a used TT is not generally a good idea.

scottyboy76

I will be glad to donate some duplicate lps to add to your collection.

I say go for it, you are young, and vinyl rules, at least for now, having bought a mhdt dac, and still trying to figure out how to download usb audio pro and get google music settled in properly.

if I can give one old mans advice, do it now or forget it, I have lugged my lps around for forty years, and have bought 180 gram rmastred recording lps.

It is enchanting, and like no other audio source.

Whatever route you choose, whether older TTs that need sprucing up, or newer Ts, go for it. In ten years you will not regret it, and invst in a good lp cleaner, whther an expensive auto unit, or a simple do it yourself turn and clean unit.

BTW, as the budget permits, buy a nice phono preamp, and maybe a better cart than the one it comes with, they make a huge diff.

I bought a rega rp1 with the upgrade package with a better cart, better belt, and a felt mat, not sure if it was worth it as I never heard the standard package.

If you want to make this an old mans hobby, searching thrift store records, as well as buying 180 gram high quality lps that you love, its a blast.

Always level your tt perfectly, and clean yourlps, and clean the stylus regularly.

I know it sounds like a lot, but I urge you to take the plunge.

good luck

sad

[Deleted User]

"If you want to make this an old mans hobby, searching thrift store records, as well as buying 180 gram high quality lps that you love, its a blast."

Forget me if I mentioned this in another thread...
I was in the local CD Exchange which is mostly divided by games, movies, CD
in rows with the LPs in the back of the store.
I was perusing the CD isle and looked to my left... 4 other gray beards and that was it
on a busy Saturday.

I was in another vinyl only store and a (young couple) guy was with his date and she was pulling out vinyl she liked that was 30-40 years old talk about the bands to the guy. She new what she was talking about!

one final vinyl thought, I just picked up a Cab Calloway LP released in 1945 in good shape from the dollar section. Vinyl will be around longer than I.

seabeerob213

Been watching YouTube bids and watching reviews, I may not be opposed to second hand if it comes up from a well seasoned polkie, and Scottie, I would be more than happy to compensate you for that, the DC USB and the carbon espirit are on my radar, as well as the uturn, as a way to get my feet wet, but I have a feeling I would be looking to upgrade to "bigger and better things" too quickly afterwards. Thank you guys again for all the input. I will take this plunge, and what's sad? Also, hurts my heart at work when only the old guys and the guys from Texas know good music. A guy who says he's all about rap didn't know run DMC or nwa, wtf? He should have at least heard of them, especially knowing who ice cube and Rev run are. Any rock and songs aren't even recognized, not zz top, or the stones, or the Beatles, orseger, or I should just stop before it starts bugging me again. He's from settle by the way.

voltz

And don't forget about record cleaning too, I always clean my new records as well as the older ones I buy then put them into anew rice paper or good sleeve. the hardest thing for me was to fork over near $700 for a VPI 16.5 record cleaner, but it was worth every penny once you have a lot of Vinyl.

but Tony is not kidding when he warned you about Vinyl is going to cost you $$$ down the road....started with the debut carbon...added a acrylic platter.. then a speedbox ..then a replace a cheaper phono amp with a better one, and so on and on... and thats not talking about buying vinyl

tonyb

dromunds wrote: »

mhardy makes some good points. I was a record reviewer in college and had a sweet vinyl collection. Went back to school about ten years later and sold my gear as I was a starving student, but always kept my vinyl collection. Back in the day, we LISTENED to music, sat in a chair and paid attention to the music and nothing else.

Amen to that bro....and that's the difference. Today, it's all about convenience. Nobody has time to sit and really listen, unobstructed. Unless your retired and the kids gone, which is why all the grey beards get back into it.

I'm just hoping the paths of sound quality and convenience someday cross while I'm above ground to take advantage. I do think digital is heading in the right direction though.

jeremymarcinko

I try to spend a couple of hours listening every night after everyone goes to bed. Being a stay at home father of three and full time student it is very therapeutic for me to have this time to just chill. Being that all of the bed rooms are on the second story and my setup is in the basement, I can listen at decent db level without waking the family. I think the kids have pretty much got use to the sound of the music and movies over the years.

dromunds

Yeah, I also try to make time to spend a few hours each evening just listening to music. It doesn't always work out that way, but often we allow our lives to become hectic. It IS therapeutic to just sit and chill and listen. It's ironic, but when I got back into vinyl, I also began to realize that I could try to do something about all this busy-busy that's become so ubiquitous. Its good to have more of a balance.

tonyb

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

I think the kids have pretty much got use to the sound of the music and movies over the years.

That's why they put in their ear buds at bed time. Dads's playing his old **** music again. lol

Back in the day though, I used to think the same when my grandparents would sit and relax, listen to an old console radio, no TV. The Beatles, Stones, and the likes never graced their radio.

Back then, and even today, music eventually becomes a relaxing thing, a stress reliever rather than just some background noise. Was a useful tool then and it still is. However there are still times music wants to bring out the rebel in you and make you dance around the room...naked. Don't visualize that either.lol

msg

I was gonna click the like and/or agree buttons until that list bit there, Tony, haha
I just didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea lol

jeremymarcinko

tonyb wrote: »

Don't visualize that either.lol

Yeah, that's like saying "don't think about purple elephants" it kinda forces you, at least for a second. So thanks for that...geesh!

[Deleted User]

I forgot to mention that I'm going to try anti-static gloves.

pongshi

tonyb wrote: »

That's why they put in their ear buds at bed time. Dads's playing his old **** music again. lol

It's kind of weird in my house. When I grew up I was huge metalhead and my mom was always telling me to turn my music down. Now my teenage son and my wife are always telling me to turn my music down. Somehow, I thought I would be telling my son that, but he's a lightweight. He thinks it's weird to have a 50 plus year old dad playing air guitar....but I just laugh and complete my solo on the tennis racket broom or his electric guitar which he always snatches back from me.

voltz

I 53 and play air guitar at work all the time when I pick up another part...one of the gals at work told me she thought I was crazy at 1st cause she always saw me talking to myself, until she realized I was trying to sing.
not my fault I can't carry a tune...it was my mothers fault

pongshi

Voltz, I think we were separated at birth...

voltz

LOL good to meet ya brother

My dad had a full head of hair and I'm bald pretty bad...I use to ask him if he was really me dad LOL! Think mom must have had some fun along the way

[Deleted User]

does this mean your dad can sing?
My dad said I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket ending my career as
a stand in for Robert Plant.
what was the subject?
oh listening to Tucky Buzzard vinyl on the Dynacos and singing
along as the wifey is out!

voltz wrote: »

I 53 and play air guitar at work all the time when I pick up another part...one of the gals at work told me she thought I was crazy at 1st cause she always saw me talking to myself, until she realized I was trying to sing.
not my fault I can't carry a tune...it was my mothers fault

dromunds

Keep up the good work nbrowser!

voltz

Vinyl is so therapeutic! I enjoy the relaxing effect of cleaning and playing vinyl records and I have no problems flipping vinyl. And it makes you play the whole side and not just a few tracks. You know you have a great LP when you don't mind listen to all the songs.

The other day I listen to "The Wall" for the 1st time on my better 2 channel setup on vinyl and loved it... I don't remember it sounding that good. then again I had only heard it on lesser systems.

dromunds

Too bad you couldn't snag that Technics TT that Rick's selling on the FS that would be a real nice TT set up for a very reasonable price, semi-auto, good cart. That's the kind of thing I was talking about, it'll come up again from time to time. Be patient.