Just bought my first turntable!
Comments
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Hey Mikey, so how are you enjoying this turntable now that you've, presumably, had some time on it?
let us know where you are with it. I'm interested to hear whether you fixed that damping issue, which cables, and whether you've changed the cartridge.I disabled signatures. -
Hey Mikey, so how are you enjoying this turntable now that you've, presumably, had some time on it?
let us know where you are with it. I'm interested to hear whether you fixed that damping issue, which cables, and whether you've changed the cartridge.
I'm really enjoying it after several tweaks. Started off really loving this table out of the box. Using the on board phono stage. But after several months of use I was finding the music to be quite flat, lifeless, and boring. Time to start upgrading.
My plan was to purchase an ortofon 2m blue off a friend, who bailed out on the deal and kept it. So no biggie. Ended up going with a zphono from skip, which helped tremendously.
Turns out one of the local mom and pop stores sell this table and had some experience upgrading the cartridge and mm pre amp. I was able to listen in store which was nice. Bought a sound smith mmp3 and a nagaoka mp-110. They also lent me some Nordost blue heaven interconnects to get everything hooked up. I am super impressed with these upgrades, I only have about 20 hours on everything but I feel as though I am getting close to cd quality with this set up.
Also did isolation upgrades as per this thread
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/170558/diy-tt-isolation#latest
This will be all I will do with this table, and will probably end up upgrading it In a year or so, but as of now I have it sounding really good! I had an in store credit so in reality this table cost me about 50 bucks.
then some more for upgrades which was well worth it. 2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
2016 will be the year I stick my toes back into the vinyl water.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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2016 will be the year I stick my toes back into the vinyl water.
Men we've got a mixed metaphor situation on our hands, and it's not a pretty sight...
;- )
(sorry, couldn't resist -- actually it's a great one, even if it made my brain explode like the "Mars Attacks" bad guys' did) -
Hey Mikey good luck w/ the vinyl spinner. I also got back into LPs and when you get clean albums it's great not to mention the cover art. A few years ago they had a list of the worst that one could do w/ a turn table. People listed this and that and they missed the 2 most notable no=nos. 1st was w/ my drop top Zenith suitcase tt and I had the best anti skating device ever invented,scotch taping a penny to the head shell. The 2nd was when I graduated to my Dual 1225 and was high spindle stacking. I figured if the machine could do it then let it, not to mention the mushing of the platters and the strain on tt itself. This is the way back machine just don't do it . lol lol Good luck.2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E
H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-
Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc -
leftwinger57 wrote: »Hey Mikey good luck w/ the vinyl spinner. I also got back into LPs and when you get clean albums it's great not to mention the cover art. A few years ago they had a list of the worst that one could do w/ a turn table. People listed this and that and they missed the 2 most notable no=nos. 1st was w/ my drop top Zenith suitcase tt and I had the best anti skating device ever invented,scotch taping a penny to the head shell. The 2nd was when I graduated to my Dual 1225 and was high spindle stacking. I figured if the machine could do it then let it, not to mention the mushing of the platters and the strain on tt itself. This is the way back machine just don't do it . lol lol Good luck.
I've got a lot of great sounding records and some not so great. A lot of the new stuff sounds really good. I'm not TT crazy at this point, I love my digital music, it's easy and sounds more dynamic, but I'm sure the cost of my player etc. has something to to with this. For now though, as entry level it sounds very good. Now I have to find out how to deal with this dam static.2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
static? You need alpha particles, and plenty of them! :- )
http://www.needledoctor.com/Milty-Zerostat-Gun
actually I am not sure if that's the way the Zerostat could (a strip of radioactive alpha-emitter)... but it could.
We used to use one in the lab in the wintertime to make it possible to weigh light, fluffy reagents -- which would otherwise just stick to the weighing spatula or jump up onto the glass housing of the balance! -
I enjoy vinyl, quite a lot, but so far... I don't know. I think digital is overall better in terms of sound quality. Vinyl is more fun to go buy, look at, play, and own.afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
I enjoy vinyl, quite a lot, but so far... I don't know. I think digital is overall better in terms of sound quality. Vinyl is more fun to go buy, look at, play, and own.
I agree 100%. I have a bit of a blu Ray problem. So vinyl falls in nicely. I like physical copies.2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
wow, Mikey, sounds like you've really gotten into it. nice! I really like this table from what I've seen so far. haven't decided on one yet. looking for something moderately stylish, and, of course something that sounds good and something I can tweak. I think if I get back into it it will be more for the atmosphere vinyl offers, and will only have it for my favorite albums. I think I may shop old blues, folk and chick jazz singery stuff. everything else I see myself sticking with digital. vinyl for me is going to be about mood and chill time.
I laughed a little when you said you're getting close to cd quality - I thought to myself at the time, "is that a good thing?" hehe
cool to hear you've got some good local support.
I can see wanting to go with a dedicated phono pre, as well.
I tried the AT LP120 last. it was nice, but nothing special, so I moved it. I'd say it was along the lines of what you describe about being lifeless. of course, this was also before I got into cables. that table didn't have jacks, though, so it wouldn't have mattered.
wow that static issue - never heard of that happening! my last foray was during the summertime humidity, though, so... Interesting.
One thing I do need is a table that I'll be able to clamp and put a ring on, or whatever those outside weight things are called. one of my best records is warped.
yeah, along these lines I think vinyl will have its place, at least for me. some of that is due to the fact that I haven't been collecting all along the way, and I'm finding it almost prohibitively expensive to obtain some of my favorite albums which are out of print. and again, vinyl is to me more about mood and atmosphere, and digital wins out for me in terms of access and convenience.I enjoy vinyl, quite a lot, but so far... I don't know. I think digital is overall better in terms of sound quality. Vinyl is more fun to go buy, look at, play, and own.
I've also heard that if you buy any albums after around 1990, then you are probably buying stuff that is pressed from digital recording, not analog all the way through like it used to be? is this true?I disabled signatures. -
Close to cd quality yes. But if you Listen to digital, get accustomed to it, then switch back to vinyl you can tell immediately the "anolog sound".
It's super dry here in Calgary, and at an altitude of over 3000 feet. I get static shocks all the time. I ground myself before touching my gear lol.
I definitely only buy favorite albums, as vinyl is getting ridiculously expensive these days.
I want that static gun...2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
re: vinyl/digital, I was meaning that I thought vinyl was supposed to have more warmth, body and soul - that analog sound. I get the impression you gotta get into it more, like you're doing, to get that experience. at any rate, that table you got is easy on the eyes. I'd enjoy having a piece like that in a system.
I know. me too. just to have. I'd carry it all the time. probably wave it around in traffic.I want that static gun...I disabled signatures. -
I picked up this TT weight recently:
http://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Lab-Record-Weight-Black/dp/B016L5UJJO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450333900&sr=8-1&keywords=turntable+lab+record+weight
This is one of the best vinyl upgrades I have made yet. Much tighter and focused soundstage. I really expected it to do nothing, but it delivered!
As soon as my 2ch system is back up and running, MORE TESTS!! -
Nice looking table! You can go back and forth with investment in either format to make it better. You can also tailor your analog sound from very smooth, relaxed and warm to highly dynamic, transparent and accurate.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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I have that same table, but got the natural. Love it, and a nice upgrade over the 80's era Dual I was using.
I too upgraded the interconnects (Audioquest Golden Gates).
I love both my CDs and vinyl. Much of my collection of the latter is vintage, so brings back memories.2 Channel "Polk" Room:
Marantz PM8004 Integrated
Marantz SA8004 SACD Player
Music Hall mmf 7.3 TT with Ortofon Bronze
WiiM Mini
Schiit Bifrost with Multibit Upgrade
Polk 7B with RDO198s -
I have that same table, but got the natural. Love it, and a nice upgrade over the 80's era Dual I was using.
I too upgraded the interconnects (Audioquest Golden Gates).
I love both my CDs and vinyl. Much of my collection of the latter is vintage, so brings back memories.
Super nice build quality on this table. I definitely recommend it to others.2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
I really wanted to like vinyl, it just doesn't really blow my skirt up. Having a turntable in the house growing up made me miss the interaction with the media, but I can't get used to it. Been with digital for so long and it is so convenient by comparison, it makes vinyl a pain in the ****. I still listen but I do not see myself upgrading my Debut Carbon anytime soon. I didn't like the stock Ortofon Red, it sounded digital if that makes sense, so I stuck a Grado on it. This time of year I like playing the Christmas music from the TT, but 95% of my listening done over DNLA. Maybe if I went a little deeper down the rabbit hole my opinion would change. It is kinda fun when we have company over, they are all...um what are you...really man.Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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jeremymarcinko wrote: »Maybe if I went a little deeper down the rabbit hole my opinion would change.
I should have added that in my opinion above. I'm sure DarqueKnights turntable setup would blow me away but for the quality bracket that I can afford, digital sounds better.
I really do enjoy LPs though. I'm still going to keep going and spending money I shouldn't on records.afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk
