People new to vinyl please provide your input

Polkitup2

I am on the fence about getting a turnatable and am looking for input from people that have recently tried going vinyl. Other than the nostalgia, and experiencing LPs that may not be available on CDs, and having something to fiddle with, are you happy with vinyl? Did you have to spend a lot of bones to attain the "magic" of vinyl? Do you wish you would have saved your money to spend on a better SACD player or some other component? Please share your experience.

fbm211

Older recordings sound MUCH better on vinyl..IMO..I bought some late 80s,early 90s rock,pop,and metal on CDs and they sounded horrible.Yes, even the so called remastered ones sounded bad too.Played the same ones I had on vinyl and the SQ was sooo much better.

SolidSqual

My take:

I've spent about $2K on a TT and associated cleaning, tweaking, phono, etc. supplies.

I thought about going the SACD route but was discouraged by the cost and lack of SACDs. Moreover, the price for a good SACD player that could actually sound considerably better than my CD128 was just too much.

Vinyl on the other hand is all over the place. New stuff can can be had for $15 - $50, which is about the same as a new SACD. But, used vinyl can be discovered for as little as 99 cents and still be in excellent condition. The availability of vinyl albums is unprecedented. There is so much music out there it makes me hurt to try and listen to it all.

Now, how does Vinyl sound? Well, I used to have a NAD TT that was about $200 or so. It sucked and was more like a toy than an instrument for serious listening. My Pro-ject by comparison is unbelievable in combination with my Jolida Phono. Now, that I've perfected my cleaning process, I am actually finding myself enjoying Vinyl way more than CD. Why? Well, mostly because the stuff is just recorded better. Why else? Not sure, Vinyl just sounds different . . . in a good way and is more capable of creating a 3D image albeit a few clicks and pops.

hearingimpared

SolidSqual wrote: »

Not sure, Vinyl just sounds different . . . in a good way and is more capable of creating a 3D image albeit a few clicks and pops.

. . . and more open and airy as well as reproducing inner detail. It also creates that you-are-there experience.

MillerLiteScott

My experience has been very frustrating. I like being able to get a bunch of music for cheap and music that I probably not bought on CD because of the cost.

Scott

Polkersince85

With vinyl, violins will make you wet your pants.

capecodder

It's also a lot more fun to pick up 30 albums at a yard sale for $10 and try new music. The ones you like, clean up and enjoy. The ones you don't go back to Goodwill. It has also "renewed" my listening pleasure. I know many digital systems are far superior to the analog portion of my system but sometimes it just comes together and ...

Clean albums are a must however. If you don't go with a cleaning machine (i don't), do go with multiple brushes, multi-step cleaning solutons and nice lint free cloths. You will be amazed how an ugly lp can end up so pretty and smooth.

danger boy

Polkitup2 wrote: »

I am on the fence about getting a turnatable and am looking for input from people that have recently tried going vinyl. Other than the nostalgia, and experiencing LPs that may not be available on CDs, and having something to fiddle with, are you happy with vinyl? Did you have to spend a lot of bones to attain the "magic" of vinyl? Do you wish you would have saved your money to spend on a better SACD player or some other component? Please share your experience.

If you're on the fence.. i'd say.. get a used inexpensive turntable and find some vinyl in good condition. I think people are turned off by some of the high costs associated with a "good" sounding table. They can reach into the several thousand.

I took the route that got me into vinyl, but very inexpensively. Meaning I got a $15 Pioneer PL-530 table at a garage sale.. stuck on a $150 cartridge and stylus and found some old vinyl i had laying around. Most of my old albums were in poor condition because back then the table I had was a POS and so was the cartridge.

The key to enjoying vinyl at whatever level your gear is at.. is clean and well maintained albums. I don't like pops and clicks..but I can live with a few of them.. but I'll not listen to an album if it's got to many pops and clicks. So I buy mostly only sealed regular albums and 180g sealed vinyl. Yes i'm anal about the quality of my LP's.

Why pay $$ for a table and cartridge and play a .50 Goodwill used album on it? you'll never be happy if you go that route.

This just my .02 but I know I'm right.

danger boy

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

My experience has been very frustrating.
Scott

and why has it been very frustrating?

Polkitup2

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

My experience has been very frustrating. I like being able to get a bunch of music for cheap and music that I probably not bought on CD because of the cost.

Scott

So what's the frustrating part?

Polkitup2

danger boy wrote: »

If you're on the fence.. i'd say.. get a used inexpensive turntable and find some vinyl in good condition. I think people are turned off by some of the high costs associated with a "good" sounding table. They can reach into the several thousand.

I took the route that got me into vinyl, but very inexpensively. Meaning I got a $15 Pioneer PL-530 table at a garage sale.. stuck on a $150 cartridge and stylus and found some old vinyl i had laying around. Most of my old albums were in poor condition because back then the table I had was a POS and so was the cartridge.

The key to enjoying vinyl at whatever level your gear is at.. is clean and well maintained albums. I don't like pops and clicks..but I can live with a few of them.. but I'll not listen to an album if it's got to many pops and clicks. So I buy mostly only sealed regular albums and 180g sealed vinyl. Yes i'm anal about the quality of my LP's.

Why pay $$ for a table and cartridge and play a .50 Goodwill used album on it? you'll never be happy if you go that route.

This just my .02 but I know I'm right.

I agree with the 50 cent album thing. Sure maybe you'll find a gem, but I am more interested in trying sealed newly pressed high fidelity albums. Maybe a starter table with a decent cartridge is the way to get started.

capecodder

I fully agree with the start slow and build from there approach. Lots of very serviceable quality used TTs out there that will get you the taste of vinyl without the big $. Upgrading will likely be inevitable but why totally jump in the pond before you know you want to swim.

MillerLiteScott

I have had a problem with either alignment of my cartridge due to the cantilever being out of wack or incompatibility of the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and my Pro-Ject Xpression III. The cartridge came mounted on the tone arm from Needle Doctor. I have read others with the same set up having the same issue of sibilence and distortion with vocals that I am having. I have not been able to get rid of it with all kinds of tweaking etc. Russ (Ozzy21234) has offered to come to my house to help me out and has loaned me an Audio Technica AT 125LC/H to try out but I do not have the proper mounting hardware. Russ has also offered to also pick up the proper hardware and come over and help me mount it and set it up to see if the 2M Red is my problem.

That is my frustration.

Scott

hearingimpared

danger boy wrote: »

Why pay $$ for a table and cartridge and play a .50 Goodwill used album on it? you'll never be happy if you go that route.

This just my .02 but I know I'm right.

I totally disagree Al. Most of my LPs I own now are used and after treating them with my record cleaning routine they are as good as new. Sure you get a few that are very clicky and poppy but I don't keep them. Hell you can get brand new sealed LPs that are not good pressings and have ticks and pops. I once had to return 3 new copies of "Abbey Road" to a dealer before getting and acceptable pressing.

I'm not saying you need to spend big bucks here. Start out slow and work your way up, just like when building a rig.

hearingimpared

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

I have had a problem with either alignment of my cartridge due to the cantilever being out of wack or incompatibility of the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and my Pro-Ject Xpression III. The cartridge came mounted on the tone arm from Needle Doctor. I have read others with the same set up having the same issue of sibilence and distortion with vocals that I am having. I have not been able to get rid of it with all kinds of tweaking etc. Russ (Ozzy21234) has offered to come to my house to help me out and has loaned me an Audio Technica AT 125LC/H to try out but I do not have the proper mounting hardware. Russ has also offered to also pick up the proper hardware and come over and help me mount it and set it up to see if the 2M Red is my problem.

That is my frustration.

Scott

Proper setup is key here. Once you get it dialed in you won't have these problems.

dkg999

Scott - hopefully you get that worked out. I have an Ortofon 2M Blue that I am going to mount on a MMF 5.1, which is a Pro-ject table with the Pro-ject 7C arm. Hopefully I don't run into the same issues.

I find a lot of $.79 to $1 LP's that are in fine shape and with cleaning play very well with low surface noise and clicks/pops. Some of the newly released vinyl is pretty amazing. Anything on the Quiex vinyl and mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman is going to be very good!

Polkersince85

I have been listening all night to Patti Page LPs that were bought used, some from 1948 time frame, a lot on the Mercury label. Not hardy a pop on them. With the 2.3's singing, she was right there in front of me. Man what a voice. You can't find this stuff new.

treitz3

Well, in my situation I have blown a bunch of bones to get good vinyl sound and with all formats it has its advantages and its disadvantages. With a good cleaning routine, 98% of the pops and cracks disappear. When I got back into vinyl after a 20 or so year break, I instantly doubled my audio collection. Was it worth it? Well, in some ways yes. In some ways, no. Am I glad I did it? Yes.

Like most formats, it all boils down to the recording.

SolidSqual

hearingimpared wrote: »

I totally disagree Al. Most of my LPs I own now are used and after treating them with my record cleaning routine they are as good as new. Sure you get a few that are very clicky and poppy but I don't keep them. Hell you can get brand new sealed LPs that are not good pressings and have ticks and pops. I once had to return 3 new copies of "Abbey Road" to a dealer before getting and acceptable pressing.

I'm not saying you need to spend big bucks here. Start out slow and work your way up, just like when building a rig.

I've never had to return a pressing yet. Is this normally a standard option. Forgive my ignorance, I come from the CD burner generation.

dorokusai

Don't believe the hype, vinyl is a not worth the investment.

hearingimpared

SolidSqual wrote: »

I've never had to return a pressing yet. Is this normally a standard option. Forgive my ignorance, I come from the CD burner generation.

There are a number of things that can cause bad pressings. For instance; taking the record out of the press before it cools thoroughly. This will cause crackling sounds on the outer tracks. This was typical during the mass production days.

SolidSqual

hearingimpared wrote: »

There are a number of things that can cause bad pressings. For instance; taking the record out of the press before it cools thoroughly. This will cause crackling sounds on the outer tracks. This was typical during the mass production days.

Yes, I understand this, but I am asking to record retailers normally allow returns if the record pops and skips.

danger boy

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

I have had a problem with either alignment of my cartridge due to the cantilever being out of wack or incompatibility of the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and my Pro-Ject Xpression III. The cartridge came mounted on the tone arm from Needle Doctor. I have read others with the same set up having the same issue of sibilence and distortion with vocals that I am having. I have not been able to get rid of it with all kinds of tweaking etc. Russ (Ozzy21234) has offered to come to my house to help me out and has loaned me an Audio Technica AT 125LC/H to try out but I do not have the proper mounting hardware. Russ has also offered to also pick up the proper hardware and come over and help me mount it and set it up to see if the 2M Red is my problem.

That is my frustration.

Scott

I think you should take Russ up on his generous offer. If he can help solve your sibilence problem.. it would be very cool. you got all the good TT gear.. it should sound amazing..

good luck.. hope you can get it solved.

dorokusai

Keiko wrote: »

I'll respect your opinion Mark, but this is subjective.

Ya' think?

danger boy

SolidSqual wrote: »

Yes, I understand this, but I am asking to record retailers normally allow returns if the record pops and skips.

I have not tried to return any records.

If you got pops and clicks on your albums... think of how good that is for your stylus/needle :eek:

I'd rather pay extra for a sealed album.. and in my case.. I don't buy many albums a year... maybe a dozen or less. it's an investment in my enjoyment of the format.

But then again, I just got back into cassette taping :eek::p

hearingimpared

SolidSqual wrote: »

Yes, I understand this, but I am asking to record retailers normally allow returns if the record pops and skips.

Elusivedisc.com gives you thirty days to return a record for "pops & skips."

HB27

Cleaning, anti-static, and humidity are the keys to happy viny. I eleminate most pops and crackles with good cleaning, anti static mat and gun, and keeping the humidity up.

SolidSqual

HB27 wrote: »

Cleaning, anti-static, and humidity are the keys to happy viny. I eleminate most pops and crackles with good cleaning, anti static mat and gun, and keeping the humidity up.

Do you use an actual humidifier?

capecodder

To the original poster: Even though I stated above that there is nothing wrong with starting slow (inexpensive) to see how your interest develops, the Project TT package for sale in the Flea Market is one HELL of a nice start if the price were doable for you. If you knew you wanted to jump in, that is a system that would serve you for a very long time.

The owner could probably also set you up with about a 100 lps that he can't give away as well

hearingimpared

capecodder wrote: »

To the original poster: Even though I stated above that there is nothing wrong with starting slow (inexpensive) to see how your interest develops, the Project TT package for sale in the Flea Market is one HELL of a nice start if the price were doable for you. If you knew you wanted to jump in, that is a system that would serve you for a very long time.

The owner could probably also set you up with about a 100 lps that he can't give away as well

It's good to see you posting again Ted.:)

danger boy

hearingimpared wrote: »

It's good to see you posting again Ted.:)

Ted who???