Just pulled the trigger on a TT

phipiper10

Purchased a demo version of Rega's P3 -24 from a reputable online dealer with warranty and it includes the Elys cartridge. I feel pretty good about the purchase but as a good catholic, sooo guilty for spending money!

So thanks guys for making my wallet lighter! A new audio adventure begins!

Now let me go look at that vinyl thread!:) Maybe I'll figure out the difference between a tonearm and plinth too

george daniel

Congrats on the new aquisition,,pic's please

comfortablycurt

Very nice!! Congrats!

I'm just starting my foray into vinyl myself...I'm liking what I'm hearing so far.:)

phipiper10

I just became frightened for the first time here - You guys scare me!

So like a good noob, I start searching around for old threads on cleaning records and maintenance and so on. I'm thinking I'll come across something like, "For $9.99 get this solution and for $9.99 get this cleaning brush etc.."

Instead I find the following two threads:

Thread one is a bunch of guys ordering vats or tergitol from Canada so they can make their own record cleaning Brew - or course further requires ppm science to produce solution and avoid "suspension".

Thread two is how to make your own record cleaning machine with a paperclip, stick of gum and a dirt devil.

I think the chemicals from the viny cause an addiction which can only be placated w/tergitol and more vinyl - seems this also brings out the DIY gene in many.

Funny stuff, I'm not there yet but maybe some day...back to google and thread searching for cheap and effective ways to clean vinyl.

thsmith

Don't forget about Triton X-114. It is a surfactant. I have plenty if you would like some.

tergitol and Triton are both surfactants and made by DOW.

Triton is a non-ionic detergent with a low cloud point (23 °C) enabling protein solubilization with phase-partitioning of hydrophilic from amphiphilic proteins.

Tergitol is a Polyglycol ether (nonionic) surfactant.

phipiper10

In my brief research I think I found what I need to start. Am I missing something that is important as newbie to maintaining my records? (which I don't own any of yet - but will be buying/borrowing very soon)

I think I can clean stylus and lps as well as dust and remove static?

Disc Doctor A Brushes
Disc Doctor Cleaning Fluid Pint
Disc Doctor Stylus Cleaner
Audioquest Carbon Fiber Brush

The $500 VPI vac looks cool but gonna hold off for now. I already see more expense with a external phono and the ext power supply.

Thanks.

thsmith

It depends on how much money you want to spend.

I went the DIY path for solution and RCM with shop vac and Nittygritty record cleaning brush.

MFSL record sleeves to replace all the paper inner sleeves.

I use a microscope to check my stylus but I dry dust it after ever album which works well when using clean albums. YMMV

sTiLlLeArNiNg

Congrat's on your TT purchse! You will LOVE vinyl!! As a matter of fact i threw on a Blue Oyster Cult LP this mornin' and my dad asked me "Is that vinyl?" i said "You bet your ****!" lol

For a basic cleaning solution i was told that high purity (99%) alcohol diluted with purified water will do the trick, however yesterday we pulled the trigger on a cleaning kit that included a VPI 16.5 since the $$ is almost par Here is the link to the sale if you're interested http://www.elusivedisc.com/products.asp?dept=250&gclid=CMjWm_2tpZ0CFUdM5QodLVRm2Q We went half's on it so the cost wasn't to bad IMHO

If you are feeling industrious you can give this a go http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html and save yourself some coin to get some Vinyl If i was to make that cleaning machine i would have it motorized but other than that i think it's a good start

Happy listening

TSWisla

You will like the 16.5.

BB3

phipiper10,

That's Awesome. Congrats on getting such a wonderful piece of equipment.
Happy Listening phipiper10.

---

Bill(BB3)

madmax

Find the threads concerning "steam cleaning" your records. Using a steamer is a very cost effective method of removing years of gunk.
madmax

sTiLlLeArNiNg

madmax wrote: »

Using a steamer is a very cost effective method of removing years of gunk.
madmax

NICE! Thank's for the tip! Now i can put that steamer i got on sale to use

madmax

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

NICE! Thank's for the tip! Now i can put that steamer i got on sale to use

There are several threads about it. It was not my idea originally but I tried it and it works great. I use my VPI cleaner to turn the record while steaming but I bet you could do it stationary laying on a towel or build something to turn the record. I wouldn't use an old junk TT because of the water. That could be a shocking experience. :eek:
madmax

sTiLlLeArNiNg

madmax wrote: »

There are several threads about it. It was not my idea originally but I tried it and it works great. I use my VPI cleaner to turn the record while steaming but I bet you could do it stationary laying on a towel or build something to turn the record. I wouldn't use an old junk TT because of the water. That could be a shocking experience. :eek:
madmax

Thank's just the same I guess i'll use the VPI to clean the dirty garage sale find's and the steamer for maintaining the clean one's Time for me to hit up the search option

danz1906

Congrats!

phipiper10

A couple of questions -

1) Anyone familiar with Musical Fidelity's x-lps v3 phono pre? My Onkyo receiver has one but figured I could do better for not a lot more $$

2) My Anthem pre doesn't have a phono input. So If hook up this MF pre to the aux input on the Anthem then I'm adding tubes in the line from the Anthem pre, right? Would this be similar to a tube buffer or am I misunderstanding?

Thanks!

phipiper10

Alternately anyone tried Music Hall Pa 1.2 Phono amp vs. the MF above? Seems both are available for under $150 used.

Thanks again, not many reviews on these at all. I know Stereophile has mentioned the MF just recently but that's about all I can find.

Thanks again.

Flash21

Cambridge Audio has a couple of relatively inexpensive phono pres that have reviewed well. I haven't heard them though.