It works!

"RMudkips" (rmudkips) 01/17/2015 at 22:48 • Filed to: music, turntable, vinyl

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Back in October a customer of my dads dropped off his 80's Hi-Fi equipment, including an amplifier and a turntable. The equipment were in good condition, however the turntable was belt-driven, and it lacked a belt.

So after a while, we eventually decided to online order the belt, and got the belt this week. Previously having purchased a dusty copy of "Band On The Run", we fired it up and it plays well.

So what's next? I'm deciding to replace the cartridge on the turntable in case the turntable had been sitting untouched since the previous owner presumably broke the belt. This may or may not affect the sound of the LP I already have, but at least I'll be less worried once I have a fresh press of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or likewise. An IKEA shelf is coming so that I don't have to put this on the floor.

Any suggestions and advice for general turntable enjoyment?

VonBelmont > RMudkips 01/17/2015 at 22:55

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Hey, I've got (almost) the same table!

I'd recommend not playing the upgrading game, since that just leads to expensive, finicky equipment and diminishing returns. The best way to enjoy LPs is to just listen and not fret too much about frequency response or pressure.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RMudkips 01/17/2015 at 23:07

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If anything, I'd probably start with just replacing the stylus on the cartridge. Once you get into it, then you should research a cartridge that suits the music you dig. A good cartridge can really take a table up a notch, but you don't need to spend much money...I just bought a $70 Grado black and love it on my Technics SL23.

My uncle gave me his 80s hifi setup about a month ago, all awesome Nakamichi stuff (amp, preamp, CD and cassette players) plus the SL23 and a ridiculous set of Klipsch Cornwall speakers that weigh like 100lbs each. But you know what? It doesn't sound much different than what I had before.

So basically. I agree with VonBelmont. Put on an LP, relax, and enjoy the experience. There's something about vinyl. You don't skip tracks, so you don't listen to songs, you listen to the album. It's different.

My other advice is to pick up a nice copy of Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan and enjoy the hell out of it.

RMudkips > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/17/2015 at 23:19

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The thing though is that the cartridge isn't even available anymore. I feel getting a cartridge would expand my upgrade capability in the long run. Thankfully T4P is a godsend I hear.

Band On The Run sounds beautiful even from the setup.

RMudkips > VonBelmont 01/17/2015 at 23:19

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Feeling like a casual listener for now. Most likely going to spend much much more on records.

RMudkips > VonBelmont 01/18/2015 at 03:12

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JVC L-AX3.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RMudkips 01/18/2015 at 07:48

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Ah, that'll do it. If you don't want to spend much, the Audio Technica AT95 is a really nice cartridge. Grado Black is great for the money, as is the Shure M97x.