Question For The Turntable Aficionados...

[Big Jake]

I have a Staton T.92USB turntable that I bought mainly to transfer some old records I have of my mother singing opera, but my younger sister is collector of vinyl and has bought me several older collector records. I have the turntable hooked into the HT with a digital cable, but my problem is, I think it sounds like crap. It has to be the stylus, so what I'd like to ask the turntable guys here is, what would they recommend as a decent stylus to replace the garbage that's on there?

 

[fuzz092888]

Are you changing the cartridge yourself? I'm not vinyl expert, but I'm not sure I would attempt a cartridge change myself. Mainly because everything needs to be pretty darn close to perfect in order to not cause unnecessary wear and tear to the stylus. This includes setting the VTF, cartridge angle, possibly VTA if the tonearm allows for it, and overhang.

There's the usual debate about how important some of the above are, but I'd like to think based on the reading I've done that they are at least somewhat important. I'll have my first TT ever pretty soon and I plan on digging into this a little more.

As to your actual question if your TT can swing it this one is very popular and not extremely expensive.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-Cartridge

 

[Big Jake]

Yeah I'll change it myself, although I had no idea there was so much to adjust. I've changed them before with what appeared to be good results. Guess I better read up on stylus adjustments.

The one you linked to looks nice, thanks.

 

[TLS Guy]

Yeah I'll change it myself, although I had no idea there was so much to adjust. I've changed them before with what appeared to be good results. Guess I better read up on stylus adjustments.

The one you linked to looks nice, thanks.

Turntables have to be obsessionally set up or they sound awful.

You need the correct tracking force. That should be set towards the top end of manufacturers recommended range.

The over hang to minimize tracking error is a very important adjustment. You can download a protractor for doing this from vinyl engine.

Setting the correct tracking angle is important.

Setting the antiskate correctly is also desirable.

If the arm allows it, and a lot don't, getting the azimuth right is also important to minimize record wear.

I find most users don't set up their turntables properly at all. They think they sound great, when in fact they are downright awful.

I would also not use a USB output for what you want to play. I would use a good RIAA input, or a phono pre amp if you do not have a phono input on your rig.

I would recommend this cartridge as a replacement.

Second choice would be this one.

I have used both for people and have a definite preference for the Shure.

 

[Big Jake]

Turntables have to be obsessionally set up or they sound awful.

You need the correct tracking force. That should be set towards the top end of manufacturers recommended range.

The over hang to minimize tracking error is a very important adjustment. You can download a protractor for doing this from vinyl engine.

Setting the correct tracking angle is important.

Setting the antiskate correctly is also desirable.

If the arm allows it, and a lot don't, getting the azimuth right is also important to minimize record wear.

I find most users don't set up their turntables properly at all. They think they sound great, when in fact they are downright awful.

I would also not use a USB output for what you want to play. I would use a good RIAA input, or a phono pre amp if you do not have a phono input on your rig.

I would recommend this cartridge as a replacement.

Second choice would be this one.

I have used both for people and have a definite preference for the Shure.

Thanks for the info, people.

I have the Stanton hooked up with a digital cable now. It also has USB and analog outputs. Would the analog outputs be better than the digital, which I just assigned a digital input on the receiver for?

I have used Shure cartridges before, so that's a brand I know. Yes the TT sounds cloudy and muddled right now, and I think it should sound MUCH better. I believe with a cartridge change and some adjustments it should sound a whole lot better. The TT does have all the usual tracking and weight adjustments also. I'm looking forward to making these changes. I used to spin a lot of vinyl, and I thought it always sounded good. I hope I haven't been spoiled by digital discs.

A quick pic of the TT...

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the info, people.

I have the Stanton hooked up with a digital cable now. It also has USB and analog outputs. Would the analog outputs be better than the digital, which I just assigned a digital input on the receiver for?

I have used Shure cartridges before, so that's a brand I know. Yes the TT sounds cloudy and muddled right now, and I think it should sound MUCH better. I believe with a cartridge change and some adjustments it should sound a whole lot better. The TT does have all the usual tracking and weight adjustments also. I'm looking forward to making these changes. I used to spin a lot of vinyl, and I thought it always sounded good. I hope I haven't been spoiled by digital discs.

A quick pic of the TT...

As I said, I would NOT use the USB connection, I would use analog and use an RIAA equlized phono input or a phono premap into a line input.

 

[djreef]

I was actually thinking about getting a turntable.

Now?

Not so much.

DJ

 

[fuzz092888]

I was actually thinking about getting a turntable.

Now?

Not so much.

DJ

Why? Buying one from a reputable dealer online or a local one, they will usually install the cart or you and do all this stuff. Local would probably be better if you planned on changing carts and not just the stylus.

 

[djreef]

Why? Buying one from a reputable dealer online or a local one, they will usually install the cart or you and do all this stuff. Local would probably be better if you planned on changing carts and not just the stylus.

Meh, too much work.

I like easy. Simple, too.

DJ

 

[fuzz092888]

Meh, too much work.

I like easy. Simple, too.

DJ

It's too much work to plug in your CC, billing, and shipping info into the appropriate fields and click confirm order? Sheesh, what a life you must lead

 

[djreef]

It's too much work to plug in your CC, billing, and shipping info into the appropriate fields and click confirm order? Sheesh, what a life you must lead

If you had any idea what life for me has been like lately, you'd definitely think so.

 

[fuzz092888]

If you had any idea what life for me has been like lately, you'd definitely think so.

Well, as with all things, it shall pass. Not much comfort now though I'm sure.