IN NEED OF SOME EXPERIENCED ADVICE

[Coat2017]

Interesting.... I'm going to have to pull this thread back up when I'm in front of the TT, get some context.
So basically you're saying to try and find a true "0" balance, and then set accordingly to that level? I've also heard to try and set the tracking to as visually parallel to the table as you can, and that's a good place to start. I mean... that option sounds not at all technical haha

I do think my TT has a standard mount, not the P. I'm assuming the science behind the track and skate are the same, regardless of the type of mount?

 

[lovinthehd]

The pics I saw of the tone arm head shell looks like not a p-mount but standard mount....but have seen a reference to a p-mount so maybe the player came in two versions....does yours have the two screws 1/2" apart to mount the cartridge?

I was basically asking you to describe how you set the tracking weight like pewternhata has mentioned....

 

[Coat2017]

The pics I saw of the tone arm head shell looks like not a p-mount but standard mount....but have seen a reference to a p-mount so maybe the player came in two versions....does yours have the two screws 1/2" apart to mount the cartridge?

I was basically asking you to describe how you set the tracking weight like pewternhata has mentioned....

It does have the two screws on top, yep.

Ohhh, gotcha, sorry for that confusion. I basically eyeballed the arm and adjusted until it was straight/parallel to the table. Like I said, I really didn't have any knowledge behind it, just messing with it.

 

[pewternhrata]

I looked again and it is a standard mount, would need an alignment gauge, get a cheap one less than $10. also just a basic new cartridge would work wonders anything cheap you can find (id stick with ortofon grado at or shure) use the table you have to learn how properly setup and adjust. How to clean the cartridge, bearing oil, how to clean records.
http://www.soundmattersblog.com/vinyl-stylus-shapes-explained/ is a run through of different cuts of needles

And thanks to this thread, now I want a new table...

 

[Coat2017]

Perfect!
VERY good point, start small and work my way up. Purchasing a cheaper cart to learn and see if it works can't hurt, I can only improve it at this point. Awesome, thank you @pewternhrata
I am looking at the Shure line, they've received the best overall ratings from different sources.

haha let us/me know what you're looking at! I'm interested

Thanks again for the input!

 

[Coat2017]

Also, what is the best way to clean records? I see a bunch of different products and prices online for kits and such. Any preferences?

 

[TLS Guy]

Also, what is the best way to clean records? I see a bunch of different products and prices online for kits and such. Any preferences?

The best solution is prevention. Wet solutions so often make matters a lot worse. There are very expensive systems using we solutions with powerful vacuums.

Some have had success covering the discs in glue and peeling it off, hopefully with the dirt.

I have many discs quiet for over have a century of use.

I never touch the playing surface.

I just have the disc out when playing.

I keep the record in the sleeve and jacket. The open end of the sleeve is always to the side, in other words not to the open end of the jacket or the opposite end.

Don't smoke!

I have used the Cecil E Watts Dust Bug dry for all playings since Cecil E Watts introduced it. He did lots of bench research on dirt and ow to get rid of it, and also groove deformation from playing and optimal stylus forces and shapes. He started this at the earliest days of the LP when tacking forces were in the 10 GM range!

The Cecil E Watts Dust Bug.

That disc is over 60 years old.

Another image of a Dust Bug.

There are some on eBay right now.

 

[Coat2017]

The best solution is prevention. Wet solutions so often make matters a lot worse. There are very expensive systems using we solutions with powerful vacuums.

Some have had success covering the discs in glue and peeling it off, hopefully with the dirt.

I have many discs quiet for over have a century of use.

I never touch the playing surface.

I just have the disc out when playing.

I keep the record in the sleeve and jacket. The open end of the sleeve is always to the side, in other words not to the open end of the jacket or the opposite end.

Don't smoke!

I have used the Cecil E Watts Dust Bug dry for all playings since Cecil E Watts introduced it. He did lots of bench research on dirt and ow to get rid of it, and also groove deformation from playing and optimal stylus forces and shapes. He started this at the earliest days of the LP when tacking forces were in the 10 GM range!

The Cecil E Watts Dust Bug.

That disc is over 60 years old.

Another image of a Dust Bug.

There are some on eBay right now.

..... HOLY CRAP
I am so glad I asked. That makes so much sense, but it never would have made that call. GREAT stuff.
I do currently store them in a dry place, open to the side like you said. I've read to never stack horizontally to avoid warping and other damage.
Luckily, a handful of the older records I have still have the original sleeve. I think I might even purchase some extras for those that no longer have one.

I've never heard of the dust bag..... and they are NOT expensive on ebay... wow, that's a pretty solid investment! So I think it's safe to say you'd recommend one of those? haha

I really dig your setup

 

[Mikado463]

a lot of good advise here so far and I concur with lovin' .......if you don't have a lot invest in your LP collection I would not go down that road. This comes from a guy that's been spinning 'black pizza' for over fifty years with 1500 plus LP's and a very respectable analog side to my two channel kit.

 

[Coat2017]

This Shure.

This Ortofon.

Or this Audio Technica.

And that would actually be my pecking order.

I'm between the Shure and the AT. Besides "you get what you pay for" (as it seems I've been re-reading that quote in these reviews and such), why is the Shure better? I've heard great things about the sound quality of the AT, and for an upgrade on a cheaper tone arm/TT, is a $100 cart really worth it? I'm really torn here, could use some input. Let me know what you think. Thanks all!

Also, while I'm here, have to share one of the greatest question/answers I've ever seen...

 

[lovinthehd]

Personally never tried AT but have had a couple Shure cartridges (and Grado, Stanton, and a few others over the years). I'm still thinking you just need better speakers for now, use the old tt/cartridge until you really want to sink some $$ into vinyl.

 

[Mikado463]

Coat, I'm curious, how many LP's do you have currently ?

I think you're headed in the right direction with respect to cartridge upgrade, buy no means do you want to spend serious $$ with your present TT.

As for adj tracking force, yes 'zero' the arm level, adj to recommendation of cart manufacturer and at a minimum get yourself a cheap balance beam type scale to verify.

 

[Coat2017]

Coat, I'm curious, how many LP's do you have currently ?

I think you're headed in the right direction with respect to cartridge upgrade, buy no means do you want to spend serious $$ with your present TT.

As for adj tracking force, yes 'zero' the arm level, adj to recommendation of cart manufacturer and at a minimum get yourself a cheap balance beam type scale to verify.

Thanks for the reply!
I currently have around 20ish, plus another 15 or 20 45s. I plan on grabbing a few more when I find them at good prices on Amazon or at the exchange (always fun to trade stuff in). I also have a decent CD collection, so that might help me gauge the required speakers.

I was thinking the same thing, start cheaper on one that is STILL considered an upgrade. Down the road I might even want [or have] to buy a new TT anyway... at which time I'd have the experience and idea of the exact sound I'm going for. Then I'd go for it and spend a little more.

I went with the AT, it's affordable, and almost every review I read said the sound quality is great, and it tracks well. For me, currently, that's all I need.

But like @lovinthehd said, I'm going to spend a couple on new speakers too. So I'm starting with the cart first to prevent any damage to the records, then speakers are definitely next. From what you've all been suggesting, the cart would be a smart first purchase to upgrade the sound a little AND to help elongate the life of the vinyl. Makes sense to me, that's the plan.

I also grabbed this guy, it seemed like a solid option
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUI056J/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's going to be a learning processes, but what isn't.... I'M EXCITED lol

Please keep this going if possible, it's fun sharing ideas and stuff with people
Thanks everyone for the help so far. You've all seriously taught me a BUNCH.
CHEERS

 

[Mikado463]

All good, while you're at it get one of these ............

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Precise-Digital-Turntable-Jewellery/dp/B00KMJXEBQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503084953&sr=1-5&keywords=record+stylus+gauge

and since your a newbie to all of this, Fremer's DVD on TT set up should provide some further insight as well....

https://www.amazon.com/21st-Century-Vinyl-Practical-Turntable/dp/B000HA4WU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1503085125&sr=1-1&keywords=michael+fremer+dvd

My reason for asking about the number of LP's was to ascertain your level of commitment, so if you feel that analog is not the road you want to continue down you're not out too much !

 

[lovinthehd]

All good, while you're at it get one of these ............

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Precise-Digital-Turntable-Jewellery/dp/B00KMJXEBQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503084953&sr=1-5&keywords=record+stylus+gauge

and since your a newbie to all of this, Fremer's DVD on TT set up should provide some further insight as well....

https://www.amazon.com/21st-Century-Vinyl-Practical-Turntable/dp/B000HA4WU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1503085125&sr=1-1&keywords=michael+fremer+dvd

My reason for asking about the number of LP's was to ascertain your level of commitment, so if you feel that analog is not the road you want to continue down you're not out too much !

There are plenty of free setup guides on vinylengine.com or needledoctor.com....personally I wouldn't pay anything for anything Fremer has got his dirty little mitts into.

 

[pewternhrata]

Thanks for the reply!
I currently have around 20ish, plus another 15 or 20 45s. I plan on grabbing a few more when I find them at good prices on Amazon or at the exchange (always fun to trade stuff in). I also have a decent CD collection, so that might help me gauge the required speakers.

I was thinking the same thing, start cheaper on one that is STILL considered an upgrade. Down the road I might even want [or have] to buy a new TT anyway... at which time I'd have the experience and idea of the exact sound I'm going for. Then I'd go for it and spend a little more.

I went with the AT, it's affordable, and almost every review I read said the sound quality is great, and it tracks well. For me, currently, that's all I need.

But like @lovinthehd said, I'm going to spend a couple on new speakers too. So I'm starting with the cart first to prevent any damage to the records, then speakers are definitely next. From what you've all been suggesting, the cart would be a smart first purchase to upgrade the sound a little AND to help elongate the life of the vinyl. Makes sense to me, that's the plan.

I also grabbed this guy, it seemed like a solid option
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUI056J/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's going to be a learning processes, but what isn't.... I'M EXCITED lol

Please keep this going if possible, it's fun sharing ideas and stuff with people
Thanks everyone for the help so far. You've all seriously taught me a BUNCH.
CHEERS

Saw the exchange, random, in ohio?

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the reply!
I currently have around 20ish, plus another 15 or 20 45s. I plan on grabbing a few more when I find them at good prices on Amazon or at the exchange (always fun to trade stuff in). I also have a decent CD collection, so that might help me gauge the required speakers.

I was thinking the same thing, start cheaper on one that is STILL considered an upgrade. Down the road I might even want [or have] to buy a new TT anyway... at which time I'd have the experience and idea of the exact sound I'm going for. Then I'd go for it and spend a little more.

I went with the AT, it's affordable, and almost every review I read said the sound quality is great, and it tracks well. For me, currently, that's all I need.

But like @lovinthehd said, I'm going to spend a couple on new speakers too. So I'm starting with the cart first to prevent any damage to the records, then speakers are definitely next. From what you've all been suggesting, the cart would be a smart first purchase to upgrade the sound a little AND to help elongate the life of the vinyl. Makes sense to me, that's the plan.

I also grabbed this guy, it seemed like a solid option
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUI056J/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's going to be a learning processes, but what isn't.... I'M EXCITED lol

Please keep this going if possible, it's fun sharing ideas and stuff with people
Thanks everyone for the help so far. You've all seriously taught me a BUNCH.
CHEERS

The AT will be a huge upgrade if you have a Kenwood cartridge. Unless someone changed it you do. The Kenwoods are about as low as you can go, strident and lack bass.

You could have downloaded a free protractor at Vinyl engine. I glue them onto carboard for people.

I'm actually still using the cardboard protractor I cut out and drew out with a set square as a young kid.

 

[Coat2017]

All good, while you're at it get one of these ............

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Precise-Digital-Turntable-Jewellery/dp/B00KMJXEBQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503084953&sr=1-5&keywords=record+stylus+gauge

and since your a newbie to all of this, Fremer's DVD on TT set up should provide some further insight as well....

https://www.amazon.com/21st-Century-Vinyl-Practical-Turntable/dp/B000HA4WU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1503085125&sr=1-1&keywords=michael+fremer+dvd

My reason for asking about the number of LP's was to ascertain your level of commitment, so if you feel that analog is not the road you want to continue down you're not out too much !

I was actually looking into one of those pressure gauges too, just added to cart

Yea the interest and commitment is currently there, very much so. Which is also why I keep asking questions and for opinions for the setup and upgrades. I want to be sure I'm getting the best quality I can at current

Thanks for the follow up!

 

[Coat2017]

The AT will be a huge upgrade if you have a Kenwood cartridge. Unless someone changed it you do. The Kenwoods are about as low as you can go, strident and lack bass.

You could have downloaded a free protractor at Vinyl engine. I glue them onto carboard for people.

I'm actually still using the cardboard protractor I cut out and drew out with a set square as a young kid.

.... craps, that's a great idea haha didn't even occur to me. NOTED

 

[Coat2017]

There are plenty of free setup guides on vinylengine.com or needledoctor.com....personally I wouldn't pay anything for anything Fremer has got his dirty little mitts into.

Definitely going to check online first, there might even be legit tutorials on YouTube or something