Interested in getting into Vinyl?

Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
Hey guys, I have been considering for a very long time to get into vinyl music, and just wanted some opinions of people who know waaay more about music than I do.

I have no clue what it entails/how much of a setup I need, I presume all I need is a turn table and to get some vinyl cds?(yes I have speakers). I love high quality music, and having all my favorite brand new and old school albums right there in front of me in a vinyl format seems a little more exciting to, and would make me proud of my collection.

What do you guys think? Pros/cons? Are things worth it? Does it become extremely expensive to get nice qualities of everything?

I basically know nothing about this subject so anything you can say/steer me towards would be appreciative!

Thanks,

Klaushouse
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Hey guys, I have been considering for a very long time to get into vinyl music, and just wanted some opinions of people who know waaay more about music than I do.

I have no clue what it entails/how much of a setup I need, I presume all I need is a turn table and to get some vinyl cds?(yes I have speakers). I love high quality music, and having all my favorite brand new and old school albums right there in front of me in a vinyl format seems a little more exciting to, and would make me proud of my collection.

What do you guys think? Pros/cons? Are things worth it? Does it become extremely expensive to get nice qualities of everything?

I basically know nothing about this subject so anything you can say/steer me towards would be appreciative!

Thanks,

Klaushouse

Vinyl are known as LPs not CDs just to help you out with terminology. What I would do is ind a friend who is into vinly and has a setup and then compare between CDs and vinyl of the same recording if possible just to see if its what you like it. Its an expensive venture and new music on vinyl cosst more than CD. On the othe rhand, there is a ton of old music on used vinyl that is simply not available anymore on CD. Do yourself a favour and chat with a friend/colleague who has vinyl before you jump into it. I love it but its not for everyone. :)
 
G

Guinness6

Junior Audioholic
You will probably also need a pre-amp, though there are tables that have the pre-amps built in.

How much were you looking to spend to get started? Turntables vary from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I think you really have to want to play LPs.

You get a turntable because you have an LP collection, or you want to buy used LPs that have material not available on CD.

In the popular music arena with digital media often there is excessive dynamic range compression. This is not possible with the LP or you have very short play times. You must understand that CD is inherently a superior medium, contrary to what you may have read elsewhere.

The other reason for owning a turntable is purely for nostalgic reasons.

Turntables are not plug and play. You need to educate yourself on how to set up a turntable up. It needs leveling. The cartridge needs properly installing. Overhang needs to be set with an alignment protractor for minimal tracking error. You need to set the correct tracking force and anti skating force correction. You need to set the correct tracking angle. Some turntables also allow for adjustment of lateral balance. You also need to understand the need for RIAA equalization.

Incorrect set up causes poor results and damage to your records. LPs have to be carefully protected and cared for.

Turntables being mechanical, achieve much greater performance levels as you move up the food chain, compared to digital play back devices.

If you feel you have a need to explore vinyl, the excellent staff at Needle Doctor will help and assist you.
 
G

Guinness6

Junior Audioholic
Don't let TLS scare you.

The set up is slightly more involved than setting up, say, a cd player, but its not super difficult. Often if you buy a table from a dealer they'll set it up for you.

In addition to TLS's 3 reasons you may want a turntable, I'd like to offer these:

Lps sound different. I'm not trying to spark a fight over what the best medium for music is (its like arguing the difference between 2 speaker manufacturers - it just boils down to personal taste).

and

Lps are more fun to handle and look at.


Hope that helps.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Don't let TLS scare you.

The set up is slightly more involved than setting up, say, a cd player, but its not super difficult. Often if you buy a table from a dealer they'll set it up for you.

In addition to TLS's 3 reasons you may want a turntable, I'd like to offer these:

Lps sound different. I'm not trying to spark a fight over what the best medium for music is (its like arguing the difference between 2 speaker manufacturers - it just boils down to personal taste).

and

Lps are more fun to handle and look at.


Hope that helps.
The dealer will have to set it up in the home. Otherwise it will be out of adjustment by the time you get home.
 
Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
I appreciate all the input guys, thanks!

First thing I am gonna do is get in touch with one of my friends who is a DJ so he might be able to let me hear the different between vinyl and cds, as well as teach me some of the basics of learning how to set things up myself. I am leaning towards vinyl as of now, because I would really like to learn, feels like the difference between having a honda civic you bring to the shop once in a while to having a jeep wranglers that you do all the work on yourself, haha.

Thanks a bunch for the help/advice guys!
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
The dealer will have to set it up in the home. Otherwise it will be out of adjustment by the time you get home.
Are you sure? If the surface was level when the dealer adjusted the turntable and if the location at home is level, barring any jarring shocks, everything should remain the same. :)
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I appreciate all the input guys, thanks!

First thing I am gonna do is get in touch with one of my friends who is a DJ so he might be able to let me hear the different between vinyl and cds, as well as teach me some of the basics of learning how to set things up myself. I am leaning towards vinyl as of now, because I would really like to learn, feels like the difference between having a honda civic you bring to the shop once in a while to having a jeep wranglers that you do all the work on yourself, haha.

Thanks a bunch for the help/advice guys!
Out of curiosity, what amp/receiver are you thinking of connecting it too?
 
emorphien

emorphien

Audioholic General
Vinyl is a lot of fun and even though a lot of the LPs I own I also have on CD I still enjoy listening to vinyl at times. Perhaps it's the different sound, the different experience or something else.

I agree with TLS guy's warnings, keep your expectations grounded but you don't need to be scared away from vinyl.
 
Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
Out of curiosity, what amp/receiver are you thinking of connecting it too?
Right now I am using some real junk that wouldn't do it justice, so I'd be getting new/used amp/rec if I go ahead with this.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Right now I am using some real junk that wouldn't do it justice, so I'd be getting new/used amp/rec if I go ahead with this.
Most two channel receviers/integrated amps have a phono input and are cheaper than the level of AVRs that include a phono input. If you already have an AVR for home theater and you have a few spare inputs, you can always buy a seperate phono amp such as the oneslist below by ProJect with the word "Phono Box"

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?list=boxes&cat=boxes&lang=en

Another option is to get an out production AVR like a Yamaha RX-V1800/RX-V3800 or RX-V1900/RX-V3900 receiver. They all have phono stages buit in but again you are limited to only MM (moving magnet) cartridges as opposed to MM and MC (moving coil). I own an RX-V1800 and have a ProJect Xpresssion II which is a great little turntable.
 
Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
Well I went to my local(and only) vinyl record store, to talk to someone who worked there about my issue, he suggested a 200$(over the portable/lesser quality 160$) Numark something something, and that comes with 50$ of used vinyl of my choice from the store(used stuff ranges from $1-$13 all in very good condition). It has aux plugs so it can work with my home theater system.

I am going back tomorrow probably. Now I know a ton of you will tell me why this is **** and will be terrible, but you gotta remember I am no audiophile and I where you might hear these minute problems with how it sounds I am still a guppy, and I need to start somewhere that isn't in the many hundreds of dollars. When you get your first car, you get a honda civic, not a porsche. But you are happy with your honda until you start to understand cars more and in enough time you will save up for the porsche and get that. The same goes for music, I can't just start with the high end stuff, I need to get something regular, for someone who isn't in tune with his inner ear! Granted I don't know, but from what I have heard this isn't that bad, it has the capability of recording from usb to pc with perfect mp3 format(flac unconfirmed), but that doesn't interest me I could pirate better stuff.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Well I went to my local(and only) vinyl record store, to talk to someone who worked there about my issue, he suggested a 200$(over the portable/lesser quality 160$) Numark something something, and that comes with 50$ of used vinyl of my choice from the store(used stuff ranges from $1-$13 all in very good condition). It has aux plugs so it can work with my home theater system.

I am going back tomorrow probably. Now I know a ton of you will tell me why this is **** and will be terrible, but you gotta remember I am no audiophile and I where you might hear these minute problems with how it sounds I am still a guppy, and I need to start somewhere that isn't in the many hundreds of dollars. When you get your first car, you get a honda civic, not a porsche. But you are happy with your honda until you start to understand cars more and in enough time you will save up for the porsche and get that. The same goes for music, I can't just start with the high end stuff, I need to get something regular, for someone who isn't in tune with his inner ear! Granted I don't know, but from what I have heard this isn't that bad, it has the capability of recording from usb to pc with perfect mp3 format(flac unconfirmed), but that doesn't interest me I could pirate better stuff.

Before you jump at this deal, tell us your budget. I'm not a fan of any Numark products and the enjoyment you may get will soon sour when you realize its just not sounding all that good. Save your money spend on something of better quality. Which Numark model is it? Does it have a built in phono preamp so that you can use your line level inputs (CD, AUX, DVD AUDIO) etc?

Also , which receiver do you have? I started out with a Realistic integrated amp by Radio Shack which was far from audiophile but it was good enough until I made my next jump into a Home Theater receiver.

A turntable is one of the few components to save up and spend more money on and the differences become very apparent. If you can save up $400 for a turntable, then you can get into some entry levels like

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=essentialusb&cat=turntables&lang=en

or

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?tech=debut&cat=turntables&lang=en

and I'm more inclined to purchase the "debut" because of its much lower wow and flutter specification
 
Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
200$ as of now is the limit as to what I want to spend. I really like what you linked me and will talk to the guy about ordering one in, but I am going to have him show me the turntable(he has one set up) with some different albums and I'll make my decision based off what I hear. $400 is a completely different monetary spectrum for me, and I don't mind saving up for it but it's definitely not what I want to start off with unless this numark sounds like absolute ****. Will try different genres to make sure I am not just hearing what sounds best on it.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
200$ as of now is the limit as to what I want to spend. I really like what you linked me and will talk to the guy about ordering one in, but I am going to have him show me the turntable(he has one set up) with some different albums and I'll make my decision based off what I hear. $400 is a completely different monetary spectrum for me, and I don't mind saving up for it but it's definitely not what I want to start off with unless this numark sounds like absolute ****. Will try different genres to make sure I am not just hearing what sounds best on it.
The biggest thing with auditioning is knowing the material you are listening too. If you know ahead of time what the demo vinyl is, bring some CDs with you of the same recording to compare them with. If you like the sound of the vinyl over the CD, then you're officially in the club. :p If you don't like the sound, get him to play it on a more expensive turntable and run the comapre again. If you like it then, great!! If not, then maybe vinyl isn't for you.

Give us model numbers so that we can better help you out. :)
 
Klaushouse

Klaushouse

Enthusiast
Well,they have the TTUSB and the TT200 and to be honest I am not sure which one it is I have been looking at(derp). All I know is he is going to give it to me tax free for 200$, which includes 50% credit on used vinyls. To me that's 50$ of vinyls I was definitely going to buy anyways, so I am really looking at 150$ for the machine which doesn't sound to unfair to me. I don't know if the TT200 does USB so I think I am looking at the TTUSB! Let me know what you guys think. He played a few vinyls me, some picked by me, some him,and even on his sub par 2 speakers(pc speakers) it still sounded fine, so I feel setup to a system better than that how bad could it sound?
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Well,they have the TTUSB and the TT200 and to be honest I am not sure which one it is I have been looking at(derp). All I know is he is going to give it to me tax free for 200$, which includes 50% credit on used vinyls. To me that's 50$ of vinyls I was definitely going to buy anyways, so I am really looking at 150$ for the machine which doesn't sound to unfair to me. I don't know if the TT200 does USB so I think I am looking at the TTUSB! Let me know what you guys think. He played a few vinyls me, some picked by me, some him,and even on his sub par 2 speakers(pc speakers) it still sounded fine, so I feel setup to a system better than that how bad could it sound?
I know you have budget and all that vinyl is tempting but I looked at the specs for those Numark turntables you were looking at and they are just dreadful. I think you would really regret the decision in a few short monthes. Another option you may have is buying a vintage turntable at a used electronics store. Bring a friend with you that knows something about turntables to assess the condition they are in. I rather you come away with a happy experiencee with vinyl then disappointed.

Here are some examples that will completley blow away the Numarks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-PL-516-Turntable-Heavy-Duty-Construction-/330525835755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf4e001eb


http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-Quartz-Direct-Drive-SL-M2-Turntable-Mint-Rare-/190497310845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a86487d

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-SR-210-Belt-Drive-Stereo-Turntable-Simple-Heavy-/370480259193?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5642582079

http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-650-RC-ELECTRONIC-DIRECT-DRIVE-TURNTABLE-/200506655927?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eaf20c4b7
 
Shadow_Ferret

Shadow_Ferret

Audioholic Chief
I was able to pick up a vintage AR XA turntable off of ebay for a song.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I know you have budget and all that vinyl is tempting but I looked at the specs for those Numark turntables you were looking at and they are just dreadful. I think you would really regret the decision in a few short monthes. Another option you may have is buying a vintage turntable at a used electronics store. Bring a friend with you that knows something about turntables to assess the condition they are in. I rather you come away with a happy experiencee with vinyl then disappointed.

Here are some examples that will completley blow away the Numarks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-PL-516-Turntable-Heavy-Duty-Construction-/330525835755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf4e001eb


http://cgi.ebay.com/Technics-Quartz-Direct-Drive-SL-M2-Turntable-Mint-Rare-/190497310845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a86487d

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-SR-210-Belt-Drive-Stereo-Turntable-Simple-Heavy-/370480259193?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5642582079

http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-650-RC-ELECTRONIC-DIRECT-DRIVE-TURNTABLE-/200506655927?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eaf20c4b7
Yes, Numark turntables are bad news, but I think the OP is determined to buy junk, which are the most expensive purchases you ever make.
 
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