Any possible modifications for a Numark TTX-USB?

[Cristofori]

We have an above average Best Buy in my area with a Pro/Music room in the back. I picked up this Numark TTX-USB DJ Turtable there for $279... a great deal!
http://www.12inchgod.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/000015581.jpg

I know... I know... it's not a Technics SL series. But before the "inferior Technics clone" remarks start coming, let me say that this unit looks nothing like a Technics, and has all kinds of neat features the Technics does not have.

I was impressed with the build quality, which was excellent for the money. It actually weighs more then a Technics SL (27 lbs), and the cheaper Numarks/Stantons were like junk by comparison. The TTX is really in a class by itself.

I bought this mainly with the future plan of playback and possibly archiving (Via CPU) of my somewhat small, (but in excellent condition) 78rpm collection. With the ability to play at speeds ranging from 16-2/3 to 117 RPM (Technics doesn't even come close), the Numark can play almost any obscure disc ever made.

No matter what happens as far as future purchases go, this particular TT could always be very useful for me, as you don't need ultra hi-fidelity units for 78rpm issues. The ability to easily swap different headshells with all the different cartridges (stereo/mono/78rpm) has also strongly appealed to me with these type of units.

But being on a budget, I need to use this as my main table for a while until I can get the Technics SL I always wanted, or a better sounding belt drive TT for audiophile/Hi-Fi playback.

The Numark actually sounds better then I was expecting, but not as good as some of the better belt drive TT's I've had. I don't know how it would compare to the sound of a Technics, as I've never actually heard one of those.

The TTX probably has some minor resonance issues and the sound stage doesn't seem to be as open as it could be, particularly in the low end. It seems I have to turn the volume up on my receiver more to get it at the same listening levels as my old TT, which then causes the phono pre-amp to have audible hum during quiet passages. Although the phono pre-amp in my receiver is undoubtedly not the greatest, it still performs better then the TTX's built in pre-amp, which doesn't seem to have as much gain.

So my basic question is if there is anything I can do to make this TT sound better? The main fault probably lies with the die-cast aluminum tone arm, which is probably even worse then the Technics, although it is vertically adjustable, if that could possibly make a difference. I'm using the S-shaped tone arm and my AT-440mla cartridge, which performed fine on other TT's (I know better than to use the DJ cartridge). It also has a felt slip mat.

Are there any modifications available for this TT? Would using a heavier, thicker mat help? Getting a better phono pre-amp that might be more suited for this unit is another direction I'm willing to take.

If I can get this thing to sound just a little better, It wouldn't really be necessary to get another TT at all, as this one is the "Jack of all trades" I could ever possibly need.

Any recommendations?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

We have an above average Best Buy in my area with a Pro/Music room in the back. I picked up this Numark TTX-USB DJ Turtable there for $279... a great deal!
http://www.12inchgod.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/000015581.jpg

I know... I know... it's not a Technics SL series. But before the "inferior Technics clone" remarks start coming, let me say that this unit looks nothing like a Technics, and has all kinds of neat features the Technics does not have.

I was impressed with the build quality, which was excellent for the money. It actually weighs more then a Technics SL (27 lbs), and the cheaper Numarks/Stantons were like junk by comparison. The TTX is really in a class by itself.

I bought this mainly with the future plan of playback and possibly archiving (Via CPU) of my somewhat small, (but in excellent condition) 78rpm collection. With the ability to play at speeds ranging from 16-2/3 to 117 RPM (Technics doesn't even come close), the Numark can play almost any obscure disc ever made.

No matter what happens as far as future purchases go, this particular TT could always be very useful for me, as you don't need ultra hi-fidelity units for 78rpm issues. The ability to easily swap different headshells with all the different cartridges (stereo/mono/78rpm) has also strongly appealed to me with these type of units.

But being on a budget, I need to use this as my main table for a while until I can get the Technics SL I always wanted, or a better sounding belt drive TT for audiophile/Hi-Fi playback.

The Numark actually sounds better then I was expecting, but not as good as some of the better belt drive TT's I've had. I don't know how it would compare to the sound of a Technics, as I've never actually heard one of those.

The TTX probably has some minor resonance issues and the sound stage doesn't seem to be as open as it could be, particularly in the low end. It seems I have to turn the volume up on my receiver more to get it at the same listening levels as my old TT, which then causes the phono pre-amp to have audible hum during quiet passages. Although the phono pre-amp in my receiver is undoubtedly not the greatest, it still performs better then the TTX's built in pre-amp, which doesn't seem to have as much gain.

So my basic question is if there is anything I can do to make this TT sound better? The main fault probably lies with the die-cast aluminum tone arm, which is probably even worse then the Technics, although it is vertically adjustable, if that could possibly make a difference. I'm using the S-shaped tone arm and my AT-440mla cartridge, which performed fine on other TT's (I know better than to use the DJ cartridge). It also has a felt slip mat.

Are there any modifications available for this TT? Would using a heavier, thicker mat help? Getting a better phono pre-amp that might be more suited for this unit is another direction I'm willing to take.

If I can get this thing to sound just a little better, It wouldn't really be necessary to get another TT at all, as this one is the "Jack of all trades" I could ever possibly need.

Any recommendations?

Congrats on the Purchase, 'Cris!

The turntable looks like something they would spin wax on while flying through the galaxy in the Enterprise! What a futuristic look...

I wish I could answer the questions you have regarding "modifying" this table, but since I can't really offer anything of substance to that regard, I'll comment on the table itself and what I think.

I would definitely consider this for the price, as I'm in the market for a new table as you know too, but I'm concerned with this unit's "plasticky" look and professional-oriented appearance; it seems this table is strictly geared towards the pro DJ market, whereas while the Technics seems that way too, it can also be viewed as a home/audiophile grade table that can be imagined sitting in one's rack in a two channel home system. Feel me?

But again, congrats on the purchase; please let us know how you continue to feel about its sound, operation, etc. as you live with it longer.

 

[Cristofori]

Congrats on the Purchase, 'Cris!

The turntable looks like something they would spin wax on while flying through the galaxy in the Enterprise! What a futuristic look...

Thanks. I'm normally pretty conservative about these things, but this TT doesn't look half bad! The big blue LED lights are way cool!

I would definitely consider this for the price, as I'm in the market for a new table as you know too, but I'm concerned with this unit's "plasticky" look and professional-oriented appearance;

"Rubbery" is a little more like it. The top and bottom plinth (if you can call it that) is a heavy, thick industrial grade rubber type composite material which looks and feels pretty good. This is sandwiched between a black metal frame with a anti-resonant finish. You can pretty much touch and handle this unit just about anywhere and not leave any prints or smears on it, if that gives you an idea of what it is like. Also, my room now smells a bit like fresh rubber! [/QUOTE]

it seems this table is strictly geared towards the pro DJ market, whereas while the Technics seems that way too, it can also be viewed as a home/audiophile grade table that can be imagined sitting in one's rack in a two channel home system.

It doesn't look too out of place with my rack to really bother me, at least it's black/dark gray like the rest of my components.

Looking at the way Emotiva gear is styled with their big blue LEDs, I think this TT would look pretty good with that stuff, which is what I may end up going with in the future.

I'm not saying this TT is a replacement for the Technics, but with it's 78rpm features and other fun stuff, it can always come in useful for me. It's removable power cord and RCA cables would make it easy to swap out with another deck. Also, it can play in reverse, so I can now correctly hear the demons speaking to me.

Feel me?

I'd rather not, thank you very much.

But again, congrats on the purchase; please let us know how you continue to feel about its sound, operation, etc. as you live with it longer.

Thanks. I have a thick rubber mat from a Denon DP-300F I used to have (which UPS destroyed in a failed re-sale attempt) and I will try this under the felt mat and experiment with raising the tone arm. A more sensitive phono pre-amp with less noise may help also, but I wouldn't know which one to get as I've never had one before.

Now excuse me while I go listen to an as of yet unplayed LP copy of Sibelius' Symphony #2 ...

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Thanks. I'm normally pretty conservative about these things, but this TT doesn't look half bad! The big blue LED lights are way cool!

Hey -- the aluminum faceplates on Onkyo components get me all...well...warm and fuzzy all over, so all the power to ya with regard to "looks"...

"Rubbery" is a little more like it. The top and bottom plinth (if you can call it that) is a heavy, thick industrial grade rubber type composite material which looks and feels pretty good. This is sandwiched between a black metal frame with a anti-resonant finish. You can pretty much touch and handle this unit just about anywhere and not leave any prints or smears on it, if that gives you an idea of what it is like. Also, my room now smells a bit like fresh rubber! It doesn't look too out of place with my rack to really bother me, at least it's black/dark gray like the rest of my components.

I still happen to like the look of the Technics 1200 better -- it looks like a serious audiophile table sitting in a home rack system. But that's just me.

Looking at the way Emotiva gear is styled with their big blue LEDs, I think this TT would look pretty good with that stuff, which is what I may end up going with in the future.

Well, yeah, those would look good together with the glowing blue LEDs; you can even add an Onkyo receiver, which, from the 700-series and up, include a neon blue ring around the volume knob...

I'm not saying this TT is a replacement for the Technics, but with it's 78rpm features and other fun stuff, it can always come in useful for me. It's removable power cord and RCA cables would make it easy to swap out with another deck. Also, it can play in reverse, so I can now correctly hear the demons speaking to me.

I'd rather not, thank you very much.

Well, I didn't mean it like that...I was just being ghetto for a moment...

Thanks. I have a thick rubber mat from a Denon DP-300F I used to have (which UPS destroyed in a failed re-sale attempt) and I will try this under the felt mat and experiment with raising the tone arm. A more sensitive phono pre-amp with less noise may help also, but I wouldn't know which one to get as I've never had one before.

I wish I could be of more help here, but I've never used an outboard phono preamp either.

Now excuse me while I go listen to an as of yet unplayed LP copy of Sibelius' Symphony #2 ...

Okay...

 

[Cristofori]

I still happen to like the look of the Technics 1200 better -- it looks like a serious audiophile table sitting in a home rack system. But that's just me.

It's not just you, the Technics 1200 looks like a serious audiophile table because it IS a serious audiophile table.

Well, yeah, those would look good together with the glowing blue LEDs; you can even add an Onkyo receiver, which, from the 700-series and up, include a neon blue ring around the volume knob...

Yeah... the Emotiva/Numark combo would look good together in a spacey, cold, kinda blue sort of way. The blue LEDs on the Numark are pretty intense with the lights off, casting a thin streak of blue half way up my wall and illuminating the tone arm, and staring at that circular pitch control/speed readout for too long screws up my vision for a few seconds!

That brushed metal knob on the Emotiva pre-amp also somewhat resembles the metal platter/tone arm of the Numark. Also (ironically), the black anti-resonant finish on the metal piece around the middle of the Numark looks a lot like the metal posts on my new Sanus rack which has the same type of black finish.

None of this was planned, but I think I may have something good going on here.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

It's not just you, the Technics 1200 looks like a serious audiophile table because it IS a serious audiophile table.

But you've never heard one?

Yeah... the Emotiva/Numark combo would look good together in a spacey, cold, kinda blue sort of way. The blue LEDs on the Numark are pretty intense with the lights off, casting a thin streak of blue half way up my wall and illuminating the tone arm, and staring at that circular pitch control/speed readout for too long screws up my vision for a few seconds!

That brushed metal knob on the Emotiva pre-amp also somewhat resembles the metal platter/tone arm of the Numark. Also (ironically), the black anti-resonant finish on the metal piece around the middle of the Numark looks a lot like the metal posts on my new Sanus rack which has the same type of black finish.

None of this was planned, but I think I may have something good going on here.

My G-d...and I thought I was anal about faceplates, color-ringed knobs and surface finishes on racks...

 

[Cristofori]

But you've never heard one?

Nope, but the long and solid history of the Technics 1200, plus all the overwhelming positive reviews, tests and real world usage gives me enough confidence to buy one solely on word of mouth. Plus, I have actually seen and handled one before, and it is obviously a finely crafted piece of gear.

My G-d...and I thought I was anal about faceplates, color-ringed knobs and surface finishes on racks...

[/QUOTE]Hey, it's not that big of a deal, it's just nice if when you get stuff that it happens to match your set up and look good too!

I did try a different thicker mat I had stashed away, and that seemed to helped with resonance by a hair, but not enough to really matter. Raising the tone arm seemed to make it worse, so I put it back to it's original state. Also, setting the anti-skate to 0 also helped. If you set it at all, the tone arm pulls inwardly too hard on some records during those fun, fast start ups I'm really starting to enjoy.

I haven't noticed any problems with anti-skate by keeping it at 0 so far, which might be unique to this strange TT. The manual actually recommends against using it except for certain conditions.

All in all, I can live with the Numark TTX until if and when I can get a REALLY great sounding TT, and I'm getting more used to the way it sounds, which can best be described as "in your face". Not the typical warm, analog sound by any means. It makes some of my LP's sound more like CD's (but without as much bass) which can be a plus because some LP's (especially classical ones) can use some brightening up in my opinion. The subwoofer I plan on getting will help fill in some of the missing links.

Anyway, it's looks like it's time to put this thread to rest. Nobody here seems to know about any mods or has any advice to offer on how to make this TT perform better, although I did find out about a great Phono pre-amp to look into on an unrelated thread. Thanks WmAx!