Record cleaning

[highfigh]

I'm not endorsing it however if I recall the forms I've seen over the years independently bypassed different things, by different names by brand (so don't assume the terminolgy is "universal across brands), for example:

- video circuits killed/bypassed. Only audio remains.
- front panel fluorescent display killed [I used to think that was bunk until one day I noticed on a product that it really did remove a slight, faint buzz noise, at least for that product (it was a DAT recorder I owned)]
- "Source direct" = no tone control circuits engaged (they do sometimes inject faint, usually innocuous noise). The selected source goes straight to the amplification stage.
- "CD Direct" = no input selector function for you!. It's bypassed. The CD input goes straight to the amp
- "Super duper PURE direct" no ADC for analog incoming sources hence no digital room correction processing for you! [And for most units no subwoofer signal generation from 2.0 analog sources.]

- "HT bypass" usually means no volume control action either. The incoming preamp analog L/R signal passes straight out to the preamp outs without passing through any electronics other than that A/B switch itself.

I have a Luxman CD player and it has a four step dimmer for the display, one being dark. I never bothered to listen for noise- I think it was to reduce brightness in a dark room, so it won't be annoying.

WRT HT Bypass- Parasound had a warning about that mode- if a source is connected, it's WOT (Wide Open Throttle).

 

[TLS Guy]

Again, your vision has become myopic ! I know full well how to handle my Lp's, all 1500 of them ! I've been doing so for a long time, perhaps not as long as you but for sure longer than most on this forum !

Let me ask you this, when you procure an LP, new or used, what's the first step you take before playing it ?

I have very few used discs, and only a limited purchase from one buyer. However, my custom was to carefully take the disc out of the jacket and inspect it visually for any defects in a strong light. Most of my LPs are European pressings, I tried to avoid American pressings if at all possible. If the disc looks fine, then I play it and the Dust Bug is used. Not complicated.

 

[m. zillch]

I have several units with "Pure Direct" modes that to some degree extinguish the front panel lights, said to improve "purity", but it is impossible to tell if extinguishing the light really matters sonically because other circuits are simultaneously being bypassed so the decrease in faint background hiss might simply be because of their bypass. What made this Sony DAT recorder unique (1990s) was its light deactivation didn't do anything else so the reduction in the noise pretty much had to truly be from the light and/or the light circuitry.

 

[m. zillch]

Another issue with these various forms of features is the manufacturer can never drop them. For example if you have "bi-wiring" on your speaker line one year if you drop it with your next line you run the risk of losing customers who come to believe "it's important" when it's time to trade up.

If a company like Yamaha or Sony for example invents a new type of front panel light one year that has zero noise they still have to provide light deactivation on their subsequent models for fear of missing sales to customers insisting it matters.

Yes, "room illumination" from the light can matter for other reasons. True. But at least on my Yamahas it is tied to the "Pure Direct" button.

 

[m. zillch]

Some very high end turntables have no dust cover so they probably need "in-play dust collection" the most.

 

[TLS Guy]

Some very high end turntables have no dust cover so they probably need "in-play dust collection" the most.

That is why I have always had doors on my turntable cabinets.

In addition the doors provide insulation from acoustic feedback.

Only the Thorens TD 125 Mk was sold a plinth. I bought that non working on eBay and restored in and installed the SME series III PU arm

When the other three turntables were new, they were not sold on plinths, and sold without PU arms. The owners were expected to be capable of mounting and installing the turntable with a PU arm and cartridge of his choice. My goodness how the population has become dumbed down and seem to be devoid of the most elementary technical and woodworking skills. I literally had far more skills at 7 years of age, then most enthusiasts do now. I actually find this very discouraging and not something to be proud of as a society, but to be deeply ashamed of.

 

[m. zillch]

My goodness how the population has become dumbed down and seem to be devoid of the most elementary technical and woodworking skills. I literally had far more skills at 7 years of age, then most enthusiasts do now. I actually find this very discouraging and not something to be proud of as a society, but to be deeply ashamed of.

"Deeply ashamed of"? Yikes.