2. analog
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Turntable noobie...what advice do you have?

As this forum has corrupted me and I have decided to dive down the rabbit hole of LP's.  Usually I stream but I find the tactile experience of records appealing.  I have ordered a Pro-ject RPM-3 Carbon with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and a Mobile Fidelity StudioPhono preamp. Oh, and a record brush.  I will be plugging them into my Voyager GAN amp and from there powering my LSA 20 Statement speakers.

I know there is always better equipment to get but I feel this gives a good starting point.  I picked up some new records but a half dozen does not a record collection make.  So I do plan on making my focus for the near future getting more and expanding my collection.  I listen to all kind of music so they will be many different genres.  I will be getting new ones but I will undoubtedly get some used ones too.  

Okay, so what all would you recommend for someone just getting into this hobby?  Especially if I am getting any used records, I should probably look at a record cleaner.  What else for equipment or doodads?  What about tricks or tips for increasing my collection?  In my city there is a record store called Music Millennium that I will be checking out and there of course if Barnes and Noble (where I purchased my other ones).  Do you know of places online  I should check out?  Thanks in advance for your advice. 

 

ddonicht
elliottbnewcombjr
5,683 posts
 

You have inspired me to finally put this together

TOOLS FOR LP’S

  1. CARTRIDGES

$15. ALIGNMENT DISC: one side: Lines for Overhang and Two NULL Points

ANTI-SKATE: other blank side: spin platter manually, adjust anti-skate control while watching

https://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Hi-Fi-Turntable-Cartridge-Protractor/dp/B01MU6AD2E/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1HK4102CVP5X2&keywords=hudson+hifi+protractor&qid=1652980845&sprefix=hudson+hifi+protractor,aps,120&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

$14. TRACKING FORCE, Digital Scale

https://www.amazon.com/Musou-Turntable-Backlight-Tracking-Cartridge/dp/B071P9VZ5Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=10W9ADQJF0QMC&keywords=tracking+force+scale+turntable&qid=1652982087&sprefix=tracking+force+,aps,67&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

$10. AZIMUTH and VTA Alignment Block: clear actylic with Grid of Lines

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Tonearm-Cartridge-Alignment-Headshell/dp/B07794JXYZ/ref=sr_1_8?crid=20KYR5S10Y5C1&keywords=azimuth+alignment+tool&qid=1652982195&sprefix=azimuth%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-8

$6. MAGNIFYING MIRROR to VIEW STYLUS (two). 3-1/2” DIAMETER, One: 10X; One 20x + 2 tweezers

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-Funtopia-Magnifier-Tweezers-Blackhead/dp/B093BPDZZD/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3MVJVIBL6SMFW&keywords=small%2Bmakeup%2Bmirror%2B15%2Bx%2B3.5&qid=1652983011&sprefix=small%2Bmake%2Bup%2Bmirror%2B15x%2B3.5%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-29&th=1

$11. FLAT MIRROR to View Azimuth Reflection 4” X 6” X 3MM. Thickness of LP, place under the stylus, view from front, any deviation from straight will be reflected ‘opposite’.

https://www.amazon.com/Plymor-Rectangle-Beveled-Glass-Mirror/dp/B07T31MRZ9/ref=sr_1_8?crid=BQ3FJFG31C2D&keywords=small%2Bflat%2Bmirror&qid=1652983461&sprefix=small%2Bflat%2Bmirror%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-8&th=1

$13. STYLUS CLEANING FLUID, Audio Technica

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT607a-Cartridge-Stylus-Cleaner/dp/B00DI8I2JM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=7HHAU2OW7TGG&keywords=stylus+cleaner&qid=1653006308&sprefix=stylus+cleaner%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-5

  1. CLEAN LPs

$50. MANUAL LP WASH SYSTEM (do batches of 10)

https://www.amazon.com/Record-Cleaner-Cleaning-Brushes-Microfiber/dp/B07VQN5XML/ref=sr_1_67?crid=21DNL6IO42FSJ&keywords=lp+cleaning+kit&qid=1652984282&sprefix=lp+cleaning+kit%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-67

$9. INFANT SCALP SCRUBB BRUSHES (3). Scrub Dirty LP’s Vigotously, then rinse in above system

https://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Scrubbie-Sterile-Cradle-Sponge/dp/B005EJ7YH4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2DSF6EWMO77AC&keywords=infant+scalp+brush&qid=1652984426&sprefix=infant+,aps,77&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2W58AXSS61W30

$13. OVERSIZED EYEGLASS CLOTHS, Dust LP ONLY IF Needed (13 pack). I DO NOT use a brush anymore. Place LP on platter, just lay cloth on, spin platter by hand while very lightly pulling cloth off the edge to remove surface dust, not push anything down into the grooves.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S374VSO/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=edf8ce1bb96b6c730ccf869039f09147&hsa_cr_id=7286139130601&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=69ff5251-fe67-4b12-ae01-d114bdce0de0&pd_rd_w=6xLCx&pd_rd_wg=aIG7G&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_1_img

$1.00 DISTILLED WATER

https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Distilled-Water/dp/B074J5L82H/ref=sr_1_7_f3_0o_wf?crid=3O8SQDLD5NYKI&keywords=distilled+water&qid=1653006535&sprefix=distilled+water%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-7

$6. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, 91%, 1 Quart

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Antiseptic/dp/B07NFTZ522/ref=sr_1_20?crid=3R7PQ8NF1MDMK&keywords=isopropyl%2Balcohol%2B91&qid=1653006688&sprefix=isopropyl%2Balcohol%2B9%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-20&th=1

$15. GEL STYLUS CLEANER

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Stylus-Needle-Cleaning-Gel/dp/B086T4RLY3/ref=sr_1_52?crid=VNKUXR7SGLH0&keywords=stylus+brush&qid=1653008196&sprefix=stylus+brush%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-52

$14. STYLUS BRUSH, Carbon Fiber, Non-Slip Textured Handle

https://www.amazon.com/Boundless-Audio-Stylus-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B087182G57/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3GLAZP4MMEO2J&keywords=STYLUS+CLEANING+BRUSH&qid=1653009531&sprefix=stylus+cleaning+,aps,65&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

  1. MISCELLANEOUS

$13. ISOLATION PADS below Turntable, I wrapped my edges with black tape)

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Equipment-Tuneful-Cables-Audiophile/dp/B076DGD3X2/ref=sr_1_178_sspa?crid=VNKUXR7SGLH0&keywords=stylus%2Bbrush&qid=1653008611&sprefix=stylus%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-178-spons&th=1

$__ CENTER WEIGHT, Disc Stabilizer. Size/Weight/Style Vary, how strong is your motor?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=audio+technica+record+weight&i=electronics&crid=1OQGMXU52UY8V&sprefix=audio+technica+record+weight%2Celectronics%2C83&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

 

 

ghdprentice
7,347 posts
 

@bslon 

 

Wow, that is impressive. Thank you.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

Not many have had their first experience of Vinyl with such an itinerary of items in place to prepare for the upcoming eventualities.

I sense you are a 'duck to water' on this method of replays.

Taking on this quite different approach to streaming, has surely presented a few head scratching moments, with the basic considerations being presented. 

ddonicht OP
14 posts
 

As I have read the debates about cleaning methods and static reduction, I started to think about the power and the grounding. So I looked at my AMP and my DAC/Preamp and there is no ground screw like I have seen on receivers I’ve owned. I double checked pictures of the RPM 3 Carbon and the Mobile Fidelity StudioPhono and both have ground screws. Am I supposed to connect the 2 or do I need to ground them both elsewhere? If so, where?

Also, an isolation system was mentioned.  My current plan is to put it on top of my DAC.  The DAC is on my Amp and both are on a wood file cabinet a couple of feet to the side of my left speaker.  I am considering getting another cabinet and putting it to the other side, about the same distance from the right speaker.  I do have some silicon isolation feet. I was thinking about getting a sheet of granite (scrap from countertops), putting it on those feet, and then the turntable on top of that.  

The turntable and phono stage are due in tomorrow so you know what I will be doing tomorrow evening. :-) 

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Connect the TT ground to the phono stage ground. You do not need a special wire. A piece of solid copper 24 gauge insulated will do!

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