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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
spiritofradio's avatar
spiritofradio
3,449 posts
 

Don't be anal about it.  Get a good record brush so you can clean off the worst of it before dropping the stylus.  Buy used.  Dump the stuff you don't particularly like. Enjoy listening to the music; if you like listening to the gear more than listening to the music, you're headed the wrong direction.  Have fun and don't get too serious about it.

I have to say now after going back and reading your thread that I think the above is the most sensible post.   Start simply by getting just a good brush - I used a disc washer (wood oval cylinder with a wide brush) for 45 years with great results and no damage - wet or dry and you’ll be just fine.   You can get into all grades of record cleaners down the road if you want to but it’s not really necessary to get started.    
 

Vinyl sounds so good.  I can listen to records all day or forever but cannot say that about digital.   Congratulations and thanks for posting.

Hey, why don’t you join us on the what’s on your turntable tonight thread and get not only ideas for new and old records but comments on what issues are worthwhile record purchases.   

spiritofradio's avatar
spiritofradio
3,449 posts
 

@bdp24 apologies to you bro. Saw that you’d already directed our new friend to Crossroads. Hadn’t read the whole deal.

Hey, what do you think of the move to Pioneer Courthouse Square as venue of choice for this summer? Personally I don’t enjoy standing through entire concerts…

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,040 posts
 

Okay, so what all would you recommend for someone just getting into this hobby?

Bail, and spend your money on dialing in a digital setup and a music service before you waste good money on crappy recordings and overpriced new releases.

 

 

ghdprentice
7,852 posts
 

@oldaudiophile 

 

Good advice. You can push the dust and crud around, but bing able to really clean an album really makes a big difference. I now own a Nessie… wonderfully small and quiet.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,942 posts
 

Here is a very worthwhile solution while you are gathering ideas to get you on your way with confidence.

A US based Used Record Store that supplies a LP having been Ultrasonic Tank cleaned using a machine from the Company KLAUDIO. I have discovered the USM uses side mounted transducers on either side of the LP, and this method of placing the critical parts will have a much improved produced cavitation over a single transducer mounted in the base, as with the most typical tanks found.

I did not discover the Khz for the transducers being used on this machine, but it does state 200 Watts.

I found this outlet and with cleaned vinyl on offer after a short search, I am sure there are others offering a similar service.

It does look like a Anti Static Sleeve, a discipline to keep the fingers of the LP’s surface and a Brush will get you on your way.

If at a certain time of year, the replay starts sounding quite inferior, there may be a static charge present on the LP, there are quite a few ideas on how to decrease the impact of this.

 

 

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