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.
@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… |
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.
|
For the most part, I buy vintage analog records, and stay clear of new pressings. I look for very good plus - near mint. New albums are almost always produced digitally, and you miss that pure analog sonic experience. If you do purchase new, remember to always clean the new record as well. Regardless as to some "audiophile" opinions, new records, as well as old records, need cleaning. Sometimes more than a 50 year old album. The plants where records are pressed can leave oils, factory dust and vinyl debris in the grooves. |
