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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
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,196 posts
 

@ddonicht 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? 

The above has been your request for information in the OP.

After reading and contributing to this thread, It certainly looks like the bases have been covered, and a good foundation has been made available to you.

Don't forget that Youtube is also your friend, there are a variety of demonstrations that can help to show how to best use equipment and ancillaries like you have purchased. A picture is a saving of a 1000 Words and Video is a saving of 10 000.

Also I see you have been looking at the Manual Cleaning Method.

If you do choose this as the selected method and have acquired materials to create the solutions. If at a later date you choose a mechanical or USM cleaning method, there will materials immediately available to produce a solution, that will be absolutely perfect for any of these alternate methods.    

mr_putty
5 posts
 

Suggestions for Vinyl basics, 😀

Some records are thicker than others, get to know the feel of each thickness.

Buy a trashed album you will never want to play (clean it) and practice flipping it in your hands one side to the other and putting it on your Turntable . playing a record is basically a mechanical ritual. you will decide all the things that need to be done and in what order. even putting a record back into a sleeve needs to be practiced. consistency and muscle memory are important! some records will be cheap and loved others will be expensive and loved. your discipline is the key to preserving anything you like for future listening . audio excitement is great but must be treated with respect. Never rush whatever Technique you find acceptable…. The hobby can be very rewarding, just remember there’s always someone that knows more than you and someone that knows less. you will find all kinds of opinions out there and lots of descriptions relating music to the art of listening.

 

YouTube is also a great source of audio information. good luck and enjoy the journey!

ghdprentice
8,131 posts
 

There has been lots great advice here. But, really hook up your TT… and hopefully you will hear a fantastic sound. Start with a new, clean album… hopefully you will really enjoy it. Then worry about the details. If it is not fantastic… we are here.

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