10 Levels of Turntable Mastery


Maybe this will be an intersting thread. Maybe it will be quickly forgotten. Either way, I'd throw it out there for discussion and debate.

Could we, as a collective, define 10 Levels of Turntable Mastery? 1 being a complete novice, 10 being the master turntable guru. Perhaps we even start at 0.

TML 0 - Digital Only
TML 1 - If you own and use a turntable, you qualify for TML 1.
TML 2 - ?
TML 3 - ?
etc.

I figured I'd fall into the 4 to 5 range. I understand the geometry enough to create my own protractors. I can use these protractors to set up tables with variable P-to-S distances. I can arrive at an acceptable starting point for anti-skate. I can set an initial VTA and VTF, but I'm not attune to the minor changes in these values (given my cartridge and associated equipment). I have no idea how to use an oscilloscope to validate and verify an accurate setup.

This isn't about who can buy the most expensive toys. A Walker owner may be a TML 1 while there may be Technics SL-1200 owners that may come in at a TML 8 or 9.

I think this would interesting to define these levels not only to benchmark where one is at as a Turntable Master, but what are the next things to master along the analog journey.

Who want's to take a crack at it? If this thread goes anywhere, I'll periodically summarize the posts into the current TMLs to help foster discussion and debate.
128x128nrenter
Tml 10 guys are too smart and happy to debate this topic.

I have a SOTA with a re-wired Rega 300, RCM, outboard stage and so on but I have pros and friends do all my set-up, I just clean and play music. While I dont know or care to be graded I will say that the statement about the SL1200 guy being maybe a 9 doesnt make sense because if they had that much knowledge they would almost for certain understand a better table would be easily had......maybe the 8-9 would have one as a second or third table but thats as far as I would go.
Grasshopper, as soon as you can snatch the stylus from my palm . . .

Sorry, I'm just pleased as punch to have connection again. ;-)
Hi Swampwalker,

Were you without for very long? I've got a generator wired into my house so we don't suffer much at all. LIghts, heat, water, even sat tv and stereo. There has been a steady stream of our neighbors coming through to take showers, get coffee, flush, etc. The crews got the power back on around 2 p.m. yesterday. I had trouble sleeping last night without the drone of the generator in the background. ;-)