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Analog setup - do it your self or hire a pro?

Hello,

I happily got back into vinyl about 3 years ago. I bought a little Rega P1 and a NAD PP1 and I was ready to rock and roll. When I got the P1, I had trouble adjusting the weight on the cartridge, and getting the anti skate right, so I found a local HiFi shop that specializes in vinyl, and paid him a visit. He made the proper adjustments in my Rega, and I could tell he is a thoughtful, very experienced, analog pro.

Over the past 4 years, my Rega got upgraded with a Dynavector 10x5 and a glass platter. Then, the Rega went away and and a JA Michell came my way. In fact, I bought the JA Michell from this very shop. I asked the man at the shop to take my Dynavector 10x5 off the Rega, and install it on my new JA Michell. 6 months later, the Dynavector was replaced with a Lyra Delos. Also bought from my local shop and expertly installed on my JA Michell by the shop owner.

The NAD phono pre also went the wayside for a series of phono preamps, ending just last week with a Whest .30R

So, now for my question...

This series of upgrades has led me to start questioning my reliance on an expert to set up my rig. Perhaps I should be doing this myself! I don't have any experience with it, and I don't have any of the tools, and the whole thing is a bit of a mystery to me. But I am good with my hands and have an eye for details.

What do you think? Is it better to drive my turntable to my local expert, or to learn this myself? What are the benefits of doing this in my home, versus leaving this tedious work to the professionals?

thanks!
Mark
marktomaras
steveaudio
331 posts
 
*Is it better to drive my turntable to my local expert, or to learn this myself?*

You said you had had "trouble adjusting the weight on the cartridge, and getting the anti skate right" on your Rega P1. So....how ARE you going to learn it yourself?

Also, you're getting into more expensive TT's & cartridges now. I wouldn't risk "learning" how to do this w/an expensive cartridge, & stylus--trust me on that.....
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Learning how to do it yourself will pay off in the end unless your all thumbs and/or have no patience. Cartridges always need additional adjustments after initial setup and break in. As Elizabeth said it's not hard to learn but it will take some time to learn to do it well. If your willing to put in the effort and buy the tools I say go for it. Do some research and read as much as you can about it first though.
wrm57
1,066 posts
 
Vinyl is a hands-on affair. The more you know about set up and adjustment, the more you'll get out of your rig. There IS a learning curve. But it's worth the effort and expense in the long run if you're serious about playing LPs. And the learning really never stops, which is one of the great things about vinyl as a hobby. You'll develop an intimate understanding of the myriad factors that influence the sound and become adept at tailoring them. It's pretty amazing, really.

You will need to invest in quality tools, particularly a VTF scale (preferably digital), a good alignment device (like a MintLP). And you'll likely ruin at least one cantilever in the process. Consider it the cost of an education or an investment in self-sufficiency and sonic control. With all of the information available on the web, including boards like this one to answer questions, there's never been a better time to learn how. IMO, if you want to be hands-off, you'd be better off sticking with digital.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I agree with Sarcher30, learn to do it yourself. You say you are good with your hands and have an eye for detail, it's not brain surgery. Sure, having the proper tools helps, and you can buy them easily with the money you've saved from paying someone else to do the work. After all, you've made a lot of changes in just 3 years, and believe me, it sounds like your journey is just beginning, not ending.

Your ears, a digital scale, a circular bubble level, a protractor (even a custom one like a MINT LP), and your set. Do a little reading, ask a few questions. It's really not that hard once you get the hang of it.

Here's one link to get you started.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
banquo363
371 posts
 
Perhaps best is a hybrid suggestion: have the pro do the initial set up so as to set a benchmark, and then you can make adjustments from there all the while mentally recording the differences that you note and acquiring practical knowledge. Things change in vinyl playback all the time and one needs to be able adjust in order to maximize the rig. For instance, different records can sometimes sound better with different VTA settings and so there's no way for the initial set up to maximize your whole record collection. And suspensions wear down and require differing VTF across time, and so one cannot just rely on initial set up, even if done by a pro.

If one is willing to learn, then there's no reason to remain helpless. The learning curve is steep and sometimes you'll want to pull your hair out, but take your time and enjoy the process and the rewards are many.
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