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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
mingles
797 posts
 
I encourage you to learn as much as you can. You'll appreciate vinyl more when you know how to make adjustments to optimize the sound.

I strongly recommend Michael Fremer's instruction video. It's an excellent starting point for seeing the big picture, as well as understanding the small details. He talks about the tools you need and how to use them. Then he walks you through setting up a cartridge on three tables: Project RM-5, Rega P5 and VPI Scoutmaster. He's also very funny and entertaining. Here's a short Youtube clip of the intro:

21st Century Vinyl: Michael Fremer's Practical Guide to Turntable Set-Up
david12
1,454 posts
 
Yes, do it yourself, it's part of the fun. You don't need expensive kit, those mentioned above or fine. I am sure set up would be better with a Dr Feickert protractor, but it's not necessary. I am all thumbs, so if I can do it, you can.

The real risk is breaking an expensive cartridge. Have the table in a good light, go slow and steady, think what you are doing before you do it and you should be ok. Having said that, I have to mount a very exposed Van Den Hul Colibri sometime, not looking forward to that.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
To me I would hire a pro to configure that table but like others have said see how they do it and take a mental note. Then get a cheap turntable from Craigslist etc etc and learn turntable set-up from there. Then when you are confident then configure your main table. You have quite a TT. I wouldn't want to mess that table up at all learning the ropes.

There are many resources for turntable set-up. From youtube, ehow, vinylengine, here and Analog planet there are many places to go for help.

Best of luck.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
The fact that you are even asking this question leads me to believe that you should leave things to the shop owner that has guided you to what appears to be a very good introduction into the world of vinyl. A good dealer is an invaluable assett in the audiophile world.
hesson11
237 posts
 
Nobody will care about your setup as much as you do. I think you should learn to do it yourself. While it takes time, patience and some stick-to-it-iveness, you're rewarded by pride of accomplishment and the knowledge that it was done right.

Check out the article linked to below. It's about the best I've seen. Also do a bunch of googling to back up that information. Then just do it.

http://www.audiophilia.com/features/cartridge_setup.htm

-Bob
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