TechnicalTurntables

  

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 From:  Serg (NUKKLEAR)   16 Nov 2015 13:59 
 To:  fixrman       8 of 33 
41626.8 In reply to 41626.1 
The classic SL1200 is a bit of a tank, though I doubt you'll find any that haven't been worked at least a bit!

It does very much come down to how much you want to spend, and what your expectations are.

A few points on this:
- do you want something with a built-in phono preamp?
- if so, do you want the phono pre-amp to be "bypassable"?
- would you want something with a USB DAC so that you can record from the TT onto your PC?

Rega are a very decent choice, with models at various price points. I've recently looked into getting a TT (haven't made any decisions yet), and I considered:
- AT-LP120USB
- Teac TN-300 (USB, in Cherry - oooh purdy!)

I also looked at the Pro-Ject options, but I was put off by reports of excessive rumble - whether that's still an issue or not, I don't know.

I ended up looking at the AT and the Teac because they were both complete solutions and came with reasonable styli; I wouldn't really intend to faff around a lot, spend time adjusting counterweights etc. I also thought the built-in USB DAC may be useful if I decide to digitise my dad's vinyl.
[...Insert Brain Here...]
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 From:  fixrman    17 Nov 2015 03:46 
 To:  Serg (NUKKLEAR)      9 of 33 
41626.9 In reply to 41626.8 
Thanks, Serg. It does not have to have a preamp, I have two receivers capable of using an old fashioned RCA input. USB DAC is fine, but I really want an Old Skool turntable, direct drive. The Audio Technica AT-LP240/USB pretty much has it all.



 
 
  Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son?
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 From:  william (WILLIAMA)   17 Nov 2015 09:19 
 To:  fixrman       10 of 33 
41626.10 In reply to 41626.6 
Any particular reason why you're after direct drive and an S-shaped tone arm?

Just curious really. All of the really outstanding turntables at all budget points since the 60s have been belt driven and the vast majority have opted for a straight tone arm - even firms like SME who produced a few snaky ones over the years.

I don't imagine that at the budget point of the Technics there will be world of difference between various models in sound quality, particularly if the signal is going into a receiver rather than a dedicated amp. so is it the appearance or convenience or what?
never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead
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 From:  fixrman    17 Nov 2015 13:45 
 To:  william (WILLIAMA)      11 of 33 
41626.11 In reply to 41626.10 
I was always an audiophile wannabe, as a young kid. Most of my audio equipment was hand-picked as a kid - from the trash. My best "find" was a Knight International Model 333 [tube] receiver with Tuning Eye; while not high end by any means, for a 14 year old kid with 45 bucks in the bank who was using a given-to-him Montgomery Ward console stereo, to me it was like owning a Marantz.

I took that console apart, liberated the Garrard turntable from it and mounted it in a plinth from another turntable; the speakers I kept for a future project, never achieved. I rarely had matching speakers until I did a snow-shoveling job for a guy who gave me a set of speakers he couldn't be bothered to try to sell. He felt bad that I had shoveled a 35 foot driveway of 30-some inches of snow with the help of youngest brother (I paid brother) and he wanted to sweeten the deal.

When I finally got the big raise in the mid-eighties, I went out and bought a Sansui (remember them?) system that sounded great - but kept blowing tweeters at moderate levels. I gave up, later got married and listened to what I thought was good music from CDs. They did sound "better", but only because speakers had improved over the years, even cheap ones.

Later, I wanted to get a DVD player so we could watch movies as a family. I bought a three year-old Pioneer AV receiver from a work friend cheap, also a 4 head stereo VCR. It sounded much better when a going out of business sale introduced me to Mirage speakers. Another sale found me with a Mirage center channel, yet another yielded a set of Bigger Mirage A-channel speakers. What? Now a full matched set?

What's all this to do with a turntable? Since I've kept the vinyl, I want a way to play it. I haven't had a turntable since probably 1996, even that was from a combination system my wife-to-be bought me for Christmas. I will mate it to the Harmon Kardon youngest brother sent me from one of his whacko customers in Florida who upgraded. I can afford a good turntable now, after many years of denying the extravagance. I want a good, solid turntable - one that is durable, doesn't vary in speed and looks good. Direct drive means lower maintenance and true speed. The S-arm is probably mostly for aesthetics, as I cannot find any source that makes a definitive case for one over the other.

My first turntable (record player - and not a Close N' Play) was given to me when I was two years old in 1965. It was a Majorette that played 16-78 RPM records. Internal three-inch speaker and fibreboard case, I was the shizzle at two. I played records continuously, wearing out needles in mere weeks, much to the surprise of the owner of the record shop who was convinced I was breaking them. I could change the needles myself at three, luckily. Diamond stylus upgrades were necessary by then.  :-P

Don't you think I deserve a good turntable at this point?  (nod)
 
  Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son?
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 From:  william (WILLIAMA)   17 Nov 2015 17:54 
 To:  fixrman       12 of 33 
41626.12 In reply to 41626.11 
Quote: 
Don't you think I deserve a good turntable at this point?
Absolutely. That's why I wondered about the Technics SL1200.

It's always had a reputation for being a good quality deck. My brother owned one in the mid 70s and if I remember correctly it was very nicely built piece of kit with genuine hi-fidelity qualities. Since I haven't sat down and compared dozens of alternatives, I can hardly claim any expertise so if it sounds good to you that's the main thing - along with it being what you want!

My setup is fairly vintage: a Systemdek 2X, Rega RB300, Goldring 1042 combo through a modified Aura Evolution amp and a pair of home built transmission line speakers. The cartridge is only a few years old and the deck's been serviced. I use it just about every day.
never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead
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 From:  graphitone   17 Nov 2015 21:28 
 To:  william (WILLIAMA)      13 of 33 
41626.13 In reply to 41626.12 
What do you listen to?


images?q=tbn:8nj2HfmLhyV7yM:b
Drawings n' that
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 From:  ANT_THOMAS   17 Nov 2015 21:29 
 To:  graphitone      14 of 33 
41626.14 In reply to 41626.13 
White noise.
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 From:  graphitone   17 Nov 2015 21:56 
 To:  ANT_THOMAS      15 of 33 
41626.15 In reply to 41626.14 
Limbo in musical terms.


images?q=tbn:8nj2HfmLhyV7yM:b
Drawings n' that
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 From:  william (WILLIAMA)   17 Nov 2015 23:44 
 To:  graphitone      16 of 33 
41626.16 In reply to 41626.13 
er, music mainly. Was that not apparent?

I do have a couple of LPs with speech on them. There's a Viv Stanshall album from the Rawlinson End John Peel sessions, also Lemmings by National Lampoon. Oh and the National Lampoon Missing Watergate Tapes. To be fair, the Lemmings album has music on it.

But yes music. Just about anything.

Not that fond of U2, or any of that boring fashionable 90s stuff like Coldplay or Snow Patrol. Given my history I may like some of it in 20 years if I'm still alive (I'll be 80ish).

Edit: Missing White House Tapes (I checked)
never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead
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 From:  william (WILLIAMA)   17 Nov 2015 23:51 
 To:  william (WILLIAMA)      17 of 33 
41626.17 In reply to 41626.16 
But, in case my talk of vinyl was misleading I do also have a CD player and an MP3 player and mod cons such as a mobile phone.
never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead
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 From:  CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)   18 Nov 2015 02:45 
 To:  ANT_THOMAS      18 of 33 
41626.18 In reply to 41626.14 
So... Rock 'n Roll.

----
Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone calls.
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 From:  graphitone   18 Nov 2015 11:46 
 To:  william (WILLIAMA)      19 of 33 
41626.19 In reply to 41626.16 
:) we've not had a music thread for a bit, maybe we can kindle one here. I quite like the War on Drugs at the moment. Deer Tick are a good... Actually I have no idea how to describe their music, low fi alternative is the best I can manage.


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Drawings n' that
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 From:  william (WILLIAMA)   18 Nov 2015 14:12 
 To:  graphitone      20 of 33 
41626.20 In reply to 41626.19 
Mr. Wingnut is one for the discussion of diverse popular beat combos but I haven't seen him posting for a while. I expect he's beavering away on the forum awards.
never trust a man in a blue trench coat, never drive a car when you're dead
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 From:  CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)   18 Nov 2015 15:39 
 To:  graphitone      21 of 33 
41626.21 In reply to 41626.19 
Miles Davis was voted 'greatest jazz musician ever' or something by somebody last week. Not sure I agree with that. Generally speaking 'greatest ______' is a completely meaningless statement on a good day, unless it's "David Cameron is the greatest banquet pig fucker.'

----
Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone calls.
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 From:  graphitone   18 Nov 2015 15:45 
 To:  CHYRON (DSMITHHFX)      22 of 33 
41626.22 In reply to 41626.21 
Quote: 
David Cameron is the greatest possibly world's only banquet pig fucker

FTFY.

I like Miles Davis' stuff, but I've never been into jazz all that much.

I do like the blues though. Lightin' Hopkins is ace.



images?q=tbn:8nj2HfmLhyV7yM:b
Drawings n' that
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 From:  JonCooper   23 Nov 2015 15:26 
 To:  ALL 23 of 33 
41626.23 
no vinyl scratching with a laser turntable, bit pricey though

http://elpj.com/ltfeaturesandspecs/
Jon
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 From:  fixrman    29 Nov 2015 19:01 
 To:  JonCooper      24 of 33 
41626.24 In reply to 41626.23 
Drop dead sexy, but way out of my league.
 
  Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son?
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 From:  graphitone   29 Nov 2015 19:30 
 To:  fixrman       25 of 33 
41626.25 In reply to 41626.24 
Sexy? It looks like an Atari 7800 on steroids.


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Drawings n' that
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 From:  Manthorp   29 Nov 2015 20:14 
 To:  graphitone      26 of 33 
41626.26 In reply to 41626.25 
Like he says, way out of his league...
"We all have flaws, and mine is being wicked."
James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks 1951
 
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 From:  fixrman    29 Nov 2015 20:25 
 To:  graphitone      27 of 33 
41626.27 In reply to 41626.25 
Who didn't like the 7800 when it was new?
 
Quote: 
a sexier way of playing Atari 2600 titles.
I rest my case.  :-P
 
  Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son?
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