zakalwe: Vinyl assistance

zakalwe 02.16.16	Exciting.
Frippertronics 02.16.16	Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiet zak good starter turntable would be the Audio Technica 120
Frippertronics 02.16.16	However, if you want to save money and get a solid set up, you're best off looking in thrift stores/charity shops, whatever your version of craigslist is, or whatever suits you.
zakalwe 02.16.16	Cheers dude. I think it's going to be something old, something new. Checked Amazon for the turntable and have logged it. Has some positive reviews. Speakers are a minefield.
Frippertronics 02.16.16	Yeah, honestly I would take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt however. Speakers, it all depends with what you're looking for. I got a pair of RCAs with a subwoofer and those do just fine for me.
ZombicidalMan 02.16.16	I'm running a LP-120 with a Luxman receiver from the 80s and a pair of older paradigm bookshelf speakers. Super happy with the combo of old and new That being said, there are better vintage turntables out there. Pioneer, Dual, and Technics all have a range of great models, let alone the other great brands. Check hifi forums
Avagantamos 02.16.16	I have an Audio Technica AT-LP 120 turntable it's really nice. about £100
zakalwe 02.16.16	I'm hunting around the forums and it's all much of a muchness without actually blasting stuff on the setup, plus I'm a picky fucker when it comes to splashing out. Back in the early 90s I had a pioneer stereo (no turntable though) that was the bollocks.
Frippertronics 02.16.16	maybe this would work better for you? http://www.turntablelab.com/collections/shop-recommendations-turntable-stereo-alpha
zakalwe 02.16.16	Nice! Cheers fripp.
wham49 02.16.16	If your going to go the thrift shop route please make sure that it has the stylus and the belt isn't broken, You can find great stuff there but you have to test it out, or there has to be used shops that sell referbished equipment, that is how I got my stuff, stick to pre 85 for a turntable unless you are going to put 3-4 hundred into a new turntable. Pioneer or Marantz are good quality, make sure the plate is heavy, good rule of thumb; the heavier the turntable the better it is
SCREAM! 02.16.16	However, if you want to save money and get a solid set up, you're best off looking in thrift stores/charity shops, whatever your version of craigslist is, or whatever suits you.[2] Make sure you do your research before you buy anything but you can find some absolute gems this way. My whole system is vintage (Pioneer PL-255 TT, JBL J216A bookshelf speakers, Sherwood S-7100A receiver) and I'm super happy with it and it cost me a fraction of what it would have cost new
Underflow 02.16.16	Just remember the needle has a big impact on your sound as well. Something a lot of people getting into vinyl seem to overlook.
SCREAM! 02.16.16	"If your going to go the thrift shop route please make sure that it has the stylus " A stylus is easy to replace and unless you're getting it from a trustworthy source that can guarantee the condition of the needle, then I would always replace it when buying used. Not worth risking your records over
wham49 02.16.16	True, but a novice might get alittle confused on which one to buy and the price point in buying one. I always make sure it has a working needle before I pull the trigger unles I find something amazing, that way you can use it until you want to replace it, most still work fine as long as it is not broken, the older ones usually last 10,000 hours and are better quality than new replacements
SCREAM! 02.16.16	So far I've been using the AT95e on mine. As far as cheaper ones go, seems to be the best bang for the buck and I've had no complaints whatsoever so far. I have been thinking of upgrading for my next one though now that I'm settled in a decent job with a solid salary. Would love a nagaoka mp-100 but I'm not sure if they still make those so maybe a Shure - M97XE or an equivalent ortofon
zakalwe 02.16.16	Thanks lads this is priceless stuff. I don't have the first clue. I'm definitely thinking floor standing speakers though.
SCREAM! 02.16.16	A good pair of floor speakers will give you fantastic sound. I went for smaller bookshelf ones just because they fit my needs/lifestyle better at the moment. Whatever you get though, I can't stress enough to do your research before you buy! Audiokarma is a fantastic forum for getting info on this sort of stuff
basikchanL 02.16.16	get a computer first
theNateman 02.16.16	I would go all out for a new turntable tbh. The old tables tend to have heavier arms, and heavier arms wear through the vinyl faster. New ones have lighter arms, which would result in less wear
SCREAM! 02.16.16	"I would go all out for a new turntable tbh. The old tables tend to have heavier arms, and heavier arms wear through the vinyl faster. New ones have lighter arms, which would result in less wear" If you set your counterweight properly it makes no difference. If anything, a heavier arm will probably vibrate less and could result in better sound quality.
wham49 02.16.16	and much worse sound Nate, The old ones can be balanced so youshould be able to actually make it very light on the vinyl and get a much better sound than a new turntable, unless you are puting alot of money into one, and that arm will be like the old heavy balancing ones
theNateman 02.16.16	Oh really? Then Totally disregard my comment haha. I just remember reading somewhere that going new was better than going vintage
Davil667 02.16.16	A decision you'll never regret zak :] Fripp's absolutely right, the Audio Techica 120-USB is a very good choice to start with and you can easily digitize your vinyls. Regarding your budget I can also recommend Canton GLE 490 speakers, perfect price-performance ratio. I'm sure they won't disappoint you.
ZippaThaRippa 02.16.16	Your budget is 1000 FUCKING POUNDS??? Christ.
zakalwe 02.16.16	It's investing in my passion zippa dude. Some things have happend recently where I've just thought fuck it. What else is it going to go on, a new motor? Pfft. Holiday? Nah. I want to be sat there surrounded by comfortably numb, I'll be fucking livid if the sound is shite and I'm dicking about counter balancing me table arm.
wham49 02.16.16	Nate if you got the money you can go new, like 500$ and up, but otherwise find a nice clean vintage turntable, and with that you need a vintage reciever that has a analog plug in with the grounds, new ones do not have them
basikchanL 02.16.16	youre so british omg ♡
zakalwe 02.16.16	If you don't like it you can fuck off cunt. That is obviously a joke and I'm just playing up to the Brit abroad reality xxx Thanks for the input here dudes it's been a massive help.
basikchanL 02.16.16	i do hence the heart
ZippaThaRippa 02.16.16	He even says holiday. Adorable.
Spacesh1p 02.16.16	I spent about $1k on my set up a few months ago. No regrets. I made my own speaker cable instead of buying it which saved a lot.
Spacesh1p 02.16.16	Or rather, I bought raw cable, fitted the plugs, etc instead of buying out-of-the-box speaker cable that was much more expensive.
SCREAM! 02.16.16	You spend 1K on your setup and you drew the line at speaker cable? I don't even
ZippaThaRippa 02.16.16	A man's gotta stand up
Spacesh1p 02.16.16	Well it's not that the cable is bad quality. It's just that I had to strip the wires and attach the plugs myself rather than pay someone to do it for me. It wasn't very difficult.
Spacesh1p 02.16.16	Really I was just trying to communicate how I saved some dosh since it seemed to be a relevant topic.
Titan 02.16.16	turntable is the least relevant zak, just don't get a shitty one......your receiver/amp and speakers should be your main focus and 80% of your budget if you're purchasing 3 pieces (receiver, speakers, turntable).....i will assume you have a cd player (if necessary)......i'd spend $600 (BP) of your budget of $1000 on the speakers, $300 on the receiver, and whatever you can muster on the turntable
Titan 02.16.16	'I'm definitely thinking floor standing speakers though.' YES
wham49 02.16.16	agree on all but the turntable Titan, those 2 should be the bulk of the budget but, not only will a bad turntable sound like shit but will tear up your records, Like the rest said find a good heavy vintage and have it referbed, or buy one already referbed , both can be had for a couple hundred or if new expect to spent $500 and up for something decent and most importantly Zak, do not play Nirvana any any of this equipment. LOL
Titan 02.16.16	i recommended not to get a shitty one.....components are not as essential as the foundation - audiophile 101 speakers and receiver are critical
Titan 02.16.16	i'm also assuming he will be watching his television through the amp and speakers as well
wham49 02.16.16	I agreed, my set up is mid 90's Polk's with a 72 Marantz reciever, and a 79 Marantz Table, crystal clear, can get as loud as I want. Motorhead shakes the house
Titan 02.16.16	I have a Yamaha RX-V1065 Definitive Technology Mythos ST-L Towers (incredible) Oppo Blu ray / cd player Audio Technica AT-LP120 (could be better) neighbors don't care for geddy's voice much
cvlts 02.16.16	If you're just starting out, an Audio Technica AT-LP120 is a good way to go. Even has a built-in pre-amp. polk audio speakers would be a good beginning place to go. also make sure you invest in a good needle and cartridge. I don't recommend the stock ones most turntables come with.
Titan 02.16.16	i'm a believer in cd's.....more bang for the buck and 100 times more convenient.....a solid receiver, speakers, and cd player will go a long way.....$30 for a new vinyl doesn't help matters either.....just my thoughts
wham49 02.16.16	not sure why they went that way, should be 15 bucks, It is now the hip thing to do, 15 years ago I could buy used great shape great band for under 5 bucks, now anything is $20, maybe I should start selling my doubles and thirds
Titan 02.16.16	hip thing to do indeed, and our buddy (and peer), zak, is getting sucked in
SCREAM! 02.16.16	Don't give him that "if you're just starting out blahblah at lp 120 blahblah" crap guys He's got the money to get something great so what is the point of getting something "decent" only to sell it for half price and upgrade.
wham49 02.17.16	there are only a few things in the world I like getting sucked into, and this is top 3 LOL
Closk 02.18.16	Go second hand. Old player from the 80s. Not only is it cheaper, your also getting better quality better manufactured gear. I bought a brand new vinyl player and it was a piece of shit. Always skipping. Avoid anything with usb or plastic. You will pick up a second hand vinyl player for 40 quid, pre amp for 40 quid and same as speakers. And away you go, enjoy.
zakalwe 02.18.16	I'm compiling a list of all sorts, needles, cork vinyl mats. I'm obsessed at the min!
DoofusWainwright 02.18.16	Wish I had the money to do this
Ashen 02.18.16	Part of what makes vinyl fun for me is going to a record store or filling up a cart on an online distro with cheap grabs that I haven't heard before (or even recognize) whilst searching for something more specific. I've uncovered some really neat stuff by going in blind. I've also found some absolute trash but that's just part of it. Also, the 90s and early 2000s as you know was the age of the CD, and vinyl pressing wasn't as common then so some things from that era will be difficult to find if you are looking for an original issue. Not that you'd be searching for music from those years anyway : ) but if you're cool with a repress then try to find the source of what it was pressed from. Obviously a re-release of the original recording is preferable to a repress ripped from a CD. Keep vinyls upright, don't stack them because they're made of wax, just use ya head and you'll be gucci
zakalwe 02.18.16	Yeah, that was another question I had. The only vinyls I've ever spun are all original 70s and 80s numbers. Nothing from the 90s from what I can recall. All this repressed stuff seems a bit suspect to me??
Ashen 02.18.16	Discogs is a great place to buy if you are looking for something in particular. They list info for each pressing of a given album, year, record label etc. I've had great success with represses from the original label and success with other repress in general, but I try to buy original copies. Much of the time with repressed or new stuff they will give you lots of bonus shit in the sleeve of the record, a poster or booklet or artwork or something, and almost always a free download of the album. Good stuff
zakalwe 10.22.19	Bumping cos it’s finally going to happen. Moving to a bigger place, the lounge is going to have a system setup in it. The wife is all on board and is well behind the idea hence budget has increased to about £2500. What a woman. I’d still buy 1-5
Demon of the Fall 10.22.19	Hang on, you spoke to the wife and the budget actually increased, what kind of sorcery is this? Good luck with the set up/move, I have shit all advice, just proper jealous at the minute.
zakalwe 10.22.19	The wife is real deal mate. Only took 3 years+ of sweet talking and shoes.
grannypantys 10.22.19	its a proud day for sput zak is finally becoming a man
zakalwe 11.02.20	As it stands Beatles - Sgt Pepper Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers David Bowie - Ziggy Led Zep - I Pink Floyd - Darkside Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, Bitches Brew Ben Howard - IFWWW, Noonday Dream Opeth - Orchid, MAYH, Blackwater Park Nina Simone - I put a spell on you Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies Otis Redding - Blue Mark Hollis - Mark Hollis Verve - Northern Soul Nat Birchall - Mysticism of Sound Air - Moon Safari R.E.M - Life’s Rich Pageant Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet Two collections of Motown and Northern Soul An absolute shocking lack of 90s all time faves, punk, dance music and none from either of me fave artists (Nirvana, Bob Dylan) but it’s there to be built upon.
botb 11.02.20	I got got
zakalwe 11.02.20	Happy as a pig in shit (as I type I’m listening to Orchid) and there’s nothing but a permanent sense of joy gleaned from this nonsense. Music never dies.
budgie 11.02.20	"Budget £1000" but £900 speakers and a £100 amp and listen to digital music
Sinternet 11.02.20	moon safari was like the 2nd record I bought, god it feels so good
budgie 11.02.20	oh god fuckin 2016 god damnit
zakalwe 11.02.20	@sin That one along with Otis Redding’s Blue and Noonday Dream are the albums where there is definitely an audible difference in the old vinyl. Absolute quality.