A bit more on that Realistic turntable situation:
I took it all apart again last week and lubed all the things. And that really didn't solve the issue. So, I started looking at other things that control speed, namely the speed and pitch pots. And yeah, both of those are borked. Fiddling with the 33/45 RPM switch seems to cause the motor to cut out at random. For now, it's going back in the box and I'll keep soldiering on with my trusty Gemini, a real dump truck of a turntable, until I have time to completely disassemble the thing and hose it down with electronics cleaner.
Also, my wife has expressed interest in a Mid-Century Modern console for another room, so I've been on the lookout!
VolvoHeretic said:
... A middle of the road old turntable and cartridge should sound 100% better...
So I started messing with my hand-me-down Philips 406 Automatic turntable this past weekend. I think it needs a stylus and it might need a cartridge. Neither have been replaced in decades. Currently there's an ADC brand S1EAD model cartridge installed in the tone arm. The platter came loose from my poor tape-down method of transporting the player during a move across the country and banged around a bit.
So, while I wait for feedback on a forum out of Europe that deals with Philips stereo equipment, I wondered what you'd suggest. I need a stylus at minimum and I don't know about the cartridge. Thoughts?
Sorry, I have been out of the turntable loop for over 35 years. Glancing over on Crutchfield.com: Search results for phono cartridges they go from about $40 to over $1000 (gasp).
Also check Sweetwater.com: Cartridges & Styli
Great forum to learn anything audio AudioKarma.org/Forum: Turntables
Forgive me Father for I have sinned, It has been 38 years since my last turntable...
Accidentally acquired a Technics SL-D2 direct drive turntable today with a few albums from the late 70's to early 80's. I wasn't looking to get back into vinyl since I have been away for so long.
1. So, how do I tell if the cartridge needs replacement?
2. New or old albums for the collection? I have a buddy that has been trying to get me into vinyl and he is talking up Music Direct for quality pressings, but I have no idea what all things mean like 180 gram, 200 gram, etc.
3. Last I knew albums were 33 1/3 rpm. What's up with the 45rpm albums on 2 records?
4. What about half speed masters?
5. WTF did I get myself into?
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
I've also never heard of those other speed LP's but from what I've read stylus last about 500 hours but who keeps track of that. Evidently you will hear when your stylus needs replacing. I would get an elliptical needle for old style records. I wonder if a jewelers magnifier would help.
Here is an interesting video of how a record works.
Electron microscope slow-motion video of vinyl LP
z31maniac said:
VolvoHeretic said:
Where are the nudie interior photos of that stereo console cabinet?
Ha, totally forgot and haven't been looking at any forums in more than a week.
And,,, while we are still waiting for those photos from z31maniac in order to tell what kind of turntable we are talking about and if common cartridges will fit onto his tonearm, here is an idea for a starter cartridge with and without a headshell assuming the TT is worth using. Moving magnet and elliptical stylus.
Crutchfield.com: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E
Crutchfield.com: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E/H
And, this is an OK explanation of the various types of cartridges and headshells, and what kinds of tone arms they fit on.
The Different Types Of Phono Cartridges
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
-You'll know when you need a replacement stylus when sound is more muffled and distorted than it should be. Hard to tell sometimes without a point of reference. Also, if it's damaged/bent, just replace it.
-My collection has a mix of both new and old vinyl. The tricky part is, there are bad pressings of both new and old records. During the late 70's and especially into the late 80's, they made records cheaper and cheaper, and there were various pressings, some good and some bad, of most popular albums. Sometimes with the new ones, they will record to vinyl from a bad digital source, and it will sound bad. The best way to tell what's what is to get yourself a Discogs account and look up the pressing on there. Sound is subjective, but if most people say it's a good pressing on there, it typically is.
-On the "half speed masters": Basically, they record from the master recording at half speed and lower kHz, and they cut the record at that speed. When you play it at 33 1/3 RPM, it's supposed to give the record a broader, fuller sound. Basically, it's a fancy way of mastering for vinyl.
-I have a couple records that are full 12" that play at 45RPM. They are not full LP's, but EP's. Only a couple songs per side. Basically, it's not enough songs for a full length, and too many for a small 7" or 10".
-You got yourself into a hobby that can consume your soul and wallet. But, it's very rewarding to have a physical connection to your favorite albums/artists, and there's no better way to do that at home than there is collecting/playing records!
How are you guys cleaning your records?
For Xmas, I ended up getting a Vinyl Vac.
Basically, it's an attachment that works with a wet/dry vac. You use your favorite cleaning solution (it actually comes with some concentrate to make your own), get it in the grooves real well with a cloth or velvet scrubber, and vac it up with the Vinyl Vac attachment, which has a lengthwise slot surrounded by velvet that makes direct contact with the record. This is WAY cheaper than getting one of the vinyl vaccum machines or ultrasonic cleaners they make, and it does a pretty good job cleaning old records.
While you CAN use your turntable, you do have to apply decent pressure to the record to suck up the fluid, which can damage the center bearing. Vinyl Vac recommends that you make a cleaning rig out of a lazy susan, and they have instructions to do it right on their website. I went that route, and it was pretty simple.
Picked up this 12" plastic lazy susan on Amazon for around $10. I then hot-glued a bolt to the center, which acts as the "spindle".
I then added two layers of drawer liner to it, and I had this silicone label blocker from a cleaning kit already. You can get the blocker with a bottle of cleaner from Amazon for around $10, and it's worth it. You can use a piece of cardboard, plastic, etc. instead if you want to save a few bucks.
After cleaning a few records on the drawer liner, I noticed it was leaving some light marks on the test record. I remembered I had this Offspring slip mat, so I plopped that on there.
Here's a test record: a copy of Aerosmith's Draw The Line that I picked up at a car swap meet a few years ago. No matter how much I cleaned it in the past, some marks would not leave. Basically unplayable.
Hard to tell with the lighting, but the Vinyl Vac and this little cleaning rig made a HUGE difference! Not only were all the weird dirt marks gone, but it actually plays now! It's still kinda beat and slightly noisy, but this thing wouldn't get through a single song before without major issues. I've used it on a few other older, dirty records, and it brought them all back to life. Highly recommended if you are looking for an affordable, effective cleaning rig.
In reply to Tony Sestito :
Thanks for that excellent explanation about records. A while back after I got a copy of Audacity thinking that after 30 years I could digitally record and remove all of the snap, crackle, and pop from my abused record collection (I was wrong), I couldn't find my Disk Washer brush, so I mixed up a solution of 3/4 distilled water, 1/4 rubbing alcohol, and 2 drops of Dawn dish soap as directed by the enterweb and applied that onto a 6" painting pad and tried to wash my albums. It didn't help and I never tried the Audacity as the albums where too far gone compared to their replacement CDs. I gave the records and player to my son so that he can experience Albums.
Thanks for the responses guys! I need to get this thing hooked up, see how well it works and go from there. Found a copy of the owners manual online. Maybe I'll have time after work one night this week to check it out.
