Thanks for all the suggestions.
As soon as I get some time, I am going to review all these suggestions again.
I forgot to mention that I have a Simaudio 110lp v2 phono stage. As far as I know that is a decent phono stage.
I do realize my TT is very entry level and I am currently researching some new tables.
The music does sound good and I think it is the records themselves, not the equipment.
I am not doing a good job cleaning them.
I believe that is what I need to improve on. |
Forgot to mention that I am alone in the audiophile world, lol.
Meaning, I don't have any friends or family who are into this hobby, otherwise I could have gone to them to compare.
Thnx |
I forgot about one album that I had bought and just played one of the tracks, Dire Straits On Every Street: You and Your Friend
I ran my anti-static brush on it before playing and cleaned the stylus. It played flawlessly, not even one pop or crackle.
Finally, some relief, lol.
But that tells me it's got to be the records and need better cleaning I assume.
Playing Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughan right now as I type and it has just a few crackle's, so that also makes me feel a little bit better.
I think I tend to panic to quick. Going to need to get a better cleaning method/apparatus.
By the way, I have another thread asking about opinions on some turntables but wanted to get a quick opinion, what do you all think of the Thorens TD 148a?
I do like the convenience of auto start and stop (especially the stop).
Thnx |
Thanks for everyone's advice and suggestions.
Much to digest.
By the way, any opinions on Thorens TT's, especially the TD 148a?
Thnx |
Wow, a lot of information to digest here.
Thanks to all for the suggestions.
I am going to continue on this journey and see which method works for me.
I really do appreciate all the feedback from each of you.
I will try to post back when I get better results and what worked for me.
Thnx
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@almarg
Looking at the settings on my phono stage dip switches, this is what I see:
- 100pf
- 47k
- RIAA curve
- 40db |
audioguy,
I am in the process of researching some better turntables.
One that has piqued my interest right now is the Thorens TD 148a but not sure what the quality of the catridge is.
Seems like a good solid table and I like the automatic features (the denon has spoiled me in this sense).
But I can't seem to find any really good reviews on it.
The others that I am researching right now are: rega, project, music hall, mobile fidelity and even goldenote.
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@noromance,
Thanks for suggestions, I am going to research those but am curious why not Thorens.
Are they not good? |
There's a audio store in Pasadena, CA, Audio Element, which has record cleaners available to customers. You just need to buy some record cleaning solution to utilize their cleaners as much as you want.
I think I will take a couple of my records that I seem to be having some issues with, clean it there and then also play it there and see how they sound.
They have a bunch of turntables you can check out and play on, so I will probably do a before and after and see how the results are.
Since I do not have a higher end record cleaner and don't know anyone personally who is into this hobby, this will have to be the way to test out the records.
If I like the results, then I might invest in a cleaner.
Thing is, at the moment, I have probably have about 50 or less records.
I also won't be able to buy or keep hundreds of them simply because I do not have the room, so I will need to be very selective of what I want on the LP format.
I hope I can get out there on one of the coming weekends.
Thanks
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Thanks for all suggestions on the cleaning machines.
Some of them are unfortunately quite pricey for myself.
As I stated before, hopefully I can get out to the audio store that I mentioned and try our their machines to clean and see how they do.
@davidgwillett,
The get togethers that you have done, have they been at someone's home? I am assume, a different person's home each time?
Also, how big is your group and do you all bring some equipment with you to test out and demo?
Thanks
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@allenf1963,
Thanks for your suggestions, the Rega Planar 6 is on my radar too.
I have not found much info on the 148 besides the website and a few quick Youtube videos. The only thing that concerns me on that TT, is the cartridge. Might have to upgrade the cartridge but the table is already at $2K as you mentioned.
Here is the honest truth from me
I am getting an itch to upgrade to a new TT but currently my Denon is running great and overall, sounds good to me. I do enjoy the LP's that I am playing on them and sometimes think, why upgrade.
But, from my perspective, what really is good, right? I mean, I have not heard (within my system) a better TT yet. So until I have another table to compare it to, I won't really know what I am missing. After I do, my assumption of good might turn into, "What was I thinking!"
For me spending upwards of $2K is really maxing my budget (I have a humble entry level system). I also wonder if it's worth getting a very expensive table for it. I don't listen literally everyday, maybe a few times a week, simply because sometimes I too tired when I get home from work.
With all that said, the tables that I have on my radar are:
- Rega Planar 6 (have heard people have issues with hum with this table, so not too sure about it)
- Mo-Fi Studio (either with the Master Track cart or maybe a Hana MC)- Mo-Fi Ultradeck with Master Tracker (really above my budget but if I am crazy to get to that price point, then going all the way with the Master Tracker Cart)- Music Hall mmf-7.3 (I like the looks of this one)- Marantz TT15S1 (Would have to get some kind of cover for this one)- Thorens 148a (really like the fact that it is automatic and looks nice from the pics at least but wonder about the quality of the cart included)- Goldnote Valor 425 Plus (looks really nice from the pics)
One other thing that is important to me is looks/aesthetics and I have habit of sometimes wanting things that are not as common or popular.
Hence the interest in the Goldnote, haven't seen much talk about that one.
But the Marantz, I have read so many good reviews and people stating that it should cost more because of the cart and arm that it comes with. It definitely is looker, that's for sure.
So this is where I am at right now, ha.
Thanks
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@chakster
Hi,
I know you have recommend the Technics 1200GR. I have no doubt it is a good and exceptional TT. But my only gripe with it is the looks. I mean it does look nice but too DJ for me.
As I said earlier somewhere, for me, looks are important too. When I am not listening to records, I want to look at my player and say, wow, that is a beauty.
Now, I know you're probably thinking, I am going to pass on a great player simply because it might not be as pretty as some other players and that probably doesn't make sense. I get it.
But what can I say, that is me. If I get a new table, it needs to perform well but also look good to my eyes.
Thanks for the suggestion, I am still kind of looking at it and it is still somewhere in my mind, so you never know.
Thanks |
@chakster
You have nice gear. I am assuming you the Technics GR also, if so, what cartridge are you using or would recommend for it?
In the Pic, the GAE does look nice with it's finish. The GR looks a little less shiny but it is half the cost, so I get it.
By the way, what is the pitch control for? Is that geared more towards DJ's, what benefit would it have for a someone like me?
I do appreciate your input.
Thanks |
Wow, I didn't think this thread would grow so large (It's Alive!), lol.
One thing is for sure, we are all quite passionate about listening to music and especially listening to LP's. Definitely something special about LP's in comparison to other formats. In many cases, it can be the center piece of your complete system, something beautiful to behold, something you interact with in such an intimate way compared to other formats.
We all have our personal tastes/interests and experience when it comes to this hobby (I still consider myself a novice). But that is the great thing about it, we can all share our passion together and learn from one another.
And I have already learned quite a bit from this thread and so want to thank each one of you for your contribution! I may not be able to look into or implement every suggestion but I can certainly learn from it and for that, I appreciate all the input!
So, yesterday, I went to that audio store I had mentioned. Took only 3 records with me as I was not sure what to expect. Normally, you buy a cleaning solution and then clean your records but yesterday there was a gentlemen there plugging his device, the Keith Monks "Prodigy" and so was able to get my records cleaned for free yesterday.
He went over all the features of this new device. The housing was made of Bamboo and it was pretty quiet. I thought it looked kind of cool. Overall, it did a pretty decent job of cleaning the records. I just listened to a couple of tracks in the store and although there were still a few clicks/pops it was pretty minute compared to before.
I liked the machine but it was $995, out of my price range for a device to simply clean records. I will need to stick to something a bit more economical, at least for me.
Did get to check out the Rega P6 and Mo-Fi decks, so that was cool.
It's going to be a little before I actually purchase because I just purchased about a week ago, the Isotek Evo 3 Sirius Power Distribution unit and some new power cables. I have my Intergrated, CD Player, Dac, TT and phono stage now plugged into that unit. I think I hear a slight positive difference in the sound but not sure yet.
Next I need to re-arrange some of my devices in my cabinet and put my current TT in the middle instead of the side (I have the TT, Integrated and CD Player on the top of the cabinet). Once I have that done, then the new TT can simply just slip in place of the Denon, eventually.
Also going to get a small storage rack just for the LP's so that it can be more accessible. Right now, they are in the cabinet and a hassle to take out and put back (and yes I do store them vertically, haha).
Thanks All!
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@slaw and @has2be, Thanks for your kind words!
@noromance ,
I completely agree with you, time will tell if there really is a difference in sound quality. Another reason I picked up the Isotek was because I had really entry lever power strips and wanted to get something a little more substantial to protect the gear. |
@tomic601
I will need to look into the Nitty Gritty device.
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I have a Denon DRS-810 for a cassette deck.
It's decent and still working.
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@jnn
Thanks for your input. CD’s are for sure awesome. In fact, last night I was listening to some Dire Strait’s Brother in Arms on SACD and it sounded great.
But so far I am also enjoying LP’s even though the occasional pops/crackles are annoying, I am determined to get to a point when those become very minimal.
As stated before, I have a Denon Dp-300f with the Ortofon 2M Blue and I feel it sounds pretty good overall. I can only imagine, how it will sound once I move up to a more substantial Turn Table with a good cartridge (probably going to go for a MC next time).
By the way, I also listen to tapes once in a while and still have most of my audio cassettes.
I swear they will make a come back one day, lol.
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@theo1124,
Looks like a nice unit, a bit pricey for me.
I think I might eventually get the okki nokki device for cleaning purposes
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@slaw
Are you referring to the Pro-Ject Cleaning machines?
Which one in particular?
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