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How do you roll? First LP on a new TT.

I am new and I am sure there are threads that touch on this, but I was wondering what others play that first virgin time they hook up a new turntable.

I will be getting my kit in a couple of days, and I naturally started thinking about what I wanted to play. Of course, it is not just about the turntable, but the amps, speakers, cartage etc. but just in terms of music: what do you use to test your new kit out?

My family is very musical. A great relative founded the Vancouver symphony; I have two family members in the Chicago symphony chorus; and my grandfather was an accompanist to Italian opera singers in the 40s. 'Classical' is natural, so some Sir George Solti comes to mindm -- but I don't have any of his vinyl.

I also have a soft spot for punk rock (yikes), and laying down some Lagwagon or Authority Zero would really make my day -- but probably wouldn't tell me much. It would be fun though.

In the end, I think I am going to go with some Andrew Bird (Scythian Empires) or even more contemporary, such as First Aid Kit. Nice vocals with some good instrumentation.

Just wondering what other people's play-back reference is.

Cheers,
k.
drinky
15 responses Add your response
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,784 posts
 
The first virgin time with a new turntable ... an LP that you do not care about, just in case it gets scratched up, because you did not set-up everything correctly.

Once you are convinced that you have the set-up correct, pick an LP that you are note by note familiar with. This is to confirm that you did the right thing by buying a new turntable and can hear the differences you just paid for. For me , there are two albums:

Rolling Stones - 'Let It Bleed'
Stephen Stills - self named, 1st solo record.

I did this just last week with my new Stanton STR 150.

Rich
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I will be getting my kit in a couple of days, and I naturally started thinking about what I wanted to play. Of course, it is not just about the turntable, but the amps, speakers, cartage etc. but just in terms of music: what do you use to test your new kit out?"

It's just like a CD player. You can play anything you want. But before you do any serious listening, you need to let the cartridge break in. Sometimes they sound so bad, you may think something is broken. Somewhere between 50-100 hours will do it for most carts. Just make sure to keep track of how much break in time you put on it. Its easy to lose track.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Play Classical only for a month or six.
Got to get good Karma in all through the TT.
lindisfarne
511 posts
 
American Beauty
vernneal's avatar
vernneal
438 posts
 
YUSIF....................
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
It is presumed that you set up your turntable to the best it can be. Then find the album of music that you like the best...don't worry about its fidelity. You should be overtaken at how great it now sounds
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Whatever tickles my fancy at that time. No reason to be particular, imo.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I was just wondering: would 12" 45rpm LPs break in the cartridge more quickly?

To the OP's question, given your background, I'd give it a run with some big orchestral pieces. Some of my favorites are:

o Analogue Productions' reissue of RCA Living Stereo's Scheherazade by Reiner & Chicago Symph.,
o Analog Prod./RCA reissue series of Reiner/Chicago of Pines and Fountains of Rome and also Pictures at an Exhibition,
o Andre Previn/Royal Phil or Mehta/LA Phil of The Planets,
o 1968 Angel box of Mendelssohn's Elijah cantata
o A good "Carmen"
o Zubin Mehta/London Symph "Turandot" w/Pavarotti doing the tenor.

Here are all 26 Living Stereo orchestral reissues by Analogue Productions. According to the reviews I've read these are the first reissues to actually exceed the original RCA first pressings. My copy of Scherazade from this series is incredible and has some of the best dynamics I've heard on vinyl.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I always go with an Lp I know very well that is well recorded just to get a reference point...for me Hotel CA, Abraxas, Rumours, Back in Black,etc...and I usually follow that with something new just to mix it up
drinky OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for the input. I have to admit that it didn't occur to me the break-in for a cartridge would be that long.

Also that is a good idea to not lay down the best LP I have just incase something isn't set right. I am getting the Pro-ject Carbon Debut Esprit pkg, and I think the cartage comes factory mounted, so I'm hoping it is ok on arrival.

The concept of playing something I know appeals to me now though. I just might go for some classic Billy Joel -- maybe Turnstiles.

k.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Glass houses
drinky OP
15 posts
 
Glass Houses was the first album I got to know as a child. I had bought some 45s before that, but Glass Houses was the first full-length album I played oner and over, BUT I don't have that album right now.

k.
terry9
2,341 posts
 
Hello Drinky.

Assuming that the factory mounted it right may be a bit risky. I would take an afternoon and check everything.

As for break-in, my Koetsu sounded very fine after just a few hours - it probably sounded that good at the outset, but it took my ears a few hours to catch up. According to the cartridge builder and rebuilder Soundsmith, the main reason why cartridges need time to break in, is because it takes time to twist their guts around to accommodate a poor setup.

As for records, consider anything you know well, especially an Angel 45RPM. Happy listening!
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Glass houses is somewhat of an anomaly in the BJ canon...his true attempt at a full out rock lp via post punk and new wave to great results...this was a fun era...seems like everybody was turning out new wave....even Linda Ronstadt and Alice Cooper!
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I was covering some of Glass Houses in a band back when it came out, and at the time I was blown away with the deeper cuts (and got tired of the hits real fast). A friggin' great album...Ronstadt said at the time that "New Wave is whitey's last stand"...sort of a perfect comment as suddenly Rock and Roll woke up and got fun for the jaded dudes like me who had trudged through the late 60s and 70s (although there was plenty of great stuff then also...Little Feat, Steely Dan). Plus, I could cut my hair!
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