Technics SL1210 mk7 ($900 new), separate phono stage (schiit mani cost $120).
New to Turntables
My Father sent me a box of 45s and I no longer have a record player. Albeit, I do have some old LPs stored away. So I thought it was time to get at least a serviceable record player.
I opted for the Denon DP-450USB. All the reviews say that the cartridge on this player is sub-par, so I have ordered the Ortofon 2m Red to replace it.
The question I have is on the best setup, based on what I have. The Denon player has a built in pre-amp and my Yamaha TSR-7810 has a Phono stage connection.
Would it be better to use the player's built in pre-amp? Or switch the pre-amp off and use the Yamaha's pre-amp? I suppose it is a matter whether Yamaha's pre-amp is better than the built in Denon player's pre-amp.
Any thoughts?
I opted for the Denon DP-450USB. All the reviews say that the cartridge on this player is sub-par, so I have ordered the Ortofon 2m Red to replace it.
The question I have is on the best setup, based on what I have. The Denon player has a built in pre-amp and my Yamaha TSR-7810 has a Phono stage connection.
Would it be better to use the player's built in pre-amp? Or switch the pre-amp off and use the Yamaha's pre-amp? I suppose it is a matter whether Yamaha's pre-amp is better than the built in Denon player's pre-amp.
Any thoughts?
Showing 6 responses by chakster
Just being curious, would it hurt to make my own ground cable? I have a single 5 foot strand of Audioquest Type-4. What if I twist all four conductors together and crimp on a spade? You don't have to twist 4, ground wire can be single wire soldered to the spades, the function of this wire is to connect (audio signal does not go through the ground wire). |
You have to check the manual for MM cartridge where you will see operation conditions such as load resistance of the phono stage (in Ohms), overall phono cable capacity (in pF) from your cartridge to the phono stage. Looking at phono cable manual you can find specs in pF (cable capacity). Cable length will change cable capacity (not RCA connectors). High quality modern phono cables are low capacitance. For example if you will look at the specs for Zu Audio phono cable here you will see “Cp ~94pF” |
You should learn a bit about different stylus profiles, Micro Ridge stylus life span is ~2000 hrs, but this is the most expensive and most complicated stylus profile (just like Ortofon Replicant-100). But elliptical (and conical) are two cheapest profiles with very short life span. I’m giving you realistic numbers (600hrs for elliptical, 1000hrs for Shibata, 2000hrs for MicroRidge). If you want Ortofon cartridge look for higher morels than Red, look for the models with Shibata stylus. |
The Ortofon 2m red can surpass 1000 hours of use. No way, probably 600, it's an elliptical tip (not even nude). 1000 hrs is for shibata and related advanced profiles, but not for an elliptical. You will be disappointed after reading this article |