New to Turntables

@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?

I am putting the player in my entertainment center.  So the ground cable would end up running across multiple power cables and other audio cables. I fear interference with the 24 gauge wire they'll likely supply.

@fuzztone


I am not denying that concept.  However, I like to take an 80/20 reading on folks who may have used one or the other.  I can't know unless I ask. :)

@chakster

When you say, "low capacitance" cables, are you speaking in reference to the RCA connection or the ground connection?

I have two sets of mid-fi RCA connectors and haven't decided which to use.

I have Audioquest Ruby X3 and Monster Cable Reference 2, both circa 1995. Then use whatever ground cable comes with the record player.

@builder3  

Yes, but the option exists for two different connecting methods:

Option 1: Turn off Denon's built-in pre-amp. Connect RCA to RCA to Yamaha's Phono section. Connect GND from Denon player to GND on Yamaha.

Option 2: Turn on Denon's built-in pre-amp.  Connect RCA to RCA to the Yamaha on any available section.

I sort of get this feeling, after reading the Denon's manual online that the built in pre-amp is sort of a last resort method and that they prefer you connect to an external pre-amp.

@chakster

I suppose I could strip out an individual conductor, but I am not sure if spray foam Polyethylene is a sufficient shield against interference from other cables.

My understanding with ground wires, is that it offloads excess electrical signal from the main audio signal. Is this correct or am I over simplifying it?

My thought is using the geometry and multiple conductors in the Type-4 cable to offload that electrical signal faster than a 24 gauge multi-strand cable.

@wolfie62  

I have to admit that delving into the turntable arena is a lot more complicated that I had thought.

Back in the day, you just plugged the record player in, put the record on and hit play. Most were automatic when I was a kid. I later acquired a Technics turntable.  There wasn't an internet, so there wasn't any info on balancing, adjusting, calibrating or anything.  Since I worked in stereo sales, I knew enough to get a cartridge that could handle 20hz-20Khz and replaced the stock cartridge.

After doing research on what to do when my new player comes in...it's crazy.

I have to use a level to test all four corners of the player where I place it and ensure it's 100% level. Then balance the tone arm. Then use a protractor to align the cartridge. Then  balance the tone arm again. I am sweating from effort before I have even started. ;)

@elliottbnewcombjr  

After checking the specs on the cartridge that comes with the Denon Dp-450, I decided to get the Ortofon 2m red, mostly because the Denon has to  be changed out after only 400 hours of use.  That tells me it isn't a well made cartridge to wear out that fast. The Ortofon 2m red can surpass 1000 hours of use.

@chakster


Direct from Ortofon's website:

" Stylus lifetime: with proper care we find that up to 1000 hours is possible without degradation of performance. Please read about stylus care on our FAQ. "

That article is very informative, thx. Although, I do wonder how many people follow Jico's recommendation. That seems awfully short, especially if someone invested $10000 on a cartridge. One would have to start breaking down performance by dollar. Like, it might cost someone $25 to listen to an entire album (A and B side) based on wear/tear. ;) 

@yogiboy

Thanks.  I had actually watched this video. Even he eventually states that the weight recommendations are usually off and he used a digital scale....which...I just ordered. :)  So, it is to be hoped that I will resolve this part of the issue.  I also got an album weight in case there is some warping of these old albums.

Ok, so it all arrived and I set it up....for the most part.  I followed the instructions but the balancing of the tone arm was utter fail.

According to the instructions, you screw on the weight, set the anti-skate to 0. adjust the weight until the tone arm balances. Then set the inner weight scale to the downforce weight required for your cartridge and set the anti-skate to the same.  I did this three times with the exact same results.

The tone arm was too light and the anti-skate would cause the tone arm to swing quickly off the record.

Eventually, I gave up and just set the weights and anti-skate based on what the tone arm was doing.  If it is too light, it will skip or loop on any slight imperfection.  I increased the weight and lowered the anti-skate until play-through was consistent.

There is a good chance I am increasing the wear on the needle and the record itself.

The sound quality was better than I expected. I can see why people are going back to vinyl.  It has a depth that isn't easy to achieve in the digital world, even at high bit rates and resolutions.

There were some issues of harshness in the mid-high frequencies, like electric guitar riffs, or mid-range male vocals. I have chalked it down to break-in as it got better after about 2 hours of playing.

@bob540   

Thanks!  The DP-450 requires separate RCA and ground connection. I am using some old Audioquest Ruby X3s and I am using a single run of Audioquest Type-4 cable, with a crimped on spade as my ground cable. I also got the Ortofon 2M Red.

At present, both the cartridge and the phono stage have to break in.  The only issue is, I am unable to clean the old records to any point where the crackle and pop are gone.  On some albums, it's so bad that you can't really experience the music.

I am wondering if my mismanagement of the tonearm balancing might be adding to the issue.  I ordered a tonearm downforce scale which should arrive today.  So I will correct that issue.  Although I wonder what it will affect.