If I was to buy a new one, I'd be tempted by a Lenco direct drive, they got good reviews in hi fi world magazine, however the Amazon reviews are mixed at best, plus the prices seem to have gone up, so second hand seems more viable, I did manage to get a Gerrard 401 from a junk shop, but I think it may need a new idler wheel rubber. I've never found the treble on CD to be a problem, am I missing something? - perhaps I've made all my speakers a bit shy up top to suit CD.
A Garrard 401from a "junk" shop ?
Have a look on Google for a company that is rebuilding and restoring Garrard turntables
Found it:
https://www.classichifi-shop.co.uk/
Have a look on Google for a company that is rebuilding and restoring Garrard turntables
Found it:
https://www.classichifi-shop.co.uk/
Hi, by the sounds of it, he cannot do DIY, which makes his job impossible.
My whole system, (sorry except CD) is DIY. That is why instead of costing my $70,000 it cost less that $20,000
Cheers
My whole system, (sorry except CD) is DIY. That is why instead of costing my $70,000 it cost less that $20,000
Cheers
I would be fine with buying used, but how do I get a good one? Belts can be replaced, cartridges replaced, but they are fiddly as I have seen.
This video ties in nicely with the YouTube reviews and buying used. For $64 I almost went online and bought an AR64, I am exaggerating slightly, but it is actually about GBP 1000 or so, used.
$64 vs $ 500,0000? I can't make head or tail of this. To me, the Airforce Zero sounds really good, Luis Armstrong sound true to life, but then I have not heard a good turntable and system live for a while, if ever.
This video ties in nicely with the YouTube reviews and buying used. For $64 I almost went online and bought an AR64, I am exaggerating slightly, but it is actually about GBP 1000 or so, used.
$64 vs $ 500,0000? I can't make head or tail of this. To me, the Airforce Zero sounds really good, Luis Armstrong sound true to life, but then I have not heard a good turntable and system live for a while, if ever.
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The original AR arm was not so good, due to crude bearings. But you could get by with it for a while.
The turntable itself is decent, and the basic design approach was widely imitated by others, including Linn, etc.
Later on, AR made a version with a better arm, and also another version without an arm.
The turntable itself remained pretty much the same, other than a nicer base and dust cover.
https://vinylnirvana.com/ar-turntable-resources/ar-models
The turntable itself is decent, and the basic design approach was widely imitated by others, including Linn, etc.
Later on, AR made a version with a better arm, and also another version without an arm.
The turntable itself remained pretty much the same, other than a nicer base and dust cover.
https://vinylnirvana.com/ar-turntable-resources/ar-models
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Are there any reputable stores in the UK where I can buy a properly working turntable? I don't mind the 'fun' of risking $100 or so plus shipping.
https://dougbradyhifi.com/collections
https://audiogold.co.uk/product-category/hi-fi/turntables/
For British Turntables.... Scottish, not English, not Welsh... Look to Scotland.
Do you ever look though Hifishark.com?
Do you ever look though Hifishark.com?
Looking online for sound comparison is a big no no.
No one can do it for the simple fact that there are so many variants in play that would make your head spin.
Are you using speakers (computer or otherwise)?
Are you using an amplifier?
With internal phono amp or external ?
What cartridge in the Turntable ?
What wiring in the tonearm ?
Not all amplifiers are build the same and that applies to speakers, to turntables, I'm no an audiofool but some say cables can make a difference too.
Are you listening with headphones ?
As you see loads of variants and the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately your location doesn't help due to cost of postage I just checked and a 10Kg box 50x50x30 is over £110 or $136.
No one can do it for the simple fact that there are so many variants in play that would make your head spin.
Are you using speakers (computer or otherwise)?
Are you using an amplifier?
With internal phono amp or external ?
What cartridge in the Turntable ?
What wiring in the tonearm ?
Not all amplifiers are build the same and that applies to speakers, to turntables, I'm no an audiofool but some say cables can make a difference too.
Are you listening with headphones ?
As you see loads of variants and the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately your location doesn't help due to cost of postage I just checked and a 10Kg box 50x50x30 is over £110 or $136.
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You find a reputable seller, and you make sure you know what you're buying. If you buy from a store, as people in the US and Europe buy from HiFiDo in Japan, you may get a better experience, though there are individual sellers on auction sites who are also reliable. To have the product shipped internationally, good packing is crucial. Some stores (I doubt all) really know how to do that, and take it very seriously. If they also have a better selection than what you could find in Bangkok, if that's where you're planning to look (and which, from a quick internet check, seems about as not-great for turntable buying as I would expect), it can be worth the extra cost that comes with international shipping.
However, I don't know what kind of budget is available to you.
The other thing you need to ask is. WHAT DO YOU EXSPECT.
T/T system is very good indeed & would cost the normal user around $10,000 to put together. However it is only slightly ahead of Spotify Pro. Played through my LG phone (which is also known for it's outstanding S/Q). So how much vynil do you have to play. Is the investment worth it.
Cheers
T/T system is very good indeed & would cost the normal user around $10,000 to put together. However it is only slightly ahead of Spotify Pro. Played through my LG phone (which is also known for it's outstanding S/Q). So how much vynil do you have to play. Is the investment worth it.
Cheers
Just an example of what I found, in the UK, by searching through Hifishark.com ( With a cartridge too..)...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1157855360...customid=e54ddcb6-fe7d-11ed-892b-353130646433
Just to give you a general idea... there are quite a few under $2000USD as well. Depends what you're looking for.
You will need a phono preamp... but that shouldn't be hard to do.
Now, in the Maldives, maintaining a Linn might be something interesting... they do need suspension tweaks every so often. Perhaps and email to the factory might of of use: "Are there any issues maintaining an LP12 in the tropics? Is there anyone who can maintain an LP12 in the Maldives?"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1157855360...customid=e54ddcb6-fe7d-11ed-892b-353130646433
Just to give you a general idea... there are quite a few under $2000USD as well. Depends what you're looking for.
You will need a phono preamp... but that shouldn't be hard to do.
Now, in the Maldives, maintaining a Linn might be something interesting... they do need suspension tweaks every so often. Perhaps and email to the factory might of of use: "Are there any issues maintaining an LP12 in the tropics? Is there anyone who can maintain an LP12 in the Maldives?"
I listened to Spotify the other day and the music I was playing sounded a little distorted on the free version. That is why you mentioned Spotify Pro, I suppose.
I do not want to be tied in to internet drop outs when listening to music, too frustrating.
Right now my comparisons are CDs played through an old DVD player, ripped CDs (through laptop sound card) to .wav, mp3s downloaded from a paid subscription, and converted cassette tapes and vinyl, the last two sound very very good, depending on the condition of the tape or record. I have now put aside my CDs for a while. I am listening to Internet Archive converted vinly, with some noise, and YouTube.
I do not think I can get a 'good' system right now, I will have to try out my USB turntable and have another look at the CDs again.
This thread was not only for myself, but I thought it may be useful for anyone getting into vinyl again. Turns out, it is quite expensive to do right.
Some YouTube experts seem to disagree "what works for you" or $ 300 for a decent turntable they say...
A decent CD player is $ 350 and up...
I use Tidal Hifi.
An Android table in the US, Costco, runs 200 bucks, a 512GB micro flash card is 50 bucks... A USB-OTG cable is 10 bucks, spend some reasonable money on the DAC -with a volume- get a DIY class A amp and a pair or reasonable speakers and cabled... you could do all of that for 2000 bucks... tops... less if used.
It won't give you Wagner in a large room but it will be most satisfying for most music if you don't need to pull a Spinal Tap at 11.
CDs? You got a PC?
An Android table in the US, Costco, runs 200 bucks, a 512GB micro flash card is 50 bucks... A USB-OTG cable is 10 bucks, spend some reasonable money on the DAC -with a volume- get a DIY class A amp and a pair or reasonable speakers and cabled... you could do all of that for 2000 bucks... tops... less if used.
It won't give you Wagner in a large room but it will be most satisfying for most music if you don't need to pull a Spinal Tap at 11.
CDs? You got a PC?
What I really want: (has to be certified good quality, or Hi Res : is it the same in every case? Every recording? No I think not)
Forgot to mention I used a similar one to this 1991 to 1994 with speaker cabinets I built for Radio Shack speakers.
Hi, If you do not want to be tied to internet drop out, just upgrade your plan. Spotify do a trial Pro offer often. Take that up & see what you think. By the way Spotify is the lowest quality streaming service. The others cost more, but give better S/Q.
Three starter T/T's that will meet your needs are the
If you want a ready made T/T then look at the Yamaha 5000, about as good as it gets.
Cheers
Three starter T/T's that will meet your needs are the
- Lenco 75 or 78, but dump the arm its very bad. (needs lots of DIY) but when finished is among the best in the world)
- Denon DP80, Power house T/T, SQ is said to rival the all conquering Technics SP10. Japanese supply only, so need a 240 to 100v converter & import from Japan, easy to do nowadays)
- Techinics SP15 - Better than the SP10 Mk1, but not up to the SP10 MkII, however much, much cheaper.
If you want a ready made T/T then look at the Yamaha 5000, about as good as it gets.
Cheers
Funny
I got the first ( or second ) LP release of Abraxas.
In '92 during our hour we went to a new High End outfit in Beverly Hills.... the guy played Black Magic Woman.... and there... when the congas kick in, they were on the RIGHT... not the LEFT.
Hmmm. I mentioned this to the sales guy.... he apologized... "Oh, I'm sorry, we just set this system up....:... "
So, eons later, reading about the mastering of that album, I found out that that ONE song had left and right swapped. They only found out when they went to master the CD.
So, when the congas kick in.. they should be on the right, about six feet behind and slightly to the outside of the speaker. I'm just playing it with Tidal HiFi... and sure enough, the congas are on the right.
Unless, of course, you are playing an LP from '74.... ;-D
BTW: I think Caravanserai is a little bit better than Abraxas.
Wow... music sure has a way of transporting to another times and moods. Can't stop smiling...
"A sabor amigos.... Oye Come Va..."
How about Evil Ways, Jingo and one of my favorite all time Santana songs? Treat - from the eponymous Santana album.
BTW, I saw Santana in concert in '75 at the Honolulu International Center.... three hours, two sets of Santana... it was a "contact high" in many ways. 🚬
Oh, while on Santana... check out the Woodstock performance of Soul Sacrifice.... they were riding on an acid on rush... you can tell, they were in a groove with the drums and rhythm... with the guitar literally bursting in light...
Hmm... I'm listening on Tidal.... maybe I ought to warm up the main rig and play some LPs....
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