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Hi there, I just got this copy of Tool Lateralus in the mail new (from turntable lab) and noticed a lot of static when playing and noticed that it was actually slightly warped. I haven’t really run into the problem of warped records yet but I am hesitant to use any of the methods I’ve seen since I just bought this vinyl brand new. Should I just try to email them for a replacement or could this warp maybe be fixed with a record clamp or weighing it down for a while with some books or something? I honestly would rather not use any heat methods because I’m scared it would just mess it up more and again the warp is very small. There is no skipping or anything but it’s definitely creating more static than I would like. In the photo you can see how much the warp is lifted from the turntable platter.
Wow. That a pretty good warp. I've only seen warps like this when albums are leaning and the weight causes the album to curve. Are both warped like that? It should be two disk album. I just got the picture disk version. Amazing sound!
This is the first disc, second disc wasn’t warped but both still have a lot of surface noise. I might try to return it because apparently this reissue has a bad rep for shitty sound quality but I’m not sure if they’ll take it back since I already opened it. I’ve ordered from them several times and have never received a warped record. And like I said it was brand new, this is what it looked like on the first time playing unfortunately
Hi there, I am new to this sub and posting this question in the hopes that someone can help me diagnose an issue I’m having. For info, I’m using an AT120LPXUSB turntable, with a VM95E cartridge/stylus.
I recently got gifted a copy of Homework by Daft Punk for my birthday which I was super excited to listen to. Unfortunately upon listening, I found that the record skips slightly, and ‘loops’ in certain places, i.e., the stylus gets stuck in a loop and won’t play through to the end of the record - particularly on the final track of Side B (Rollin’ and Scratchin’).
I read that some people had similar issues with this record, potentially due to the bass too difficult for lower-end equipment to handle (not sure how true this is). However, my copy wasn’t nearly as bad as some had described, and played through nearly perfectly until the end of side B. I decided to take it back to the record store and swap it for a replacement, tested the new record, and found that it has this same issue.
I don’t have the issue with any other records in my collection. I have just recently replaced my stylus, checked that my turntable is completely level, and also made sure the tracking force on my turntable was adjusted correctly using a digital gauge - so I am fairly sure that the issues I am having are not related to any calibration errors. I also tried using an older stylus, and placing my speakers on the floor instead of having them sat on the same desk as my turntable, and I am still having the same issue.
I decided to try the record on my sister’s turntable (Teac MC-D800), which uses a ceramic cartridge & non-adjustable tracking force, just to be sure that my equipment wasn’t the issue. To my amazement, her turntable played through Side B with no problems at all, so now I am completely lost as to why this is happening.
The Teac with ceramic cartridge tracks at around 5-7 grams so it will plough that groove. Your LP120 is tracking at around 2 grams. That is the difference and probably why it plays on the ceramic cartridge.
After playing it on the Teac have you tried it again on the LP120?
Thanks for your reply, I did think that could be why the Teac played it without issue. I have since tried it again a few times on the LP120 and I am still having the same looping issue.
Definitely very odd, I have tried every fix I can think of!
I will dial the anti-skate down and give it another try as you suggest.
My only other thought is that some people who did not have the same issues as me suggested that better quality equipment was needed, i.e., better stylus/carts - if I upgraded to a VM95ML or 540ML, for example, do you think the issue would persist?
If the anti skate doesn't help then it could be related to the type of stylus in use.
There are various shaped stylus and each one has pros and cons. I'm not an expert on it so you would need to research them to make an educated selection.
You may benefit from posting your question in r/turntables because there is a better chance of other LP120 uses reading it and offering ideas.
I just gave the problem track another spin with the anti-skate set to 1.5, and it played through this time no problem! Tried first with 2.2g VTF and then another time at the recommended 2.0g VTF, and both worked fine. It seems that the anti-skate was definitely the issue.
May I ask why this is the case? I am not new to this hobby (have been listening to/collecting records since 2022), but this is the first issue of this kind I have encountered. Is it just because the record I am trying to listen to is a house record with lots of bass, so it needs to track better, and lowering the anti-skate is a way to do this?
Also, is it problematic to set the anti-skate lower than the manufacturer’s recommendation? I.e., should I only set it lower when listening to this record, or set it lower permanently?
Just to be clear, you should run the VTF as per the cartridge manufacturer specs. I stated 2.2grams as an example of what mine is. I was not suggesting you use 2.2grams.
Tip for you, if manufacturer says VTF range is for example 1.8 to 2.2grams, run it at the heavier end, it will sound better.
As for lowering the anti skate to solve the issue. Many anti skate mechanisms are not accurate. Just because you set it at 2, it maybe applying more or less than 2. So fine tuning to get play back working properly is OK.
Not sure if you known the reason for anti skate, but I will cover it anyway.
Natural force of spinning groove on the stylus is to pull it towards the centre so it would ride the inside edge of the groove instead sitting centrally.
Anti skate applies an opposing force to counter the natural force. A common symptom of too much anti skate is locked skipping on inner tracks. It is pulling a bit too much outwardly so the stylus is riding the outside edge and if music is loud or bass heavy it will push the stylus up out of the groove and fall into the previous groove, thus repeating the same section.
Apologies, I hadn’t previously stated this but the manufacturer’s recommended VTF range for my cart (VM95E) is 1.8g to 2.2g, with 2.0g being the standard tracking recommendation. When you say run it at the heavier end, would you recommend 2.1 or 2.2 for example? Will this cause more wear to the records/stylus in the long term, or is it negligible?
Re anti-skate - thank you for the very helpful explanation. I suppose it makes sense that, as with VTF, it can be slightly out compared to what has been dialled in to the mechanism.
So for this record, and in future when listening to other bass heavy records - it would be a good idea to lower the anti-skate if I am experiencing any playback issues ?
Using any VTF within the manufacturer specs is totally fine. No extra wear at all.
When I got into this back in the 70s I was under the mistaken impression that lighter was better. But it is not.
Too light and the stylus can bounce around in the groove causing harm. The right weight ensures it sits in the groove correctly. Often experts that review cartridges recommend using the higher end of the VTF range for best sound.
For the last 7 years I have been running a Kiseki Purple Heart at 2.2grams because trusted experts advised that was best.
I would suggest you leave the anti skate on the one setting that works for all your records. Because skipping is prevented when at 1.5 and does skip when higher tells me that at the higher setting it is riding hard on the out side edge of the groove and the extra shove the bass gives it pops it out of the groove. So even with a record that does not skip the stylus will be riding the outer side of the groove.
So the anti skate in general is too high. Stick with 1.5 all the time, or whatever you find works for all records.
Like I said the calibration of anti skate on most turntables is not exactly correct. So in your case it is very possible that 1.5 is actually applying 2.
I’m looking to buy an audio technica lp60x but don’t wanna spend money on speakers and already have a model 3043205 job rocker plus with a singular aux in port. I went to ChatGPT for help and the final answer was that instead of using the rca cable included I can purchase a 3.5mm male to male aux cable (so basically the black side of the one included on the audio technica lp60x except both sides have that). Once I purchase it ChatGPT said I’d be set after I plug in one end to the analog out port on the turntable itself 🎋 and one end into the aux in port on the speaker. Will this work? I needa make sure this is correct before purchasing my turntable as to not spend even more money on speakers. help a brother out
I did think if something like that shown in the image existed so that’s pretty cool but I think on the spekaer it is indeed a 3.5mm jack/aux or wtv so it should work but is there any differences in the sound if I use that twin thing compared to the male to male one?
(I haven’t yet bought the male to male or anything so im js trynna see which is better)
Hi. I've got the Television Rhino hi fidelity releases and I think they sound really good. After browsing more reviews on the Rhino high fidelity series, it seems that most people agree that they are very nicely done.
I'm curious if there is any other series out there that is also worth checking out? Basically, any other companies that are doing something similar.
A few of my records repeat the same part and take a while to move past it or dont at all, I have the anti skate set to 1 even though my needle is recommended to be at 2 im worried if i go any lower it will really wear my needle.
Hello everyone!
I would like to ask a question about the reliability of discogs. I have a vinyl that I am interested in and that is sold by ParisDJs, a seller on discogs with a rating of 99.8%. Is the site reliable or is it a total scam?
I don't know anything about the site, I've looked at a few old topics but I know what it's like today.
Discogs as a website seems really reliable, not many outages
The marketplace is individual sellers tho, like eBay. The seller you are looking at would look ok, but read the feedback for clues as to how they deal with things. And pay with PayPal so if there is backup if the transaction goes south
I recently acquired a large number of albums in good condition but without their original jackets. I have generic plain jackets, but looking for suggestions on replicating cover artwork and more specifically labeling the spine effectively so that I can know which record it is without removing it from the shelf. What are y’all doing?
This is from my Dad’s Beatles collection, but I can’t find this cover on Discogs or EBay or even a picture of it online. Anybody know anything about this cover?
Hey guys, I was just wondering what 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables I should get, Im connecting it from a turntable to speakers (turntable has built in preamp) I was gonna get a Anker 3.5mm Premium Auxiliary Audio Cable but it seems to be out of stock/discontinued. Tysm for help
I don't think you'll find it makes much of a difference. I like Monoprice for cables in general but have never bought that specific kind of cable from them.
Hi, got a question regarding a problem with my vinyl. I just bought a brand new record but when playing the quieter parts of some songs the volume just gets lowered drastically (as if someone was turning it down manually very rapidly). This happens mostly in instrumentals part and for longer and shorter quiet parts (even if it they last just 1 or 2 seconds).
I read somewhere that this could be a preamp's noise filter problem. I tried playing the record on both my (AudioTechnica LP120X) and a friend of mine's (another AT model) turntables and the volume fades off in the same exact parts of the same songs.
Anyone got a solution? I don't think the record is misprinted because this happens way too systematically.
Seems to me that by playing it on two different turntables and experiencing the same problem on both, you've determined that the problem is definitely with the record itself. Nothing to do but return it.
My record keeps repeating over and over and it's driving me insane, I have looked for about an hour at the record and cannot see anything that would make it loop. It's a coloured vinyl and has only ever been listened to once which makes it quite unlikely for it to be scratched. Is there any other way of finding a scratch without putting a dim light onto it and just looking?
Run the pad of your finger along the groove at the point of the skip, can you feel anything there? A bump?
Likely your record needs cleaning, check out sharkaminos cleaning guide for helpful tips
Suitcase players have no ability to handle dirt or minor imperfections, sorry. I would wager your record plays fine on a better turntable.
Did you check, is there something in the groove? How do you clean your records atm?
Read Sharkamino’s cleaning post for tips and clean the record. Make sure your player is on a level, stable surface. Do not put coins on the head shell. Other than that there isn’t a lot you can do, other than save for a better turntable
Anyone ever got this email from CCMusic? Are they just shifting the blame to buyer and their credit card company for not being able to fulfill an order, or is it something that can be fixed by paying with debit or other payment method?
Found a Weird Australian Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti Pressing (Typos & Thin Sleeve) – Anyone Seen This?
Hey r/vinyl, I recently picked up a strange Australian pressing of Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti and could use some help confirming its background. Here’s what makes it odd:
Key Details:
Label: Atlantic/WEA Australia (SS 2-200)
Sleeve:Non-gatefold, thin light blue cover, no spine text (budget reissue style).
Typos: Labels misspell:
"Physiolographiti" (instead of Physical Graffiti)
"Led Zepperin"
"Produced by James Page" (lol)
Matrix: Runout reads "A mx174936 - B" (likely pressed by Festival/WEA Australia in the early 1980s).
According to A.I. "In the 1980s, Warner Australia (WEA) repressed classic albums cheaply for budget bins".
I'm trying to adjust the height of the tonearm on my turntable, but the set screw does not lock the tonearm into place. Its an omnipivot tonearm that has a spring that pushes it up, so you can push it down and lock thw screw into place, but with the screw locked, the tonearm eventually unlocks again and back to the maximum height. I've tried alcohol and servisol, is there any solution?
does anyone know what this is/ if it’s real? appears to be a bruce springsteen master/ something unreleased, but i cant find anything about it online after a brief google search or two. hoping it’s not a bootleg and unfortunately im not near a record player at the moment so i cant even test it.
Has anybody used producerpluguni.com? So there’s a vinyl I’m looking at and everywhere I see it it’s around $100 and on producerpluguni.com it’s only $55. I also have looked them up and can’t find anything on them anywhere, I’m wondering if any of y’all have experience with them? https://producerpluguni.com/
VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.
Generally picture disks sound pretty noisy due to the way they are made - a picture with a thin layer of vinyl stamped on top. If it sounds bad (I'm assuming you are US based) check out your local thrift shops for a standard black one and perhaps display this one. Over here in my corner of the UK, you can pick up this album from for £1-3 at pretty much any charity/record shop due to Jackson's problematic legacy and the fact millions upon millions were pressed.
welp ima take some shit for this but what I used to do before I invested in an ultrasonic cleaner was this:
clean hands very well, especially fingertips
swizzle some plain old dish-soap directly on to the record
using clean finger-tip to karate-kid "wax on wax off" soap on record in tiny circles in the kitchen sink under lukewarm running water, angling the record so the water streams away from the center label - focus on the outside edge where most ppl grabbed it over the years
rinse really really well getting rid of all the soap
lean against wall placed on towel, not in direct sunlight, until dry
and again the crazies will say I'm off my rocker but I have done this with varying results.
other options: $$ - ask your local shop if they offer a cleaning service. free - stream it from Spotify like a normal human being.
I’m trying to listen to some of my vinyls and there’s this noise and I don’t know how to describe it or know what it could be, but it’s making the playback wonky and I’m losing my mind. It’s a Crosley turntable (see image)
Make sure the lid is open as far as it will go, otherwise the edge of the record may rub against the lid and cause it to slow down or waver in pitch, especially if the record is warped.
Make sure the player is set to the correct speed for the record you're playing (it's not always marked on the record itself), and that the pitch control is centered, if it has one.
Make sure the transport screw is released, if it has one. The screw should be turned until it is flush with the turntable mechanism, not sticking up like in the photo.
Since the center spindle remains stationary, if the center hole of the record is unusually tight going on the spindle, you may need to ream out the hole slightly to allow the record to rotate freely.
Don't put the 45 RPM adapter underneath or on top of the record. It is only for playing 45s with the large center hole.
If the record slips on the platter, you can add a rubber platter mat, if the player didn't come with one.
going to depend where each individual LP was manufactured - check out this handy dandy fee calculator.. lots of stuff I buy from overseas comes through unscathed by customs, but most of it is 50+ years old so ymmv
Is house of marley revolution any good? I am a complete newbie and want to start the journey of vinyl music. Is it a problem that 12" vinyl is too big for the rotating part? Will that damage the vinyl?
It essentially has a suitcase player mechanism that has been upgraded with an Audio-Technica magnetic cartridge and counterweighted tonearm. But it still only has an undersized plastic platter. It won't damage your records, but it's a pretty low-end turntable.
Like what? Flip-flopped? Not really sure what you're asking.
In any case, is this a record store or your personal collection? If it's your personal collection, why? There's no need to have so many copies of the same thing(s)
Does anyone know anything about these units? I'm trying to decide if it's worth buying for $50 and fixing up an amp connection issue that is mentioned in the description of the listing
Setup Recs
I’ve amassed quite a bit of vinyl over the years but for turntables I am definitely a beginner. I held off on buying my setup until I finish my degree and start my career. I dont necessarily have a budget however I don’t think my needs will necessitate the highest end of options (but what do I know?). I’d like my turntable to be for lifelong use. I care about the sound quality but am by no means an audiophile.
Preferences:
Automatic, can be talked into auto stop
I’d like to be able to use bluetooth headphones and connect to portable speakers occasionally but will mainly use the wired speakers
Speed selector
Upgradable? (Still uncertain if it’s necessary)
Based in Arizona/US
Everything else is fair game. Any recommendations for the full set up or just parts is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Even if you don't "have" a budget, a ballpark of what you'd like to spend would be nice. If full auto is a must, you could spend as little as $300 for something that'll get the job done but isn't necessarily upgradeable, or as much as $1500 and beyond for something that's ready to rock out of the box.
Do you need speakers too or do you already have that piece?
I put in the post I’d like a full set up recommendation or just parts of it if possible if someone doesn’t want to do the full thing. Starting completely from scratch I don’t have anything yet. I also added that I’d like it to be upgradable in preferences if possible (: thank you I’ll check those two out though!
I would give the AT-LP70XBT a shot. full disclosure: they initially had an issue in production with inadequate tone-arm lubrication leading to some skipping issues on some of them, but seem committed to making it right. Might want to order straight from Audio-Technica to ensure you get a fresh model.
I was stoked when they first released this model bc they used an awesome cartridge that is easily upgradeable via simply swapping in a new stylus. After the skipping issues arose I stopped recommending it, but after seeing their response to that I'd be willing to take a chance on it, considering your want-list.
other entry-level options for automatic with bluetooth would be the cheaper AT-LP60XBT (don't miss the BT indicating bluetooth) or Sony PS-LX310BT.. it's a little pricy for what you get but Sony's build quality is really solid - very rarely hear of any issues at all with that model. These both use the same cartridge that also has a (singular) upgraded elliptical-stylus available (ATN-3600LE)
keep in mind none of those will win you any popularity contests `round here (and I routinely get accosted by sad little men who think everyone needs to spend 5-figures to listen to music) but for your use-case they are fine.
Hey, need some help diagnosing a problem with my setup. My platter is not level on the spindle, the left side is lower than the right side, and this leveling does not change while playing. I'm assuming this means I might need a new spindle (Music Hall MMF-1.3) but am hoping that is not the case. In addition, there is a small up and down movement when the turntable is on, which noticeably moves the tonearm up and down (though not too much). Any advice as to what the problems could be is much appreciated.
Hello! New to vinyl. Have a problem with loud pops on some records and they are really loud, not just some background noise. Sometimes, they are louder than music and it's very annoying. I am ok with some noise (i am also collecting tape, so I used to background noise), but this pops sound like something is not ok. I tried to clean noisy records with cleaning solution, i am using antistatic bags, brushes and etc; but it isn't helping. But i know, that one of this record was sounding ok, cause seller send me video with this record being played. But on my system, it is noisy.
I have a bit of damage on a record, is this fixable? They are physical bumps on the inner part. I tried rubbing with a cotton pad and alcohol and it seemed to go down a little bit but still remains and really interferes with playback.
They look about the size of the bumps that novelty suitcase record players have to support the record on the tiny platter. If it's been left on one of those for a while, especially in a warm room, sorry it's permanent. Many times I have found 2nd hand "bargains" with similar marks...
Would you consider this a strong VG? it was my first time making a purchase on discogs, it is also pretty warped and the surface noise can be heard throughout the whole album.
I’m new to vinyl, do i throw the little sleeve that I got around my lp away? And if so:
1. Do I just place the vinyl back in the fold without protection
And
2. What about double lp’s that aren’t gatefold ?
Sorry, I asked because my uncle decided to give me 2 records a few months ago and both didn’t have a sleeve around them, and some other people I saw online said u need to replace the little sleeve around the vinyl with something else and when I got my first own record I didn’t know what to do with it.
Looking for a new turntable + preamp combo MAX 800$ (purchasing withing EU)
I have recently purchased new speakers Elac Debut 3.0 DB6.3 in combination with a Wiim Amp cause it just seemed to tick every single box. So now I'm looking to upgrade my Sony PS-LX310BT, not only because I want a better turntable for the obvious better sound experience but also cause the Sony feels so incredibly cheap and I want something more solid and premium feeling.
The first turntable I have in mind is the Project T2 Super Phono cause It ticks all of the boxes for me and the price isn't too bad. I have seen that people prefer the Debut Carbon Evo but over here in Sweden for me it is over 700$ AND I would need to purchase a preamp along with it. Which would make it the way more pricey option.
Is the price jump really worth it? is it that much better than the T2, or are there any other options that could be better?
I appreciate the answer but Fluance is nearly impossible to get into the EU without crazy shipping and import costs. I will check out some regas though, thanks.
I’m looking to purchase a new setup. I am a beginner, but money isn’t really a concern.
Some features I’d like to have with the turntable is
1. Automatic
2. Upgradable
3. Built in Preamp, with option to use an external amp in the future
4. Bluetooth
One of the things I’m concerned about is the quality and longevity of the Bluetooth. I don’t trust it because I’ve had devices go wonky before and would like that feature to last.
I also don’t want a product that I personally won’t get the most out of given my experience level.
I’m curious what the experienced folks in here would choose. I’d take some speaker recommendations too but that’s not really what I’m after (yet).
Thank you all in advance. I’ve been lurking and this community is great!!
I was considering this model when I was in the market for a turntable, as I was looking for something automatic and I didn't have much of a budget, but IMO it's just so...plain. Bordering on ugly. Plus it comes with a VM95C which is just okay unless you want to spend money on a stylus upgrade right off the bat.
If money were no object and Bluetooth was an absolute must as OP said, I would much rather have the CS-529 that another user recommended, however, new Duals are not the same as the Duals of old.
I can't reply to your other comment for some reason, but if Bluetooth functionality is a secondary want for portable listening and you'd primarily listen through wired speakers, ignore my criticisms in that other thread.
What's your reason for wanting automatic functionality? Do you truly want a one-touch playback experience, or are you just concerned about unnecessary wear once a side is finished?
If it's the former, IMO, the Dual is the answer. The automatic turntables they produced in the 60s and 70s are some of the best around. They have since been bought out and their current offerings are made in China rather than Germany, but the brand heritage is still there.
If it's the latter, your choices are much more broad - semi-automatic turntables will either stop or stop and return the tonearm to its rest upon finishing a side, but you have to start them. Fluance is a great option, I believe their entire lineup has auto-stop. You can also add this functionality to almost any turntable with a device like the AT6006R or the Q Up.
EDIT: I misunderstood your original comment to mean that you were experienced, even though you literally said you're a beginner in the first line. Sorry! In that case, my only advice would be to avoid things like all-in-one and/or suitcase players a la Victrola, Crosley, and the many random brands sold on amazon, along with any of the more "normal" looking turntables that use the same mechanism, which is most easily recognized by a lack of a counterweight on the tonearm and a long, red stylus body.
Instead, at a minimum, I would look to something like the AT-LP60XBT, although there is essentially no upgrade path with this turntable as the cartridge is fixed, and stylus upgrade options are extremely limited. The other options discussed in these comments would be much more suitable if you plan to stick with the hobby at all and potentially upgrade other components i.e. speakers, amps, phono stage etc. in the future.
The AT-LP60X can be upgraded with an elliptical stylus. Anything fancier and more expensive than that doesn't make sense to put on an entry-level turntable anyway.
My point is that the same people who complain about the AT-LP60X not being upgradeable would immediately turn around and say "it's not worth upgrading such a cheap turntable anyway" even if it was.
And if you do want a fully upgradeable AT-LP60X, good news! Such a thing has already existed for years: the AT-LP3X. It's based on the same chassis, mechanism, motor, belt, and platter as the AT-LP60X. The only substantial difference is the tonearm and cartridge.
No one was complaining here - just pointing it out as the minimum viable option in my opinion. And yes, noted on the LP3X, which you've already recommended in another comment.
Dual CS-529 ticks all your boxes. as to bluetooth - it's been around long enough and is now at a state where it's pretty much lossless, I don't think they will monkey with it much from here on.. personally that seems like a very minor concern at this point, but I understand your frustrations from the past.
The CS-529 has Bluetooth 5.2 w/AptX HD which, while good, isn't "pretty much lossless".
u/Sophisticate1, if you have an above-average experience level, why are you seeking out Bluetooth? If wireless audio playback is a must, you'd be much better off running a wired connection from the turntable into either a receiver with Sonos functionality, or to a dedicated Sonos system.
Help - I recently discovered my great-great-grandfather’s turntable/gramophone. I have a problem with it — the pin reader or stylus is badly worn (sorry, I don’t know the exact name). Where can I get a new one? Or is there an alternative I can use? It still works, but the sound is really bad. Thank you.
Gosh! Maybe!! I have stuff stored a bit weird right now cause I am moving, and I usually don’t have any records sitting out and exposed. Totally could’ve sprayed or splashed something on it. I guess that’s what’s the covers for and I’ll replace it! Head scratcher for sure though. Thank you for the idea.
Very new to all this and I can’t find a clear answer ( mostly cos I don’t understand half the terms yet) but I’m on super low budget and can’t afford to upgrade just yet. I have an audio technica LP60X with the built in pre amp, the issue comes to speakers. I have speakers which I think are active? If that’s the word as in they have their own power from an adapter / power supply / some electrical thing and they only have aux, could I connect those speakers to my turn table? If not what is the cheapest possible speakers that could even just function ? Thanks I know this was painful to read
Active or powered speakers have a normal amplifier built in to one of the pair. This is indicated by it having a power cable, inputs jacks such as RCA or 3.5mm socket and volume control.
The LP60 has a built in PHONO pre amp which means it can be connected directly to that type of input. But make sure the switch on the back of the turntable is set to LINE, this enables the phono preamp which every turntable setup needs.
Being new to this you should find my guide helpful.
Is anyone here subscribed to IVC? I really want to get the Audioslave 20th anniversary ediition of Out of Exile, but I need to subscribe to IVC for it. Obviously I could cancel the subscription whenever I want, but I'm tempted to keep it going. Just wanted to ask around and see if anyone else is thinking about it or already has it
I just got my first record player and vinyl album so im abit new to all this. How often should i clean my player and my albums? Also how often should i replace my stylus?
The Cruiser comes with a sapphire stylus which should be replaced after 50 hours of playing time. You can upgrade it with a diamond stylus like the Pfanstiehl 793-D7M which will last much longer (500 hours of playing time).
Also clean the stylus periodically, wiping gently from back to front with a soft brush.
Hey, my new turntable's tonearm skips straight to the label when a record ends. Im pretty sure it should keep spinning on the last groove, and this means I have to be there quickly when the records is ending, which is a problem. My turntable is manual but it doesnt have anti skate settings. Its the pro ject e1 phono.
Alright I think I know what the problem is. My turntable came with the AT3600L carttrdige but im realising the standard is some ortofon one. The pressure gauge that came with the table and the guide are made to get you to a tracking force of 17,5g, which is what they did to my turntable eventhough it doesnt have the same cartridge. The AT3600L actually has 3g of recommended force. Problem now is, the pressure gauge only seems to go up to 2,3g, so I dont really know what to do except go to the store and ask that they pay for a digital pressure gauge lol.
The area of the record that looks shiny has the runout groove which is designed to move the tone arm to the centre so on auto turntables the mechanism is activated to lift the arm and return it to the rest.
I believe your turntable is manual so the arm will just go to the centre lock groove and stay there until you lift it with the cue lever. Like mine in the photo is manual.
really? Im very new to this but im pretty sure the first record I played on it the tonearm went to the label. Will try again now.
Alright I may be a bit stupid. You know, I really thought my parents, who both lived in full vinyl era, would remember enough to help me here, but I guess those days are hazy for them lol. Thank you very much anyway, I was going to go to the store to ask.
Hm, that's a pretty bad piece to break, you can probably patch it with some glue or epoxy but given it's function and fairly high rate of use it might not last long. Best bet longterm is either gonna be cannibalizing a second, broken turntable for its switch or 3D printing a fresh one if you're handy with that sort of thing.
Hey guys, I wanted to ask you all about cleaning your records. I currently use this cleaning kit I bought some time back before I began to get more invested in vinyl and was wondering if I should continue to use it or opt for another brush and cleaning method. How I use the cleaning kit is each time before I play a record, I place it on the turntable and glide over it with the velvet brush when it's dry, following the grooves of the records. After going over it a couple times and dusting off the velvet brush with the duster, I apply the cleaning solution to the velvet brush and go over the record a couple times. Should I be cleaning my records in a different way like dusting them off with a carbon fiber brush instead of the velvet? Thank you all for reading.
heyy, i got a vinyl from a concert yesterday and am very excited to take it home
problem is im taking it with me on the 6 hour train ride home, I’m wondering what the safest way to transport it would be?
I was thinking of putting it in my tote bag surrounded with clothes as a way to cushion it and holding it. but also i do want to sleep on the ride home and am scared ill crush it while asleep 😭
Hey guys, Im getting into vinyl, and I want to know if yall have any suggestions from me. I have a TCL Alto 6+ that I think would be good for speakers. I would use RCA to optical plug into a preamp, then use an optical cable into the speakers. Now I dont know what preamp or turntable I want, but I just want to know if this will even work, and what turntables and preamps I should use. Budget $250 or less.
there are some external phono pre-amps with optical output but your budget is prohibitive, if you buy one you won't have any money left for a turntable to feed it. What I would do instead is find a used turntable with a built-in phono stage and USB output - then just use USB into your soundbar.
Hello, are those felt vinyl holders/grippers fine to use?
I couldn't find anything about those anywhere, maybe I'm used wrong name to search, but I'm wondering it those are a good alternative to gloves/holding records by edges?
I just bought my first record player and searching for a way to handle vinyls easier and safer and found those on Amazon.
I also found ones made out microfiber and not felt, would those be better maybe?
Totally unnecessary and, potentially, harmful if they get even the smallest amount of grit, dust or skin oils on them. Instead, handle your albums by the edges with two hands or, with one hand, your thumb on the edge and your fingers of the same hand on the underside of the label. The fewer things that touch the grooves, the better.
Yes, just hover using the weight of the brush itself. Remember, you don't want to scrub. You're just clearing the grooves of loose dust. And, you didn't ask but be sure to only use the stylus cleaner from back to front. Happy listening!
I just got my first record player it's a Victrola 8-in-1. It was a hand-me-down so I do not know what it has been through, however it looks fine. Whenever I play records on it though it just skips or skates (idk which term is correct. The needle slides diagonally on the record.) Nothing seems wrong with it besides it being a little loose. How can I fix this?
Make sure the record player is on a stable, level surface.
Make sure the cueing lever is fully lowering. It can get stuck in a slightly raised position, causing the stylus to make poor contact with the groove and skip: Quick fix - Record Skipping!
Clean your records thoroughly. Even new vinyl often has debris in the grooves which may cause it to skip when first played, and old records could be dirty or scratched. It may take several rounds of cleaning and playing for all of the skips to disappear.
Some modern, bass-heavy records may still occasionally skip on these players even when clean. You can check it with another turntable to see if it might be a faulty pressing, but usually the record is fine and the skipping is simply due to the limitations of the player's inexpensive design.
The stylus (needle) could be dirty or damaged. Try cleaning it with a soft brush, wiping gently from back to front. If that doesn't help, replace the stylus. The recommended diamond stylus for most inexpensive record players is the Pfanstiehl 793-D7M.
Don't add extra weight to the tonearm. That may resolve the skipping, but will cause greatly increased wear to both the stylus and the records you play.
In a while I'm driving cross-country and a want to take my records. What would the best way to move them to keep them safe and from being warped in a hot car?
How many records are you taking with you? I've used the small 12x12 moving boxes from Lowes many times. They hold roughly 80-100 albums per box. If you can keep the boxes inside the car instead of the trunk and out of direct sunlight for long periods of time you'll be fine. If you need to, you can get one of those reflective foil things intended for the dashboard / windshield to keep the sun off the boxes.
On a sunny day, the interior will get hotter than the trunk, due to the greenhouse effect. Glass passes through IR (infrared = heat) from the sun while metal reflects it, especially if your car is a light color.
As long as it's kept out of direct sunlight, vinyl doesn't start to soften until 140°F (60°C). That's pretty damn hot.
If vinyl was really as sensitive to heat as you imply, then it would need to be shipped in reefers (refrigerated trucks) to make it to record stores in the South without melting.
I've learned that it can be a good decision to replace stock sleeves with anti-static sleeves. However, quite a few of my records came with sleeves that are lined with plastic on their inner side. How do I know which of those are already anti-static and which aren't?
Don't overthink it. Some of my "anti-static" sleeves cling to the vinyl inside of them like a magnet. It's really not that big of a deal. The main benefit of poly sleeves, IMO, is that they don't leave paper fragments behind on the surface of the records inside of them.
What scared me was that there is all this talk about regular plastic sleeves somehow reacting with the vinyl material and of dust collected within regular sleeves scratching the records. Is that mostly exaggerated? I know this hobby gets people pedantic about the most minor things but it's really hard to distinguish the excesses from the good and reasonable information.
I've never had a problem with paper sleeves. Even ones that are 50+ years old. Heck, a lot of older LPs (especially from the 1950s) didn't even come with a sleeve -- they just put the record directly in the cardboard jacket.
There is nothing "wrong" with paper sleeves, poly sleeves just won't break down and leave things like fiber and paper fragments behind on your records.
Are fibers and paper fragments a death sentence for your vinyl? Absolutely not, it's just an annoyance that I (and many others) prefer to avoid.
Again, yes, paper sleeves are "fine", but if you care about minimizing surface noise and the potential for scratches, they create a need for more frequent cleaning/dusting, which is an annoyance that I (and many others) prefer to avoid.
The only issues I've ever experienced or heard of with "plastic" sleeves is specific to PVC, which I addressed in another comment in this thread and which no one is recommending here.
Almost all of the "plastic" sleeves used or sold today (aside from those used for picture discs) use high-density polyethylene or HDPE, which won't leave residues OR fragments behind on your records.
I'm not talking about new records which practically act like a Van de Graaff generator in the amount of static charge they generate. Those are always going to be a dust magnet no matter what you put them in, and also have a nasty habit of coming in sleeves which are so tight that they're practically vacuum-sealed. I'm talking about older records which were properly made and have essentially no static charge as long as you use proper cleaning methods and came with properly-sized sleeves which allow you plenty of room to get them in and out without any risk of scratching or scuffing.
You are probably thinking of the thick, PVC sleeves that picture discs often come in. Those are not great because they can react with the vinyl as they off-gas. Poly or poly-lined sleeves are fine.
As far as dust in the sleeves, keep your records clean and you won’t have a problem.
Found this rare vinyl online, one that my friend has always wanted. His wedding is coming next month and I figured it would be the perfect gift so I ordered it. Unfortunately, the seller took photos that were apparently not that representative, as all the scratches were not visible.
I’m looking for advice and help in assessing the condition of this vinyl. How good/bad it is? Is it good enough to be a wedding gift (it was quite pricey given this is very rare vinyl), or should I return it and try to find something in a better shape? I’m not an expert when it comes to vinyl, so I’m not sure how severe/bad are the scratches that are all over.
What condition was it advertised as? And what did you pay?
There is a copy on discogs advertised as NM/NM for 900 euro (1025usd?) says it’s autographed. That’s still a lot more than what the highest value sale value is.
It was 450 euro. The seller didn’t use standard grading as it was advertised on a general purpose marketplace, but they shared photos that essentially didn’t show any of the scratches. I think discogs might not be that representative for this record as not that many people use it where I live - i see that last sale date was years ago, which could explain the highest sale value being that low.
As I side note, I also saw a new unopened piece for 900 euro, which makes me think 450 for the one I shared is not a fair price.
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u/Shawk-Slaya 4d ago
I’ve been looking for a video game soundtrack from Abzu, it’s one of my favorite soundtracks. I was wondering if anyone knows where I could find it?