Computer Tech, Gaming & Electronics THIS SPACE OPEN FOR ADVERTISEMENT. YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING HERE!
Silicon Valley.
Tips & tricks, tech support, home theatre, online gaming, reviews, latest news... |
 | 
05-13-2010, 10:03 AM
|
#1 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
| Vinyl and Turntables
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I figure I would try here first:
Are there any good shops that sell cartridges for turntables?
I recently acquired a receiver with a phono stage and I'm thinking about rescuing my dad's old Technics turntable from his garage. I took a quick look at it the other day and I think the stylus is shot. I'm not sure if I want to go all out yet, but I know that my dad has some old vinyl around somewhere and I'd love to dust them off and see how they sound.
| 
|  | |
05-13-2010, 10:49 AM
|
#2 | | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Victoria
Posts: 10,746
Thanked 5,295 Times in 1,950 Posts
Failed 185 Times in 100 Posts
|
The Source (Circuit City) sells styluses. If you want a high end stylus you're going to have to look for an audiophile stereo shop.
__________________
1968 Mustang Coupe
2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3
1997 GMC Sonoma ZR2
2014 F150 5.0L XTR 4x4
A vehicle for all occasions
| |
| | |
05-13-2010, 11:09 AM
|
#3 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,050
Thanked 77 Times in 49 Posts
Failed 7 Times in 3 Posts
|
Tom lee or long & mcquade Posted via RS Mobile | |
| | |
05-13-2010, 12:13 PM
|
#4 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 17,111
Thanked 8,154 Times in 3,829 Posts
Failed 1,514 Times in 651 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Simulated  Tom lee or long & mcquade Posted via RS Mobile | I agree.
__________________
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. | |
| | |
05-13-2010, 01:26 PM
|
#5 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: AB BC ON
Posts: 31,433
Thanked 13,185 Times in 5,454 Posts
Failed 511 Times in 339 Posts
|
Tom Lee or Long & McQuade.
If you plan on saving the turntable and vinyl records (for keepsake purposes) buy a good cartridge and needle. Some needles will eventually cut your vinyl records turning them into frizbees.
| |
| | |
05-13-2010, 02:12 PM
|
#6 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 17,111
Thanked 8,154 Times in 3,829 Posts
Failed 1,514 Times in 651 Posts
|
__________________
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. | |
| | |
05-13-2010, 02:27 PM
|
#7 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
|
Thanks gentlemen.
Basically, the turntable hasn't been used for at least 20 years. It's from the mid-80s, if not older. There shouldn't be any reason why it shouldn't work, but who knows? What has started as an exercise in curiousity might turn out to be an expensive hobby.
| |
| | |
05-13-2010, 02:42 PM
|
#8 | | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Victoria
Posts: 10,746
Thanked 5,295 Times in 1,950 Posts
Failed 185 Times in 100 Posts
|
Classic rock sounds better on Vinyl.
__________________
1968 Mustang Coupe
2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3
1997 GMC Sonoma ZR2
2014 F150 5.0L XTR 4x4
A vehicle for all occasions
| |
| | |
05-14-2010, 07:37 AM
|
#9 | | Oh goodie, 5 posts already!
Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Surrey
Posts: 8
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Great68 Classic rock sounds better on Vinyl. | Agreed
| |
| | |
05-14-2010, 08:17 PM
|
#10 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: AB BC ON
Posts: 31,433
Thanked 13,185 Times in 5,454 Posts
Failed 511 Times in 339 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapioca Thanks gentlemen.
Basically, the turntable hasn't been used for at least 20 years. It's from the mid-80s, if not older. There shouldn't be any reason why it shouldn't work, but who knows? What has started as an exercise in curiousity might turn out to be an expensive hobby. | I'm not sure which model of turntable you have, but if you ever get an opportunity, first, get a needle/cartridge and test it out. Listen carefully and take note of the sound quality. Simple things to go over are the grounding cable and the RCA cables. Cleaning them up can make a huge difference!  | |
| | |
05-17-2010, 08:47 AM
|
#11 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bcrdukes I'm not sure which model of turntable you have, but if you ever get an opportunity, first, get a needle/cartridge and test it out. Listen carefully and take note of the sound quality. Simple things to go over are the grounding cable and the RCA cables. Cleaning them up can make a huge difference! | The turntable is a vintage Technics SL-23, semi-auto.
Unfortunately, the turntable's motor is shot. The power supply is good, but it won't spin at 33 or 45. I'll have to do some more research, but trying to fix the thing may actually cost more than buying another used table on the market.
| |
| | |
05-19-2010, 09:55 AM
|
#12 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
|
Bump.
Being a total newb at this led me to the assumption that the motor was dead. I took off the platter and discovered that the belt was broken/decayed. I played with 33 and 45 switches and the motor still works, though it was hard to determine if the motor was changing speeds. I checked the tone arm for any play and it seems to be okay. The platter seems to spin freely too, but I'll have to check it more carefully again.
I went to Tom Lee to get some prices on cartridges and a Shure one will cost me about 90 bucks - ouch. There are ads on Craigslist for vintage belt-driven tables from 50 to 200 bucks. Ultimately, it would be gratifying if I could restore this thing myself even if it ends up costing me more than taking a chance and buying another used table on the market.
| |
| | |
05-19-2010, 12:33 PM
|
#13 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 17,111
Thanked 8,154 Times in 3,829 Posts
Failed 1,514 Times in 651 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapioca Bump.
Being a total newb at this led me to the assumption that the motor was dead. I took off the platter and discovered that the belt was broken/decayed. I played with 33 and 45 switches and the motor still works, though it was hard to determine if the motor was changing speeds. I checked the tone arm for any play and it seems to be okay. The platter seems to spin freely too, but I'll have to check it more carefully again.
I went to Tom Lee to get some prices on cartridges and a Shure one will cost me about 90 bucks - ouch. There are ads on Craigslist for vintage belt-driven tables from 50 to 200 bucks. Ultimately, it would be gratifying if I could restore this thing myself even if it ends up costing me more than taking a chance and buying another used table on the market. | Look for a used Technics 1200 those things are built like tanks.
__________________
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. | |
| | |
05-19-2010, 08:03 PM
|
#14 | | VLS Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 16,351
Thanked 2,591 Times in 832 Posts
Failed 61 Times in 19 Posts
|
Hook it up to a good vacuum tube amp and decent speakers and listen to some good classic rock. The sound will be far superior to CD's and shitty MP3. Good luck on your little project! 
__________________
2007 Volvo V50
Taken by ex: 2005 Toyota Prius.
R.I.P. 1997 Lexus ES300. 
R.I.P. 1989 Acura Legend Coupe LS.
| |
| | |
05-19-2010, 10:35 PM
|
#15 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Senna4ever Hook it up to a good vacuum tube amp and decent speakers and listen to some good classic rock. The sound will be far superior to CD's and shitty MP3. Good luck on your little project! | Unfortunately, I just invested a good deal of coin in a Pioneer Elite microsystem which does everything - phono stage and Ethernet connection in one unit. No vacuum tubes, but the system is a true hi-fi with full range bookshelves.
I managed to find a manual for the turnable on vinylengine.com and unfortunately, I won't be able to play 45s because my dad removed the adapter. I hooked up the unit to my receiver and there was no audible hum which is a good sign. The cartridge is an old Shure/Radioshack model and a replacement stylus (eliptical, that is) runs about 50 bucks.
| |
| | |
05-23-2010, 12:43 PM
|
#16 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: AB BC ON
Posts: 31,433
Thanked 13,185 Times in 5,454 Posts
Failed 511 Times in 339 Posts
|
No hum is good. Looks like Technics did a good job of designing the grounding which are notorious for causing the hum.
| |
| | |
05-24-2010, 07:14 PM
|
#17 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,106
Thanked 2,654 Times in 1,194 Posts
Failed 81 Times in 54 Posts
|
I've gotten the thing running this weekend. I picked up a new belt from Main Electronics and I was lucky to get a slightly used donor cartridge (a Grado) from my girlfriend's brother in-law. My girlfriend brought some of her old LPs over and I must say, the vinyl sound is great in spite of the cracks and pops. There is a warmth that is just not present in digital recordings. However, I'll need to use a protractor because I'm getting some distortion on some discs, particularly as the needle moves towards the inner tracks.
Getting media itself, however, is the challenging part. I could literally blow hundreds of dollars on used and scratched up discs from local shops.
| |
| | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:49 AM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
