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Getting back into vinyl on some vintage tables in St Louis

Scott_STL

New Member
Hello all -

Been living in STL since mid-1980s - since early 90s had been listening to fair-to-middlin' CD player and amp powering a decent pair of Infinity's. Few months ago decided I wanted to get a turntable after flipping through the bins at a record shop - the nostalgia of doing that put me right back in the early 80s in high school in New Jersey at the summer flea markets.

Picked up a ready to plug-and-play Philips GA-312 with a Stanton 500 on it and started getting my hands on albums again - just loving it - and the turntable has been problem-free. Couple weeks ago got a great deal on a Shure V15 iii but haven't had time to do my first cartridge switchout and setup - probably be another week before I can, but looking forward to hearing the difference.

HOWEVER - starting to wonder if I should've just started using crystal meth instead - pretty sure it's less addictive and cheaper than getting sucked into vintage electronics.

Anyway, 3 months later, I've got 3 turntables and some other gear, most of which needs some tweaks or other lovin' to get it running back to spec:

JVC/Nivico B30E/5230 - it's big and beautiful, generally works just fine (almost as quiet as the Philips), but the cart and stylus are shot. Plan is to drop the Stanton onto that when I throw the Shure on the Philips and then start figuring out what else it needs.

Then this week, the CL score: Technics SL-D202 along with an Onkyo TX-3000 amp (gawd I love the old backlit tuner band and needles) with a Technics cassette deck and a random equalizer thrown in for fun: $40. Technics has an Audio Technica 6006 cartridge, and even with the old stylus with the worn-out cantilever, it sounded pretty damn good on a beater album I used to test it. New stylus is on the way, and then I'll get onto the forums and see what other 'clean-up' is recommended.

Figure I'll have to sell at least one of them after a while, but I'll play with all 3 for the foreseeable future.

Sorry for the long intro - English degree ruins you for life - pics are att'd!

Scott
Philips GA 312.jpg JVC Nivico SRPB30E 5230.jpg
Technics SL-D202.jpgOnkyo TX 3000 Backlit.jpg
 
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Welcome Scott! My advise...STOP and seek help immediately! Congrats on getting into the hobby .... this is a great forum. All the best.
 
Warm greetings to brother Scott! I love the Philips and Stanton combo... I have one myself. I hope you have plenty of room, because before you know it, every nook and cranny will be jam-packed and every shelf stacked!
 
Warm greetings to brother Scott! I love the Philips and Stanton combo... I have one myself. I hope you have plenty of room, because before you know it, every nook and cranny will be jam-packed and every shelf stacked!

Thanks for the greetings all - and I'm actually counting on the fact that I don't have a lot of extra room to enforce some self-control occasionally. We'll see how that plan works out!
 
Welcome to AK Scott! One advantage vintage gear has over meth is the gear won't cause your teeth to fall out.:rolleyes:
Speak for yourself Dave... last weekend my father-in-law comes over to hear the newest addition... He asked if the 30wpc would do justice to Glen Miller... His dentures jumped right out (because of the smile) when I cranked up "In the Mood" , his favorite song... :)
 
I had to chuckle at your introduction Scott because it is so true. It is indeed an addictive hobby but well worth it if you are a music lover. Welcome and enjoy!
 
Nice brother... I have the same problem...Got back into it two years ago and I can't stop buying stuff...lol. Vinyl collection back over 200 and I'm loving every bit of it.
 
I had to chuckle at your introduction Scott because it is so true. It is indeed an addictive hobby but well worth it if you are a music lover. Welcome and enjoy!

Nice brother... I have the same problem...Got back into it two years ago and I can't stop buying stuff...lol. Vinyl collection back over 200 and I'm loving every bit of it.

Thanks, guys - yes, I'm a music lover (mother did her degree in piano) and am back up above 100 albums now - half of it a lucky find of pristine classical for about $50 - 30+ LPs including boxed complete Beethoven symphonies, Brandenburg Concertos, etc. Since then, I've been busy balancing that out with raunchy blues and honky tonk (nothing better than a gravelly-voiced lady beating on an old Fender while balancing a big chip on her shoulder - see: Lucinda Williams, Lydia Loveless) and classic and prog rock.

Already informed the daughters that their inheritance will likely be in vinyl rather than cash.
 
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