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Interesting day for turntables and vinyl

BilboBaggins

BilboBaggins

Addicted Member
Today was an interesting day, aside from the fact my new wife is upset with me.

Why, you may ask? Well, let me tell you.

Today, I had planned on picking up a Sony 5520 turntable from my friend. It was part of a deal we struck just before he went on vacation. So I picked it up, and he showed me some more gear he wants me to help him sell. I went back home to recharge my cell phone because I had to drive 45 minutes away to check out a moving sale, and I wanted to use the road map app to get there.

My wife was a little bit surprised I was heading out again. I told her I had found an interesting ad when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep, and the guy had just replied. I still need to work on my communication a bit. I'm out of practice.

Anyway, as I am about to leave, I noticed I had missed a phone call from another friend. He left a message which told me that he had about a hundred classic rock records he wanted to give me. Sure thing, only I'm not home, but my wife is. I'll let her know you are coming. Just as I arrive at the moving sale, I get a message from her. She told me he had dropped off a pile of records, and she wasn't happy that I was about to get some more stuff. I'm sorry, but I had planned on going here to check out what he had. I wasn't expecting the call from my other friend...

Anyway, I picked up a Technics sl-20 with good belt but no cartridge or head shell along with a pair of mission 761i speakers for $40.

When I got home, I open the front door and there are three large piles of records on the floor, and a technics sl-23 with a broken dust cover! Wow! I guess I understand why the missus is a little miffed. Right away, I go through the pile and take out about 1/3 of them that I have no interest in. The remaining is an interesting mix of led Zeppelin, pink Floyd, the Beatles, Eagles, Bowie, the stones, and more! I went through the remaining 2/3 and inspected the vinyl. Reduced the lot by another 1/3. The rest, I will have to clean.

I do have a question though. Which of the two technics is the better turntable? I'm hoping if it is the sl-23, that I can use the dust cover from the sl-20. Looking for advice.

I'm also wondering what you think of the Mission 761i? I haven't tried any of the gear out yet.
 
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The SL-20 and SL-23 are the same basic turntable. The only difference between the two is that the SL-23 is semi-automatic and the SL-20 is fully manual. The SL-23 lifts the stylus at the end of the record, returns the tonearm to its rest, and shuts the motor off. It's a nice feature, especially if you sometimes fall asleep during an evening listening session. If I had scored those two decks, I'd swap dust covers between them, use the SL-23 in my system, and hang onto the SL-20 as a parts donor.
 
They're practically the same except the SL-23 is semi auto. You could always use them on different stereo set ups.
 
I have no doubt about that. We have both been almighty in our respective houses for many years and we both have to adapt to each other.

Thanks for the advice on the turntables. I had that feeling but it is good to have it confirmed. :)
 
Actually, I took her out to dinner, and the money I spent was from a couple of recent audio sales.

One of the items is destined for the shop to fix a couple of things and I will have added another rare vintage listening experience to my collection. But I do need to reduce my intake. I have been doing really well, but I need to get better. Circumstances didn't work out in my favor, and I should have gotten the record delivery another day. That's what I mean about adapting.
 
BilboBaggins said:
Actually, I took her out to dinner, and the money I spent was from a couple of recent audio sales.

One of the items is destined for the shop to fix a couple of things and I will have added another rare vintage listening experience to my collection. But I do need to reduce my intake. I have been doing really well, but I need to get better. Circumstances didn't work out in my favor, and I should have gotten the record delivery another day. That's what I mean about adapting.
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Don't worry. After 8 or 10 years you'll burn out and just enjoy the gear you have. Just tell her she has that to look forward to.
 
Just play it smart. Like you said, you should have gotten your friend deliver the records on another day. WHEN SHE:S NOT AROUND! The last thing you want to do is turn your hobby into something that your wife despises. Just some friendly advice from someone that's been married for 30 years.
 
BilboBaggins said:
Today was an interesting day, aside from the fact my new wife is upset with me.

Why, you may ask? Well, let me tell you.

Today, I had planned on picking up a Sony 5520 turntable from my friend. It was part of a deal we struck just before he went on vacation. So I picked it up, and he showed me some more gear he wants me to help him sell. I went back home to recharge my cell phone because I had to drive 45 minutes away to check out a moving sale, and I wanted to use the road map app to get there.

My wife was a little bit surprised I was heading out again. I told her I had found an interesting ad when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep, and the guy had just replied. I still need to work on my communication a bit. I'm out of practice.

Anyway, as I am about to leave, I noticed I had missed a phone call from another friend. He left a message which told me that he had about a hundred classic rock records he wanted to give me. Sure thing, only I'm not home, but my wife is. I'll let her know you are coming. Just as I arrive at the moving sale, I get a message from her. She told me he had dropped off a pile of records, and she wasn't happy that I was about to get some more stuff. I'm sorry, but I had planned on going here to check out what he had. I wasn't expecting the call from my other friend...

Anyway, I picked up a Technics sl-20 with good belt but no cartridge or head shell along with a pair of mission 761i speakers for $40.

When I got home, I open the front door and there are three large piles of records on the floor, and a technics sl-23 with a broken dust cover! Wow! I guess I understand why the missus is a little miffed. Right away, I go through the pile and take out about 1/3 of them that I have no interest in. The remaining is an interesting mix of led Zeppelin, pink Floyd, the Beatles, Eagles, Bowie, the stones, and more! I went through the remaining 2/3 and inspected the vinyl. Reduced the lot by another 1/3. The rest, I will have to clean.

I do have a question though. Which of the two technics is the better turntable? I'm hoping if it is the sl-23, that I can use the dust cover from the sl-20. Looking for advice.

I'm also wondering what you think of the Mission 761i? I haven't tried any of the gear out yet.
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I have the 761i. They don't stay in use long. Not much bass. I have room for my larger speakers, which give more bass. I used to have some JBL HS610's a 6-1/2" 2-way that I prefered. Gave those to a friend.
 
Ah wives, aren't they a treasure ? Mine of 20 years has just this last month realised that I do *sometimes* know what I'm talking about. I picked up a pair of AR90s a while back that needed major rehab and I stuck them in the dining room 'pending attention' because I didn't want them getting bashed up further in the garage. Every time I walked past them, I would say to her 'They're worth a grand or more are those' and every time she would reply with some critical remark. Then I repaired them and sold them for over a grand, bought her a new dress, took her out for dinner and a movie. Now, I can do as much of 'that stereo stuff' as I like :)
 
Markoneswift said:
Ah wives, aren't they a treasure ? Mine of 20 years has just this last month realised that I do *sometimes* know what I'm talking about. I picked up a pair of AR90s a while back that needed major rehab and I stuck them in the dining room 'pending attention' because I didn't want them getting bashed up further in the garage. Every time I walked past them, I would say to her 'They're worth a grand or more are those' and every time she would reply with some critical remark. Then I repaired them and sold them for over a grand, bought her a new dress, took her out for dinner and a movie. Now, I can do as much of 'that stereo stuff' as I like :)
Click to expand...

Yes, when we were dating, I was going through the learning curve and buying expensive gear, and then finding out they weren't quite what I wanted. One night I sold my ESSs for more than I paid for them. Then another time I sold my 2 Kenwood Supremes (I don't know what I was thinking of :no: ) for quite a bit more than I paid for them and took her shopping at the Coach Store and bought her one of the nicest purses in the store. So I do those things, only yesterday was a little overwhelming for her all at once. It was having all those records dropped off when I wasn't there that did it. This afternoon I found a dust cover that I took off of a dead sl-20 I had once had. Even found the screws and hinges! Bingo, it worked well after I put a spare cartridge and head shell I had hanging around.

Life is good again, out of the dog house.
 
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