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New turntable purchase ?

kidthorazine

Active Member
I have a Music Hall 2.2LE with a Bellari VP129 phono preamp that I'm using minus the Bellari because I'm running the table thru an old Marantz 1060 and it sounds as good or better with its phono amp. The wife hasn't been all that happy with it and neither have I. I am wondering if say the new carbon fiber Project turntable or some other TT in the same or similar price range ($750 max) would be a better choice? My wifes issue is supposedly the little anti skate weight ? has to be adjusted for each and every album thats played so she won't touch it. I personly would like a TT that automaticly shuts off at the end of the record. Our TT has about 20/30 hours on it tops and less for the Bellari phono+headphone tube amp and I am wondering what each might be worth? As an alternative what cartridge might go well with it? It has the original cartridge that came with it when the Music Hall 2.2LE first came out.
 
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I have a Music Hall 2.2 as my spare. I am not a fan of the Tracker cart that came with it. When I had my Thorens in the shop, I was not happy. I remembered the ADC XLM III I had in a drawer, and it was a big, big difference. There is no reason to have to adjust anti skating all the time. There is an after market arm lift that you may be able to use.

Don't think the Bellari is worth all that much since it has been superseded by the 130. Might be enough to get you a better cart.
 
I think my wife has something wrong as far as the anti skate issue go's but bottom line she won't touch the TT because she doesn't want to get blamed for ruining our LP's. Maybe I should try putting the TT and phono preamp on craigs list to trade for something like an old technics automatic TT ? yes/no
 
I think my wife has something wrong as far as the anti skate issue go's but bottom line she won't touch the TT because she doesn't want to get blamed for ruining our LP's. Maybe I should try putting the TT and phono preamp on craigs list to trade for something like an old technics automatic TT ? yes/no

hold on tiger, dont give up just yet. Wht is making you think you have to adjust the anti skate after each record? what is it doing to make you think that? it should be set and forget. maybe if you describe the problem you are having , meaning what the tables is doing wrong and we can help you out.
 
I think my wife has something wrong as far as the anti skate issue go's but bottom line she won't touch the TT because she doesn't want to get blamed for ruining our LP's. Maybe I should try putting the TT and phono preamp on craigs list to trade for something like an old technics automatic TT ? yes/no

My guess is that if doesn't want to touch the table you have now she won't touch an auto TT either, but I don't know your wife nearly as well as you do :D
 
Sounds like you need a different cartridge if you don't care for the sound, and you probably need to check out the setup if it needs constant fussing. As others have mentioned, that adjustment should basically only need to be fiddled with if you change the cartridge or something. The arm auto-lift would also be a nice fix for the lack of auto-return. It won't return the arm of course but at least it won't sit there playing the runout groove all day if you walk away from the table.

Then again, maybe a nice Technics linear tracker with it's simple close and play operation is just the ticket. Those things are simply spectacular for a no-fuss no-hassle experience. They sound good too.
 
It sounds like either the Turntable is set up improperly, or it is malfunctioning. Pehaps a bad connection or bad Phono Stage. While I wouldn't consider the 2.2 high end, It should sound good with the stock cartridge, set the Ant-skate as specified in the manual. Let your wife play CD's, even consider turning them into MP3 files. At a 192 Resulution they sound quiet good actually, and use one thoses small digital players.
 
Theres no issues with the TT it plays fine and sounds fine. For some reason my wife got it in her head that somewhere along the line she heard,read,saw? that the antiskate needs to be adjusted every time. I was using this issue as a chance to get an auto TT maybe ;)
 
Theres no issues with the TT it plays fine and sounds fine. For some reason my wife got it in her head that somewhere along the line she heard,read,saw? that the antiskate needs to be adjusted every time. I was using this issue as a chance to get an auto TT maybe ;)

Sorry, I don't get it. Did you think it was an issue, or didn't you?
I'm all confused now :scratch2:
 
Might be an idea if the wife also posts her concerns/questions since she seems to be useing the turntable also. How about you each have your own turntable that your comfortable with.
 
I wasn't trying to confuse anyone was justing throwing out whats going on and getting ideas and info back in the hopes that the end result is positive for my wife and myself. I apologize if theres any confusion its pretty much like that in my household all the time (wifes blond and I'm brain broke):D
 
I think my wife has something wrong as far as the anti skate issue go's but bottom line she won't touch the TT because she doesn't want to get blamed for ruining our LP's. Maybe I should try putting the TT and phono preamp on craigs list to trade for something like an old technics automatic TT ? yes/no

I bought a second, automatic TT, because my wife didn't want to mess with my fully manual. I run both on my system (my vintage Sony integrated has two MM phono inputs, she uses the auto, I use the manual. At least, that was the excuse I gave for buying a second turntable. I bought a decent enough vintage auto that it won't harm the records.

I also find there are times I use the auto when I'm not dedicated to listening.

Agreed antiskate is set and forget. Also, you can pick up an autolift mechanism for about $75. Google or search AK for more information. Your Music Hall should be a decent unit!
 
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