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Purchasing first vinyl player

reydelaplaya said:
Congratulations on your vintage Yamaha P-450.

I'm sure you're going to enjoy it for plenty of time to come.

I have been using this series of turntable for a few years now, and have figured out how to cure some of the common age related issues that can arise. Nothing big or complicated, but if you have any trouble with it, please be sure to PM me. I'd be happy to help you.

First off, how's the tonearm? Does it move up and down without stickiness?

Also, you'll want to get the whole thing set up as correctly as possible. That includes aligning the cartridge, balancing the tonearm, setting the proper tracking force, and setting the antiskate.

There is an excellent video made by a fellow member in the stickies on the main turntables page. Watch the video a time or two, then let's get yours set up properly. We're here to walk you through it if you need any help or have questions.

Video here: http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=457897

You're going to love that TT. It's a neat one!
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I haven't noticed any stickiness at all! Everything seems to be working great. The only thing that I'm not stoked about is how the dust cover doesn't stay up, I have to prop it up. I will absolutely PM you if any trouble or questions arise, thank you reydelaplaya!
 
OP Music said:
I haven't noticed any stickiness at all! Everything seems to be working great. The only thing that I'm not stoked about is how the dust cover doesn't stay up, I have to prop it up. I will absolutely PM you if any trouble or questions arise, thank you reydelaplaya!
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Might be fixable, are they plastic or metal?
Congrats on the new table!
 
OP Music said:
I haven't noticed any stickiness at all! Everything seems to be working great. The only thing that I'm not stoked about is how the dust cover doesn't stay up, I have to prop it up. I will absolutely PM you if any trouble or questions arise, thank you reydelaplaya!
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Glad to hear it's working properly for you!

Have a look at the back of the hinges. If the little metal tail of the spring has cracked through the black plastic (and this was common), there's a way to fix those too.

For the moment, I would suggest removing the hinges since they aren't working properly, and just take the cover off when you want to play. Most here would suggest leaving it up or removing it anyway when playing, because the dustcover acts as a microphone and echos feedback into the cartridge.

There's a thread here somewhere on how to fix those hinges. I'll see if I can track it down.

Edit: it's by our fellow member @boreas :

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/dustcover-hinge-fix.458003/

Did you go through the setup video and check all the settings? That's very important to do for the life of the records and stylus (needle).

Oh, and post lots of pics! ;)
 
OP Music said:
I have an extra cartridge laying around, should I just take the current cartridge off, put the stylus on the extra and use that?

I know nothing about what type of arm it has besides that it is indeed straight.
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As for what you have here, that's the stylus (needle). Apparently a new one, which is always good to have.

index.php


What it plugs into on the headshell is the cartridge - where your current one already is plugged in.

I'm not sure what type it is, but if you post pics of the headshell where we can see the cartridge, the members here can help determine what cartridge you have on it.

Knowing that will help you get the correct weight (vertical tracking force) set up on the tonearm.


Overall, I'd say you did very well. About $40 for that nice Yamaha TT plus the bonus of a new stylus. Don't sweat the hinges. Ask most of us here that are as old or older than your turntable, and we'll tell you out hinges aren't working all that great, either. LOL

I think you're really going to enjoy it.

Let's make sure it's set up properly though. It's very important to get the settings correct.
 
reydelaplaya said:
I'm not sure what type it is, but if you post pics of the headshell where we can see the cartridge, the members here can help determine what cartridge you have on it.
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According to Ssaxdude the cartridge on the TT is a Stanton 680. I've looked around here briefly on AK and haven't been able to find any stylus recommendations for the Stanton 680.
 
You can use any stylus marketed for a Stanton 680 or 681, or Pickering XV-15. Needlestein has some recommendations in the forum.

[Ha, just noticed that you're local to me... :-)]
 
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OP Music said:
I have an extra cartridge laying around, should I just take the current cartridge off, put the stylus on the extra and use that?

I know nothing about what type of arm it has besides that it is indeed straight.
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That appears to be a re-packaged factory stylus and a good at that
 
OP Music said:
Should I just use the replacement stylus instead of grabbing a new one?
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If it's new as it appears, yes
Take you 2 seconds to install, cue it up on a record with table off, if suspension looks good go for it
I have never had issue with NOS Stanton suspensions
I used to always buy 3 or 4 styli for my carts when I bought them new if I could afford it to always have factory spare
 
Hey guys, I've got bad news. I was taking the stylus out of the packaging and snapped one of the plastic parts off. Is it salvageable? Should I super glue it? It does appear to be a Stanton re-make, it says Stanton on the side of it.
IMAG0520.jpg IMAG0521.jpg
 
It's not a "re-make" but it doesn't appear new either
The broken piece of plastic won't keep you from using it
I know it might not be helpful but how in the world did you manage that by using pliers to open the package?
 
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