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TT Repair Shop guy told me DIY is evil!???!

angelaudio

angelaudio

Super Member
Hey fellow AK’ers!


Kinda bummed out today and here’s why:


I called a TT Repair shop in Los Angeles asking for a replacement stylus for a Stanton cart (its for a Technics SL-D303 I picked up from online) and then the guy starts telling me I should just get a new cart. So then he says he has good ones but that if i buy one that I SHOULD NOT try and install/align it myself! I’m fairly new to the art of hi-if audio so I was taken aback...isn’t self repair and maintenance half the beauty of listening to vinyl?!?!? Anyway I’m just somewhat confused now as to how much truth there is to his rant about not EVER EVER EVER attempting to fool with a TT unless you’re a pro and have $600 protractors blah blah blah!


So what do you all think? Is he right?

Should I not even think of doing any kind of basic adjustments to my own TT? Is it Sac Relig unless I have precision tools and knowledge??


I mean obviously I’m not going to take the thing apart and rebuild until I have compiled enough knowledge and info to do so. But is it really so bad to do anti skate and to do tone arm balance and cart install myself?


Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks AK’ers!
 
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Of course the guy that provides a service at a cost is going to tell you that doing it yourself is no good. I dislike aligning cartridges, but I don't have any special belief that someone else is going to do a better job just because it comes with a bill. I wouldn't dislike it so much if my Thorens wasn't as awkward to actually set up. Things with top mount screws or alignment jigs are easier.
 
Thanks for the laugh AK’ers!

I figured the guy was just trying to sell his services to me but he did a darn good job of making me think I was incompetent for a minute or so.

Also threw my TT under the bus and said that if I ever wanted to get “real” sound that I should buy a Rega P1—errrmm...not happening with the budget I’m on!!!
 
i have had my own dilemmas where a better cartridge including stylus is the better choice over buying a new stylus .still have one ongoing with my dj decks that rarely get used and never for money but can be used for others to play their records . long story .
all in all the seller might be having a hard time this week .
 
Foolish businessman I'm sure he deals with a lot of people that wouldn't want to attempt tp align a cartridge. Why turn any business away these days. Good thing you didn't get involved with him.
 
audio-ed said:
Foolish businessman I'm sure he deals with a lot of people that wouldn't want to attempt tp align a cartridge. Why turn any business away these days. Good thing you didn't get involved with him.
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i was seeing it differently . like it might be he has had a few returns because of buyers not knowing how to do the correct adjustments .
may simply not have enough hours in the day to offer advice .
 
Sounds like the same kind of guy who takes in your tube amp and takes out all the old Telefunkens and Mullards are replaces them with new Russian or Chinese tubes....
As a favor to you of course; those tubes are 50 or more years old and all worn out!! :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Fear and worry are part and parcel of the turntable hobby. He's just trying to get you on track at an early stage before you become relaxed and confident.

No seriously, that guy sounds like a jerk. These machines are really not that complicated at all and records are meant to be enjoyed. You are in the right place to get the advice you need to get your stylus installed and aligned. Enjoy the learning process.
 
Been playing with turntables my whole life, it used to work fine balancing the weight on my finger. It was like a go, no go test, eyeballing and listening was all I needed.

Of course as equipment and experiences elevated I do a much more professional job today. But back in the day it never stopped me form having fun and enjoying the music.
 
likebike23 said:
Fear and worry are part and parcel of the turntable hobby. He's just trying to get you on track at an early stage before you become relaxed and confident.

No seriously, that guy sounds like a jerk. These machines are really not that complicated at all and records are meant to be enjoyed. You are in the right place to get the advice you need to get your stylus installed and aligned. Enjoy the learning process.
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“Fear and worry” :rflmao: that cracked me up. Thanks likebime23. I got a long toad ahead but I’m enjoying every minute of it. Cheers!
 
4-2-7 said:
Been playing with turntables my whole life, it used to work fine balancing the weight on my finger. It was like a go, no go test, eyeballing and listening was all I needed.

Of course as equipment and experiences elevated I do a much more professional job today. But back in the day it never stopped me form having fun and enjoying the music.
Click to expand...

In the few months that I’ve started tinkering there hasn’t been a day when I don’t have fun and that’s due mainly to the fact that I have allowed myself to mess up a cheap TT or receiver here and there. This guy made the hobby seem like a scientific bore. Glad to hear that ‘feel’ and ‘experimentation’ are very much a part of this awesome hobby :thumbsup:
 
angleaudio wrote: : "“Fear and worry” :rflmao: that cracked me up. Thanks likebime23. I got a long toad ahead but I’m enjoying every minute of it. Cheers!"

Hang in there. Don't let the toad make you feel froggy.
 
Dont let the limitations of others hold you back. If you think you can, you are probably right. If you think you have a good idea, chances are you actually have a great idea...
If you get a chance to go to a DIY audio festival like Burning Amp, you will find that this store owner couldn't be more wrong. The very best HiFi equipment is built, by hand, one at a time, by passonate music lovers who know the difference. I highly encourage you to take on more challenging DIY projects. Most of us have been aligning cartridges since before adulthood, its a good first or second challenge, but its not rocket science.
 
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