What should be my next step with my stereo/vinyl collection?
- Thread starter YoSeth
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- collection setup stereo vinyl
david1111
Barba non facit philosophum
twiiii
Lunatic Member
If the tracking indicator on your tone arm is calibrated properly you really don't need a gauge , but that's a big IF. Your speakers are your weakest link. They always are with everyone so don't be embarrassed or ashamed. Speakers. should always be the highest on the sonic bucket list. I liked that particular series of Pioneer they sure sounded better than the Yamahas of the period. We sold Yamaha and Pioneer during that period. I wanted Sansui instead of Yamaha but what does pro-sound designer installer know?
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
That's an easy one. Start with Miles' Kind of Blue.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
For a guitar player just getting into Jazz I suggest Miles Davis, Bitches Brew and Herbie Hancock, Headhunters. For the Mahavishnu Orchestra you can't go wrong with Between Nothingness And Eternity.
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YoSeth
New Member
Speaking of Sansui, I do have an old RA-500 Reverb Amp. I haven’t hooked it up to the receiver yet but I love the trippy lights!
PastorTube
Well-Known Member
Get some Pat Metheny. Great guitarist and contemporary jazz
Cool rig,
Id say buy more albums.... new albums you like. Don’t get me wrong, I like finding stacks of LPs for low buck... but it’s better to buy a few albums you actually want... (quality over quality)
get good at speaker placement and isolation of the table.. download the user manual and service manual from Vinyl Engine. Read them.
Maybe upgrade to some small JBL speakers like some Decade 26s or 16 or L19s, 4301s, L40s, 4401... ext you get the idea... Pio and JBL tend to play well together...
Good luck with it man
Gnesen
Super Member
bimasta
Addicted Member
What do you mean by 'calibrated properly', and it it's a 'big IF'? Is there something I don't? It's made for that tonearm. I've alway found them accurate enough: a gauge may give a slightly different number, but the diff is so low it doesn't matter. And maybe it's the gauge that's wrong.
@YoSeth — Do you know how to use the built-in indicator? It's easy, and will save some bucks you can invest elsewhere.
131east23
...near Frank's Pizza!
YoSeth: Welcome, and a great question. Here's my thoughts...
1. I would also recommend a tracking force gauge.
2. If you are buying used records then you need to have some sort of cleaning regimen. People on AK have developed all sorts of inexpensive ways to do this, just search. I bought a VPI HW 16.5 record cleaner and really like it.
3. Not all records, even of the same title, are created equal. Start learning about dead wax inscriptions and markings so you can identify used records worthy of your money OR steals that are just sitting in the dollar bins and need a little love. Aside from AK I also spend time on The Steve Hoffman Forums where these types of things are discussed to the nth degree.
4. Don't be too sentimental about your equipment. Your ears can get used to a sound, or even a type of sound. I used to have several pairs of JBL speakers and a Pioneer SX1250 but I found a deal on some Klipsch speakers and brought them home thinking I would just flip them. Instead, the two pair of JBL's got sold and the Klipsch speakers seem here to stay - they are very efficient and create a luscious sound stage. The SX1250 (which was my dads) was sold to an AKer and that money helped me find some other more neutral sounding equipment that paired better with my speakers.
5. I could be wrong about this, but once I found my speakers I was able to put together a system (and I'm on a tight budget) that played to their strengths. I still have my dad's Dual 1249 and the Shure cart with MR stylus that I would never sell, as I can't afford a cart that would sound better. The most noticeable thing I have done for sound quality is purchase that NOS Shure MicroRidge stylus - it was just an amazing thing! It would not have been noticeable without the right speakers.
6. Enjoy your records! In todays digital age there is some merit and great satisfaction in owning your own records and CD's and playing them when you want on a system that you have resurrected. At times it can seem frustrating, but once you start collecting records and listening to them, and associating them with events in your life, they'll become precious items. I have every record I have ever bought, and I only have about 1000, which is a low amount around here, but since I've been collecting since the 70's most of my life is wrapped up in that collection. On February 14th, 1981, my girlfriend at the time bought me Moving Pictures by Rush. Every time I pull it and play it I think about her, that album, the great times we had together, and taking her to see them on that tour... I have many albums like that.
1. I would also recommend a tracking force gauge.
2. If you are buying used records then you need to have some sort of cleaning regimen. People on AK have developed all sorts of inexpensive ways to do this, just search. I bought a VPI HW 16.5 record cleaner and really like it.
3. Not all records, even of the same title, are created equal. Start learning about dead wax inscriptions and markings so you can identify used records worthy of your money OR steals that are just sitting in the dollar bins and need a little love. Aside from AK I also spend time on The Steve Hoffman Forums where these types of things are discussed to the nth degree.
4. Don't be too sentimental about your equipment. Your ears can get used to a sound, or even a type of sound. I used to have several pairs of JBL speakers and a Pioneer SX1250 but I found a deal on some Klipsch speakers and brought them home thinking I would just flip them. Instead, the two pair of JBL's got sold and the Klipsch speakers seem here to stay - they are very efficient and create a luscious sound stage. The SX1250 (which was my dads) was sold to an AKer and that money helped me find some other more neutral sounding equipment that paired better with my speakers.
5. I could be wrong about this, but once I found my speakers I was able to put together a system (and I'm on a tight budget) that played to their strengths. I still have my dad's Dual 1249 and the Shure cart with MR stylus that I would never sell, as I can't afford a cart that would sound better. The most noticeable thing I have done for sound quality is purchase that NOS Shure MicroRidge stylus - it was just an amazing thing! It would not have been noticeable without the right speakers.
6. Enjoy your records! In todays digital age there is some merit and great satisfaction in owning your own records and CD's and playing them when you want on a system that you have resurrected. At times it can seem frustrating, but once you start collecting records and listening to them, and associating them with events in your life, they'll become precious items. I have every record I have ever bought, and I only have about 1000, which is a low amount around here, but since I've been collecting since the 70's most of my life is wrapped up in that collection. On February 14th, 1981, my girlfriend at the time bought me Moving Pictures by Rush. Every time I pull it and play it I think about her, that album, the great times we had together, and taking her to see them on that tour... I have many albums like that.
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YoSeth
New Member
Sure do, I have it set to the manual’s specs.
YoSeth
New Member
Great advice! I’m also a Rush fan!
YoSeth
New Member
UPDATE: So, I bought a Spin Clean. I like it so far and have cleaned about 60 of my records. Of course it doesn't work miracles but I can tell a difference on some albums! For example, my old Capitol version of Rubber Soul sounds much better now. Particularly the vocal on "Michelle" is no longer slightly muffled/distorted sounding. I also invested in some Mofi anti static sleeves for my newly cleaned records. And I have a stylus brush on the way.... Learning more all the time!
Cleaning and new sleeves. I do the same. I use distilled water in the spin clean. A dish drainer to dry.
YoSeth
New Member
UPDATE: A few months back I got my turntable serviced. I think I remember the guy telling me he adjusted the platter height and speed, calibrated the arm, and fixed a few issues with the auto-return function. All in all, it sounds a lot smoother, and I thought it sounded pretty good to begin with! I also finally invested in some speaker stands the other day after being worried about 1) the turntable picking up the speakers' vibrations and 2) my shelf being too damn cluttered looking. I can definitely hear better definition and clarity after changing the speaker placement. Its all coming together, slowly but surely!
62vauxhall
Addicted Member
I think you’re progressing a lot faster than most of us did.
qdrone
Music is my mistress
Look up record cleaning fluids on this website to find something to get your records de grunged. I use purified water and golden zyme as my solution.I also use it to clean my stylus tip.
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