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Which turntable and stylus combination is best?

C

Craggles77

New Member
Hello all! I'm new to this forum. Have always had a record player, but trying to better understand the finer details! I have a number of components and I have no idea really what the best combination is! So any thoughts and opinions welcome!

Currently using a classic Realistic LAB-400 direct drive with original cartridge - used to belong to my Grandfather so has had minimal use for it's age (he passed away in 1993). I also have a SONY PS-LX350H belt drive with the original cartridge. Going through my Dad's cupboard, I came across a brand new boxed Realistic R9000E LWS cartridge (made by Shure) probably purchased sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. What is my best combination of components?

To further confuse the issue, I also was given a Dual 505 belt drive turntable, after a friend's father passed away (along with a Rotel RX-500 receiver which I have setup as a dedicated vinyl system). Unfortunately I can't get it to work. When you move the tone arm across, it clicks but does not power on. Is it a decent turntable and worth spending any money on it to have someone check it out and repair? It's not a brand I've ever heard of, but is made in Germany so I'm hoping it's decent!
 
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Welcome! I echo the above opinion. As long as you are spinning records you are good. I wouldn't dump a lot of bread into either of your tables but sure would attempt to fix them.
 
Is it better to put the brand new stylus in or keep with the others? I also have my Dad's shibata stylus in an audio technica cartridge which he used for his high level direct cut sheffield lab records.
 
Craggles77 said:
Is it better to put the brand new stylus in or keep with the others? I also have my Dad's shibata stylus in an audio technica cartridge which he used for his high level direct cut sheffield lab records.
Click to expand...

The Realistic R9000E LWS cartridge is the same as the Shure M 95ED .

Do you have the owner's manual for the turn table in question?

Check the owner's manual on Installing a cartridge and aligning it first. :music:
 
Hi,

The Dual repair is quite simple, so simple I cannot recall the details
of how I did it. I just looked at the way it was supposed to work but
didn't. I recall it was something under the platter that needed moving
back to where it was supposed to be, but cannot be more specific.

It was a 5 minute fix. All I recall is I wasn't surprised the owner
hadn't found the problem, you had to be a turntable geek.

rgds, sreten.

FWIW the 505 is a nice budget turntable, fitted with something like
the AT92ECD it will sound good, better than a PL12D and the like.
But its no giant slayer, just pretty competent and pleasant.
 
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I also agree the 505 is worth fixing. Being as I am cheap, I would start with you learning to setup the Audio Technica with the Shibata stylus, That should keep you busy for a while. I don't think you mentioned the type of speakers you have, or room layout or size. All of this will determine if you can the differences between cartridges.
 
for now, use the rs direct drive with the shibata/AT you found. when you finally go to separate electronics (preamp, amp, tuner) from your receiver, then a better tt will be warranted. and YES, it WILL be better to go to separates. then, the new merrill tt with jelco arm for about $1500 is a good choice and yo can mount the AT/shibata on it to start.
 
You are right hifitommy, the specs on Radio Shack are better. If I had $100 speakers it would be hard for me to spend $1500 on a TT and arm. Yes a quieter TT will improve the noise floor, and just give better clairity of the signal. A better arm will get a shade more resolution, and better bass. The problem is that it will be lost in the speakers, and the listener would not benefit. I also think that separate may sound better on a demanding set of speakers. Each piece needs to matched to what you like, and what you are driving. That is why some of us do well to start with a receiver until our selective tastes develop. Just another opinion.
 
you can get satisfying sound from a vintage receiver but if and when you start with separate components, you will find better build quality and more consistently interesting sound. more details come through a finer lens in a camera and the same is true with audio. i have slowly refined my system t MUCH better than when i started.
 
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