As a vintage collector, one rule of thumb which is still true today - that is old audio equipment will always be better in my opinion than the new stuff ( the older models last a heck of a long time and made of better/ heavier materials ). That’s from my experience. Great video for anyone getting turntables as a beginner and in general very interesting thanks for your content ( this guy knows what he’s talking about ). 👏
Not always. Remember, some cartridges DO have a limited shelf life (crystal cartridge anyone?), and often times, the stylus is most likely no longer being manufactured (B & O anyone?). So, vintage is NOT always the best way to go.
Great video I grew up using turn tables as a kid late 60s early 70s still have my record collection that I started in the late 60s And still have my very first record I ever bought Merrilee Rush Angel of the morning ,And I still love it today as I did when it came out Thank you for the very Informative video.
Enjoyed your video made for the common man who doesn't have a big budget. I bought my AT-LP120 4 years ago and have made numerous mods to make it a much better turntable. The 3 main mods that made it better: 1. remove the built-in preamp, 2. solder in a pair of shielded RCA directly to the tone arm wiring, 3. upgrade cartridge to the AT440MLa. I have more, but they are in my videos. I do prefer direct-drive over belts as they are more accurate on speed, but many belt-driven TTs out there today are great. Retailers really should drop Crosleys and their clones! What a way to ruin albums. Great video!
I still have my old Technics SL1400 turntable. It's still like new. But it doesn't get much use, especially since it's been packed up for years. And I also have with it my Sansui 7070 stereo receiver which is also like new and not in use either. I put this nice Ortofon cartridge on the turntable too. I've owned these since they were new. I bought them in 1977 not long after I graduated from college
I have the Sony March 1982 Turntables brochure that includes this model. The PS-LX3 was the middle of three basic LX models. The step-down LX2 was semi-automatic. As mentioned, the step-up LX5 had quartz lock. There were three front loading "FL" models where you could push a button and the turntable would slide out. (This enabled you to place the turntable anywhere in an equipment rack without vertical clearance.) At the top were three X models with the "Biotracer" servo controlled tonearm. The top PS-X800 had tangential tracking. Featured accessories included two MM cartridges, five MC cartridges and two cartridge headshells.
I still use the first ( and only) turntable I’ve ever bought. Technics SL1500, bought in the late 70’s. Never had a reason to change it. Played with different cartridges though.
I have 18 yr old project turntable belt drive and still sounds fantastic bought 2 new stylus for samiko cartridge.and I'm still amazed belt checked and still good after all the yrs of use..
It is such an enjoyable experience to listen to vinyl records that I stopped to enjoy so much and buyed a CD player as soon as it was available in the market. I persist today in not enjoying again vinyls anymore.
I have a MCS 6700 turntable and a Pioneer PL-115D turntable. I have never left the vinyls. When CD’s came out and people started selling their vinyl I bought everything I could find. I probably have a couple of thousand LP’s. Vinyl is and always will be my favorite music media.
Long ago in high school I had a really old record changer (a Garrard AT-6), which is not a type you hear about much anymore. The automatic return function did function ok, and was very reliable, but the mechanism that told the turntable that it was at the inside grooves was some mechanical linkage from the tonearm to a little switch that was depressed when the tone arm had rotated to that position. That linkage applied torque to the tone arm toward the end of the record and that torque caused trouble with tracking on some records. It may not have been a problem with the high-tracking-force cartridges that were available when the tt was new, but for my more modern Shure cartridge, it was more then enough to be audible. A typical high schooler, I couldn't afford to buy a new turntable so I took out the part that engaged the linkage and the problem was solved.
Actually a conical stylus tracking at 3.5 grams, has the same wear on records as an elliptical stylus tracking at 1.7 grams! Most wear comes from styluses used past it's lifespan! KEEP IT CHANGED REGULARLY! Did you know that the acceptable tracking force back then was 4 grams? So those nice original used records most people are enjoying was played at that weight for many, many plays!
lo stilo della mia Grado è ellittico e legge tranquillamente fino a 1,6. Inoltre sia dischi da 110gr., sia stampe da 180gr, in anni di ascolto giornaliero suonano ottimamente. E' chiaro ch adotto tutte le manutenzioni del caso Fabioo '961
Sorry that's BS. An Elliptical stylus tracking at 2g (AT-VM95E) will have less wear than a Conical stylus tracking at 2g (AT-VM95C). Although the stylus point is thinner, there is a greater area in contact with the groove, meaning that the weight distribution is over a greater area giving less pressure on the groove and less wear. A Shibata or Microline stylus will have still less wear as the contact area is greater still. Where I do agree with you is that a worn stylus is the most damaging for records.
Excuse me, BUT if you look at most of the inner sleeves of albums in the 50’s, they will say that the tracking IS GOOD between 4 to 6g, especially the RCA Victor albums.
Great video, thanks! My current table is a vintage entry-level Technics p-mount semi auto from a secondhand store which suits me fine. Brand new p-mount carts with STELLAR specs can be had for less than just the stylus replacement cost on similarly capable 1/2 inch mount carts. Replacing a p-mount cart + stylus is effortless. Obsolete? Yep. Do I care? Nope. Having burned thru a number of semi-audiophile tables over the years (Dual, AR, AT, Technics, etc.) my humble take is that the p-mount concept is a brilliant alternative that I wish I'd discovered back in the day. Glad I've caught on now. Thanks again for the video.
I feel the same way. I am currently using my old Technics SLDL1 linear tracking turntable that I bought brand new in the 80s. I bought newer Ortofon OMP10 cartridges that it came with. What have you found in the p mount system that maybe I can upgrade to one day?
Got a Technics Sl-220 from my father, just needed a belt and a new head shell/ cartridge (the original was plastic and becoming fragile). For me i like keeping all my equipment period its part of the fun, so its mated to an early 1990s Pioneer Receiver and a late 1980s Pioneer Gr-555 Equalizer and a 91 Sony 77 ES Tape Dec, and a Sony 91 Cd-291. Vinyl is a blast to listen to and on my setup its my preferred music format for the same reasons Modern Classics explains, that and it sounds richer to my ears.
Generally speaking if you're playing records that are properly mastered for vinyl you won't *need* the benefits of some crazy high end cartridge to get sound that's good enough, and the ease of setup with p-mount will absolutely be worth it for most people. I don't think anyone even makes a moving coil cartridge for p-mount anymore, but you can get decent moving magnet cartridges new from Audio Technica, Ortofon, or Shure-- all of which will sound perfectly fine. (and since the styluses for moving magnet cartridges are generally user replaceable, even if you've got an out of production cartridge you may be able to stick a brand new or NOS stylus on it for next to nothing.)
I got the Debut Carbon Esprit from Pro-Ject. Lovely table, but my favorite is my older Pioneer PL-512X... It sounds just perfect and it performs so perfectly overall... Awesome. Better than the Pro-Ject. Both are fab! :D
@@keithb6717 which parts exactly are made of plastic? Maybe base, yes. Tube, gimbal, bearings are all metal. Not counting armlift support as this will not play any role in tonearm performance.
I have a Garrard g25 or something of the same, lucky for me my receiver, being a Yamaha rx830, has the phono channel so I didn't have to get a pre-amp. the turntable is great, it has autoplay, repeat queue and the weight. its pretty good although I might change the cartridge as it is old and impossible to find a replacement needle. A fantastic guide and really easy to understand. Good day.
I like the sound of my Rega Reserch Planar 3 (2016) with Elys 2 and tt-psu. I have also a Technics SL BD 22D with Grado prestige 1 p-mount. In future I should sell the Technics and buy a Exact 2.
I think another big reason for people prefering manual over automatic, is that the latter pretty much takes the whole manual put-the-needle-on-the-record-experience out of the equation. No wonder DJ turntables are gaining so much popularity in the hifi-division; For audiophiles on a budget, a Super-OEM DJ Turntable is probably the cheapest way of buying a stylish direct drive, high torque turntable with interchangeable cartridges. I myself bought the SynQ X-Trm 1 a few months ago, it costs ~300€ and the quality - both sound-wise and build-wise - is amazing for the price. It wasn't the first time I had this device though - younger me used to DJ with two of these back in the days. I always loved the design, and knowing how sturdy and durable they are, I decided to go back to this classic for my living room hifi.
I remember that automatic tts were considered the preferred tt, and we paid extra for them. This was before the 1970s concerns of complications and excessive noise. My experience shows me no reason to believe either of those arguments are valid. I have at least a dozen tts, but my go to is a 1977 Sony PS-T3. Simultaneously connected to my amp is a cheap, plastic Craig tt which again is fully automatic, but also has a stacker arm, allowing me to stack 7" singles on that table. I feel that most tts can sound good with the addition of a quality cartridge and stylus. I'm also a fan of the technics sl-1500.
Love my late 1970s Pioneer PL-560. I picked it up at Salvation Army for $15. Added a new cartridge and replaced the feet. Otherwise, its as found. I like full automatic as well. Of course, no way to test the turntable when it was at Salvation Army. As mentioned in the video, if you buy used, get one complete with a dust cover in good usable shape. Price out replacement dust covers on these older turntables. Wow!
Crosley phonographs won't destroy records, their tonearms are set around 5-6g and this is within the original spec for LP playback. They just won't sound very good.
There was no "original spec" for LP playback. 78rpm records made out of celluloid were tougher and were typically played back on devices that generated up to 8 grams of force. That doesn't mean that was the "spec", though; lighter force would have been better for them too (have you ever heard a 78rpm record today that's actually still in good condition?), but wasn't possible in those days. As both tonearm and recording/pressing technology improved, combined with cost cutting that substituted vinyl for celluloid, the recommended force for playing records was reduced to around 1.5g. If your cartridge and turntable could do less and still track and sound good, so much the better for your records. All this stuff was common knowledge (and was actually literally in the f'ing manual) back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Nowadays, as with anything else, people tend to look at the history of turntables and records as if it's all one thing. But you can't look at the literal beginning of the LP era as if it was the same as the end. That's like saying a 32KB mp3 file is the same thing as a lossless FLAC.
While you're right they won't instantly shred records like people claim they still aren't exactly gentle on them and will cause undo wear over time with extended use. A safe tracking force is either something like 3.5G on something like a conical stylus that's designed for heavier weights or under 2.5G on most anything else.
I've actually got a House of Marley Stir It Up turntable. The name sounds like it's cheapo hipster-consumer garbage, but it seems actually pretty decent. Belt driven, with a knob for selecting 33 or 45 RPM, a proper counterweight setup, auto-stop and an Audio Technica cartridge. It looks like the AT3600(L?). The turntable looks pretty good, wtih a bamboo plinth and a base covered in anthracite recycled fabric. It's supposedly made up for a large part from recycled materials. Pricing seems pretty fair at €170 around where I live. It's my first turntable, and I'm really loving it so far.
@@jerryking7502 They can be called vinyls. Short for vinyl record. CDs are technically records/LPs too, aren't they. so vinyl/vinyl record is a more apt name in my opinion.
By a good used turntable bo not buy audio TecNICA direct drive USB out you will see some nice reviews about them but take it from me and look into it they have a lot of problems go for an old vintage turntable techniques pioneer Sony et cetera. you know the good brands the ones he recommends are good
Great video!! Thanks for showing the Denon DP-300F some love. I own 1 (the black version) and i absolutely LOVE it!! I plan on upgrading my cartridge to an Ortofon 2M blue or bronze. Plus, you can turn the pre-amp off as well i've found out.
i have an Sl-1210 mk3d and an Sl-1100a with lid and original strobe both work great and i also spin on a sl-q2 and sl-ql15 and also sl-d93 i love them all but my heart goes with my 1210 and 1100a
With this great video you earned a new subscriber! Can't wait to see the rest! I love audio and vinyl and I just watched this out of interest, even though there was nothing new really, watched untill the last second! Keep it up! 🤘
Really enjoyed this video. Very helpful. I used to own a 1987 Hitachi automatic TT (can't remember the model). Got rid of it in 2005 as the tome arm started getting hung as it approached the center of the record. I want to replace it at some point.
The manual turntables are more elegant but the autos are less stress. I have that DP 300F with a 2m Red and a Pro-ject Preamp. Sounds pretty sweet. I wish companies like Pro-ject would offer a semi auto that would lift the stylus off the record at the end. I’d still have a Debut Carbon. The biggest issue I’ve had buying turntables on eBay is that sellers have no clue how to pack them. A broken stylus could cost hundreds to replace, a broken tonearm could be a total loss. Even a missing skate weight could be $30. Don’t buy it unless you’re sure the seller knows what he’s doing. I had a guy send a turntable in a box half full of foam peanuts and nothing else. It showed up with the tonearm broken and ripped out of the plinth. What a disaster.
Actually the planar 1 is the one I recommend on a budget. Vintage Duals, Thorens and Rega are also very good. Consumer brand manufacturers have made too many models to make a general recommendation. Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Technics etc. all have made some pretty dreadful turntables over the years... They also have made good models, but it would be too long to pinpoint every of them. Even my shortlist wouldn't fit in a UA-cam comment.
I have a Rega Planar 3 (2016) with Elys 2 and tt-psu. I bought it in January 2018.; seven month ago. My record collection is very Happy. I have a pick up Grado also but in the future i sould want a Exact 2. I'm italian but i love Rega products easy and performed. From Italy near Milan.........sorry for my english language Fabioo '961
Thank you for the great useful tips !! I am wondering why no one, at least I haven't seen video yet, when suggesting buying used, no one mentions going to a record store that sells refurbished turntables. I'm in Calgary, and there is a great record store, Turn it Up, that sells refurbished turntables. They have a tech on staff that does all the work on the tables. This option will likely take the risk out of buying a used unit that needs work or has hidden problems. Peace !! :))
Something to keep in mind when looking at turntables: the signal to noise ration is capped at 40dBa for most vinyl. This means that so long as your turntable hits 40, don't worry about it. Also, aim for a tracking force of 4-6g. Any lower, like recommended in this vid, and you risk scratching. Hit 4-6g like columbia specced the format for, and you're golden.
Another note about tracking force - cart spec > everything else. If your cartridge says it's designed for a specific force, hit that force. Don't try to make it too light or too heavy. While columbia designed the format for 4-6g, and I personally look for carts that hit it, if YOUR cart says 3g for example, hit 3.
@@tonys4396 What does CD's have to do with it? Even though they took the place of Vinyl my original statement stands.. Vinyl should have never died and I'm glad it's coming back.
@@ifilmalways7122 You stated that you are "NOT SURE WHY IT EVER DIED OUT". That's what CD's have to do with it. Every nit wit in the world knows that vinyl almost disappeared when CD's came out. Fortunately for ME, It's making it's way back. I only listen to vinyl and reel-to-reel tape. My point is, everyone on the planet knows why vinyl almost disappeared when CD's first came out. Except YOU. I don't see anyone asking why?
Vinyl is addictive, it's a disease sort of. I have some records left from father but no player. Recently I bought a retro Technics direct drive. Very good table as it's simple to do a maintenance and they are still holding their value. Japanese engineers actually knew what they were doing.
@@NiiOnLood Direct Drive turntables are pathetic. Good luck destroying your vinyl collection since you can't put a decent low output moving coil cartridge on those toys. It WILL come in handy if you get into DJing where you cater to morons while destroying your records.
Replacing records with CDs works the best. I would like a good turntable for my records, one with a REMOVABLE SPINDLE so I can center records with OFF CENTER HOLES. My favorite format is the minidisc. Nobody wants to borrow or steal them, LOL! Small enough to be convenient, big enough to write info on & more durable than anything! I have 3 portable players, 2 component recorders (1 with a CD player built in) & a stack of blanks for recording. Set up for life! I also use equalizers, audiophiles be damned!!!
I own a Technics SL1200MK2 direct drive and is stil used by DJ's and were made to last. But today the are very expensive. This serie was produced until 2010. Thechnics decided to resumed the production in 2016 with a revised version but now cost $2500 I got mine for $450. If you can find a used one and have no objection for the price then go for this one otherwise, there is other option. Look for it on Wikipedia it is well documented and For Your Information, that turntable is in display at the London Science Museum.
There is actually a third type pf turntable. The Idler or idle drive in which a rubberized wheel contacts the bottom of the platter to drive/spin the platter. Not as common but some of the more sought after vintage (50's) Thorens and some Duals were idle drive turntables.
Greetings from Cuba. Thanks for the video, always looking for advice on turntables and audio equipment. I have the aiwa D50 with -this is funny- a soviet needle from a soviet Radiotecnica turntable. It works really fine, incredible actually.!Thanks again.
I can't stress this enough for people who want a cheaper player that is perfect for beginners and even those who just want something inexpensive and that's the Sherwood PM9805.
1. You walk to into a store and you choose one, pay for it and take it home. 2. Then there is choose one online, pay for it, wait for it to show up and hope it doesn't get stolen from your porch. 3. Search craigslist or other internet sites and then haggle and pay too much for someone's old broken player they think is worth thousands... That about covers it.
SP-10 mk3 is a heavy as a tank and its motor is directly based on SP-02 cutting lathe motor, which has a hell amount of torque. These are serious devices, not toys!
There are good reasons why all, and I really mean ALL hi-end turntables are belt driven with a heavy platter. Manufacturers use direct drive motors not because they are better, but because they are cheaper.
Great video, thank you very much! Will buy my first ever turntable at some point, doing my research before I buy my first record player. Audio-Technica LP120 perhaps.
AT-LP120 is a decent turntable, but quality is pretty variable. Suggest you invest a bit more and get a nice retro Technics, if you really want a Technics-like table. They were made to last and are generally in good condition.
good vid. buyers of used TT should also check/ask about condition of tone arm pivotbearing. excessive play, side to side, up and down, could mean its shot. will vibrate, ruin sound also. test by wiggling with fingers holding arm pipe near bearing. imo vintage best. denon's 300 amazon reviews indicate speed control issues, bad. = built down to a cost, rather than up to a spec and QC'd properly at factory. good luck.
No mention of Rega's budget offering?. I bought an RP1 back in 2015, which is the equivalent of the Planar 1 now. It's a nice turntable, similar in spec to the Pro-ject Debut but with the belt on the inside. For my home office turntable, I bought used a Trio (Kenwood) KD-1033 which is equivalent to the Pioneer PL-12. It's a basic turntable from the mid 70s but well made.
Sony did not make garbage in those day. It was all assembled in Japan and passed huge quality control. Turntables, receivers, amplifiers, tuners... Anything you get from a japanees brand, made inbetween 1970 and 1995 will be of superior quality next anything new. Dont waste your money on a crosley cruiser while you can get real, hq vintage for the money.
Try 75-82' , more specifically 78'-80. Sony really turned out some ho-hum stuff too. The British tables get the nod from that time period. Japanese had the electronics that make an E-motive or parasound sound tinny in comparison. It's like wine it's about the vintage or year , more specifically Japanese economic's and what was happening on the financial trading floors in Japan.
I am not gonna say Sony was as good as Pioneer or even Technics for the matter, but I do have read about some impressive things of late 70s Sony HiFi gear, things like the STR-V7 receiver. As for build quality? Even the entry levers were made in Japan, by engineers and technicians, not by a child somewhere in Vietnam stamping Sony logos on it, as is now the case with all the Sony stuff you will find in your local consumer electrics store.
Just to hear somebody not bragging about themselves, but saying "what the customers said" made me hooked!!!, creds from Sweden
As a vintage collector, one rule of thumb which is still true today - that is old audio equipment will always be better in my opinion than the new stuff ( the older models last a heck of a long time and made of better/ heavier materials ). That’s from my experience. Great video for anyone getting turntables as a beginner and in general very interesting thanks for your content ( this guy knows what he’s talking about ). 👏
Not always. Remember, some cartridges DO have a limited shelf life (crystal cartridge anyone?), and often times, the stylus is most likely no longer being manufactured (B & O anyone?). So, vintage is NOT always the best way to go.
Great video I grew up using turn tables as a kid late 60s early 70s still have my record collection that I started in the late 60s And still have my very first record I ever bought Merrilee Rush Angel of the morning ,And I still love it today as I did when it came out Thank you for the very Informative video.
Enjoyed your video made for the common man who doesn't have a big budget. I bought my AT-LP120 4 years ago and have made numerous mods to make it a much better turntable. The 3 main mods that made it better: 1. remove the built-in preamp, 2. solder in a pair of shielded RCA directly to the tone arm wiring, 3. upgrade cartridge to the AT440MLa. I have more, but they are in my videos. I do prefer direct-drive over belts as they are more accurate on speed, but many belt-driven TTs out there today are great. Retailers really should drop Crosleys and their clones! What a way to ruin albums. Great video!
I own LP120 and Crosley Cruiser too, I only play old 45's & 78's on a Crosley (also have 3 larger Travelers)never new records
Excellent tutorial, should be very helpful for a new TT shopper. The vintage market is loaded with good values !
I still have my old Technics SL1400 turntable. It's still like new. But it doesn't get much use, especially since it's been packed up for years. And I also have with it my Sansui 7070 stereo receiver which is also like new and not in use either. I put this nice Ortofon cartridge on the turntable too. I've owned these since they were new. I bought them in 1977 not long after I graduated from college
I own a Pioneer PLX-500 with a Ortofon 2mRed and love it. I started with the Audio Techinca LP60
is the LP60x a good one to get as a first time record player owner?
I have the Sony March 1982 Turntables brochure that includes this model. The PS-LX3 was the middle of three basic LX models. The step-down LX2 was semi-automatic. As mentioned, the step-up LX5 had quartz lock. There were three front loading "FL" models where you could push a button and the turntable would slide out. (This enabled you to place the turntable anywhere in an equipment rack without vertical clearance.) At the top were three X models with the "Biotracer" servo controlled tonearm. The top PS-X800 had tangential tracking. Featured accessories included two MM cartridges, five MC cartridges and two cartridge headshells.
I still use the first ( and only) turntable I’ve ever bought. Technics SL1500, bought in the late 70’s. Never had a reason to change it. Played with different cartridges though.
Audio Technica LP60x is underneath lp120 but very great value for $100, great for someone just getting into vinyl records. I like mine
I have 18 yr old project turntable belt drive and still sounds fantastic bought 2 new stylus for samiko cartridge.and I'm still amazed belt checked and still good after all the yrs of use..
I bought an audio technica lp60 to get started. After six months I bought an fluance rt82 and I’m loving the upgrade in the sound and quality.
I had two automatic Garrard turntables when I was young. Never had a problem. Played them constantly for years.
I'd add the Fluance RT 81 to your list. A beautiful turntable which sounds terrific at a cost of $250.
Excellent. I remember that era. Your presentation and information was spot on.
I have an Audio Technica LP3. It's fully automatic and I love it.
A used turntable once told me.. "If you change your mind, i'm the first in line. Honey i'm still free, TAKE A CHANCE ON ME"
So ??
Good Abba song
It is such an enjoyable experience to listen to vinyl records that I stopped to enjoy so much and buyed a CD player as soon as it was available in the market.
I persist today in not enjoying again vinyls anymore.
What?
I just ordered a U-Turn Orbit. I am pretty excited for it to arrive.
This fellow knows his stuff - beginners should listen to his excellent advice.
However, there is much more to learn, this is only the beginning.
People like you makes it worthwhile to watch or do research on you tube. Just subscribed!
I have a MCS 6700 turntable and a Pioneer PL-115D turntable. I have never left the vinyls. When CD’s came out and people started selling their vinyl I bought everything I could find. I probably have a couple of thousand LP’s. Vinyl is and always will be my favorite music media.
Good basic info and instruction on variety of TT's with different cart mounts. Good video.
It's nice that Vinyl is making a comback because a Turntable just looks great on top of the Hi-Fi system in the living room !
People have been saying "vinyl is making a comeback" for the last 12 years. It isn't making a comeback, it has made a comeback.
First direct drive turntable came out in 1970 and was called the SP-10. Made by Technics.
thats because technics had the patent for the direct drive motor.
Long ago in high school I had a really old record changer (a Garrard AT-6), which is not a type you hear about much anymore. The automatic return function did function ok, and was very reliable, but the mechanism that told the turntable that it was at the inside grooves was some mechanical linkage from the tonearm to a little switch that was depressed when the tone arm had rotated to that position.
That linkage applied torque to the tone arm toward the end of the record and that torque caused trouble with tracking on some records. It may not have been a problem with the high-tracking-force cartridges that were available when the tt was new, but for my more modern Shure cartridge, it was more then enough to be audible.
A typical high schooler, I couldn't afford to buy a new turntable so I took out the part that engaged the linkage and the problem was solved.
Technics SL D20 is a good example of a decent P-mount TT. Well constructed and sounds great.
Actually a conical stylus tracking at 3.5 grams, has the same wear on records as an elliptical stylus tracking at 1.7 grams! Most wear comes from styluses used past it's lifespan! KEEP IT CHANGED REGULARLY! Did you know that the acceptable tracking force back then was 4 grams? So those nice original used records most people are enjoying was played at that weight for many, many plays!
lo stilo della mia Grado è ellittico e legge tranquillamente fino
a 1,6. Inoltre sia dischi da 110gr., sia stampe da 180gr, in anni di
ascolto giornaliero suonano ottimamente. E' chiaro ch adotto
tutte le manutenzioni del caso Fabioo '961
Sorry that's BS. An Elliptical stylus tracking at 2g (AT-VM95E) will have less wear than a Conical stylus tracking at 2g (AT-VM95C). Although the stylus point is thinner, there is a greater area in contact with the groove, meaning that the weight distribution is over a greater area giving less pressure on the groove and less wear. A Shibata or Microline stylus will have still less wear as the contact area is greater still.
Where I do agree with you is that a worn stylus is the most damaging for records.
Excuse me, BUT if you look at most of the inner sleeves of albums in the 50’s, they will say that the tracking IS GOOD between 4 to 6g, especially the RCA Victor albums.
Great video, thanks! My current table is a vintage entry-level Technics p-mount semi auto from a secondhand store which suits me fine. Brand new p-mount carts with STELLAR specs can be had for less than just the stylus replacement cost on similarly capable 1/2 inch mount carts. Replacing a p-mount cart + stylus is effortless. Obsolete? Yep. Do I care? Nope. Having burned thru a number of semi-audiophile tables over the years (Dual, AR, AT, Technics, etc.) my humble take is that the p-mount concept is a brilliant alternative that I wish I'd discovered back in the day. Glad I've caught on now. Thanks again for the video.
I feel the same way. I am currently using my old Technics SLDL1 linear tracking turntable that I bought brand new in the 80s. I bought newer Ortofon OMP10 cartridges that it came with. What have you found in the p mount system that maybe I can upgrade to one day?
@@jimb2416 Look on UA-cam for Technics and p-mount and you'll find lots of info - lots more than I can pack into a few lines in this post.
Best bang for buck: Direct Drive - Vintage Pioneer PL-518/PL-530. Beltdrive- Dual 1249
Got a Technics Sl-220 from my father, just needed a belt and a new head shell/ cartridge (the original was plastic and becoming fragile). For me i like keeping all my equipment period its part of the fun, so its mated to an early 1990s Pioneer Receiver and a late 1980s Pioneer Gr-555 Equalizer and a 91 Sony 77 ES Tape Dec, and a Sony 91 Cd-291. Vinyl is a blast to listen to and on my setup its my preferred music format for the same reasons Modern Classics explains, that and it sounds richer to my ears.
Key words. More dynamic, Better separation of the instruments and noise free.
Generally speaking if you're playing records that are properly mastered for vinyl you won't *need* the benefits of some crazy high end cartridge to get sound that's good enough, and the ease of setup with p-mount will absolutely be worth it for most people. I don't think anyone even makes a moving coil cartridge for p-mount anymore, but you can get decent moving magnet cartridges new from Audio Technica, Ortofon, or Shure-- all of which will sound perfectly fine. (and since the styluses for moving magnet cartridges are generally user replaceable, even if you've got an out of production cartridge you may be able to stick a brand new or NOS stylus on it for next to nothing.)
I got the Debut Carbon Esprit from Pro-Ject. Lovely table, but my favorite is my older Pioneer PL-512X... It sounds just perfect and it performs so perfectly overall... Awesome. Better than the Pro-Ject. Both are fab! :D
My Dream Turntable is a Technics SL-1200! Hopefully I will own one someday soon.
Richard Taylor That is Awesome!!
Why? Lame plastic tonearm parts.
@@keithb6717 which parts exactly are made of plastic? Maybe base, yes. Tube, gimbal, bearings are all metal. Not counting armlift support as this will not play any role in tonearm performance.
Look again. Main arm vertical " bearing" is plastic over metal. Not even a real bearing. More of a bushing.
Lame.
It's a metal.
I have a Garrard g25 or something of the same, lucky for me my receiver, being a Yamaha rx830, has the phono channel so I didn't have to get a pre-amp. the turntable is great, it has autoplay, repeat queue and the weight. its pretty good although I might change the cartridge as it is old and impossible to find a replacement needle. A fantastic guide and really easy to understand. Good day.
i really like the ULM arm on these line of TTs
I am considering to buy a turntable.This video can help me to make my choice.Thank you nice video
Extremely well done video, clear and to the point.
Thank You. I picked JVS L-A55 & amplifier Denon pma-520.
I like the sound of my Rega Reserch Planar 3 (2016) with Elys 2 and tt-psu.
I have also a Technics SL BD 22D with Grado prestige 1 p-mount.
In future I should sell the Technics and buy a Exact 2.
I think another big reason for people prefering manual over automatic, is that the latter pretty much takes the whole manual put-the-needle-on-the-record-experience out of the equation. No wonder DJ turntables are gaining so much popularity in the hifi-division; For audiophiles on a budget, a Super-OEM DJ Turntable is probably the cheapest way of buying a stylish direct drive, high torque turntable with interchangeable cartridges. I myself bought the SynQ X-Trm 1 a few months ago, it costs ~300€ and the quality - both sound-wise and build-wise - is amazing for the price. It wasn't the first time I had this device though - younger me used to DJ with two of these back in the days. I always loved the design, and knowing how sturdy and durable they are, I decided to go back to this classic for my living room hifi.
I remember that automatic tts were considered the preferred tt, and we paid extra for them.
This was before the 1970s concerns of complications and excessive noise.
My experience shows me no reason to believe either of those arguments are valid.
I have at least a dozen tts, but my go to is a 1977 Sony PS-T3.
Simultaneously connected to my amp is a cheap, plastic Craig tt which again is fully automatic, but also has a stacker arm, allowing me to stack 7" singles on that table. I feel that most tts can sound good with the addition of a quality cartridge and stylus.
I'm also a fan of the technics sl-1500.
Thank you for the extensive explanation of turntables :-)
What was that? "it turns round and round and put the needle on it"
Love my late 1970s Pioneer PL-560. I picked it up at Salvation Army for $15. Added a new cartridge and replaced the feet. Otherwise, its as found. I like full automatic as well. Of course, no way to test the turntable when it was at Salvation Army. As mentioned in the video, if you buy used, get one complete with a dust cover in good usable shape. Price out replacement dust covers on these older turntables. Wow!
Crosley phonographs won't destroy records, their tonearms are set around 5-6g and this is within the original spec for LP playback. They just won't sound very good.
There was no "original spec" for LP playback. 78rpm records made out of celluloid were tougher and were typically played back on devices that generated up to 8 grams of force. That doesn't mean that was the "spec", though; lighter force would have been better for them too (have you ever heard a 78rpm record today that's actually still in good condition?), but wasn't possible in those days. As both tonearm and recording/pressing technology improved, combined with cost cutting that substituted vinyl for celluloid, the recommended force for playing records was reduced to around 1.5g. If your cartridge and turntable could do less and still track and sound good, so much the better for your records.
All this stuff was common knowledge (and was actually literally in the f'ing manual) back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Nowadays, as with anything else, people tend to look at the history of turntables and records as if it's all one thing. But you can't look at the literal beginning of the LP era as if it was the same as the end. That's like saying a 32KB mp3 file is the same thing as a lossless FLAC.
A decent stylus like the Ortofon 2m Red is more like 1.85 gm tracking force.
While you're right they won't instantly shred records like people claim they still aren't exactly gentle on them and will cause undo wear over time with extended use. A safe tracking force is either something like 3.5G on something like a conical stylus that's designed for heavier weights or under 2.5G on most anything else.
You forgot about linear tracking turntables! I'm using my Technics SLDL1 turntable that I bought new back in the 80s. I love its automatic features.
I've actually got a House of Marley Stir It Up turntable. The name sounds like it's cheapo hipster-consumer garbage, but it seems actually pretty decent. Belt driven, with a knob for selecting 33 or 45 RPM, a proper counterweight setup, auto-stop and an Audio Technica cartridge. It looks like the AT3600(L?). The turntable looks pretty good, wtih a bamboo plinth and a base covered in anthracite recycled fabric. It's supposedly made up for a large part from recycled materials. Pricing seems pretty fair at €170 around where I live. It's my first turntable, and I'm really loving it so far.
Thank you. I just bought 2 vinyls in Berlin and now i just need to get a turntable :)
Jerry King plural of vinyl is vinyl
@@jerryking7502 vinyl is also a material not only music/
@@jerryking7502 They can be called vinyls. Short for vinyl record. CDs are technically records/LPs too, aren't they. so vinyl/vinyl record is a more apt name in my opinion.
Jerry King no u don’t
By a good used turntable bo not buy audio TecNICA direct drive USB out you will see some nice reviews about them but take it from me and look into it they have a lot of problems go for an old vintage turntable techniques pioneer Sony et cetera. you know the good brands the ones he recommends are good
Great video!! Thanks for showing the Denon DP-300F some love. I own 1 (the black version) and i absolutely LOVE it!! I plan on upgrading my cartridge to an Ortofon 2M blue or bronze. Plus, you can turn the pre-amp off as well i've found out.
buy a shure v15 used, beats all the ortofones
Superb explanations. I still own a Pioneer PL12D modernized with modern motor and cart. Love it!
The Doll in the glass case... Looks like something out of the gift shop on one of the Military Installations in Japan.
i have an Sl-1210 mk3d and an Sl-1100a with lid and original strobe both work great and i also spin on a sl-q2 and sl-ql15 and also sl-d93 i love them all but my heart goes with my 1210 and 1100a
This vid make me want to go to the basement, get my records, buy a turntable, and put on "Out of the Blue."
Out of the Blue was my very first album purchase. From Sam Goody.
yes elo very good
With this great video you earned a new subscriber! Can't wait to see the rest! I love audio and vinyl and I just watched this out of interest, even though there was nothing new really, watched untill the last second! Keep it up! 🤘
Most enjoyable and instructive.
Really enjoyed this video. Very helpful. I used to own a 1987 Hitachi automatic TT (can't remember the model). Got rid of it in 2005 as the tome arm started getting hung as it approached the center of the record. I want to replace it at some point.
The manual turntables are more elegant but the autos are less stress. I have that DP 300F with a 2m Red and a Pro-ject Preamp. Sounds pretty sweet. I wish companies like Pro-ject would offer a semi auto that would lift the stylus off the record at the end. I’d still have a Debut Carbon.
The biggest issue I’ve had buying turntables on eBay is that sellers have no clue how to pack them. A broken stylus could cost hundreds to replace, a broken tonearm could be a total loss. Even a missing skate weight could be $30. Don’t buy it unless you’re sure the seller knows what he’s doing. I had a guy send a turntable in a box half full of foam peanuts and nothing else. It showed up with the tonearm broken and ripped out of the plinth. What a disaster.
You forget to mention the english brand REGA. Really good brand from u.k.
Actually the planar 1 is the one I recommend on a budget. Vintage Duals, Thorens and Rega are also very good. Consumer brand manufacturers have made too many models to make a general recommendation. Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Technics etc. all have made some pretty dreadful turntables over the years... They also have made good models, but it would be too long to pinpoint every of them. Even my shortlist wouldn't fit in a UA-cam comment.
Rega Planar one is my Dream Turntable 😍🤗
I have a Rega Planar 3 (2016) with Elys 2 and tt-psu. I bought it in
January 2018.; seven month ago. My record collection is very Happy.
I have a pick up Grado also but in the future i sould want a Exact 2.
I'm italian but i love Rega products easy and performed.
From Italy near Milan.........sorry for my english language Fabioo '961
I own a Rega P1. Brilliant turntable. Use it mainly hooked up to my PC for digitizing my vinyl collection.
@Cillit Bang Thank You, Cillit Bang.
Fabio
Thank you for the great useful tips !!
I am wondering why no one, at least I haven't seen video yet, when suggesting buying used, no one mentions going to a record store that sells refurbished turntables. I'm in Calgary, and there is a great record store, Turn it Up, that sells refurbished turntables. They have a tech on staff that does all the work on the tables. This option will likely take the risk out of buying a used unit that needs work or has hidden problems.
Peace !! :))
Something to keep in mind when looking at turntables: the signal to noise ration is capped at 40dBa for most vinyl. This means that so long as your turntable hits 40, don't worry about it. Also, aim for a tracking force of 4-6g. Any lower, like recommended in this vid, and you risk scratching. Hit 4-6g like columbia specced the format for, and you're golden.
Another note about tracking force - cart spec > everything else. If your cartridge says it's designed for a specific force, hit that force. Don't try to make it too light or too heavy. While columbia designed the format for 4-6g, and I personally look for carts that hit it, if YOUR cart says 3g for example, hit 3.
It's generally recommended to dial in a heavier side of tracking force range. But anything inside recommended range should do well.
Glad I never gave up my Vinyl from the 80's or my players.. Not sure why it ever died out.
DUH, ever hear of the CD?
@@tonys4396 What does CD's have to do with it? Even though they took the place of Vinyl my original statement stands.. Vinyl should have never died and I'm glad it's coming back.
@@ifilmalways7122 You stated that you are "NOT SURE WHY IT EVER DIED OUT". That's what CD's have to do with it. Every nit wit in the world knows that vinyl almost disappeared when CD's came out. Fortunately for ME, It's making it's way back. I only listen to vinyl and reel-to-reel tape. My point is, everyone on the planet knows why vinyl almost disappeared when CD's first came out. Except YOU. I don't see anyone asking why?
Vinyl is addictive, it's a disease sort of. I have some records left from father but no player. Recently I bought a retro Technics direct drive. Very good table as it's simple to do a maintenance and they are still holding their value. Japanese engineers actually knew what they were doing.
@@NiiOnLood Direct Drive turntables are pathetic. Good luck destroying your vinyl collection since you can't put a decent low output moving coil cartridge on those toys. It WILL come in handy if you get into DJing where you cater to morons while destroying your records.
Best most comprehensive review
your videos are great man! have two of the same turntable and they rock. the arm is somewhat similar to very expensive tonearms
Replacing records with CDs works the best. I would like a good turntable for my records,
one with a REMOVABLE SPINDLE so I can center records with OFF CENTER HOLES.
My favorite format is the minidisc. Nobody wants to borrow or steal them, LOL! Small
enough to be convenient, big enough to write info on & more durable than anything!
I have 3 portable players, 2 component recorders (1 with a CD player built in) & a stack
of blanks for recording. Set up for life! I also use equalizers, audiophiles be damned!!!
Mike Madden thats ok! Eq..
I own a Technics SL1200MK2 direct drive and is stil used by DJ's and were made to last. But today the are very expensive. This serie was produced until 2010. Thechnics decided to resumed the production in 2016 with a revised version but now cost $2500 I got mine for $450. If you can find a used one and have no objection for the price then go for this one otherwise, there is other option. Look for it on Wikipedia it is well documented and For Your Information, that turntable is in display at the London Science Museum.
÷
Have really enjoyed this informative video. Thank you very much!
There is actually a third type pf turntable. The Idler or idle drive in which a rubberized wheel contacts the bottom of the platter to drive/spin the platter. Not as common but some of the more sought after vintage (50's) Thorens and some Duals were idle drive turntables.
Elacs also were German idler drive.
E lacs are far better than dual. No comparison really.
Incredibly helpful video, thank you.
Good video.Although prices are going up, it is still possible to buy a Technics SL1200 for less than $500. One of the best turntables ever made.
Why does everyone think that...there is so much better gear out there even from Technics. It's the best DJ table maybe... that's about it.
It is not automatic though. I'm going after a technics automatic turntable, let's see what I find ...
Greetings from Cuba. Thanks for the video, always looking for advice on turntables and audio equipment. I have the aiwa D50 with -this is funny- a soviet needle from a soviet Radiotecnica turntable. It works really fine, incredible actually.!Thanks again.
I can't stress this enough for people who want a cheaper player that is perfect for beginners and even those who just want something inexpensive and that's the Sherwood PM9805.
I just bought my first turntable and im 49 years old. What i ended up getting was a akai ap -207. Hope it was a good choice
1. You walk to into a store and you choose one, pay for it and take it home. 2. Then there is choose one online, pay for it, wait for it to show up and hope it doesn't get stolen from your porch. 3. Search craigslist or other internet sites and then haggle and pay too much for someone's old broken player they think is worth thousands... That about covers it.
High end turntables only use belt drive better noise isolation from the motor helps to improve signal to noise ratio
Those are cheap toys compared to high end tables.
SP-10 mk3 is a heavy as a tank and its motor is directly based on SP-02 cutting lathe motor, which has a hell amount of torque. These are serious devices, not toys!
BTW. New Technics SP-10R prices start around 10,000 dollars and older used SP-10-s can cost also several thousands. Cheap toys, eh?
@@NiiOnLood I have no need for direct drive. I’m not a DJ so a high end belt drive suits me fine .
There are good reasons why all, and I really mean ALL hi-end turntables are belt driven with a heavy platter. Manufacturers use direct drive motors not because they are better, but because they are cheaper.
Kenwood 2255! It’s a tank with a warm sound!
Great video, thank you very much! Will buy my first ever turntable at some point, doing my research before I buy my first record player. Audio-Technica LP120 perhaps.
Junk
AT-LP120 is a decent turntable, but quality is pretty variable. Suggest you invest a bit more and get a nice retro Technics, if you really want a Technics-like table. They were made to last and are generally in good condition.
Keith B why the hell it's junk?
Go to a high end shop and look and learn.
@@NiiOnLood I bought 120 for it's extra speed 78, since MM carts are superior to ceramic and make 78 playback higher fidelity
I like the AT LP120
GREAT VIDEO! thumbs up and I thank you.
Really enjoyed this video!
I'll stick with my $10 Technics SL-D202 with a Pickering VX-15/625E Goodwill special.
Mark Gray good choice man
Thanks for all the information bro, excellent video
Had in de jaren 70 de Garrard zero 100sb platendraaier
En dit was een echt goede platenspeler Nu heb ik
De Yamaha 500 vinyl
good vid. buyers of used TT should also check/ask about condition of tone arm pivotbearing. excessive play, side to side, up and down, could mean its shot. will vibrate, ruin sound also. test by wiggling with fingers holding arm pipe near bearing.
imo vintage best. denon's 300 amazon reviews indicate speed control issues, bad. = built down to a cost, rather than up to a spec and QC'd properly at factory. good luck.
No mention of Rega's budget offering?. I bought an RP1 back in 2015, which is the equivalent of the Planar 1 now. It's a nice turntable, similar in spec to the Pro-ject Debut but with the belt on the inside. For my home office turntable, I bought used a Trio (Kenwood) KD-1033 which is equivalent to the Pioneer PL-12. It's a basic turntable from the mid 70s but well made.
Very informative video...thank you!
Enjoyable video. Very informative. Thank you
Awesum video mate very easy for me to understand something that new to me.
Really enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories :)
Awesome video. Looking forward to more!
Got a Hitachi HT353 from a goodwill. Has an Akai RS90/PC90 system on it. Can recommend this. Got mine for 25 Euro.
My pdx 2000 mk 2 pro has the best tracking tone arm on any turntable to date, shame vestax took it with them when they ended.
The problem with a TT Changer is the arm is set for the middle of the stack, so the Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA) will be correct for only 1 record
Great concise informative video here.
Really great video!
Sony did not make garbage in those day. It was all assembled in Japan and passed huge quality control. Turntables, receivers, amplifiers, tuners... Anything you get from a japanees brand, made inbetween 1970 and 1995 will be of superior quality next anything new. Dont waste your money on a crosley cruiser while you can get real, hq vintage for the money.
Try 75-82' , more specifically 78'-80. Sony really turned out some ho-hum stuff too. The British tables get the nod from that time period. Japanese had the electronics that make an E-motive or parasound sound tinny in comparison. It's like wine it's about the vintage or year , more specifically Japanese economic's and what was happening on the financial trading floors in Japan.
I am not gonna say Sony was as good as Pioneer or even Technics for the matter, but I do have read about some impressive things of late 70s Sony HiFi gear, things like the STR-V7 receiver. As for build quality? Even the entry levers were made in Japan, by engineers and technicians, not by a child somewhere in Vietnam stamping Sony logos on it, as is now the case with all the Sony stuff you will find in your local consumer electrics store.
Well done video, thank you for sharing
Thank you very much for the informative video. What do you think about Pioneer PL 1250 ? TIA
Very cool video about turntable