Making the Numark PT01USB into a True Hi-Fi Portable Turntable
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- Опубліковано 23 січ 2018
- Using an aftermarket tonearm and phono preamp Paul modifies his Numark PT01USB record player to use a hi-fi Ortofon Omega cartridge to sound better and treat his vinyl right. This portable turntable sounds way better than a cheap Crosley or Victrola, and now the stylus tracks under 2 grams, instead of the vinyl-wearing 5 grams or more of cheap record players.
Here are Paul's other recommendations for inexpensive turntables:
www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/12...
Music by The Runs, "Pretty Girls" - runs.bandcamp.com/
Our website: www.radiosurvivor.com
Support us on Patreon: / radiosurvivor
Want to try creating your own hi-fi portable turntable?
Here are links to find the record player and aftermarket parts:
Numark PT01USB - amzn.to/2F9X4JZ
Ortofon Omega cartridge - amzn.to/2Dwqe5G
(Amazon links are affiliate links):
In North America you can order Bihari Designs from Open Format in LA:
Bihari Tonearm - openformat.la/shop/bihari-ton...
Bihari Easy Install Preamp - openformat.la/shop/easy-insta...
Outside North America, order direct from Bihari:
bihari.bigcartel.com/category/... - Наука та технологія
![Modding My Dream Portable Turntable! [NUMARK PT-01]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GnOFf4yC9r0/mqdefault.jpg)
This turntable is really popular with hip hop producers, I was hoping to use it as part of a small hifi setup for my bedroom and after the simple mods you did it'll be more than useful for that purpose.
I've been waiting for this for so long. Your take on it as a non DJ use preview or travel table is right on! Because of your video I just purchased the whole upgrade and will install it tomorrow! Thank you!
Great video! They hit on a great little product with that turntable. It makes music quick, easy, social, and fun! I love mine lots.
This video really helped me make up my mind, extremely informative. Thank you!🤘On a side note that guitar tone & the Kick drum sounds pretty damn sweet
Hello, Paul! Although a little late, I'm now watching this video. A while ago I came across this same dilemma to get a small quality portable disc player. After some studies, I developed autonomously a project for the old Philips GF line that were very common here in Brazil in the 80's. You can still find them here today. In my project, in addition to a capsule upgrade (whith add pre-amp), I sought mechanical improvements that would be very welcome as the installation of bearings in the arm joint, replacement of the motor with one that had servo-control device (speed variations were very common in this type of equipment), and improvements in the automatic shutdown system with the use of optical sensor and electric solenoid. The result can be seen in the videos below. In all, two units were prepared, one Philips GF-133 and another GF-623. This is a good idea to implement the bearings on the PT01 arm joint to reduce the drag and some system similar to the one I used to auto-shut down at the end of the disk. Anyway, the improvement of these equipments admit a lot of creativity and willingness to improve. Thanks for posting this video!
ua-cam.com/video/nGmkfR2Enfc/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/59taV7xsRes/v-deo.html
thanks for the runs, killer 7"
That’s amazing!!! Wow! What an idea.
Exactly what I was looking for - I saw such great reviews for this and wondered if you could actually turn it into a regular, mostly portable record player with good sound quality.
same
Thanks for the reply. So basically is it possible to hook this turntable up to a vintage Marantz amp without any mods out the box??
great turntable. There a whole dj scene called "portablism" based around the PT01 and a few other turntables. Numark even released the "PT01 scratch". Thats the one I have. Its basically the PT01 with a built-in crossfader (that can also be swapped out) for scratching. Which is crazy in this day to be able to get a turntable that is very good for scratching for only $100. Bihari also makes crossfaders and there is another 3rd party company called Jesse Dean that is doing some amazing mods too. Great review.
Excellent video
Cool to see! I did a similar thing. Using an Audio Technica AT91. Although I kept the original arm. Love this little turntable :) Cheers. /Paul
@00:50 - I still have that Yorx setup i got back in 1986 (i think) lol. Except mine came with thin, tall speakers. I was in high school and i LOVED that thing.
Great video very helpful, wondering if there is a full installation video for those who have not done this before for all parts you mentioned. Would be super helpful
The New MPK suitcase has a nice metal tonearm with a audio technica magnetic cartridge and customizable headshell that lets you change the cartridge with something nicer like a Stanton. Also the speakers and amp are even nicer than any new portable I have heard.
also it tracks at just over 2 grams
My issue has always been the motor not having enough torque for a lot of 12"s/LPs
Same
Great! You’ve helped me make up my mind. Question: I’m sending back another MM portable portable I just bought. With the metal platter and better tonearm, do 45s sound “watery” from a flutter standpoint?
I bought this turntable specifically to record old 78s. I did buy a stylus made for 78s and I think this will be fine.
Great video. This is EXACTLY what I needed to convince myself to upgrade my Numark PT01 (non-usb) rather than get a new record player. Your affiliate link was broken, maybe update?
very nice mod...
A bit late to the party here, but there's one thing to keep in mind when doing something like this. The Bihari and Jesse Dean tonearms are made for DJ cartridges. Although I don't know this for sure because I didn't buy one yet, I am a bit skeptical that they have the correct length for a stylus to be adjusted properly for minimal tracking error. With DJ cartridges, because of the conical styli, that's not really a big problem. However, with elliptical hifi styli (like the Omega), tracking errors will matter, because the elliptical stylus sits in the groove the wrong way, and that would increase wear and tear. When I have a go at a project like this, I'll opt for a DJ cartridge to be on the safe side. There are quite a few that sound rather good, and even at higher tracking weights, they basically cause the same wear and tear as light-tracking hifi cartridges. Sure, on paper they will sound less good, but to be honest, on a mobile plastic turntable with a solid aluminum arm, I doubt that this would really matter much, Everything is miles better than the cheap ceramic thing these turntables come with.
@jimboblivesforever sounds good so dj cartridge with a Bihari arm, because its better than the ceramic thing this comes with what about preamp??
@@AstralVelvetV12 Any low-end thing from the local electronics store could work if you know what you're doing. The Bihari one seems to be a good solution though, because it is a plug and play solution
Thanks for leading the way😊I've modified a Numark with a Bihari tonearm and Ortofoon element. Have you added some weight on yours? Mine is very light at the moment so it "hangs" quit often. Also:How did you align the cartridge?
Thanks for the inspiration here - any tips on further modification to play a common 12" record? Looks like there's the chance that the start/stop switch inside might be able to be reconfigured to allow the tonearm to start turning sooner...?
It can play 12s at 33 rpm by stock
I was thinking of purchasing one of these but worry about the ceramic cartridge. I don't have the technical know-how or patience to do the overhaul you've done. I wonder if there is any easier way to upgrade the cartridge ? Thanks!
I just picked one up for $30 on offerup. I'm cautiously happy with it. No, I'm not altering it. You can get diamond tipped cartridges for it on amazon. Instead of red, they are tan. 3 for $15 or so. That's the only upgrade I'm willing to do.
Radio Survivor: Congrats for your great video and modifications. I recently bought three Numark PT01 USB, and all of them have uneven speed and a noise when the platter spins. May I ask you if you know anything about it or how to fix it? Thank you very much. I just posted the following in some forum related: "Hello to all of you!
I read all your comments related to the buzzing noise of the portable turntable Numark PT 01 USB.
It seems that you give some suggestions and ideas but none of you apparently found a real solution, a real fix, and the real cause of the problem,
1 or did you?
In a nutshell,
2 is there any real valid solution to get rid of the noise once and for all that is heard when the platter spins?
(especially when using headphones)
3 Is "your" noise caused by the spinning platter or not?
In my case it is, there s no noise is the platter doesn t spin.
4 So are we talking about the same noise? the noise that is heard when the platter spins?
It seems that one of you got rid of the buzzing noise temporarily, but then it came back,
and then suggested to remove a kind of a white square piece apparently related to the USB feature.
5 Does that completely fix the problem?
6 If not what does?
7 Did any of you find the real cause of the noise?
8 Did any of you completely removed the noise once and for all?
There are many videos on youtube related to this turntable but as far as i know no one mentions this buzzing problem.
This is the only forum and info related i found on the net.
9 Are there any more?
I also asked everyone (Numark pt 01 related videos) on youtube regarding this noise, and apparently nobody has ever had any buzzing noise,
because they either completely ignore my question and comments, or are asking me questions like " What kind of noise? " etc which makes me think they have no idea what i m talking about because they actually never had this noise.
Some youtubers play records using this Numark PT 02 USB, and there is no noise whatsoever, none at all.
10 So what's wrong with our models?
11 Are they defective?
I bought THREE Numark PT 01 USB from three different sellers, THREE, and ALL OF THEM have the same annoying noise that makes it especially annoying when playing some kind of classical music etc.
12 I´d like to mention another problem if i may, related to this Numark PT 01 USB model:
The speed:
It's uneven, and this speed problem is, as a matter of fact, something many owners complain about.
13 Do you have the same speed problem too?
14 If so how did you fix it? ( i'm not talking about changing belts, but using a new one and still have the same problem)
Some technician fixed the speed problem in both of them, and when using a stroboscope, both 33 and 45 were ok. I didn t ask him to adjust 78 tho
The problem is, the speed was uneven two days after, without using them during those two days, in both turntables.
15 How on earth is it possible that this turntable has uneven speed and buzzing noises and yet being satisfactory used by so many people who even invest almost 500 bucks in modifications, like pro arm forces, to be able to use pro stylus and cartridges)?
16 I mean who would even bother investing any money with a turntable that has a buzzing noise and an uneven speed in the first place?
Expensive tonearms would not fix that as far as I know.
17 Who would do that investment having this annoying buzzing noise and uneven speed in the first place, and not even mentioning it anywhere ?
18 this buzzing sound appears to be only in the USB model and not in the scratching model?
"The third model" , the one who has a built in battery has a buzzing noise too according to some youtuber who actually is very happy with the one we are talking about here, because his has no buzzing noise,
but complains about the one he bought brand new with the built in battery because it does have a noise.
These turntables are extremely affordable,
19 maybe that's why they have so many issues?
20 or it s just that we had bad luck and have defective ones?
21 If all of them had the same issues, why on earth people would talk so highly of them and invest money to replace force arms etc?
22 May i mention another turntable, the OMNI, who already has a pro arm force, and is more expensive.
23 Do any of you have one?
And if so,
24 could you tell me if it also has the aforementioned problems?
Which are:
A) Uneven speed
B) Noise when the platter spins
C) "Ground noise" regardless if the platter spins or not
25 May I mention the Vestax Handytrax? I have two.
One of them, the first model, has a noise as well, but not related to the spinning platter.
The noise in this one seems to be "a ground noise" which increases when touching the surface of the turntable.
It also has an uneven speed.
And the other one, a white one who is a slight different new version, has no noise whatsoever, but an uneven speed too.
26 Who would be ok purchasing and using a turntable that doesn t even offer the very minimum requirements?
Minimum requirements meaning playing a record with the right speed, even speed, without the extra annoying noises, and without damaging the grooves.
I would be more than glad to pay more money for a light portable turntable with exchangeable light batteries, that would not damage the grooves and needle with excessive weight, and would spin at the right speed, even speed, and without annoying noises of any kind.
Both the Vestax and the Numark are too heavy when using batteries because they require a lot of batteries that are not rechargeable, too heavy, and not environmentally friendly, unless there is another option,
27 is there?
28 Am i asking for too much? am i being irrational?
The OMNI seems to have all basic requirements according to the informative emails I received from them (HeadacheSound brand) but after all the stress and wasted money and time invested in the aforementioned ones, I have my doubts the OMNI will fit the, again, basic requirements, so I have my doubts.
I hope some of you will kindly provide the theoretically simple and practical solution, a real one, in order to get rid of the buzzing noise once and for all.
Thank you very much."
Feel free to contact me here too: veganroommates9@gmail.com
Having a tough time choosing, I used to have a Vestax portable, but looking to upgrade. want portability because I move a lot but its for home use, so this video is interesting. I was gonna go for this Numark PT01 as stock but you mentioned 5grams! put me off, however the other option is the Audio Technica - LP60 USB, are there any others that are worthy and affordable?
The Audio Technica is the best for the price. However, it's not portable. The best value out there is the U-Turn Orbit turntable for $179.
Great idea start a portablist little magazine or a vlog
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I wonder if platter wobble has been an issue for you when playing 12" after the modification?
Should I be concerned with tracking angle with these straight arms or may I rest assured knowing I have a decent TT on a budget with similar mods?
THANKS
There’s also aftermarket pieces to fix the platter wobble. Check out Jesse dean designs, they have an aftermarket platter made of aluminum or a plastic platter stabilizer. I think the stabilizer would be more than enough for listening purposes.
Hi great video, i want to know. with all this modifications you will lose the built-in speaker ?
No. The built-in speaker still works.
Have you had speed issues with your pt-01? I have started having issues with mine.
You’d be surprised at all the aftermarket parts people have made for the portablism scene. Can change to an aluminum platter, add a start/stop button
Hi, sorry for my lack of knowledge on this matter. But would that tone arm work with an ortofon 2m red cartridge? Thanks!
Can you still use the turntable without installing the preamp and replacing the catridge etc? Im new to all of these so im a little confused. Nice review btw!
You can use the turntable just as is, the sound quality just won't be as good. I personally would use an external preamp though, vinyl naturally as a medium is very very quiet and preamps are how you resolve this issue.
I'm looking at getting one of these and a 3mm stylus to make a dedicated 78 rpm player. How would the 5g tracking affect a 78? Didn't the old phonographs used to have much heavier tracking then the newer turntables?
I'm planning on doing the same. 5g will not affect most 78's. Ortofon makes a specific 78 cartridge, but it's pricey to upgrade. I'm gonna get the Pfanstiehl 274-DS73 and keep the stock tonearm.
Great video! Please, could anyone tell me how to get rid of the very annoying noise when the platter spins? Thru the headphones is very annoying. I have two like the one in the video, and both have the same problem. Thank you very much.
I have the Ion iptusb. I'm thinking I can use the same tone arm shown in the video on this as well, right?
I did this to mine also; just a little worried on the anti-skate, I can't set it to anything. It's great as a portable option!
Nice 👍
How is the cartridge alignment when playing standard size vinyl? I have one of these turntables and I went out and got a Jesse Dean tone arm for it and a Ortofon Red cartridge and I can't get the alignment right to play from the outer of the record to the center. Don't know if you can help me with this problem. Thanks!
Where you ever able to solve this problem? I just bought these supplies to do this upgrade and was bummed to see it not work well w/ a common 12".
@@mkelucey Any new information? I was just about to the (newer?)
Jesse Dean Designs JDDPTA-PCB and saw this.
How do you set this turntable up with a nice amp and big speakers? If there’s a pre amp inside it already how do you connect room speakers to it and/or a regular analog amplifier?
Answer in the video: You can install preamp. After that just connect to active speakers or amp
Tonearm doesn’t move on mine. Even if I add a bit of tracking force. Any ideas?
It would be nice if you ACTUALLY showed how you replaced the tonearm and installed the pre-amp! Telling isn't showing!
Jerk off wont respond. Fuck him
Can I install the JDDPTA on a Victrola Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player? ...Or the Crosley Discovery Portable Turntable?
No
Having a straight tone arm with an elliptical stylus doesn’t mess up your records ? Or even sound off?
I upgraded my pt01 tone arm with Jesse Dean Designs’ equivalent to this. I put an elliptical stylus on and it doesn’t sound right. Muddy and watery on a lot of records, especially newer wax. Is this because the tone arm is straight?? I’ve been so frustrated by this.
@@ianwade4484 I would assume so. Straight tone arms should be using spherical stylus. I have a Stanton 750 stylus on my tone arms
What's the weight of the original needle?
It's downforce is more than 5g.
Would just replacing the cartridge system ease the tracking weight to a suitable level, say, around 2 grams? I bought the numark pt01 touring, and would hate to destroy precious vinyl. This would be a real big issue, since, foolishly I made a decision of buying before researching, and I don't have any big money to spend now!
I doubt it, because the tracking weight it due to the spring-loaded arm. I know some people have added their own counterweight to the back of the arm. That might work.
Whats the bass response like after the modifications ??????
The bass response is quite good through headphones, the RCA output or external speakers. The built-in speaker is very small, so it's never going to have much bass.
I plan to do those modifications and use the turntable to play vinyl louder in a bar. Do I risk it to still sound terrible even after the modifications? It sounded pretty bad without the preamp and with the ceramic cartridge as you can expect... The thing is there was another guy who had the JD tonearm installed which comes with a preamp (don't have to buy it separately as with Bihari) and it still sounded shallow so to say. He thinks it is because the weight is still too much. I don't have much experience with turntables anyway, so this is why I'm still wondering if I should go for those modifications.
It sounds great through external speakers. The internal speaker sounds about the same. You really need to use external speakers, or work through a mixer to get all the quality.
Thanks!
it improves a lot but no way to call it hi-fi turntable
hm i thought the wone i have is the wanna with the hip hop vibes and rikikirkirkirkrikrirkrirkirikrirki
maybe i broke the thing
Keep Portland wired
I still don't get why someone would buy 25 dollar records, when their record player is about 100 bucks...
I bought a PT-01 Scratch which has the built in pre-amp. I use it as a home turntable, not for that "dj" crap. My boombox has a 3.5mm input jack and 10 watt speakers, which gives me a nice all-in-two stereo system (CD, cassette, radio, MP3, and vinyl). For someone living in a small place and has to move every year or two, it's a great option.
nobody gives a fuck pal
UA-cam moderators is 👎👎
Please.get.to.the.point