Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler After purchase blahs!

Yeah...

But what the heck does it mean?

WhatFurrer

Hi,

I bought that Stanton model for my son in Toronto and he says it's excellent. I checked it out after I got it and it had no audible rumble, the arm was decent and reasonably well set up, and the cartridge was okay. The Technics 1200 is the workhorse but unless you were going to use it all the time, I doubt it's worth the expense.

Regards,

Guys, I'm a newbie when it comes to analog and would like some clarification as to how they work. So is the cartridge the equivalent to an outboard DAC for a CD player? And on reviews I've read it seems as though the tone arm makes a musical difference? I don't see how this would be. If the cartridge is what makes the difference in sound would I be best off to get a cheap unit and buy a better quality cartridge? My local dealer can hook me up with the Rega's or NAD(which is made by Rega) players for a good price.

You have the right idea. The cartridge translates the grooves on the physical surface of the record into electrical current. One end of the stylus rides the grooves and the other is attached to a magnet. That magnet sits between coils of copper wire. And as we all know (now you do!) a magnet moving next to copper wire induces current on the wire.

The tone arm is important in this picture because it needs to be relatively inert acoustically. If it amplifies or changes the vibrations that the needle picks up, then it will affect the sound.

So does the base make a difference? I was looking at the Rega P2 which with a deal struck with my local dealer could be had for a not to bad price. Do any of you have experience with the Rega line or know of any reviews I can follow?

Yes, I have a P3 that I have used for many years of trouble free enjoyment. Ensure that you get a quality cartridge, and that the tonearm is adequate. Rega made some decent arms, and also some poor arms. Almost all required shims to adjust height, and this is a critical adjustment to proper sound.

As you have read, there is a good amount of technical advice regarding turntables. You can buy inexpensive (sub $100) or expensive (many thousands of dollars) for turntables. Interestingly, most people have compared an inexpensive table to a $300+ cd player and this does not do either medium justice. The most limiting factor of vinyl is in fact the condition of the record. Typically, they are lacking, and this is translated into "noise" for our listening enjoyment...or lack there of.

There are several other models available, depending on your budget. I would suggest you look at all the above suggestions as low to mid end of the spectrum, and include Music Hall and Thorens. Moving up the food chain, Oracle, and Linn. There are many much more expensive models, but this depends on your budget.

Thanks BBIBH. I'll definitely consider them.

You are welcome.

Another candidate would be the Goldring GR1. It is marketed by an English company that has made some exceptional cartridges in the past. The table is actually made by Rega, and is essentially a P2....for a bit less. Keep in mind that tables are highly engineered devices, with precision parts designed (as mentioned in the thread) not to alter the sound. As the vinyl grooves provide musical information, ensuring that there is nothing added is critical. The cartridge and tonearm should be of good quality and set up properly, as this can also change the sound qualities.

Something to keep in mind regarding some of the top tables - and for that matter higher end audio components (not including most speakers, although it can be accomplished with some), you can purchase pieces to upgrade the model you own to the latest model - ie you can buy kits to upgrade an Oracle Delphi MK II turntable to a MKV. This can be done with SIMAudio, Rega, Linn and Oracle amps, CD players, TT's - to name but a few mfg'ers

This concept could allow you to get a more expensive table used, and have it upgraded to the latest model.

So I have this problem....

I bought some M60's, a VP150, and QS8's....

then I needed a receiver, so I got a Denon AVR-3805...

Then I needed a subwoofer, so i got a SVS PB2-Plus...

Then I needed some nice DVD's to watch, so bought more to add the 125 I already own...

Then I needed a new TV so I started saving for a 61" DLP...and the matching Denon 3910 to go with my receiver....

then I needed remote controlled lighting....

and a universal remote.....

and then.....*sighs and sobs into his pillow*

- D

what about racks and stands and cables - don't forget those!

And Zone 2. You've gotta setup a zone 2 so that the music can be in another room while the kids or the wife or whomever is watching a movie you don't want to see again.

And then you'll start reading about how two subs are better than one.

Oh, the horror...