Topic: Carl and Jonny....those SOB's

[scervin]

Great just what I ned something else to get caught up in.  It isn't enough that boating, golf HT, music cost me a bunch each year, but now vinyl    

I had ben saving and saving the past couple years since GM was headed on a downward spiral and just could not get myself to spluge on any new stereo equipmetn.  Well things are now loking up and I bought a used Rega P3 (used) with a new Elys2 cartridge this past week.  This sounds so damn good!

Right now I'm running the P3/Elys > Cambridge Audio Azur 640P > Kimber PBJ's > Marantz and it sounds great.

I'm waiting on the stylus force gauge, but seems to sound great right now.  I d get a little static here and there, but from many of the systems I've heard this is fairly common.  I've been wiping the LP's down with a microfiber detailing cloth until my brush arrives.  Do you guys have any tricks to cut down on static? 

I picked up a few used discs and Dylans new Modern Times (fantastic album) and now have to figure out how to buy more and more.  I've been searching ebay, acoustic sounds, and music direct.  Hopefully the forum will be able to point me to a few more goods sites to buy new vinyl.  Have a couple good used shops in the area.

Here are the pics..

[jpschust]

sorry dude   it's addictive.  go get the kinda blue limited edition blue vinyl 180g.

[Kyle]

I have a Spin-Cleaner that I got from Record-Rama here in PGH that does a pretty good job. For playing (after the lp has been washed) , I have been using anti-static cloth that is used to clean negatives. I give the lp a wipe down with it and I have noticed a definte reduction in static pops.

This is the link to the company that makes the cloth I have; I can't for the life of me find it on their website (I got the cloth at work)
http://minilab.net/index.html

I also use a brush to clean the needle before each spin.

This 'looks' pretty much like what I have.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=24592


edited for fat fingers

[scervin]

My cleaning supplies have yet to arrive, but thanks for the cloth link.  I believe much of what I'm hearing is from static electricity and when I touch the vinyl you can hear the pops.  Time to up the humidifier. 

[Nick's Picks]

I know what you mean (about those bastards).  I'm trying to figure out a way to trade in the kids and get a TT going in my house.  I'd have to move the system out of the living room to keep it safe from little maliceous hands.
The realization that no matter how much $$ I'm able to throw into a digital front end, it still sucks comparred to an entry level table..is a kick in the pants!

[shane]

I just ordered a new P3 table and Elys 2 cartridge from our own Chris Sheperd at Eugene HiFi.  I can't wait to get it up and running.  Lots of places on the web for new vinyl.  I had a mishap with these guys but they have a great selection,  analogkaos.com.  There are lots of ebay stores w/ new vinyl too.  Check out http://stores.ebay.com/aural-exploits for a great selection of new stuff.  You can proabably poke around a find stuff cheaper or used but personally I don't mind paying full price for something sealed.  And a lot of vinyl can be had for $10 - $15 new.  Enjoy.

Shane

[cshepherd]

I broke the seal on Modern Times last night and spun both records while cooking dinner.  I was somewhat surprised that the song "Someday Baby" didn't have credits to Muddy Waters.  I haven't compared the lyrics in the verses, but the chorus is taken directly from "Trouble No More".  Really nice packaging though.  I paid $15 for it.  I highly recommend supporting the local record stores (from a former record store owner).  If they don't have it, ask them to order it.  The more business stores see on vinyl, the more they'll bring in. 

I think the record labels should think about issueing more catalog titles on new vinyl.  You can't download this stuff.  We have to buy it at stores.  It seems like a no-brainer to me.

The P3 is a great turntable.  Don't be afraid to wrench on the cartridge every couple of days.  Tables require fairly regular tweaking to maintain optimal sound quality.

Chris 

[it-goes-to-eleven]

sorry dude   it's addictive.  go get the kinda blue limited edition blue vinyl 180g.

I see the 200g version around but not the 180g... Difference?

[scervin]

I just ordered a new P3 table and Elys 2 cartridge from our own Chris Sheperd at Eugene HiFi.  I can't wait to get it up and running.  Lots of places on the web for new vinyl.  I had a mishap with these guys but they have a great selection,  analogkaos.com.  There are lots of ebay stores w/ new vinyl too.  Check out http://stores.ebay.com/aural-exploits for a great selection of new stuff.  You can proabably poke around a find stuff cheaper or used but personally I don't mind paying full price for something sealed.  And a lot of vinyl can be had for $10 - $15 new.  Enjoy.

Shane

I just got a disc from Aural Exploits.  Had no idea media mail took so long to ship.  They do have a good selection of stuff I'd listen to.

SC

[shane]

I just ordered a new P3 table and Elys 2 cartridge from our own Chris Sheperd at Eugene HiFi.  I can't wait to get it up and running.  Lots of places on the web for new vinyl.  I had a mishap with these guys but they have a great selection,  analogkaos.com.  There are lots of ebay stores w/ new vinyl too.  Check out http://stores.ebay.com/aural-exploits for a great selection of new stuff.  You can proabably poke around a find stuff cheaper or used but personally I don't mind paying full price for something sealed.  And a lot of vinyl can be had for $10 - $15 new.  Enjoy.

Shane

I just got a disc from Aural Exploits.  Had no idea media mail took so long to ship.  They do have a good selection of stuff I'd listen to.

SC

I learned about media mail from an order previously.  I'll gladly pay extra for first class.  MM took almost two full weeks from CA to NY

[jpschust]

sorry dude   it's addictive.  go get the kinda blue limited edition blue vinyl 180g.

I see the 200g version around but not the 180g... Difference?

20g   get the 200g then

[it-goes-to-eleven]

20g   get the 200g then

Maybe I should try taping a quarter on the tonearm

[Nick's Picks]

Maybe I should try taping a quarter on the tonearm

whoa..
flash back to the late 1970's or even 1980.  I'm listening to Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" w/a short stack of pennies taped to the tonearm.

[Stagger]

Dude, what Tweeter you at?.. I was at 0109 and now I'm at 0803 in Chicago...

[Nick's Picks]

Portsmouth NH and Portland ME

both have nice gear.  the one in portland has a bitchin' "high end" room.  the B&K gear is not the cats ass, but the GPs, Vienna Acoustics (when they had them) and ML Ascenti's and now the newer line all sound real nice

[carlbeck]

Whoa, Whoa, what did I do 

I told you, seriously nothing compares to an analog front end. Just sounds right is all I can say. There are worse things to spend money on.

[carlbeck]

Actually, I would seriously blame Jonny, seriously I would, yup.

[jpschust]

Maybe I should try taping a quarter on the tonearm

whoa..
flash back to the late 1970's or even 1980.  I'm listening to Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" w/a short stack of pennies taped to the tonearm.

i shamefully admit that i adore that album.

[Stagger]

Portsmouth NH and Portland ME

both have nice gear.  the one in portland has a bitchin' "high end" room.  the B&K gear is not the cats ass, but the GPs, Vienna Acoustics (when they had them) and ML Ascenti's and now the newer line all sound real nice

LOL I know that... -T for me... Work blocked off scervin's non avitar and put a tweeter sign in place making it look like that was, in fact, the avitar... I'm a moron some times.

[jpschust]

Actually, I would seriously blame Jonny, seriously I would, yup.

This is the best thing I've taken blame fore all day.

[nickgregory]

So I found a bunch of vinyl at my parents house that I had as a kid, alot of which I had not replaced on CD, and decided to get an entry level TT to see if I am interested in getting into vinyl.  Chris hooked me up with a P1 and Fono Pre and I got them set up last night.

Wow.  I expected great sound, but I am shocked at how good the sound is of vinyl.  I thought i was just hearing it because I wanted to, so I pulled out joshua tree, CD and vinyl and went back and forth and there is no comparison.  The openess, airy quality of the vinyl is so much more relaxing to the ear.  And I swear the bass is more defined on the vinyl.  So I switched to Born to Run LP and the remastered CD that came out last year.  In this case, the CD is closer to the vinyl, but still lacking.  It was really noticeable on jungleland.  The sax solo that I thought was so vibrant on the CD sounded a little dull when compared to the vinyl. 

I think I am seeing the beginnings of why people are so high on vinyl.  Pretty amazing actually.

The thing that always scared me of turntables is setup, etc...and I have to say I love the P1 simply because of its ability to allow a dumb guy just getting into vinyl a chance to play with it without me spending hours getting set up...really cool.

And yesterday I was scouring local craigslist for other random crap and ran across a guy with a nitty gritty record doctor, new in the box, that he had been given new as a gift, but never got around to using it before he got out of vinyl, so he was selling for $150...picking that up today.  Looking forward to seeing the difference with truly clean vinyl as well!

[carlbeck]

Glad to hear you joining the new old school army. Frankly setting up a table isn't that hard but it does require some tools & patience but that is about it.

[nickgregory]

Glad to hear you joining the new old school army. Frankly setting up a table isn't that hard but it does require some tools & patience but that is about it.

Yeah, I am sure it isnt a huge deal, but when your lazy like me, you have to have bought into the benefit before you are willing to put forth the effort to learn

needless to say I have bought in, hook, line.....

[Sanjay]

This may sound like a stupid question.... but how do you know when a needle is in need of replacement?

[carlbeck]

Its not a stupid question at all honestly without a scope it is hard to tell.

[shane]

After getting some real good hours in on my P3/Elys 2 setup I'm loving the vinyl more and more everyday.  I haven't even thought of playing a cd at home in weeks.  The only problem I've found in vinyl is trying not to buy too much.  I've been on a spree of sorts as of late.  And if there's one thing I've learned is this:  If they have it and you think you might want it........buy it.  Because you're going to pay out the ass for it somewhere else later on down the road when you decide you really want it.

Shane

currently spinning:  TV On The Radio  "Return to Cookie Mountain"

[George]

This may sound like a stupid question.... but how do you know when a needle is in need of replacement?

fwiw:  When I had my old skool fisher (no, not the kiddie brand!) turntable+stanton 500 cart I noticed a severe degradation in sound quality as the needle wore out after a few years of heavy listening. 

[nickgregory]

After getting some real good hours in on my P3/Elys 2 setup I'm loving the vinyl more and more everyday.  I haven't even thought of playing a cd at home in weeks.  The only problem I've found in vinyl is trying not to buy too much.  I've been on a spree of sorts as of late.  And if there's one thing I've learned is this:  If they have it and you think you might want it........buy it.  Because you're going to pay out the ass for it somewhere else later on down the road when you decide you really want it.

Shane

currently spinning:  TV On The Radio  "Return to Cookie Mountain"

speaking of which, hit the local used shop and found a used copy of SRV Live Alive...perfect condition...$3 later it is in my car

[Sanjay]

This turntable while in immaculate condition was used, and so was the cart. so I have honestly no idea how long it has been used for, it is a high quality needle though so I try to avoid replacing things on a whim.

I'll prob wait until I buy a new turntable and just start over from there.  I like those Rega P3's alot...

[George]

This may sound like a stupid question.... but how do you know when a needle is in need of replacement?

More importantly... can an old stylus damage your vinyl?

I've read that it can, so I stopped using my fisher rig until I moved onto a used P3 as well...if anyone recalls I rec'd it with a bent needle (grado gold).  Fortunately, grado sent me a new one at no charge.  The bent one skipped like crazy on my records.

[cshepherd]

A bad stylus can damage your records.  Inner grooves that sound muffled and distorted are the result of someone's cart that was damaged or permanently out of alignment.  P3's are out of stock until the new version comes out later this summer.  The new P3 has better tonearm wire and interconnects as well as compatibility with Rega's outboard power supply. 

Chris