Can anyone that still uses Vinyl help me? - Blu-ray Forum

steve_99101 · 05-04-2009, 05:56 AM

i'm new to the world of vinyl. my friend's had one for some time and it's time for me to finally buy my first record player. i was curious if anyone can point me in the right direction. i'm looking for a good but affordable turntable for beginners.

this is what i'm leaning towards:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PS-LX300U...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

also i don't have a stereo, the only system i have set up is through my computer speakers. its a nice one. but can i hook up my record player through my computer system and play it through my speakers? again i am a noob sorry if these are stupid questions.

any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks!

Johnny Vinyl · 05-04-2009, 10:54 AM

Hi Steve,

Some of us never left the world of vinyl and most likely never will. With the resurgence of the format now taking place, this is a very exciting time for us and newcomers alike. Guys like richteer (Rich), naturephoto1 (Rich) and myself have almost 100 years of collecting and listening to vinyl combined. I guess the three of us could be considered Blu-ray.com's most vocal vinyl proponants, but there are others as well.

To answer your question about the Sony you pointed to, yes it can be connected to your computer as it is a USB table. However, all TT's can be connected to a computer. I had mine hooked up years ago to a 2-Channel Amplifier connected to my PC. I used it only for transferring some of my vinyl to digital.

Although I would personally not recommend the TT you are looking at or any others that are USB based or in this price range, it may for now be your best choice. If you were looking to get into 2-Channel audio somewhere down the road, I'd suggest upping the ante and buying something like the Pro-Ject Debut III. Can you up your budget?

Regardless of what you decide, welcome to the world of vinyl and if you have any questions, please ask and come back to this forum section for interesting reads and information.

John

petenad · 05-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Yes we who love vinyl love it alot. I've had Technics over the years and the DJ's in the club I ran used them so here's a link that may help.
http://www.axemusic.com/search.asp?s...ics+turntables

naturephoto1 · 05-04-2009, 01:15 PM

Some websites that have turntables that you may wish to consider are the following:

http://www.musicdirect.com/
http://www.needledoctor.com/
http://www.elusivedisc.com/
http://store.acousticsounds.com/

Rich

richteer · 05-04-2009, 03:36 PM

Hi Steve,

I Second John's recommendation to avoid the Sony and go for the Pro-Ject Devut III USB if your budget permits (stretch it as far as you can!). But a better route would be to eschew a USB interface altogether and get yourself a cheap phono stage. Plug the output of that into your computer's line in, and you should be set to go. Not only will the sound quality likely be better, but should you get bitten by the vinyl bug, you won't have to start over again.

Have fun!

steve_99101 · 05-04-2009, 04:52 PM

thanks guys for all your help. i am very excited to begin my journey with vinyl. unfortunately for now the Pro-Ject Devut III is a bit out of my price range although i'm sure its the best of the best like you guys say. i was trying to find something under or around $150 that would be the best TT for beginners. would you guys have any recommendations instead of the Sony?

dobyblue · 05-04-2009, 05:07 PM

I would seriously recommend putting off your jump into vinyl for another few months until you can hit the $350 mark...or see if you can get a Rega P1, Pro-Ject Debut III, etc., used on Audiogon closer to your budget.

I would stay away from those entry-level Sony, Denon, etc., tables, not worth your investment if you're serious about critical listening.

naturephoto1 · 05-04-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I would seriously recommend putting off your jump into vinyl for another few months until you can hit the $350 mark...or see if you can get a Rega P1, Pro-Ject Debut III, etc., used on Audiogon closer to your budget.

I would stay away from those entry-level Sony, Denon, etc., tables, not worth your investment if you're serious about critical listening.

You will be thankful that you follow Steve's (dobyblue's) suggestion in the long haul. Wait a little longer then to make your purchase. If you purchase too low a priced turntable, you will be wasting your money and not reap the benefits of the sound of a true turntable. By the way, the Pro-ject Debut III is no where near the best turntable, but it is a good budget item.

Rich

steve_99101 · 05-04-2009, 05:42 PM

well i just wanted to get a cheap TT to start with so i can learn the ropes of a TT before i buy a more expensive one with no experience. (i know they can be fragile items)

the Sony listed above isn't gonna last 10 years or so but i just want to learn the basics. plus i have a $70 amazon giftcard to use still so it won't cost me much out of my pocket

that is why i was looking for a TT around $150

i appreciate all the advice guys and i'm looking forward to talking with you guys more once i start my record collection.

dobyblue · 05-04-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_99101

well i just wanted to get a cheap TT to start with so i can learn the ropes of a TT before i buy a more expensive one with no experience. (i know they can be fragile items)

the Sony listed above isn't gonna last 10 years or so but i just want to learn the basics. plus i have a $70 amazon giftcard to use still so it won't cost me much out of my pocket

that is why i was looking for a TT around $150

i appreciate all the advice guys and i'm looking forward to talking with you guys more once i start my record collection.

That Pro-Ject is a cheap entry-level TT!

You could use your $70 giftcard toward a phono preamp.
I know it might sound a bit snooty to suggest that a $350 TT is an entry-level table, but honestly when you HEAR one compared to those sub $150 tables you'll know exactly why you're being recommended to follow this path...then when you hear a $1,000 table compared to a $350 table you'll start drooling again.

Unlike digital, I have found that the benefits of analog seem to have a constant curve the more you put in it in performance:$ ratio unlike digital.

steve_99101 · 05-04-2009, 06:08 PM

trust me i would definetly get the TT you guys recommended in a heartbeat if i had the money to drop on it. i'm not getting the hours i need at work so i can't just drop $300 on a TT at the moment, i was gonna get the Sony cause it would only be $40 out of my pocket (plus the giftcard) and then in a few years upgrade to a really good TT.

i only have a computer system with one subwoofer and 2 speakers, that is what i am planning to use to play my TT on anyway so i don't think it would be a huge difference at the moment (at least thats what i'm figuring i could be wrong though)

JasonR · 05-04-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

That Pro-Ject is a cheap entry-level TT!

You could use your $70 giftcard toward a phono preamp.
I know it might sound a bit snooty to suggest that a $350 TT is an entry-level table, but honestly when you HEAR one compared to those sub $150 tables you'll know exactly why you're being recommended to follow this path...then when you hear a $1,000 table compared to a $350 table you'll start drooling again.

Unlike digital, I have found that the benefits of analog seem to have a constant curve the more you put in it in performance:$ ratio unlike digital.

Yep, the Pro-Ject Debut III is on my list of wants. I have a functioning cheap Pioneer that is connected in the basement. I want a better quality one for the living area.

househead · 05-04-2009, 06:38 PM

Are there any reputable places near you that sell used equipment?

Also don't forget some cleaner and a brush.

naturephoto1 · 05-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Yep, the Pro-Ject Debut III is on my list of wants. I have a functioning cheap Pioneer that is connected in the basement. I want a better quality one for the living area.

Your vinyl records will be happier with a better tonearm and cartridge as well. You can use better and frequently better tracking forces that will cause less chance of mis-tracking and lower wear of the vinyl.

rich

steve_99101 · 05-04-2009, 07:15 PM

i went with this Turntable.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005T3XH

it was cheaper than the same one with the USB. i've read pretty good reviews for this for the price it is. $20 out of my pocket, let's hope it does the job for now.

steve_99101 · 05-05-2009, 12:35 AM

could someone help me out and send me a link or tell me where you purchase cleaning supplies for your records? how frequently should you clean them? also which protective sleeves do you buy? sorry again i'm new to vinyl

dobyblue · 05-05-2009, 02:27 AM

www.sleevetown.com is a good place for sleeves and cleaning supplies.

I use the Disckeeper 2.0 anti-static inner sleeves and 2.5ml outer sleeves. Every record I buy gets a clean and then immediately goes into a new sleeve. Once they get a good clean all you really need for the next 20~30 plays should be a carbon fibre brush - it's the initial cleaning that's most important, then how you handle your records after that is how long they stay clean.

They have the MOFI stylus brush for $9, give your stylus a gentle clean in between each play. You should see if you have a local guy around for now with a record cleaning machine as well. They usually charge $1/LP which for the interim would be good until you can afford to pick up your own cleaning machine. I've had great experiences to date with the GEM Dandy which is $149, then up from that you could look at the VPI 16.4 which I think is around $500 from the best deals.

The Pro-Ject "Brush It" carbon fibre anti-static record brush usually sells for around $20 and it's well put together. Check the pro-ject site to find your local dealer and pick one up, definitely one of the most important tools.

steve_99101 · 05-05-2009, 02:46 AM

awesome! thanks for the link. that site has it all. so for starters i really just need some sleeves for my future record purchases and a "brush" to clean my records so they don't get worn out. i think i'm gonna hold off on the liquid cleaner, how often do you need to use that on your records?

kefrank · 05-05-2009, 04:01 AM

I also use www.sleevetown.com as a resource for vinyl care. I use the Mobile Fidelity Record Brush on this page. I like it because it does a great job, has replaceable pads, and the pads can be kept clean and unharmed with careful use of canned air. I dry brush each side with it prior to every play.

I also use their polylined paper record sleeves on this page. First thing I do when I get a new record is replace the inner sleeve with one of those (unless it's already in an anti-static sleeve of some kind).

For stylus cleaning, I use the ultra-inexpensive Mr. Clean Magic Eraser available at your local Target/Wal-mart/etc. Do a google search for "magic eraser + stylus cleaning" and you can read all about it. Essentially, you just needle drop onto a small square of Magic Eraser just like you would onto Zerodust. Make sure you get the original Magic Eraser that does not have any cleansing chemicals. It's not the best possible stylus cleaning method, but at just a few dollars, it's by far the best value in stylus cleaning and comes close to Zerodust in performance, according to most accounts. Like any other turntable maintenance, you just need to use care and handle everything very delicately.

steve_99101 · 05-05-2009, 05:53 AM

thanks to everyone above, you've been very helpful and i appreciate it. i'm really diggin this. so far i have:

-Turntable with Dust Cover
-Carbon-Fiber Record Cleaner Brush
-My First record (Metallica - Death Magnetic)

i still need to order some outer plastic sleeves for the jacket. i think thats all i need for now. anything else i'm missing?? sorry i'm still a newbie

05-04-2009, 05:56 AM	#1
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	Can anyone that still uses Vinyl help me? i'm new to the world of vinyl. my friend's had one for some time and it's time for me to finally buy my first record player. i was curious if anyone can point me in the right direction. i'm looking for a good but affordable turntable for beginners. this is what i'm leaning towards: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PS-LX300U...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t also i don't have a stereo, the only system i have set up is through my computer speakers. its a nice one. but can i hook up my record player through my computer system and play it through my speakers? again i am a noob sorry if these are stupid questions. any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks!

05-04-2009, 06:08 PM	#11
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	trust me i would definetly get the TT you guys recommended in a heartbeat if i had the money to drop on it. i'm not getting the hours i need at work so i can't just drop $300 on a TT at the moment, i was gonna get the Sony cause it would only be $40 out of my pocket (plus the giftcard) and then in a few years upgrade to a really good TT. i only have a computer system with one subwoofer and 2 speakers, that is what i am planning to use to play my TT on anyway so i don't think it would be a huge difference at the moment (at least thats what i'm figuring i could be wrong though) Last edited by steve_99101; 05-04-2009 at 06:43 PM.

05-05-2009, 02:27 AM	#17
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	www.sleevetown.com is a good place for sleeves and cleaning supplies. I use the Disckeeper 2.0 anti-static inner sleeves and 2.5ml outer sleeves. Every record I buy gets a clean and then immediately goes into a new sleeve. Once they get a good clean all you really need for the next 20~30 plays should be a carbon fibre brush - it's the initial cleaning that's most important, then how you handle your records after that is how long they stay clean. They have the MOFI stylus brush for $9, give your stylus a gentle clean in between each play. You should see if you have a local guy around for now with a record cleaning machine as well. They usually charge $1/LP which for the interim would be good until you can afford to pick up your own cleaning machine. I've had great experiences to date with the GEM Dandy which is $149, then up from that you could look at the VPI 16.4 which I think is around $500 from the best deals. The Pro-Ject "Brush It" carbon fibre anti-static record brush usually sells for around $20 and it's well put together. Check the pro-ject site to find your local dealer and pick one up, definitely one of the most important tools. Last edited by dobyblue; 05-05-2009 at 02:29 AM.

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05-04-2009, 10:54 AM	#2
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Hi Steve, Some of us never left the world of vinyl and most likely never will. With the resurgence of the format now taking place, this is a very exciting time for us and newcomers alike. Guys like richteer (Rich), naturephoto1 (Rich) and myself have almost 100 years of collecting and listening to vinyl combined. I guess the three of us could be considered Blu-ray.com's most vocal vinyl proponants, but there are others as well. To answer your question about the Sony you pointed to, yes it can be connected to your computer as it is a USB table. However, all TT's can be connected to a computer. I had mine hooked up years ago to a 2-Channel Amplifier connected to my PC. I used it only for transferring some of my vinyl to digital. Although I would personally not recommend the TT you are looking at or any others that are USB based or in this price range, it may for now be your best choice. If you were looking to get into 2-Channel audio somewhere down the road, I'd suggest upping the ante and buying something like the Pro-Ject Debut III. Can you up your budget? Regardless of what you decide, welcome to the world of vinyl and if you have any questions, please ask and come back to this forum section for interesting reads and information. John

05-04-2009, 01:07 PM	#3
petenad Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:N.S. Blu-ray collection:106 DVD collection:1	Yes we who love vinyl love it alot. I've had Technics over the years and the DJ's in the club I ran used them so here's a link that may help. http://www.axemusic.com/search.asp?s...ics+turntables

05-04-2009, 01:15 PM	#4
naturephoto1 Blu-ray Ninja Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Breinigsville, PA Home Theater Gallery:260 4K collection:21 Blu-ray collection:263	Some websites that have turntables that you may wish to consider are the following: http://www.musicdirect.com/ http://www.needledoctor.com/ http://www.elusivedisc.com/ http://store.acousticsounds.com/ Rich

05-04-2009, 03:36 PM	#5
richteer Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Kelowna, BC Trading Score:1	Hi Steve, I Second John's recommendation to avoid the Sony and go for the Pro-Ject Devut III USB if your budget permits (stretch it as far as you can!). But a better route would be to eschew a USB interface altogether and get yourself a cheap phono stage. Plug the output of that into your computer's line in, and you should be set to go. Not only will the sound quality likely be better, but should you get bitten by the vinyl bug, you won't have to start over again. Have fun!

05-04-2009, 04:52 PM	#6
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	thanks guys for all your help. i am very excited to begin my journey with vinyl. unfortunately for now the Pro-Ject Devut III is a bit out of my price range although i'm sure its the best of the best like you guys say. i was trying to find something under or around $150 that would be the best TT for beginners. would you guys have any recommendations instead of the Sony?

05-04-2009, 05:07 PM	#7
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	I would seriously recommend putting off your jump into vinyl for another few months until you can hit the $350 mark...or see if you can get a Rega P1, Pro-Ject Debut III, etc., used on Audiogon closer to your budget. I would stay away from those entry-level Sony, Denon, etc., tables, not worth your investment if you're serious about critical listening.

05-04-2009, 05:42 PM	#9
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	well i just wanted to get a cheap TT to start with so i can learn the ropes of a TT before i buy a more expensive one with no experience. (i know they can be fragile items) the Sony listed above isn't gonna last 10 years or so but i just want to learn the basics. plus i have a $70 amazon giftcard to use still so it won't cost me much out of my pocket that is why i was looking for a TT around $150 i appreciate all the advice guys and i'm looking forward to talking with you guys more once i start my record collection.

05-04-2009, 06:38 PM	#13
househead Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Sep 2007 Home Theater Gallery:9 Trading Score:4	Are there any reputable places near you that sell used equipment? Also don't forget some cleaner and a brush.

05-04-2009, 07:15 PM	#15
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	i went with this Turntable. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005T3XH it was cheaper than the same one with the USB. i've read pretty good reviews for this for the price it is. $20 out of my pocket, let's hope it does the job for now.

05-05-2009, 12:35 AM	#16
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	could someone help me out and send me a link or tell me where you purchase cleaning supplies for your records? how frequently should you clean them? also which protective sleeves do you buy? sorry again i'm new to vinyl

05-05-2009, 02:46 AM	#18
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	awesome! thanks for the link. that site has it all. so for starters i really just need some sleeves for my future record purchases and a "brush" to clean my records so they don't get worn out. i think i'm gonna hold off on the liquid cleaner, how often do you need to use that on your records?

05-05-2009, 04:01 AM	#19
kefrank Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:60	I also use www.sleevetown.com as a resource for vinyl care. I use the Mobile Fidelity Record Brush on this page. I like it because it does a great job, has replaceable pads, and the pads can be kept clean and unharmed with careful use of canned air. I dry brush each side with it prior to every play. I also use their polylined paper record sleeves on this page. First thing I do when I get a new record is replace the inner sleeve with one of those (unless it's already in an anti-static sleeve of some kind). For stylus cleaning, I use the ultra-inexpensive Mr. Clean Magic Eraser available at your local Target/Wal-mart/etc. Do a google search for "magic eraser + stylus cleaning" and you can read all about it. Essentially, you just needle drop onto a small square of Magic Eraser just like you would onto Zerodust. Make sure you get the original Magic Eraser that does not have any cleansing chemicals. It's not the best possible stylus cleaning method, but at just a few dollars, it's by far the best value in stylus cleaning and comes close to Zerodust in performance, according to most accounts. Like any other turntable maintenance, you just need to use care and handle everything very delicately.

05-05-2009, 05:53 AM	#20
steve_99101 Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:155 Trading Score:313	thanks to everyone above, you've been very helpful and i appreciate it. i'm really diggin this. so far i have: -Turntable with Dust Cover -Carbon-Fiber Record Cleaner Brush -My First record (Metallica - Death Magnetic) i still need to order some outer plastic sleeves for the jacket. i think thats all i need for now. anything else i'm missing?? sorry i'm still a newbie

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