OK getting started with vinyl and need a hand... - Blu-ray Forum

jvoorhees · 02-09-2009, 11:21 PM

My wife bought me an ION turntable for my bday this year... but its basically just been sitting there... (forgive me

) Anyways I think it was a cheap and nasty one... nothing super great... anyways hooked it up to my amp... and its doesnt sound that great... my wife mentioned it was just a cheap one... and went to play Pearl Jam's newest album, it was still wrapped in plastic... but again it didnt sound that great when hooked up to my amp... going from RCA from turntable to amp/recvr... kinda static(iky)

SO... Im wondering what kind of turntable do you guys recommend... say my budget is $150 - $200... I want to "witness" what everyone seems to be talking about.... wanting a decent turntable...

Cheers in advance!

CasualKiller · 02-09-2009, 11:35 PM

Before you go looking at new turntables head down to your local audio shop and pick up a carbon fiber brush. The "static" noise you hear may just be surface dust.

jvoorhees · 02-09-2009, 11:39 PM

Oh for real!?!?!?! Sweet Ill check that out then....

Is ION a farily "decent" brand name for turntables??? I guess Im wondering what the main difference is between a $150 turntable and a $1500 one?

Cheers in advance!

dobyblue · 02-09-2009, 11:55 PM

I can tell you honestly, from my experiences over the last 3 months, that a $400 budget is much more desirable to get you in the ring.

Pro-Ject Debut III or Rega P1 turntable will knock the socks off the Ion. Check for your local dealer.

Johnny Vinyl · 02-10-2009, 12:04 AM

The Ion is made for convenience, not quality. It will allow those who don't really listen to vinyl to transfer some old LP's into MP3's, using their computer.

As a playback system it is basically useless.

Dobyblue has it right in saying that you should be looking at an entry-level product (like the 2 he mentioned) to get an acceptable playback experience.

For the record....I think was a really nice gesture on your wife's part to get this for you. She was thinking of you.

John

CasualKiller · 02-10-2009, 12:09 AM

That's why I suggested a cleaning brush, not much you can do with 150.00, the brush you can find for 10-15.00.

What type of amp or receiver are you using?

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 12:12 AM

Oh totally agree... my wife rocks!

So $400 would be a nice place to start on a good lp player.... would a table of that price range tend to eliminate the skips/pops/static the ion is doing right now??? For example I just took a Black Crowes LP out of the plastic wrap... so its brand new and its static(iky)

Id have no idea where to start looking for a turn table here

Im in Vancouver, BC CANADA... if by the off hand chance you know of any places let me know

Cheers!

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

That's why I suggested a cleaning brush, not much you can do with 150.00, the brush you can find for 10-15.00.

What type of amp or receiver are you using?

Ive got a Pioneer VSX-9120TXH-K....

CasualKiller · 02-10-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

Oh totally agree... my wife rocks!

So $400 would be a nice place to start on a good lp player.... would a table of that price range tend to eliminate the skips/pops/static the ion is doing right now??? For example I just took a Black Crowes LP out of the plastic wrap... so its brand new and its static(iky)

Id have no idea where to start looking for a turn table here

Im in Vancouver, BC CANADA... if by the off hand chance you know of any places let me know

Cheers!

Carbon fiber brush will help with the static and pops caused by dust etc, even if you don't upgrade they are almost a necessity for vinyl playback on any level.

Quote:

Ive got a Pioneer VSX-9120TXH-K....

Look into a cheap phono pre as well with your upgrade,(does not have to be immediately) either Pro-Ject or Zphono. That will help alot with improving the sound quality.

Johnny Vinyl · 02-10-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

Oh totally agree... my wife rocks!

So $400 would be a nice place to start on a good lp player.... would a table of that price range tend to eliminate the skips/pops/static the ion is doing right now??? For example I just took a Black Crowes LP out of the plastic wrap... so its brand new and its static(iky)

Id have no idea where to start looking for a turn table here

Im in Vancouver, BC CANADA... if by the off hand chance you know of any places let me know
Cheers!

I just noticed that everyhere that replied to your thread is from Canada! Kinda cool! We obviously have a passion for vinyl!

What Casualkiller said...get a decent record brush. That will help immensely. You might want to look into some anti-static record sleeves as well. I have no idea however how serious you are about vinyl and what you own right now. Most of us have pretty extensive collections and we continually buy new (and used) Lp's regularly.

As far as you being in Vancouver is concerned...you're shit out of luck!

Kidding! LOL!

Just look in your local Yellow Pages or do an internet search and I'm sure you'll find a good number of audio dealers.

John

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 12:42 AM

Cos Canada rocks!

OK forgive my ignorance... but what is a phono pre.... I may sound like I kinda know what Im talking about... but I dont

CasualKiller · 02-10-2009, 12:48 AM

A small box with circuitry that amplifies your cartridges output to cd/dvd line levels.

A separate phono pre can make a huge difference in sound quality.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/brow...Title_ID=13112

Link is for descriptive purposes, your dealer may be able to give you a better deal on one.

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 12:55 AM

OK so my turn table will plug into that... via the audio cable(s) then that plugs to my amp.... kinda like a audio booster somewhat?

Big Daddy · 02-10-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

Oh for real!?!?!?! Sweet Ill check that out then....

Is ION a farily "decent" brand name for turntables??? I guess Im wondering what the main difference is between a $150 turntable and a $1500 one?

Cheers in advance!

That is an easy question to answer. The difference is $1,350.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Read this information from Green Mountain Audio. It will help you understand the important features of a turntable.

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 01:04 AM

Coolness.... like I said Im totally in the dark with turn tables and what does what... but everyone Ive talked with raves about LPs!!!! And since I love my music... I wanna check this out!!!!

CasualKiller · 02-10-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

OK so my turn table will plug into that... via the audio cable(s) then that plugs to my amp.... kinda like a audio booster somewhat?

Bang on.

Johnny Vinyl · 02-10-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Bang on.

And the improvement in sound quality is PHENOMENAL!

So tell us...how serious are you about this? Vinyl is not a cheap passion! WE can stear you in the right direction though.

John

jvoorhees · 02-10-2009, 02:13 AM

I am very serious

Feel like Im being looked on to join a fraternity!

No but for real I do want to look into this... I love my music... and if vinyl will make it sounds even better Im all for this... I mean Im not going to buy every single album I have on CD on vinyl... just the "special" ones...

So any help would be awesome... consider me as green as can be

Ill be your apprentice!!

Johnny Vinyl · 02-10-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvoorhees

I am very serious

Feel like Im being looked on to join a fraternity!

No but for real I do want to look into this... I love my music... and if vinyl will make it sounds even better Im all for this... I mean Im not going to buy every single album I have on CD on vinyl... just the "special" ones...

So any help would be awesome... consider me as green as can be

Ill be your apprentice!!

Listening to music is subjective. Some of today's better CD players will give you a very good sound and relatively close to vinyl, but there is a difference that has to be heard to be appreciated. There is a warmth to vinyl that CD can't reproduce.

I could go on, but you need to hear it for yourself first, then we'll get into the intricacies of why we think vinyl sounds better.

If you have a fave LP...bring it with you and go audition of few Turntables....

dobyblue · 02-10-2009, 01:34 PM

You can listen to a Rega P1 at HiFi Centre, bring your own record as well and listen to it on the Ion just before you leave.

HiFi Centre
578 Seymour St
Vancouver, BC V6B 3J6

I'll let you know where your local Pro-Ject dealer is when I get a return e-mail.

02-09-2009, 11:21 PM	#1
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	OK getting started with vinyl and need a hand... My wife bought me an ION turntable for my bday this year... but its basically just been sitting there... (forgive me ) Anyways I think it was a cheap and nasty one... nothing super great... anyways hooked it up to my amp... and its doesnt sound that great... my wife mentioned it was just a cheap one... and went to play Pearl Jam's newest album, it was still wrapped in plastic... but again it didnt sound that great when hooked up to my amp... going from RCA from turntable to amp/recvr... kinda static(iky) SO... Im wondering what kind of turntable do you guys recommend... say my budget is $150 - $200... I want to "witness" what everyone seems to be talking about.... wanting a decent turntable... Cheers in advance!

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02-09-2009, 11:35 PM	#2
CasualKiller Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Brooks Alberta Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:15	Before you go looking at new turntables head down to your local audio shop and pick up a carbon fiber brush. The "static" noise you hear may just be surface dust.

02-09-2009, 11:39 PM	#3
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	Oh for real!?!?!?! Sweet Ill check that out then.... Is ION a farily "decent" brand name for turntables??? I guess Im wondering what the main difference is between a $150 turntable and a $1500 one? Cheers in advance!

02-09-2009, 11:55 PM	#4
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 can tell you honestly, from my experiences over the last 3 months, that a $400 budget is much more desirable to get you in the ring. Pro-Ject Debut III or Rega P1 turntable will knock the socks off the Ion. Check for your local dealer.

02-10-2009, 12:04 AM	#5
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	The Ion is made for convenience, not quality. It will allow those who don't really listen to vinyl to transfer some old LP's into MP3's, using their computer. As a playback system it is basically useless. Dobyblue has it right in saying that you should be looking at an entry-level product (like the 2 he mentioned) to get an acceptable playback experience. For the record....I think was a really nice gesture on your wife's part to get this for you. She was thinking of you. John

02-10-2009, 12:09 AM	#6
CasualKiller Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Brooks Alberta Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:15	That's why I suggested a cleaning brush, not much you can do with 150.00, the brush you can find for 10-15.00. What type of amp or receiver are you using?

02-10-2009, 12:12 AM	#7
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	Oh totally agree... my wife rocks! So $400 would be a nice place to start on a good lp player.... would a table of that price range tend to eliminate the skips/pops/static the ion is doing right now??? For example I just took a Black Crowes LP out of the plastic wrap... so its brand new and its static(iky) Id have no idea where to start looking for a turn table here Im in Vancouver, BC CANADA... if by the off hand chance you know of any places let me know Cheers!

02-10-2009, 12:42 AM	#11
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	Cos Canada rocks! OK forgive my ignorance... but what is a phono pre.... I may sound like I kinda know what Im talking about... but I dont

02-10-2009, 12:48 AM	#12
CasualKiller Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Brooks Alberta Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:15	A small box with circuitry that amplifies your cartridges output to cd/dvd line levels. A separate phono pre can make a huge difference in sound quality. http://store.acousticsounds.com/brow...Title_ID=13112 Link is for descriptive purposes, your dealer may be able to give you a better deal on one.

02-10-2009, 12:55 AM	#13
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	OK so my turn table will plug into that... via the audio cable(s) then that plugs to my amp.... kinda like a audio booster somewhat?

02-10-2009, 01:04 AM	#15
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	Coolness.... like I said Im totally in the dark with turn tables and what does what... but everyone Ive talked with raves about LPs!!!! And since I love my music... I wanna check this out!!!!

02-10-2009, 02:13 AM	#18
jvoorhees Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CANADA!	I am very serious Feel like Im being looked on to join a fraternity! No but for real I do want to look into this... I love my music... and if vinyl will make it sounds even better Im all for this... I mean Im not going to buy every single album I have on CD on vinyl... just the "special" ones... So any help would be awesome... consider me as green as can be Ill be your apprentice!!

02-10-2009, 01:34 PM	#20
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	You can listen to a Rega P1 at HiFi Centre, bring your own record as well and listen to it on the Ion just before you leave. HiFi Centre 578 Seymour St Vancouver, BC V6B 3J6 I'll let you know where your local Pro-Ject dealer is when I get a return e-mail.

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