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1: Digital Drive, Rotel RCD-855 -- light on bass? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2006-03-16, 19:49:47 (24.16.74.101)
My RCD-855 seems light on bass. I understand this is a capacitor-coupled design, could that have something to do with it? If so, would replacing the coupling caps with a larger value improve the bass? .......
2: Digital Drive, Re: Rotel RCD-855 intermittent LED (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2006-03-10, 01:16:08 (24.16.74.101)
Crap... I recently got a remote for the player, and found that when the LED dims the unit also stops recognizing the remote. Baah... this is the big disadvantage to buying vintage IMO... small problem .......
3: Digital Drive, Re: Rotel RCD-855 intermittent LED (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2006-03-05, 09:00:10 (24.16.74.101)
Thanks chillysalsa, I just hope it's not a more widespread problem than that one resistor. Seems more likely that it might be. .......
4: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TP-16 (original) question. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2005-10-03, 20:05:49 (24.16.72.121)
"The AT 440ML is not a very good compliance match to the heavy TP16 MkI arm. I have found a Shure M97xE with it's dampening brush works much better on this arm than the 440ML that I tried. I suspect t .......
5: General Asylum, Working on system test/break-in/enhancement CD, looking for ideas... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2004-08-14, 01:39:05 (24.16.69.228)
Hi all, I'm working on developing a system test, enhancement and break-in CD -- at the moment I'll say no more. I could really use some creative, unique ideas for what to include on such a CD, aside .......
6: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shure V15VxMR vs M97XE (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2004-04-16, 12:24:39 (24.16.67.117)
In my opinion, the M97xE sucks. It's the 'slowest' cart I've ever heard, sounds great with easy listening music (and that's about it). For rock & such, forget it. .......
7: Vinyl Asylum, Interesting multimedia (online movies) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-19, 03:35:02 (12.230.184.18)
http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=08358 http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=08401 (cut & paste)... OK over dialu .......
8: Vinyl Asylum, Best one I've found... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-15, 09:28:50 (12.230.202.5)
Best one I've found... .......
9: Vinyl Asylum, One more turntable IC question... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 04:45:22 (12.230.202.5)
OK, I may need to rethink this idea of replacing my turntable's interconnects. What I definitely need is some RF/EMI shielding, as I tend to get a little bit of low level hum with the current intercon .......
10: Vinyl Asylum, Re: wouldn't be acting as a shield (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 04:21:27 (12.230.202.5)
Sorry about that. Do you see any benefit or detriment (at these signal levels) to grounding the outer shield to the TT chassis and using the inner conductors for the signal, vs. doing it the way you s .......
11: Vinyl Asylum, Why? No shielding then... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 04:00:00 (12.230.202.5)
I want to use the outer braided conductor as an EMI shield (clearly I'm having some issues with the crappy ICs that came with the Thorens table). If I did what you said, the outer conductor wouldn't b .......
12: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 02:26:32 (12.230.202.5)
I'll do that. It would look rather ugly having wires leading (from the RCA plugs) to the grounding post on the phono stage anyway... :-). .......
13: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I'm still not coming through... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 01:39:25 (12.230.202.5)
Here's how the cable I bought is intended to be used (scroll down to see the picture): http://www.canare.com/starquad.html As you can see, it's a special quad configuration where you tie the same colo .......
14: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shielded interconnects from turntable... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 01:03:18 (12.230.202.5)
Oh ok... so if I just connect the shield braiding to the TT chassis, that should be enough to bleed off any current induced in the shield. I will go that way then (and it'll look better too), and reta .......
15: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shielded interconnects from turntable... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-14, 00:16:18 (12.230.202.5)
Thanks... but with a separate ground cable (which most tables have also) doesn't that already connect the turntable chassis to the phono stage? Why (or how) would it create a ground loop to do it also .......
16: Vinyl Asylum, Shielded interconnects from turntable... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-13, 23:54:03 (12.230.202.5)
I'm planning on replacing the interconnects on my TD-160, and have chosen some Canare microphone cable (162pF/meter, so I plan to run one meter or less -- hopefully it'll work OK with my AT440ML cartr .......
17: Vinyl Asylum, I'm still not coming through... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-13, 23:49:13 (12.230.202.5)
"certainly you can use the outer shielding of the microphone cable as your ground strap between tonearm body and table chassis. However it sounds kind of bulky. Will this harness add resistance to the .......
18: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens shielding question (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-13, 16:25:44 (12.230.202.5)
Thanks Steve, but I think people still aren't understanding. I've already done the mod on my TD-160 to use a separate ground wire for tonearm and chassis. This time, I'm replacing the signal interconn .......
19: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-13, 08:13:58 (12.230.202.5)
... the cable I plan to use for the interconnects has a braided shield (it's Canare professional microphone cable). What I'm wondering is if I can connect this braid to the turntable chassis, and the .......
20: Vinyl Asylum, Thorens shielding question (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-12-13, 07:26:54 (12.230.202.5)
I plan to replace the crappy interconnects on my TD-160 (finally!) and ordered some Canare mini Star Quad cable and RCA jacks. I figure I want to ground the shield on the cables to the turntable chass .......
21: Vinyl Asylum, Re: a paraphrased quote (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-27, 00:55:30 (12.230.111.123)
"Can they really shut down the Internet by hacking weak spots in ISP trunks? I don't know." Not a chance. If it were possible (particularly "very trivially") it would have happened long ago. ::: TOPIC .......
22: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Interesting (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-25, 18:46:37 (12.230.111.123)
Probably just a hacker looking for a challenge. Usually they do go for the higher profile sites, but if something looks easy they'll do it. Could be the password to access the web server was set to so .......
23: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Stylus Tip Wear Revisited: Realism Needed? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-23, 08:03:30 (12.230.111.123)
Audio-Technica claims "... a stylus average life of approximately 1,000 hours" for the AT440ML/OCC. Taken directly from the manual that comes with the cartridge. .......
24: Vinyl Asylum, Re: You're not alone #2 (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-20, 22:51:45 (12.230.111.123)
"the AT440ML doesn't follow the family tradition" I've used various AT models over the past 27 years, starting with an AT13E, and find the AT440ML to have the positive familial characteristics of port .......
25: Vinyl Asylum, One thing to note... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-20, 14:57:14 (12.230.111.123)
According to Audio-Technica anyway, their AT440ML (Microline stylus) will sound practically the same until it's completely worn out, vs a slower degradation found with other stylus profiles. So it cou .......
26: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Hey Zygon! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-20, 04:55:12 (12.230.111.123)
Thanks... this is the first time I've been by the Asylum in over a week (been hanging on Head-Fi.org) and couldn't find the note you posted (will look again). Appreciate the thought... .......
27: Vinyl Asylum, Audio Technica AT440ML Phono Cartridge (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-10-20, 04:42:12 (12.230.111.123)
"Compared to even the cheapest Grado, the AT440ML gets a thumbs down in almost every area, except tracking ability." Errm... I think maybe you were let down by the brightness of the cartridge, perhaps .......
28: Vinyl Asylum, Arm looks fine to me... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-09-19, 16:29:41 (12.230.111.123)
... might even come in handy as a replacement if the pipe under the sink sprung a leak... ;-p .......
29: Vinyl Asylum, Any speed control pots inside the table? <nt> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-09-10, 12:56:45 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
30: Vinyl Asylum, IMO... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-09-06, 19:02:36 (12.230.173.34)
... it would probably be much easier to "rewire" a TP-16 MkI with the wire on the outside of the arm -- shouldn't be too tough to do if you're very careful not to throw off the balance of the arm or m .......
31: Vinyl Asylum, New-ish online vinyl/turntable seller... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-09-06, 00:37:34 (12.230.173.34)
After hearing about this company/seller from another forum (head-fi.org) thought I'd share it with those here who might be interested. .......
32: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Waveform Analysis Software for PC? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-09-01, 18:41:55 (12.230.173.34)
Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) has some analysis functions, but nothing really fancy. The below may be more like what you're looking for -- worth checking out. It's starting to be more and more wi .......
33: Vinyl Asylum, You're welcome... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-31, 18:17:40 (12.230.173.34)
I'm almost afraid to put this LP on the turntable... not sure I'd want to know what I might end up finding out... :-P :-). .......
34: Vinyl Asylum, P.S... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-31, 16:36:32 (12.230.173.34)
Looks like this seller may have it (search the page for SRT-14A): http://www.acevideoandmusic.com/SoundEffects.htm .......
35: Vinyl Asylum, I've got... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-31, 16:30:45 (12.230.173.34)
Stereo Review's Stereo Test Record (SRT-14 / SRT14-A), ca. 1979. Test 16 has the 3,150 hz. tone (for use with a flutter meter) that you're looking for, and there are tons of other useful test on the r .......
36: Vinyl Asylum, What are y'alls, lazy? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-29, 02:21:22 (12.230.173.34)
Stand up and move a knob to lift the arm. OMG! I guess that burned today's calories clean away... really gotta eat more once in awhile, I'm down to 76 pounds and can hardly stand up. Sheesh... ;-) ::: .......
37: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Article on producing good sounding records (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-28, 14:02:01 (12.230.173.34)
What really interested me is that it appears the limitations of vinyl are actually our friend as far as keeping sound quality good! By forcing the engineers to not overcompress, boost treble/bass much .......
38: Vinyl Asylum, Article on producing good sounding records (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-28, 12:30:17 (12.230.173.34)
I don't remember seeing this posted before (may have been, of course) -- interesting article written in 1997, and may be enlightening to some. .......
39: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shure M97xE cartridge on Rega Planar 3 (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-27, 17:42:35 (12.230.173.34)
Glad you like it on your Planar 3. Sounded OK on my Thorens TD-160, except that I started listening to vinyl less and less often and began to lose interest in it... that nice, balanced, polite sound j .......
40: Vinyl Asylum, Gruv Glide... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-24, 15:41:37 (12.230.173.34)
... can leave a slight residue on the stylus, especially if you use too much (the key seems to be applying a small amount to the pads, definitely less than they recommend). BTW, those pads are excelle .......
41: Vinyl Asylum, Lots of stuff... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-24, 05:22:58 (12.230.173.34)
Lately I've just been browsing thru my LP's, playing a few favorite songs off whatever I end up grabbing :-). .......
42: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Is she selling it on ebay? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-21, 10:47:15 (12.230.173.34)
"Thankfully, she died (before e-Bay came into existence)..." :-O .......
43: Vinyl Asylum, Better and better! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-20, 19:47:06 (12.230.173.34)
Looking super nice these days, Steve. Wish I had the courage to do a complete suspension tuning... my TD-160 MkI's vertical bounce could be better (it's OK, but tap toward the edge of the outer platte .......
44: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Needle Doc Got it Wrong... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-20, 18:37:25 (12.230.173.34)
It's hard to say which is better... their website shows the newer "Music Hall Phono Pack." I don't think it's the same as the MMF-1, which was a cheap crapola phono preamp in a small rectangular plast .......
45: Vinyl Asylum, Good experience with LPNow.com (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-20, 10:05:27 (12.230.173.34)
Received the LP's I ordered the other day... time from order to shipment (postmark) was about 15 days (not working days, just days). These were not "in-stock" LP's which ship faster, they were both "o .......
46: Vinyl Asylum, What year was that LP released? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-19, 16:55:28 (12.230.173.34)
Seems to me I might have been in middle school (or was it high school?) when "Take Off" was getting heavy radio airplay. Almost feels like yesterday. .......
47: Vinyl Asylum, Gorgeous... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-19, 14:06:26 (12.230.173.34)
... just not sure my LP's would hold up long under 350 grams of VTF, and a 1000 mil stylus ;-)... .......
48: Vinyl Asylum, Do you play records with the cover up or down? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-19, 09:24:20 (12.230.173.34)
If it's down, try playing LP's with it up (or removed). I've found that just closing the cover can generate significantly more static. .......
49: Vinyl Asylum, Tis true, except... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-19, 07:47:31 (12.230.173.34)
... messing with cartridge clips can be a major PITA (depends on the headshell and arm). In the case of the TP-16 MkI, it's relatively easy to accidentally skew the headshell (messing up azimuth adjus .......
50: Vinyl Asylum, Re: bee in your bonnet? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-18, 19:22:07 (12.230.173.34)
"The point I’m trying to make is that we need not be concerned with music when we evaluate the performance of a record player or CD player. We need only be concerned with the electrical signal that re .......
51: Vinyl Asylum, Distortion again... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-18, 08:17:42 (12.230.173.34)
"The vinyl process produces 100 times more distortion than the digital process." John, your posts are about as interesting to read as listening to a broken record. Distortion *skip* distortion *skip* .......
52: Vinyl Asylum, Distortion, distortion, distortion, distortion... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-18, 08:15:04 (12.230.173.34)
"Regardless of price, vinyl introduces larger amounts of distortion into the music reproduction process than digital." Talk about a "one-note argument"... *yawn*. How dull. .......
53: Vinyl Asylum, Distortion, distortion, distortion... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-18, 08:06:27 (12.230.173.34)
... is that all anyone who's boosting CD over vinyl can talk about? How about this -- vinyl may have 100 times the distortion, but digital distortion sounds about 1000 times worse (to my ears) than an .......
54: Vinyl Asylum, Re: "Painfully priced headphones (youch!)" (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-16, 21:47:30 (12.230.173.34)
I'd say so... by weight, those babies are almost as expensive as solid gold (I calculate $5,121 for 400g of gold, compared to $4,250 for the Sony MDR-R10 from that seller). .......
55: Vinyl Asylum, Yes, if... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-16, 21:37:22 (12.230.173.34)
... it contains no additives (except maybe water). 99% isopropyl would be better, since it hardly contains any water either. I'm generalizing, of course... make sure whatever bearing well it is, isn't .......
56: Vinyl Asylum, Yep, that's the price... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-16, 17:27:00 (12.230.173.34)
Actually, it's somewhat cheaper at Amazon (if they ever get any in stock) than in some other places... take a look at the seller linked below. Supposedly Sony only makes these in small batches, every .......
57: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Sennheiser HD-600s for 200 bucks (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-16, 01:07:14 (12.230.173.34)
"The Sennheiser HD-600s are generally considered to be among the best audiophile headphones." True... possibly the best reasonably priced model anyway. Check out the Grado RS-1, Sony MDR-R10 (link bel .......
58: Vinyl Asylum, Vintage Technics preamps... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 20:43:43 (12.230.173.34)
"The Technics is almost dead silent "virtual battry operation "." Technics built some excellent quality preamps in the 70's and 80's. My preamp is a 1979 Technics SU-C01 and it sounds very good indeed .......
59: Vinyl Asylum, Perhaps you're both right... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 17:55:39 (12.230.173.34)
Improper earthing could cause this to occur -- I suspect many tonearms are either not properly grounded, or have some sort of coating and/or non-metallic exterior materials susceptible to surface stat .......
60: Vinyl Asylum, Agree partially... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 17:41:10 (12.230.173.34)
Cartridge bodies haven't changed much in the past 20 years or so, but I believe styli have improved. In other words, it might have sounded worse when new than it would now with a replacement stylus. J .......
61: Vinyl Asylum, Well... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 17:29:06 (12.230.173.34)
I would think most portable record players are in approximately the same price/performance/value category, especially seeing as how there are so few models available. I wouldn't play any of my valuabl .......
62: Vinyl Asylum, Knowing Sun Ra... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 17:07:20 (12.230.173.34)
(or *about* Sun Ra anyway...) clearly that was intended as humor. I think it's referring to the music itself (not the sound quality) as being "exceptional" or "unusual and better than most other crap, .......
63: Vinyl Asylum, You might consider... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-15, 16:45:54 (12.230.173.34)
... the Grado SR-225's. They're generally regarded (on other forums I hang out on anyway) as the most significant upgrade from the 60's and 80's, even more so than the 325's (and apparently, price/per .......
64: Vinyl Asylum, Glad I'm not the only one... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-14, 23:34:10 (12.230.173.34)
... who thinks the 440ML is a stunning deal at $90 (just about everywhere, BTW). I've always liked detail and speed, and the 440ML supplies as much as anyone could want. You're right about it not bein .......
65: Vinyl Asylum, The short answer... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-13, 17:52:48 (12.230.173.34)
"Is groove damage always visible to the naked eye???" No. .......
66: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Now that we are talking about the AT 440ML....How much.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-13, 14:35:10 (12.230.173.34)
I haven't heard the GPR, but have heard the Grado Prestige Black (probably not that different). No contest -- the AT440ML soundly whips it in all departments, across the board. All price consideration .......
67: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Please suggest a setup for vinyl (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-13, 13:24:12 (12.230.173.34)
You might want to consider one of the Music Hall tables: http://www.store.yahoo.com/decibelchicago/turntables.html Pair that with the "Music Hall Phono Pack" (probably a good match)... http://www.stor .......
68: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Azimuth and headshell... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-13, 12:39:05 (12.230.173.34)
I'm surprised you found a small azimuth change made that much difference (maybe the needle was skewed to the left/right on the cart you were using?). IME, once azimuth is 'in the ballpark' the audible .......
69: Vinyl Asylum, Re: to put it in musical terms... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-12, 23:37:12 (12.230.173.34)
Try listening with headphones (if your amp has a headphone port). IMO, this is one of the best ways to isolate specific issues and problems with a turntable. Do most of the frequency-related issues se .......
70: Vinyl Asylum, Azimuth and headshell... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-12, 21:25:09 (12.230.173.34)
Just a general FYI (for whoever's interested)... Azimuth should be set using the bottom of the cartridge, not the bottom or top of the headshell. The way I do it is to set the tonearm on a record (not .......
71: Vinyl Asylum, $125 shipping from US to Canada for a few ounces? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-12, 16:24:12 (12.230.173.34)
Don't think so. If you can find an online retailer in the U.S. that ships to Canada, I doubt shipping will be more than $12 or so... I've had quite a few things shipped from Canada to the US, and have .......
72: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What just happened to this LP?!? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-12, 16:03:50 (12.230.173.34)
I'd agree with Musikmike, you probably just left some crap from the kleenex in the grooves. It's possible however that there was some gritty dirt on the LP, and what you did was push it around in a wa .......
73: Vinyl Asylum, It has been reviewed... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-12, 13:42:13 (12.230.173.34)
... not by stereophile tho, I don't think. See link below. .......
74: Vinyl Asylum, Early "Urban Contemporary" (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-11, 20:00:43 (12.230.173.34)
Anyone else a fan of the early to mid-late 80's stuff (pre-'new jack swing')... see link below. Brings back a lot of memories (Billy Ocean, Freddie Jackson, Jeffrey Osbourne, etc)... I think what I li .......
75: Vinyl Asylum, Today's haul (half price books)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-11, 16:57:56 (12.230.173.34)
All VG++ or better, full price LP's are all NM. full price: * Jean Michel Jarre - Zoolook ($3.98) * Stevie Wonder - The Original Musiquarium I (been looking for this one cheap for awhile... $3.98 work .......
76: Vinyl Asylum, The "Star Wars" soundtrack... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-11, 11:15:16 (12.230.173.34)
... right after seeing the movie in the theater in 1977. Guess my parents it was too expensive after paying for everyone to see the movie (2-LP set, if I recall). I was 13 and didn't have the $$. Baah .......
77: Vinyl Asylum, Re: You won't believe this! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-10, 13:33:44 (12.230.173.34)
I agree with you, they were very unprofessional (not to mention insulting and rude). Thanks for the heads-up. .......
78: Vinyl Asylum, How about Disc Doctor instead? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-10, 02:07:20 (12.230.173.34)
More expensive initial investment, but both the brushes and cleaning fluid are excellent and will *deep clean* (vs. surface cleaning) -- also, the fluid and brushes last quite a long time with normal .......
79: Vinyl Asylum, Or use Wavegain... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-09, 12:17:10 (12.230.173.34)
See below (except I don't think there's a Mac version)... .......
80: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shipping records? Buy Mailers! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-09, 12:15:52 (12.230.173.34)
Even two thick, flat pieces of cardboard (one against each side of the record) seems to work OK... the problem here is that the seam is in the wrong place, and defeats the purpose of the "mailer." ::: .......
81: Vinyl Asylum, Re: A New Laser Turntable Is On The Market: (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-09, 11:30:01 (12.230.173.34)
"However, the CD-R sent to me by ELP did not sound especially good to me." Ditto -- I also received a copy of the demo CD, and wasn't too thrilled by the SQ of the laser turntable. In particular, it s .......
82: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Ok, I'll bite.... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 21:45:59 (12.230.173.34)
See below. .......
83: Vinyl Asylum, Why not write the company pres. and ask? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 20:11:26 (12.230.173.34)
chiba@laserturntable.jp Ask him if he puts $1.50 bearings in his $10,500 turntables. You might try specific users listed here, as well: http://www.elpj.com/reps.html .......
84: Vinyl Asylum, The ELP laser turntable is fully analog... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 18:40:03 (12.230.173.34)
It would definately not be my cup of tea because it does exactly what any other digital device does; it takes samples." False. The laser reads the grooves of the record similar to the way a stylus doe .......
85: Vinyl Asylum, Ahh so... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 18:25:10 (12.230.173.34)
IMO, it was smart of ELP (no pun intended) to find a marketing agent for North America -- could definitely help as far as promoting the laser TT in the US and Canada. From ELP's website: ------- SMART .......
86: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Yes, I agree (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 14:50:33 (12.230.173.34)
With an undefined/unlimited bitrate and bit-depth, there shouldn't be any such limits with digital (unless you meant the redbook CD format when you said digital). .......
87: Vinyl Asylum, Makes sense... thanks. [nt] (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 13:10:11 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
88: Vinyl Asylum, Don't worry, sweetie ;-)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 12:10:21 (12.230.173.34)
I won't tell any of your "butch" pals over on AAx that you have a thing for me. .......
89: Vinyl Asylum, Well... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 11:41:43 (12.230.173.34)
There's something rather creepy and almost homoerotic about the way you focus so much attention on me, as if there were a hidden sexual undercurrent. Please do get out to a few parties every once in a .......
90: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Bummed out on your own endless sarcasm, probably [nt] (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 11:27:47 (12.230.173.34)
"Naw, Tim, just bummed that some people fail to grasp simple and basic economic principles." Now, why would that bum you out, Bill? Why would you even care? More sarcasm and obnoxiousness merely for t .......
91: Vinyl Asylum, Bummed out on your own endless sarcasm, probably [nt] (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 10:38:15 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
92: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Replacement styli for inexpensive carts - why? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-08, 01:29:33 (12.230.173.34)
I don't know about the specific products you mention, but some quality products do in fact include replacements for parts that tend to wear out. As phono cartridges don't exactly fall into the mainstr .......
93: Vinyl Asylum, Ditto... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-07, 22:53:43 (12.230.173.34)
Fwiw (admittedly nothing), I tend to keep LP's in their original sleeves as well, and rarely or never replace the originals with something new. One thing I do however is blow the dust out of the old s .......
94: Vinyl Asylum, Re: And also (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-07, 18:48:13 (12.230.173.34)
I don't think I'll be upgrading my AT440ML for a long time... in all seriousness, it seems I've found a cartridge that has a sound I love, and tracks like a dream too. I really doubt I could do any be .......
95: Vinyl Asylum, Replacement styli for inexpensive carts - why? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-07, 15:28:48 (12.230.173.34)
Why on earth don't today's manufacturers of inexpensive cartridges include a single replacement stylus with the cartridge? Just on a whim, I checked the cost of the ATN440ML stylus -- about $70.00 fro .......
96: Vinyl Asylum, Try the AT 440ML... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-07, 11:50:26 (12.230.173.34)
Yet another recommendation for this cartridge from me -- and I have no plans to stop recommending it. Tracking is superb, mistracking is rare, sound quality (to my ears) is divine, and $89-$99 is a st .......
97: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Is dance music what's really been keeping vinyl alive? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-07, 11:47:53 (12.230.173.34)
"If dance music goes digital, will this eventually affect the availability of new vinyl LPs?" It would certainly affect the availability of new *dance music* LP's. As for other LP's, I don't see what .......
98: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Yes, clearly nothing has changed. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-06, 15:35:25 (12.230.173.34)
------- ...just be sure to bring a few of your friends to help you get up afterward. Oooohhhh....a thweat from Zwygone? Actually, I need some help getting up right now....I fell out of my chair laughi .......
99: Vinyl Asylum, Yes, clearly nothing has changed. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-06, 15:13:22 (12.230.173.34)
"Sir, you are mad. Sir, you are an idiot. Wait....nevermind. Things haven't changed." Obviously not. I fire off a very mild insult (directed at someone else entirely), and you stick your nose in an af .......
100: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Disagree that "classical is all about the performance -- damn the sound quality" (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-06, 15:00:21 (12.230.173.34)
"A great classical performance isn't going to enthrall any less if it just happens to sound great. In fact, it might enthrall all the more, and a soulless, uninvolving performance won't be engaging no .......
101: Vinyl Asylum, Re: That ABC album... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-06, 13:38:24 (12.230.173.34)
Agreed... it's a fun/interesting LP, and very little filler... just about every song on it is "worthy" (except for "Between You & Me"). IMO, the sonics are mediocre tho (lo and behold, it's a digital .......
102: Vinyl Asylum, Re: HELP! New belt, turntable still slow (was: think I f**ked up my turntable) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-05, 23:06:28 (12.230.173.34)
Sir, you are mad. This entire thread, devoted to *what* turntable model again? Please remind me, I have forgotten... what exactly are you wasting everyone's time with? What are you obsessing over, goi .......
103: Vinyl Asylum, Re: "Digital" lps - should I just throw them out? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-05, 22:55:35 (12.230.173.34)
Do you like the performances? IMHO, classical is all about the performance -- damn the sound quality. Those who listen to classical music looking for impeccable sound are into sound, not music. ::: TO .......
104: Vinyl Asylum, Today's weak haul... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-05, 18:51:00 (12.230.173.34)
I went to the University District in Seattle today and checked out several record stores (Al's, Cellophane Square, Tower and 2nd Time Around) with the goal of finding some 80's music, but for some rea .......
105: Vinyl Asylum, What's your budget? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-05, 08:26:00 (12.230.173.34)
How much are you looking to spend? There are a ton of half-decent cartridges under $100, the only question is "how much under $100?" .......
106: Vinyl Asylum, fer chrissakes... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-05, 07:23:06 (12.230.173.34)
"There is no speed adjustment that I know of on the turntable. I haven't opened it up, I don't even know if the motor is AC or DC, if it's the latter perhaps it has some kind of trimpot adjustment or .......
107: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I just bought an Alesis Masterlink... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-04, 21:28:15 (12.230.173.34)
"PS. Music 123 is selling the Alesis Masterlink ML-9600 for $899." Seems to me like quite a lot to spend, unless one was *primarily* listening to CD-R's recorded from LP's (rather than the LP's themse .......
108: Vinyl Asylum, Broadcasters aren't audiophiles... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-04, 15:24:15 (12.230.173.34)
... not saying DD tables are inherently flawed, just noting the fact that AM and FM radio broadcast suffers from limited dynamic range, limited frequency extension and plenty of other problems. The br .......
109: Vinyl Asylum, Re: upgrade cartridge (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-04, 14:13:30 (12.230.173.34)
The AT440ML isn't terribly compatible with the TP-16 MkI tonearm, but I've found that mine is working better after some break-in time. At first it was really bad (I measured 7Hz vertical resonance) an .......
110: Vinyl Asylum, Re: TD-145: Needle Slides Past Lead in Groove (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-03, 18:52:12 (12.230.173.34)
* Is there a severe arm/cartridge mismatch (not sure about the V15 III's compliance, or what arm you have on your table)? * Is the arm dropping too fast? * Is the turntable perfectly level? * Is the s .......
111: Vinyl Asylum, Vinyl 'pet peeves' (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-08-01, 02:38:08 (12.230.173.34)
I think mine is seeing vinyl referred to as "vynil".. Hey, I'm a c00l DJ and have lots of needlz.. w00t! .......
112: Vinyl Asylum, The disc I've been using... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-31, 11:32:48 (12.230.173.34)
... is the free one from ExtremePhono. Haven't counted the bars, but I've compared it to a disc generated by the strobe.exe program you mention, and speed comparisons appear to be identical. ::: TOPIC .......
113: Vinyl Asylum, Re: ok, ok, I confess... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-31, 02:27:28 (12.230.173.34)
I can't name any specific CD passages, as I only own a few CD's at the moment... however, check out the article linked below. Here are two 1-second passages of music at 44.1/16... one is at a reasonab .......
114: Vinyl Asylum, Number of bars... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-30, 17:27:09 (12.230.173.34)
Is there a 'correct' number of bars, or would it changed based on distance from center of spindle and/or how far apart they are? Can't wrap my head around that one, too rusty in geometry... :-p. ::: .......
115: Vinyl Asylum, Re: LPNow, arrgh... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-30, 17:20:30 (12.230.173.34)
Yeah, I agree about the prices -- altho it helps to buy in quantity due to the fixed shipping charges. Thanks for the encouraging words re: shipping time. .......
116: Vinyl Asylum, LPNow, arrgh... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-30, 07:06:45 (12.230.173.34)
Just placed my first order with LPNow, and what do I see... "Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery to US addresses" (this is with priority mail delivery). Sheesh... 2 weeks would be OK, 4 weeks not so OK. See .......
117: Vinyl Asylum, Re: here's some change :-) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-30, 00:22:18 (12.230.173.34)
"Tonearm resonance : for most of us no problem, but count the number of messages here (and elsewhere) where people do have resonance problems because of system mismatch. LP cannot go down into the 10 .......
118: Vinyl Asylum, Re: why not just search the archives for all the arguments in the world? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-29, 23:26:57 (12.230.173.34)
My problem with these debates is that too often, both sides are at least somewhat uninformed or misinformed about analog, digital or both -- so it becomes an argument based on false information... whi .......
119: Vinyl Asylum, CD's dynamic range... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-29, 07:51:16 (12.230.173.34)
"Slam : the noise floor of LP is at about 35-40 dB, the max. level at about 75 dB, which leaves a dynamic range of about max. 40 dB. Dynamic range of CD is about 115 dB." This dynamic range figure for .......
120: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Perhaps you like distortion ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-29, 00:49:21 (12.230.173.34)
"What I'm missing with LP is the dynamic range." Actually, that's precisely what I'm missing on most modern CD's -- which are cut hot and loud, and probably use 10dB or less of CD's theoretical 96dB d .......
121: Vinyl Asylum, Look on the bright side... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-28, 19:54:36 (12.230.173.34)
If you can get some insurance money, *and* still play the vinyl (get some nice inner sleeves for them) things couldn't be all that bad :-). .......
122: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks, truly interesting... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-28, 03:12:39 (12.230.173.34)
The technology behind vinyl mastering/cutting never fails to amaze me, and it stuns me that vinyl sounds as good as it does -- I feel like I have no complaints coming, given the miracle of the microgr .......
123: Vinyl Asylum, Why not... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-26, 09:48:45 (12.230.173.34)
... turn the Technics into a homebrew record cleaning machine, and get a better turntable? I know, probably not what you wanted to hear... :-p. .......
124: Vinyl Asylum, Alvin & the Chipmunks at 16 RPM sound like... Abba! :-) (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-26, 09:28:38 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
125: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What a cool website! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-25, 01:44:41 (12.230.173.34)
Truly gorgeous tables... it's hard to believe they were made by some of those well-known brand name companies! .......
126: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Endless Variety (A Long Pointless Observation) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-23, 00:12:09 (12.230.173.34)
Sounds to me like it might be time to break the sub-$100 mark bigtime, if you've been left cold by many of the "decent" carts in this price range (although you haven't run into them all by a long shot .......
127: Vinyl Asylum, Re: New to LPs.....HAVE IMPORTANT QUESTION! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 23:51:06 (12.230.173.34)
Definitely a speed problem, if clearly audible. Even if the table were made to rotate at 33 rather than 33 1/3 (unlikely but possible), it would take a very sharp pair of ears to hear the difference - .......
128: Vinyl Asylum, I think... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 12:59:40 (12.230.173.34)
There's just something very "70's cheesy" about Barry Manilow... many of his ballads sound very dated to me (there are a couple I like, including "Ships"). Yes, he is (was?) a talented performer, and .......
129: Vinyl Asylum, My 2 cents... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 09:35:59 (12.230.173.34)
The enjoyment is in the journey (and as cheap as thrift store records are, it's pretty inexpensive to find out what sounds good and what doesn't). Just my 2c... probably others could direct you to som .......
130: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Ha! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 03:40:57 (12.230.173.34)
"I doubt that "perfect sound" will ever sound like vinyl does. Maybe that's where the laser tt will prove interesting to a new majority." Look -- the laser turntable concept has been around since the .......
131: Vinyl Asylum, *sigh*... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 02:22:32 (12.230.173.34)
You really haven't read the site (or the promotional materials), have you? Perhaps you haven't even considered the fact that this table has never sold very well compared to most others, and mass produ .......
132: Vinyl Asylum, Re: A sidenote: (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 01:51:17 (12.230.173.34)
"All I'm saying is that vinyl will probably have to become much more convenient before it can ever take off in any big way." It will not become "much more convenient." In fact, the laser turntable req .......
133: Vinyl Asylum, Great, if you have $10,500 to spend (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 01:45:01 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
134: Vinyl Asylum, Nor in the laser... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 00:51:44 (12.230.173.34)
Do you think there's something special or magical about a laser pickup? It's digital that's the current thing, and digital requires no laser -- in fact, it isn't limited to any sort of specific pickup .......
135: Vinyl Asylum, Re: If vinyl will make a comeback, it will be vinyl without tonearms and needles... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-22, 00:19:46 (12.230.173.34)
".., have you checked out a laser turntable lately?" Yes, via ELP's demo CD-R. Given what I heard on the CD-R, I'll stick to my Thorens TD-160 and ATML440 cartridge, and be glad to have saved myself $ .......
136: Vinyl Asylum, Well, in any case... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-21, 23:16:46 (12.230.173.34)
...it will be interesting to watch. Probably nothing much you or I can do about it, except to continue enjoying our records -- history marches on. I agree that things look to be going in the direction .......
137: Vinyl Asylum, Agree... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-21, 18:16:28 (12.230.173.34)
File sharing will initially go (further) underground, but in the long run peer-to-peer apps will be developed that "spoof" and otherwise hide individual IP addresses, and are decentralized enough that .......
138: Vinyl Asylum, Break-in... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-21, 18:05:37 (12.230.173.34)
After about 50 or so hours of break-in, the main difference I've noticed with my 440ML is that clicks/pops and other surface noise seem to be significantly less noticeable. I've attributed this to the .......
139: Vinyl Asylum, Not sure I'd want a Vinyl Comeback, unless... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-21, 17:52:36 (12.230.173.34)
* ...there was to be a great improvement in recording and mastering techniques along with it, which have gone into the toilet in a lot of cases these days. Digital can stay (ulp!), except that it shou .......
140: Vinyl Asylum, VTA and perceived surface noise (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-21, 00:00:09 (12.230.173.34)
I've noticed that "too much" VTA can indeed enhance clicks/pops/crackle (HF noise), but "too little" VTA can enhance the audibility of "groove scrub" noise, rumble, warps and other LF types of noise. .......
141: Vinyl Asylum, Perhaps... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 22:48:03 (12.230.173.34)
These bands sold large numbers of records, but (as far as I know) weren't formed intentionally to become famous/make money... then again, many "pop" groups weren't either. Really, I haven't a clue -- .......
142: Vinyl Asylum, Re: No guilt here! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 17:10:51 (12.230.173.34)
The issue, as I see it, is that many people look down upon music released with purely commercial intent, or at least *primarily* commercial intent. What I don't understand is how this fact somehow inv .......
143: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Guilty Pleasures (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 16:16:36 (12.230.173.34)
Your Honor, my personal tastes in music are innocent. I'd like to counter-sue "consensus reality" for attempting to impose its preferences upon mine. No court-appointed lawyer please... I'll represent .......
144: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Turntable auto return - no longer auto... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 15:55:42 (12.230.173.34)
Perhaps you could carefully remove this broken part, and just enjoy the turntable without auto-return. Otherwise, sounds like it's time to get a new table. If money is a factor, perhaps one of the low .......
145: Vinyl Asylum, Stereo not an improvement - disagree... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 03:46:41 (12.230.173.34)
I agree that mono can sound good over a speaker or two speakers, however... there's some sense of "spatiality" merely by the distance from the speaker. Try listening to a mono LP with headphones -- im .......
146: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Tutti Camarata? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 01:22:35 (12.230.173.34)
Nope... this is a different group doing (I think) relatively unknown Satie songs using a Moog synthesizer, with voice explanations in french before each selection. Very weeeiiirrdd avante-garde type s .......
147: Vinyl Asylum, Ahh, but have you heard... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-20, 00:45:30 (12.230.173.34)
"The Electronic Spirit of Erik Satie" (Camarata Contemporary Chamber Orchestra), Deram, 1972. Veeeeery interesting LP :-). .......
148: Vinyl Asylum, Inspiring extremes... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-19, 22:05:02 (12.230.173.34)
Yes, rap/hip-hop, which of course some people don't even consider to be music (fwiw I do, altho it's really not my favorite genre and I much prefer the old-skool stuff from the 70's and 80's). I'd sa .......
149: Vinyl Asylum, Forever Live and Die... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-19, 05:38:47 (12.230.173.34)
One of my favorite pop songs of any time, any genre. "We Love You" is another of their great (non-early) songs, IMO. .......
150: Vinyl Asylum, Re: If I am so anti digital how can I listen to SACD? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-19, 04:31:54 (12.230.173.34)
"What I would like to know is how you can listen to an Audiophile LP and then turn around and put on a crummy CD? How can you actually do that?" I've got a total of about five (5) CD's, which I rarely .......
151: Vinyl Asylum, Re: OK to me the $200.00 turntable sounds closer... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-19, 03:54:30 (12.230.173.34)
To me, your approach is somewhat fanatically pro-analog and anti-digital. Thus, you have a strong preexisting bias and I really doubt you're able to listen critically or objectively wearing those colo .......
152: Vinyl Asylum, The reason I asked... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-19, 03:24:10 (12.230.173.34)
I find it difficult to believe that a $179 turntable (that's including the cartridge) is going to be sonically superior to SACD. Frankly, after buying a cartridge originally retailing for ~$230 for my .......
153: Vinyl Asylum, Re: But I HATE the sound quality of CDs! LPs on my turntable are sonically superior to SACDs on my (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 12:51:04 (12.230.173.34)
"$1,500.00 SACD player. Let me repeat that, LPs on my $200.00 turntable are sonically superior to SACDs on my $1,500.00 SACD player." In what ways, specifically, are the LP's sonically superior? I'm j .......
154: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My Disc Doctor Procedure.. what is yours? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 12:48:16 (12.230.173.34)
Trouble is, the guy sells these devices one at a time on Ebay only, to maximize profits. Something about that just bugs me, not sure what -- and the "Buy it now" price of $40.00 is rather high in my o .......
155: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What is more important - Specs or Ears? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 10:57:25 (12.230.173.34)
You made at least one erroneous statement: "Digital can never be anything more than a numerical approximation of real life. "Real life" is analog and analog only. There is no way around that fact." Th .......
156: Vinyl Asylum, Not heresy, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 10:39:55 (12.230.173.34)
... not true either. I can think of a couple cases right off the top of my head where your recommendation just doesn't apply -- one being the large back-catalog of music available on LP's that was nev .......
157: Vinyl Asylum, My take, fwiw... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 05:32:16 (12.230.173.34)
Generally alcohol is OK with "nude-mounted" styli, but not OK with "bonded" (glued on) styli. I use 99% isopropyl (one drop on a Last stylus brush) -- as the alcohol sinks into the brush, very little .......
158: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My Disc Doctor Procedure.. what is yours? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 03:28:40 (12.230.173.34)
If the record is really dirty, I'll rinse it with tapwater first -- otherwise I'll just use the Disc Doctor as such: (1) Lay out a clean, lint-free towel on the floor in the bathroom (2) Put the recor .......
159: Vinyl Asylum, Re: request for TD 160/TP16 owners (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-18, 00:31:53 (12.230.173.34)
Please do yourself a favor and try more than one protractor (using the same null points). I think you'll find that free "downloadable" protractors tend to verify and complement one another, provided t .......
160: Vinyl Asylum, Re: request for TD 160/TP16 owners (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 23:00:44 (12.230.173.34)
Have you tried a protractor with a line pointing at the tonearm pivot? This will at least get you into the ballpark, and give you an idea of where to start from with other protractors, as far as overh .......
161: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thanks (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 19:49:14 (12.230.173.34)
My gut instinct is that you won't be a bit sorry at what you hear, as compared to the Grado Silver (could be mistaken, of course). Hey, write a review once that baby's been spinning records awhile, or .......
162: Vinyl Asylum, Ahh yes... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 19:23:56 (12.230.173.34)
Whenever there's an earthquake in China or India, the tonearm on my Thorens TD-160 here in Seattle jumps a few grooves (well not really, but close... not so good compliance matching, dontcha know -- v .......
163: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Ending groove noises (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 17:13:29 (12.230.173.34)
Hey, that's a cool idea for a website (LOL!). So much silliness on the Web, and I'll bet nobody's thought about offering MP3 files of end-groove noises (no need for quality on this one). Maybe if I ge .......
164: Vinyl Asylum, Agreed, that was a super nice post... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 16:42:19 (12.230.173.34)
Deserves to be in a FAQ somewhere! I saved it to my personal collection of documents, for future reference. .......
165: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Vinyl Priorities (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-17, 03:23:39 (12.230.173.34)
"Oddly, it seems like the US labels vastly improved the quality of the LP after it was obvious that the CD was on its way to dominance." That is odd... or maybe not. Funny how after increasing in qual .......
166: Vinyl Asylum, How about a dedicated "crossover" section (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 23:51:12 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
167: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I would, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 22:04:42 (12.230.173.34)
There's a space between where the sled "slides," and the top of the headshell (with the metal piece). I could be mistaken that it's plastic holding on the sled (it's been awhile), but what is it then? .......
168: Vinyl Asylum, Never heard of any (except Joy Division)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 21:05:46 (12.230.173.34)
That doesn't mean they don't exist, of course. Strangely tho, I've never bumped into any of this stuff on vinyl either. Was it only released on reel-to-reel tape or something? :-p... .......
169: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I tested the other turntable... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 19:53:03 (12.230.173.34)
I assume that's close enough neither to affect the sound very much, nor to damage records. I'm no fan of the Grado Prestige line's tracking ability however. .......
170: Vinyl Asylum, Re: VTF calibration marks on P-mount arms are inaccurate! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 17:10:33 (12.230.173.34)
Inaccurate VTF calibration marks aren't limited to tables with P-mount arms... thus the handiness of aftermarket gauges for any and all tonearms. My finding with a P-mount tonearm that had a "factory .......
171: Vinyl Asylum, I would, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 15:15:52 (12.230.173.34)
... it would involve removing the metal "Thorens" logo to show how it's done, and it'd be too much of a pain to glue it back on (some people use Blu-Tac instead to secure it, probably not a bad idea.. .......
172: Vinyl Asylum, Re: best semi-automatic TT? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 15:04:40 (12.230.173.34)
How about an arm-lifter for a manual TT? They don't return the tonearm to the armrest or shut off the motor (at least none that I know of) but will prevent damage to the stylus from sitting on the lea .......
173: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens 160 - Life Without the Head Sled (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 12:17:53 (12.230.173.34)
"I've also used the headshell without the sled. There's not much metal to secure the bolt head (or nut)." That's true... In my experience, there's enough though. With my current cartridge (440ML), A-T .......
174: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Cons at eBay (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 12:12:35 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks... good advice for all, I think. The only time I occasionally accept something off-ebay is if I've had good communication with a record seller, and they volunteer to "throw in" an extra record .......
175: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Paypal (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 11:08:23 (12.230.173.34)
"What would stop them from deducting money from account?" What do you mean? Deducting money for no reason? Well, the law, for one thing. .......
176: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Could it be then... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 10:53:30 (12.230.173.34)
I liked his 80's stuff, haven't heard anything recent. IMO he was definitely ahead of his time, and some of it could probably get popular now (with nobody being the wiser that it was recorded in the 8 .......
177: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens 160 - Life Without the Head Sled (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-16, 10:27:23 (12.230.173.34)
Not only is it not an issue, but I set mine up that way purposely. Always thought the "sled" thingie was a poor idea... and doesn't it require tightening the screws from the *bottom* while aligning th .......
178: Vinyl Asylum, Hah... never did I dream... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 16:30:58 (12.230.173.34)
I really just meant to comment about a nice Ebay win on a sealed LP -- the title of the thread just took over it seems, and the rest is history... :-p. .......
179: Vinyl Asylum, Re: S-A-F-E-T-Y DANCE (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 14:00:39 (12.230.173.34)
"Actually, in the days before I discovered true Brit-folk (Tull was as close as I'd heard) I actually liked this song, and thus have a soft spot for it today." Man, that's sick! (just kidding) (well, .......
180: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Best sounding records of the 1980s. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 13:08:04 (12.230.173.34)
I've heard Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair. Sounds good, but (IMHO) that Naked Eyes LP I mentioned (should be toward the bottom of the thread by now) sounds a lot better -- best sounding 80 .......
181: Vinyl Asylum, Oh come on... :-) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 12:54:00 (12.230.173.34)
I really don't think they were a crappy band at all. Nothing super special, but sheesh, look at other bands that were floating around the rock charts at the time. Next thing, someone's gonna say that .......
182: Vinyl Asylum, Could it be then... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 11:02:47 (12.230.173.34)
... that you have in fact heard of Hubert Kah? :-) .......
183: Vinyl Asylum, No, please, arrgh! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 10:54:59 (12.230.173.34)
Don't get one of those things -- not even for your 80 year old mother. *Especially* not for your own mother -- it will not sound sound good (even to 80 year old ears that have lost some high frequency .......
184: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Anyone here like 80's music? - go OMD! (yep)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 10:32:48 (12.230.173.34)
... just as Simple Minds will be remembered for "Don't You Forget About Me" (urrgh, when they had so many other great songs)... One of my favorites being "Sanctify Yourself" (eegads, I start looking a .......
185: Vinyl Asylum, Destroying an LP like a CD... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 09:32:48 (12.230.173.34)
"Luckily, it's nearly impossible to destroy an LP in the _same way_ a cd in terms of cranking the volume etc. LP cutting has some limits that work well in this way." I got into a discussion about this .......
186: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Asia - a "3-hit wonder"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 09:16:50 (12.230.173.34)
Agreed... I guess what I (still) appreciate about REO is that the band was always very melodically sound, the singer(s?) had an excellent sense of harmony and their timing impeccable... I guess I appr .......
187: Vinyl Asylum, Asia - a "3-hit wonder"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 08:35:41 (12.230.173.34)
I liked (and still like) "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time will Tell" and (in particular) "Sole Survivor." I wouldn't buy any of their records, however... the rest of their music is pretty poor stuff. .......
188: Vinyl Asylum, LOL... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 08:03:57 (12.230.173.34)
"Of course, musical preference is a matter of taste. Some people love 80's music, others have poor taste." :-) I look at it as a matter of the demonic, evil MTV -- which served in many ways to give 80 .......
189: Vinyl Asylum, My exceptions to the list... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 07:55:38 (12.230.173.34)
... that is, groups that had at least *one song* I liked in some context or another (in parentheses below) -- you may be surprised and shocked, cuz I'm gonna be totally honest ;-). That doesn't mean I .......
190: Vinyl Asylum, Re: No CultureClub, DuranDuran, Paul Young, SpandauBallet, Wham! ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 07:49:21 (12.230.173.34)
> No CultureClub, Not really... maybe a little > DuranDuran, Uggh... RIAA/MTV completely > Paul Young, Nope > SpandauBallet, Never cared much for... > Wham! ? Mostly RIAA cheese... .......
191: Vinyl Asylum, OK, my list (highly incomplete & subjective)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 06:47:58 (12.230.173.34)
ABC, Alphaville, B52s, Book of Love, Depeche Mode, Devo, Ebn-Ozn, Falco, Hubert Kah, INXS, Kon Kan, Naked Eyes, New Order, Ocean Blue, OMD, Pet Shop Boys (some), Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, Soft C .......
192: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My favorite time period fo (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 06:41:50 (12.230.173.34)
"It was one of the few times historically that dance/club music was also suitable for listening (vs. just dancing)." Agreed! Unequivocally. I was in my 20's and doing a lot of "clubbing" in the 80's, .......
193: Vinyl Asylum, I think perhaps... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 06:23:48 (12.230.173.34)
... recordings made on 35mm magnetic film come close. However, they seem to have some kind of a "sonic signature" that regular reel-to-reel recordings don't have... I really can't put it into words, e .......
194: Vinyl Asylum, Ahh, you've made my day... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 06:11:11 (12.230.173.34)
"(I have OMD's "Pacific Age" and a couple other OMD albums. The sonic quality is excellent on all.)" :-) Now to hope this "mint sealed" 1986 LP isn't warped beyond recognition... :-p. You're right, I' .......
195: Vinyl Asylum, I agree 50% :-)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 05:07:30 (12.230.173.34)
... there was a lot of (mostly British) synthpop played in clubs in the 80's that never made it to MTV and got little or no radio play (at least in the USA)... I think of this as "80's music" but it i .......
196: Vinyl Asylum, If you ever run into... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 04:41:47 (12.230.173.34)
... Naked Eyes' first LP (self-titled, the one that has "Always Something There to Remind Me") I recommend it for the sonics, which IMHO are excellent for an 80's LP. You wouldn't think it of an album .......
197: Vinyl Asylum, Anyone here like 80's music? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 04:11:32 (12.230.173.34)
Just won an LP on Ebay from one of my favorite 80's groups (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, "The Pacific Age") released in one of the best years of my life as far as reminiscences go (1986). $3.99, .......
198: Vinyl Asylum, Recent digital remasters... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-15, 03:01:58 (12.230.173.34)
As some are aware, many CD's these days are mixed too loud -- in fact, they are heavily compressed, to the point that the peaks actually clip and SQ is totally destroyed. My understanding is that many .......
199: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I've tried to "save" 78s, with only a 50-50 survival rate (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 21:32:18 (12.230.173.34)
Turning a 78 (or an LP for that matter) into a clock is an interesting idea. Here's another... how about spray painting a few gold, framing them and hanging 'em on the wall? :-) .......
200: Vinyl Asylum, Re: LPGear Deal on MMF-1 (question)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 21:28:57 (12.230.173.34)
Too bad they can't afford to hire someone to correct their typos. .......
201: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Paypal (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 20:03:21 (12.230.173.34)
"But i cannot add funds unless i get verified and give them checking account #. That is why i stopped use it." Paypal is very similar to an online-only bank. If a bank asked you for address verificati .......
202: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Why?--Some good things, some bad (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 18:43:29 (12.230.173.34)
Fwiw, I've had a Paypal account since June, 2000 and have never had any problem with my password, or with anything else for that matter. .......
203: Vinyl Asylum, LPGear Deal on MMF-1 (question)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 18:33:07 (12.230.173.34)
LPGear has a very strange "deal" going on the Music Hall MMF-1. Maybe someone could help me figure it out? They're selling it for $249.95 with a claim of "Save $55.00!" on the front page, with a coupl .......
204: Vinyl Asylum, Re: TD 160 Belts & Oils (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 18:11:16 (12.230.173.34)
I hope you're right... one of the belts I tried was from Elex Atelier, "guaranteed to work right with a Thorens TD-160" and as far as I can tell, it should have worked -- it was narrower and springier .......
205: Vinyl Asylum, There's still the option... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 15:08:32 (12.230.173.34)
... of altering the headshell to take regular screws that come with any cartridge. Believe me, it works just fine and will immediately cure your difficulties. .......
206: Vinyl Asylum, Re: TD 160 Belts & Oils (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 14:59:05 (12.230.173.34)
"Zygon - I found your earlier positive experience with AVCR turntables.com. Can you confirm this is still working for you? I would also like to know which belt size you bought." Unfortunately, I can't .......
207: Vinyl Asylum, Try the search... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 14:53:31 (12.230.173.34)
On the upper right corner of the web browser... type in "Thorens belt" without the quotes and click the "Go!" button, you should find hundreds of answers to this. .......
208: Vinyl Asylum, Re: When in doubt, over-oil... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 03:37:49 (12.230.173.34)
You may not need to change anything if it seems "all good" (the recommendation to use a lot of oil came from several other inmates when I was setting my table up, and I just followed it). Three drops .......
209: Vinyl Asylum, Re: upper mid emphasis on TD 160 (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-14, 03:15:49 (12.230.173.34)
For some reason, intuition is telling me that it's something in the cartridge chain (starting with the cart and ending where the IC's attach to the phono stage). Does that 3-5KHz emphasis seem to be .......
210: Vinyl Asylum, Nope, I play my turntable mat - can you spare a few? ;-) (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-13, 22:08:34 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
211: Vinyl Asylum, When in doubt, over-oil... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-13, 20:56:21 (12.230.173.34)
Just my opinion, but 3 drops is probably not enough, and 3-in-one is probably not a very good oil (ymmv on the latter). I first cleaned off both the inner platter bearing and cleaned out the bearing w .......
212: Vinyl Asylum, They're stunning! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-13, 18:51:51 (12.230.173.34)
Especially the white cat. I've had longhairs before, and my strong preference is now for (female) short-haired cats. Truly gorgeous "beasts" though (and they look very contented!). .......
213: Vinyl Asylum, Perhaps so... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-13, 18:37:41 (12.230.173.34)
I'm under the impression that the TP-60 is *very* proprietary... there's the small "pin" that fits into the notch on the tonearm, and the sleeve that tightens over the headshell... well you're right o .......
214: Vinyl Asylum, Startup time... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-13, 13:38:23 (12.230.173.34)
Mine is about 3-5 seconds, and is perfectly stable after 5 seconds (measured with a strobe disc). This is with a new belt with the "proper" tension (took a lot of experimenting in my case, as I'm usin .......
215: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TD 160 - Fit & Working Again? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-12, 22:40:53 (12.230.173.34)
"Start up - about 15-16 sec to full speed. Cue down around same. Do these numbers sound correct?" Not really, it sounds like the belt is worn out/loose and probably slipping badly. If the speed is cor .......
216: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TD160 headshell?--A Thought (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-12, 22:18:39 (12.230.173.34)
"Some newer DJ tables(e.g. Gemini) are now fitted with straight arms and angled headshells which appear to be standard bayonet mount. Might one of these work on the TP16?" No, at least not on the TP-1 .......
217: Vinyl Asylum, Re: more important: turntable, or cart? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-12, 22:08:56 (12.230.173.34)
Here's the "short answer," from my pov: Which is more important in a CD player -- the laser, or the mechanism that spins the CD? Clearly, when talking about a working *system*, dividing things into ca .......
218: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens Tonearms (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-11, 18:41:40 (12.230.173.34)
Agreed about the mass issue (TP-16 MkI), unconvinced about the bearings (but could be). When I first got my TD-160 I "tightened" the bearings on the tonearm, and after balancing and floating the arm i .......
219: Vinyl Asylum, My cat likes... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-11, 15:47:48 (12.230.173.34)
... to sit on record jackets! She couldn't care less about the turntable or audio equipment, but every time I set a record jacket down horizontally she'll promptly sit or otherwise lounge upon it :-). .......
220: Vinyl Asylum, Power cords on turntables... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-11, 00:48:45 (12.230.173.34)
The power cord supplies power that drives only the motor on turntables, ime. What I don't get is how upgrading the power cord could do anything to sound quality -- unless the motor isn't turning stead .......
221: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Cork vs. Rubber Mats/Options... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 21:22:40 (12.230.173.34)
You want analytical? Put a PhD math dissertation (written on heavy paper) on the platter -- you'll be amazed ;-) (just kidding). But seriously... I never liked pure cork on my TD-160. I don't have a b .......
222: Vinyl Asylum, Re: preamp question (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 20:32:10 (12.230.173.34)
"Ive been listening to vinyl using a recoton sp2 preamp (the turntable is a technics SL-bd22). Am i totally destroying all the musicality that vinyl offers by using this preamp?" No, probably not... b .......
223: Vinyl Asylum, Gotta love this modern terminology... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 19:59:42 (12.230.173.34)
When there's downtime, decompress a little (grin)... Yes, turn off the cell phone and pager, deactivate the brain chip, wish that the GPS chip the government had installed in all U.S. citizens could b .......
224: Vinyl Asylum, No, the PE is the P-Mount version (and major correction)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 19:30:18 (12.230.173.34)
...of the Shure M94E. And *OOPS*... it's the Shure MP94E, not the M94PE. A few sources I find on Google: http://music1online.com/phoncar.html http://www.garage-a-records.com/cart.html http://shop.stor .......
225: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Cartridge Advice (M92E) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 18:10:32 (12.230.173.34)
If he could find the Shure M94PE (P-mount version of the M94E) that would probably be a sizeable step up. Unfortunately Shure seems to have discontinued it within the past year or two, but there may b .......
226: Vinyl Asylum, Oh, I forgot... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 18:06:23 (12.230.173.34)
Other options include the Ortofon OMP-10 ($59), Shure M92E ($27), Shure M94PE (this one seems hard to find). Probably there are more. Here's a link to yet another seller I've dealt with and was reason .......
227: Vinyl Asylum, I have no shame (grin)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 17:59:20 (12.230.173.34)
Hey, I only paid 33 cents for the 2-record set... at that price, I could always make them into bowls or vases, use them to play frizbee with the neighbor's dog, whatever :-). .......
228: Vinyl Asylum, P-Mount Grado Black... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 17:51:38 (12.230.173.34)
Try it, you'll like it -- perfect cart for "mid-fi" P-mount tables in my opinion, I used to have one and I always liked the sound. Other options include various P-Mount Audio-Technica models... includ .......
229: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My moto is "Do no harm"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-09, 13:07:26 (12.230.173.34)
Yet you're assuming that the Music Hall MMF-1, despite being nearly unadjustable (and at the rock bottom of Music Hall's lower end -- perhaps even "mid fi" by some people's definitions), is properly a .......
230: Vinyl Asylum, Makes sense from here... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 21:57:03 (12.230.173.34)
Diamond is so much harder than vinyl, that it seems a lot of heat (in addition to the friction) would be necessary to wear out a stylus -- otherwise, it could probably rub against that vinyl for milli .......
231: Vinyl Asylum, 800 degrees F?? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 21:34:28 (12.230.173.34)
Let's forget about the size of the contact point for a moment, and heat vinyl to a temperature of 800 degrees F. When the smoke clears, it may or may not be possible to clean up the blackened smoking .......
232: Vinyl Asylum, Hmmm... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 20:30:42 (12.230.173.34)
"If you want just to listen to LPs and not to fiddle with adjustments all the time I highly recommend the mmf-1 and will update on the upgrade." I've got a Thorens TD-160 (arguably one of the most twe .......
233: Vinyl Asylum, Re: turntable: technics vs music hall (errm)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 20:20:11 (12.230.173.34)
You wouldn't recommend the MMF-1 over the Technics SL-BD20D? .......
234: Vinyl Asylum, Re: turntable: technics vs music hall (errm)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 19:42:52 (12.230.173.34)
I did that (and read 1.6g), but what clinches it is that 1.25g is the P-Mount standard. To me, it's pretty clear that Grado wouldn't have released a P-Mount version of their cartridges if they weren't .......
235: Vinyl Asylum, Pinging Billybuck... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 18:47:10 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks for the Email, definitely interested in your offer. For some reason, my reply to you bounced back as undeliverable -- something to do with "chasmo?"... could you re-send the Email from a differ .......
236: Vinyl Asylum, Pinging Billybuck... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 17:54:36 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks for the Email, definitely interested in your offer. For some reason, my reply to you bounced back as undeliverable -- something to do with "chasmo?"... could you re-send the Email from a differ .......
237: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Hauling 'em in... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 16:48:13 (12.230.173.34)
Out of all of those, the Barry Manilow seems to be in the best condition (close to mint). Why am I not surprised (rolling eyes). I guess even Barry is listenable at $0.33 for a two-record "live in con .......
238: Vinyl Asylum, You did (sorry)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 16:09:31 (12.230.173.34)
I probably check my Hotmail account about once a week... sometimes less often. Will read & reply, thanx. .......
239: Vinyl Asylum, Re: turntable: technics vs music hall (errm)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 16:01:38 (12.230.173.34)
"You see, the Technics SL-BD20D actually comes with its own cartridge - and a Grado Black won't work correctly on that turntable, since its VTF is permanently fixed at 1.25 grams at the factory, and t .......
240: Vinyl Asylum, Hauling 'em in... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-08, 15:55:10 (12.230.173.34)
3 LP's for $1.00 sale today at Half Price Books, so I just thumbed through the boxes and grabbed a bit of the good, the bad & the ugly to help run in my AT440ML: * Paul Mauriat Orchestra - Listen Too! .......
241: Vinyl Asylum, Re: at440ml (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-07, 20:35:42 (12.230.173.34)
In my opinion it's just a plain terrific-sounding cartridge... sparkling highs, tight bass and full midrange. It sounds so good to me that I went a little crazy trying to get channel balance & separat .......
242: Vinyl Asylum, I'm on the fence with this one... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-07, 09:51:05 (12.230.173.34)
Why not just leave feedback according to the dynamics of each transaction? If the buyer looks honest and Email communication has been good, then leave positive feedback as soon as receiving the money. .......
243: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Question for sellers on eBay (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-07, 00:25:38 (12.230.173.34)
As a seller, I'd ask him to contact the postal service, or wait awhile longer -- then look at his reply carefully for evidence of lying. If it looks like he's lying then I leave him a negative feedbac .......
244: Vinyl Asylum, Sweet. Steve, you've got a hell of a site going (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-06, 22:54:19 (12.230.173.34)
... really a fantastic resource for turntable & vintage audio fans, especially Thorens. It's fun to see it growing as the days go by. .......
245: Vinyl Asylum, It's an adventure... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-06, 09:18:31 (12.230.173.34)
Some people like certain types of adventures, some don't. That's how I see Ebay, anyway... not good, not bad. Just a sort of 'wild west' citizen's marketplace with a minimum number of rules -- just en .......
246: Vinyl Asylum, Actually... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-05, 22:06:11 (12.230.173.34)
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't much like the sound of tubed gear. Too smooth, liquid, almost oily -- I just don't care for it. To tell you the truth, I like the least amount of distortion poss .......
247: Vinyl Asylum, Re: warped vinyl now as flat as road kill. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-05, 15:11:09 (12.230.173.34)
Unfortunately, it's the thinner pressings that tend to have more issues with warps in the first place. Baah... why doesn't someone just fire Murphy as chief law-maker? :-) .......
248: Vinyl Asylum, Thorens armrest - simple problem, simple solution (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-05, 15:06:21 (12.230.173.34)
One thing has been annoying me for a long time, the tendency for the tonearm to "fall off" the plastic arm rest clamp on the Thorens TD-160 and drift around nearby. So I simply cut a piece of electric .......
249: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Can there be too much VTA?>>> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-05, 13:54:05 (12.230.173.34)
No, having the arm tube slightly tilted back shouldn't damage anything... however, it might be a good idea to re-check VTF. .......
250: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Its not about waveforms, ferpetesake! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-05, 00:26:04 (12.230.173.34)
To me, it's the idea of looking at music reproduction in terms of "levels of distortion" that seems specious. Great for an engineer looking at scopes, but what does it mean to a music lover looking fo .......
251: Vinyl Asylum, Agreed... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-04, 23:35:35 (12.230.173.34)
I had truly underestimated the sonic benefits of improved tracking with a fine-line stylus profile (even despite my previous complaints about elliptical styli and tracking). The sound of the 440 ML ha .......
252: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Come to think about it, you're right, but (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 22:58:02 (12.230.173.34)
'I grew up building vacuum tube electronics (before it was 'chic'!) and bear a big prejudice about digital stuff being all bad and noisy.' It sure can be, but needn't be. As you stated, shielding is m .......
253: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens 160 (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 20:24:39 (12.230.173.34)
You might want to consider turning the nonstandard Thorens TP-60 headshell (I assume you have the TP-16 MkI tonearm) into a more standard model. The way to do this is to pry off the metal "Thorens" l .......
254: Vinyl Asylum, Re: these specs are all over the place and wrong (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 16:34:44 (12.230.173.34)
I agree with most of what you say. Not sure about what the recording engineers have said, only what I've measured, etc. (and what my ears tell me, esp. compared to CD's). Most people can't hear anywhe .......
255: Vinyl Asylum, Spectral View (172k picture)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 15:26:25 (12.230.173.34)
Here's a Cool Edit "spectral view" of a song from Peter Nero's LP, "I Gotta Be Me" (certainly nowhere near the most spectacular sound I've heard from an LP). I see no evidence of a hard cutoff at 15KH .......
256: Vinyl Asylum, Re: these specs are all over the place and wrong (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 15:12:59 (12.230.173.34)
This is not the typical result I get when recording LP's to digital, then looking at a frequency response graph. I often see frequencies going right up to the maximum of 44.1KHz digital (22.05KHz), an .......
257: Vinyl Asylum, "standalone" options... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 12:39:35 (12.230.173.34)
I agree that the standalone option eliminates noise from inside the computer... however, do you know what that A/D converter chip is near to inside the standalone recorder? Certainly, it's near the mo .......
258: Vinyl Asylum, Re: cork platter mat (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-03, 08:23:36 (12.230.173.34)
Tried it... disliked it intensely. Liked the stock Thorens mat much better. .......
259: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Record Store for sale (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-02, 10:40:11 (12.230.173.34)
It really looks like a nice place (from the pictures), sad to see it's up for sale due to 'medical reasons'. Hope someone buys it who intends to keep it in business! Here's the website of the shop (as .......
260: Vinyl Asylum, Eegads... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-02, 10:00:54 (12.230.173.34)
Seems to me it'd be possible to pick up more RFI/EMI by running 20ft of RCA cables than what's inside the computer. The "noise floor" spec of the internal 24/96 is -100.4dB (a-weighted)... in my opini .......
261: Vinyl Asylum, Not bad if quality really is good... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-02, 08:18:05 (12.230.173.34)
"Bypass inferior soundcards with advanced USB digital rendering technology." Dunno, I bypassed my inferior soundcard by purchasing a superior one a few days ago (Midiman Audiophile 24/96). A bit more .......
262: Vinyl Asylum, Re: garn, flip that CD! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-01, 16:53:45 (12.230.173.34)
"PPS sorry zygon :-))" No problems, this is the vinyl *asylum*. I'm taking my meds, how about you? :-) .......
263: Vinyl Asylum, Expensive toy at nearly $100 US (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-07-01, 16:51:18 (12.230.173.34)
It is a toy, no question about it. .......
264: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Hey guys, I just bought an AT95E cartridge. Please look forward to the following interesting po (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-30, 04:42:14 (12.230.173.34)
Fie! Here's wishing you lots of cats who love cantilevers. .......
265: Vinyl Asylum, Two... that's two! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-30, 04:22:43 (12.230.173.34)
Three beers is one too many, according to my highly technical expertise on this matter ;-). In fact, three will indeed cause nastiness, overreactions and possibly damaged cantilevers. However: Four re .......
266: Vinyl Asylum, Perhaps so, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-30, 04:09:04 (12.230.173.34)
Don't forget to leave them to someone in your will. Maybe to Willbewill? Seems like the verbally logical choice ;-). .......
267: Vinyl Asylum, Similar method here, (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-29, 05:04:04 (12.230.173.34)
...but more "hacky." I just enlarge the hole (using whatever works) until I can get it centered (visually while spinning), then record it to another format. It's a lot better than tossing it out. Need .......
268: Vinyl Asylum, Yes, I've heard of it... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-29, 01:16:31 (12.230.173.34)
You appear to have a very old-fashioned attitude toward airing one's grievances in public. I can certainly respect that -- all I ask of you is some respect in return for my views. I did not name the .......
269: Vinyl Asylum, I even did that... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-29, 00:52:57 (12.230.173.34)
I really did try everything, before wanting to return this cartridge. I mean, everything short of dancing around the house chanting voodoo spells, waving around a live chicken and scattering feathers .......
270: Vinyl Asylum, Revising... I do that often, sorry (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 12:24:52 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
271: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Doesn't matter when merely comparing loudness values... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 12:24:05 (12.230.173.34)
Actually yes, everything was fine with my last cartridge in terms of channel balance and crosstalk. I'm still thinking the issue with this one is either due to two coil design (it's logical that this .......
272: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What if............. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 11:13:55 (12.230.173.34)
Steve... suspect all you like, I've tried all anti-skate settings. I've tried so many things in the past week your head would probably spin. Sheesh, if it isn't clear from what I've posted then maybe .......
273: Vinyl Asylum, Which graphs... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 10:38:44 (12.230.173.34)
The sound files, as recorded? Left/Right (x?) is time, up/down is like the display on a scope... the actual waveform display. The zoom level there is 1:2048, but zooming in more closely would show a p .......
274: Vinyl Asylum, Doesn't matter when merely comparing loudness values... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 10:00:39 (12.230.173.34)
Since the noise inside a PC is "steady-state" noise (doesn't vary), it only adds to the noise floor and doesn't skew readings for comparative purposes (like when comparing the loudness of one channel .......
275: Vinyl Asylum, Naah... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 09:11:19 (12.230.173.34)
I've contacted Audio-Technica, and would prefer to deal with them at this point. If they cannot be reached, or won't exchange the cart, I guess I'll just live with it as-is. Honestly, I really don't w .......
276: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Nonsense (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 07:01:08 (12.230.173.34)
Sir, If the message is sent to me, and me alone, then I alone have the right and privilege to keep it private, publish it, put it on tonight's cable news, use it for toilet paper, or send it to the bi .......
277: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My reply to your reply (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 06:34:38 (12.230.173.34)
So why doesn't LPGear.com have a clear return policy regarding cartridges? I've encountered other sellers that say *absolutely no returns or refunds on cartridges*. I'd much rather deal with such a co .......
278: Vinyl Asylum, Because... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 04:14:12 (12.230.173.34)
Why leave the computer out of it? This is 2003, not 1963. The computer is involved in us talking and communicating here, and we probably wouldn't be talking to each other at all without it. Why not us .......
279: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Here's my reply to these responses (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 00:41:23 (12.230.173.34)
"Did ya stop to think that maybe...just maybe, it's not them?" Oh yeah, you're right... absolutely. I really did a stupid thing in requesting an across-the-board exchange for this $100 item, and the * .......
280: Vinyl Asylum, For those who are/were following my azimuth/crosstalk measurements... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-28, 00:00:59 (12.230.173.34)
Here's a quickie website explaining how I did the tests. My actual results (more careful testing) are further down the list, at: http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/218969.html The website .......
281: Vinyl Asylum, Re: That data doesn't make sense (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 22:42:23 (12.230.173.34)
"The measured levels in the "quiet channel" was still only 12dB (approx) lower the measured levels in the "active channel" which indicates that the channel separation is only 12dB (approx)" Doesn't it .......
282: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Visual. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 22:10:53 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks... I went back to using the cartridge level, and to heck with crosstalk values. Soundstage definitely seems narrower, but maybe I'm hearing things. "Try viewing the stylus shank with a magnifie .......
283: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Azimuth question for an expert (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 22:05:08 (12.230.173.34)
'The moral of the story is don’t trust your computer to be accurate.' It was accurate with my previous cartridge -- nothing changed but the cartridge, so why should it be accurate with one and inaccur .......
284: Vinyl Asylum, Re: 'a computer program that calculates to within .01dB .. ' (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 21:07:08 (12.230.173.34)
With a computer program like Cool Edit or Sound Forge, you could fine-tune azimuth (by measuring volume levels of crosstalk in each channel), provided you had an appropriate test record. You could als .......
285: Vinyl Asylum, Here's my reply to these responses (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 19:41:43 (12.230.173.34)
If you can't see how insulting that letter was, maybe you're either a slave to the diseased consumer culture in America, or part of one of those businesses yourself. When, exactly, did the motto "the .......
286: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Zygon, We Don't Care ....... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 06:37:01 (12.230.173.34)
I did nothing but re-post the letter I received -- if you're perceiving dirty laundry somewhere, it might behoove you to inquire where that perception is coming from. Regards... .......
287: Vinyl Asylum, Elex Atelier's response upon request for an exchange (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 06:02:02 (12.230.173.34)
After nearly a week of extensive testing and determining that my AT440ML is significantly favoring the right channel, I wrote to lpgear@yahoo.com (elex atelier) requesting a simple exchange (a new AT4 .......
288: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Azimuth question for an expert (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-27, 02:12:03 (12.230.173.34)
Sonic Foundry (Sound Forge). Requires some version of MS Windows. I'm not using it to measure azimuth, I'm using it to compare input levels on the left and right channels. .......
289: Vinyl Asylum, Re: complete myth (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 22:17:21 (12.230.173.34)
Perhaps I used the word 'myth' out of context, and failed to consider the rest of my setup. Now that I think about it, my TD-160 tends to be weighty on the low end, and quite treble-shy -- could just .......
290: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Addition to review (cartridge issue)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 20:31:46 (12.230.173.34)
I didn't have to swing the balance that much on my preamp... on a scale of 1 to 10 (5 being detent) it's a little higher than 4.5. That gets levels even within about 0.5dB (using the side 1, band 3 ch .......
291: Vinyl Asylum, Ditto :-) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 20:16:16 (12.230.173.34)
... except I do have a cat, and corresponding shed whiskers and cat hair descend in a flurry upon my records the moment they're out of the jacket, adhering like glue. And it's a short-haired cat! :-) .......
292: Vinyl Asylum, Re:How did you measure? My HFN Test Record.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 19:53:26 (12.230.173.34)
Do you have the older one? Side 1, band 3: Channel balance (both) Side 1, band 4: Channel balance, left channel only Side 1, band 5: Channel balance, right channel only For the tests, I used a PC audi .......
293: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Addition to review (cartridge issue)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 07:50:51 (12.230.173.34)
"CHECK you anti-skate setting!" Are you kidding? The "antiskate" on the TP-16 MkI tonearm practically has no effect, and never has with any cart I've used on it -- very cheap 'n cheesy, and the arm is .......
294: Vinyl Asylum, Re: since you're doing the numbers.................. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 07:43:08 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks J.D.... I've tried some of that stuff already... all manner of azimuth settings, changing VTF, etc... the cart's still significantly favoring the right channel (what's strange is the fact that .......
295: Vinyl Asylum, Will do, but... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 06:28:33 (12.230.173.34)
... if it turns out something's electrically defective in the cart (it's very obviously putting out more signal on the right channel, and most surface noise is in the right channel with my LP's)... th .......
296: Vinyl Asylum, Addition to review (cartridge issue)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 06:09:05 (12.230.173.34)
After doing a bunch more fiddling, it's become clear that my cart is *electrically* favoring the right channel (I examined the stylus/cantilever carefully and everything's fine). This may be because o .......
297: Vinyl Asylum, I partially solved it... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 05:30:29 (12.230.173.34)
The cart is definitely favoring the right channel (volume-wise), so I put my preamp inline (with the controls, not just the phono stage) and offset the balance slightly toward the left channel. Thank .......
298: Vinyl Asylum, Followup info (if needed) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 02:56:56 (12.230.173.34)
Using two separate tracks on the older HFNRR test record (side 1, bands 4 and 5)... these are loudness values (RMS power) for a section of each track. Measured levels in "quiet channel" (bleed/crossta .......
299: Vinyl Asylum, Azimuth question for an expert (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-26, 02:18:02 (12.230.173.34)
Have been fiddling with my 440ML cart, trying different azimuth settings and measuring dB levels with my soundcard and a computer program that calculates to within .01dB. With the cartridge parallel t .......
300: Vinyl Asylum, Not a surprise... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 21:54:29 (12.230.173.34)
I guess it suppresses the tendency to want to rush through something and get it done fast -- not to mention probably decreasing the sense that a job has to be "absolutely perfect" (as if there were su .......
301: Vinyl Asylum, P.S. Question for Richard (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 13:14:53 (12.230.173.34)
"Cartridges will change in sound - sometimes dramatically - during the break-in period. And the changes might not always be for the better." Can you give an example of how a cart might grow to sound w .......
302: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Audio Technica AT440ML Phono Cartridge (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 11:12:11 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks for the suggestion... will try to hold back my enthusiasm for the next review. Granted, my review of the Shure was both extremely premature and a just-plain-poor review now that I look at it. .......
303: Vinyl Asylum, break-in... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 10:53:18 (12.230.173.34)
Yep, I knew that... from what I've read (and heard) anyway from various sources, it seems the 440ML tends to break in more rapidly than the average cart -- I'm not counting on 75 to 100 hours, but I s .......
304: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Just goes to show we get ripped off with UK prices... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 09:27:55 (12.230.173.34)
Can you order it from the USA, or do postage costs/duties erase the price difference? .......
305: Vinyl Asylum, REVIEW: Audio Technica AT440ML Phono Cartridge (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 08:36:04 (12.230.173.34)
Model: AT440ML Category: Phono Cartridge Suggested Retail Price: $219.00 Description: Audiophile series MM phono cartridge with Manufacturer URL: Audio Technica Model Picture: View .......
306: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Key to perfect cart alignment... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 04:19:52 (12.230.173.34)
Don't know where people get the idea this cart is light on bass... this 440ML has slammin' bass on my TD-160, very tight and sounds excellent (and this is listening with headphones). Maybe it's a matt .......
307: Vinyl Asylum, Depends on what's underneath it (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 02:00:42 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
308: Vinyl Asylum, Tight spindle holes are *always* thrilling (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 01:54:29 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
309: Vinyl Asylum, Key to perfect cart alignment... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-25, 01:41:35 (12.230.173.34)
By george, it's *perfect*. I'm convinced I couldn't have done better with a Wallytractor, than with this cheap paper template from Enjoythemusic. Perfect both according to my ears, and according to th .......
310: Vinyl Asylum, Breaking in an ATML440... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-24, 21:34:49 (12.230.173.34)
Finally got alignment to where I would call "close enough for now" (damn paper protractors), and have been breaking in the cartridge. I was just gonna run through about 8 or 10 LP sides without listen .......
311: Vinyl Asylum, Thorens Spotmat Variation (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-24, 18:50:19 (12.230.173.34)
Got this idea from looking again at willbewill's Spotmat. Just some felt circles stuck onto the regular Thorens TD-160 mat. Impression? Sorry to say, I don't like it. Music sounds muffled, notes lacki .......
312: Vinyl Asylum, What do you tell them? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 16:05:15 (12.230.173.34)
I've been to the doctor several times in the past two years, each time I mentioned that I'd like my ears rinsed out, being an avid music listener and that I'd noticed my hearing had diminished a bit. .......
313: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Something un-right with cartridge setup? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 15:14:11 (12.230.173.34)
I've considered it, and also considered that if it isn't it'll be too late to return the cartridge (and I'm generally too honest to fob off a defective cartridge on Ebay). Possibly I've just been doin .......
314: Vinyl Asylum, Excellent suggest, will try it, thanks (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 15:05:34 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
315: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Summing up under $100 cartridges... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 09:56:14 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks. I left out the Ortofons (among others, I'm sure) but I wanted to speak only of carts/manufacturers I have some experience with. I think the cart characteristics are fairly steady, given a phon .......
316: Vinyl Asylum, Re: ??? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 09:51:22 (12.230.173.34)
OK, I guess "easily and freely" is an overstatement. I don't get the impression it's enough force to hurt the arm bearings (in the TD160 instruction manual, that impression isn't given either) -- on t .......
317: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Strange results... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-22, 09:48:15 (12.230.173.34)
I haven't changed anything since the M97xE, seems to me the cartridge is the most likely "culprit." Anyway, I'm gonna play some more with alignment, when my legs recover from yesterday's bout of insan .......
318: Vinyl Asylum, ??? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 23:29:51 (12.230.173.34)
The Thorens TP-60 headshell rotates easily and freely while on the TP-16 arm, just by rotating it. Easiest thing in the world. .......
319: Vinyl Asylum, Summing up under $100 cartridges... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 23:20:29 (12.230.173.34)
By G*d, I think I've got it down pat! Are you a fan of bass? Can't get enough? Go for one of the Stantons -- the Stanton 500E MkII, 680 HIFI or 681EEE MkIII (or an older one)... they will rock your wo .......
320: Vinyl Asylum, Re: also, (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 22:12:11 (12.230.173.34)
Looks like I'm on my own, if the channel balance isn't correct with the headshell parallel to the record surface. Oh well... more tweaking tomorrow, I'll probably go through the whole thing again from .......
321: Vinyl Asylum, So endeth one day's tweaking/setup... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 21:43:55 (12.230.173.34)
I realigned the cart again (more carefully), and said to hell w/stereo separation, just set the headshell parallel to the record surface. Seems to have helped significantly with the right-channel thin .......
322: Vinyl Asylum, OK, seems clear enough what it is... (still need help) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 20:01:38 (12.230.173.34)
Note: This is a brand new AT440ML, just installed. It seems clear that the stylus is either rubbing up against the right side of the groove more (around 4dB louder) due to a setup issue (not antiskat .......
323: Vinyl Asylum, Strange results... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 19:45:37 (12.230.173.34)
I'm getting 4dB more of background level in the right channel on a blank groove, no matter what the azimuth setting. Could this cartridge be defective? .......
324: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Something un-right with cartridge setup? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 19:31:51 (12.230.173.34)
I tried tilting it to level, and still hear more noise in the right channel, but will try it for equal levels on a blank groove (tough to do though, since blank grooves aren't exactly silent). I'm con .......
325: Vinyl Asylum, Something un-right with cartridge setup? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 19:16:48 (12.230.173.34)
I seem to be getting significantly more surface noise (high frequency stuff, like hiss & crackle) through the *right channel* on most of my records, than through the left. Most noticeable in between t .......
326: Vinyl Asylum, I guess I will... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 18:11:48 (12.230.173.34)
... let this cartridge break in, and listen for serious sound anomalies. If azimuth was off all that much, one would think it would have a pretty serious effect on the sound. The cart sounds excellent .......
327: Vinyl Asylum, That's the trouble... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 17:58:16 (12.230.173.34)
Sure wish I had a scope that would blow up the groove & record wall like that :-). The needle on this cart is so small, it's nearly invisible to the naked eye. With the headshell tilted to the right, .......
328: Vinyl Asylum, Initial impressions of the sound... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 15:21:09 (12.230.173.34)
I "lucked out" and got alignment just about spot-on, on the second try (the first time the *&%$ stylus wasn't seated properly in the cart). This is indeed a bright cartridge, and quite detailed. As I .......
329: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Hoohah, received my AT440ML/OCC! Questions... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 12:26:36 (12.230.173.34)
What kind of protractor did you use? Unfortunately, all I have are these paper ones, and the mass-y TP-16 MkI tonearm... arrgh. Well, I'll spread it out over two days, if necessary. .......
330: Vinyl Asylum, Hoohah, received my AT440ML/OCC! Questions... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-21, 11:21:15 (12.230.173.34)
I'm... I'm...... gonna procrastinate on setting it up, maybe. Cartridges look pretty nice sitting in the box all gussied up... right? Hmmmmm :-p... Anyway, initial impressions just looking at it: Cant .......
331: Vinyl Asylum, Yeah right... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-20, 19:45:18 (12.230.173.34)
"5 months old but used less than 10 hrs (GUARANTEED !!!)" Who's supplying the "guarantee," the Lord Above? :-/... .......
332: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Dammit, zygon . . . (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-20, 15:10:39 (12.230.173.34)
'Or the vinyl had the treble cut during mastering, which is a common compromise (especially towards the end of a side).' Yes, that's a possibility I'd considered (but forgot about in my previous reply .......
333: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Dammit, zygon . . . (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-19, 19:07:50 (12.230.173.34)
:-)... If the phono stage has decent frequency response (even the cheaper ones usually do) then I'd probably blame it on the cart. I'm using an inexpensive phono stage too (altho it's in a preamp that .......
334: Vinyl Asylum, I rather like it too... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-19, 18:13:45 (12.230.173.34)
... kind of got sick of the smoothness of the sound though (it really isn't that crisp a cart IMHO), and ordered an AT440ML. That should take care of any cravings for brightness, and it has a better s .......
335: Vinyl Asylum, Try VTA... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-19, 15:41:33 (12.230.173.34)
Try raising the back of the tonearm (or taking off the current mat & using a thinner one), it may help. .......
336: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Shure M91ed, Ortofon FF15XE II or Stanton 680eee? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-17, 18:23:02 (12.230.173.34)
You should get a pretty "fat" sound with the Stanton and a smooth, non-bright (maybe too smooth after the 440ML) sound with the Shure, going on previous experience with those brands. This may be usele .......
337: Vinyl Asylum, Rumor has it... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-17, 06:44:33 (12.230.173.34)
... that the green marker pen thing started on Usenet, as a joke. Just another bit of hear-say tho. .......
338: Vinyl Asylum, It's an image problem... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-17, 06:06:20 (12.230.173.34)
Definitely an image problem, and unfortunately not a lot of people seem to give enough of a damn to do anything, or maybe just don't quite know what to do. The media sure isn't helping... trash TV lik .......
339: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Picky, Picky, Picky (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-17, 05:40:48 (12.230.173.34)
'Try buying your records on Ebay where "near mint" often means scrounged out of some dumpster :-)' Yeegads, tell me about it. As a (mostly former now) collector of early electronic music, I've probabl .......
340: Vinyl Asylum, Either way... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-17, 05:24:26 (12.230.173.34)
Agree to disagree, or (translated) "don't care much either way." .......
341: Vinyl Asylum, Spit! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-16, 17:26:58 (12.230.173.34)
You'll feel better :-). Then take 'em back, and see if you can get credit. Naaah, no reason to name them unless they refuse you credit. .......
342: Vinyl Asylum, Have you heard... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-16, 07:36:25 (12.230.173.34)
...stuff on Project 3/Command, recorded on 35mm magnetic film? The dynamic range in particular is impressive... soundstaging is sometimes questionable, but Enoch Light (in particular) was into playing .......
343: Vinyl Asylum, Yikes! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-15, 06:03:34 (12.230.173.34)
"An error of only 1mm in setting overhang will put the null points completely off the LP." So much for those free paper protractors, I'd say... yikes, didn't know tolerances were quite this close. I'm .......
344: Vinyl Asylum, An interesting tale... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-14, 19:45:04 (12.230.173.34)
... wonder why AT didn't just release a newer, spankier cartridge if that's the case? Ahh well, the price is nothing to complain about :-). .......
345: Vinyl Asylum, Don't feel too bad... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-14, 02:24:10 (12.230.173.34)
Shaded dogs are *records* -- they look like records, they sound like records (and sadly, they shape into wall sconces like records). Consider it a compliment, perhaps. They could have used RCA dynafle .......
346: Vinyl Asylum, Retail $230.00? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-13, 23:29:40 (12.230.173.34)
A lot of places selling the Audio Technica AT440ML cartridge are now saying "Retail $230 -- on sale for $89.95." If it's a good cartridge I don't mind... but what's up with that, anyway? Why don't we .......
347: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Phono Section (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-13, 20:11:34 (12.230.173.34)
Check out the one below... if you decide to get it, I'd be really interesting in hearing a review and/or what you think about it... been curious for a long time, as it offers more potential bang for t .......
348: Vinyl Asylum, And a toast to "D0N"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-13, 20:01:50 (12.230.173.34)
Just ordered a 440ML from LPGear.com (Elex Atelier). A toast to "D0N" for keeping the name fresh in my mind (LOL). Cheers... .......
349: Vinyl Asylum, Not bad... (& thanks to all who responded) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-13, 19:39:19 (12.230.173.34)
Not bad at all. OK, I think I'm going for the 440ML... having grown to like a somewhat bright sound (or at least preferring it over mid-bass humps) and the better stylus geometry of the 440ML clinches .......
350: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks John... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-13, 06:27:11 (12.230.173.34)
If anything, I think the mass of the TP-16 MkI might be too *high* for the 440ML. I doubt Audio-Technica had an older style, 1970's medium mass tonearm in mind when designing the 440ML. Still, it's at .......
351: Vinyl Asylum, Specific reason(s)? [thanks] <nt> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-12, 22:28:14 (12.230.173.34)
. .......
352: Vinyl Asylum, Final request for cartridge advice (then I buy)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-12, 22:16:38 (12.230.173.34)
Hi all, I received a windfall in my paycheck this month, and so will be getting a new cartridge for my Thorens TD-160 (TP-16 MkI tonearm). I've narrowed down my preferences to the Audio-Technica AT440 .......
353: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TD-160? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-12, 19:54:36 (12.230.173.34)
$200 is around the top end of what I'd pay for a TD-160, and it had better be in nice condition. Especially worth checking -- the tonearm bearings, the platter bearing (usually these are good) and the .......
354: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Aw crap, now i REALLY feel old! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-12, 19:49:53 (12.230.173.34)
"This record is from my grandfather's collection." ... [chuckle] :-) .......
355: Vinyl Asylum, M97xE (dare I say it)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-10, 22:22:32 (12.230.173.34)
... sounds the most CD-like of any cart I've ever owned. There's nothing overtly wrong with the sound, but there's absolutely nothing magical or even very attractive about it... it was incredibly "mat .......
356: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I'm not Shure: used V-15 Type III or new M97xE? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-09, 19:32:40 (12.230.173.34)
I think I was the one who said that. The M97xE (on my Thorens TD-160 with TP-16 MkI tonearm) sounds pretty natural to me with classical and instrumental stuff, but it has an "elegant/polite" sound (th .......
357: Vinyl Asylum, Hmmn... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-09, 17:36:55 (12.230.173.34)
Maybe my NM copy of Bearns and Dexter's "Golden Voyage" (very early new-age stuff ca. 1977). Heard it first in a High School class called "Encounters" (a class most of the potheads took as a matter of .......
358: Vinyl Asylum, Dish Detergent... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-08, 23:16:03 (12.230.173.34)
Before I switched to the Disc Doctor system, the dish detergent I used in my DIY formula was "Ultra Palmolive" antibacterial. Works really well, rinses squeaky clean, no abrasives. Very little needed. .......
359: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I get the frames at restoration hardware... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-08, 19:36:19 (12.230.173.34)
$26.00 is a pretty nice price for a set of 2 frames... thanks for the link! .......
360: Vinyl Asylum, Re: My take on MP3, fwiw... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-07, 20:35:45 (12.230.173.34)
There's a good free encoder called "Lame" (in the open source software tradition, a recursive acronym for "Lame Ain't an MP3 Encoder") :-). You can get it here: http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/mp3. .......
361: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-07, 14:13:01 (12.230.173.34)
Perhaps I'm seeing a correlation that isn't there. Appreciate the input (from everyone). .......
362: Vinyl Asylum, Interesting pattern re: cartridge sound (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 23:24:16 (12.230.173.34)
Something I started noticing recently while reading posts about the sound of cartridges (and checking specs): Carts that have a frequency rating of about 20-20KHz people generally think sound smooth, .......
363: Vinyl Asylum, My take on MP3, fwiw... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 21:52:03 (12.230.173.34)
The topic of MP3's comes up here occasionally, almost always in the negative. I'll play devil's advocate, and state that there are a couple decent MP3 encoders (one of them free), and that if you know .......
364: Vinyl Asylum, Distorted pudding? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 17:00:02 (12.230.173.34)
Philosophical question: Is vanilla pudding "distorted" as compared to the pudding before the flavoring was added? .......
365: Vinyl Asylum, ... and what I'd like to sea... ;-) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 06:58:22 (12.230.173.34)
What I'd really like to see would be the results of a double-blind test: (1) The original analog master recording, level-balanced & compensated for vinyl, vs. (2) The resulting vinyl, played back on a .......
366: Vinyl Asylum, Regarding Egyptian rivers... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 06:52:43 (12.230.173.34)
What I'm for is keeping music in the format it was originally recorded in. For example, DDD recordings and AAA recordings. I like the idea of listening to music in analog when it was recorded on analo .......
367: Vinyl Asylum, Not how digital works... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 06:25:19 (12.230.173.34)
It's counter-intuitive, but digital doesn't involve "blank spaces" in music that require "filling in" by the brain. The concept of sampling suggests it, but it just ain't so -- the DAC has long ago fi .......
368: Vinyl Asylum, One record apiece? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-06, 06:03:58 (12.230.173.34)
If Mike left one record apiece to every inmate here... well, they'd still have to have a giant estate sale to cover the rest ;-). .......
369: Vinyl Asylum, Re: 35 albums for 5 bucks today....and (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-05, 17:34:26 (12.230.173.34)
Well, you can get MP3 crapola from P2P file sharing networks, but the old adage holds true: you get what you pay for. .......
370: Vinyl Asylum, I'll take the "easy listening"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-05, 12:00:53 (12.230.173.34)
Instrumental stuff only, no vocals. Anyone who wants to rid their local Goodwill of this stuff, buy some of the copies in sealed or NM condition (no vg++ please) and send them to me, I'll be happy to .......
371: Vinyl Asylum, Difficult sort of ignorance to clear up... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-03, 08:15:20 (12.230.173.34)
... since the proof is in the listening. Today's "geeks" are yesterday's engineers in some ways, and if the specs say CD's are better then CD's are better -- the more 'rabid' will even deny what their .......
372: Vinyl Asylum, Re: took the plunge (my first vinyl purchase) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 21:18:32 (12.230.173.34)
I'll assume you're serious, although you're asking some very "common sense" type questions (not sure why). (1) Try just setting the turntable on the shelf, and if you have any vibration issues you can .......
373: Vinyl Asylum, Re: your wrong (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 13:52:58 (12.230.173.34)
Agreed about overprocessed/overcompressed CD's. As far as the noise floor, proper dithering should eliminate quantization noise completely, and there's no reason why music couldn't be heard into the n .......
374: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 11:33:09 (12.230.173.34)
That clears up the "mystery" . .......
375: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Muchas Gracias! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 10:21:55 (12.230.173.34)
Strange... both the Stanton website and garage-a-records list the 681EEE Mk3 as having 0.7mV output. You sure this isn't an earlier incarnation of the 681 you're thinking of? .......
376: Vinyl Asylum, Well... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 08:06:08 (12.230.173.34)
Being a medium-mass, medium-quality arm, there probably aren't any carts that don't do at least reasonably well (it seems to me mismatches are common, but never serious -- in the case of the V15V ther .......
377: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Info... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 07:13:32 (12.230.173.34)
According to Kabusa, it's moving iron (http://www.kabusa.com/681eee.htm) As for the output, got it from here: http://www.stantonmagnetics.com/alpha44/pc_681eeemkII.asp .......
378: Vinyl Asylum, Great points... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 06:08:30 (12.230.173.34)
Today's DJ's may be tomorrow's Vinyl Asylum posters. .......
379: Vinyl Asylum, Muchas Gracias! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-02, 04:43:33 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks a bunch... (yep, I've tried playing with a lot of different VTA settings). Been thinking about a new cart, and have considered both the V15VxMR and the AT440ML. I have a feeling neither would b .......
380: Vinyl Asylum, Re: there isn't enough resolution on redbook ... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-01, 15:28:59 (12.230.173.34)
"That is the problem with CDs. 16/44.1k isn't enough resolution to convey the music." This is purely a matter of opinion... scientifically speaking, 16/44.1KHz should be enough to cover from 0-22.05KH .......
381: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Help for a new cartridge (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-01, 15:02:21 (12.230.173.34)
In my opinion, the Stanton 500E MkII "synergizes" well with the TP-16 MkI tonearm, is inexpensive, sounds good (altho quite colored in the mid-bass) & tracks outstandingly. It does tend to "emphasize" .......
382: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Changing VTA for different albums is getting old.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-01, 07:02:28 (12.230.173.34)
'I am at odds to figure whats going on here.' -- pretty simple, looks like tweaking is part of the hobby for some. Others feel driven crazy trying to get the sound "just right," yet others just set it .......
383: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What kind of headphones do you have? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-01, 05:24:49 (12.230.173.34)
Got several pair, all 'inexpensive' models atm. Around the computer I use a pair of Denon AH-D550's (closed design) because of all the fans... I also use a pair of Grado SR-60's for general listening, .......
384: Vinyl Asylum, Re: your wrong (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-06-01, 02:21:37 (12.230.173.34)
"they could hear things they never heard on cd." I've thought about this one before, and sometimes wonder if it's related to the different recording techniques (esp. compression) used with vinyl as co .......
385: Vinyl Asylum, partial solution... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-31, 13:17:47 (12.230.173.34)
Headphones. In my opinion, they solve more issues than they create, are drastically cheaper than speakers and are great for most recordings (altho extremely revealing of poor recordings). With misuse .......
386: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Only going to say this one more time: SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE CANNOT COME OUT OF ADJUST (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-31, 02:13:46 (12.230.173.34)
Yeah, and quite possibly is never *in* (proper) adjustment in the first place. I'm with the adjustable-VTA crowd, but if one is an obsessive-compulsive that can't help constantly adjusting their tone .......
387: Vinyl Asylum, Or until his Prozac prescription is renewed (nt) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-30, 05:37:25 (12.230.173.34)
nt .......
388: Vinyl Asylum, Re: No. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-30, 04:26:58 (12.230.173.34)
"As for the guy who states modern turntables are voiced like CD players, you are an idiot." T-Dogg, it may be none of my business but are blanket personal insults really necessary? And you wonder why .......
389: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Stinky jackets (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-29, 22:40:55 (12.230.173.34)
I fix the problem by smoking a few cigarettes, so I don't smell the smoky-smelling covers anymore ;-) (kidding). .......
390: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Changing VTA for different albums is getting old.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-29, 21:48:44 (12.230.173.34)
This has driven me crazy too, at times. It's NOT just a matter of LP thickness; it's a matter of matching VTA (SRA) to the cutter head used when cutting a particular LP. Because of this, I've been un .......
391: Vinyl Asylum, Re: getting to know more about the TD 160 than I really wanted to... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-29, 09:25:13 (12.230.173.34)
What is this, AAx invasion day? Why don't you go back to "Saddam's Palace" and leave us commoners alone. .......
392: Vinyl Asylum, Re: getting to know more about the TD 160 than I really wanted to... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-29, 05:47:55 (12.230.173.34)
Try double-checking VTA, that was the first thought that came to my mind. Is the rear of the tonearm too high? Sounds like the prime cause of the symptoms you describe, absent any cartridge misalignme .......
393: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TP-16 arm adjustment (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 23:32:46 (12.230.173.34)
If you mean the actual vertical black "housing" surrounding the bearings (which the antiskate magnet passes thru on the right) -- mine has a bit of play in it too, and I think it's perfectly OK. What .......
394: Vinyl Asylum, Thnx, thought maybe it was something like that <nt> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 22:19:13 (12.230.173.34)
nt .......
395: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks, Lee... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 22:10:11 (12.230.173.34)
I have the Star-Spangled Marches LP... haven't listened to it yet, as I'm not a big fan of marching songs (got the record as part of a lot). Some of my complaint regarding mid 60's to mid 70's Kostela .......
396: Vinyl Asylum, Tried it, and... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 21:58:22 (12.230.173.34)
... had the same static issues. Also, I just didn't like the sound of it on my TD-160. As maligned as it is, the original TD-160 mat sounds pretty good to my ears -- superior to a plain rubber mat, de .......
397: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What, exactly, is the attraction for a conical stylus? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 21:55:10 (12.230.173.34)
"Although I can't claim experience with all sorts of alignment gadgets, I frankly can't imagine how alignment would be accomplished correctly without something like the Wallytractor -- which lines up .......
398: Vinyl Asylum, Just tried it too, and... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 04:03:17 (12.230.173.34)
Wow! It really took a lot of teeth-gritting to get past the "skritch-skritch" brushing against the grain, however. I just sort of pretended I was a DJ doing my scratch routine for a teenage audience ; .......
399: Vinyl Asylum, Lee H- Best Kostelanetz Record? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 00:50:46 (12.230.173.34)
I haven't heard that many yet, but IMHO his best was (I think anyway) his *last* -- 1978's "You Light Up My Life." Hate to say it, but between the mid 60's and mid 70's he really came out with some st .......
400: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I noticed when cleaning records... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-28, 00:34:43 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks... I don't have a large enough collection of vinyl at this point to justify a RCM, but it's a future possibility. At the moment, the Disc Doctor system seems to be a good compromise. ::: TOPIC: .......
401: Vinyl Asylum, I noticed when cleaning records... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-27, 18:21:37 (12.230.173.34)
With some records after rinsing, the water tends to stay (distributed) on the surface and in the grooves. With other records, the water just runs right off when you tip it, and also tends to bead into .......
402: Vinyl Asylum, That's an especially funny one... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-27, 16:17:12 (12.230.173.34)
... if you think about it anyway. More "there" than what... what I was listening to before? DUH! :-) .......
403: Vinyl Asylum, Turntable in "The Horse Whisperer" (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-26, 20:34:56 (12.230.173.34)
Just saw the movie for the first time... great flick, if you like romances, nature, animals and/or gorgeous cinematography (it was a bit melodramatic, but honestly not too bad). Anyway, they showed so .......
404: Vinyl Asylum, They won't be perplexed... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-26, 09:46:20 (12.230.173.34)
Doubt it would take 'em long to realize that music is recorded on those discs... imagine the super-turntable they might build to play them on in 50 million years! :-). .......
405: Vinyl Asylum, I disagree... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-26, 06:42:50 (12.230.173.34)
Communism in practice might take religious-like overtones, but communism is purely a political ideology -- a way to form and run governments (based on the idea of a commune, hence communism). ::: TOPI .......
406: Vinyl Asylum, Re: How Dare You (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-26, 04:47:23 (12.230.173.34)
Working hard for one's money doesn't preclude gratitude at being able to do so -- plenty of places in the world where a person has to work and slave merely to keep from starving to death (and sometime .......
407: Vinyl Asylum, Re: You all forget one thing... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-26, 04:38:57 (12.230.173.34)
I tend to think corruption is a part of human nature. (Pure) capitalism corrupts too; eventually, companies merge to form monopolies and attempt to squeeze out competition, and any/all new startups. A .......
408: Vinyl Asylum, Re: That place has the capacity to absorb the flow.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 20:00:46 (12.230.173.34)
I've gotta say... give Russia a chance. 12 years ago they were a closed, isolated system with a huge percentage of capital invested solely in military hardware. It's like going from black to white (or .......
409: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Are there any Russians here ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 16:37:32 (12.230.173.34)
Hi John, Nope, I'm in the USA. I just got curious about the musical situation "then and now" after seeing that coverage on cable about McCartney playing in Red Square, and personally for Vladimir Puti .......
410: Vinyl Asylum, Re: media rate (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 15:21:37 (12.230.173.34)
fwiw, I usually consider up to $3.50 or so reasonable for media mail, since it does cost something for the mailer, 'handling' (gas to the post office), etc. The average seems to be about $3.50, at lea .......
411: Vinyl Asylum, Sheesh... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 15:00:04 (12.230.173.34)
That's one situation where it wouldn't bother me a bit to either give or receive negative feedback. It's possible Ebay might respond in a dispute if you refuse to pay the guy, since it can easily be p .......
412: Vinyl Asylum, Mono is funny... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 14:05:54 (12.230.173.34)
I listen primarily with headphones (seems to be unusual among vinyl fans), and mono (any mono) tends to sound flat as a pancake through headphones. OTOH, mono sounds great to me through a pair of ster .......
413: Vinyl Asylum, I like... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 12:50:55 (12.230.173.34)
... protractors that have a way to set overhang by a line (or something else) pointing or otherwise referring to the tonearm pivot point. It makes things easier than spending half the day finding the .......
414: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 12:42:51 (12.230.173.34)
Really interesting (and gratifying that good music arrived in Moscow). .......
415: Vinyl Asylum, Are there any Russians here ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-25, 00:17:03 (12.230.173.34)
I just saw a piece on (American) cable news about Paul McCartney playing in Red Square (and personally, for Vladimir Putin). There was some other stuff, a man spoke about recording music from the BBC .......
416: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I've been to the DIGITAL ASYLUM! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-24, 23:01:15 (12.230.173.34)
"I knew I hadda get out of there when they started killing goats and drinking their blood and doin' this weird dance around a bonfire..." Yes, you were wise to leave before they did this. That's one o .......
417: Vinyl Asylum, I believe this is it... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-24, 09:29:35 (12.230.173.34)
See below... .......
418: Vinyl Asylum, CD's are just so dull... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-24, 09:08:16 (12.230.173.34)
Downright boring, no matter how good they can sound with the "right" equipment and discs. At the risk of sounding like a zealot, CD's trivialize and commoditize music. They're fine for background musi .......
419: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Free Shipping, the competition is getting stiff:-) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-24, 08:04:04 (12.230.173.34)
30+ dollar LP's, hmmn... at that rate, I'd almost be tempted to throw a CD in the CD player :-p. Always nice to get free shipping tho, enjoy... .......
420: Vinyl Asylum, Re: up-4 anti skating hell !!! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 23:58:45 (12.230.173.34)
Test records can be deceptive. Tracking the first two bands on the HFNRR record should be more than good enough -- the real question is, are you having problems tracking your other records? You'll pro .......
421: Vinyl Asylum, I need new glasses now... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 11:51:10 (12.230.173.34)
Need a stronger prescription after reading that one :-). .......
422: Vinyl Asylum, Re: 440ML vs V15V (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 11:14:43 (12.230.173.34)
I wonder... I have a Shure M97xE. Awhile ago, I recorded the output from a late 80's LP I have (which is also available on CD) to digital, and compared the two using a computer program that displays f .......
423: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Columbia Ad Blurb for Records (late 60's)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 11:04:29 (12.230.173.34)
Hey, there's an idea... if I didn't already have a nice oriental watercolor hanging above my turntable, that would look pretty cool ;-). No surprise on the latter... some companies would do anything t .......
424: Vinyl Asylum, Columbia Ad Blurb for Records (late 60's)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 05:04:31 (12.230.173.34)
Inner Sleeve, Columbia Records... .......
425: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Congrats (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 00:13:05 (12.230.173.34)
If a cartridge sounds "sweet" or "musical" you can almost be certain it's adding a coloration of its own. Nothing wrong with it, but eventually neutrality starts to sound better -- personally I'd rath .......
426: Vinyl Asylum, Re: audiophile spouse needs help! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-23, 00:08:04 (12.230.173.34)
I second the recommendation for Jack's Music Factory (www.sloca.com) -- that's where I ordered my M97xE, which turned out fine. The only disadvantage is they offer *absolutely no returns* on cartridge .......
427: Vinyl Asylum, Curiouser and curiouser... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 06:22:23 (12.230.173.34)
These must just be trashed, or I got a bad batch or something... who knows? It appears that the matrix has me... :-)./ .......
428: Vinyl Asylum, Re: 440ML vs V15V (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 06:19:36 (12.230.173.34)
Any chance you could go into a little more detail? In what ways is the V15VxMR better by a landslide? Thanks mucho... .......
429: Vinyl Asylum, I don't buy it... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 03:53:53 (12.230.173.34)
I've got other late 50's and 60's records that don't have nearly as noisy a surface. Also, on a couple of the records (after looking closer) I can see bubbling in the vinyl. Somehow I don't think a st .......
430: Vinyl Asylum, Further impression of London ffrr's... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 03:40:40 (12.230.173.34)
These records are cut *L O U D* and *HOT*. In fact they're cut so hot that my stylus is mistracking (aside from the other defects I hear), and they may even be overloading my phono stage. Makes me won .......
431: Vinyl Asylum, Re: From my moniker (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 01:34:41 (12.230.173.34)
I must have gotten some records that are trashed but don't look trashed... either that, or my cartridge/headshell needs realigned. It's starting to feel like it's time for a new cartridge, but it's n .......
432: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Wow did you get them from the same place? maybe someone played them with a blunted or damaged st (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 00:34:19 (12.230.173.34)
Yeah, that's possible. I did get all these from the same place, altho I've heard others before and had many of the same issues. Thought maybe there was something wrong with my stylus/alignment, but am .......
433: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I've had excellent experience with both ffrr and ffss, it's London Phase 4 that generally sound (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-22, 00:08:29 (12.230.173.34)
Yes, they're pressed in England. I'm hearing clicks, pops, "thumps" (microscopic vinyl defects, I guess), "skritch" sounds (like the groove walls have been damaged), groove scrub noise, and others. Ye .......
434: Vinyl Asylum, 440ML vs V15V (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-21, 22:20:02 (12.230.173.34)
Anyone heard both the AT440ML and the Shure V15VxMR, can you offer a comparison? I know this has probably been rehashed endlessly, but I'm curious -- the Shure is more than twice the price of the 440M .......
435: Vinyl Asylum, Bad sounding records... ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-21, 21:47:32 (12.230.173.34)
Decca/London 'ffrr' blue-label... sheesh. It seems like every record I've found on this label looks near-mint and sounds terrible (numerous audible defects of various sorts). Anyone else have experien .......
436: Vinyl Asylum, Re: thorens td160 parts (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-21, 17:50:26 (12.230.173.34)
These parts can be hard to find. Best bet might be to register for Audiogon (www.audiogon.com) and place a free "wanted" ad for the whole tonearm (TP-16 MkI). Since many end up replacing the original .......
437: Vinyl Asylum, Re: audiophile spouse needs help! (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-21, 17:36:17 (12.230.173.34)
The M97xE is decent but... you sure you really want to do that? For your anniversary?? Seems it would be like saying "Honey, I couldn't get you that diamond ring you wanted, but I did find you a nice .......
438: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thorens TD 160 stylus force (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-18, 15:14:47 (12.230.173.34)
I have the Stanton 500 MkII, which is probably similar to the original 500... recommended tracking force is 1-2 grams. You might want to experiment in this range and set a final VTF by ear (best frequ .......
439: Vinyl Asylum, When in rome... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-18, 14:05:14 (12.230.173.34)
Hate to say it, but it seems kinda funny to me too :-). Funny and sad maybe, but the humourous aspect is definitely there. Anyway, "when in Rome, do as the Romans." Perfect your snarling skills . When .......
440: Vinyl Asylum, Re: thorens 160 bass (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-18, 13:22:40 (12.230.173.34)
Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but could it be that the BIC had bloated bass, which you got used to? Sometimes a "lack of" bass can just mean nice, tight bass at the proper amount actually recorde .......
441: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Interesting point... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-16, 10:11:06 (12.230.173.34)
Sure... I'll try spending more time applying it. Usually I use the pad until I don't see any dust on the record (maybe 20-30 seconds?), not sure if using the pads longer would have any particular bene .......
442: Vinyl Asylum, Welll... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-15, 21:17:22 (12.230.173.34)
I'll defer to you, since you've probably gruv-glided more records than I could dream of in several lifetimes ;-). Then again, I haven't always noted a direct correlation between polished-looking and s .......
443: Vinyl Asylum, Re: 3 short sprays on one pad, (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-15, 18:55:38 (12.230.173.34)
I use it in the direction of the grooves (what's the point of circular motions? You don't want to polish between the grooves). With the record NOT spinning, applied both clockwise and counterclockwise .......
444: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Agree with Bandit... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-14, 14:01:02 (12.230.173.34)
Good points... I guess it's unlikely that much would germinate in steam-distilled water (provided the container is sealed) since there's nothing in it to encourage bacterial growth. Just thought it mi .......
445: Vinyl Asylum, Record cleaning idea (input?) (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-13, 22:43:42 (12.230.173.34)
What do you think about adding maybe 1% or 2% isopropyl alcohol (just a bit) to a distilled water rinse, to help keep germs from growing in the water? Perhaps this is getting nitpicky, but the final r .......
446: Vinyl Asylum, So what's the colored side of dark vinyl? :-) <nt> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-13, 21:18:24 (12.230.173.34)
nt .......
447: Vinyl Asylum, Two words: Local Freight... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-12, 06:00:17 (12.230.173.34)
Oh yeah, I'm sure the sounds of a steam train chugging thru the bedroom would really light the fires of love ;-)... .......
448: Vinyl Asylum, Re: I assume you know of John Harp's site (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-12, 04:01:40 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks, I hadn't seen John Harp's site. Looks like I got a little piece of history with this record, even tho nature sounds + (supposedly erotic) ez listening really doesn't float my boat :-). ::: TOP .......
449: Vinyl Asylum, Re: sony ps-x40 turntable (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-12, 03:43:20 (12.230.173.34)
The Sony PS-X series is (imho) the best tables Sony ever made. That said, these tables are complex direct-drive beasties, and if they break replacement parts may be nearly impossible to find. You migh .......
450: Vinyl Asylum, Re: its a reissue (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-11, 14:18:57 (12.230.173.34)
Yes, I can tell there's some heavy compression on the thunder, altho it still sounds OK (and the soundstaging with the rain is downright excellent, IMHO). Reissue or not, it's a nice record altho I do .......
451: Vinyl Asylum, Record Query (Mystic Moods Orchestra)... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-11, 12:37:06 (12.230.173.34)
Mystic Moods Orchestra, "One Stormy Night" (Soundbird SB7501) -- it's a reissue I think (1975), but the interesting thing is that it has an inner sleeve with full frontal nudity (not to mention a guy' .......
452: Vinyl Asylum, I don't see any "vs"... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-11, 07:19:02 (12.230.173.34)
Analog & digital, never the twain shall meet. Personally I don't compare, as it's an apples-to-oranges comparison in my view. I like what sounds good to me, and it so happens that I own a lot more rec .......
453: Vinyl Asylum, Lighter fluid (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-11, 02:19:46 (12.230.173.34)
Can't be any good for records... vinyl is a petroleum product, and so is lighter fluid. Of course, if a poor-sounding record can be made to sound better at the expense of damage, it may be worth it! : .......
454: Vinyl Asylum, Yes... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-10, 02:27:46 (12.230.173.34)
Cats like to be lavished with attention, and they have extremely sensitive hearing & etc. You have to know how to raise & treat a cat if you want one that doesn't act weird... there's an art to it. P. .......
455: Vinyl Asylum, Thoughts on Disc Doctor fluid... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-10, 01:09:37 (12.230.173.34)
After using it a bit, it seems clear that it's a potent detergent/degreaser/disinfectant. What I'm not so sure about is its ability to remove sticky or gluey substances... seems to me you would need e .......
456: Vinyl Asylum, Yes, the Doc recommends 2:1 (cleaner to water) <nt> (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-09, 23:04:14 (12.230.173.34)
nt .......
457: Vinyl Asylum, Does anyone do a pre-rinse... ? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-09, 23:03:27 (12.230.173.34)
Sometimes thrift store records can be seriously grimy and/or dusty, does anyone here who uses the DD system do a pre-rinse to avoid spreading grit around (maybe even causing groove damage) with the in .......
458: Vinyl Asylum, Even *this* experiment... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-08, 23:55:45 (12.230.173.34)
... relies on the quality of their CD player. As some of us know, $20k for a CD player is not only outrageous (is it made of solid gold?) but prices with CD players don't always, or even often, reflec .......
459: Vinyl Asylum, Final PS... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-08, 23:13:40 (12.230.173.34)
I think it may take me some time to get down to a cleaning regimen that 'feels right' (just like everyone else has some peculiarities in the way they do things, except the 'hardcore' who follow the Do .......
460: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Received DIsc Doctor... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-08, 23:08:33 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks... my mix ratio is as recommended (2 parts DD solution to 1 part distilled)... maybe a little less. I think I figured out why there were white crystals. I ended up setting the record back down .......
461: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Received DIsc Doctor... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-08, 14:45:25 (12.230.173.34)
The tapwater isn't causing the crystals -- that's what I was using with my previous "homebrew" system, and no problems with either residue or crystals. It just seems the stuff doesn't want to rinse of .......
462: Vinyl Asylum, Received DIsc Doctor... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-08, 14:09:50 (12.230.173.34)
Initial impressions: (1) The brush(es) seem very good, not sure about how long they'll live tho. Are you supposed to rinse out the initial (cleaning) brush after use, or just squeegee it? (2) The flui .......
463: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Seattle area tapwater... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-07, 00:57:19 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks again (my tapwater is Seattle area too :-). I'll definitely try that final rinse with distilled... I don't recall ever seeing a water spot on any of my LP's, but not sure I could tell what one .......
464: Vinyl Asylum, Re: home brew brushes (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-06, 01:52:41 (12.230.173.34)
This is similar to the system I use (except the brush... I use some 'vellux' material which is similar to velvet only thicker). Hopefully the Disc Doctor will be an improvement, especially in the area .......
465: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Finally did it, bought the Disc Doctor system (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-06, 01:30:32 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks for the suggestions... I'm probably gonna continue trying my usual cleaning methods first (which use tapwater for initial wetting and rinsing), only substituting the Disc Doctor fluid and brush .......
466: Vinyl Asylum, Finally did it, bought the Disc Doctor system (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-06, 00:09:03 (12.230.173.34)
Arrrgh.. almost 70 bux from Acoustic Sounds. Hope this is as good as everyone says (better than my homebrew cleaning system, hopefully). Could have bought a lot of records for 70 smackers. ::: TOPIC:: .......
467: Vinyl Asylum, My Take... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-04, 17:12:23 (12.230.173.34)
A lot of disco is vapid and shallow, true. I agree about the nostalgia factor though. Most of today's rap and techno is just as vapid and shallow (if not more so), but lacks any nostalgia (making it w .......
468: Vinyl Asylum, Jean Michel Jarre... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-03, 03:26:36 (12.230.173.34)
Oxygene and Equinoxe are his best, IMHO. .......
469: Vinyl Asylum, Re: There's only a few of us... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-02, 21:49:49 (12.230.173.34)
Sheesh... naughty? I just (re)joined the ACLU today :-). I don't drive a Hummer with a plastic flag on each side window, I don't watch the Faux news channel, and I listen to *records*, for gawdsake. I .......
470: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Which Scheherazade is your favorite? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-02, 17:52:06 (12.230.173.34)
Seems like the most often cited is Fritz Reiner (Chicago Symphony Orch). I found it to be somewhat on the 'prissy' side, very accurate but needing a good dose of ex-lax ;-). I suppose it's all a matte .......
471: Vinyl Asylum, Which Scheherazade is your favorite? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-05-02, 17:17:19 (12.230.173.34)
I've heard a number of renditions now, and my favorite is still Leonard Bernstein's 1959 realization with the New York Philharmonic, John Corigliano on solo violin (Columbia Masterworks MS-6069). Anyo .......
472: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Ridding the stores of unwanted elevator music, and a quiz (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-30, 03:45:37 (12.230.173.34)
I'd probably choose (E), since I have an aversion to surface noise too. In fact I don't even eat rice krispies, since I like even my cereal to be quiet and not complain while I eat it :-). ::: TOPIC:: .......
473: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thrift store haul - MOOD MUSIC (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-28, 17:32:37 (12.230.173.34)
Yeah, all that stuff is common in thrift stores... Here at the asylum, me and Lee Hartsfeld are into 'easy listening' (among others) and probably do help clear out the thrift stores of the 'unwanted' .......
474: Vinyl Asylum, #2, and... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-28, 14:26:02 (12.230.173.34)
It invariably leaves a line of dust on the record, which I blow off gently (using human lungs, cheapest source of canned air). Afterwards, sometimes I'll use a Gruv-Glide pad (with or without the stuf .......
475: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Well, I spent the weekend listening to all my copies of DSOTM.. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-28, 13:37:25 (12.230.173.34)
I don't think I could ever listen to DSOTM again... even if I had the restored master tapes sitting here in my hot little hands. One reaches a point where repetition becomes boredom becomes near-conte .......
476: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Thrift store haul - MOOD MUSIC (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-28, 13:30:35 (12.230.173.34)
LOL! There's stuff even I wouldn't take... I do have some standards: (1) Can't be more than about $0.50 per LP, so's if it plain stinks it just gets tossed (2) Has to be VG++ to NM condition (3) No ch .......
477: Vinyl Asylum, Thrift store haul - MOOD MUSIC (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-28, 10:42:34 (12.230.173.34)
Total outlay was $7.00, all VG++ or better: * The Incomparable Mantovani (London PS-392) * Hugo Montenegro, Colours of Love (RCA LSP-4273) * Living Strings - Feelings * Zenith Salutes The Mood Music M .......
478: Vinyl Asylum, Emulation software? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-19, 11:30:08 (12.230.173.34)
Do you have any software for your Mac that can emulate Windows? (IMHO anyone with a Mac could expand their horizons a great deal by acquiring such software -- given how much Windows stuff is out there .......
479: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Removing pops & ticks is supposedly a giant pain... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-14, 00:25:08 (12.230.173.34)
I do this regularly, and yes... automatic plugins are mostly to be avoided (there are exceptions where light usage works well, like fadeouts at the end of songs). It *is* very tedious to do it by hand .......
480: Vinyl Asylum, Depends, imo... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-14, 00:16:12 (12.230.173.34)
If your stylus is "nude mounted" it's definitely safer. If "bonded" (the diamond is glued on) it's riskier. Mine is nude mounted (Shure M97xE) and Shure specifically recommends that alcohol be used. I .......
481: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Elliptical vs. spherical - surface noise (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-13, 04:37:21 (12.230.173.34)
It could be as simple as this -- spherical styli contact less of the groove (smaller contact area). That means less surface area to "pick up" clicks, pops, etc... and also that certain 'crudeness' as .......
482: Vinyl Asylum, Re: warmth, budget, etc. (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-03, 08:26:35 (12.230.173.34)
I used the 500E MkII for about 6 months. IMHO it's a heavily colored cartridge (mid-bass primarily) but pleasantly so. Personally I wouldn't recommend it for anything but recorded music, as it makes a .......
483: Vinyl Asylum, Re: well since listening is out, any suggestions for good budget carts? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-03, 00:51:08 (12.230.173.34)
I put in a review for the Shure M97xE awhile ago. MSRP of this cart is $140, you can get it for about $74 from www.sloca.com and other sources. IMHO it represents excellent value for the money. Streng .......
484: Vinyl Asylum, Another option... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-02, 07:58:06 (12.230.173.34)
You can remove the metal "Thorens" logo on the headshell... underneath is a plastic spacer which would have to be cut off with an Exacto knife. If you do this, you can mount a cartridge in the regular .......
485: Vinyl Asylum, And thanks again... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-02, 05:40:19 (12.230.173.34)
I adjusted my VTA yet again, lowering the back of the tonearm a tad. Time will tell if I'm happy with this setting... it's certainly mellower, but if I lose dynamics with things like trumpets and they .......
486: Vinyl Asylum, Al Hirt's "Cotton Candy" (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-02, 01:16:11 (12.230.173.34)
I've been totally unfamiliar with Al Hirt until I picked up this 1964 copy of "Cotton Candy" for $0.25. Very 'classic' 60's EZ stuff, and clearly old-school recording/mastering as well, probably tubed .......
487: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Opinions on VTA? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-04-01, 19:27:18 (12.230.173.34)
I haven't been able to find that point yet, I don't think. After days (weeks?) of fiddling with VTA... it's not bad the way it is, but I think still not just right. Anyway, for the moment I'm gonna li .......
488: Vinyl Asylum, One more VTA question... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-31, 19:26:07 (12.230.173.34)
If you have a cartridge that's sensitive to VTA, do you believe there's a "correct" setting for your cartridge? The reason I ask is that I have a Shure M97xE, which is more sensitive to VTA than the a .......
489: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks to everyone who replied... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-31, 17:45:51 (12.230.173.34)
I drove myself crazy with VTA awhile back, trying to find the "perfect" setting, and decided there isn't one (probably because record cutting lathes vary, just as someone mentioned). So I'm leaving mi .......
490: Vinyl Asylum, Re: What to do with my Thorens TD165 (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-31, 17:38:46 (12.230.173.34)
If you end up scrapping the new arm idea, you could always try placing an ad on Audiogon for a headshell. I ended up getting mine (for a TP-16 tonearm) for the cost of shipping... in fact, somebody ju .......
491: Vinyl Asylum, Opinions on VTA? (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-31, 04:53:29 (12.230.173.34)
I've been told that my TT setup sounds slightly bright, with the soundstage too forward and somewhat lacking in bass. I attribute this to VTA, which I keep on the high side (preferring it to the poten .......
492: Vinyl Asylum, Those are cool... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-31, 02:49:25 (12.230.173.34)
... and if they weren't $100 (too expensive for a toy) it might be fun to have one. I (for one) wouldn't take one of these along when thrifting. Too impractical for *really* auditioning vinyl, and I d .......
493: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Aacckk! Disco's back ...and its in my collection (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-30, 22:11:22 (12.230.173.34)
Actually, disco doesn't suck! I find (at least some of) it a bit cheesy, but it's catchy and danceable too. Many groups are far from untalented, despite a good knocking around by Brit-Rock devotees (I .......
494: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Strange type of surface noise (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-30, 22:08:37 (12.230.173.34)
Well I checked (actually with my stylus magnifier) and didn't see any such voids. It did surprise me though to see how much crud was left in the grooves even after cleaning... I'm gonna have to refine .......
495: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Strange type of surface noise (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-30, 06:58:33 (12.230.173.34)
Thanks... I checked it, & it's right on the mark. Looks like some sort of bad pressing (sheesh, I've been plagued by these lately). .......
496: Vinyl Asylum, Strange type of surface noise (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-29, 21:28:11 (12.230.173.34)
I recently picked up a 2-record set that has an occasional dull "thud" sprinkled throughout on *both* records (anywhere from 5-10 "thuds" per average 4 minute song). I listen with headphones, but if I .......
497: Vinyl Asylum, Re: "The usual elliptical ssues with inner grooves?.... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-29, 18:20:18 (12.230.173.34)
I'm not getting serious mistracking, just a bit of (what I'd consider) "typical" distortion on inner tracks. Maybe a fine-line stylus wouldn't solve it, but they are supposed to track inner grooves be .......
498: Vinyl Asylum, Frankly my dear,, (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-29, 17:52:04 (12.230.173.34)
...I wouldn't give a hoot. :-) .......
499: Vinyl Asylum, Re: N.O.S. Music and old Hippies (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-29, 14:02:32 (12.230.173.34)
Back in the late 70's/early 80's my tastes ran to UFO, Rush, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin (some), and a very broad smattering of a lot of other so-called "classic rock." In the early to mid 80's (after graduat .......
500: Vinyl Asylum, Re: Much more linear correlation with tracking ability..... (0.00)
Posted by zygon on 2003-03-29, 13:31:30 (12.230.173.34)
I've got to put in a good word for the M97xE as well... despite an elliptical stylus, it's rarely spitty or sibilant (although it can and does break up occasionally on loud passages, and has the usual .......
Found total of 500 records, Query: , Author: zygon in All Forums, Time: 1 sec.