[Closed] Turntables (vinyl)

Had a really old Dual CS505 that I got from ebay about 3 years ago for £28 (cost a packet back in the day. Early 80's). Was playing up, so probably needed a service. Just got a Rega RP1 for a cracking price. Its immense for what I paid for it. No frills turntable that sounds awesome.
So yeah, it was a step up for me. Probably cost double the price of a service, but worth it.

I have the Project Debut SB and with the right vinyl sounds better than my Linn Classik CD player, both running through a separate Linn amp and Kef Q7 floorstanders. I would definitely recommend one.

The 101 is an decent deck and could stand a new cartridge like a Goldring 2100. I'd stick with it as if it's all working well, level and properly set up it should sound pretty good. If you went for a non suspended deck you'd have to invest in a wall shelf too unless you've got concrete floors.

Might be worth having someone service it and set it up properly or learn to do it yourself.

http://www.avforums.com/threads/ar-eb101-turntable.1399686/

Thanks for the replies. Already got the Goldring cartridge, hence the cost of replacing the stylus, which I should really do

Go for the full 2010 or cheaper alternative like Audio Technica?

Marantz CD52SE

Just as an aside, I had one of these as my second ever player but the first one I bought with my own money.

What a classic CD Player it was; the KI Signature version was also supposed to be agiant killer.

Yeah, when I was buying the speakers & amp a few years back I was also going to replace the Marantz. The sales guy told me not to waste my money.

Btw - I'm being a bit dim. My cartridge is the Goldring 1010/12 so looking at about £140 for a new stylus. Worth it, or replace the whole cartridge with a 2100?

I can't help you myself, sorry mate. I never had the chance to get into vinyl.

Just did a quick search on AR EB101 and kept seeing very lovely things like this:

[img] [/img]

Is that what you have? I know you shouldn't judge things on looks alone, but on the basis that if the design looks 'right' it often is right, then that looks very right!

ARs were great. The arms were the limiting factor, especially the ones with a plastic headshell.

The pic above seems to show an RB300 [?] arm fitted to that deck. Perhaps explore that option.

[i]if the design looks 'right' it often is right..[/i]

[img] [/img]

My second hand, 35 year old Pioneer deck finally died recently. Been very happy with Project Elemental I bought, so imagine the Debut is even nicer ...mind you, if it still works I'd probably keep the old one.

I too had the chat about replacing the CD and amp and was told not to waste my money. Always good to be not sold something by a salesman!

If u haven't upgraded ur amp for a number of years, a new one might just be the missing link.

replaced my technics amp with the yamaha 500 and the difference with my secondhand sanyo tt was like night and day...quite a revelation infact!

I used to have a:

[img] [/img]

before I moved to CD.

If you can find one for sale (they're not made anymore), you'll kiss yourself.

^^
Linn still make the LP12
http://www.linn.co.uk/all-products/turntables/sondek-lp12

Maybe a bit more money then the OP is thinking about though....

I think the LP12 is based on the principles of turntable design that AR invented 🙂

I'd go for a new stylus as the 10 series is a decent cartridge. I'd also get a replacement belt, add a little drop of light machine oil to the bearing and reset/level the suspension (you should be able to find instructions on line) and check the tracking force with one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORTOFON-STYLUS-GAUGE-/251537581679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a90cee66f should be around 2Mn.

I find that a wall shelf is about the best upgrade you can make to a TT for not much money, even a home made one is streets ahead of having it on a floor stand or bit of furniture.

If you haven't got one get a cartridge protractor and set your cartridge up properly http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIRRORED-CARTRIDGE-ALIGNMENT-PROTRACTOR-/251545653099?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a914a0f6b

It's worth the effort as a well set up budget TT is likely to outperform a more expensive but sloppily set up deck.

Cheers! What's the lifespan on a cartridge? I've not replaced this one (replaced stylus once, but pretty sure it's knackered) in 20+ yrs.

Just concerned that I may be throwing £140 down the pan if the cartridge is knackered.

I replaced the belt recently actually - made a big difference, well it stopped falling off 🙂

oh & light machine oil = chain lube?

Linn still make the LP12
http://www.linn.co.uk/all-products/turntables/sondek-lp12

Maybe a bit more money then the OP is thinking about though...

Oh! Didn't realise that. Maybe ebay, then...

[s]MotoG[/s]
RP3?

i just got a hold of a LP12 and I'm a bit underwhelmed. My project xpression is just as good, if not better. (and it plays 45s)

The old advice was 2-3 years but I always found the reality was about 5-6 years. The rubber ages though, so even if it doesn't get played they often degrade. It never hurts to replace it though if you think it's maybe old, as an old stylus will damage your vinyl.

oh & light machine oil = chain lube?

NO - more like sewing machine oil.

i just got a hold of a LP12 and I'm a bit underwhelmed. My project xpression is just as good, if not better. (and it plays 45s)

what arm is on the LP12 ?

And I think there's a bit of tuning required - based on my old manticore mantra you can change the way the suspension reacts by rotating the springs, etc.

The stylus will last around 1000 hours ish maybe more if you keep records and it very clean. The rubber suspension goes with age even if you don't use it however the main body of your Goldring will be fine I'm sure. If you're competent then replace the whole thing with something like a Denon DL 110 which I think is a better all round cartridge and costs less than a stylus for your Goldring. However you will also need the tools in my earlier post to fit it and unless you've got nimble fingers the cartridge connections can be a bit fragile so it will be easier to just change the stylus. You can get a 1006 stylus that will fit for £95. Cartridges make a huge difference in sound quality maybe the most difference, I use a Audio Technica AT33PTG and it's frankly amazing for the money when compared to the dozen or so others I've tried over the years.. There is something to be said for the sound of vinyl when you've chucked some time and money at it.

i just got a hold of a LP12 and I'm a bit underwhelmed.

They DO need setting up, and it's a bit tricky - press your finger down on to the centre spindle and release. You should see the entire platter bounce evenly across the plane. Adjust the screws as necessary. Use a spirit level on the platter to check....

http://www.originlive.com/linn-sondek-turntable-set-up-instructions.html

Of all the record players in the world the LP12 is probably the most fussy about set up so I've heard. Worth having it fettled by a Linn dealer because they can sound very good.

what arm is on the LP12 ?

Linn Akito modded and set up by Audio Origami.

They DO need setting up

TT was set up by Audio Origami. Don't get me wrong, it does sound good but no step gain from the project. I do love its looks though.

What cartridge are you using? I'd expect a fettled LP12 to be way ahead of a Project and I know Johnnie knows what he is doing. Was it set up on site as something could have moved in transit and they are [i]that[/i] fussy.

I don't know off the top of my head. Don't get me wrong this is not a criticism of Johnny, he's a top bloke and spent a lot of time explaining, sharing tips etc- I would even buy one of his PU arms if I was feeling flush :D.

Also I've had a great couple of weeks digging out some old LPs and listening to them again- so I guess that's the main thing.

As an aside theres a guy on Retrobike(apache) who updates and modifies old hifi and has some experience with both Rotel amps and Marantz CD players.

I find that a wall shelf is about the best upgrade you can make to a TT for not much money, even a home made one is streets ahead of having it on a floor stand or bit of furniture.

is a wall shelf really that much better than a dedicated hi-fi floor stand? I know that random bits of furniture sound crap and when I got a proper stand it was a huge improvement. Is a wall shelf going to be better still? (I'm going to be making changes to my system and furniture and would make different plans if a shelf is going to be a lot better than a stand)

I think for a TT yes it is quadraspire make a nice one.

LP12s distinctly average IME.

Roksan...

Worth paying for a Linn to be set up properly by an experienced dealer. If it sonds inferior to an, on the face of it, comparable Xerxes you've done something wrong.......

I have an LP12 with Ittok arm. It's very good but yes they are a bit fussy in terms of set up. There is much better technology around these days than vinyl and turntables though.

This is a thread about turntable set up, don't start polluting it with other technologies ;o)

There is much better technology around these days than vinyl and turntables though.

Not at playing your existing vinyl records. 🙄