I was a Dj in the days before digital. I clean every record, every time. Absolutely no exceptions, ever. I have records I bought in the early 70's, they still sound good because I took care of them. The record is where it starts. Don't matter what else is in the food chain, if the record is ruined you won't get good sound.
Number 1 is so key and so overlooked. Thank you for highlighting clan records as the starting point. Its amazing how night and day the difference can be.
Cheapmanaudio brought me here. And I’m so Glad he DID!!! I’ve recently just gotten into vinyl and started my collection and journey and this is all fantastic information! Things I’ve never heard anywhere else. You’ve saved me not only more than likely some headaches but for sure money that would have been a waste. So thank you! And thanks to cheapmanaudio for bringing me here! You guys rock.
Cheapaudioman brought me here,too Good info,and great heads up on the Vinyl Vacuum.I have a record vacuum cleaner,but this will be perfect for my second system with a cheap shop vac
In addition to cleaning the record also clean your stylus. As the needle rides through the grooves, they pick up a piece of the record as it travels through the grooves. The diamond 💎 tip polishes the record as it plays. Use a stylus cleaning brush to get any debris off the stylus.
Everything he says is right. I’ve been listening to vinyl since 1971 so have a lot of experience with it. I’m not going to go technical but as he says cleanliness and setup are very important. I have a Linn LP12 which I got in 1977 and it’s had some arm and cartridge changes since then, it takes a lot of setting up but it’s well worth it. One thing we are powerless against is the production of the album, if it’s been done well you know instantly, if it’s not so good again you know instantly. Love Over Gold by Dire Straits is my go to for a test record it’s incredible and it’s from the 80s so can highly recommend it. Keep listening and enjoying.
I grew up with vinyl and cassettes in the 80’s. But I didn’t get serious about vinyl until 2000 when I was able to get a Rega P25 turntable. I started with a Rega cartridge but accidentally damaged it while dusting. I currently have a Shure M97xE. I have tried several phono preamps as well and currently use a Schiit Mani 2 which I highly recommend. I have also done some upgrades to the P25 which have greatly improved performance. The Groovetracer subplatter and Delrin platter have transformed my 22 year old turntable and gave it new life! Absolutely recommend for lower cost Rega turntables!
Thanks for the vinyl vac mention. I have a disc washing setup but at that price adding a vacuum for lighter cleanings gives me one more option. Great video.
Best upgrades I made were proper speaker stands filled with sand and with spikes, proper connectors with gold plated plugs and proper glass shelves for the separates. Altogether this cost a lot less than any of the components but make everything sound twice as good.
Well done video. I agree with everything you said and I bought my first album in 1959 and my last one last week. I prefer Grado cartridges and stylus's over other brands. My only suggestion that I would make is that you can get a much richer sound if you go with a good vintage amp. I have been using a mid 70's Marantz 1060 for many years now and for my old ears, the deepness and richness of this amp increases my listening pleasure immensely. Thanks for posting.
Also a nice, easy upgrade: a simple cork platter mat. Especially for those who have a steel or lightweight aluminium platter (that resonate). Cheap, instance fix for an audibly better performance
> Always spend some time on fine tuning your speaker placement. If you have vintage equipement: > Clean your contacts of your rca plugs with Deoxit, these can be oxidised. > Check your belt, if it is worn check if you can reverse it (if not replace it) and clean the platter rim along the way.
Just found you today. Great show. I have a Onkyo 595 (base model AVR) and it has a phono out with ground. I thought this was enough. I then upgraded my cartridge on my restored SL-B2 from a DJ junk cartridge to a Grado Black for $100. After upgrading the cartridge, the sound difference was remarkable, but I took somebody's advice (Michael Fremer at a show) who told me to get a Schiit Mani and let me tell you...I was floored. I was amazed. That thing is a God send.
I’m definitely not an audiophile but I also have the Fluance RT 85. And I absolutely love it. This past year I upgraded my speakers. I had some Klipsch floor speakers from the 80s or 90s. I always thought they were really good until I just upgraded to my Wharfdale Denton 85’s. Holy good god!!! What a world of difference. They sound absolutely amazing. I wish I knew years ago that I needed to upgrade my speakers. Cheers, Brian☘️
Thanks for this video. You’ve touched on all the points I’ve quietly realised for myself. I invested in a record cleaning machine that costs more than parts of my gear but at least I know I eliminate dirty records from the start. And the advice on the phono stage is good for those starting out. It’s understandable that those starting out don’t realise how much an impact it makes. Then there’s also levelling the turntable itself. I, like you don’t fuss too much on my speakers and integrated amp, and will take my time on upgrading those. Just appreciated that your mentioned that!
I bought a fair few 12" 45s back in the 80s and 90s when I owned a Linn Sondek. The sound from many of these was just amazing. So many LPs just try to cram on as many tracks as possible that the sound is so compressed. The dynamics from a 12" 45 that lasts for even 8 mins will blow you away! I still have the 12" singles but the Sondek long since departed. Now I have an upgraded vintage Thorens TD 160 Super with an SME M2 9 arm and a Dynavector DV 10X5 mk iiMC cartridge. Sounds pretty good...
Yeah this is a problem for me. I thought 45lps were hype. I was wrong. Now I want all of my LPS to be 45 and that can get expensive! Thanks for watching!
All good advice. Decades ago when everyone was throwing out their vinyl and going to cds, a 2nd hand store had lots of albums for sale. I think they were moving and wanted to get rid of them. I was unemployed at the time and had absolutely no money. They had albums for sale for 10 cents each. I didn't even have 10 cents to buy one album. Oh, the good old days.
You talk about "pre-amps" but what you really mean is a "phono stage" or a "phono pre-amp". A pre-amp is something else! The phono stage connects between your turntable and your pre-amp (or integrated amp).
Nice job on this video. Randy gave you a nice recommendations to his Patrons. I have the RT-85 and I think it’s the best value out there. The cartridge alone sells for more than $275.
I’m just getting into vinyl, I’ve collected records for the last few years since starting college, collecting from thrift bins. I never invested in a turntable because I had roommates that had players, I’m investing in a turntable now after graduating but I can’t commit to spending too much. A lot of the videos I’ve watched have somewhat reinforced that barrier to entry (it’s not worth starting if you can’t spend hundreds on the perfect set up) but this was such a great and informative video and Im definitely going to invest in a good cleaning set up for this collection of bargain bin records as well as investing in a lower end but adjustable set up I can upgrade down the line! Thank you so much for such an accessible video, I’m subscribing and I’ll definitely be watching in the future!
Awesome! You should look into a used one that isn’t too expensive. That said even the Fluance and the Pro-Ject can get you in at entry prices but you can upgrade all the components on them as you go. Good luck!
Thanks for this video. I happen to have a vintage Technics turntable, which I really love. I will be getting a new/used receiver/amplifier for it, and it will also be a Technics, like the turntable. I have quite a few vinyl records that I have accumulated over the years in various pressings from many countries. I also have quite a few 45's as well. I also want to note that most 45's from the past were not made of vinyl, or its equivalent, vinylyte, but were injection molded on another type of plastic called polystyrene. Most of the 45's I own are polystyrene. The problem is that, depending on the record player you play them on, and the type of cartridge used, they can wear out very easily with each successive play. Plus, they are easily breakable. I also have other vintage audio formats, such as 8-Track's and cassettes, alongside CD's. I do have a working 8-Track player and a working cassette player and I still enjoy these. I usually listen to CD's while on my computer, or, when I am driving long distances, but I also have a portable CD player that I use when I can. I did enjoy the video and I have subscribed and also, I hit the notification button so I will get messages when you upload a video here. Thanks again. I enjoyed watching this. Great insight.
A simple and effective upgrade. Mount the turntable on a shelved bracket on a supporting wall. Ideally into brickwork with long screws. I`ve a Linn LP12 which is a pretty decent TT but mounting it adds clarity and really reduces any vibrations.
I highly recommend using a tergitol-based solutiom when wet vacuumomg your records. I used to use the VinylVac solution that came with the VinylVac, but genuinely found after about a decade in this hobby that tergikleen cleaned the best, with lowest surface noise and least dulling of a recors's shine. Plus you can make gallons worth of cleaning fluid if you get the Tergikleen concetrate!
I love what you said about 45rpm singles. I have felt strongly that they often provide a superior quality sound. Nice to have some confirmation here and know that it hasnt just been my imagination.
Ive got albums that i bought in the mid eighties,never had any cleaning equipment,never had any correct tracking adjustments,i just used to brush the vinyls clean with my arm,blow into the inner sleeve and they play really well today.Some have deteriorated quite badly though but them particular ones i didnt play that much.
Clean Clean Clean, YES! Same experience with my pressing of Pink Moon. Bad reviews because I think a lot of people assumed the pressing was clean from the factory. I'd say number 6 for me was a weight, or clamp. I own a nice Pro-Ject but, adding an aluminum 280gm weight made a big improvement in the clarity. I later went with a heavier stainless-steel weight which further improved the sound.
Great suggestion adding a weight. I have actually been considering getting one. It’s one of those no brainers - heavy tables = better sound… so why not add weight? Thanks for watching!
Great tips here. As for cleaning, I found years ago that by taking my lp’s into the shower they look and sound much better. Just need to protect the label. Really.
I have been looking at the fluance RT85 and IFI Zen as well they make a great pair. They offer the Nagaoka MP-110 as well and I love this cartridge it is very warm and well rounded. I own several of them using them on vintage Pioneer tables.
I think I will eventually get that Mp-110. I also want to try my Shure M35X on the Fluance and see how that sounds, I have a feeling it will be warmer then the Ortofon maybe similar to the MP-110 Thanks for watching!
@@PiecesofVinyl I got the ifi zen and no doubt it makes my lps more musical but as I read more it's telling me to get the 4.4 wire to make it go full analog. I didn't take any notice of this when I got it so now I'm a little confused and wondering how to hook this 69$ thing up or if I need it at all. I'm old school and not a lot of the new hi tech am I hip to. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
Nice job! I agree with your upgrades and the order you listed. I hope those new to records come across this video, it will help. I clean my records with a vacuum RCM, a little fancier than what you use. Also, after testing numerous cleaning fluids, including some expensive ones, I now use Sparkle Window Cleaner. It is readily available at Ace Hardware. It was originally formulated to clean the plexiglass on WWII bombers and contains no ammonia or other harmful chemicals (I've read the safety sheet). It looks like you have a nice collection. I spent my lunch cataloging some 45s I recently obtained, including an original pressing of Big Joe Turner's version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" issued in 1954. It's in pristine condition. The first record I bought new was in 1956 and I still have it.
These are my 5 upgrades..... 1. Replaced my existing table with a Pro-ject 6 Perspex magnetic suspension turntable.......2. Replaced the tonearm for a Hadcock GH242 Export uni-pivot tonearm. 3.Upgraded my cartridge to a Denon DL-301 2moving coil cartridge..4.. Purchased a Eastern Electric Minimax tube phono stage.5..New QED Interconnects from phono stage to Preamp.
This is actually the first video that recommends buying an older direct drive (quarts locked) in stead of the new belt driven design-crap that everyone force you to buy (cheaper to make = more profit). You can buy a TT that outperforms most 'modern' player for way less money. Just don't expect it to be a conversation starter in the looks department, but a better performer by specs.
So I'm watching this video, nodding my head in complete agreement with every word spoken. Might be worth mentioning that nearly everything I believe about audio is self taught, often by trial and error. Then, you show your receiver and its the Pioneer silver face AV receiver, which I also had on my path to audio nirvana. My experience and subsequent feelings about it is that it sucks. So how is a guy who totally gets it with sound, using that receiver ? Perhaps the answer lies in the pre-amp, as it is the one thing on your list, which I havent delved into. After going through a half dozen different 'modern' receivers, I switched lanes and went vintage. No pre-amp required. I began with a 1980 Kenwood. Then to a 1975 JVC. From there to the 1977 Yamaha Natural Sound SR-1020, which I loved, but it ended up needing work done which had a cost that I couldn't justify. From The Yamaha, I went to the 1977 Pioneer SA-5800. Ive been in audio happiness for the past year with this vintage amp.
I have since moved on from that pioneer. For the longest time for me it was about records and the music only so that the only receiver I had and it worked well for a while. It’s only been recently that I have started really refining and upgrading the sound of the system. And as you know….it never ends! Thanks for watching!
@PiecesofVinyl, it does never end does it ? I recently find myself missing the Yamaha because it has 2 phono inputs. And for some reason, which I have little to no justifiable explanation for, I seem to feel the need to have 2 turntables hooked up to my receiver simultaneously. Do ya know what I've decided ? Great time to buy a pre-amp and come in via an aux port !! Lol !!
I'm happy I'm already doing all these things except cleaning. I can't improve MM Cambridge Alva Solo, I have your same RT85 except I got white. I've only bought brand new vinyls so I thought I was safe but I have learned much.
my upgrade i have done, personally i think thats the most important, cuz ur whole vinyl collection can be destroyed in 1 warm summer day, changing all my pvc covers with another sleevs/covers. plenty of videoes on youtube that shows how easy they destroy ur vinyls. i have a few first uk press beatles albums that are destroyed because of that vinyl protection sleeve, the grows on the vinyls are literally gone, faded away because of the pvc covers, and they have even destroyed 2 of my vinyl covers. there is a video on youtube called: How PVC Covers Are DESTROYING Your Vinyl Collection. Check Yours Before It’s Too Late! . shows exactly everything. that protection should be legal to sell if u ask me. btw loved ur vid
@@PiecesofVinyl i live in tromsø at this point, and i had to take the plane to my parents house in Oslo just to change em as quick as possible last week, after watching a few vids about those pvc. not even joking. took a 4 hour plane trip just to do that. for instance, i never knew why my original abbey road was ``destroyed`` the pvc plastic was totally brown too before watching those vids. i might have overpayed for those plane tickets, but i had to. im back in tromsø now
I thought your suggestions were good ones, especially cleaning being number one. A suggestion for you - it looks like your speakers are pretty close to the wall. Many speakers benefit from a little space. A free upgrade that can make as big a difference as clean vinyl is to try moving your speakers away from the wall and changing the toe in. Listen for a bit with your speakers in different places and you'll hear a giant difference. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the suggestion! I actually just changed out those floor models (which were actual Sears floor models from like 1999!) for Bookshelf speakers with stands for that exact reason.
Thanks for watching! I suggested the angels horn since it’s in the sub $150 range sometimes cheaper but it can still change carts, and has a balanced tone arm. I figured in that range people would be looking at crosleys and these def better then those. Thanks again!
The Angel's Horn you show is $190. I'd suggest people check out reviews here before buyng one, the reviews are pretty bad. I hadn't noticed the prices of decent starter turntables going up so much lately, but it makes sense since evrything else is going up in price. Looks like it's tough to find a good starter table cheaper than the $199 UTurn Orbit these days. I think I'd suggest an AT LP60 ahead of an Angels Horn even though the LP60 isn't great.
I agree with Mike. I went through two of those. They are not good at all right out of the box. I watched 3 videos about Angel Horn after my purchase. None were recommending to get them. After two ordeals, my local record store owner was super cool & I upgraded to a lovely table that I am very happy with.
I'm sat here watching you thinking "Of course he has a reel-to-reel" it is the best analogue format. Of course, reel-to-reel isn't exactly cheap. I'd say for the traditional formats, I'd go with CD, then cassette, then records.
I only own one reel to reel tape. It’s west side story from the original cast and it sounds amazing. I really would like to get more tape. It’s so expensive. And I get worried spending that much on used tape. Acoustic sounds still sells new tape. One day….one day! Thanks for watching!
I upgraded last year from the "Sony Ps-lx300usb " I bought in 2017 to the "fluance RT-84 " with ortiphon blue" total night and day difference! Only difference from the RT-85 is that the platter is aluminum! I need to get a decent cleaning system though, I'm cleaning by hand and it works sometimes, but some records I clean sound WORSE after I clean it! So I have to clean em a couple more times! I have 4 45rpm record's, all from "analogue productions " (great label run by the one and only chad kassem)! They do sound miles above 331/3! New subby by the way!😁
I upgraded a Pioneer PL 12d (which was given to me) and placed an Ortofon 2M Blue on it, then upgraded to an EAT C-Major with a Dynavector 10x5 MK II. Same good quality records sound better now.
The shelves I use are the Ikea Kallax - rb.gy/gvi5sv - the main thing to look for in shelves is the cross shelf - for example - these 2x2 units have the middle shelf crossing both cubbies - as opposed to some where that would be 2 separate pieces and using small wooden dowels to hold it in place. These Kallax still use dowels - but not on the cross beam shelf. if that makes any sense!
Awesome vid 🕶👌🏽 I love my Project Debut Carbon, it was life changing going from a 1990’s cheap red needle record player to a Victrola with poor speed accuracy to this. Worth the money. I have stopped spinning rn because I’m looking to find to good way of cleaning my 70-80s records and do them and the Ortofon some justice.
I still have my Marantz Gold Series Amplifier and Gold Series Turntable from around 1979. I've been thinking about cleaners and this Vinyl Vac peaks my interest because I'm not going to clean 100 records a week so it's difficult to justify the money for these 'machines'
Kind of obvious but condition. Make sure to be buying records in good condition. If you buy a used copy with visible scratches and scuffs...play it before you buy. If the shop doesn't have a listening station, ask them to play a record while you continue to browse.
Go down the DIY speaker rabbit hole mate. You'll end up with 10 monoblocks driven by full digital DSP and in lnfinite baffle subs built into the house.
Been a vinyl dj since 1988 still use my technics 1200 mk2 with stanton 500 AL cartridge and needle nuttin better imo only thing I had to fix on my technics are the leds otherwise everything still top-notch and they are 34 years old
This is the way. I will eventually get a technics. I prefer direct drive and those black versions of the new ones are really slick. Plus I eventually would like two tables as well.
They are from Hhv.de a German website. Check ‘em out here. How to store and Organize Vinyl Records - 45rpm records th-cam.com/video/zUPXj8YOhuA/w-d-xo.html they are cheap and they ship fast. And are really cool!
Hi, great video. I love playing records. I have a question about the pre-amp. I have a new Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT USB and a Yamaha receiver (also new). The turntable has a built-in pre-amp, but the volume of sound is a lot lower then i played by example a radiostation. Must i upgrade the pre-amp?
Thanks for watching and the question. I have never owned an LP120, but, I hear that you can disable pre-amp (manually) and then use a stand alone like the iFi Zen or whatever you want. There are videos on TH-cam that show you how to do it, I think it might void a warranty but it is safe to do. I think you can even put it back after you remove it, but don't quote me on that! Like I said, I have not owned one. They look like really nice tables though!
Agreed. That was a very temporary setup. In fact stay tuned because I have continued to overhaul the entire stereo and now I have a second setup as well! Thanks for watching!
I wash my vinyl in the sink in dish soap and tepid water just like a dinner plate - follow the grooves! Dry they and hit them with a ppppst of WD40 use the same damp towel you used to wash the record to spread the oil and polish - don't go crazy with the oil! Your record will be static free and very clean. Don't be scared of your vinyl try this on your worst album, something you couldn't care less about, you will be amazed. Been doing it for 10 years on a 1000 album collection with no problems!
I tried doing this but my wife wasn't having me taking up the kitchen space cleaning records. Also the drying process was cumbersome and inconsistent. I found the vacuum system to be best to wet clean and immmeditaly dry for immediately playing. Thanks for watching!
Greaaat video and im glad to see that I already do 100% of what you're saying in your advices. Got the Pro-Ject Debut Pro 30th anniversary edition and its so gorgeous 😍 One questions bro, how could I know the lifetime of a cartridge, I imagine it is a question of bad sound in time but some others are telling that its generally a question of hours of used 🤷♂️🤷♂️ Please help us 🙏
Thanks for watching and the comment....for me I would go by the sound but I can say I had a Shure Cartridge for over 20 years now, and it sounds great. In fact one of these days Im going to break it out again and use it on this Fluance to see the difference from the Ortofon. If you take care of them they will last a while. The stylus might need to be replaced before the Cartridge, in fact that is almost always the case and can save money there.
You can get a BT transmitter to provide Bluetooth from any turntable. Be aware there is a loos of quality converting the analog signal to BT. Check out Orbit UTurn website for a good affordable option and some insight on Bluetooth.
Interesting about turntables. When I wanted to get back into Vinyl I looked around and bought a Rega RP3. Why that one? Because based on what I saw, it is the MINIMUM you should be getting. It's a starting point. Beyond that you can go sky high. I've been using the Rega for some time now, and I enjoy it. However, there are some things I regret: a) The Rega has three feet that are NOT adjustable. It's a pain in the rear. b) No removable cartridge head. You can change the cartridge, but it takes effort with fine bits of wire. Changing the stylus is very easy, you just pull the old one off and press another on, but a removable head is a far better solution. c) Changing speed from 33 to 45 is done via removing the platter and manually moving the belt. You need to buy a Neo PSU to get a button to do it automatically. d) It has three feet! This makes balancing the thing more difficult, four feet please! When I look to upgrade I'll be taking those learnings into account.
I have the Planar 3 (precursor to the RP3, but essentially the same) - can confirm the feet are annoying, and if you like to change carts, this is not the one for you :) That said, it sounds great with an upgraded tonearm and badass cart (AT150Sa).
@@dieter2889 To be clear, you can change the cart, it's just fiddly. So much so, in fact, that I avoid doing so. Models that allow you to simply remove the cartridge head and click in a new one are far, far superior. If you're someone who wants to be able to swap carts out, then yeah, this may not be for you. Mind you, a complete lack of VTA may be an issue too. You can buy a washer to raise VTA, but again, it's all a fiddle.
If your in the US why would you buy a Fluance which us a Canadian branded Chinese made piece of cr*p not much better than the Angel horn. You have some great inexpensive tt made right there. Think b4 u spend!
Every released song goes through three stages, recording mastering and pressing. Yeah I know some clever dick will say someone has to compose and then actually performed to enable it to be recorded so that is 5 stages. Hi Res records are a contentious subject right now as they always have been. A well recorded and mastered record can be ruined by a poor quality pressing and sadly in the 1970/80s this was all to common. Try finding a good pressing of the Bee Gees 7" Too Much Heaven in the UK, impossible they were all terrible. Why do I mention this track and the UK, cos the quality of pressings varied depending on where it was pressed the country where you live and the date released !! No matter what quality your system is if the pressing is bad its going to sound bad a good system goes not made a bad pressing sound good. What many Hi Res recordings do is take the original tapes many of them pure analogue, pre mastering and then remaster them (again) just like so many remasters how many remasters do they have to do before they do it right? But wait a minute, Pink Floyd have released Hi Res official remasters, are they not the best? Were all the previous releases original and remasters defective in some way? Do we deserve a refund? I would also argue nothing beats some of the original official releases before they were later ruined by digital remastering. But I will agree the Zen is a little gem, everyone should own one as they should own a good quality Hi Res album
Thanks for watching! That is a 7" food display (lazy Susan) that I got on Amazon. I then glued the slim 45 adapter to it to make a cleaning table for my 45s.
If it has a speaker, it's a record player, not a turntable. In other words, it's crap. Even a $79 turntable connected to a basic amp and basic speakers will sound far better and will avoid damaging your records.
@@PiecesofVinyl Yes, speakers or more commonly an amp with XLR inputs. There's more gain, less noise and better detail. I was amazed at the difference switching from RCA to XLR brought to the table. Make sure to get a good wire. Twisted with silver. I got mine from Amazon Canada. About $80.00. So worth it! (Same wire as the iFi offering but at half the price).
I was a Dj in the days before digital.
I clean every record, every time.
Absolutely no exceptions, ever.
I have records I bought in the early 70's, they still sound good because I took care of them.
The record is where it starts. Don't matter what else is in the food chain, if the record is ruined you won't get good sound.
Thanks for the shout-out! We really appreciate the kind words about our product.
Vinyl-Vac is the shizzle. I absolutely love mine, and the subsequent sound quality that it provides and that I love.
Number 1 is so key and so overlooked. Thank you for highlighting clan records as the starting point. Its amazing how night and day the difference can be.
Bro… this video is incredible. Didn’t expect a mention at all. Shoot me an email. Would love to talk
Thanks for watching! will def. hit you up!
Cheapmanaudio brought me here. And I’m so Glad he DID!!! I’ve recently just gotten into vinyl and started my collection and journey and this is all fantastic information! Things I’ve never heard anywhere else. You’ve saved me not only more than likely some headaches but for sure money that would have been a waste. So thank you! And thanks to cheapmanaudio for bringing me here! You guys rock.
Cheapaudioman brought me here,too Good info,and great heads up on the Vinyl Vacuum.I have a record vacuum cleaner,but this will be perfect for my second system with a cheap shop vac
In addition to cleaning the record also clean your stylus. As the needle rides through the grooves, they pick up a piece of the record as it travels through the grooves. The diamond 💎 tip polishes the record as it plays. Use a stylus cleaning brush to get any debris off the stylus.
I completely agree. Records that used to skip, just DON'T anymore, now that I have a proper cleaning kit. It was only about 25 bucks too!
Spoken like a pro and this is coming from a 30 year audiophile. Perfect balance between B roll and main content delivery. More videos please
Really appreciate the comment. Stay tuned for more!
Everything he says is right. I’ve been listening to vinyl since 1971 so have a lot of experience with it. I’m not going to go technical but as he says cleanliness and setup are very important. I have a Linn LP12 which I got in 1977 and it’s had some arm and cartridge changes since then, it takes a lot of setting up but it’s well worth it. One thing we are powerless against is the production of the album, if it’s been done well you know instantly, if it’s not so good again you know instantly. Love Over Gold by Dire Straits is my go to for a test record it’s incredible and it’s from the 80s so can highly recommend it. Keep listening and enjoying.
Im gonna check out that Dire Straits. I love good production and finding ones that I don't know about are even better!
I grew up with vinyl and cassettes in the 80’s. But I didn’t get serious about vinyl until 2000 when I was able to get a Rega P25 turntable.
I started with a Rega cartridge but accidentally damaged it while dusting. I currently have a Shure M97xE.
I have tried several phono preamps as well and currently use a Schiit Mani 2 which I highly recommend.
I have also done some upgrades to the P25 which have greatly improved performance. The Groovetracer subplatter and Delrin platter have transformed my 22 year old turntable and gave it new life! Absolutely recommend for lower cost Rega turntables!
Thanks for the vinyl vac mention. I have a disc washing setup but at that price adding a vacuum for lighter cleanings gives me one more option. Great video.
Best upgrades I made were proper speaker stands filled with sand and with spikes, proper connectors with gold plated plugs and proper glass shelves for the separates. Altogether this cost a lot less than any of the components but make everything sound twice as good.
Spray electronic cleaner and lubricant can make a big difference with your contacts and switches and pots too.
I’m definitely looking into getting better connections next. That’s something I have always neglected.
Well done video. I agree with everything you said and I bought my first album in 1959 and my last one last week. I prefer Grado cartridges and stylus's over other brands. My only suggestion that I would make is that you can get a much richer sound if you go with a good vintage amp. I have been using a mid 70's Marantz 1060 for many years now and for my old ears, the deepness and richness of this amp increases my listening pleasure immensely. Thanks for posting.
Love the suggestion about the vintage amp. I would eventually like to have a complete vintage system, with a modern cartridge. Thanks for watching!
Also a nice, easy upgrade: a simple cork platter mat. Especially for those who have a steel or lightweight aluminium platter (that resonate). Cheap, instance fix for an audibly better performance
> Always spend some time on fine tuning your speaker placement.
If you have vintage equipement:
> Clean your contacts of your rca plugs with Deoxit, these can be oxidised.
> Check your belt, if it is worn check if you can reverse it (if not replace it) and clean the platter rim along the way.
Nice suggestions.
Just found you today. Great show.
I have a Onkyo 595 (base model AVR) and it has a phono out with ground. I thought this was enough. I then upgraded my cartridge on my restored SL-B2 from a DJ junk cartridge to a Grado Black for $100. After upgrading the cartridge, the sound difference was remarkable, but I took somebody's advice (Michael Fremer at a show) who told me to get a Schiit Mani and let me tell you...I was floored. I was amazed. That thing is a God send.
I’m definitely not an audiophile but I also have the Fluance RT 85. And I absolutely love it. This past year I upgraded my speakers. I had some Klipsch floor speakers from the 80s or 90s. I always thought they were really good until I just upgraded to my Wharfdale Denton 85’s. Holy good god!!! What a world of difference. They sound absolutely amazing. I wish I knew years ago that I needed to upgrade my speakers.
Cheers,
Brian☘️
Yeah..speakers are on the list probably late 23 or 24. I did a slight upgrade to my Sonys but I want to get something a little better.
Thanks for this video. You’ve touched on all the points I’ve quietly realised for myself. I invested in a record cleaning machine that costs more than parts of my gear but at least I know I eliminate dirty records from the start. And the advice on the phono stage is good for those starting out. It’s understandable that those starting out don’t realise how much an impact it makes. Then there’s also levelling the turntable itself.
I, like you don’t fuss too much on my speakers and integrated amp, and will take my time on upgrading those. Just appreciated that your mentioned that!
I bought a fair few 12" 45s back in the 80s and 90s when I owned a Linn Sondek. The sound from many of these was just amazing. So many LPs just try to cram on as many tracks as possible that the sound is so compressed. The dynamics from a 12" 45 that lasts for even 8 mins will blow you away! I still have the 12" singles but the Sondek long since departed. Now I have an upgraded vintage Thorens TD 160 Super with an SME M2 9 arm and a Dynavector DV 10X5 mk iiMC cartridge. Sounds pretty good...
Yeah this is a problem for me. I thought 45lps were hype. I was wrong. Now I want all of my LPS to be 45 and that can get expensive! Thanks for watching!
All good advice. Decades ago when everyone was throwing out their vinyl and going to cds, a 2nd hand store had lots of albums for sale. I think they were moving and wanted to get rid of them. I was unemployed at the time and had absolutely no money. They had albums for sale for 10 cents each. I didn't even have 10 cents to buy one album. Oh, the good old days.
Man. Wish I could find that deal today!
@@PiecesofVinyl That was over 30 years ago.
Midnight vultures!! Sooooooooo freaking GREAT!!!!! Also so glad I found this channel. Take care!
You talk about "pre-amps" but what you really mean is a "phono stage" or a "phono pre-amp". A pre-amp is something else! The phono stage connects between your turntable and your pre-amp (or integrated amp).
Nice job on this video. Randy gave you a nice recommendations to his Patrons. I have the RT-85 and I think it’s the best value out there. The cartridge alone sells for more than $275.
Thanks for watching! The Fluance is Amazing. I was worried, but it inspired me to make this video since the sound improvements were that good.
I’m just getting into vinyl, I’ve collected records for the last few years since starting college, collecting from thrift bins. I never invested in a turntable because I had roommates that had players, I’m investing in a turntable now after graduating but I can’t commit to spending too much. A lot of the videos I’ve watched have somewhat reinforced that barrier to entry (it’s not worth starting if you can’t spend hundreds on the perfect set up) but this was such a great and informative video and Im definitely going to invest in a good cleaning set up for this collection of bargain bin records as well as investing in a lower end but adjustable set up I can upgrade down the line! Thank you so much for such an accessible video, I’m subscribing and I’ll definitely be watching in the future!
Awesome! You should look into a used one that isn’t too expensive. That said even the Fluance and the Pro-Ject can get you in at entry prices but you can upgrade all the components on them as you go. Good luck!
Thanks for this video. I happen to have a vintage Technics turntable, which I really love. I will be getting a new/used receiver/amplifier for it, and it will also be a Technics, like the turntable. I have quite a few vinyl records that I have accumulated over the years in various pressings from many countries. I also have quite a few 45's as well. I also want to note that most 45's from the past were not made of vinyl, or its equivalent, vinylyte, but were injection molded on another type of plastic called polystyrene. Most of the 45's I own are polystyrene. The problem is that, depending on the record player you play them on, and the type of cartridge used, they can wear out very easily with each successive play. Plus, they are easily breakable. I also have other vintage audio formats, such as 8-Track's and cassettes, alongside CD's. I do have a working 8-Track player and a working cassette player and I still enjoy these. I usually listen to CD's while on my computer, or, when I am driving long distances, but I also have a portable CD player that I use when I can. I did enjoy the video and I have subscribed and also, I hit the notification button so I will get messages when you upload a video here. Thanks again. I enjoyed watching this. Great insight.
A simple and effective upgrade. Mount the turntable on a shelved bracket on a supporting wall. Ideally into brickwork with long screws. I`ve a Linn LP12 which is a pretty decent TT but mounting it adds clarity and really reduces any vibrations.
I would surely destroy my house attempting this! I don't even hang my TV!
@@PiecesofVinyl good old British Victorian houses like mine, solid as a rock
Agreed. A good wall mounted bracket on a solid brick wall is the best improvement you can do. 😊👌
RT85 is such a great table for the money. I am really enjoying mine.
I highly recommend using a tergitol-based solutiom when wet vacuumomg your records. I used to use the VinylVac solution that came with the VinylVac, but genuinely found after about a decade in this hobby that tergikleen cleaned the best, with lowest surface noise and least dulling of a recors's shine. Plus you can make gallons worth of cleaning fluid if you get the Tergikleen concetrate!
Definitely stay tuned to the channel! You’ll see why!
Vacuumomg
I love what you said about 45rpm singles. I have felt strongly that they often provide a superior quality sound.
Nice to have some confirmation here and know that it hasnt just been my imagination.
Thanks for watching!
BEST UPGRADE clean off the pressing-mold-release grease residue. I use Last 1 fluid, comes with an applicator.
Ive got albums that i bought in the mid eighties,never had any cleaning equipment,never had any correct tracking adjustments,i just used to brush the vinyls clean with my arm,blow into the inner sleeve and they play really well today.Some have deteriorated quite badly though but them particular ones i didnt play that much.
Clean Clean Clean, YES! Same experience with my pressing of Pink Moon. Bad reviews because I think a lot of people assumed the pressing was clean from the factory. I'd say number 6 for me was a weight, or clamp. I own a nice Pro-Ject but, adding an aluminum 280gm weight made a big improvement in the clarity. I later went with a heavier stainless-steel weight which further improved the sound.
Great suggestion adding a weight. I have actually been considering getting one. It’s one of those no brainers - heavy tables = better sound… so why not add weight? Thanks for watching!
That is some really good footage! Thanks for that and I hope more people have it displayed in their recommendations!
Great tips here. As for cleaning, I found years ago that by taking my lp’s into the shower they look and sound much better. Just need to protect the label. Really.
Love that you had Gabriel Roth/Bosco Mann’s “Penrose” playing in the vid…Awesome!
Love that you caught that! Cant wait for Thee Sacred Souls LP!
Excellent video brother, all the way around..!!
I have been looking at the fluance RT85 and IFI Zen as well they make a great pair. They offer the Nagaoka MP-110 as well and I love this cartridge it is very warm and well rounded. I own several of them using them on vintage Pioneer tables.
I think I will eventually get that Mp-110. I also want to try my Shure M35X on the Fluance and see how that sounds, I have a feeling it will be warmer then the Ortofon maybe similar to the MP-110 Thanks for watching!
@@PiecesofVinyl I got the ifi zen and no doubt it makes my lps more musical but as I read more it's telling me to get the 4.4 wire to make it go full analog. I didn't take any notice of this when I got it so now I'm a little confused and wondering how to hook this 69$ thing up or if I need it at all. I'm old school and not a lot of the new hi tech am I hip to. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
Nice job! I agree with your upgrades and the order you listed. I hope those new to records come across this video, it will help.
I clean my records with a vacuum RCM, a little fancier than what you use. Also, after testing numerous cleaning fluids, including some expensive ones, I now use Sparkle Window Cleaner. It is readily available at Ace Hardware. It was originally formulated to clean the plexiglass on WWII bombers and contains no ammonia or other harmful chemicals (I've read the safety sheet).
It looks like you have a nice collection. I spent my lunch cataloging some 45s I recently obtained, including an original pressing of Big Joe Turner's version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" issued in 1954. It's in pristine condition. The first record I bought new was in 1956 and I still have it.
Very cool to have that Joe Turner original. I love 45s. They are candy for me!
@@PiecesofVinyl I have lots of early R&B and rock 45s. It was the music I grew up listening to. My 45 collection is hovering around 3K now.
These are my 5 upgrades..... 1. Replaced my existing table with a Pro-ject 6 Perspex magnetic suspension turntable.......2.
Replaced the tonearm for a Hadcock GH242 Export uni-pivot tonearm. 3.Upgraded my cartridge to a Denon DL-301 2moving coil cartridge..4.. Purchased a Eastern Electric Minimax tube phono stage.5..New QED Interconnects from phono stage to Preamp.
I definitely want to go through and replace all my cables at some point. I have never invested in doing that.
I love my Ortofon 2m BLUE! Thank you for this
dude why is this guy so underrated? are you new? i looked down and saw only 48 subs?! dude thats amazing work!
I am new, but new subs are coming in! Hope you subscribed got new videos coming! Thanks so much for comment!
This is actually the first video that recommends buying an older direct drive (quarts locked) in stead of the new belt driven design-crap that everyone force you to buy (cheaper to make = more profit). You can buy a TT that outperforms most 'modern' player for way less money. Just don't expect it to be a conversation starter in the looks department, but a better performer by specs.
Older TT's can be a little harder to maintain but if you can find a cheap one they are def. solid.
So I'm watching this video, nodding my head in complete agreement with every word spoken.
Might be worth mentioning that nearly everything I believe about audio is self taught, often by trial and error.
Then, you show your receiver and its the Pioneer silver face AV receiver, which I also had on my path to audio nirvana.
My experience and subsequent feelings about it is that it sucks.
So how is a guy who totally gets it with sound, using that receiver ?
Perhaps the answer lies in the pre-amp, as it is the one thing on your list, which I havent delved into.
After going through a half dozen different 'modern' receivers, I switched lanes and went vintage.
No pre-amp required.
I began with a 1980 Kenwood.
Then to a 1975 JVC.
From there to the 1977 Yamaha Natural Sound SR-1020, which I loved, but it ended up needing work done which had a cost that I couldn't justify.
From The Yamaha, I went to the 1977 Pioneer SA-5800.
Ive been in audio happiness for the past year with this vintage amp.
I have since moved on from that pioneer. For the longest time for me it was about records and the music only so that the only receiver I had and it worked well for a while. It’s only been recently that I have started really refining and upgrading the sound of the system. And as you know….it never ends! Thanks for watching!
@PiecesofVinyl, it does never end does it ? I recently find myself missing the Yamaha because it has 2 phono inputs. And for some reason, which I have little to no justifiable explanation for, I seem to feel the need to have 2 turntables hooked up to my receiver simultaneously. Do ya know what I've decided ? Great time to buy a pre-amp and come in via an aux port !! Lol !!
I'm happy I'm already doing all these things except cleaning. I can't improve MM Cambridge Alva Solo, I have your same RT85 except I got white. I've only bought brand new vinyls so I thought I was safe but I have learned much.
Def check out the next video coming this week. It’s on cleaning. Some of my dirtiest records were brand new.
my upgrade i have done, personally i think thats the most important, cuz ur whole vinyl collection can be destroyed in 1 warm summer day, changing all my pvc covers with another sleevs/covers. plenty of videoes on youtube that shows how easy they destroy ur vinyls. i have a few first uk press beatles albums that are destroyed because of that vinyl protection sleeve, the grows on the vinyls are literally gone, faded away because of the pvc covers, and they have even destroyed 2 of my vinyl covers. there is a video on youtube called: How PVC Covers Are DESTROYING Your Vinyl Collection. Check Yours Before It’s Too Late! . shows exactly everything. that protection should be legal to sell if u ask me. btw loved ur vid
Yes! Saw that video as well. I reference Parlogram auctions in my most recent video. Spread the word. Those PVC jackets are poison.
@@PiecesofVinyl i live in tromsø at this point, and i had to take the plane to my parents house in Oslo just to change em as quick as possible last week, after watching a few vids about those pvc. not even joking. took a 4 hour plane trip just to do that. for instance, i never knew why my original abbey road was ``destroyed`` the pvc plastic was totally brown too before watching those vids. i might have overpayed for those plane tickets, but i had to. im back in tromsø now
I thought your suggestions were good ones, especially cleaning being number one. A suggestion for you - it looks like your speakers are pretty close to the wall. Many speakers benefit from a little space. A free upgrade that can make as big a difference as clean vinyl is to try moving your speakers away from the wall and changing the toe in. Listen for a bit with your speakers in different places and you'll hear a giant difference. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the suggestion! I actually just changed out those floor models (which were actual Sears floor models from like 1999!) for Bookshelf speakers with stands for that exact reason.
Great video and advice. I will make sure I implement number one. Thanks!
Ive never had such great advice in one video, thank you!
You'd get on well with Techmoan. He's quite fond of his vinyl, too.
Just got an AT150Sa cart for my Rega Planar 3, and it's an amazing difference over the VM95E.
LOL that's like comparing bricks of horse crap to bricks of gold... I would hope it's a major difference :P
@@ILikeStyx haha, yea, I realize that. Totally satisfied with my purchase 😃
very sick down to earth advice that really reassured me on my last 5 purchases hah
Good video, but it's odd you suggest upgrading to an Angels Horn turntable. The reviews I've seen of everything Angels Horn has not been good at all.
Thanks for watching! I suggested the angels horn since it’s in the sub $150 range sometimes cheaper but it can still change carts, and has a balanced tone arm. I figured in that range people would be looking at crosleys and these def better then those. Thanks again!
The Angel's Horn you show is $190. I'd suggest people check out reviews here before buyng one, the reviews are pretty bad. I hadn't noticed the prices of decent starter turntables going up so much lately, but it makes sense since evrything else is going up in price. Looks like it's tough to find a good starter table cheaper than the $199 UTurn Orbit these days. I think I'd suggest an AT LP60 ahead of an Angels Horn even though the LP60 isn't great.
I agree with Mike. I went through two of those. They are not good at all right out of the box. I watched 3 videos about Angel Horn after my purchase. None were recommending to get them. After two ordeals, my local record store owner was super cool & I upgraded to a lovely table that I am very happy with.
I'm sat here watching you thinking "Of course he has a reel-to-reel" it is the best analogue format.
Of course, reel-to-reel isn't exactly cheap. I'd say for the traditional formats, I'd go with CD, then cassette, then records.
I only own one reel to reel tape. It’s west side story from the original cast and it sounds amazing. I really would like to get more tape. It’s so expensive. And I get worried spending that much on used tape. Acoustic sounds still sells new tape. One day….one day! Thanks for watching!
I upgraded last year from the "Sony Ps-lx300usb " I bought in 2017 to the "fluance RT-84 " with ortiphon blue" total night and day difference! Only difference from the RT-85 is that the platter is aluminum! I need to get a decent cleaning system though, I'm cleaning by hand and it works sometimes, but some records I clean sound WORSE after I clean it! So I have to clean em a couple more times! I have 4 45rpm record's, all from "analogue productions " (great label run by the one and only chad kassem)! They do sound miles above 331/3! New subby by the way!😁
Very nice. Stay tuned my next video is about how I clean the vinyl!
Excellent advice, and I'm my experience right on the money. Very good video and professional presentation.
Yup spot on, excellent tips all the way - 45's the way to go !
I upgraded a Pioneer PL 12d (which was given to me) and placed an Ortofon 2M Blue on it, then upgraded to an EAT C-Major with a Dynavector 10x5 MK II. Same good quality records sound better now.
I have a vinyl vac I love it! Cheap way to mimic a more expensive way of cleaning records.
Yes it is. And it works really well.
I wanna upgrade my record storage. What are the shelves there behind you? Gotta link? Loving your vids. You are an excellent presenter. Cheers!
The shelves I use are the Ikea Kallax - rb.gy/gvi5sv - the main thing to look for in shelves is the cross shelf - for example - these 2x2 units have the middle shelf crossing both cubbies - as opposed to some where that would be 2 separate pieces and using small wooden dowels to hold it in place. These Kallax still use dowels - but not on the cross beam shelf. if that makes any sense!
IMO, the Achromat by Funk firm is a great upgrade. It will increase sound clarity and tighten bass.
I wet clean my records with a spray of methylated spirit, then wipe with a soft cloth, works wonders.
A cork slip mat, and a record weight that has a level on it, are two easy upgrades I did.
I would have went cork but I got the acrylic platter on the fluance. Cork is good.
Awesome vid 🕶👌🏽
I love my Project Debut Carbon, it was life changing going from a 1990’s cheap red needle record player to a Victrola with poor speed accuracy to this. Worth the money. I have stopped spinning rn because I’m looking to find to good way of cleaning my 70-80s records and do them and the Ortofon some justice.
I did the same thing when I upgraded my table. Stay tuned I have a video all about cleaning that is really effective and cheap.
@@PiecesofVinyl oh wow I look forward to that thank you!
I still have my Marantz Gold Series Amplifier and Gold Series Turntable from around 1979. I've been thinking about cleaners and this Vinyl Vac peaks my interest because I'm not going to clean 100 records a week so it's difficult to justify the money for these 'machines'
Good info! Thank you!
Kind of obvious but condition. Make sure to be buying records in good condition. If you buy a used copy with visible scratches and scuffs...play it before you buy. If the shop doesn't have a listening station, ask them to play a record while you continue to browse.
Immediate sub. Hi quality content with high quality production. Looking forward to more.
Go down the DIY speaker rabbit hole mate. You'll end up with 10 monoblocks driven by full digital DSP and in lnfinite baffle subs built into the house.
My wife would kill me. But it would sound great!
Great content and great video production. Glad the algorithm Gods sent me here.
Me too! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic production and music
Been a vinyl dj since 1988 still use my technics 1200 mk2 with stanton 500 AL cartridge and needle nuttin better imo only thing I had to fix on my technics are the leds otherwise everything still top-notch and they are 34 years old
This is the way. I will eventually get a technics. I prefer direct drive and those black versions of the new ones are really slick. Plus I eventually would like two tables as well.
My biggest upgrade was going over to DSD.
what beat am i hearing at the 7th minu8te wioth the moogy stuff sounds amazing andre previn stylo
that would be "Phonebroke" by Fresh - artlist.io (really good stuff). Thanks for watching!
i used scratched up records as Frisbees
Those 7” crates - what brand are they?
They are from Hhv.de a German website. Check ‘em out here. How to store and Organize Vinyl Records - 45rpm records
th-cam.com/video/zUPXj8YOhuA/w-d-xo.html they are cheap and they ship fast. And are really cool!
Hi, great video. I love playing records. I have a question about the pre-amp. I have a new Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT USB and a Yamaha receiver (also new). The turntable has a built-in pre-amp, but the volume of sound is a lot lower then i played by example a radiostation. Must i upgrade the pre-amp?
Thanks for watching and the question. I have never owned an LP120, but, I hear that you can disable pre-amp (manually) and then use a stand alone like the iFi Zen or whatever you want. There are videos on TH-cam that show you how to do it, I think it might void a warranty but it is safe to do. I think you can even put it back after you remove it, but don't quote me on that! Like I said, I have not owned one. They look like really nice tables though!
Uhm turntable and speakers so close together and on the same surface is a nogo :) Resonace and vibration.
Agreed. That was a very temporary setup. In fact stay tuned because I have continued to overhaul the entire stereo and now I have a second setup as well! Thanks for watching!
i’m gonna check out that vinyl vac on amazon!
Well done video. Thank you
I wash my vinyl in the sink in dish soap and tepid water just like a dinner plate - follow the grooves! Dry they and hit them with a ppppst of WD40 use the same damp towel you used to wash the record to spread the oil and polish - don't go crazy with the oil! Your record will be static free and very clean. Don't be scared of your vinyl try this on your worst album, something you couldn't care less about, you will be amazed. Been doing it for 10 years on a 1000 album collection with no problems!
I tried doing this but my wife wasn't having me taking up the kitchen space cleaning records. Also the drying process was cumbersome and inconsistent. I found the vacuum system to be best to wet clean and immmeditaly dry for immediately playing. Thanks for watching!
@@PiecesofVinyl I play them right away sometimes they are always touch dry! Just after I polish them with the cloth out of her glasses case!
Greaaat video and im glad to see that I already do 100% of what you're saying in your advices.
Got the Pro-Ject Debut Pro 30th anniversary edition and its so gorgeous 😍
One questions bro, how could I know the lifetime of a cartridge, I imagine it is a question of bad sound in time but some others are telling that its generally a question of hours of used 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Please help us 🙏
Thanks for watching and the comment....for me I would go by the sound but I can say I had a Shure Cartridge for over 20 years now, and it sounds great. In fact one of these days Im going to break it out again and use it on this Fluance to see the difference from the Ortofon. If you take care of them they will last a while. The stylus might need to be replaced before the Cartridge, in fact that is almost always the case and can save money there.
the fun thing? i have 60 years old vinyl, always cleaned them whit water and my fingers, not ideal i think
The Milty 3 Anti-Static Gun changed my life
It’s on my list. I def get static pops sometimes and I know these work well.
Bobby oroza good man 🤝
Yeah! Love that you picked that up!
I made a vinyl vac out of Pvc pipe for around $3.00
well ya !
also a way to live !
are there bt turntables with upgradable cartaages, exe?
You can get a BT transmitter to provide Bluetooth from any turntable. Be aware there is a loos of quality converting the analog signal to BT. Check out Orbit UTurn website for a good affordable option and some insight on Bluetooth.
will upgrading your cartage have a effect on sound quality if your listening to vinyl via bt?
The cartridge is about 85 percent of the sound so get a good one.
You have gone way down the rabbit hole my friend
Stay tuned - I have upgraded more!
Nah, he's just getting started.
thanks
Dunno where you found a Vinyl Vacc for 30 - the cheapest I can find is 50
The Vinyl Vac is on Amazon (in the US) currently for $29. The Link is in the description.
Interesting about turntables. When I wanted to get back into Vinyl I looked around and bought a Rega RP3. Why that one? Because based on what I saw, it is the MINIMUM you should be getting. It's a starting point. Beyond that you can go sky high. I've been using the Rega for some time now, and I enjoy it. However, there are some things I regret:
a) The Rega has three feet that are NOT adjustable. It's a pain in the rear.
b) No removable cartridge head. You can change the cartridge, but it takes effort with fine bits of wire. Changing the stylus is very easy, you just pull the old one off and press another on, but a removable head is a far better solution.
c) Changing speed from 33 to 45 is done via removing the platter and manually moving the belt. You need to buy a Neo PSU to get a button to do it automatically.
d) It has three feet! This makes balancing the thing more difficult, four feet please!
When I look to upgrade I'll be taking those learnings into account.
I have the Planar 3 (precursor to the RP3, but essentially the same) - can confirm the feet are annoying, and if you like to change carts, this is not the one for you :) That said, it sounds great with an upgraded tonearm and badass cart (AT150Sa).
Seems like a pretty shitty turntable for the close to $1500 price tag, most entry-level turntables around $300 have removable carts.
@@dieter2889 To be clear, you can change the cart, it's just fiddly. So much so, in fact, that I avoid doing so. Models that allow you to simply remove the cartridge head and click in a new one are far, far superior. If you're someone who wants to be able to swap carts out, then yeah, this may not be for you. Mind you, a complete lack of VTA may be an issue too. You can buy a washer to raise VTA, but again, it's all a fiddle.
White glue cleaning is the cheapest most effective way I've cleaned records. but it's slow.
I watched a video about this and the theory makes sense - but I couldn't bring myself to do it! Good Luck!
gotta say, u have an amazing voice.
Wow. Thanks. I’m constantly told I talk to loud so maybe I found the right niche.
Great video, no nonsense, cost effective & genuine performance enhancing tips. Exactly what I recommend to my friends, beyond spending a ton of money.
If your in the US why would you buy a Fluance which us a Canadian branded Chinese made piece of cr*p not much better than the Angel horn. You have some great inexpensive tt made right there. Think b4 u spend!
Every released song goes through three stages, recording mastering and pressing. Yeah I know some clever dick will say someone has to compose and then actually performed to enable it to be recorded so that is 5 stages. Hi Res records are a contentious subject right now as they always have been. A well recorded and mastered record can be ruined by a poor quality pressing and sadly in the 1970/80s this was all to common. Try finding a good pressing of the Bee Gees 7" Too Much Heaven in the UK, impossible they were all terrible. Why do I mention this track and the UK, cos the quality of pressings varied depending on where it was pressed the country where you live and the date released !! No matter what quality your system is if the pressing is bad its going to sound bad a good system goes not made a bad pressing sound good. What many Hi Res recordings do is take the original tapes many of them pure analogue, pre mastering and then remaster them (again) just like so many remasters how many remasters do they have to do before they do it right? But wait a minute, Pink Floyd have released Hi Res official remasters, are they not the best? Were all the previous releases original and remasters defective in some way? Do we deserve a refund? I would also argue nothing beats some of the original official releases before they were later ruined by digital remastering. But I will agree the Zen is a little gem, everyone should own one as they should own a good quality Hi Res album
Whats the thing that you were using to clean 45s, the one with the 45 adapter
Thanks for watching! That is a 7" food display (lazy Susan) that I got on Amazon. I then glued the slim 45 adapter to it to make a cleaning table for my 45s.
If it has a speaker, it's a record player, not a turntable. In other words, it's crap. Even a $79 turntable connected to a basic amp and basic speakers will sound far better and will avoid damaging your records.
I have subscribed.
Headshell, cart wires, tonearm wires (RCA), quiet power supply for iFi Phono (or others), XLR out from Ifi Phono (huge!)
I have been looking at the XLR connector for the ifi. This would require XLR speakers correct?
@@PiecesofVinyl Yes, speakers or more commonly an amp with XLR inputs. There's more gain, less noise and better detail. I was amazed at the difference switching from RCA to XLR brought to the table. Make sure to get a good wire. Twisted with silver. I got mine from Amazon Canada. About $80.00. So worth it! (Same wire as the iFi offering but at half the price).