Anyone still listening to LPs. I'll be doing it on the cheap this weekend! (1 Viewer)

[PomingF]

Derek, check out the links Kevin put up. Both needledoctor & garage-a-record should carry stylus for many brands.
Keith, MF has a brief review of the MMF-7 in the current issue of Stereophile. I recently bought some software from musicdirect and enjoyed my experience very much. As long as your Sony still plays reasonably well there's no need to rush & upgrade for once you start doing it the same will happen with the rest of your system. At the mean time keep an eye out for things to pop up on Audiogon.
PF

 

[KeithH]

PomingF, I have the current issue of Stereophile, but haven't read through it yet. I'll definitely check out the review of the MMF-7. I agree that there is no reason to rush into an upgrade at this point. I bought the Sony turntable a year ago, used it for a few months, and put it right back in the original box. It is in perfect condition, and I probably have logged about 20 hours on it at most. As for upgrading the rest of my system, I have no interest there. I am very happy with everything right now. Sure, I could "invent" things to buy. We all can, but there is no burning need, except perhaps that Sony TA-P9000ES pre-amp I mentioned. Anyway, if I were to go out and get the MMF-5 or especially the MMF-7, I'd probably come to the realization that the NAD PP-1 phono pre-amp is not good enough. So there would be another upgrade. Not right now. I'll check for deals every once in awhile.
With respect to a cartrige for the Sony turntables, am I locked into getting a replacement that is specifically designed for the Sony? Shouldn't I be able to upgrade the cartridge to a Grado, Benz-Micro, or whatever?
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My:
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KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

[Saurav]

With respect to a cartrige for the Sony turntables, am I locked into getting a replacement that is specifically designed for the Sony? Shouldn't I be able to upgrade the cartridge to a Grado, Benz-Micro, or whatever?

Depends on the headshell. There are two standard types of headshells, one is called called "P-mount" and the other is called "standard mount" or "regular mount" or something. And then there are completely proprietary schemes. See if you can find out which one you have from your documentation. If it's one of the first two, you can put any cartridge on there, just specify if you want a P- or standard- version when you buy the cartridge.
I rememeber seeing diagrams somewhere showing what the different mounting schmenes looked like, but I can't remember the site.

 

[BruceD]

quote:
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With respect to a cartrige for the Sony turntables, am I locked into getting a replacement that is specifically designed for the Sony? Shouldn't I be able to upgrade the cartridge to a Grado, Benz-Micro, or whatever?
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Here is a link to what a P-mount or standard mount looks like (scroll down the page a bit). You can see if the Sony matches either of these.
p-mount vs std
Bruce

 

[WilliamG]

What a great thread!
I haven't listened to any LP's in at least 4 yrs. on a regular basis, but this makes me want to pull 'em out and have an uninterrupted day of listening
I still have my Technics SL-J2 Direct Drive Quartz linear-tracking turntable w/ a Grado M+ stylus. The turntable was purchased through a magazine ad 20-odd years ago (1984?) by some company named J & R Music World!!
I still remember going into a stereo store at the time to shop for the stylus and being told by the salesman that "you REALLY don't want to spend the money on a stylus right now, because this thing called a compact disc playeris about to take the world by storm next year!"
But I did, and am not sorry. Granted, I listen to a LOT of CD's, but I wouldn't trade any of my albums for anything!
On a slightly different note: since I was "blind" going in to buy that stylus, can someone clue me in as to how good that Grado M+ is supposed to be? Everything still works VERY well and sounds as good as that!

 

[Saurav]

On a slightly different note: since I was "blind" going in to buy that stylus, can someone clue me in as to how good that Grado M+ is supposed to be? Everything still works VERY well and sounds as good as that!

You might want to search the archives at http://www.audioasylum.com I have used Grado's current budget cartridge (the Grado Black for $40), and it's amazing. It sounded really good on a cheapie Pioneer turntable, and sounded much better on my current Rega P3. It does have its limitations (at $40, what do you expect), but the gorgeous sound more than makes up for them.

 

[Paul E V]

Yuppers, still a lot of stuff I like to listen to every now and then that never made it to CD...

My collection of music is slowly being "moved" to CD ------ if it's available I buy it, if it's not then it goes to MD (setting the tracks) and then to CD-R (digitally) and then into one of my two 301 CD changers (which are on 'Random' 99% of the time)
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'Pioneer 'ing a new level of Home Theater
My Equipment List / Copper & Rosewood Flexi idea

 

[Marvin]

Does anyone know where to get needles online. I have a Sony PS-LX150H turntable, and have searched, but cannot find a needle for it. It is only 7 years old. My needle is very worn down.

I was in the same situation (with a Sony PS-LX300H). I wasn't able to find anyone that sold a replacement stylus so I had to replace the cartridge. I was told that any standard or universal mount cartridge would have worked. I ended up getting this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=...852&e=11001029
It lists Sony as one of the brands it was designed for. Seems to work ok. J&R also sells this one. I don't know how much better the model above it (AT92ECD) or a similarly priced cartridge from Grado would have worked.

 

[Chris PC]

Where should I take my Technics turntable to have it repaired?
Where can I find a Shure V15-VMR needle cartridge??Also, my old Technics Turntable has a P-mount cartridge setup. Is that compatable with the V15-VMR? Do I need to get a new tone arm?
[Edited last by Chris PC on November 03, 2001 at 03:43 PM]

 

[Saurav]

I believe the current model is called the V15-VxMR. I'm not sure if you're looking for a new cartridge, or a replacement stylus for your old cartridge. If it's the former, you could try www.jandr.com - they had a pretty good price on the VxMR when I looked a few months ago. They sell replacement stylii too, but if that's what you're looking for, you might be better off with a vinyl specialist, who would be better informed about what specific stulys (or stylii) would work with your cartridge. I would recommend talking to Jerry Raskin at Link Removed - his site lists several replacement stylii, though J&R usually has better prices on anything that both carry.

 

[Chris PC]

Thanks for those links. Like I said, my turntable is one which has a P-mount cartridge. Not shure (har har) if I need a new tonearm or not. I really need to clean this sucker, that's for sure.

 

[Vegas 1]

Great topic, I have a Harman/Kardon T35C turntable that I've had for mabye 15 yrs., with a Signet cartridge. Turntable is hooked-up to a NAD 1600 pre & NAD 2400 THX amp. Like many I have not listened to my records for some time. I have about 200 lp's & 400 45's, many which are first pressings, mainly music from the 60's with some 50's, 70's & 80's. I spend most of my time now with Hometheater.I think I need to revisit my record collection.

 

[KeithH]

Saurav and BruceD, thanks for the information regarding a replacement cartridge for my Sony turntable. I bookmarked http://www.turntablebasics.com
In looking at my turntable and the digrams on turntablebasics.com the Sony PS-LX350H has a half-inch mount catridge. However, one difference I noticed between the stock Sony cartridge I am using now and the diagram of a half-inch mount cartridge on turntablebasics.com is that the screws drop in from the top on the Sony and from the bottom in the diagram. Is this difference something to be concerned about in choosing a new cartridge? I wouldn't think so. Hopefully, I will be able to choose from a number of quality replacement cartridges when I am ready.
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KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime
[Edited last by KeithH on November 04, 2001 at 06:34 PM]

 

[Saurav]

quote: I think I need to revisit my record collection.[/quote]
If you find that it's becoming a bother, I'll be more than glad to get those records off your hands

quote: However, one difference I noticed between the stock Sony cartridge I am using now and the digram of a half-inch mount cartridge on turntablebasics.com is that the screws drop in from the top on the Sony and from the bottom in the diagram. Is this difference something to be concerned about in choosing a new cartridge? I wouldn't think so.[/quote]
AFAIK, that's not an issue. Most headshells I've seen allow you to do both, and again AFAIK, vinylphiles haven't come to a decision on which is "better". IMO it's a matter of convenience - you need to tighten the screws down partially, then use a protractor to align your cartridge, and then tighten them down the rest of the way without moving the cartridge. Given your table/arm and what kind of screwdrivers/tools you have, one way usually works out to be easier than the other.
[Edited last by Saurav on November 04, 2001 at 11:40 AM]

 

[KeithH]

Saurav, thanks again. For now, I am not going to replace the cartridge, but all of this will be helpful when I do. Once this thread dies away, I am going to print it out for future reference.
By the way, thanks for including my quote about cartridges in your last post. In doing so, you caught my attention to a spelling error in my last post ('cartrige'). I am a perfectionist when it comes to such things, so spelling errors in my writing are not tolerated. As a result, I made the necessary correction.
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My:
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KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

[Marvin]

then use a protractor to align your cartridge, and then tighten them down the rest of the way without moving the cartridge.

I don't have a protractor and haven't aligned the new cartridge. How important is this? Could a misaligned cartridge damage records? How would it affect the sound?

 

[BruceD]

Regarding screw directions, here is the basic criteria:
Some cartridges come with threaded screw holes in the cartridge chassis itself. These will allow the screws to be mounted without nuts and srewed in from the top.
Other cartridges that don't have this capability (threaded screw holes) utilize the recessed well in the headshell to hold the nut in place while the screw is installed from underneath, through a pass-thru hole in the cartridge chassis.
Hope this helps.
BruceD

 

[Chris PC]

I know its kinda fun to play records, but I think as an experiment, I will try to copy them onto my PC and maybe burn some CD's. It'd be nice to be able to listen to my "Albums" on a CD walkman for only $1.00 (CAD) a CDR.
So what is the frequency response of the Radio Shack phono pre-amp? I don't have a problem the batteries. I'd just get re-chargables.

 

[Saurav]

I don't have a protractor and haven't aligned the new cartridge. How important is this? Could a misaligned cartridge damage records? How would it affect the sound?

It's extremely important. Yes, you are getting nowhere close to the best sound from your LP's; yes, you could be permanently damaging your stylus; and yes, you are almost certainly permanently damaging your records (if your cartridge's position is way off whack).
Go to http://www.audioasylum.com

 

[Chris PC]

What about "Linear" tracking turntables? Does this eliminate stylus misallignment if the stylus is aligned properly in a linear turntable?