Wonderful beginner intro to turntables. I know this is a subject that could be a 10 hour long video but you hit all the important stuff without overwhelming the viewer.
I have the AT 120 USB. I just went back and looked at the manual. Yep, “Phono” means that your AMP has a Phono Input and the on board pre is bypassed. “Line” means that your amp does not and the on board Pre is active. The instructions are pretty poorly written and the connection diagram is of minimal help. If everyone else is as bad, no wonder there is confusion.
@@larrysmith5413 TBT ...there's confusion because that wasn't the right way to label it .. they labeled it that way to try to make it idiot proof, but for people who are smart enough, they become the idiots if they don't check the manual.. it's pretty ridiculous what happens in society sometimes.. The output of the onboard phono preamp SHOULD be labeled Line Out, so that it could be connected to a Line In on an amp !!
Yeah, a good used Technics has always been the "go to" recommendation from me for those looking into getting a turntable. They all were increadibly quite units, regardless of price point. Start with a Technics and go from there. Thanks for another great video!
Happy Sunday Kevin! For those not familiar with the external phono preamp world, I highly recommend the Schitt Mani, currently priced at $149 on their site. Technically it's the Mani II. I have no affiliation with the company. It's highly regarded, especially for the price-to-value, and a friend of mine is very happy with hers that she bought on my recommendation. She's using it on her original-era Technics SL-1200. I think I learned of the Mani from You Tuber and audio industry veteran Steve Guttenberg on his Audiophiliac channel. He usually focuses more on things like that $2000 McIntosh 😁
This is a great info video Kevin. Thanks dude. I had my son watch this with me so he would understand the ins and outs of turntables a bit better. Well done, Sir.
This video definitely helps simplify the turntable process. I'm still on the fence about getting into Vinyl, but U-Turn looks like a really nice option. Awesome video!
Nice to see a turntable vid on just what is what. I have not owned one since the early 80s, and it was very high quality. Been so long that i need a refresher course it appears.
Great advice; I've shared this with a friend who is just now getting into vinyl and is looking to purchase a turntable. U-Turn is in Woburn MA, my home state.
Kevin, thanks for making these uncomplicated videos. My sister is now going vinyl and I'm sending her your videos to watch and retrieve information that could help her in her decision making. I appreciate your videos. Thanks again.
Thank you! Your educational style is outstanding! You’re able to demystify facts and help us choose among a myriad of choices. Your objective comments lets us make a decision. Your pros and cons remain neutral which is never easy, but so important! I’ve gotten into your RU-vid videos and often randomly select a totally new or vintage piece of gear to learn about. I know I’ll learn all the specs by just listening. I’m a guitarist and bassist who loves gear and discussion on gear. You’ve opened me up to a
Another variable and/or important option that I was very interested in hearing about, especially in selecting a new good and quality mid-teir turntable option, is also having an USB turntable output for copying my older collectable vinyl to my computer's Media Player for having highest bit count files. This capability is primarily for having a digital automotive USB stick content from my vinyl library, and perserving those almost occasionally used better quality old records. Very interested in your thoughts on this topic, and really appreciate your great attitude and demeanor in your RU-vid presentations, as well as, your much appreciated professional and in-depth knowledge regarding audio equipment.
I can't comment on how good the USB tables are, but you can buy a reasonably priced Analog to Digital converter instead. Mine just goes from the preamp or receiver to the Firewire port on my computer.
@@seed_drill7135 Thank you very much for that information and great option, as I hadn't really thought of that route in getting the best of both worlds. 😊
Very nice video, very well described and instructional. I enjoy your videos. I've been "enjoying" vinyl for close to 60 years. I have 2 technics turntables now one which is semi-automatic and 45 years old. Changed the belt once (probably due again soon) and maybe 2 to 3 stylus replacements. Parts are plentiful for those old turntables. Thanks again.
Been away from audio systems for a long time now and enjoy each video. Things I knew when I was 20 I've forgotten at 70😊. Agree with everyone's comments on Kevin's easy to understand information. My physical condition with eyesight and steady hands also addressed 👍
My father was a music enthusiast and I remember in the 70-80’s his sound system was amazing. He had the high end equipment that people are looking for these days and is now called Vintage, guess I’m old. Where is the best place to purchase equipment from this era? Any reputable online retailers that refurbish and sell?
"One of the very advantages of youth -- you don't own any stock in anything. You have a good time, and all the grief and trouble is with the other fellows." - Mark Twain
Unfortunately, as kids we all have no clue on how to take proper care of stuff. As a kid, I know I did stupid things with my dad's vinyl collection, but I wanted to be like him and play records on a turntable.
Great video! A lot of valuable information! I have a Technics SL- Q300 with a p mount and did notice the limited selection of new cartridges, found a replacement stylus from LP Gear that fit mine and it sounds great. Also bought a replacement cartridge from them to have on hand. Keep up the great work!
Also look very the Vinyl Cup t-shirt. My daughter was stationed in Omaha and I would frequent the store when I was in town to visit her. Increased my Robert Fripp solo collection considerably because of them.
@@drsbranch-wn2vx If your screen looks like mine (I don’t know how universal the features are) you can click on the 3 dots to the right of your comment and select Edit! I used to hop off the bus from Denver to Chicago and run around Omaha during the short stopover. Neat little town! Have always meant to go back by car and stay awhile. The art museum is pretty sweet. Next time I’ll be looking for the record store, thank you! Any store that can round out somebody’s Fripp collection has got to be an interesting place!
I have 2 that cover the range pretty well, both given to me over the years - an entry level 1974 Pioneer PL-10 2 speed, manual, belt drive turntable, and the Voice of Music 1200-series 4 speed fully automatic record changer that came in the 1962 Airline console my parents bought new. Do I really have a use for 16-2/3 RPM? Absolutely! It turns Alvin from the Chipmunks back into Dave Seville, and you can listen to 'Sherry Baby' if it were sung by Barry White. You can't beat that kind of versatility and value with a stick. I have a second V-M 1200-series in another console, a 1965 Zenith.
Good job! Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge. A lot of excellent options and your genuine enthusiasm for the subject makes this a great 101 video.
Hi Kevin, I have to say I really like your vids and the information you provide. I just had a conversation with a friend who was asking me about my u-turn turntable and after I gave him your store address and phone #. I appreciate the help you gave me when I was getting back into vinyl and know you will you will be just as helpful to him. Take care!!
Hi there. I just found your channel and like it a lot. How about making a vid on the sleepers. Everybody knows the Marantz 2270 and Technics 1200MKII. But, in your mind, what are the truly grate buys? Both receiver’s/amplifier’s and TT:s speakers etc. Bang for the buck so to speak. That would be grate vid in my mind. Greetings From the other side of the pond
Don't forget that one has to place the turntable in a location that is isolated from direct system vibrations. You cannot place it on top of a speaker! Please don't forget to connect the ground lead (usually affixed to the rca cables) to the appropriate terminal on the preamp, receiver or phono preamp.
I have 2 B&O linear tracking turntables and a Dual 1229. Finding someone to work on B&O turntables is almost impossible. Mine do work and have a repair shop that will work on them. I like the Dual more! Great Video.
If you are a new to vinyl please don’t buy a manual only table. Unless you are a working DJ you don’t want a manual only player. Unless you want to watch your music play to be sure you don’t forget to pick up the tone arm and it bounces off the paper until you stop it. Needles ain’t cheap! Get at least lift and stop, but fully automatic will be much more enjoyable for you. You can still do all the manual stuff but you don’t have to think too much about it.
but sitting there and listening to the whole record is the whole fun in vinyl. if your worried about the stylus and dont want to sit through the whole record get a cd transport.
@@thechuckster1971Exactly. I love listening to my vinyl but I also love falling asleep on the sofa as an album is playing so I gotta have at least an auto stop function like my Fluance has.
@@anthonycruciani939 my point exactly. My automatic turntable will play a stack of six and then it will return to rest and shut off. Or if i want I can make it play the same side for infinity.
I have three tables, a Clearaudio Performance SE, a Mofi Studio deck and a vintage Technics full auto linear tracker. I just bought a Sansui Sr 222 on eBay a couple of hours ago for what seems a great price. It's a mk 2. I know they were budget tables in their day but by all accounts well built with a good tonearm. I look forward to playing with it. I hope it will be a good match for the Au 101 I just fixed and recapped. Cracking good little amp. I'm also waiting for a pair of AR 7s a friend is donating to me. Could be a nice little vintage system.
Hi Kevin! Love your videos, I'm addicted to all of them! Please, I have a question I'd like you to tell me: how do you connect a 2,5 mm speaker cable in the narrow entrances of the vintage amplifiers? Do you cut the cable ends accordingly? Is this the only way? Thanks! Keep on with your very nice work!
Great video! I'm 64 now and just getting the band back together, so to speak. Back in the late 70's I purchased a Marantz 2252B, the Marantz HD550's and a Technics turntable. The Receiver is getting restored soon, the speakers getting refoamed, and now I need to dust off the turntable. Will definitely stop down from Waterloo as soon as I can get everything plugged back in. Thank you!
I acquired a 2252B in 2010 for $30. It needed $90 in repairs so I did make out well on the deal. I only used it for a few months before going back to my "regular" receiver. No lie, the 2252B's got muscle. But just wasn't my cuppa tea. With high performance speakers the 2252B will surely impress, if not annoy the neighbors (and possibly the cops too).
Great Video ! most of the new turntables are all " Plasticiey " but they are easy to fix, ( if you can find the parts ) The older turntables are better built , but are at the age that will require many hours to get them working right. ( Garrard comes to mind LOL )
I still have a Gerard tuenable. Also a dual charterrible that I had when I was in the Air Force. Still haven't still working good. With my Miranda's amplifier. And bo's speakers.
The removable headshell for the win. Easy to remove to clean your stylus. I do have one Technics table with a P mount. Easy, peasy, not a bad idea either. +100 Buy a gram scale. +10 Direct drive versus belt drive. I have both, I like both. Belts are cheap. Me, I prefer an auto return turntable. I do not need fully automatic, but I prefer one that auto stops and returns. I have one full manual turntable, I will be letting it go. My 50+ year old fully automatic Pioneer is still working well. How much longer? I do not know. When shopping the thrift store/FB marketplace or similar, just make sure the amp or receiver has phono input connections on the back. Simplifies the process. Vintage Technics is a good idea.
Kind of cool customizing rooms for an age or purpose audio system. Some records are old friends with an the original turntable and stylus. Ziggy Stardust wouldn't be the same without a skip on 5 Years, or the mid song click click on an 8 track, track change. Keep finer tables and stylus for pristine albums. An Art Decoish bedroom with an Electrohome Apollo 711 player for 45's (has 16, 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds). Might set up the work shop for a thousand + disposable cassettes to enjoy. How (so called) hoarding turns into a fine tuned retirement.
Excellent video. But a few more items that newbies should know. If sound quality is important to you, then note the following: 1) The phono-amp plays a major role in the sound quality. Low end phono-amps (such as the ones built in to turntables) will sound not far from awful. You might not notice, until you can do an A/B comparison with a quality phono-amp. So if you have a phono-amp built in to your turntable, and you also have a phono-amp built in to your receiver (or a dedicated box for a phono-amp), then test them individually. Use the one that sounds the best. 2) Turntables need to be isolated from vibrations. Do anything and everything you can to prevent low frequencies from being picked up by your stylus (your stylus is a microphone of sorts that hears it all). There are many ways of isolating your turntable from vibrations, and it can get expensive if you go the whole nine yards. But when you isolate your turntable from vibrations, it will sound much better -- even if you do not think that you have vibrations, you most likely do. 3) You want your stylus to make love to the record's groove, with precision. Anything less is like having your car's tires rub against the curb. When your stylus rubs in the wrong place (even the slightest amount), you will hear it. It might not be obvious, because it is a matter of the sound not being as focused and as realistic as it would otherwise be. Once your stylus traces the groove with precision, you will be rewarded with much better sound-staging and imaging and realism. Getting your stylus dialed in with precision is not an easy task. It will likely take, perhaps, 90 minutes, with the proper tools, and with someone that has experience in turntable set-ups. There are eight (I believe) settings, and for some of those settings, adjusting one of them affects one of the other settings that you already adjusted. So it is a long process of subtle adjustments to get it right (which is subjective, and relies on the ear of the person setting it up). Low end turntables / tone-arms / cartridges will not include a way to made some of the set-up adjustments. I understand that this video was made for beginners. But there is no shortage of obsessed turntable lovers that started off as beginners. You should know what you are getting in to, if you are someone that will keep hunting for better and better results. If you want to see what the end of the line is for turntable use, then search for the Clearaudio Statement turntable. And know that even at that level, there is competition. 4) Lastly, the specific record that you play will highly influence the sound quality. Even on the best equipment, professionally dialed in, it will sound only as good as the information that is pressed into the record's groove. Alas, most records are not very good. Some are fantastic. And you can't tell by how the record looks. So even if you do everything right, you are at the mercy of the pressing. Again, the above is for anyone that is taking the plunge and will be hooked on the hobby, forever seeking to improve their equipment and sound quality. For others that will make a purchase and never look back, then the above probably will not apply to you.
I can tell you that a bottle of water to which a few drops of liquid dish soap has been added and a box of Q- tips will do a great job of cleaning ur vinyl. You will actually see the dirt u took out of the grooves.
Try setting the tracking force on a DUAL CS-5000. The tonearm remains in the "up" position until the quartz speed sensor measures the true speed, then lowers the arm. As far as I know, there's no way to bypass it except to manually hold down the lift. BTW, while these are nice tables, they are extremely finicky and parts are getting to be unobtanium. I'd steer clear. Note, these are belt drive, 1980's DUALS. The rim drive units from the 60's and 70's are much more common and thus easier to find parts for.
I just watched this video, Very interesting. I have an old Pioneer PL88FS turntable. I got back to listening to vinyl again. But I am bring my kids into it with me. I absolutely love it, But my concern is, it is a few years old. Like 40 years old. can I still get parts for it? If I where to replace my turntable. what would be the equivalent? thank you for your time!
My AudioTechnica LP 120 had a preamp in it that for whatever reason would dampen the high end even when turned off. Several videos online show how to remove the preamp altogether. The difference in sound is DRAMATIC. So much more depth and responsive high end now, not sure why they designed it that way but they need to change it.
I'm wanting to trade a technics sl-b10 and audio technica lp60x for a turntable with the standard head shell mount and counter weight. The only acceptable tables I've seen new are the music hall model or Fluance RT-81, u-turn is actually local for me. Spent all night looking at used stuff on reverb and was rather disappointed. The monoprice model looks ok but they have no stock in black currently.
Can't go wrong with Rega 2 or three and higher end Ortifon cartridge, orange or higher. Most importantly cables and interconnects. The sound your send will be rec'd based on the quality of the cables. Don't go nuts but a budget of 6/ft and you're entering very good stranded standards
Kevin is Kool! If u r into records and it is,a freakin great hobby.I got back into it last fall and got my Tt from early 80 back up to snuff. Records cost a lot so keep them clean. Ditch or torch the suitcase record player. The 1s on top of a radio are not good either like SounDesign or Capehart. Once I saw a real Tt as a separate component and way much better than what I had, I took my brother's Ruger rifle and shot it to bits. U will love going to shops,and stores,and buying albums, it is,a great hobby. Have fun.
I have an old Dual 506 & Pioneer 112. The Dual requires about 4 or 5 no longer available lubricants. Is there a one and done lube? Great video as always in that cool & calm voice.
I agree with everything you said I even like the pic of the suit case player and the brand read crapola that was funny I grew up with automatic tt's all of my tt's are auto typ stacking players even if I did not have a stacking type I would like fully auto I scratched more records using the manual than the auto type i also think the older type automatic are better and have less problems the more modern type of auto I would not trust cycle gear looks like a cheaper type of plastic and plastic gear on spindle but this is a very helpfull vid if I still worked in a record store like I did in high school and miss at times I would say the same thing JRo
If you buy vintage, you will have to repair them. I have bought more than 10 vintage turntables over the past years. All needed repair / overhaul regardless if they where advertised as defect of functional. And regardless of the price, I have bought turntables ranging from 10 Euro to 650 Euro, the 650 Euro one was the most problematic one. The 10 Euro one is a Dual, I restored it and then it ran for a few years without problems. Then due to remodeling my living room it was out of use for a few months, and now it needs repair again.
Hey all. Please help. I need a decent basic turntable and speakers setup to finally be able to play my hundreds of records. Bluetooth could be fine. Suggestions PLEASE. Thanks.
From what I've read, they are a PITA. The cheap ones can chew up your records, the moderate priced ones are finicky and difficult to keep operating properly. You probably have to get into the stratospheric priced ones to obtain the benefits of eliminating inner groove distortion that they theoretically provide. Note, I've only owned a Harmon-Kardon ST-5, the rest is from chatrooms.
Pulled a power cord out of a dumpster and a Technics SL-7 linear tracking close"n"play was attached to the other end. Replaced the RCA plugs and using it now instead of my Technics SL-D2 . Both of them are reliable and haven't needed any real service. Why I use the SL-7 is that last track on a LP does sound better. I believe due to the alignment of the elliptical stylus tip tracking at a true tangent. There was a noticeable difference between the two turntables using the same cartridge and stylus. By the term " noticeable " what I actually noticed was that slight degradation in sound quality at the end of the record wasn't there. As the cutting engineer planned .
Another great video. I do have a question. I have a Marantz 6100 with 3 headshells with different cartridges / stylus. Stock with a AT and Shibata quad stylus, ortofon headshell with ortofon blue and another headshell with a Cambridge Audio MC cart. Auto return if the tone arm works with the first two but not with the Cambridge Audio MC. They actually weigh the same. Any idea why? Does the MC not go far enough in the runout groove? So weird. Thanks
On manual turntables I have never been a fan. In the early 80's a friend had a Pioneer turntable that was a manual table. One day he left it on all day. The arm rested at the spindle with the table spinning. It cut like a 45 spindle out of the record. Semiautomatic or more for me. Plus I like a good cueing system. Do not like fast drops on the records.
Hi Kevin, I have a Technics SL1500 hooked up to a Marantz 2238B with a set of Klipsch RP-160M bookshelf speakers. It works for me, but I think I may need to upgrade the head shell/cartridge/stylus because I'm not sure about what I have now. The head shell is unmarked except for 'Made in Japan' on the underside, the cartridge has no markings that I can see and the Blue stylus in an ADC RK50E RS. I appreciate any tip and suggestions that you have to offer. Thank you.
Good info. Notwithstanding, can you really tell the difference between a $300 and a $1,000 turntable all things being equal, that is same cartridge, phono preamp and amplifier?
A cheap turntable will be more sensitive to vibration and external noise than an expensive one. Expensive ones usually have a better tonearm and a screw type removable Headshell.
So which one should I get just to look cool? I only owned one in the early 80's in college to record my friends new albums to chrome or metal tape. I may actually own one lp single (Bruce Springsteen), but that may have been lost in moving years ago. Btw, always enjoy the info!
@@seed_drill7135 Good to know. I just remembered my mother has her parents old console TV that has the speakers and a built in radio and turntable. I have no idea of the brand, it's gotta be from the '60s. Better make sure she doesn't throw it out. Gotta make a call!
Those are cool, but can be dangerous to use without having them gone through, especially if they've been sitting for years. Old capacitors dry out and can explode.@@leo.girardi
for new turntable owners you missed probably the most boring but probably one of the most important part. the record cleaning. deff after the turntable itself and the cartridge but the most impactful part to your sound.
Am I damaging anything by hand spinning a Marantz direct drive turntable so I can use my Discwasher pad on LPs? It's powered off when I do this. Thanks.
Another turntable video, oh great... When will we see some videos on cassette decks? Are cassette decks something you look for?...do your customers ask for them? Do your viewers and subscribers ask about them?
I have a cassette deck. I have worked on it constantly. I love it. Cassettes are never, ever, ever coming back. The only thing I can recommend is old, simple decks that you feel comfortable taking apart and replacing all the rubber and potentially adjusting everything. Alot of cool decks out there, alot of cool decks, but they require skill to keep running. Good luck, truly!
