|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 15, 2021 19:29:47 GMT -5
Going back to vinyl. I realise that I want to sit down and listen to albums in their entirety. I’m happy enough with CDs but now wish to start buying vinyl again. I think it’s an age thing and a totally irrational dislike of streaming thing. I have the storage for future vinyl purchases.
I’m looking at a Rega Planar and apparently my present amp doesn’t have a phono gizmo so some other external box is required. I’m only looking to spend $500 max as the majority of my music is on CD and I will only be buying new music and the occasional ‘classic’ album.
I’m also looking for an high res iPod replacement. I have a new part time gig that involves travel and I like to listen to music if I’m being transported about. (Don’t worry. It’s vaccine related).
I like the look of the sub $1000 Astell & Kern but being a true Scotsman I like the idea of a cheaper Sony unit. I use my phone for phone calls and it’s only ever within reach when I’m working and I want a separate device for music. Not interested in streaming from the portable device.
Does anyone have experience of budget turntables and standalone portable music players? I’ve done enough research to know that any product I look at is brilliant and rubbish at the same time.
Please chime in.
|
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 15, 2021 19:46:46 GMT -5
Regas are my budget turntable of choice. I believe a P3 is the sweet spot of the entire range. Are you looking to spend $500 all in and in the UK, right? Look for a dealer with an ex-dem or used one; get a AT VM95 fitted to it and a Rega fono mini and you’re done.
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 15, 2021 19:50:56 GMT -5
Regas are my budget turntable of choice. I believe a P3 is the sweet spot of the entire range. Are you looking to spend $500 all in and in the UK, right? Look for a dealer with an ex-dem or used one; get a AT VM95 fitted to it and a Rega fono mini and you’re done. It will probably in the region of £500 and, yes, the fono mini is the additional box I’m contemplating. At the moment Regas are hard to get hold of. I can wait. A new P3 is £650 at the moment. Thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by guildx700 on Jan 15, 2021 20:57:05 GMT -5
Can't go wrong with a Rega.
I'm not up on budget phono preamps, which is what you need, so do some online research, a better quality used one may be the hot ticket rather than spending money on a brand new one in the same price range which my be of lesser quality.
FYI, the phono preamp is needed when you do not have an available phono input.
Why? The phono signal is at a much lower level than other signals, thus it requires additional amplification.
A phono input would normally service that need, but when one is not available on your current equipment the addition of a phono preamp is required.
Better ones will have much less hum and noise and a cleaner more accurate sound, generally speaking.
|
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 15, 2021 21:28:57 GMT -5
At the moment Regas are hard to get hold of. I can wait. A new P3 is £650 at the moment. Thanks. Considering how tight their HQ are, I would not be surprised if covid poses serious production limitations. I would still inquire around some dealers to see if someone has something coming up soon - my favorite ones are Cymbiosis (you can ask them to be on the wait list for whatever it is you’re looking for), but others also worth reaching out to include Tom Tom, Infidelity, Oranges & Lemons, Audio T... Also: I believe that price is with the Exact cartridge, right? I actually would save the difference and go with the AT I mentioned even if buying new. |
|
|
|
Post by oldnjplayer on Jan 16, 2021 8:56:11 GMT -5
When I went from 2 ch stereo to a "home theater" system I bought a small pre amp so I could use my turn table. The table is a Harmon Kardon with some high end stylus I installed years ago. The only thing I had to do was replace the drive belt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Laker on Jan 16, 2021 9:41:09 GMT -5
I still use my original Technics SL1600 turntable with Stanton 681eee cartridge. No complaints.
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 16, 2021 17:19:10 GMT -5
Turntable and phono preamp are on the way to being sorted. In Scotland we have an almost total lockdown and some Rega retailers aren’t allowed to use mail order for reasons best known to Rega. I’ve located a local Glasgow dealer and am working on a delivery. As our present COVID regulations prohibit non-essential travel I’m very much at the mercy of dealers who will ship the goods to me.
I’m now concentrating on the hi-res portable player. Any experiences would be appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by jhawkr on Jan 16, 2021 17:47:03 GMT -5
Dual TT with Ortofon cartridge. Works for me. Lots of new pressings of classic albums in 180 & 200 gram vinyl that will really impress you.
|
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 16, 2021 18:07:21 GMT -5
Turntable and phono preamp are on the way to being sorted. In Scotland we have an almost total lockdown and some Rega retailers aren’t allowed to use mail order for reasons best known to Rega. I’ve located a local Glasgow dealer and am working on a delivery. As our present COVID regulations prohibit non-essential travel I’m very much at the mercy of dealers who will ship the goods to me. I’m now concentrating on the hi-res portable player. Any experiences would be appreciated. Well done! Keen to hear your thoughts when you have it. Which model did you choose in the end? |
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 16, 2021 18:16:33 GMT -5
Premature post.
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 16, 2021 18:28:43 GMT -5
Turntable and phono preamp are on the way to being sorted. In Scotland we have an almost total lockdown and some Rega retailers aren’t allowed to use mail order for reasons best known to Rega. I’ve located a local Glasgow dealer and am working on a delivery. As our present COVID regulations prohibit non-essential travel I’m very much at the mercy of dealers who will ship the goods to me. I’m now concentrating on the hi-res portable player. Any experiences would be appreciated. Well done! Keen to hear your thoughts when you have it. Which model did you choose in the end? The P3 and a fono mini. The cartridge thing has yet to be worked out. It’s a local store and I’m sure I can organise a VM95. It’s a wee bit strange buying audio stuff without an audition. I managed fine with online purchased mid-range guitars last year and I’m confident the turntable will be great. I don’t have any vinyl at present but I have a list of new releases and some classics that didn’t make it into my CD collection that will cost me more than twice what I’m paying for the hardware. I’m 58 and had a decent LP collection until 1980. I moved away to college and switched to cassettes then CDs. Now I need help with a souped up iPod. Do you have any thoughts in the sub-£600 price range? |
|
|
|
Post by Blacksunshine on Jan 17, 2021 1:33:14 GMT -5
I have an entry level Sota that works and sounds good. I don't see one on their site in that price range though. It seems like the prices of Sotas have skyrocketed. Some of these prices are crazy! sotaturntables.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by NoSoapRadio on Jan 17, 2021 14:05:18 GMT -5
It’s a local store and I’m sure I can organise a VM95 Why not order the cartridge through Amazon -- if you don't like you can easily return it. Assuming of course you are comfortable setting it up yourself. |
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 17, 2021 14:35:59 GMT -5
It’s a local store and I’m sure I can organise a VM95 Why not order the cartridge through Amazon -- if you don't like you can easily return it. Assuming of course you are comfortable setting it up yourself. As I will purchasing through a local, specialist retailer I’m willing to give them the cartridge business too. I’m not even sure that there will be that big a difference in price. Mr Bezos will do just fine without me on this occasion |
|
|
|
Post by NoSoapRadio on Jan 17, 2021 14:51:49 GMT -5
I’m not even sure that there will be that big a difference in price. I was addressing more your concern over buying something without the ability to hear it first. I'm with you on supporting your local retailer. |
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 17, 2021 15:06:27 GMT -5
I’m not even sure that there will be that big a difference in price. I was addressing more your concern over buying something without the ability to hear it first. I'm with you on supporting your local retailer. Sorry. I didn’t pick that up. I’m a bit of a klutz with small electrical parts too. |
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 17, 2021 20:17:43 GMT -5
Is it Loud&Clear by any chance?
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 17, 2021 20:53:44 GMT -5
No. It’s Holburn Hifi, their Glasgow branch, Glasgow Audio.
I bought some speakers from their Aberdeen branch when I was an undergraduate in Aberdeen in 1980. Spooky.
|
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 18, 2021 9:09:25 GMT -5
Nice!
A somewhat similar story for me. I’m originally from Brazil, but my parents lived in the UK in the ‘80s. My Dad bought his hifi there at Graham’s Hi-fi.
When I moved to London for grad school in 2009 I went to the very same shop to buy some new kit. I took my Dad’s LP12 with me to get it setup by I believe the same gentleman that originally did it in 1984/5!
Eventually I gravitated towards Cymbiosis as they are very focused on that deck, and that is the shop I still use to this day, but I have to say taking my Dad’s turntable back across the ocean to the same place 25 years after the fact was memorable.
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 23, 2021 19:21:29 GMT -5
Thank you insanecooker. Planar 3 and fono mini on their way. I went with the Elys cartridge. When interrogated about the model of AT VM95 required I didn’t have a clue and asked the retailer for his thoughts. He made a reasonable case for Rega’s own cartridge.
I presume that it will make setting up easier. I got rid of my vinyl in 1980 and I’m looking forward to my new adventures in hifi. Lots of vinyl ordered. It’s very difficult to avoid buying albums that you have already purchased in other formats.
On a side note, why doesn’t anyone admit their deep love for R.E.M.?
Anyhoo, thanks again.
|
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 23, 2021 21:20:50 GMT -5
When interrogated about the model of AT VM95 required I didn’t have a clue and asked the retailer for his thoughts. He made a reasonable case for Rega’s own cartridge. The Elys us a good cartridge, a friend has one on his P3 and I’ve heard it a few times. I was only trying to keep closer to your original budget. And yes, it is easier to set up as it uses a third bolt to get correct alignment in Rega tonearms. Also: I only own Out of Time on vinyl, but I can be pedantic and point out it’s an original German pressing. :-p |
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 23, 2021 21:46:08 GMT -5
When interrogated about the model of AT VM95 required I didn’t have a clue and asked the retailer for his thoughts. He made a reasonable case for Rega’s own cartridge. Also: I only own Out of Time on vinyl, but I can be pedantic and point out it’s an original German pressing. :-p As a Scot I should have saved up for a Linn. It’s my first turntable in 30 years. It’s all about the music anyway and I’m sure that everything will work out. At the moment I’m streaming Return to Forever from an iPad to a Marshall Acton Bluetooth speaker. It sounds good. Edited to add that I’m streaming music that I own. |
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Jan 24, 2021 6:43:08 GMT -5
I mean, they have one on display in the National Museum and everything!
I was in Glasgow several years ago to visit Linn HQ, which I would recommend as a nice day out when life ever goes back. It’s a beautiful building designed by Richard Roberts and it’s very high-tech, unlike the more common (though nice in its own way) cottage industry vibe you get from most of the hi-fi players.
|
|
|
|
Post by NoSoapRadio on Jan 24, 2021 13:49:52 GMT -5
Best of luck with the new deck LesTele -- I'm also sure that it will work out for you.
I'm the other Linnie here -- although not even in the same universe as Ricardo in keeping the LP12 up to date. When I listen to music it's at least 90% vinyl -- it's always good to see someone else return to LPs.
You're coming back at a good time. There are many labels reissuing some of their catalog on high quality pressings remastered from the original tapes. Many are actually reasonably priced.
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 25, 2021 18:20:04 GMT -5
NSR, thanks for the good wishes. I’m having a great time ordering records. As a chap in my late fifties I have bought vinyl, cassettes, CDs and digital downloads and have purchased the same songs on different media.
I’m now buying newly released vinyl albums and some stuff that I thought I was too cool to be seen with at the time (I wasn’t). Also picking up some older stuff that I missed at the time of release. Some of the worst vinyl ever produced coincided with my late 70s record buying. They blamed an oil crisis at the time and reuse of vinyl..
My retailer phoned me today to ask if they should open the box and set up the cartridge. Hell yes! I haven’t been anywhere near a turntable in 30 years. I don’t normally receive that level of customer service from businesses sending me electrical goods.
Will keep you posted.
|
|
|
|
Post by NoSoapRadio on Jan 25, 2021 18:34:23 GMT -5
A pro set up will allow your new deck to sing rather than make noise. Enjoy.
|
|
