Search results

Pioneer PL-540: Very strange behavior that started after playing a new (to me) type of record: a 12-inch polycarbonate, lathe-embossed record. It came with instructions to increase the VTF to avoid skipping. I did that, and when the tonearm reached the last minute or so of playing, the music was...

So, just to confirm: will the TT work as long as I plug it into my transformer to give it the 220 Volts it needs? If further modifications are required, I’d rather not take it at all. I don’t want to go to all the trouble only to create another project for which I already know I won’t have...

Yes, I have a transformer, which I’ve been using to power my German CD player. It might be less of a hassle to replace the power adapter with a US model, so your information is very helpful. Are you saying I need a DC output power adapter, or an AC output power adapter?

I’m planning to carry it on as my personal item. I will remove the platter and the head shell, of course.

While visiting family in Germany, I found the TT I grew up with, a Thorens TD280 MkII. I know it’s not a spectacular table, but it has sentimental value to me and is in great shape. I already have a Pioneer PL-540, which I love, and I have no intention to replace that one, but I would like to...

My rollers need replacing, but really all that is worn is the rubber rings. The rollers themselves still have life in them. Of course the company doesn't sell just the rubber rings, and I find $20 for a pair of new rollers (plus tax/shipping) a bit of a rip-off. Has anyone found generic rubber...

Great advice. I wonder if that applies to marriages as well... :rolleyes:

Update: Today I took the bumped AT150Sa stylus assembly apart. I think I managed to straighten out the bent cantilever really well, but when I mounted it on the cartridge, I noticed it rides very low. Like, really low, to the point where I'd worry about scraping records in cases of slight warps...

At first, when I compared my 440MLa stylus (which has seen more use but never bumped into anything) and the 150Sa, I thought the 150Sa may have broken the tip off, since it looks short and stubby in comparison to the 440 stylus, which appears much more slender. I have since educated myself a bit...

I'm a musician and a scientist. When it comes to judging sound, be it with instruments or equipment, the scientist in me always wins. Unless it's an A/B blind test, it's not a test, but an exercise in introspection, in my view. ;)

Great question about the shop. This was the first time I contacted that shop. I actually wasn't even aware that it existed until I drove by there the other day. I have lived in that area for 15 years and never knew it was there, so I have no experience dealing with them. They were recommended by...

Thank you for the responses so far. I do have the Shure Audio Obstacle record, and ran the cart through what supposedly is the toughest track (glockenspiel). It performed outstanding. I guess my main concern at this point would be: IF on the off-chance the diamond may have chipped, is that...

I have an AT 150Sa stylus, which replaced the original stylus that came with my AT 440MLa cart. The orig. stylus has a (guesstimated) 300-400 hours on it, so I decided to replace it, even though it still sounds fantastic. The 150Sa is still pretty new, I've only had it for 5 months, playing on...

Well, I doubt that a trace amount of silicone would have any audible impact. I still prefer not to gum up my stylus with silicone, however. Just because something is not immediately audible doesn't necessarily mean it's harmless. For example, I'm pretty sure that using too heavy or too light of...

Dang. I did use Rain-X. Just checked the bottle. I never pay attention to what windshield fluid I buy. I get whatever is the cheapest at the store I happen to be at. So glad you brought this to my attention. Anything I can do to clean potential silicone contamination from the record in...

I know. It hadn't even occurred to me, either, until last night. I was listening to a record i found the other day at the used record store. As always, I had dutifully cleaned the record, along with several others, in my SpinClean, before allowing it on my turntable platter. The A side sounded...

Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, I'm planning on buying one of the kits that come with shims (not all do, apparently). Would it be a good idea to show the woofer in question to a pro before I refoam it? I'm obviously totally fine with doing the refoaming and seeing how that goes, but it...

Thank you! I should have mentioned that I am planning on replacing the foam surrounds as well as the donuts. The kits I have seen online contain all necessary parts. By the way, I did test the impedance of that one problematic woofer with a multimeter, and it showed 8 Ohms. I guess that's a good...

I snagged a pair of KEF Reference Series 103/4 speakers from a neighbor who put them out on the curb. When I first hooked them up, they sounded terrible, and I didn't know why. Based on advice from this forum, I held on to them for the past two years, and recently, I finally decided to take them...

Interesting. How would I find out the capacitance of my phono stage? I'm not using a dedicated preamp. My TT goes directly into the phono stage of an integrated Denon amp from the 70's. I guess I could try to find documentation online...?

May I ask a question that reveals my ignorance? When people talk about "loading" their cartridges, what does that mean? I'm guessing it refers to some kind of adjustment? But where? On the turntable? The pre-amp? ...?

After doing much research yesterday and educating myself about cartridge compliance, tonearm masses and resonance, which I was mostly clueless about (and still am to some degree), I decided against replacing my 440Mla cart and instead going with the ATN150sa stylus route for now. I've been...

That's an intriguing suggestion, thank you! Would this likely result in the same tonal improvements that the AT150 cart supposedly has over the 440mla? More balanced soundstage, punchier mids and slightly better bass? Or would that essentially just serve as a stylus replacement for the 440...

This is cool, thank you! I've been using a printable Stevenson protractor from vinylengine so far, but this one appears to be more specific to my table.

Hi all, I've had the AT 440mla cartridge on this TT for about 3.5 years, and while I probably only average ~1 record per day, or possibly less (I dont' keep track), I've been thinking it might be time to replace the stylus. If not right now, probably in the not-too-far future. Seeing the crazy...