Vinyl Record Players

[juggaloninjalee]

My GF wants one really bad but I don't know anything about them. Also don't know where to find one for cheap. Anyone able to help? I am trying to research them but am not finding too much help with google. Found some for sale ranging from $40-$1,000 but the $1,000 ones are for DJing and stuff it looks like.

[djthefunkchris]

My GF wants one really bad but I don't know anything about them. Also don't know where to find one for cheap. Anyone able to help? I am trying to research them but am not finding too much help with google. Found some for sale ranging from $40-$1,000 but the $1,000 ones are for DJing and stuff it looks like.

 

Don't sweat the Technique's!

 

I seen a digital one at best buy that might really be better for any use you may need with it.

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Audio-Systems-Components/Turntables/abcat0202007.c?id=abcat0202007

[juggaloninjalee]

Don't sweat the Technique's!

 

I seen a digital one at best buy that might really be better for any use you may need with it.

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Audio-Systems-Components/Turntables/abcat0202007.c?id=abcat0202007

 

She likes the sound of records better and has wanted her brothers antique one but he won't part with it. I found one for about $80 that has the diamond tip or whatever. If I find a used one should I buy a replacement tip for it?

[djthefunkchris]

She likes the sound of records better and has wanted her brothers antique one but he won't part with it. I found one for about $80 that has the diamond tip or whatever. If I find a used one should I buy a replacement tip for it?

 

Diamond tips are really great to be honest. Unless there is something wrong with it, I would keep it.

 

I will say this though, I like to buy players that have the option to actually find a new tip/stylus. Older players might not have that option, so that's something to look into. They still make belt driven and Direct Drive turntable's (I personally don't like belt driven, but I have seen and used some that weren't that bad).

 

Going back to your first post, The only thing's I would say a DJ would look into that you probably wouldn't care about are pitch controll (for mixing), and compatibility (with their equipment they already have, or are planning to get).

 

To have a player to last you some years (I still have some Technique's that I used from like 1986 to present that work great still, after almost nightly use's during 1990 to 2000), you want to make sure you can get replacement parts, instead of having to buy a whole new player. You can probably find a used player like mine (Technique 1200's) for a good price, if you have any DJ type shops around your neighborhood.

 

And tell your Girlfriend she is correct, Vynil sounds better then all. I don't know why, doesn't really make sense, but she's right. That's why all of a sudden these last couple of years your able to find players again in normal stores that were not available for year's in the past. Tests were made, and now we see them again in stores (although you will see the digital one's as well). Digital is mainly for recording your old vynil to CD, at least in my eyes (or MP3, etc.).

 

Back on topic though... the reason I don't like belt driven turntable's is because they tend to wear out after a while. This cause's a dragging sound ussually when listening to your records, making them sound a little worped, and if they are just a little worped, makes it sound alot worse then it would without that dragging problem. Direct Drive makes for a smoother quality.

 

The linked Tech's above is actually $200.00 cheaper then when I first bought mine, so now seems like a good time to find something. Those were, and some think still are, the best of the best for Club jocks. That's not a link for you to buy for the home (I'm not suggesting you spend 600 bucks on a player). Direct Drive and replaceable stylus is the main two things I would look into, as a cheaper player probably has stylus ranging less then 20 bucks, and Direct Drive just seems to last forever. All you need to do is clean them up a little every now and then.

[1234]

And tell your Girlfriend she is correct, Vynil sounds better then all. I don't know why, doesn't really make sense, but she's right. That's why all of a sudden these last couple of years your able to find players again in normal stores that were not available for year's in the past. Tests were made, and now we see them again in stores (although you will see the digital one's as well). Digital is mainly for recording your old vynil to CD, at least in my eyes (or MP3, etc.).

 

Going a bit off topic, but it does make sense that Vinyl sounds better if you know the theory. Stupid school making me learn about it .

[djthefunkchris]

Going a bit off topic, but it does make sense that Vinyl sounds better if you know the theory. Stupid school making me learn about it .

 

Vinyl is the imprint of the original sound, smooth and without loss. Digital takes little steps (bits of information) or imprints to make the sound. No matter the digital quality, there is always going to be these steps, so it will never sound as good as vinyl. Kind of like taking the waveform of actual sound, and changing it into steps, if you want a visual...So you can walk up and down the steps bassically, but with vinyl it would be smooth.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OLQCCJI-ilc/TJXSMv3GKBI/AAAAAAAAAsU/hMHW45AO6xg/s1600/vinyl+vs+cd.gif

[juggaloninjalee]

How much should I be looking to spend for a player with interchangable stylus and a direct driver?

[djthefunkchris]

How much should I be looking to spend for a player with interchangable stylus and a direct driver?

 

I've seen brand new players for around 200 bucks, but I think even those had pitch controll, which is something your not going to need. I would think you could find a brand new one for less then 150 (even less http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4RNTN_enUS364US364&q=direct+drive+turntables&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16715468059077935221&ei=uyv9TPuQEoa8lQf8yMicBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEsQ8wIwBA# ), so probably less then 100 for a used one (if you can find one).

[Linsolv]

Vinyl is the imprint of the original sound, smooth and without loss. Digital takes little steps (bits of information) or imprints to make the sound. No matter the digital quality, there is always going to be these steps, so it will never sound as good as vinyl. Kind of like taking the waveform of actual sound, and changing it into steps, if you want a visual...So you can walk up and down the steps bassically, but with vinyl it would be smooth.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OLQCCJI-ilc/TJXSMv3GKBI/AAAAAAAAAsU/hMHW45AO6xg/s1600/vinyl+vs+cd.gif

 

Any word on lossless audio codecs, such as FLAC? You've got me interested. ;p

[juggaloninjalee]

I've seen brand new players for around 200 bucks, but I think even those had pitch controll, which is something your not going to need. I would think you could find a brand new one for less then 150 (even less http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4RNTN_enUS364US364&q=direct+drive+turntables&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16715468059077935221&ei=uyv9TPuQEoa8lQf8yMicBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEsQ8wIwBA# ), so probably less then 100 for a used one (if you can find one).

 

If I end up buying something like that we will need speakers right?

[djthefunkchris]

Any word on lossless audio codecs, such as FLAC? You've got me interested. ;p

 

Alot of codec's or filter's for digital sound is made to "simulate" analog sound, giving it a more "warm" feel to the music. What they do is try to get rid of the distortion that's caused when hitting certain "samples".

 

Specifically about FLAC, is that unlike MP3's, it records sound exactly as it was already.... This is in digital though, not analog. SO you can reproduce your digital sound without loss of quality. For example, that chart shows CD and DVD normal encoding... It would record it without loss, so you would have the same sound as the original DVD or CD. For example, you can record your CD's onto your computer using FLAC format, and players such as Winamp can utilize them, and virtually no loss going from CD to Computer. Pluss, you can make an exact duplicate of your CD if your old one get's scratched.

 

Another thing to consider is that alot of the times analog signals are used in conjunction with digital conversions... such as noise reduction, and then converted right back into analog sound.

 

In all honesty though, I can hear the difference, but it's hard to explain the difference. I guess it's that "warm" feel that people claim to here, but it's not going to be superior unless you have superior equipment (speaker's, etc.). For example, I can buy Analog to top your digital, but you could then turn around and buy a newer, more expensive digital device that sounds better then my analog... then I can go right back and buy something even more expensive (analog is ussually more expensive anyways) to top that off.

 

However, in the long run Analog is going to sound better (FLAC don't record Analog), even if you can't tell the difference, lol.

[djthefunkchris]

If I end up buying something like that we will need speakers right?

 

If you already have a system, you should be able to plug your turntable into it.... For example, I can plug one into my sorround system at home.

 

Some boom boxes have inputs as well. It's a matter of finding out what you need to do. Is your input RCA jacks, or are they 1/4 inch (like a microphone). You can probably even plug it into your computer.

 

But yeah, most turntable's need a sound system to plug into. You can't for example, just plug that turntable into a speaker, unless the speaker is self powered, your going to need an amplifyer (which is in stereo or surround sound systems).

[juggaloninjalee]

If you already have a system, you should be able to plug your turntable into it.... For example, I can plug one into my sorround system at home.

 

Some boom boxes have inputs as well. It's a matter of finding out what you need to do. Is your input RCA jacks, or are they 1/4 inch (like a microphone). You can probably even plug it into your computer.

 

But yeah, most turntable's need a sound system to plug into. You can't for example, just plug that turntable into a speaker, unless the speaker is self powered, your going to need an amplifyer (which is in stereo or surround sound systems).

 

We don't have a home system at all. Would I be best off looking at pawn shops and such to get a working old school record player? Or would it be tough to find an old one that works?

[djthefunkchris]

We don't have a home system at all. Would I be best off looking at pawn shops and such to get a working old school record player? Or would it be tough to find an old one that works?

 

My only fear of getting something old like that, is the possibility of it not working the way you need it to. Your GF said she likes the sound of vinyl better, and getting an old player would probably mean your getting an old needle as well. If you can replace that, and the rest works fine, then your good to go... You can always upgrade if needed later.

 

I have seen these "old school" looking phonograph record players that have tape or cd decks built in as well as speakers, that actually might do you justice. They are relatively "new" on the market, but have been designed to look old.

 

I would definately check out pawn shops and mom and pop's places first though... You might be actually surprised at what you might find. Those oddball stores that sell a wide variety of stuff.

[juggaloninjalee]

My only fear of getting something old like that, is the possibility of it not working the way you need it to. Your GF said she likes the sound of vinyl better, and getting an old player would probably mean your getting an old needle as well. If you can replace that, and the rest works fine, then your good to go... You can always upgrade if needed later.

 

I have seen these "old school" looking phonograph record players that have tape or cd decks built in as well as speakers, that actually might do you justice. They are relatively "new" on the market, but have been designed to look old.

 

I would definately check out pawn shops and mom and pop's places first though... You might be actually surprised at what you might find. Those oddball stores that sell a wide variety of stuff.

 

Thank you very much for your help. She is going to love this. I will keep you posted on her reaction after XMas.

[Wrestling Century]

Since Vinyl sounds better, I'm thinking of getting one of these. But I have one question: Is it true that after playing the records themselves so many times they wear out like video tapes? Or will they last as long as a digital CD as long as you take good care of them? I don't know much about records so that's why my question is probably stupid.

[djthefunkchris]

Since Vinyl sounds better, I'm thinking of getting one of these. But I have one question: Is it true that after playing the records themselves so many times they wear out like video tapes? Or will they last as long as a digital CD as long as you take good care of them? I don't know much about records so that's why my question is probably stupid.

 

If you use a good needle, and keep your record in excellent condition, you should be able to make it last as long as a CD.

 

Keep in mind that records can warp, scratch (bumping the needle), and can't be stored nearly as easily as CD's can. However, they do seem to have a different "feel" to them.

 

I'd like to point out something that I didn't address earlier though. There are alot of artists "THESE DAYS" that actually use digital music to make music... For example, Loops from alot of RnB and Rap, and EVEN country music are being used more and more in today's music. This has become more and more popular throughout the years, going back as far as classic's by Alabama (Yes, Country) using a drum machine in their music.

 

For example, most of today's rap music will sound the exact same on vinyl or CD. Groups that play instruments, and record in studios that use analog are going to sound different on vinyl then on CD. So will alot of the older music. I think Time Life digitally remaster's alot of music these days, but I think they also use the original analog master's along with it, so that the digitital actually enhances and restores the sound, rather then completely re-recording it... Kind of like taking the original analog tracks and combining it with digitally enhanced signals to combine to make an overall more modern sound without actually taking away from the original analog warmth.

 

Hopefully I haven't confused anyone. Also, I'm not sure on Time Life, but it's just what I would do (and it is totally possible to do), so I'm betting I'm right (if you can find anything they do in vinyl form anymore).