Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts

daveburt
Sensei

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy...

Posts: 150

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 2:40:29 GMT -5

Quote

Post by daveburt on May 9, 2015 2:40:29 GMT -5

Just wanted to get some opinions...

I have an old TT (Phillips F-7213). Quartz locked Direct drive that I purchased ~1980.

Yes, it's really old, but I bought it new and it's never been abused!
In fact I've always loved this TT and have treated it with kit gloves since day one, so I know it's history...

The original cartridge was an "Ortofon FF15XE". Back in the day, I used this TT quite a bit and the needle on the Ortofon was showing signs of wear so i replaced it with a Stanton 999SH ~1990.

Shortly after that CD's became the medium of choice and the TT's usage dropped drastically, so the Stanton doesn't have that much wear on it although it's now showing signs of age.

FF to 2015 and I find myself enjoying my (ancient) vinyl collection again (which was also babied

).

Long story short (too late

), what would you do?

1) Look for a replacement needle for the Ortofon
2) Look for a replacement needle for the Stanton
3) Buy a new cartridge (was leaning toward the Denon 103R)
4) Just buy a new TT w/cartridge

I don't have tons of money, so the price range should stay <$300 (the cost of the Denon 103R).
Given the fact that LP's haven't been a medium of choice for so long. Would there be an advantage to a new TT,
or would my Vintage gear be better than most modern replacements?

All suggestions Welcomed!

Thanks,
Dave

TV-LG 60" Plasma_Head Emo UMC-1_Amp UPA-500_Speakers: Mains Paradigm Monitor9 v7_Dayton SUB 1000 10"/100w_Infinity Sterling Center_Boston Acoustic Sat6 Surrounds_Logitech Harmony One remote

HTPC: ASRock AM1H-ITX_AMD Athlon 5350(25w)_8Gb Crucial Balistic 1600 1.35v memory_Samsung EVO 120Gb SSD_3TB WD Green drive_Fractal Node 605 case

Gary Cook
Particle Accelerator

Posts: 7,034

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 2:57:53 GMT -5 via mobile

Quote

Post by Gary Cook on May 9, 2015 2:57:53 GMT -5

I have a Denon DD TT early 80's vintage and I prefer the sound from the Sumiko cartridges over the Denons.

Cheers
Gary

Last Edit: May 9, 2015 2:59:00 GMT -5 by Gary Cook

(Lounge) Samsung QLED HDR 55" Q95TA, Foxtel IQ3 (cable), Emotiva ERC-3, Emotiva XMC-2, Emotiva XSP-1, 2 x Emotiva XPA-1L's, Emotiva XPA-5, Ascension Summoner 863's & 843's + 263 Centre, SoundStream 17" sub, Emotiva XPA-100 sub amp, Denon DD TT, Sony BD X800 4K, Apple TV4K 120 HZ
(Family) Sansum UHD 55" Q60, Foxtel IQ2 (cable), Apple TV4k, Panasonic BD60
(Home Office) MacMini, Emotive Big Ego & Airmotive 4's, Sony 12" Sub

qdtjni
Protean Force

Posts: 1,192

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 4:36:07 GMT -5

Quote

Post by qdtjni on May 9, 2015 4:36:07 GMT -5

I would buy one or a few new Pro-ject TTs from somewhere with a decent return policy.
Listen to them and compare with what you have,

As for the Denon 103R, which I found remarkable for the price, it's a low level MC.
You would need a phono pre-amp or step up trafo for that.

EDIT: Found the Ortofon stylus www.ortofon-shop.com/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_lite_pdf.tpl&product_id=119&category_id=35
So I would do 1 and 4ish as per above.

Last Edit: May 9, 2015 4:39:07 GMT -5 by qdtjni

wizardofoz
Protean Force

Chill...nobody gets out alive...even you!

Posts: 3,028

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 5:00:45 GMT -5 qdtjni likes this

Quote

Post by wizardofoz on May 9, 2015 5:00:45 GMT -5

Get the tt onto a proper solid base...that wire rack is a disaster area for a tt

Last Edit: May 9, 2015 5:02:03 GMT -5 by wizardofoz

My 2nd XMC-1 is SOLD. Still have one

XMC-2 is struggling along

I have a pile of stuff that pushes out squiggly waveforms from smaller squiggly waveforms that sometimes come from 1's and 0's.

It's wonderful to behold as long as you don't let the magic smoke out.

For the most part it just all works...when it doesn't then it's time to rub a few brain cells together and soon enough it's all good to go again.

Life is short! Enjoy the music while it plays

daveburt
Sensei

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy...

Posts: 150

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 5:11:11 GMT -5 qdtjni likes this

Quote

Post by daveburt on May 9, 2015 5:11:11 GMT -5

Thanks Folks!

Gary: What do you think of this Sumiko Pearl? It got good reviews, and it's within my price range...

qdtjni: Awesome find on the replacement needle for the Ortofon! I always liked the sound of the original cart, and this would definitely be my cheapest option...

You guys are my hero's! Gotta love the Lounge...

TV-LG 60" Plasma_Head Emo UMC-1_Amp UPA-500_Speakers: Mains Paradigm Monitor9 v7_Dayton SUB 1000 10"/100w_Infinity Sterling Center_Boston Acoustic Sat6 Surrounds_Logitech Harmony One remote

HTPC: ASRock AM1H-ITX_AMD Athlon 5350(25w)_8Gb Crucial Balistic 1600 1.35v memory_Samsung EVO 120Gb SSD_3TB WD Green drive_Fractal Node 605 case

daveburt
Sensei

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy...

Posts: 150

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 5:23:00 GMT -5

Quote

Post by daveburt on May 9, 2015 5:23:00 GMT -5

May 9, 2015 5:00:45 GMT -5 wizardofoz said:

Get the tt onto a proper solid base...that wire rack is a disaster area for a tt

Hey... It works out really well for Amps/Pre's and most other electronics!
Your probably right about it's suitability for a TT though.
I just tread softly when ripping vinyl...

You folks are gonna force me to re-arrange everything! hehe...

TV-LG 60" Plasma_Head Emo UMC-1_Amp UPA-500_Speakers: Mains Paradigm Monitor9 v7_Dayton SUB 1000 10"/100w_Infinity Sterling Center_Boston Acoustic Sat6 Surrounds_Logitech Harmony One remote

HTPC: ASRock AM1H-ITX_AMD Athlon 5350(25w)_8Gb Crucial Balistic 1600 1.35v memory_Samsung EVO 120Gb SSD_3TB WD Green drive_Fractal Node 605 case

qdtjni
Protean Force

Posts: 1,192

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 5:30:23 GMT -5

Quote

Post by qdtjni on May 9, 2015 5:30:23 GMT -5

Good old Ortofon can always be trusted.

FWIW, I "upgraded" from a Sumiko www.needledoctor.com/Sumiko-Blue-Point-Special-Evo-III-Hi-MC-Phono-Cartridge?sc=7&category=59028 to a Denon 103R on my Rega P3-24.
Was never happy with the Sumiko but it may have been a mismatch for that TT or for my phono pre-amp.

vcautokid
Particle Accelerator

Posts: 5,113

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 6:15:53 GMT -5

Quote

Post by vcautokid on May 9, 2015 6:15:53 GMT -5

I agree, a new cartridge, and improved isolation, yes the rack you have there is a vibration magnet. Consider a different rack, doesn't have to be expensive. Some racks by VTI are very good for the low bucks. if all is in proper order with the TT, than a new cartridge, though you may need only a stylus if the old one is removable. A bit cheaper than the whole Cartridge which really shouldn't go bad, vs. the Stylus which is a wear item. Save, and get a new Stylus, and Rack, and be certain the Tonearm setup is right, and enjoy your music.

The Gear
Anthem MRX-520, Denon AVR-4802/Anthem AVM-30, Parasound HCA-1500a,Classic 2125, Jamo C97II speakers,C Center, ELAC 6.2 surrounds, Emotiva BAS-X A2 x 2, SVS PB1000 Subwoofer. Samsung 42 inch TV. Sources vary, TASCAM DR-100 mk.3, Sound Devices 702,Sound Devices 442
Technics SLP-7700 CD player,TEAC X7 and TEAC A-7300 Reel to Reels. Panasonic AG-UX90 Pro Camcorder, Canon C100 Cine Camera. And Sony a7iii x 2 and Nikon D800 cameras. DJI Pocket 2, Sony RX10. Nikon D700

trinhsman
Sensei

Posts: 209

Suggestions from Vinyl Entusiasts May 9, 2015 6:42:28 GMT -5

Quote

Post by trinhsman on May 9, 2015 6:42:28 GMT -5

May 9, 2015 2:40:29 GMT -5 daveburt said:

Just wanted to get some opinions...

I have an old TT (Phillips F-7213). Quartz locked Direct drive that I purchased ~1980.

Yes, it's really old, but I bought it new and it's never been abused!
In fact I've always loved this TT and have treated it with kit gloves since day one, so I know it's history...

The original cartridge was an "Ortofon FF15XE". Back in the day, I used this TT quite a bit and the needle on the Ortofon was showing signs of wear so i replaced it with a Stanton 999SH ~1990.

Shortly after that CD's became the medium of choice and the TT's usage dropped drastically, so the Stanton doesn't have that much wear on it although it's now showing signs of age.

FF to 2015 and I find myself enjoying my (ancient) vinyl collection again (which was also babied

).

Long story short (too late

), what would you do?

1) Look for a replacement needle for the Ortofon
2) Look for a replacement needle for the Stanton
3) Buy a new cartridge (was leaning toward the Denon 103R)
4) Just buy a new TT w/cartridge

IMHO. First get rid of that ringing vibration rack.

Next, if you really want to test the waters of decent vinyl sound without breaking the bank, get a Pro-Ject Debut III. This will either wet your appetite and you will be upgrading very quickly, or it will be enough for you and you will be happy with what it does for you. I started with the Pro-Ject, and now have a Music Hall 9.1 with Ortofon 2M black cartridge......I got the bite. LOL

I don't have tons of money, so the price range should stay <$300 (the cost of the Denon 103R).
Given the fact that LP's haven't been a medium of choice for so long. Would there be an advantage to a new TT,
or would my Vintage gear be better than most modern replacements?

All suggestions Welcomed!

Thanks,
Dave

Audible Illusions Modulus 3A preamp
Pass Labs X250 power amp
Emotiva ERC3 CD player
Music Hall 9.1 turntable with Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
Morrow MA7 interconnects
Morrow SP7 speaker cables
Fully Modded Snell EII Speakers, with new custom cabinets, internal wiring and updated crossovers
Sound Anchors Speaker stands