edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 10:39:10 GMT -5
Who is using the phono section of their USP-1 and how about some opinions please.
I've been thinking about adding a turntable to my system. I have music on hard drives streaming regular 44.1kHz flac files, I have 96kHz files feeding my DACMagic into my USP-1, I have a CD player running through a Yaqin tube buffer into the USP-1 as well as an SACD player running directly into my Denon 3808 and all sound good but each is a little different.
Last night I dug an old (very old) Kenwood turntable out of my attic I've had since 1978(ish). I'm sure over the years that I have replaced the belt on it but I know it's been in the attic in a box more than 10 years and probably closer to 15. I was going to see what it would take to get it turning so I could try an old album or two for old times sake. I couldn't believe that not only was the belt not hard and fragile but it still turned the table when I applied power. I sat it in front of my audio equipment and turned it on after plugging into the USP-1 and was surprised that music was coming out. The needle has to be 25 years old and it has had no maintenance at all but I was pleasantly surprised that I liked what I heard.
I know that a new turntable with a decent cartridge would sound much better and now I'm looking at turntables, specifically the Pro-Ject RPM1.3 and wanted feedback on whether you turntable listeners out there like your vinyl more than digital media and if you are using the USP-1 phono section or a dedicated phono amp?
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Post by bigred7078 on Jul 21, 2010 10:53:16 GMT -5
Just make sure the cartridge does not have too low of mV output as you will end up cranking the volume knob on the USP-1. At least that was my experience with a Grado Sonata 1 that had 0.5mV output.
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 11:09:51 GMT -5
I enjoy vinyl more than CD's. I tried several CD players and DACs, always trying to get better sound quality, only to find it in vinyl. The USP-1 has a good phono section (I previously owned the RSP-2, which has the identical phono stage), and I wouldn't consider an external phono preamp unless you're willing to spend more than you did on the USP-1.
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Post by bigred7078 on Jul 21, 2010 11:12:28 GMT -5
I enjoy vinyl more than CD's. I tried several CD players and DACs, always trying to get better sound quality, only to find it in vinyl. The USP-1 has a good phono section (I previously owned the RSP-2, which has the identical phono stage), and I wouldn't consider an external phono preamp unless you're willing to spend more than you did on the USP-1. I echo this  P.S.- how are you enjoying that new TT now that you have had it for awhile? |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 11:13:44 GMT -5
The specs for the cartridge say 5.0mV. It is an MM cartridge.
I enjoyed listening to vinyl although I know it would be much better on a tt that isn't so old and has been in an attic for 15 years. Also the cartridges that one would have on an old Kenwood tt probably aren't that good anyway.
I probably wouldn't use it for parties but I think I would really enjoy listening to vinyl when I'm in "listening mode" and just want to sit back and enjoy.
What kind of record cleaning system do you guys use?
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 11:31:27 GMT -5
I enjoy vinyl more than CD's. I tried several CD players and DACs, always trying to get better sound quality, only to find it in vinyl. The USP-1 has a good phono section (I previously owned the RSP-2, which has the identical phono stage), and I wouldn't consider an external phono preamp unless you're willing to spend more than you did on the USP-1. If the phono stage on the USP-1 works well I have no inclination to spend more on a phone amp than I did on the USP-1 ;D Do you listen to old vinyl from previous times or have you been investing in some of the new releases? I see albums that are "180 gram" and "200 gram" and am wondering if these new albums sound better than the ones I have in my closet from my college days  |
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Post by bigred7078 on Jul 21, 2010 11:33:02 GMT -5
The specs for the cartridge say 5.0mV. It is an MM cartridge. I enjoyed listening to vinyl although I know it would be much better on a tt that isn't so old and has been in an attic for 15 years. Also the cartridges that one would have on an old Kenwood tt probably aren't that good anyway. I probably wouldn't use it for parties but I think I would really enjoy listening to vinyl when I'm in "listening mode" and just want to sit back and enjoy. What kind of record cleaning system do you guys use? Oh, well with a 5.0mV output you are completely in the clear lol. My suggestion is don't get an entry level table if you really want to get into it as you will just end up saving money in the long run. If it's going to be a casual listening system and you just want to play your old albums then something like the RPM 1.3 you mentioned or the Pro-jet Debut III would be nice choices. Also consider the Music Hall MMF-2.2, Rega P1, Pro-ject Xpression III, and some others. For effective cleaning on the cheap, check out the Spin Clean. It DOES work. www.spincleanrecordwasher.com/If you have a lot of older records, or plan on buying all yours second hand then you may want to consider something like this for the LONG term investment... www.amazon.com/VPI-HW-16-5-Cleaning-concentrate-solution/dp/B002ZDQ9IMor... www.nittygrittyinc.com/ |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 12:10:36 GMT -5
The specs for the cartridge say 5.0mV. It is an MM cartridge. I enjoyed listening to vinyl although I know it would be much better on a tt that isn't so old and has been in an attic for 15 years. Also the cartridges that one would have on an old Kenwood tt probably aren't that good anyway. I probably wouldn't use it for parties but I think I would really enjoy listening to vinyl when I'm in "listening mode" and just want to sit back and enjoy. What kind of record cleaning system do you guys use? Oh, well with a 5.0mV output you are completely in the clear lol. My suggestion is don't get an entry level table if you really want to get into it as you will just end up saving money in the long run. If it's going to be a casual listening system and you just want to play your old albums then something like the RPM 1.3 you mentioned or the Pro-jet Debut III would be nice choices. Also consider the Music Hall MMF-2.2, Rega P1, Pro-ject Xpression III, and some others. For effective cleaning on the cheap, check out the Spin Clean. It DOES work. www.spincleanrecordwasher.com/If you have a lot of older records, or plan on buying all yours second hand then you may want to consider something like this for the LONG term investment... www.amazon.com/VPI-HW-16-5-Cleaning-concentrate-solution/dp/B002ZDQ9IMor... www.nittygrittyinc.com/I was looking at the Pro-ject RPM 1.3 because it has detachable cables and the Pro-ject Debut III doesn't. The Debut III has the RCA cables hardwired and I need longer cables (I think) as I don't know how long the Debut III cables are but the cables on my Kenwood weren't long enough for where the tt will have to sit and the RPM 1.3 has detachable cables so I can get a good set of RCA cables and be OK. I have my USP-1 sitting on top of a cabinet to the right of my plasma and the tt will have to sit on the left side. With the phono connections on the USP-1 being on the far right side as you look at it from the front my Kenwood cable wouldn't reach. I don't need a real long cable, it just needs to be about 4 foot. MODIFIED. Now that I'm looking around I'm not sure which cable one would need. I see several different cables on the internet. |
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Post by regulator on Jul 21, 2010 12:20:02 GMT -5
I have the USP-1 and a Music Hall 5.1. I upgraded my phono preamp from a Bellari VP130 to the USP and have been very happy with the sounds.
You should be happy with the USP output and sound. Its has a very nice phono section.
I use the spin clean as Bigred had suggestion and I can say it works good, plus it's affordabale.
Let us know what you get, good luck!
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 12:33:46 GMT -5
P.S.- how are you enjoying that new TT now that you have had it for awhile? The VPI Classic is fantastic. I couldn't be happier. I'm using the same cartridge that I kept from my previous table, so all that has changed is the arm and table, and it made a big improvement. I believe I'm done upgrading for a very long while now. |
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 12:37:16 GMT -5
What kind of record cleaning system do you guys use? I use a VPI 16.5 machine, but I'd recommend a good brush or bigred's recommendation, unless you're really serious.  |
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 12:44:06 GMT -5
Do you listen to old vinyl from previous times or have you been investing in some of the new releases? I see albums that are "180 gram" and "200 gram" and am wondering if these new albums sound better than the ones I have in my closet from my college days The heavier (thinker) vinyl is less prone to warping, and if you have a light platter the added weight can help with speed stability, but otherwise there aren't any improvements to the sound quality. The same is true of new vinyl vs one that's 30 years old - the old one, if it was well cared for, will sound just as good. Most of my albums are second-hand. |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 13:27:56 GMT -5
Do you listen to old vinyl from previous times or have you been investing in some of the new releases? I see albums that are "180 gram" and "200 gram" and am wondering if these new albums sound better than the ones I have in my closet from my college days The heavier (thinker) vinyl is less prone to warping, and if you have a light platter the added weight can help with speed stability, but otherwise there aren't any improvements to the sound quality. The same is true of new vinyl vs one that's 30 years old - the old one, if it was well cared for, will sound just as good. Most of my albums are second-hand. Mofi.com www.mofi.com/store/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=4 seems to present the case that they have a superior way of pressing albums and many are "numbered" limited quantity records. Is this all smoke and mirrors or do they make a better product than the regular "off the shelf" LP? |
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 13:40:45 GMT -5
Mofi.com www.mofi.com/store/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=4 seems to present the case that they have a superior way of pressing albums and many are "numbered" limited quantity records. Is this all smoke and mirrors or do they make a better product than the regular "off the shelf" LP? I'm sorry, but I can't find any claims of better manufacturing processes, just claims that they remaster the albums to sound better than the originals, which may be true. In other words, the record isn't any different, but the recording pressed into it is better. |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 13:59:40 GMT -5
Mofi.com www.mofi.com/store/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=4 seems to present the case that they have a superior way of pressing albums and many are "numbered" limited quantity records. Is this all smoke and mirrors or do they make a better product than the regular "off the shelf" LP? I'm sorry, but I can't find any claims of better manufacturing processes, just claims that they remaster the albums to sound better than the originals, which may be true. In other words, the record isn't any different, but the recording pressed into it is better. I probably shouldn't have said "press better" I just meant they say their albums sound superior to others because of what they do. |
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 14:04:19 GMT -5
I probably shouldn't have said "press better" I just meant they say their albums sound superior to others because of what they do. They're a well-known company, and so their albums probably do sound better than the original releases. I have several of their SACD's, but I've never done any comparisons. |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 14:13:32 GMT -5
I probably shouldn't have said "press better" I just meant they say their albums sound superior to others because of what they do. They're a well-known company, and so their albums probably do sound better than the original releases. I have several of their SACD's, but I've never done any comparisons. I received one of their Beck Sea Change Ultradisc II Gold CDs last week and I think it sounds great but I don't have a regular Sea Change to compare it to. Been thinking about spending the $10 or so and doing a side by side comparison to make sure I'm not wasting my money  |
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Post by Mr. Ben on Jul 21, 2010 14:18:11 GMT -5
They're a well-known company, and so their albums probably do sound better than the original releases. I have several of their SACD's, but I've never done any comparisons. I received one of their Beck Sea Change Ultradisc II Gold CDs last week and I think it sounds great but I don't have a regular Sea Change to compare it to. Been thinking about spending the $10 or so and doing a side by side comparison to make sure I'm not wasting my money You'll probably enjoy this: www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize081999.htm |
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edmondwolfman
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Post by edmondwolfman on Jul 21, 2010 14:38:18 GMT -5
Well, I ordered these   and they said that I may see them by the weekend ;D Since Emotiva ran out of stock on the 8.3s during their Fourth of July Sale I am having to use that money for other things...I just can't hold on to it |
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twilkins
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Post by twilkins on Jul 21, 2010 14:38:25 GMT -5
I've found the phono section of the USP-1 to be excellent. You can actually use a low output magnetic cartridge as you can choose between MC and MM on the USP-1. I'm using a Denon DL-160 HOMC that sounds great. Since rediscoverig vinyl I've put in a lot of upgrades to my Rega P-2 and can honestly say that even my old vinyl (some 40+ years) sounds better than my CDs or media played via PC - Dac - USP-1. Turntables are great and the urge to continually upgrade the table (subplatter,tonearm,cartridge,wiring, platter) can be very addictive as we seek sonic nirvana. Have fun.
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