SCBobo85

Bearchuck -- thanks for all the help. After an hour and a half with some steel wool, the old mat is no more. I picked up a felt mat today after work and wanted to test the TT out on an old scratched to hell 33 that was in the TT box (I was mistaking the cartridge for the headshell, and the entire unit had been removed from the arm. I reattached it with no problem). Two issues: (1) the Platter has a wobble to it. A couple of folks suggested I rotate the platter until the wobble ceased, but that did not seem to work. Any suggestions? (2) The TT is producing a lot of static (in addition to the normal crackles and pops) -- some of which I attribute to the record. I am running it directly into an early 2000's Sony STR-DE525 Reciever, without any volume issues, so is a pre-amp even necessary, or do you think my direct connection is an additional source of the static? Again, thanks for the insight.

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the help. I'm looking forward to having it ready to play soon. Nothing beats the vinyl listening experience.

Right now I'd like to be a cheapskate about it -- I have absolutely no turntable knowledge so any sort of guidance is appreciated. The turntable has been sitting in storage for 30 years, so should I at least replace the stylus? The cartridge was unscrewed from the arm when I opened the box and I reattached it, will that have any affect on its balance/tracking force?

Thanks -- I found an owners manual online shortly after posting and answered my own question re: belt guides. As for the subjectiveness surrounding my 'quality' inquiry, I'd like to spend as little as possible at the moment -- just looking for something that will not sound too terrible. Thanks again for your reply!

Hello All: I've been wanting to purchase a turntable for ages, but it has been cost prohibitive until recently. At any rate, I recently came into possession of an Acoustic Research (Model AR-XB, I believe), purchased by my Dad in 1975. He had an issue with the stylus jumping back in the day, but other than that it was in great working condition. I've cleaned it up, and aside from the rubbery shock absorbtion pad adhesive dry-rotting on the outer-platter, I think it's ready to go. I plan on replacing the cartidge tomorrow (unless it would be unwise to do so), and am in need of some advice as to a quality replacement, as well as any advice as to a quality/affordable pre-amp through which to run it. I've saved my dumbest question for last: the portion of the motor that moves the belt appears to have two guides through which to run the belt. Does this have to do with motor speed, i.e., 33 1/3 v. 45? Thanks in advance! SCBobo