jimjimmyjones85

Think the album will be a buy?

Thanks so much. Ordered.

I assuming you don't mean this one right? As it makes no mention of it being Yellow Vinyl. http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Pharrell-Williams/dp/B00IERJQS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1397838125&sr=1-1&keywords=happy

Start with the second one on your list bud. Play the odds.

My RSD Wish list... Coldplay - Midnight 7" CCR - The 1969 Singles Fleetwod Mac - Dragonfly 7" Haim - Forever Jay-Z Collision Course Joan Jett - Misspent Youth B.I.G. - Life after Death Eric B - Paid in Full 7" Max Steiner - King Kong 7" RPJ - Ghostbusters 10" Jimi Hendrix - Live at Monterey My wallet cries.

Well I am glad you can acknowledge and embrace what a dick you are. I congratulate you. If it pleases the court, I have spent hours reviewing threads, forums, videos, blogs. But there is a point you just want to reach a spot where you can reach out to peers that you feel you can value their opinion and will listen and give you positive feedback. I guess I was wrong. Everyone acts like such an elitist that any Noob questions are flamed and embarrassed. Its not easy with this hobby as there are so many levels of equipment and expertise that people with lower end equipment tend to get lost like myself. Too bad people tend to forget they were "noobs" once and may have made less mistakes if peers had lent a helping hand and not just sent them to look it up. Regardless Allan, I am deeply grateful for all of your input. Glad to meet another forum dick yanq.

Ok, I know how to set the tracking weight and anti skate after confirming the starting point for the cart. I will also have to re-balance the tone arm I am sure. I was actually looking at an alignment mat. But I am going to download one from Vinyle Engine just in case I decide on a different one. Thanks I am looking at a few different mats on ebay now. Is there a type better for the rock/pop/new wave music I mostly listen to? Hmmm, never heard of such a scale. I assume it is the same as a tracking force gauge. Is digital better to get ? I see some that look like rulers which I assume are much harder to deal with. If I understand it correctly, it should read when the weight reads correct ? Has anyone had any experience with the Ortofon 2m Red ? I had it on my short list as well for cart upgrade but could yse some input on it. I am learning so much and really appreciate the input of a veteran such as yourself. Thank you.

Yea. I know in the end that is right. With the weak links I have... (since this was orignally built as a home theater) it is not optimal. But ... at this point, budget wise, I need to maximize my current set-up without mortgaging the house. So ... I will take baby steps. I am leaning towards either the Shure or the Grado right now. Will I have to do all kinds of calibration when I set it up ? I have an extra headpiece on order so I will always have a backup to either upgrade or swap. What are the thoughts on upgrading the mats ? I see many do... I know the stock mat that came with it cannot be good.

Once again Allan, I deeply appreciate your time and direction. As a uber noob much of this is very helpful. I was unaware of the huge difference the moving coil (MC) had. I should have known as I read the FAQ thread. So, I am now looking at: Shure M97-XE http://www.needledoctor.com/Shure-M97XE?sc=2&category=380 Grado Prestige Black Standard Mount http://www.needledoctor.com/Grado-Black1-Prestige-Series-Phono-Cartridges?sc=2&category=374 Nagaoka MP-100 http://www.needledoctor.com/Nagaoka-MP-100-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=15775 I listen to a little of everything, but I have a lot of 70's/80's pop and rock with some late 60's gems thrown in. I saw the Nagaoka said it is perfect for jazz and pop... so I am not sure which of the three is my best bet. I would never have thought the type of music would have come into play so much. Then I am not sure if the fact that most of my vinyl are older and used... sometimes abused...

Will the DL110 be a good upgrade for my AT120 or no?

WOW Allan. That seems way past my level of expertise or knowledge ! Needless to say I am not quite as competent LOL. Seems like the Shure go to of choice has been the M97 XE. I was hoping there might have been another option just to be able to compare. I would not mind a dedicated amp just for my turntable. I don't need a tuner or anything of the sort so a stereo integrated amp would be nice to have in the set up. Finding one sounds like a journey of its own !

Ok good to know. Thank you so much for taking the time to lend a hand Allen. I know as a noob it can be annoying and redundant for the vets, but I appreciate you taking the time. I agree I am sure the AT TT will be fine for a while.. but I already see myself wanting a better cartridge (any suggestions by the way?) and that will lead me to later wanting a better TT and then receiver. LOL.

Thank you very much kind sir. Your direction has been valued and very much appreciated. My father provided me with a small NAD PP-1 pre-amp box that I integrated into the set up. Switching the TT back to phono and I must say the sound is very pleasant. The bass is appropriately prominent where it should be the mid and highs are gorgeous. I'm very happy with the sound production now. Thank you for your input. I will have to look at upgrading the preamp box ad it seems to be a few generations behind. I am afraid all this has proven a new addiction of my pursuit of a better quality system all around. Too bad these things called budgets exist and persist to get in the way lol.

Sounds to me like a pre amp is a good idea. Seems like bypassing the TT amp and going into a pre amp then a line into my AVR is the best approach given my set up. Any suggestions given what I have to work with?

Ok. I redid my connections. Switched to a straight analog input in my AVR. Switched to the line out in my TT and the issue I was experiencing was gone at least over the 10 vinyl I tried. Thank you. Now only to decide of I should go with pre-amp before my AVR.

Yeah, thanks for your wisdom and assistance. Thank you very much. Do you think it is better to use a pre-amp for a TT? Is there any recommendations you can offer ?

Can anyone recommend if I should use a Pre-amp instead of going directly into my Onkyo AVR ?

Understood. I was just never under the impression that it was a degradation in sound I was experiencing. More like an abnormality. Playing without issue... then boom, high volume pitch for a few seconds... then boom, drops back down. Very odd.

I did make sure the preamp is off. I will did not try putting it into one of the othe other analog inputs yet. Why do they make these lines so short ? They are barely three feet long. My AT is has to be on the top shelf and my AVR due to weight and size is on the bottom. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out with your input.

Ok, to start I would like to thank you all in advance for your assitance and consideration. I have been out of othe game for some time and just now have found myself going back to my roots. Mostly this brings back memories of my dad and his collection. Regardless I am encountered some issues. I decided to start with the Audio Techinca 120... figured it was as good a place to start given the price point. I have it runniing into my Onkyo AV receiver ... as is the case the RCA cables are too short so I have them coupled and into another set of wires then into my receiver's Phono input. I have a number of older records... I have cleaned them lightly the best I can. I notice when playing my records I get a momentary peak in audio that will then drop back down to normal. Sometimes the album will actually start high and then drop to what I have come to believe is normal. I am truly confused and would appreciate any assistance or direction you may be able to provide. Thank you.