Smellman

Everything is 35% off with code BETTERSOUND at Hudson HiFi.

I got 500 archival inner sleeves for $55 shipped.

https://www.hudsonhifi.com/collections/lp-cleaning/products/sleeves?variant=42761546662086

If your speakers are in good shape I would say they're of much higher relative quality than your cartridge.

I've a had a different Sumiko that I liked and always read good things about the Pearl. I always recommend the Nagaoka MP-110. The Ortofon Red is popular but I found it too clinical sounding compared to the smoothness of the Nagaoka. 

If other speakers work and a different turntable worked through the receiver then it must be the turntable or it's connections. Try the Sony table on your other setup.

I am in a similar situation and wanted a good Toots vinyl compilation. I had been unable to find one until this was released a few weeks ago. 

https://www.discogs.com/release/25838278-The-Maytals-Essential-Artist-Collection

Good looking out, thanks.

This takes some of the sting out having my original Mushroom copy stolen years ago.

Edited to add the obligatory plea for a proper 2xLP The Mollusk

31 minutes ago, rickker said:

Just posted this on their IG:

HI everyone, so it appears there was a manufacturing defect on some of the Dead Cross II vinyl. There’s a skip on the second track, that has appeared on some of the variants.

We’ve opened our copies, and there’s records that play totally fine (check out the videos), so we’re not sure where in the process this happened and how many records were affected. But it’s something we wouldn’t be aware of until the records were in your hands.

We’re working things out with our manufacturer right now, so please be patient and send us an email at [email protected] if you ended up with a bad copy, and we’ll keep you updated on replacements.

Thanks as always for your support, we unfortunately have just been struck with some bad luck here.

Ipecac Recordings

Again.

42 minutes ago, mjp75 said:

Awesome, I just googled the Spin-Clean and its apparently manufactured like 10 minutes from where I live... pretty wild..  this definitely looks like a good option

They also own Northern Audio/Music To My Ear on Babcock Blvd. I haven't been there in a while but they often had deals on the Spin-Clean. 

Edited to add that some sort of cleaning is absolutely necessary in my opinion. Even brand new records are often filthy. I use an Okki Nokki with excellent results. The Spin-Clean or similar quality knockoff is where I would start.

There's also a repress of the GodWeenSatan Live show on blue/red splatter popping up on multiple sites.

https://www.ziarecords.com/p/13398708/ween-godweensatan-live-red-blue-splatter-vinyl-2-lp

Release Date: 10/22/2021

THE FRENCH DISPATCH (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) 2LP Tracklist:

Disc One:

SIDE 1:
1. Obituary – Alexandre Desplat
2. After You've Gone (from Sadie McKee) – Gene Austin with Candy and Coco
3. Simone, Naked, Cell Block-J Hobby Room – Alexandre Desplat
4. Fiasco – Gus Viseur
5. Moses Rosenthaler – Alexandre Desplat

SIDE 2:
1. I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango) – Grace Jones
2. Mouthwash de Menthe – Alexandre Desplat
3. Sonata For Mandolin and Guitar A-Dur, K.331 Andante Grazioso con Variation VI. Variation 5 - Adagio – Boris Björn Bagger and Detlef Tewes
4. Cadazio Uncles and Nephew Gallery – Alexandre Desplat
5. Inseguimento al Taxi (The Chase) (from Scent of Mystery)– Mario Nascimbene
6. The Berensen Lectures at the Clampette Collection – Alexandre Desplat

https://www.ziarecords.com/p/13307543/the-french-dispatch-original-soundtrack-2-lp

Also up at most other places

First, congrats on the awesome setup. 

I think I know the issue but could be mistaken. 

The TF-1 is what's called a step-up transformer. It basically brings the MC signal strength output up to what a MM cartridge typically is (eg. .3 mv vs 3mv). Now that the MC has been stepped-up, it's still not at what's called "line level". You still need MM phono pre-amp for that. As you mentioned, your "mixer" doesn't have one built in, so you'll need an external one.

The connections would go: Turntable>TF-1 inputs>TF-1 output to external MM phono pre-amp inputs>external MM pre-amp outputs>"mixer" Aux inputs.

Diagram in the TF-1 manual

You have other options that I can elaborate on later if you want.

From what I can tell, the storage cubes at Ikea and Walmart are virtually identical. I've gotten them from both stores but  Walmart  ships for free. They come in various configurations. The 2x2 is plenty large enough for 100 records but I've learned it's best to buy larger for a growing collection. I've never owned the kind from Target but they look considerably thinner/flimsier.

Walmart Cube Storage

Walmart 2x4 Cube Organizer

Lots of L7 on Discogs around retail too.

https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/19101469?ev=rb

Also, I'm no longer seeing The Life Aquatic Soundtrack on the July list. It's listed on several stores' websites though. Odd.

13 hours ago, zdkaiser said:

When do you have to cancel by? Or can you cancel immediately?

Per Bandbox FAQ:

When will my subscription renew?

Bandbox subscriptions renew once per month at Midnight on the 28th (after the initial subscription is made). We highly encourage members to choose their album well before the 28th though!

42 minutes ago, Fowty Dollaz said:

Bandbox is free this month (code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY) if you pick one of their 6 offered exclusives:

Elliott Smith

Black Pumas

Tycho

Nada Surf

The Hold Steady

Beach Bunny

 

I have a few records from them and they always include an LP sleeve-sized booklet about the band/ album. It's not worth $36, but it's worth $0 if you want any exclusive, imo.

Just a heads up that I had to sign up for the subscription vs one-time purchase in order for the code to work.

No big deal, it says you're not obligated to keep the subscription after the free one. I've cancelled them after a past promotion without issue.

Thanks

Appears to be part of the Ortofon OM Series.  There's a number on the other side of the catridge indicating exactly which model it is. 

You might call it a loss of detail/separation but it's all about trade-offs. Another common analogy is that the Ortofon line sounds more like listening to a CD, the Nagaoka produces a more "classic vinyl sound". The only way to know which you ultimately prefer is to hear both.

I've had a Bronze on my new VPI but have found the combination dry and somewhat fatiguing. My Nagaoka MP-200 arrives Monday. 

I second the Nagaoka MP-110 over an Ortofon but that's more a matter of personal preference.  I definitely preferred the MP-110 over the Red on my Pro-Ject. As I'm sure you've already read, the Ortofon is usually  described as clinical and dry, whereas the Nagaoka is more warm and musical. I found those desciptors apt.

If you stick with Ortofon, the Blue would be the most I would spend on a catridge for that turntable. 

I only use the mailers that have the extended sides like the mighty mailers posted above. The peace of mind is worth the extra cost. I use the ones made by Pratt, 25 for $50($40+$10 s/h) They're very similar, if not identical, to the mighty mailers. I haven't had a single issue with them. You can't ship many records in one mailer but the vast majority of my orders are for single albums. And I always remove the records from the outer sleeves and add some tape for good measure. I personally hate receiving records in the old cruciform mailers. 

I believe they're all the same, just different labels. 

Yes, you can still use the NAD. Connect the preamp to one of the line level inputs on your amp (ie. CD, Aux) instead of the Phono input. 

The Rega preamp is likely better than the one built into the NAD. Only way to know for sure is to try both and decide what sounds better to you.

Agreed that listening to them beforehand would be optimal. If you're unable to audition at a local store, I would take advantage of Amazon's easy return policy to audition at home.

I recommend Elac Debut B6.2

There are lots of options in your price range. 

22 hours ago, @@ron said:

For Bullmoose, how many points do you get per dollar spent? I just signed up

.08 points/dollar

So, you basically get 4% "back" on every purchase.

On 2/1/2021 at 4:12 PM, vinyl addict said:

Anyone have a Nativity in Black album that they would be willing to sell or trade?

https://www.bullmoose.com/p/34950350/nativity-in-black-tribute-to-nativity-in-black-tribute-to

You should be able to see a healthy stylus with your naked eye and certainly with a magnifying glass. It sounds like the tracking force had been set way too high and caused wear and/or damage to the stylus(needle) and probably to some of your records. It may be skipping because it's too worn down to properly track the groove. If that's the case you'll need a replacement. Be sure to get a stylus guage and research how to properly set the tracking force. The $10 digital scales on amazon and ebay are fine. 

I just had a variant issue with Goner Records yesterday but they dealt with it the best way possible. 

They responded to my email within minutes with an apology, prepaid return label, and full refund. They even sent another follow-up email apologizing again for the mix up. Unfortunately, they were sold out of the variant I wanted.

Awesome customer service for an honest mistake. 

I wouldn't hesitate to give them another shot in the future.