Recording from a turntable: What have you found successful?

Psyko/Acoustics · 16th March 2006

Hey,

I'm looking for some suggestions for a recording path from a piece of vinyl. I've done some looking but I can't be certain what will do the job reasonably well without breaking the bank.

Let's just say that I'm currently hearing a 1200 thru my friend's stereo and it sounds bad. No idea what the needle and cartridge are.

I'm looking for:

Needle/cartridge
turntable
RIAA preamp

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. In terms of price I'm thinking more on the "pro" side, less on the "sumer"!

Thanks

-Pro-sumer

tekn0 · 16th March 2006

You have a few option with this, There are "Digital Turntables" now with spdif and usb connections in them, Also they have riaa preamps with built in usb and spdif also. Or you could go the route your allready looking into and go from Good cart -> 1200 -> RIAA. I think the mpc4000 has an riaa preamp built in for direct sampleing aswell.

dshay · 16th March 2006

Don't skimp on the preamp.

get balanced, and they start at about $150 and up. Also, don't skimp on the cartridge, and, consider getting a dedicated belt driven turntable because the direct drive puts a little hum into the recording.

Psyko/Acoustics · 17th March 2006

Whoa... turntables with digtal O/P. That's bizarre. I guess I would be relying in the TT for a lot in that case: transduction, preamplification, and A/D conversion! If it were reputable I would consider it. Thanks for the info. Time to look around.

Yeah, belt driven is definitely a good move. Thanks for reminding me, it's been a while. However, isn't the 1200 known for its lower noise for a direct drive? Guess it still can't beat belt.

Can you suggest any models of cart and needle? I don't even know where to start, the last one I bought was a Stanton cart and I have no idea whether that was the right thing to do... Any suggestions on preamp would also be cool, since this is the first time I've looked into this since getting into audio hardcore.

* * *

My own TT is currently messed up. I miss my collection SOOOO bad. I keep wanting to put on my Boot Camp singles and old Hit Squad stuff.

timmah · 17th March 2006

in terms of carts, ortofon and Shure do really nice non-dj models that are reasonably priced.
Pro-ject and Rega are the brands to look for in terms of budget turntables.
in terms of pres there are many different models around, depends on how much you want to spend really. ive got a NAD phono pre that sounds nice.

I'd steer well clear or turntables with a AD converter in them, they're bound to be cheap and crappy. Your current soundcard most likely has much better AD converters.

Steamy Williams · 17th March 2006

I am going through the same thing as you - trying to upgrade my vinyl signal path.

I've decided to go with a Grado cartridge, but I haven't decided what model yet.

I'm still undecided about a phono preamp, but here is a link to a thread I started about phono preamps a while back:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=44812

Sounds Great · 17th March 2006

I have a very old (belt drive) Micro Seiki turntable that just keeps going. Have had it for close to 25 years, and even got it used at that point!

You don't have to spend a ton on a preamp and cartridge. I've tried quite a few and have settled on the Creek Audio ( $225, but get the optional beefier power supply) and a high output moving coil cartridge, the Denon DL-160 ($180).

Sounds awesome!

Psyko/Acoustics · 18th March 2006

Great, looks like I have what I need to get going.

I shoulda used "search", shouldn't I...

Thanks people!

16th March 2006	#1
Psyko/Acoustics Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 412 Thread Starter	Recording from a turntable: What have you found successful? Hey, I'm looking for some suggestions for a recording path from a piece of vinyl. I've done some looking but I can't be certain what will do the job reasonably well without breaking the bank. Let's just say that I'm currently hearing a 1200 thru my friend's stereo and it sounds bad. No idea what the needle and cartridge are. I'm looking for: Needle/cartridge turntable RIAA preamp Any comments would be greatly appreciated. In terms of price I'm thinking more on the "pro" side, less on the "sumer"! Thanks -Pro-sumer

17th March 2006	#7
Sounds Great Gear Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 18,030 1 Review written	I have a very old (belt drive) Micro Seiki turntable that just keeps going. Have had it for close to 25 years, and even got it used at that point! You don't have to spend a ton on a preamp and cartridge. I've tried quite a few and have settled on the Creek Audio ( $225, but get the optional beefier power supply) and a high output moving coil cartridge, the Denon DL-160 ($180). Sounds awesome! __________________ http://soundcloud.com/sounds-great-1 -Rob Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.

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16th March 2006	#2
tekn0 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 501	You have a few option with this, There are "Digital Turntables" now with spdif and usb connections in them, Also they have riaa preamps with built in usb and spdif also. Or you could go the route your allready looking into and go from Good cart -> 1200 -> RIAA. I think the mpc4000 has an riaa preamp built in for direct sampleing aswell.

16th March 2006	#3
dshay Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 163	Don't skimp on the preamp. get balanced, and they start at about $150 and up. Also, don't skimp on the cartridge, and, consider getting a dedicated belt driven turntable because the direct drive puts a little hum into the recording.

17th March 2006	#5
timmah Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 145	in terms of carts, ortofon and Shure do really nice non-dj models that are reasonably priced. Pro-ject and Rega are the brands to look for in terms of budget turntables. in terms of pres there are many different models around, depends on how much you want to spend really. ive got a NAD phono pre that sounds nice. I'd steer well clear or turntables with a AD converter in them, they're bound to be cheap and crappy. Your current soundcard most likely has much better AD converters.

17th March 2006	#6
Steamy Williams Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 1,110	I am going through the same thing as you - trying to upgrade my vinyl signal path. I've decided to go with a Grado cartridge, but I haven't decided what model yet. I'm still undecided about a phono preamp, but here is a link to a thread I started about phono preamps a while back: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=44812

18th March 2006	#8
Psyko/Acoustics Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 412 Thread Starter	Great, looks like I have what I need to get going. I shoulda used "search", shouldn't I... Thanks people!