Suggestions needed for a vinyl newbie

ohbythebay said:
I understand the reticence on ebay...But I can honestly say out of 20+ purchased, I have only had 1 damaged in transit, 1 not as advertised. BOTH case, my money was recouped easily. I always tell them how it should be packed and like I said, I prescreen. You can often tell when you are dealing with someone who KNOWS versus the guy who thinks "throw it in a box with peanuts - or newspaper and it will be ffine".

:)
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It's a big world (eBay world) out there Rob, and not everyone is as vigilant as you are.
 
After some searching and luck, I managed to find a minty one owner Pioneer PL-530 on Craigslist. The owner also threw in 10 LPs to get my library started. The only downside is that it was a 5 hour round trip to go and get it, but I didn't mind the drive since it was a nice day.

I want to thank everyone for their input and give a special thanks to Rob (Ohbythebay), for his patience and expertise.

Here's a quick cellphone pic of it playing The Dark Side of the Moon:



pl530.jpg
 
Great find Matt. Looks like a Stanton or Pickering cartridge was included. Make sure that stylus is clean and in good shape before you play it too much. Since both branch's of that original company have been out of business for decades, finding new NOS NY styli is getting harder and more expensive. The only legitimate dealer I know of with stock left is in the UK and they are raising prices all the time. If you need help finding a new replacement stylus let me know.
 
Thanks for the compliments, everyone.

Jack, it has a Stanton 680 EE on it. Currently it doesn't sound so hot but I'm not going to be too quick to pass judgement until I have a chance to clean and check out the setup of the arm and stylus. From what I've been told, it has been sitting in a closet for a very long time. Unfortunately, I'm not going to have much of a chance to play with it this week due to the holiday. If I can't get the cartridge sounding decent, I'm just going to get something better which was my plan anyway. I just don't have the funds to do it right until after the holidays.
 
Matt

Go to the Dollar Store or similar and buy a plain original Magic Eraser and not any of the advanced or scented kind and cut out a square of it and dip the stylus gently down into it straight up and down. If several cleanings of that and an check of overhang and alignment don't make it sound any better let me know. That is a great legendary cartridge and a broadcast industry standard for decades. It will retrieve exactly what is on the LP if the stylus is good.
 
Matt715 said:
Thanks for the compliments, everyone.

Jack, it has a Stanton 680 EE on it. Currently it doesn't sound so hot but I'm not going to be too quick to pass judgement until I have a chance to clean and check out the setup of the arm and stylus. From what I've been told, it has been sitting in a closet for a very long time. Unfortunately, I'm not going to have much of a chance to play with it this week due to the holiday. If I can't get the cartridge sounding decent, I'm just going to get something better which was my plan anyway. I just don't have the funds to do it right until after the holidays.
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Black Friday could be a good day perhaps to get that brand new shiny cartridge. :)
 
Jack said:
Matt

Go to the Dollar Store or similar and buy a plain original Magic Eraser and not any of the advanced or scented kind and cut out a square of it and dip the stylus gently down into it straight up and down. If several cleanings of that and an check of overhang and alignment don't make it sound any better let me know. That is a great legendary cartridge and a broadcast industry standard for decades. It will retrieve exactly what is on the LP if the stylus is good.
Click to expand...

Magic eraser is great (its what I use) but good for maintenance, not a cleaning if its gunked. He would need a real stylus cleaner (just ask Jeff...lol)

Even viewing under a microscope, he'd have to know what to look for in terms of stylus wear.

I recommended an AT440Mla (to bring out the detail) as he found the sound a bit pushed back (I found the same with the same Stanton,,,nice, warm, but not as detailed ). Not knocking the Stanton (please don't take it that way) but different carts please different people.
http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC05.html

A Denon 110 HOMC might be nice also though I can only recommend it second hand, not personal experience.
http://www.lpgear.com/product/DENONDL110.html
 
Rob is dead on above.

* That stylus is quite dirty (looks more like dirt than heavy gunk though): Magic Eraser is an indispensable tool for TT lovers. ...There are other methods too to remove that sticky, gummy (gunk) stuff; stylus' carpet cleaner, isopropyl alcohol but you have to be extremely careful to no wet the boron cantilever (shank, or shaft). ...Liquid solution stylus cleaner.
{High concentrated isopropyl alcohol can dislodge the diamond from the cantilever by weakening the glue that holds it.}

The two cartridges that Rob just mentioned are two very good ones for the price. ...I believe that we did mention them before.

But clean that stylus now from that Stanton 680 EE. Be gentle, be patient, work methodically and carefully; but you should be able to reinvigorate life to it. Don't play any LPs till the job is well done.
Post a picture again when you think she's ready: => You're looking for a perfectly shaped and clean diamond, long and sharp.

Some' like this:

680c.jpg

680a.jpg

680b.jpg
 
GREAT SHOTS BOB !!! Really a good example for someone on what their diamond and cantilever should look like. Personally for the deeper cleaning (regularly) I use the original discwasher stylus cleaner. Two drops of liquid on that brush, pull forward forward forward and CLEAN. :exciting:

I have this kit
Discwasher Zerostat Record Cleaning Kit Plus Bonus Carbon Fiber Brush | eBay

Only use the stylus cleaner and dust brush. I don't clean albums with it.

The new version
Discwasher Stylus Care System ? audiophile
 
I didn't take the shots; but they're still from a Stanton 680 EE cartridge and stylus; a clean one to help Matt in what he's looking for.

Rob is the one who gives all the right ingredients for proper maintenance of your TT and cart.
Me I'm just a supporter that's all.

_______________

>>> You have to be truly dedicated to maintain a proper running analog turntable rig; and all that jazz.
It's not for everyone; or everyone can do it but not everyone to the same higher level.
I have the greatest respect for analog music and turntables and records; they are deep in my blood, even if today I am more a digital man.
* Just don't tell me that one is superior to the other one because it ain't true; they're simply different, a different musical experience, no more no less.
Everyone smart enough knows that, and they have both systems so they can expand their musical chords.
 
Hmm..Thanks Bob !!! Think I'll take some USB Microscope shots of a cart I am breaking in (AT440Mla) ..I'll do before and after shots...should not be that dirty though - If at all...Ah...wait...I received a Shure Premium cart with that spare table I bought ..That arrived dirty.

Oh and I am looking at a table to replace that already...Matt got me in the mood for wood ! (No jokes guys) . Not full auto but auto where I need it.

marantz6100.jpg
 
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