Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
242I just got a pair of KEF q150s on half price sale (through the end of the year) for a garage we converted to an extra room https://us.kef.com/products/q150-bookshelf-speaker. They're really nice for Cannonball Adderly (flac CD rip) and a recording of HMS Pinafore ( Idagio streaming service) so far, especially for $300.
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
243What's a good record cleaning kit?
"Whatever happened to that album?"
"I broke it, remember? I threw it against the wall and it like, shattered."
"I broke it, remember? I threw it against the wall and it like, shattered."
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
244I was given this thing as a gift a few years ago:
https://studebakerhifi.com/products/vin ... 5968645273
It’s basically a cheaper version of the Spin Clean.
It’s an okay design but in my experience - since it’s all manual - there are many ways to screw up the process and actually mess up your records instead of clean them. In other words, it’s nowhere close to idiotproof.
As I have idiot-like tendencies, I wouldn’t recommend it.
I’m looking at getting one of the automatic cleaners soon.
jason (he/him/his) from volo (illinois)
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
245I disagree. I have a Spin Clean, it's fantastic. IMO it works better than the Nitty Gritty I used to have (I was borrowing it). It's more labor intensive, and doing one record at a time isn't ideal. I would wait until I had at least five new ones and clean then all at once. You'll need more than two cloths though, six is ideal as even the drying ones get saturated eventually and you need to bring out a new one. If that works as well as a Spin Clean I'd say it's very much worth it.jfv wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:53 pmI was given this thing as a gift a few years ago:
https://studebakerhifi.com/products/vin ... 5968645273
It’s basically a cheaper version of the Spin Clean.
It’s an okay design but in my experience - since it’s all manual - there are many ways to screw up the process and actually mess up your records instead of clean them. In other words, it’s nowhere close to idiotproof.
Make sure your hands are clean before using, obviously.
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
246the best value for record cleaning machines are the nitty gritty and record doctor vacuum machines. they only do one side at a time, you have to apply the fluid, rub it around, flip the record, turn on the vacuum and turn the record yourself. Still works great. We had one in the Hifi store i worked in, and I abused the shit out of that thing and it never faltered. you just have to watch the velvet "lips" on the vacuum nozzle, since they get full of gunk (just clean them), and then they wear out and smear adhesive on your records (new ones are cheap and easy to install).
for around $200 it cannot be beat.
There is a pro-ject vacuum machine for around $500. It looks good, but I have not used one.
I have a VPI 16.5 that I bought used. it turns the record for you and vacuums from the top. probably does about the same thing as the nitty gritty/record doctor. I would not buy a new one, as it is so not worth $1K.
there is a whole world of so-called ultrasonic cleaners which I know absolutely nothing about.
for around $200 it cannot be beat.
There is a pro-ject vacuum machine for around $500. It looks good, but I have not used one.
I have a VPI 16.5 that I bought used. it turns the record for you and vacuums from the top. probably does about the same thing as the nitty gritty/record doctor. I would not buy a new one, as it is so not worth $1K.
there is a whole world of so-called ultrasonic cleaners which I know absolutely nothing about.
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
247I use and endorse the KAB EV-1, which is basically a Nitty Gritty except you hook up your own vacuum to it. Goes for $150, which AFAIK is considerably less than the cheapest Nitty Gritty (new, although they are plentiful used). As a bonus, their website is a late-'90s GeoCities time capsule.
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
248The Rega fell through, the store accidentally sold it even though I had a hold on it. Mistakes happen I guess.
I ended up putting the AT VM540M on my Project Debut III and there was enough of a difference that I am now thinking instead of a turntable to go with a new pre. I was thinking of maybe an EAR834 clone that I see around, or maybe the Parks Puffin.
I ended up putting the AT VM540M on my Project Debut III and there was enough of a difference that I am now thinking instead of a turntable to go with a new pre. I was thinking of maybe an EAR834 clone that I see around, or maybe the Parks Puffin.
guitar in - weaklungband.bandcamp.com/
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
249I admit it's likely operator error on my part.enframed wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 7:03 pmI disagree. I have a Spin Clean, it's fantastic. IMO it works better than the Nitty Gritty I used to have (I was borrowing it). It's more labor intensive, and doing one record at a time isn't ideal. I would wait until I had at least five new ones and clean then all at once. You'll need more than two cloths though, six is ideal as even the drying ones get saturated eventually and you need to bring out a new one. If that works as well as a Spin Clean I'd say it's very much worth it.jfv wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:53 pmI was given this thing as a gift a few years ago:
https://studebakerhifi.com/products/vin ... 5968645273
It’s basically a cheaper version of the Spin Clean.
It’s an okay design but in my experience - since it’s all manual - there are many ways to screw up the process and actually mess up your records instead of clean them. In other words, it’s nowhere close to idiotproof.
Make sure your hands are clean before using, obviously.
Though in my defense, the Instructions for Use of the knockoff I have doesn't give any guidance on some of the most important aspects, e.g., how to dry the record, etc.
If you do acquire a manual system like this, I recommend that you not only read the Instructions for Use thoroughly, but also watch many third-party videos on how to use it on YouTube before you actually use it. Or ask here.
jason (he/him/his) from volo (illinois)
Re: What's now in your hi-fi?
250Any thoughts on Sony's PS-LX2 turntable? Worth picking one up in good, working condition for $50? Has the original cartridge. Seems to have been very well cared for, not a scratch or speck of dust on the thing.
This would be to replace my beloved and indestructible but battered JVC AL-F3 (w/a Grado cart from a decade ago). That still plays fine, despite a few kinks due to its age. (The auto-return is shot, and I have to manually unplug the thing from the amp in order to turn off the power. There's also some hum at high volume, but that might be the cartridge.)
Aside from the obvious benefits, would the Sony be an upgrade? Comparable? Or worse? Price seem reasonable?
FYI: I'm not into anything resembling hi-fi nor am I much of a tinkerer. I tend to gravitate towards durable, no-nonsense Japanese stereo equipment from the late '70s thru the late '80s. (Don't judge me, hahahahah! Apologies if this is the wrong thread for this question. I believe the old forum had a Recommend Me a Turntable discussion, which I am too lazy to revive.)
Anyone?
This would be to replace my beloved and indestructible but battered JVC AL-F3 (w/a Grado cart from a decade ago). That still plays fine, despite a few kinks due to its age. (The auto-return is shot, and I have to manually unplug the thing from the amp in order to turn off the power. There's also some hum at high volume, but that might be the cartridge.)
Aside from the obvious benefits, would the Sony be an upgrade? Comparable? Or worse? Price seem reasonable?
FYI: I'm not into anything resembling hi-fi nor am I much of a tinkerer. I tend to gravitate towards durable, no-nonsense Japanese stereo equipment from the late '70s thru the late '80s. (Don't judge me, hahahahah! Apologies if this is the wrong thread for this question. I believe the old forum had a Recommend Me a Turntable discussion, which I am too lazy to revive.)
Anyone?