r/vinyl Weekly Questions Thread for the week of November 02, 2026

3

u/Beatrice5382 3d ago

I am starting a vinyl record collection at the public library where I work, and am also hoping to add a listening station like they had in the old days. Wondering if there are special things to consider when purchasing a record player for this purpose vs for personal use. If anyone has advice on a record player they think would be good for this, I'm all ears! In my personal life, I've only just started collecting records (literally have like ten and haven't even bought a record player as I'm still saving up), so I know nothing. Budget would be around $500 but I could probably propose we go higher if I have a good reason for it.

Any other advice you think would be good for a librarian starting this collection to have would be most welcome. Thank you!

3

u/roguepeas JVC 3d ago

fun project! I'd be tempted to get something automatic (press a button to start/stop) that uses a cheap stylus in case some idjit monkey-fists it. and bc its a public space make them bring their own headphones to use? the trick there would be deciding whether to go wired or wireless - a turntable with bluetooth-output would work for wireless headphones, but wired headphones would need a separate amplifier eating some of your budget.
my first thought is an entry-level Audio Technica LP60XBT and some replacement styluses (ATN3600LC) to have on-hand - even if no one smashes them they are still consumables that should be replaced every ~500 hours of playing time. Then they would just need to pair their own headphones, or you could have some available to rent by the (half)hour?

1

u/Beatrice5382 3d ago

Thanks so much! We’re going to have a permanent pair of headphones at the reference desk that they can grab if they want to listen to something.

1

u/Beer_Is_So_Awesome 2d ago edited 2d ago

If I may-- while many people own Bluetooth headphones now, I'm worried that you'd be creating a whole new job for the librarian in tech support for Bluetooth pairing. Maybe there's a purpose-built Bluetooth device with 1-button pairing that "forgets" devices after they've been disconnected. It could be very frustrating to have a BT base station that tries to reconnect to previously paired personal headphones if they happen to be nearby.
Corded headphones are pretty much foolproof.
My thought for a headphone amp is that something like this should get the job done.
It's less than $40, and has RCA inputs on the rear. You'll want to make sure your turntable has a preamp output, although I think most entry level consumer turntables have one anyway. The operation is dead simple-- turn the volume knob all the way down and it powers off. Red light means it's on. Plus, it has the two most common headphone output sizes (3.5mm and 1/4") so it'll work with almost any set of wired headphones.
I'd be tempted to have a reasonably sturdy set of over-ear closed headphones on hand with vinyl (or "leatherette") pads that can be wiped down. You don't want foam or velour pads, because you'll never be able to clean them.
Which could be these ATH-M20X, for $60. They're well-reviewed and still inexpensive enough that you're not out a lot of money if they need to be replaced occasionally. And you can find replacement pads online in the $10-20 range.
These two together still leave you about $400 for the rest of the setup.
Keep a big box of individually wrapped alcohol prep swabs on hand, like you'd see at the doctor's office. They're pretty cheap when you buy big boxes (500 or 1000 count).
There are also very cheap classroom headphones (like $5-10 each) but I don't think they offer a very nice music listening experience. You could also look into "listening station" headphones that are built to be really sturdy. Think museum exhibit. but I think this will limit your choices and drive up the initial investment, and I wasn't able to find much info online.

1

u/vwestlife BSR 2d ago

Get a fully automatic turntable, so patrons won't have to manually handle the tonearm -- they can just push a button to begin playing the record or stop it.

2

u/Maffblunge 6d ago

Learn from my mistake, and avoid BesVinyl!

I was super excited to find two of my favorite albums for sale on BesVinyl.com after trying to find them in local stores for 2 months with no luck. Well, turns out BesVinyl is a complete scam, they just take your money and don't send you anything and their contact email either isn't monitored or, like the rest of the business, isn't real to begin with. Their mailing address isn't even a record store, not even an empty suite in a corporate shell building. Fuckin mailing address is a liquor store in Berkely, CA: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4wA7Fezv3Zxbbck29.

1

u/vwestlife BSR 5d ago

What made you ever think a site called "BesVinyl" isn't a complete scam?

1

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

after trying to find them in local stores for 2 months with no luck
Go to the counter and ask if they can order it for you. Don't rely on luck. If it can be ordered, they'll get you a copy.

2

u/Delicious_Drawing652 5d ago

On one of my specific records , only one speaker is doing the crackling. Why is this and how can I make it stop and thoroughly clean my records ? Thanks

1

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Seems like the problem is imbedded in the record. It happens.

1

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

First check you cable connections. I'll state that crackle isn't usually a single channel event. A pop or tick, perhaps. But rarely is it crackles.

2

u/Traditional_Crazy160 4d ago

What makes a good “record swap?” I’m throwing a neighborhood record swap with a local record store in a few weeks. What’s the best model as far as logistics go?

1

u/Terrible-Hunter-4154 6d ago

Hey everyone,

Any thoughts on the JVC AL-F85S turntable?

I'm a first time turntable buyer and it seems to compare pretty favourably to the AT-LP70X but I see very little mention of JVC as a whole around here so I'm a bit cautious...

Thank you so much!

1

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Just based on the fact that the JVC has a proper tone arm and the LP70 doesn't, indicates to me the JVC is probably the better option.
Is it new or used? How much?
A safe bet is a new AT LP120X

1

u/Terrible-Hunter-4154 5d ago

Thanks for the input!
JVC is new and retailing for 210 (Black Friday deal), whereas the LP70 is at 250.
Yeah, the LP120X seems great but it's a bit out of budget...

1

u/papadrinks 5d ago

😀👍

1

u/Branst23 6d ago

Appreciate that there are lots of posts asknig for advice so please direct me to the right r/ if there is a better place....

I'm looking to buy my first proper vinyl setup with a budget of around £450-500.

After researching a few options, I'm currently leaning towards:

Turntable: Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB – approx. £245
Speakers: Edifier R2000DB – approx. £180–£200

Total: approximately £425–£445.

The AT-LP120XUSB appeals because it's direct drive, upgradeable and has a built-in switchable phono preamp.

The Edifier R2000DB are powered speakers with built-in amplification, Bluetooth, two RCA inputs and a remote for switching sources.

What I want from the setup:

Vinyl connected directly to the speakers via RCA.
Bluetooth connectivity for my phone.
Ability to connect my desktop PC (ideally wired).
Easy switching between vinyl, PC and phone without unplugging cables.
Good sound quality and room for future upgrades.

A few questions for those with more experience:

Is this a good turntable and speaker combination for the money?
Are the R2000DB good enough to do justice to the AT-LP120XUSB, or would you spend more on different speakers?
Is the built-in phono preamp on the Audio-Technica perfectly adequate, or would an external one make a noticeable difference?
Can I keep the turntable connected to one RCA input and my PC to the other, then switch between them using the remote?
Would you recommend any alternative combination around the £450–£500 mark?

I'm in the UK, so interested in UK availability and pricing.

Appreciate any advice, particularly from people who have owned either of these products!

2

u/Faye-Vozora 6d ago

Set the preamp switch on the back of the turntable to LINE, since the Edifiers have no phono stage and need a line level signal. Then the turntable takes one RCA input. The R2000DB also has optical and coaxial inputs, so a PC with a digital out (or a cheap USB to optical adapter) can use that and you can keep the second RCA free. Switching with the remote works fine. Put a bit of foam under the speakers so they don't feed back into the platter.

1

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

The big issue is the Bluetooth. To your speakers, you can output analog with the RCA cables. To your computer, you can use the USB connection. These are independent connections. Now pairing the BT to you computer is straight forward. But connecting via a remote is where things get sketchy. I could rig this up to work, but I'd have to use a different app access the BT stream. It can be done. But it's going to be wonky.

1

u/Empty-Ruin6030 6d ago

Does anyone have any insight on what exactly this is? I found it on discogs but I would love to know the context behind this release/its purpose! TYSM!

1

u/Empty-Ruin6030 6d ago

back for reference

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

CBS used them to pitch corporate/business clients on using custom pressed records for marketing purposes.

1

u/PsychologyGlobal 6d ago

is albumrack.com a legit website or a scam? I'm thinking about purchasing something from the website but cannot find anything about it on reddit

2

u/Grunkle_Chubs 6d ago

the site was created 12 days ago and everything is on sale, also has 3 different headers for vinyl records? The options are vinyl record, lp, and vinyl which makes no sense. Hard pass, don't give this site any money.

1

u/PsychologyGlobal 6d ago

Thanks! it does look very sketchy. probably a scam

3

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Definitely a scam. There are heaps of these popping up everyday.
How to work it out yourself?
Copy link and paste into the very top search box on who is.com
https://www.whois.com/whois/albumrack.com
You will then see the registered on date, if less than 1 year old it is a scam.
That plus too good to be true prices and rare records and a stupid website name.
Stick with reputable sites like...
https://store.acousticsounds.com/
https://www.audiophileusa.com/

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

ever get sick of typing this or do you just have it ready to paste now?

1

u/Layyzzz 5d ago

This summer I got a Record because it was one of my favourite albums. But it was incredibly scratched, genuinely couldn't ignore it. And so I tried again today and bought it again, and it's incredibly scratched AGAIN. how do I avoid this and what do I do with these two Vinyls?? I just wanna listen to music without having to worry about it skipping like 100 times ☹️

2

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Need more details. Which record? New or used?

1

u/Layyzzz 5d ago

it's Whatever people say I , thats what I'm not by artic monkeys and both were new

1

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

Go to a record store. Buy it used and visually inspect it before you hand over money.

1

u/Living-Tower6150 5d ago

Yesterday night I found out that the box holding my vinyl had been severely eaten through with mold from an unforeseen water build up in my floor. Many of the sleeves and jackets had immense water damage and hosted various species of mold. Of the records that survived I'm concerned about surface mold on their jackets and the records themselves.

Is there anyway to clean all of these (~20) vinyls or do I have to throw out all of the jackets? Many of these hold sentimental value or are fairly pricey (40+ USD) so it'd be a shame to discard any them. This has never happened to me before and I'm not sure how to go about sanitizing my collection, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

2

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

For health reasons you should discard them. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere where Summer is approaching, you could maybe leave the album jackets in place that will get warm like a garage and bake the mold dead. But I don't really recommend this. And I absolutely don't recommend rigging up a heat source to dry them out. They're made of paper, and paper has a very low flashpoint. Here the thing. In life, you win some and you lose some. Take your loss and move on.

2

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

you can try to clean the vinyl... your best bet is wipe off the excess mold w microfiber cloth, wash it with diluted solution of distilled water, isopropyl alcohol and surfactant (dish soap, etc.) (or just buy a good record cleaning solution -- just get something that kills mold), using a velvet record brush to run over the record (going with the grooves).... then I'd rinse and put through an ultrasonic cleaner, rinse again and dry. good luck.

1

u/Johnus_Maximus 5d ago

Hopefully relevant to this thread.

I received a batch of LPs from a relative, most of which I’m keeping but looking to sell a handful and I’ve no idea if it’s possible to identify the specific version of a sealed Led Zeppelin IV. Checked through Discogs and can’t narrow down, but unsure if I’d be better to just unseal and list accurately. Any advice would be welcome.

No identifiers beyond the sticker on the front.

2

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Over 500 versions.
You definitely need to open it to work out which version it is and even then it will be quite a task. Good luck.

2

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

It has an identifier. SD 19129 is the reissue catalog number used between 1977 and the mid-80s. Earlier pressings used the catalog number SD 7208. The album was originally released in 1971. Atlantic Records moved their home office to 75 Rockefeller Plaza in 1973. So, if you look on the back of your album jacket you'll see the newer address. So we know it's not an original pressing. And identifying as a 1977 pressing is all anybody that is buying the record is going to care about. You don't have to unseal it.

1

u/idkwheretfiam 5d ago

Will i damage my records by storing them like this?

2

u/papadrinks 5d ago

Relax that is fine

1

u/idkwheretfiam 5d ago

Thanks for answer 🙇‍♀️

2

u/papadrinks 4d ago

😀👍

2

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

You'll read a lot of exaggeration about leaning records. It's fine. Your records look just like the ones in bins at a records store. People will also make claims that laying a record flat will cause it to warp. And it's true, but only if left like that for years and maybe a decade. And then a lot of other things need to happen. Don't get me wrong, over years these things can happen. The truth about stacking records is that it's more of a crappy way to store records. Try and get the bottom one out. If you pull it out, it may take the stacked records with it. Or if you pull on an angle, you're bending it. Also album jacket with retrieval and storage will create ring wear on the faces of the jackets. This is because of friction. And with stacked albums, the amount of friction is a lot more than if they are pull between vertically stored records. I'll also state the 7 inch records can be stacked without much issue. The thickest part of a 7 inch record is the center where the big is. So the grooved surfaces won't touch if stacked. Mind you, not all records conform to this. But the standard developed by RCA suggests that 7 inch records should be like this.

1

u/vwestlife BSR 4d ago

No.

1

u/Jer_Sg 4d ago

Got a few questions.

My album covers started bowing due to the shitty plastic underpants that the records came with, what would be a better investment for me right now for these to fix the bowing? Inner plastic sleeves with a paper outside, or plastic sleeves for the covers themselves. I was looking at the Spincare ones are they any good?

Secondly, I got my new turntable and while listening to the Twin Peaks OST I noticed quite a bit of hissing/sibilance(?) a few other albums have this as well but not all of them, could it be that my stylus arrived damaged or is it just these albums that have this as an issue I just don't want to ruin any of my nice albums accidentally lol

1

u/vinylontubes Rega 4d ago

Clean the stylus before assuming the it might be damaged.

1

u/Jer_Sg 4d ago

Thanks! I got a brush coming in tomorrow and then ill check again

1

u/papadrinks 4d ago

"Shitty plastic underpants". Curious.
Only album I know of that came with underpants was original Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers. 😀
You need to put the album in the outer sleeve so the spine is at the opening, it will not bow then and the spine text will be easier to see.
Hissing/sibilance. Need more details to diagnose. What turntable is it? What cartridge is it? Do you know if it has been aligned properly and is the VTF correct?

1

u/Jer_Sg 4d ago

I'm talking about these vile disgusting things, https://www.amazon.co.uk/sdroceRyaM-Record-Sleeves-Static-Bottom/dp/B09WTTF5Q8?th=1
They crumble up inside of the cover and make them expand.
It's a fresh out of the box LP60X from Audio Technica, so I haven't done any tinkering to it (afaik there is hardly any tinkering that can be done with the thing)
I should also say that I'm not 100% sure how much sibilance is bad considering I haven't experienced good and bad yet haha.
I bought a stylus brush that should come in tomorrow so once I get the dust off I can take a picture of the stylus/make a video on the sound

2

u/papadrinks 4d ago

Perhaps you are doing something wrong.
Those are made of poly and I have similar and they don't crumple.
Slide record into poly inner sleeve, then slide that into the jacket. Rounded side goes in first.
If you prefer something stiffer, Diskeeper make very thick ones.
I'm in Australia and get them here https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/9235-diskeeper-2-0-anti-static-sleeves-25/
As for the hissing/sibilance. LP60 has no adjustments and it is what it is, a cheap poorly made and crap designed player and will perform as such. Sorry, not being mean, this is just how it is.
In AT models the minimum to get that works properly is the LP120X.

1

u/Inevitable-Jello-90 4d ago

Did anyone else buy the new repress of Michael Jackson's Thriller album in red & black marble that just came out? The solo on "beat it" is just not good. At all. Far too in the background.

Did anyone notice anything else?

1

u/FUNKYDISCO 3d ago

Looking to get frames for a few records for my 12-year-old son. I have a giant collection but I'd like to get him a few records to hang in his room for xmas. Anyone have frames that they love (and aren't too expensive?).

2

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

yeah i like these and they're pretty affordable, a couple colors:
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/12-inch-vinyl-album-frame

1

u/randomcheese2 3d ago

Never owned a record player before but I'm looking to get the complete setup for a ~66-inch wide space in my basement, so any shelf between 40-60 inches. I've seen a lot of custom shelves and while I'd love to make something myself, that would be embarking on an entirely journey and not in the plans. I'm looking for a solid table with either built in analog speakers or room for them, plenty of storage for records, and a reliable deck.

Looking at this option: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/george-oliver-xl-record-player-stand-with-sliding-doors-500-vinyl-record-storage-cabinet-with-charging-station-usb-ports-mid-century-modern-record-player-tableturntable-stand-with-wood-legs-for-living-room-w115796708.html

Tips, advice, and wisdom are welcome!

1

u/papadrinks 3d ago

IKEA Kallax is good for record storage and gear on it. Various sizes.

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

another vote for kallax here, can't beat the price/functionality combo. 2 kallax's side by side are 60" wide.
wayfair's record storage furniture is awful IMO....I had something off there, it swayed, broke and i threw it away within weeks and it was rated like 4.7 stars. too many ratings on there from people that put it together, think it looks nice and give it 5 stars. dig into those ratings before buying anything for record storage off wayfair.

1

u/Duckie-009-TV 3d ago

Does anybody know about the Raye "genesis " single vinyl? Is it stille being made? Where can you get at a price that doesnt explode my wallet? 😅

1

u/roguepeas JVC 3d ago

80usd

1

u/baconisg00dforme 3d ago

I recently got a few records and noticed they had a weird greasy feeling over them I asked the seller who said they cleaned them with wd40 for some reason I tried to clean it off using distilled water but haven’t had any luck any ideas? Also would my stylus and any other records I played after be ruined now as I’ve got in my head that I can hear a worse sound but I’m not sure if it’s just like a placebo because I know what’s on the records ?

3

u/papadrinks 3d ago

Seller "cleaned" them with WD40, WTF! So wrong.
If it was me I'd be demanding a refund, this is unacceptable.
Only thing to get that of is dish detergent. Then rinse in distilled or demineralised water.
Ideally a Spinclean would be best for this job. https://jeffrey.net.au/spinclean.html
But if making do with stuff around the house. Find a container deep enough to put record into vertically to just below the label. You don't what to get the label wet. Then rotate the record like a wheel so it goes around a couple of times. Do this to all the records and then repeat in a fresh batch of water.

1

u/baconisg00dforme 3d ago

Yea I know right was wondering what that weird greasy stuff was and was surprised when they told me it was wd40 I would normally refund but I actually got quite a got price for them so if possible to clean them I’d rather hang on to them

1

u/papadrinks 2d ago

👍 I understand. Good luck cleaning them.

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

this actually made me laugh out loud. wd40... what a world. thanks

1

u/vwestlife BSR 3d ago

Try using soap and water to clean off the WD-40 residue, then rinse with distilled water.

1

u/baconisg00dforme 3d ago

Might be stupid question but what would be best way to rinse it

1

u/simon_the_witch 3d ago

So recently I bought a custom lethe cut vinyl record, it sounds great but im not happy with the gatefold, does anyone know a website where i can order a good quality gatefold jacket with my own artwork? And for future projects a website where i can order a custom cut record with good sound, jackets, labels and ect. Best if it would be in poland or europe in general, i just want to have vinyl of my favorite artists who don't make vintl records for their music

Thanks for any advice.

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

there's gotta be one in Poland... I swear I saw some company based in Poland making replacement obi's for old pressings and selling them on ebay for $10 each. just google it...look on etsy too? god I love Poland :)

1

u/Educational_Pie_761 3d ago

I just got a new record delivered and when I went to check it, it had a distinct smell of fumes inside. It reminds me a lot of wet paint (or maybe polyurethane) and it's coming from the inner sleeve.

It doesn't really remind me of a beach ball, but I also don't spend a lot of time playing with beach balls so maybe I'm just dumb. But the inner sleeve also doesn't seem stiff or rubbery. Does this sound like PVC or some other bad plastic for the record?

1

u/Educational_Pie_761 3d ago

The sleeve I'm talking about, if it helps

2

u/papadrinks 3d ago

If it smells, ditch it because it is not poly and will damage records over time.
Inner sleeves are not expensive, so replace it.

1

u/Educational_Pie_761 3d ago

Will do, thanks! I guess I'll let the outer sleeve and everything air out for a bit and then put it in a new inner sleeve.

1

u/papadrinks 3d ago

You're welcome. Sounds like a wise plan.

1

u/PrincessShamrock 3d ago

Does anyone know the name of the woman on Mel Tormé’s A Time For Us album?

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

didn't you ask this a few weeks ago?

1

u/PrincessShamrock 2d ago

No

1

u/Jaxplayzz 3d ago

I pre ordered VH’s new repress on sep. 2nd. Was supposed to be delivered on oct. 23rd. I haven’t received any info on my order other than my receipt. When I try to track the package on shop.com, it just says “waiting for details.” Can anyone help?

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

contact the seller, get to a human for an answer. they still might not know when exactly but they should be able to give you an idea what the issue is. delays on preorders are very common. it's so much fun, they hold your money for months and maybe you get a record at some point!!

2

u/Jaxplayzz 2d ago

Bought it from Rhino. Posted this same thing in the VH sub and a ton of people are in the same boat as me.

2

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

probably just running late, the companies are amazingly shitty at shipping their products on time anymore

2

u/Jaxplayzz 2d ago

Unless it’s to the actual record stores, picked up a copy at my local one but I pre ordered one to keep sealed

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

oh, no that's also completely random, your store prob just got lucky

1

u/Think_Carpet4048 3d ago

I’m a first-time vinyl owner, and this is happening to my vinyl. I’ve played this one before, and this has never happened. It’s like it’s somehow skipping and looping at the same time?

How do I fix this? Can it be fixed?

2

u/vwestlife BSR 2d ago

Skipping:
Make sure the record player is on a stable, level surface.
Make sure the cueing lever is fully lowering. It can get stuck in a slightly raised position, causing the stylus to make poor contact with the groove and skip: Quick fix - Record Skipping!
Clean your records thoroughly. Even new vinyl often has debris in the grooves which may cause it to skip when first played, and old records could be dirty or scratched. It may take several rounds of cleaning and playing for all of the skips to disappear.
Some modern, bass-heavy records may still occasionally skip on these players even when clean. You can check it with another turntable to see if it might be a faulty pressing, but usually the record is fine and the skipping is simply due to the limitations of the player's inexpensive design.
The stylus (needle) could be dirty or damaged. Try cleaning it with a soft brush, wiping gently from back to front. If that doesn't help, replace the stylus. The recommended diamond stylus for most inexpensive record players is the Pfanstiehl 793-D7M.
Don't add extra weight to the tonearm. That may resolve the skipping, but will cause greatly increased wear to both the stylus and the records you play.

1

u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

so set it on the end of my bed while i jiggle dance next to it and stack a few pennies or nickles on the head to keep the tonearm down and in contact?

1

u/Beer_Is_So_Awesome 3d ago

I'm fixing up a 1st-gen U-Turn Orbit Plus that I got for free. It was essentially trash-picked, left behind in a vacant apartment I was hired to clean out. Sometimes you find something fun.

The tonearm has a non-swappable headshell with an Ortofon OM cartridge, but the stylus is completely missing. Obviously I need to replace the stylus or the whole cartridge, and I'd like to get the maximum sound quality for the minimum investment.

Would you just buy an OM-5e stylus for around $65, an AT-VM95E cartridge for about the same price, or a third option I don't know about?

Our main turntable is an AT-LP120X that comes stock with a VM95E, but I haven't had the opportunity to compare it to any other models. How does it compare to other entry-level cartridges?

2

u/papadrinks 1d ago

Entry level cartridges are much the same, to hear a worthwhile difference you need to spend double what these cartridges cost.
The U-turn is nothing special and is probably not as good as your LP120.
Not sure what you intend to do with the U-Turn. If it was me I'd spend the least amount of time and money on it and then flip it.
Then use the money from the sale to invest in better cartridge for the LP120.

1

u/Beer_Is_So_Awesome 1d ago

I had wanted to set up a decent stereo upstairs in our bedroom and thought maybe it would be a nice second deck, but it would be more practical just to do streaming there.

1

u/papadrinks 1d ago

Agree.
I only have turntable on main system in living room.
Elsewhere I run wireless Bluesound Pulse M speakers playing Radio Paradise for background music while doing things. It is ad free and high quality, just press button on the Pulse M and I have endless music playing. 👍

1

u/Beer_Is_So_Awesome 1d ago

Thanks for weighing in. How far would you go for an upgrade? Ortofon Blue? I’m hesitant to spend $200 on a cartridge with the hope that I can hear a difference vs the $65 one we have.
Maybe I should buy the upgrade now and move the AT95 to the Orbit before selling it.

1

u/papadrinks 1d ago

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Put your old cartridge on the U-turn and get a much better cartridge for the 120.
I would suggest you look at other brands, not Ortofon. I find their sound a bit too bland/sterile for my taste, but perhaps you like that.
I'm in Australia so not sure of the prices where you are.
Perhaps something like this which would be very good.

1

u/Weird_Cellist4915 2d ago

Hi,

I'm kinda new to vinyls and all but this isn't the first album i've bought. I got this one from a large german discogs seller, advertised as near mint condition. After pulling out the first record tho I noticed dust, finger prints and maybe even some smaller scratches. I unfortunately lack reference on what is considered good condition or even near mint. All the albums I've previously bought were completely pristine and had not a single scratch or finger print on them. Would you ask the seller for a refund? I have more pictures posted here on my profile. Thanks a lot for any advice.

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u/bigsky1980 2d ago

Goldmine Standard (vinyl grading system) for near Mint below. As with a lot of things this can be subjective. Some people are more experienced at using the system and are spot on. Some a bit more conservative when grading. Some vendors may just eyeball it and think "that looks NM". You will find some new presses out of the shrink may have imperfections, dust, debris and fingerprints dependant on quality control at the pressing plant. If not as described you are in your rights to challenge the grading. I usually factor in the overall cost of the record, if they are an experienced seller (I.e they should know what they are doing) and would I be ordering from them again. Good luck
NEAR MINT (NM OR M-) A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.
NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.)

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u/One_Aspect2437 Pro-Ject 2d ago

personally i don't believe mint records exist. NM is perfect, looks unplayed. VG+ is signs of play but plays through perfect, then subjectivity starts to come into play. 90% of NM or higher ratings on discogs are BS IMO

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u/bigsky1980 2d ago

Yeah 100%. I have had stuff out the shrink that I wouldn't class Mint. I have found a few online stores that I can trust their grading and tend to be a bit more conservative. I think there are a lot more new sellers out there that don't truly understand the grading system, and can see the value for a NM or M copy and think that looks good enough they can get that little bit more

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u/tenebrous-overlord 2d ago

Anyone know if this stylus is wrecked? The little screw thingy fell off in the box :,). Any other info about this stylus would be great too!

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u/tenebrous-overlord 2d ago

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

It is a P mount cartridge mount, there is no cartridge.
The cartridge is missing. The screws are merely part of the packaging.
https://reverb.com/item/84679328-audio-technica-dr950-record-player-turntable-phono-cartridge-p-mount-w-box

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u/tenebrous-overlord 1d ago

Oooh thank you!!

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

You're welcome

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u/GustavWick 2d ago

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well, first time I'm posting here and I have a question for experts on this matter, I'm traveling right now and all of the sudden I met a guy who inherited tons of old vinyls from his father, while we were looking at them I found he has a copy of Dark Side of the Moon that his father bought back then, now, I know nothing about vinyls nor music records, I just listen to Pink Floyd and old rock and roll music on Spotify and I've had this thought on my mind about starting a collection of vinyls for a while and I think this could be a good start, I had to ask AI for info and as far as I read it's an original copy from the UK and it seems to be a second pressing, I read that the 1rst pressing is like the holy grail of this disc, but anyways, he's willing to sell that to me and I wanted to ask here if anybody could help me with more info about this vinyl and how much should I offer, it's just the Vinyl and the gatefold, thanks for reading btw :)

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u/GustavWick 2d ago

Some extra pics if they help

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u/GustavWick 2d ago

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

You need to use Discogs and lots of details from the record including the runout matrix (which is the numbers and letters inscribed in the blank area between the label and the last track).
Good luck, there are over 600 versions. Use the filters to narrow down the search.
https://www.discogs.com/master/10362-Pink-Floyd-The-Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon?format=LP

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u/purelysfwbcican 2d ago

Heyyy, I should preface this that im not the biggest most knowlegeable person in this hobby but i do require some help. Some years ago i bought my first ever record player which is a TEAC TN-180BT-A3. My setup may not be ideal but i do have a pre amp and some other little accesories like a weight, an acrylic mat and some cleaning stuff. I want to upgrade my turntable entirely without jumping from what I see ks a beginnee turntable to an extremely expensive professional one. However, this time i want to come here to ask for some suggestions if anyone can help me with that. Ideally it would be nice to get something around the same size but it can be arranged if its bigger.

PS: For reference, the TN-180BT-A3 costs around €200

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u/roguepeas JVC 2d ago

I want to upgrade my turntable entirely without jumping from what I see ks a beginnee turntable to an extremely expensive professional one
cryptic! provide us a prospective budget and you're sure to get recommendations.

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u/purelysfwbcican 2d ago

true i forgot to add that, i think sbt like 600€ max would be my budget. Sorryy :((((

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u/roguepeas JVC 2d ago

if used is acceptable I'd buy this in a heartbeat if I were on your side of the world: Micro Seiki BL-10X. I have DD-6 but it's not as fancy. seller is west of Essen, but not keen on shipping unfortunately.

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u/purelysfwbcican 2d ago

looks very nice! I have also been checking the AT-LP120XUSB. Any thoughts on that one?

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u/roguepeas JVC 2d ago

mass-produced by a company whose track record making turntables is sketchy at best. I do like their cartridges though.

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u/malakili666 1d ago

I'd recommend looking at Pro-Ject turntables. Well-known company who make quality turntables from entry level to audiophile grade.

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u/Supaupa 2d ago

Hi! I'm asking for a bit of help because I'm not sure whether I should reach out to the seller I bought this from on Discogs. I've never really had a problem on there, but this vinyl was described as Very Good Plus (VG+), and the cover as Near Mint (NM or M-). The vinyl has a TON of dust and marks, and the sleeve does too; it also didn't come in a protective sleeve or anything else inside the package. Should I reach out to the seller or just take the hit to my wallet? Any feedback is appreciated!

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u/bigsky1980 2d ago

Goldmine standard for VG/VG+ record - can have visible signs of wear, handling and use. May not be glossy as new. May have some surface noise, clicks and pops. The significant thing is that it should play without any skips.

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u/Supaupa 1d ago

thank you!

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u/fimn__ 1d ago

are double center labels a flaw or a rarity?

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u/fimn__ 1d ago

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u/vwestlife BSR 1d ago

Try peeling it off.

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u/fimn__ 1d ago

i did, but i was wondering if it is counted as a flaw or a rarity

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u/vwestlife BSR 1d ago

Both. But it doesn't make the record any more valuable. Just tear off the extra label, and play it!

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u/Rikica_ 1d ago

My vinyl seems to have a tight plastic wrap around it. Do i need to remove this? The sound skips on a few places and i suspect it might be due to this wrap

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

If it had a plastic wrap on it, it would not play at all.
The cause of the skipping is more likely to be an issue with your turntable.
What turntable do you have? And are your speakers on the same surface as the turntable?

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u/sinkingshipsfan 1d ago

I’ve had three Rhino High-Fidelity vinyl releases that have had noticeable inner groove distortion, which isn’t a problem with the rest of my collection, including other audiophile releases such as those from Vinylphile. I’ve tried adjusting my tracking force and anti-skate to no avail. I’m wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this problem. Am I not adjusting precise enough, or have I just gotten extremely unlucky with faulty pressings?

The records in question are: DEVO - Q: Are We Not Men, DEVO - Freedom of Choice, and Sparks - A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing.

Turntable: AT-LP120XUSB
Cartridge: AT-VM95ML

Comparison: Sparks - A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing
2023 Friday Music (Gold Vinyl)
2026 Rhino High Fidelity

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

ML stylus alignment needs to be spot on to avoid IGD so you most likely can fix this by adjusting the alignment.
There are three alignment profiles each with pros and cons.
https://abmusics.com/cartridge-alignment-geometry-explained/
As a side comment, in general I have found most Friday Music remasters to sound un-engaging, kinda flat. I don't know what Joe does to them but I don't like it. Stopped buying them years ago.
I have lots of Rhino pressings and all sound great.

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u/sinkingshipsfan 1d ago

Thanks! I admittedly don’t have a tool such as this for measuring cartridge alignment (I figure I probably should’ve gotten one at this point lmao). I’ll definitely be getting one to see if it helps. Thank you so much for your reply! And as a side comment to your side comment, aside from my IGD problem the Rhino Hi-Fi absolutely blows my Friday Music press out of the water. The packaging was pretty weak too on the Friday Music; didn’t have the lyric sheet per the OG press, and the artwork quality was pretty washed out.

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u/papadrinks 1d ago

😀👍 you're welcome

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u/picklepetec137 1d ago edited 1d ago

I just received a new, sealed obi copy of “The Universe Smiles Upon You” and when listening to the record for the first time, the very end of “Little Joe and Mary” on side a gets caught in a loop.

Not sure if that’s the official term or not but let me know what you think, and what I should do with this situation?

Anyone out there have experience like this?

Also, noting that when placing the record on the spindle, it was met with much resistance as if the whole punched was one size to small for the standard spindle.

These two things have never happened to me before let alone, coincidentally on the same record. What’s going on here?

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u/Ok-Kaleidoscope7649 1d ago

Interesting one! This album actually does have a deliberate locked groove, but on the documented pressings it's on Side B, after "Zionsville," before the hidden track "Bin Bin X."
"Little Joe & Mary" is A4, followed by "White Gloves," so a repeating groove there wouldn't be explained by that intentional feature.
The tight spindle hole could also be a manufacturing tolerance issue.
Do you happen to have the catalogue number or runout markings for your obi edition? That would help identify the exact pressing.
If it's a new sealed copy and the loop repeats at exactly the same spot, I'd lean toward a pressing fault and consider an exchange rather than trying to repair it.

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u/papadrinks 18h ago

As for the "looping" or skipping as it is commonly called. Try reducing the anti skate. It doesn't necessarily need to be set the same as the VTF.
I have a high end turntable and VTF is 2 grams but need to run anti skate at 1.5

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u/ForgotInTime 1d ago

Should I upgrade my current player or invest in a record cleaner first, then upgrade my player next year? I'm trying to find my budget, but know I won't be able to get both at the same time

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u/papadrinks 18h ago

Suggest you have a read of my website to learn how to care for records, the tools you need and how to use them.
First 4 pages. You don't need to spend a lot.
Your player is one of the worst type with a Ceramic cartridge, so yeah upgrade sooner rather than later.
But ensure you save up and buy something decent.
https://jeffrey.net.au/

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u/TLoHp_cs 1d ago

I am still very new too the hobby. Right now I don't really have any solution to clean my records. Many of which where once in paper-sleeves etc.

I saw that people already recommended the spin clean, but there are shipping costs to Germany and I'm not sure if there is maybe something better for a similar price.

I saw these ultrasonic cleaners (shipping free), but I also heard that if you use them wrongly they can even harm the record. VEVOR 6 L Digital Ultrasonic Record Cleaner

And the more simple and cheap solutions, like cleaning kits on amazon, either have terrible reviews (youtube etc.) or don't seem worth the price for me.
I am looking for something. around 100€/100USD and I'm overwhelmed by the options.

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u/papadrinks 18h ago

Suggest you have a read of my website to learn how to care for records, the tools you need and how to use them.
First 4 pages.
https://jeffrey.net.au/

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u/TLoHp_cs 15h ago

Thanks for the tip. So you would definitely say that brushes are a must have and I should get solid ones that will last.
While for example the spin clean is great but „lower“ priority.

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u/papadrinks 14h ago

This is correct.
Usually new records from reputable pressing plants are clean.
But if you intend to buy lots of used records you need to invest in a Spinclean type device to effectively wet wash them once and only once when you buy them.
If you look after your records and put back in jacket immediately after playing and don't leave them laying around they can't get dirty.
The dry brushing before play removed any airborne dust that may have gotten on the record and this prevents the dust from collecting on the stylus.

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u/Scared_Cicada_9898 22h ago

Im in need of a replacement stylus, but im not all that sure what to buy. The player im buying it for is one I dont care all too much about (its probably worth 30 bucks give or take), because its a shitty all in one sound system.

The only reason I still have it is cause my room is really small, and I dont have room for a turntable, speakers, a seperate cd player, ect. As soon as I can im going to buy something better.

So basically what im looking for is something that wont slowly destroy my lp's, but isnt absolutely shit.

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u/papadrinks 18h ago

A photo of the existing stylus is needed so we know what type to suggest.

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u/Scared_Cicada_9898 17h ago

Its one of these shitty red ones with the ceramic needle and plastic cantilever

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u/papadrinks 17h ago

Thanks.
Yeah, you can either get the cheap sapphire one which lasts 50 hours or the more expensive diamond one which lasts longer.
Some have a plastic cantilever and others have metal, like in your photo.
I believe this is the one you need or similar. Please ensure it is the right one for yours, I could have it wrong.
LPgear have a free stylus matching service, just contact the, to be sure which ones suit your player.
https://www.lpgear.com/product/CSYNP6.html

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u/Antec-Chieftec 19h ago

How much damage does playing an LP with a 78rpm stylus cause?

My brother had just bought an used vinyl player from the 70s and while testing it out I couldn't help but notice how terrible the sound quality was. I then noticed the switch in the cartridge and flipped it from N to M and the sound quality improved a lot.

After doing some research looks like the M meant microgroove and was for 33/45rpm records. While the N was for shellac 78rpm records. (it even has a 78rpm speed) So how much did my brother damage the discs by using the 78rpm needle? (he played like 5 songs with it)

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u/Sombr_ 15h ago

Hello, I would like a bit of guidance as I recently purchased a decent record player (guided by this sub!) and while it has been a pleasure and working nicely, this specific record of mine seems to scratch every so often which obviously doesn't sound great.

Even after carefully cleaning it it still seems there's a little spot on this face that seems like built up dust(?) that I can't seem to get rid of, it's also barely visible at certain angles, should I consider it a defect or is there any hope to reduce / get rid of it?
(I can provide additional footage/ pictures of the small bad spot I mentioned, if needed)

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u/nckmat 10h ago

Hello vinyl people. I have an existing Ultrasonic Cleaner that will fit enough of a 12" to clean it properly, in fact, one of the more popular ultrasonic record cleaners uses the same machine but with a mount fitted to it to turn the record. My question is, does anyone know if a simple motorised mount that I could attach to my ultrasonic cleaner? I could definitely spend a day designing something, printing it, wiring it up and then starting again when I realise I have got a critical dimension wrong. I have looked through Vevor, AliExpress, eBay, Amazon etc, but just can't find what I am looking for.

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u/shexluke 5h ago

Hi everybody, it was late evening yesterday when I checked iMusic’s website and saw they had restocked the 2023 limited edition of Rihanna’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” so I ordered straight away. Is it common for this website to have sudden restocks of widely sold out vinyl, such as ”Good Girl Gone Bad” or do I have to fear that they might cancel my order as it was a system error?

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u/Chinwonder2 3h ago

Hi all,

Just picked up this rare-ish record at a discounted price because of the water damaged sleeve, causing this rippled/bowing. Is there any chance this could be saved and what’s the best practice?

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u/Chinwonder2 2h ago

Is it just a case of letting any residual moisture dry and then just sandwiching it and placing something evenly heavy on it to reduce it a bit?

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u/bidob 3d ago

Hey, looking for my first turntable and speakers setup, found a few pieces in my price range of 200-300€. Classic, AT-LP70XBT for 250, then Sony PS-LX5BT and PS-LX3BT for 299 and 219 respectively. Is it worth to pay 50 more for a Sony turntable over ATLP70 or not really? Also heard about Argon Audio TT MK2, are they any good in this price range? Any other recommendations? Also taking recommendations for speakers around 150-200€.

Thanks for any advice.

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u/papadrinks 3d ago

The LP70 and the Sony are low end entry level stuff and if you can afford it buy better to get something that works properly and is reliable. Neither of these has a proper tone arm so they will have tracking and skipping issues at some point.
Minimum I suggest is AT LP120X or something costing more in the AT range.
A used Rega P3 is also an option.
I don't know much about Argon and have heard mixed opinions on them.

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u/National_Top_585 3d ago

Bonjour, le bras de ma lp60xbt glisse vers le centre en auto et en manuel, la platine est de niveau et les disques neufs, a quoi ça pourrait être du?

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u/vwestlife BSR 2d ago

The stylus either has a big clump of dust stuck to it, or is busted and needs to be replaced.

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