MarkDrummer Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 So, after not believing that vinyl was worth it, my brother played me an old album and the sound quality was incredible. As such, I'd like to get myself a turntable/record player but have no idea where to start. Any advice or tips on what to start with? I'd be looking for something to set up at home, and be playing mostly old albums. Ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonade Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's funny, nowadays we are so used to listening to music on high quality MP3 with amazing speakers or headphones so good you can hear every last little detail. But sometimes music just sounds so much better on scratchy old vinyl with the pitch changing ever so slightly on every revolution. My general rule is that anything that was made for vinyl (pre 1980) sounds better on vinyl. I used to have a pile of old country records that were trashed, dusty, scratched and they sounded piddly and thin and trebly. But sounded 100 times better than they did on cd. It just sounds more... honest or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDrummer Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 I kind of got the same impression - my brother is well into his vinyl and let me hear a Smiths album and how you can fiddle with the pitch etc. It sounded amazing, genuinely better than any MP3 or CD or download I've got. He's got a shitey old gramophone he inherited from my father and it still sounded great. MP3's are great for music on the go, but I'm moving house at the end of the week and would love to drive my missus mad with a home set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonade Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 It does have a lovely sound, much warmer I think. When I had vinyl I'd quite happily spend a whole evening sitting on the floor surrounded by records, boring the shit out of my girlfriend going "Listen to THIS! Now listen to THIS! Now listen to THIS!". It's not the same with an iPod or a laptop. I get much more passionate about music when I'm listening to it on vinyl for some reason. This has made me realise I miss having vinyl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonade Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 "Hey bro, I'm just going to have a flick through your iTunes music library while you're getting ready, OK?" said no-one ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDrummer Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Haha, agreed. Watching High Fidelity the other night probably boosted my desire for vinyl also. I don't want to fall into the 'hipster cunt' category by just collecting it for the sake of it, I actually want to listen to it as well. BUY MORE VINYL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Easy Wishes Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Natural compression, innit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skacel Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 I like vinyl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) Vinyl is good, but it's a bit of a myth that it always sounds 'better'. It really is a lottery from record to record, dependent on the production, and the balance of low and high frequencies. A poor EQ balance can lead to inner groove distortion where the record will sound worse and worse as it stylus approaches the middle of the record. I own a few records which sound like they have been recorded astonishingly well, to my ear anyway, but on vinyl, they are almost un-listenable. It's always a bit disappointing to buy a record, get it on the turntable and for it to sound shite. Edited March 5, 2014 by Joda Serk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Owl PhD Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDrummer Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Yeah, I've been told to mount the speakers on stands if I can, away from the turntable itself so it doesn't vibrate in any way. Just looking for a decent 'starter kit' to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOX Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 I'm interested in this thread too. I had a vinyl player (that's a lie, my Dad did) then it got fucked and wobbly. So now I'd like a new one. Just going to lurk probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Yeah, I've been told to mount the speakers on stands if I can, away from the turntable itself so it doesn't vibrate in any way. Just looking for a decent 'starter kit' to be honest. Ebay is mega for separates. Get yourself one of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-JECT-ESSENTIAL-TURNTABLE-HIFI-RECORD-PLAYER-BLACK-/141197924517?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item20e00d58a5 Plug it into something like this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marantz-PM4400-amplifier-Hi-Fi-separate-integrated-amp-/231173349614?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item35d30160ee Hooked up to a pair of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORDAUNT-SHORT-MS35Ti-speakers-Heybrook-stands-very-good-condition-/331140297789?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item4d197ff43d With some of this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10m-Speaker-Cable-322-Strand-Loud-Wire-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Car-Loudspeaker-Quality-/370624633515?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item564af31aab Buy yourself a copy of this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SLAYER-god-hates-us-all-LP-13-track-reissue-with-gatefold-sleeve-insert-and-dow-/360801442437?pt=UK_Records&hash=item5401711a85 Turn it up to 11. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Ebay is mega for separates. Get yourself one of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-JECT-ESSENTIAL-TURNTABLE-HIFI-RECORD-PLAYER-BLACK-/141197924517?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item20e00d58a5 Plug it into something like this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marantz-PM4400-amplifier-Hi-Fi-separate-integrated-amp-/231173349614?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item35d30160ee Hooked up to a pair of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORDAUNT-SHORT-MS35Ti-speakers-Heybrook-stands-very-good-condition-/331140297789?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item4d197ff43d With some of this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10m-Speaker-Cable-322-Strand-Loud-Wire-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Car-Loudspeaker-Quality-/370624633515?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item564af31aab Buy yourself a copy of this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SLAYER-god-hates-us-all-LP-13-track-reissue-with-gatefold-sleeve-insert-and-dow-/360801442437?pt=UK_Records&hash=item5401711a85 Turn it up to 11. All good advice (even the Slayer album). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Especially the Slayer album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDrummer Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Joda Serk - cheers. Slayer will not be played though. Ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britheguy Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Aye, that system would get you going nicely. However, if you already have an amp with your current set up you wouldn't need another one...all you would need is the turntable. Rega are really good and have been a classic for years and years. I'm not going to get in to the whole 'hi-fi' discussion just now as it's very subjective. However, I will say this...for my the only advantage of new technology is the ease of storing large collections of music, and sometimes it's free. But as mentioned above there is something special about sitting surrounded by records (except if you are very drunk) listening to them and looking at the 'decent' sized sleeve notes. I learned more off my albums covers than any cd cover etc.Warning though...vinyl is harder to look after etc. Also, it's great to build up separates, buying something better when you have the money and getting an awesome set up:) Edited March 14, 2014 by britheguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain America Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Any good online record stores? I always struggle to find interesting stuff other than on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckula Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Discogs - http://www.discogs.com Norman Records - http://www.normanrecords.com Juno - http://www.juno.co.uk Rough Trade - http://www.roughtrade.com Boomkat - http://www.boomkat.com Bleep - http://www.bleep.com Black Lake Records - http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com/ Record Store UK - http://www.recordstore.co.uk Piccadilly Records - http://www.piccadillyrecords.com That list should keep you busy. Edited March 14, 2014 by Duckula 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E.C Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Hey guys, if you like vinyl, I sell quite a lot of it!!! http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com EDIT: Just realised Duckula actually already linked this site. thanks! Edited March 14, 2014 by E.C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakkkeee Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 pinky swearstruggletownbanquettopshelf have a uk store now too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skacel Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 PolyvinylOnly issue is with postage as they are based in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 The No Idea Records distro is pretty great, though as above, US postage is a dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E.C Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 www.normanrecords.com - a weird collection of records, mostly in the noise/noise rock/drone/ambient/shoegaze arena but with occasional metal/punk releases as well as some chart stuffwww.banquetrecords.com - mostly punk/emo/diy but they also stock a little piece of everything (electro/indie/pop)www.monkeyboyrecords.com - similar to banquet, but with more focus on Bridge 9/Topshelf/Deathwish bands as well as British DIY releases.www.staticshockrecords.com - one of my most frequently ordered-from sites. London based punk label who put out a lot of good snotty punk rock records, as well as distroing a lot of other snotty punk records from other labels. and of course there is always ebay/amazon/discogs for all your second hand/cheap/out of print requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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