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I just ordered a table (thanks for those that offered opinions yesterday). I got a demo Music Hall MMF-7, less then 50 hrs, with a Maestro cartridge, in mint condition, shipped for $670. Now I just need a phonostage.I'm starting to look for some Vinyl and the used market is pretty sweet. When I pull a record from the sleeve, what do you look for to see that you're not buying a noisy beat up LP?
Scratches are rather obvious, what about smudges, dirt, fading, dull finish etc? I picked up about 7 albums over lunch and my lord I'm excited!!!!!!
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The obvious deep scratches that your finger nail catches on are always audible,most scuffs are usually not a problem, a dull scuffed and scratched up record is generally best to pass on, if it looks like it had been played a great deal with little or no care, even if it's not very noisy after a good cleaning it's unlikely to have much dynamics or range, if they're really casual about the record condition, they obviously weren't on top of stylus care either, oft times a filthy and or worn out stylus results in lathed off frequency extremes.A record with a whitish grey to greenish cast in the groove area, (tilt it at a different angles to the light), that's generally bad groove damage, pass.
One of the best things you can do, particularly when you're just starting out is to ask around about the area's used record shops and thrifts as some are real wastes of time, whomever buys the records for these outfits are lazy, ignorant and incompatent or a Pirate in either case drive on by.There are also both used outfits and thrifts who are astute and all thier vinyl will be acceptable or better.
Here in Madison "Resale Records" which is a poorly lit and dismal looking quonset hut is an excellent place, the owner has great prices and ALL the vinyl cleans up to sound at least good,most sounds great, the owner is reserved and even distant until you know him even a bit crusty, but he apparently has THE EYE, I've yet (after 6 or 7 hundred LP's) bought one that had any sonic issues, they're all so decent, I don't even bother looking at the actual disc (I'd imagine places like this are rare ?) A mile or so away is "The Sugar Shack" Really high pricing and his better stuff wouldn't even make it to Resale Records dollar bin ! The Sugar Shacks Dollar bin features few disc's that would even be playable,
it's all uniformly fairly nasty at best, I assume this avaricious prick is selling all the decent stuff on eBay.
St. Vincent's East side location, Everything is $1 Doubles $2 and while it's not as good as resale records it's just about all at least acceptable, and their semi annual collectors sale is amazing ! the problem LP donations hit the dumpster and never make it to the rack.At any rate the time spent qualifing the vendors is time well spent, you save yourself a LOT of time,money and frustration.
There are any number of on-line used Vinyl vendors who are scrupulous about grading and quite reasonable as well, I did a search here on the archives and the first 2 I tried were both excellent all the records exceeded my expectations and were very reasonably priced as well.
The biggest single factor in the sonics longevity etc. is record cleaning, the Archive/search on the VA is loaded with threads covering every aspect of record care and cleaning, with used Vinyl even the best stuff, a proper wet clean/vacuum set up is anything but optional.
Sounds like an excellent start, an MMF 7 is a superb table one of the killer value set up's, get a decent stage, get rigged up to clean
the records properly and you'll almost certainly be one very happy camper
If the LP looks scratchy, use your finger to touch the scratch area. If you can feel it, the noise will likely be audible. If you can't feel it, it is safe to buy. This always work for me. Good luck!
Welcome to the asylum - if anyplace deserved to be called an "asylum", it's this place - we're all pretty loony.As others have said, the only RELIABLE gauge of LP sound quality is to play it. I've had some that LOOK "near mint" but have a lot of surface noise, and others that LOOK pretty crappy but sound pretty good. Having said that, some signs of potentially noisy LPs are what KT88 listed.
If you're going to buy a lot of used LPs at thrift stores, estate sales, etc. some sort of record cleaning "machine" is a good investment. Prices ranges from under $100 to over $2000. (Most) dirt can be cleaned off pretty easily - before I got a record cleaning machine, I used a bathroom steamer (a few quick bursts with a wide-dispersal nozzle) and it worked quite effectively.
If you're lucky enough to have Half Priced Books in your area, check them out. Many of them have LOTs of used LPs for pretty good prices, and they have a very liberal return policy - if it sounds crappy when you get it home, you can return it for a refund or store credit.
Good luck. Let us know when you find some good stuff.
rlindsa - new vinyl freakThere are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. (Albert Schweitzer)
Thanks!
I've got Petty "Damn the torpedoes" and Fleetwood Mac "Rumors" two of my favorite's from growing up. So I'm on the right track. Still, until the TT arrives and I get a Phonostage I'm just going to be cleaning them up in preperation.I'll give the book places a look.
Thanks again! I'm already an addict and I haven't seen the TT or heard the damn records yet.
A dull finish is usually a bad sign. Also wear and abuse can be spotted by looking at the marks on the label around the spindle hole. If there are a bunch, it has been handled roughly by someone who can't see the spindle or does not care how they slam it on there. general condition of the jacket and sleeve is also an indicator of how many times it was used and how well it has been kept.
As the other fellow mentioned, even a record that looks perfect can have groove noise from being played with a damaged cartridge or a table that has not been properly set-up.
-Bill
You'll learn what to look for pretty quickly after buying a few turkeys. That said, some seemingly trashed records sound and play great after a good cleaning. Likewise, some seemingly mint LPs play like crap. It's always an adventure. Just make sure your lunch hour finds are not left in a hot car all afternoon. Rule #1, records don't like sunlight or heat.Welcome to a hobby that will bring you much joy and pain. It's not easy being a vinylholic but it's more rewarding in the long run. After all, what's the alternative? Good luck!
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