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Guys I've got an old inherited turtable that is in VG/VG+ condition - a Technics SLQ300 with a AT112 cartridge. I'm new to vinyl, and really like it so far. I bought a cleaning kit (brush, solution, towel) to help with the hisses and pops.I'd like to know the best things I can do to get better vinyl sound. Assume for now I'm on a pretty limited budget but that in a year or so I could spring for a basic record cleaning machine and a $500.00-$600.00 table. Should I just wait? Maybe get a new cartridge for now? The sound is good but way too much popping and hissing compared to tables I've demoed (Music Hall and Thorens).
Follow Ups:
You guys have all given sound (no pun intented) advice;I cleaned my records with a solution of water and a bit of dishwashing detergent and the decrease in popping was immense. I'll try out other recommendations soon. I'm using a MC275 I and a C-29 (also have a Citation I) and boy does a well recorded record sing!
Thanks!
Mat: get the rubber shelf liner from your grocery store, it's about $2. Get the 'thin' version, not the thick. Both will have lots of holes all over. You don't even have to cut it 100% exactly in the shape of your mat, but you should be able to come close.Stylus. Pick up the best cart that they have at Circuit City. It's an AT. $50. If you don't want to do this, and you're determined to clean your existing stylus, buy the Record Research Labs (RRL) "No. 9" cleaner. It's the best, and it comes with a little black brush. Probably a good idea to get the RRL No. 9 even if you get the new cart.
To align your new (or your old) stylus, use this:
http://mkjnovak.homestead.com/files/align.PDF
Records. I find it difficult to clean records on a do-it-yourself basis. To test whether the problem is your turntable or your records, find a cheap used record that is in perfect, pristine condition. Tell us how it sounds.
Turntable wire. Buy some contact cleaner at Home Depot and thoroughly clean the RCA plugs at the end of your wires. Also clean the RCA recepticles on your amp. Unplug everything and really get in there with a toothbrush or something, then dry off with cotton balls. You should get a lot of black crud off. It will make you feel better even if it doesn't fix your sound!
Support. Make sure your TT is resting on something either extremely solid (heavy and won't move no matter what), or extremely light and ridid. My favorite here for low $ is the $15 LACK table from Ikea.
Hi,First, let me say that the others are right -- you need to have reasonably clean records, and it is true that there are many, many ways to do it for not too much money. Not sure of the condition of your records, but if they're grungy and finger-printed up you are almost certainly have to do some wet scrubbing. There are lots of posts on making home-brew cleaning fluid, you can do a search or simply try a few drops of dish cleaning liquid and a cup or so of rubbing alcohol into a gallon of grocery store grade distilled water. Get two gallons (a whopping 79 cents each) because you WILL have to rinse the fluid off. Towel drying will prevent too much water spotting (a BAD thing).
Another cheap suggestion is to consider making a DIY (do-it-yourself) mat to replace the stock mat. Mats can make a huge difference. Now I'm not familiar with your particular 'table, but the Al platter on my DENON rings like a bell. Currently using a cork spotmat. Cork works very well to dampen those ringing platters. Suggest you go over to the Analog Department and look for their instructions on making some really cool spotmats. Look near the bottom of the page on the left and click DIY Dept, then go down that page to DIY Platter Mats. Like I said, cork is very effective but you'll see they have used quite a number of materials successfully. My DENON is dead quiet.
Hope this helps, Joe
Do you own a vacuum cleaner? If so, then get the crevice attachment, seal the end, slot one side, cover slotted side in velvet ribbon, slit velvet. Get old turntable or lazy susan to put record on while cleaning. Clean records, then vacuum off dirt. You can do a homemade brush - velvet over belt grinder cleaner - and homemade record cleaning solution. Do what your budget allows but get the records clean.
Buy a carbon fiber brush to dry clean the records between each play.
You can upgrade these homemade items as your budget and desire allows.
Clean and inspect your stylus.You may need a new one,or mabey not.You can get stylus cleaner from seveal websites.
Actually,I have cleaned quite a few records in the sink.I try to keep the labels dry , and rinse them as well as I can.
This may not be as good as specialized treatments,but it's a lot better than playing them dirty.
enjoy,
mark
Hi, and welcome aboard.
Pops and hiss most likely is the Lps being dirty or damaged. Not caused by your t'table. I would think your 1st priority should be a new stylus or a whole new cart, since you're dealing with an unknown age / condition factor there. The stylus could be old and worn or damaged, which will in turn damage your Lps.If you're on a tight budget and somewhat handy, search here for DIY RCM, you can build one yourself for about $50. The Groovemaster Label Saver is another inexpensive alternative, allows you to hand-wash/scrub records.
'Course, my best advice is to spend time hanging out and searching the archives here on VA. Do your homework first! It will save you a lot of time, headache, and mis-spent $$$.
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