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August 14, 2008 - 3:20pm
#1
A wild turntable idea
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In the immortal words of Dick Ballantine, "That's great idea. Why don't you invent one, Edison?"
Sorry, it is just so rarely that I can make a Dick Ballantine reference, let alone work in a relevant quote!
Anyway, getting back on topic, are you washing those discs?
"Skips" like that are probably hardwired into the vinyl, but I wonder if some schmutz removal might help.
Hmm... I've been exclusively buying used LPs, too, but I've yet to have a record "stick" that way... maybe it's just luck? Almost all my 25-50 cent records from Academy Classical play beautifully. I think a good regimen on a record cleaning machine would solve perhaps 50% of the problem, at least?
Using RCA D4x cleaner and a brush. I cannot afford a multi hundred dollar record cleaner.
JIMV, perhaps you might want to look into Audio Intelligent products? I use their products with my VPI RCM, and they're fantastic, but I hear using Audio Intelligent w/o record cleaning machine is also very effective. On their site, they even provide directions on how to use the products w/o the machines... hope this works:
http://www.audiointelligent.com/info.htm
Thanks, though clean will not fix scratches.
I used to fix those one-groove skips in records by backtracking through the skip with a cartridge I knew had a sturdy stylus. (I used a Stanton.) You stop the turntable and place the stylus just past the skip, then rotate the platter backwards by hand. The stylus pushes the little piece of vinyl that's blocking the groove out of the way. Worked like a charm for me. Use an old cartridge you don't care about, or buy a cheap DJ cartridge. Also, make sure that rotating the platter backwards does no harm.
I'd agree with SD that more often than not it's really just junk or junk IN a scratch- but you'd need a record cleaning machine to get it out.
The primary reasons not to build your invention is that it'd add mass, extra electrical signals and a motor control to your tone arm: all things designers strenuously avoid in a good tonearm setup. Plus, for all that extra engineering involved I think at that point you could just switch to new records or a cleaning machine! Sorry!
Good Idea JIMV......
I run all my used LPs through the VPI cleaner. I cant remember the last time I had a skipper album.
In the meantime you could rig up a boot on a stick with a long string that could kick the table and get it past the skip.
Cheers,
New records cost 3 times as much as new CD's and the selection is worse. Buying a cleaning machine that costs more than the turntable is also sort of silly. I think we are confusing ideas here. Top flight, megabuck analog costs at least as much as megabuck digital. All the tweaks are every bit as expensive. That is not what most folk who listen to vinyl use. They buy used turntables, basic cartridges, maybe a $200 phono amp, and a lot of used vinyl. $40 records, $2000 cartridges and tweaky $5000 turntables are not on the horizon for us. We (I) want a reliable system that will play almost all vinyl without a host of analog problems. In that world something that will get past scratches and skips without running to the trntable 3 times a record side is a big plus. Perhaps it would degrade the sound of a $10K system but I doubt it would be noticable in a $500 one.
What you're asking for is a straight forward case for digital reproduction. I don't think it's possible to get away from the inherent problems with analog playback. You will wind up spending a lot of time, effort and money compensating for these problems.
Hence my engineering suggestion
I don't have these problems. What turntable are you using, JIMV?
A brilliant device!
Reminded me of an old Calvin and Hobbes.
Thorens TD 170
You mistake my intent. I don't think you need an expensive rig for good analogue. Now- granted SOME records are $40 but many are about $12-18 NEW. Even Amazon.com has a vinyl records section now and they are not big bucks. Depends where you live and what stores carry of course, but I find used records all the time that really just need minor cleaning. In fact most need just that, although I use my cleaning machine anyway (which I built so it only cost about $120).
My cartidge is around $450 but that's only recently. Before that I used a $150 for many happy years. I have abig Well-Tempered turntable, but before that a Rega P2 and it rocked. No need to spend crazy money- and if a used record skips, maybe just a get a replacement of it?
Or...build a device like I suggested. My turntable has a nice little lever that raises and lowers the tone arm. All one needs is something that moves the needle 10 seconds closer to the center...should be easy to make a remote that activates it.
OK- maybe. As a former industrial designer I can only say this: every time you add a "feature" you add complication and often take away from the primary function of a product. What your TT has now is simple because it's manual. Having it remote controlled, with the ability to safely move your arm incrementally forward, is not the same thing at all. There would be a lot to go into such a thing.
It's not a bad idea per se, but in the history of TT design it's yet to be implemented on anything that I know of, except in fully automatic linear tracking arms, which sounded pretty terrible. The question is, which I think has been answered by it not being implemented across the board, "is such a feature most users want or need, and are willing to pay for?"
I still say if it's that badly scratched you could replace it for cheap, or maybe find it new for less than such a feature would cost you.
This...
Is not 'complicated'???
LOL---- and I bet that guy doesn't have too many problems with those $40 records either, and quite possible a servant to clean his records on the Typhoon cleaning machine!
What I am trying to say is that the hobby is sort of a continum. We go from $100 turntables with computer interfaces, to good vintage stuff, to things like that small home masquarading as a turntable. The folk buying that turntable would have no need or desire for a convenience such as I propose. They DO have a hearty peasant, or pretty young thing in a French Maids outfit,
to tweak their sublime experience when needed. We poor peasants with our basic systems using garage sale vinyl just might benefit from a device such as I propose.
I cannot believe most normal folk listening to vinyl do not have records that stick of skip. The folk bringing records to the local club sure do.
(sorry..edited to replace giant French Maid with smaller version to avoid distorted image)
All good points- to a point, heheh. One thing I thought about later was that when I was buying up my original collection in the late 80's and had my first inexpensive turntable, the vinyl record was still the medium of choice. Even the used albums were probably newer and in better shape. So even during the dark years of practically a CD-only world, I had around 600 albums still sitting pretty on my shelves. I can see for someone just starting out, the pickings CAN be slimmer, especially if you're not near a big city (which I am) that has better and more stock. My sympathies.
Believe me, if I had my way (among other things) we'd have new records back at the $9.99 price and available in every town and city music store! Oh yeah, and people would get along better and share more. I know, I'm not holding my breath.
On the other hand, if I truly can't find a good copy of a record I want, I'm not so ludite I don't just go get the CD version. Let's face it, a severe skip that requires you get up and jump ahead in the song isn't exactly a way to get inspired (or whatver) by your music!
Actually, I quite liked the giant one...