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    Vinyl for dummies.

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    Post by Nick Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:37 pm

    I need to get a new receiver and want to do this over Cyber Week. What do you guys recommend? I want to keep it under $200. I checked Newegg but am confused by the phono & preamp stuff.
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    Post by spiritofeden Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:30 pm

    I would recommend the Harman Kardon 3490, or 3480. It has a great analogue phono preamp built in
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    Post by ? Ospink Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:29 pm

    I too have the Harman Kardon 3490, and concur with SoE as to its quality. In addition to the fine analog phono stage, it has a full compliment of digital capabilities as well. In my case, that means a direct optical link from the digital audio out of my plasma monitor to Harmon Kardon's acclaimed Wolfson D/A convertor. My television experience is "audiophile grade" these days.

    All that, and none of the surround bullshit that you will never use.
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    Post by spiritofeden Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:44 pm

    Sid, what would you recommend for a mono cartridge?
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    Post by ? Ospink Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:52 am

    Mono, man! I don't have a mono cart. I've read good things about the Audio-Technica AT-33MONO, maybe look into that. I've always liked A-T carts in general.

    I could never get around the idea of spending that kind of money on something with such a limited purpose. The way I see it, A fine stereo cart should be able to do the job for any record - 78s excluded.

    It would have been really nice if Harmon Kardon included a mono switch with the 3490. I do miss that feature. At present I have a small summing amp wired into the Tape Monitor loop of the receiver for when I'm playing vintage mono cuts.  So the "Tape" function serves as a mono switch, combining the channels to center when selected.  My programmable remote now knows this, and reminds me if I've left it on:

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    It's a terribly geeky engineering thing, but summing the channels really makes the mono disks sound so much better, you know?. Maybe it would be easier for non-engineering types to just swap out a cart.
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    Post by spiritofeden Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:45 am

    A mono cart actually reads the grooves differently, and should get rid of alot of the vertical noise picked up by a stereo cart, no?  Summing the channels would only marginally help with that.

    I have been looking at the Grado ME.  

    I have quite a few original pressing Beatles and Stones UK monos, and I only see that collection growing.  Spending $200 on a proper mono cart seems like a good investment.
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    Post by ? Ospink Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:24 pm

    I can see how a mono cart would better conceal wear and scratches on a mono LP, but I don't think there would be much of a difference with a mono LP in good condition.

    Not trying to discourage you. If I had a mono cart, I'd definitely put it to use. I'm just suggesting that the sonic benefits are subtle, at best. Do report back is you decide to go with that Grado.
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    Post by spiritofeden Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:32 pm

    There really does seem to be quite a bit of debate on the subject.

    Any mono pressed post 68 is likely pressed on a stereo lathe and wouldn't make any difference. However for mono pre 68 apparently it does.
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 12:51 pm

    It's almost Christmas. My birthday follows not to long after. And I have some money saved up from working retail and doing some miscellaneous freelance writing.

    I'm hoping to use that to start a proper vinyl set-up in the coming months. Here is some stuff that I am thinking about right now...

    Turntable:
    PRO-JECT Debut III Matte Black ($299)

    Receiver: (thinking I might just take your guys advice and spend the money on...)
    Harmon Kardon 3490 120-Watt Stereo Receiver (~$317.25)

    Speakers: (this is where I need some advice...looking for some decent floor speakers, what would you recommend given the previous two investments?)
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 12:59 pm

    go to flea market and you can probably get a decent setup for what you are going to pay for that project.

    spend the rest of your money on Rolling Stones and Prince records.
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 1:28 pm

    That's unhelpful and I just want to listen to some jazz.
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 1:35 pm

    pretty helpful advice actually. If you want to spend that sort of money on a turntable, go right on ahead. vintage is the way to go though, imo.

    these speakers will work.

    http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/4223052541.html
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    Post by zappo Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:02 pm

    I got a Technics for five bucks, the other day. Sounds elite. No problems. Boss as fuck.
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    Post by zappo Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:05 pm

    Listened to On the Corner with no problems.  Great time.  So a beat-to-shit SL-1202 with a decent cart, an old Marantz amp, and some warm-sounding speakers from the '70s definitely works for the jazz.
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:09 pm

    I don't have any jazz records, but this sounds real fucking nice on my DL-202, with a Shure M97xe cart.

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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:05 pm

    You're so fucking boring. I want to reach through my computer and fucking bitch slap you right now.
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:21 pm

    shit man, that was uncalled for.

    why don't you post some more about your terrible student life?
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:23 pm

    There's a shooter in this thread, if you wanna go to war, fuck it, nigga lets shoot it out.
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:25 pm

    did you have a bad day today? do you need someone to talk to?
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:31 pm

    You do an awful job of patronizing.
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:36 pm

    How old are you because you have the music taste and behavioral qualities of a fucking 70 year old.
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    Post by ? Ospink Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:43 pm

    A vintage turntable is a good way to go if you have a passion for restoring old turntables (I do).

    Otherwise, not so much. The PRO-JECT Debut III is a good choice for that price point.


    Speakers is tricky... im feelin it 

    For Jazz, I would be checking out what Polk Audio speakers in your price range are getting the best reviews. If you just want balls-out old-school floorstanding speakers, Cerwin-Vega's still in the game. Audiophiles perpetually hate that brand, but that's because audiophiles are basically pussies.
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    Post by zappo Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:59 pm

    Don't you need to switch out belts to change speeds on the Pro-ject, though? Not a big deal for some people, but that would annoy me. (I don't have a jukebox. Yet.)
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    Post by spiritofeden Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:02 pm

    Getting something vintage doesn't necessarily mean you have to have a passion for restoring them. There are lots and lots of quality used technics tables all over the place that would require no restoration at all and at half the price of a Project.
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    Post by WP64 Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:07 pm

    That wasn't the impetus to my wanting to choke you.

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