Turntable questions

Hi team; Where is the best place to get phono cartridges & turntable belts? I have a pair of Thorens TD 280's. Did some hifi tune-up today and found I need some new stuff.

What are ya'll using to clean in-output terminals; What about vinyl records?

Wow, this (solid state) Dynaco sounds great! Can't wait to get Bob's ST-120.... some time soon.

Dale

For needles and or styli of MM type you can try these guys:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Garage-A-Records_ep_74-1.html

For MM and or MC you can try:

http://www.needledoctor.com/

For Vinyl and other gear you can try:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/

or

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/

For getting a cartridge re-tipped you can go here:

http://www.sound-smith.com/retip/

I have used all of the above.

LPGear is another good one. They also carry non-OEM replacement parts that are quite good. Some say their Vivid Line outperforms the uber expensive shibata styli for a whole lot less.

There's also "that auction place". Love it or hate it, I've gotten some good stuff. Main thing is to go with established sellers with good feedback. Last big score for me was a brand new OEM 625E stylus for my Pickering XV15 at what I thought was a very reasonable price.

Belts are pretty much a crapshoot - once again, an established dealer is your best friend there, and even then they can play fast and loose with sizing, using one belt for several tables with slightly different requirements. Too loose, you got speed issues, too tight, you can actuall stress the bearings or get rumble. Be sure to carefully measure any belts you do get and compare them to spec. Also, take several passes with a clean damp microfiber cloth to remove any glaze that can happen in storage. New belts slip too if you don't prep them right.

Or do what I did, and get a direct drive. ;-}

Here's a good read on some of the particulars for your table. Picky lil bugger, but worth the effort.

http://www.vinylengine.com/images/forum/thorens.pdf

PS ... luck finding an OEM belt. You'll probably find the Holy Grail first. Luck with that, eh.

Turntables have I/O?   

I clean RCAs by just putting a bit of D5 on a mating plug and spinning it some to spread the cleaner and break the crust. A drop of DeOxit gold works wonders for improving the connections. Last step is to crimp the ground tabs as needed for a tight fit. I also insert just the pin and check for wobble that would be a sign of having to get inside and tighten that up. Not a problem if you're one who pulls them carefully straight out.

gener8r wrote:For needles and or styli of MM type you can try these guys:

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Garage-A-Records_ep_74-1.html

They're also a good source for belts.

Try Kevin, here: http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/
A great source for turntable esoterica, and pleasant to deal with.
Specific to Thorens, try Dave at http://vinylnirvana.com/
Another pleasant fellow to visit with.

That's what I needed. Thx team. Dale

Dale Stevens wrote:That's what I needed.  Thx team.   Dale

Dale, best of luck in your turntable searches.
May I advise some caution here? You've twice referred to the miscreants on this board as "team."
We are anything but a team. We are serious sociopaths who do not play well with others and enjoy torturing our neighbours with Chicago's Free-Form Guitar at 2 a.m.
In future, may I suggest you address us as: "Dear Nut-Cases"? You'll get a much broader response.
Cheerio
-d-
sKIZo, care to weigh in here?

Deepee speak for yourself you have shown an unacceptable lack of respect for everyone on this board and I for one will not take it, in the future when you address me it's dear "Mr Sociopath nutcase"  

Maintarget wrote:Deepee speak for yourself you have shown an unacceptable lack of respect for everyone on this board and I for one will not take it, in the future when you address me it's dear "Mr Sociopath nutcase"  

Dear Mr. Sociopath Nutcase:
I stand corrected and once again humbled by the wisdom of this Board's psychopathy. Please accept my apologia.