Playing Old / noisy records

[haisaikat]

My existing TT setup is Technics SL3200 with Shure M97XE. It picks up surface noise/ static pops quite easily on records that are not new or clean enough. I read several HFV threads and it seems using a less detailed cart can solve the problem like Shure M44-7. Is this correct understanding? I do not use the M97 with higher than 1.25 gm weight in fear of Wearing out records faster, also never tried the playback with brush down.

If separate cart is the ultimate convenient solution I simply cannot switch back and forth between them in the same TT. So want to check if there is a reliable way to mod my other Philips Hi-Q International TT (change its cart and also find it's pre-amp out to hook with my main system) or do I need to look for a separate TT. Budget can be max 30K plus cart.

Suggestions welcome

 

[neelay2709]

Can you opt to swap headshells?

 

[Fiftyfifty]

My existing TT setup is Technics SL3200 with Shure M97XE. It picks up surface noise/ static pops quite easily on records that are not new or clean enough. I read several HFV threads and it seems using a less detailed cart can solve the problem like Shure M44-7. Is this correct understanding? I do not use the M97 with higher than 1.25 gm weight in fear of Wearing out records faster, also never tried the playback with brush down.

If separate cart is the ultimate convenient solution I simply cannot switch back and forth between them in the same TT. So want to check if there is a reliable way to mod my other Philips Hi-Q International TT (change its cart and also find it's pre-amp out to hook with my main system) or do I need to look for a separate TT. Budget can be max 30K plus cart.

Suggestions welcome

I had the same issue that i addressed by getting a reconditioned vintage tt and cart. Possible in less than your budget

 

[haisaikat]

Can you opt to swap headshells?
View attachment 31455

Will require me disconnecting the 4 wires everytime right?

 

[haisaikat]

I had the same issue that i addressed by getting a reconditioned vintage tt and cart. Possible in less than your budget

What did you get?

 

[neelay2709]

Will require me disconnecting the 4 wires everytime right?

Dont think you require to touch the wires.
I assume there is a screw-on option at the interface (circled)

 

[neelay2709]

Dont think you require to touch the wires.
I assume there is a screw-on option at the interface (circled)
View attachment 31456

Check this video. May be applicable to your TT.

 

[haisaikat]

Dont think you require to touch the wires.
I assume there is a screw-on option at the interface (circled)
View attachment 31456

Got it, will check, thanks and this is fine to swap at times?

 

[haisaikat]

Check this video. May be applicable to your TT.

Thanks very much, this is of much help, I assume post swap I may have to calibaythe weight to the recommend value for the swapped cart right? That should be the only change to make?

If that's it then a few suggestions for the cart for pop records will be helpful.

 

[G401fan]

You don’t need an original spare Technics head shell, though having one is fine. The arm uses the standard SME head shell connection, so any spare head shell that uses the SME locking mechanism (95% of them all) will do. They’re readily available online.

You can pre-mount another cartridge on the spare headshell and swap headshells anytime. All you need to do is to reset tracking force, each time you change, based on the specs of the cartridge.

It’s advisable to use the M97E with the brush down. Remember to increase VTF to 1.75 gms before doing so.

If you’re using LPs that already have permanent groove damage, then no cartridge change will help to reduce the scratchy sound.

 

[Fiftyfifty]

What did you get?

I got the Technics Direct drive SL D3 + Nagaoka MP110 cart + CNC phono stage to play all old records. It compares well with my more expensive system. Maybe you can get in touch with Kuruvilla Jacob on this forum for reconditioned tts

 

[jls001]

It picks up surface noise/ static pops quite easily on records that are not new or clean enough.

Please clean "not clean enough" records before playing.

If, after cleaning, it still sounds scratchy then probably the record is damaged and no amount of further cleaning or change of cartridge will improve things. The record must be kept aside or accepted as is. This is part and parcel of buying used records.

 

[Naturelover]

I got the Technics Direct drive SL D3 + Nagaoka MP110 cart + CNC phono stage to play all old records. It compares well with my more expensive system. Maybe you can get in touch with Kuruvilla Jacob on this forum for reconditioned tts

Did you try any other TT and/or cart? How about the Dual 1019 you have?

 

[Fiftyfifty]

Did you try any other TT and/or cart? How about the Dual 1019 you have?

The only other tts i have tried are the Rega rp1 and my current marantz tt15s with the Clearaudio Virtuoso cart. I don't have a dual 1019

 

[prem]

Fiftyfifty, time you upgraded to a EMT It plays all music from all eras quite well.

 

[haisaikat]

Fiftyfifty, time you upgraded to a EMT It plays all music from all eras quite well.

Does all era also imply all conditions?

 

[Fiftyfifty]

Please clean "not clean enough" records before playing.

If, after cleaning, it still sounds scratchy then probably the record is damaged and no amount of further cleaning or change of cartridge will improve things. The record must be kept aside or accepted as is. This is part and parcel of buying used records.

There can be old records that you don't want to play on an expensive tt even after cleaning for fear of damaging the stylus. Therefore it makes sense to have a second chaalu tt for such records

 

[prem]

No Haisaikat. If condition is not good, no good record player will play those well

But good condition old Bollywood music lp will sound fabulous on a good record player

 

[antoniodias]

Hi there Haisaikat. Greetings of the day.
May I inform you that I have 5 turntables, be it Technics Sl 1210 Mk2. Technics Sl 1950, Dual, Garrard, and my father’s HMV. All in perfectly perfect condition, with different cartridges/stylus you name it and I have tried it all Sir.

Damage done to the vinyl records cannot be reversed as moderator @ Jls001 stated. Yes you do your best of best of cleaning, and avoid static, which might gives you a more refined sweet finer sound, but if there are deep grooved scratches, it will just pop,etc etc. it is just like a mirror,we do our level best to hide the crack, but its will still be visible and felt with afinger nail
Sorry if I am wrong somewhere sir. I have lots of damaged vinyl of my parents, which were mishandled, and I feel I can never replace those regional Goan Konkani 75 and 33 rpm records

 

[haisaikat]

Please clean "not clean enough" records before playing.

If, after cleaning, it still sounds scratchy then probably the record is damaged and no amount of further cleaning or change of cartridge will improve things. The record must be kept aside or accepted as is. This is part and parcel of buying used records.

Problem is two fold in two seasons considering my house has a railway station on one side and a playground on the other.
In summer the fan makes it easy for the exposed vinyl to get dirt and in winter the dry air makes it easy to stick things static on vinyl. I do clean by a carbon brush once may be before playing but M97XE seems too finicky

There can be old records that you don't want to play on an expensive tt even after cleaning for fear of damaging the stylus. Therefore it makes sense to have a second chaalu tt for such records

Exactly my point, wondering if the Hi-Q international is a candidate for that. If I go that route I plan to take the preouts from that