anm
Well-Known Member
Hi
I purchased a used (abused?) TT from Meena Bazaar in old Delhi - thanks to ashokhifi for providing the address etc.
Juicy details - I have been thinking about buying a TT for last 6-7 months, and wanted an entry to the vinyl world. However, I couldn't find time/ courage to go to the place. Thanks to Metro coming to Noida, the parking/ commuting was eliminated from my thought process, and fri I went to that place. There were SL-Q3,SL-1600 and SL-1700 TT available. I wanted to buy 1600 but it was not rotating correctly, so I had to give it up. My second choice was 1700, with an original technics cartridge that played a couple of Hindi tracks nicely. I had no idea how to check the internals, I just listened to it for 10 mins and decided to go for it. People who went with me were in a hurry too. So finally, wrapped in a newspaper, I carried it in my arms (and another guy helped me) to my house. I had already acquired some records in last few months - so as soon as I reached home, I connected my HK6550 MM phono input to the TT, placed a record on the TT and it started playing fine.
Though it is playing quite fine, and I listened to quite a lot of records (mostly hindi, but a couple of tracks from Abba, Neil Diamond). The sound has quite a different character than CDs. At this point I am quite sure that I am getting close to the worst sound from a vinyl setup as it is using a very old integrated amp for phono/ pre/ amp. My lyrita pre doesn't have a phono stage so couldn't check that out.
Sound currently feels to have more bass overhang, and the vocals are sounding a little muffled. Do not know how to describe it in audiophile terms, but I think the magic of vinyl is yet to happen. Also the sound coming out from right speaker is lesser than left speaker. I do not yet know how to adjust/ fine tune the TT but I hope I will read through this forum and figure out in next few days. Surprisingly, all these old records do not have much pop/ crackle with this cartridge. Hope the pressure exerted on record is not eating it away slowly.
Any suggestions on checking the condition of tone arm, motor and other critical parts of the TT? I am hoping to replace the cartridge/ stylus soon based on recommendations on various threads. Though I would like specific recommendations based on this particular TT, if any.
I purchased a used (abused?) TT from Meena Bazaar in old Delhi - thanks to ashokhifi for providing the address etc.
Juicy details - I have been thinking about buying a TT for last 6-7 months, and wanted an entry to the vinyl world. However, I couldn't find time/ courage to go to the place. Thanks to Metro coming to Noida, the parking/ commuting was eliminated from my thought process, and fri I went to that place. There were SL-Q3,SL-1600 and SL-1700 TT available. I wanted to buy 1600 but it was not rotating correctly, so I had to give it up. My second choice was 1700, with an original technics cartridge that played a couple of Hindi tracks nicely. I had no idea how to check the internals, I just listened to it for 10 mins and decided to go for it. People who went with me were in a hurry too. So finally, wrapped in a newspaper, I carried it in my arms (and another guy helped me) to my house. I had already acquired some records in last few months - so as soon as I reached home, I connected my HK6550 MM phono input to the TT, placed a record on the TT and it started playing fine.
Though it is playing quite fine, and I listened to quite a lot of records (mostly hindi, but a couple of tracks from Abba, Neil Diamond). The sound has quite a different character than CDs. At this point I am quite sure that I am getting close to the worst sound from a vinyl setup as it is using a very old integrated amp for phono/ pre/ amp. My lyrita pre doesn't have a phono stage so couldn't check that out.
Sound currently feels to have more bass overhang, and the vocals are sounding a little muffled. Do not know how to describe it in audiophile terms, but I think the magic of vinyl is yet to happen. Also the sound coming out from right speaker is lesser than left speaker. I do not yet know how to adjust/ fine tune the TT but I hope I will read through this forum and figure out in next few days. Surprisingly, all these old records do not have much pop/ crackle with this cartridge. Hope the pressure exerted on record is not eating it away slowly.
Any suggestions on checking the condition of tone arm, motor and other critical parts of the TT? I am hoping to replace the cartridge/ stylus soon based on recommendations on various threads. Though I would like specific recommendations based on this particular TT, if any.