Record player (turntable) question for newbie!

skanji32 · October 2011

I've been given a fantastic turntable from someone who used to be into DJing who moved away. Trying to make use of my long PJ membership of tons o vinyl and want to bring this baby back to life

Here's the good stuff
- it looks great - very modern (will post the name and model later)
- it "works" - turntable spins when arm is lifted

Here's the problem
- arm exists but no needle or even head on end of arm of turntable
- seems to have a space where a needle and presumably head of arm can go
- when returning back to base, arm overshoots base to the right of the base and doesn't sit properly (don't really care about that for now)

How much is this puppy gonna cost for me to get setup. Is it easy to do myself? Is it better to buy a new one?

In Ottawa, but in Toronto this weekend.

Please help - need to hear these black discs that I've been collecting!!

JTH · October 2011

Sounds like you just need a new cartridge to plug into the tonearm.

If you know the brand/model number of the turntable, it should be easy enough to find one and it won't be particularly expensive ($30 to $90). They are very easy to install.

The overshooting is likely due to the weight being off because of the missing cartridge.

jshin · October 2011

You need a new headshell and cartridge... First you need to know the make and model number of the turntable.

skanji32 · October 2011

Thanks guys - will post back here in an hour or so with the turntable make and model.

Sounds like this can be a do it yourself type deal??

pjradio · October 2011

jshin wrote:

First you need to know the make and model number of the turntable.

yep

skanji32 wrote:

Sounds like this can be a do it yourself type deal??

should only take a few minutes...unless its some crazy turntable

jshin · October 2011

Is this what you're looking at?

pjradio · October 2011

jshin wrote:

Is this what you're looking at?

hmmm...what kind of mat is that?...cork?...nice

jshin · October 2011

Yeah it's cork... I was having static issues, it really made a huge difference.

skanji32 · November 2011

It's a Nikko Direct Drive Auto Return Turntable NP 850
Seen here:
http://pic.twitter.com/2GFdK991

The Arm is what I'm looking at, and it's "hollow" inside, but rectangular shaped - hope you guys can see it in the picture...

Guys - thanks for all the (continued) help. Please keep the advice coming.

I'm gonna need it and hopefully others will benefit to play their PJ vinyl like me!

jshin · November 2011

I'm having a real hard time finding any info on your turntable... Are you able to take a nice close picture of the end of the tonearm?

JTH · November 2011

jshin wrote:

I'm having a real hard time finding any info on your turntable... Are you able to take a nice close picture of the end of the tonearm?

Looks to me like you need a p-mount cartridge (no headshell necessary). But yeah, I can't find much info either, so a closeup pic would do wonders.

Oh, and you need a mat.

JTH · November 2011

Your turntable looks pretty similar to one of mine.

Here's a closeup with the (p-mount) cartridge removed. Is that what yours looks like?

pjradio · November 2011

nikko np-800?

jshin · November 2011

JTH wrote:

Oh, and you need a mat.

And a proper cleaning..get rid of all that dust before you put any records on there.

skanji32 · November 2011

I'll take a picture of the tonearm when I get home. Sorry, I should have taken a closeup this morning. Will definitely wipe everything down. To be honest, afraid of putting ANY vinyl on there the first time!! Very nervewracking!!

Where do you guys get mats from? Any cool PJ ones?

Also need to buy a needle and "head" eventually and need to know where to buy from. But let me get you guys a photo first. Gonna stop by home at lunch now....very excited!!

skanji32 · November 2011

JTH wrote:

Your turntable looks pretty similar to one of mine.

Here's a closeup with the (p-mount) cartridge removed. Is that what yours looks like?

yes - looks similar to this...but let me get a photo for you in a couple of hours to confirm.

skanji32 · November 2011

pjradio wrote:

nikko np-800?

yep - just not as white....and i think there are more buttons too

lolobugg · November 2011

jshin wrote:

Is this what you're looking at?

Is that a denon table you have the music hall mat on? i have been thinking about getting a new mat that reduces static. if so, do you use it on the platter only or on top of the rubber mat... i know the denon mat is pretty thick... that's why i'm asking. thanks.

jshin · November 2011

lolobugg wrote:

jshin wrote:

Is this what you're looking at?

Is that a denon table you have the music hall mat on? i have been thinking about getting a new mat that reduces static. if so, do you use it on the platter only or on top of the rubber mat... i know the denon mat is pretty thick... that's why i'm asking. thanks.

Yep, Denon DP300-F.. I have the cork directly on the platter...I love the thickness of the Denon slipmat. I was thinking of buying a sheet of cork close to the same thickness of the Denon mat and making my own slipmat.

lolobugg · November 2011

yeah, got the same table...great tt but I have static issues too. I have probably looked ten different mats. Heard some good things about the Music Hall. Think I will try the Music Hall Mat if you recommend it. It is hard to find people with the same set up that can recommend things. Thanks for the feedback.

jshin · November 2011

I definitely recommend it...just be aware when you're opening the package that it is very thin.. For some reason I was thinking it would be more rigid like a record.. Either way, I love it.

Record player (turntable) question for newbie!

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