so i've got the vinyl......but how am i going to listen to it?

Got Some If You Need It · January 2008

i'm only 20 so I know next to nothing about record players. could someone explain what sort of player/equipment I am going to need to enjoy this wonderful collectors item, assuming i open it that is....

restlesssoul · January 2008

you have purchased a "record" you need a "record player"

emeraldkity · January 2008

Costco and other dealers have usb turntables that you can play albums on and convert to mp3s if you don't have a stereo with a turntable- I don't know how the sound is, as I don't have one- but I am thinking about it- as I have lots of albums that I would like to play.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/90a0/

HollisBrown · January 2008

wilmack88 wrote:

i'm only 20 so I know next to nothing about record players. could someone explain what sort of player/equipment I am going to need to enjoy this wonderful collectors item, assuming i open it that is....

It's called a turntable. Usually has a 10-12 inch platter where you place the record, a tone arm which extends out over the record, a cartridge with a stylus attached to it which is placed on the record (in order to 'read' the grooves), and a motor to turn the platter. You can pick one up at audiophile stores. It gets plugged into an amplifier where it says 'phono.'

Got Some If You Need It · January 2008

oh thanks....guess it was a stupid question. i thought there were different kinds of record players. thanks though

DriftingByTheStorm · January 2008

emeraldkity wrote:

Costco and other dealers have usb

bingo.
i cringe at the thought of a digital record player, lol ... but for the younguns out there, i think this is probably the way to go.

If you don't want to blow $200+ on a good direct drive, go get one of the several $100 usb out tables ... plug it in to your computer and have some good speakers ... also, blow the extra $50+ to get a GOOD STYLUS (needle) ... you WONT be sorry!

Jason P · January 2008

restlesssoul wrote:

you have purchased a "record" you need a "record player"

what about these "cassette" thingys i've heard of? will they work on a record player too?

Tombourine · January 2008

wilmack88 wrote:

i'm only 20 so I know next to nothing about record players. could someone explain what sort of player/equipment I am going to need to enjoy this wonderful collectors item, assuming i open it that is....

Being 20 is no excuse! I'm 20 and I not only have a record player, but I also know how to operate it!

Yielded · January 2008

emeraldkity wrote:

Costco and other dealers have usb turntables that you can play albums on and convert to mp3s if you don't have a stereo with a turntable- I don't know how the sound is, as I don't have one- but I am thinking about it- as I have lots of albums that I would like to play.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/90a0/

I've always been dubious about those USB turntables. Converting vinyl to mp3 seems a bit nonsensical to me.

Back to the topic though. You can get very good record players for a decent price nowadays.

NMyTree · January 2008

wilmack88 wrote:

i'm only 20 so I know next to nothing about record players. could someone explain what sort of player/equipment I am going to need to enjoy this wonderful collectors item, assuming i open it that is....

Go to your dentist, have a smooth-tipped diamond inserted in between your two front teeth, spin the record really fast on the tip of a ball point pen (put tip of pen where the little whole is) and place your diamond (the one between your teeth) on the vinyl record; you will hear the music in your ear canals. In stereo, even.

PahkTheCah · January 2008

When you get the record, stick a sharpened pencil into the whole in it's center, and place it to one side. Then grab a pin (not a pen), some tape, and a sheet of paper (any color will do). Roll the paper into the shape of a cone and tape it in place. Then tape the pin (not pen) to the small end of the cone. Take the record with the pencil stuck in it and spin it like a top. Then take the cone contraption and place the pin end into the grooves on the record. if you hold the paper you'll hear the music.

DriftingByTheStorm · January 2008

NMyTree wrote:

Go to your dentist, have a smooth-tipped diamond inserted in between your two front teeth, spin the record really fast on the tip of a ball point pen (put tip of pen where the little whole is) and place your diamond (the one between your teeth) on the vinyl record; you will hear the music in your ear canals. In stereo, even.

SHIZAM!

HollisBrown · January 2008

wilmack88 wrote:

oh thanks....guess it was a stupid question. i thought there were different kinds of record players. thanks though

Not a stupid question at all. For a generation who hasn't grown up with them it's a very good question. Without proper guidance one could wind up paying thru the nose for a turntable, or worse, buy something that will ruin your vinyl collection.

HollisBrown · January 2008

Tombourine wrote:

Being 20 is no excuse! I'm 20 and I not only have a record player, but I also know how to operate it!

I'm not goinna ask you to elaborate.

NMyTree · January 2008

Here's a bunch of turntables at varying prices.

All of which are good starter tables.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=38540

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=15263 Basically it is the exact same table as the Pro-ject)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProJect-Debut-III-Audiophile-Turntable?sku=807600

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Technics-SL1210MK2-Turntable?sku=807058

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTT500

Julien · January 2008

if you don't have a "phono" in your amp, make sure you buy a turntable with a pre-amp. Or buy a turntable AND a pre-amp.

emeraldkity · January 2008

I've always been dubious about those USB turntables. Converting vinyl to mp3 seems a bit nonsensical to me.

Well it's one thing to be able to listen to an Lp at home with your Harmon Kardon turntable, your Yamaha receiver & your tower speakers- but some of us spend more time in the car or out and about and are listening to music on our ipod.

Some of my favorite Lps haven't come out on CD & I would still like to be able to listen to them on my ipod & don't have an elaborate configuration in order to do so.

( not to mention that those Who concerts in the 70s pretty much blasted out my ears and the digital version sounds fine to me now)

(I will admit though that when I had to replace my ipod when it was stolen- after testing the "classic" models- I hunted for a 5th gen video instead because I think the sound is better)

This dealer has lots of info although they can be the pricey end for what they are selling.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-D1xheKpL93P/App/Product/Category.aspx?c=4

I also like these guys-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/5794/Players_Systems_Turntables.html
I buy my camera gear from them-

DriftingByTheStorm · January 2008

NMyTree wrote:

Here's a bunch of turntables at varying prices.

All of which are good starter tables.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=38540

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=15263 Basically it is the exact same table as the Pro-ject)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProJect-Debut-III-Audiophile-Turntable?sku=807600

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Technics-SL1210MK2-Turntable?sku=807058

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTT500

I think he just wants a damn table,
not a audiophiles or a freaking Technics SL-1210MK2!

:eek:

I hear yah,
but he can get a decent table for $100 ... sure it won't be "the shit", he will need a new needle\stylus, and if he jumps on his floor it will skip ... so careful where you mount it, and walk soft ...

but he doesn't need to blow $500!
lol

here ... he could get an old technics automatic for $50 off of ebay.

HollisBrown · January 2008

NMyTree wrote:

Here's a bunch of turntables at varying prices.
All of which are good starter tables.

Just remember the cartridge costs extra.
Plus, a belt driven table is better than a direct drive. Just a tad of a hassle when changing speeds.

NMyTree · January 2008

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

I think he just wants a damn table,
not a audiophiles or a freaking Technics SL-1210MK2!

:eek:

I hear yah,
but he can get a decent table for $100 ... sure it won't be "the shit", he will need a new needle\stylus, and if he jumps on his floor it will skip ... so careful where you mount it, and walk soft ...

but he doesn't need to blow $500!
lol

here ... he could get an old technics automatic for $50 off of ebay.

Just trying to help. He knows his budget, so he can poke around for other options, if those are out of his budget.

But c' mon, the kid should start off on something decent. Not some $39.99 piece of crap that skips across the vinyl when the wind blows or when the someone sneezes:D

Julien · January 2008

NMyTree wrote:

Just trying to help. He knows his budget, so he can poke around for other options, if those are out of his budget.

But c' mon, the kid should start off on something decent. Not some $39.99 piece of crap that skips across the vinyl when the wind blows or when the someone sneezes:D

I agree.

so i've got the vinyl......but how am i going to listen to it?

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