Re: Digital turntables: any feedback, please?

Chris Edwards <cedwards@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm using a Technics SL1300 with a Stanton 681EEE, into a Yamaha receiver,
then using "tape out" into an SB Audigy "Live Drive". Which would be the
best to upgrade first for vinyl restoration?

Hmm...

My first thought would be upgrade the cartridge.... the 681EE actually is
not bad at all tonally, but it's not very good for tracking worn records
and it isn't very detailed. It also has poor stereo imaging.

The problem is that if you upgrade the cartridge _first_, when you later
go and upgrade the turntable you're going to have to be looking for something
with an arm that matches the cartridge you have well.

I might suggest something like the AT440... it's a fineline, so it tracks
very well, but you'll want an arm with adjustable VTA to get the best stereo
separation from it. It's okay on a wide range of arms, and it is pretty high
output so you could get away with a poor preamp.

Keep the 681EE, though. It's a great choice for 78s and other wide groove
stuff where the stereo imaging isn't important.

The thing about the Technics is that you can actually get some decent money
for it on Ebay. You could get an entry-level belt-driven table like the
Thorens TD126, or the bottom of the line Music Hall or Rega tables used
for not much more than you could sell the Technics for used. So I might
suggest doing that, too.

As far as upgrading the preamp goes, I think the main reason you'd want
to do that is so you can use better cartridges that may require more careful
loading and more gain. Paul Stamler has previously recommended a black box
preamp for around $150 around here that ought to be a huge step up from
the preamp section in a consumer receiver.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
.

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