The Vinyl still sounds wonderful! What a welcome return to proper music enjoyment

Yep - keep them spinning... I am with my Michell Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference, Fluid arm, Rotel amp and Monitor Audio Bronze speakers!

Did you manage to hire a KM machine, or did you have to go to a cleaning centre? I'd be interested in knowing the costs as I've a few discs i'd like to get cleaned!

Did enquire about hiring one and found a dealer in Warrington http://www.dougbradyhifi.com/p-1419-keith-monks-record-cleaning-machine-for-hire.aspx who charges £50 at time (plus cleaning fluid).

Never got around to it and have just put up with using a Hunt EDA brush applied a few times running the Turntable at 45rpm (applying very lightly) and then using the Zerostat aftwards.

Some of the Vinyl will require deeper cleaning however but not going to invest until Ive found a suitable dealer to service the turntable which amazingly still works after 10 years in hiding!

You bought any new vinyl ? That's my next treat!

I've replaced one or two of my older ones with new two disc cuts over the last year, & now have my eyes on the new Peter Gabriel album "New Blood" & perhaps the new Kate Bush one "50 Words for Snow". However I usually raid our local charity shops as they have been a rich source of supply! I even managed to bag some that had been given to them when a local BBC radio station had cleared out some of it's "can't remember when we last played it" stuff!

Trouble is I'm saving up for an Origin Live upgrade, and the cost of any new vinyl would put a pretty big dent in it! Hence my interest in cleaning some of my old stuff.

I emailed them yesterday as i've the old threaded mount P3 as against the newer 3 pin one, so there will be a few "extras" that i'll have to go for over the usual cost of upgrade if I want to go the whole hog. However they are looking at what would be the best performance/cost balance so i await to hear the final figure (gulp)

What a brilliant re-introduction to Vinyl a new Kate Bush album would be! Wasnt aware there was one in the pipeline so will be on the look out for its release!

Hadnt given charity shops a thought! There is a record fair local to me in october so will venture and see what brings.

Still putting some of what Ive got into some semblence of order as theyve been split for so many years(some still at my parents while others loaned to family etc).

Got multiple copies of certain albums that are unplayed such as One Size Fits All, My Life in the bush of Ghosts and Tarkus which Im looking forward to once Im happy the deck isnt damaging the 'platter matter'!

Lucky to bag some BBC stuff as expect they are promo copies? Like to follow some sort of upgrade path myself but think the cost would scare me off! Origin Live upgrade sounds expensive?

Just contemplating different speakers as the Kans are to small for the room. Lots of the old favorites out there and affordable too!

Cheers

My Life in the bush of Ghost

Wow one of my all time favourites :-) You are going to regret having not heard it yet! Truly stunning.

Chris

Got multiple copies of certain albums that are unplayed such as One Size Fits All, My Life in the bush of Ghosts and Tarkus which Im looking forward to once Im happy the deck isnt damaging the 'platter matter'!

Lucky to bag some BBC stuff as expect they are promo copies? Like to follow some sort of upgrade path myself but think the cost would scare me off! Origin Live upgrade sounds expensive?

Just contemplating different speakers as the Kans are to small for the room. Lots of the old favorites out there and affordable too!

Wow a classic album there!

BBC stuff has BCC library embossed on the sleeve, as is the date it has to be kept until. The nice thing is the use record cleaners on them, so the condition of the disc was superb. Best find recently was the 80's inspired soundtrack to Metropolis. Not everyones taste, but does make the system work!

The upgraded tonearm isn't too bad as you can sort of pick and choose what you want, but I did a few modifications to it myself (back in the day!) and think I may have to undo them or start again. Add to that if the chassis needs modifying, it will all build up and deff not flush at the moment!

Thing is there is nothing more satisfying than "putting a record on" as it makes you sit down and listen! I found with CD's i didn't often listen to the whole thing, but skipped tracks, and because of that, never really listened to them! I think I can sort of se AC/DC's argument of not joining iTunes. Brian Johnson was quoted as saying it was because they make "albums, not tracks"

Used to have Linn stuff....sondek and speakers running off an origianl Pioneer A400...had a mate who was the delivery driver for Linn....say no more ....still have the A400 and its going strong but flogged the Linn stuff moons back when times were hard!!

K:)

I kind of combine old and new.

Everything I have (PC, PS3, iPod, guitar) all feed into my Soundcraft Spirit Folio 10/2 which then outputs to an old Sherwood amp (model forgotten, but it's mid 80's) which feeds my Gale mini-monitors.

It's a lovely setup that's completely customisable thanks to the mixing desk (also acts a quite a good home studio rig).

Last week I did a rash thing and spotted an OL Onyx tonearm for sale on Gumtree. Not local, but the price was reasonable enough to tempt me!

So with trepidation I took a rather long drive back from work and met a throughly decent bloke who is a total vinyl nut! He was selling it because having ordered it from OL direct, he'd had a change of heart having been further tempted with an OL Zephyr (gulp), he'd listened to at his local HiFi specialist. I asked him why he'd not sorted it out with OL and got a refund/upgrade, to be told that their delivery method was "tortuous" so he'd rather sell it locally!

Quick exchange of cash turned into a long listen to his system and advice about set up, including the loan of a stylus force gauge!

So back home, I listened to a few of my test tracks on my Rega Planar 3 with the old RB300 (+ Michell Tecno Weight), then i swapped the arms over.... Bit of a faff as I had to re attach the external earthing screw to my amp... now where did i put it for safe keeping??? Anyway, once found the moment of truth...

What a difference! so much more expansive! The bass was liberated and the highlights were amazing! Detail became apparent and you could almost place some instruments. Such a significant upgrade that I'll be re-living many an LP over the next few weeks! And one of the best parts? One of my mates wants the RB300 to replace his RB200! So my Techno Weight will probably be in the for sale section or on eBay shortly!

I may even look at saving for a Moth Record Cleaning Machine "kit" at this rate!

Always thought the Rega3 was a brilliant turntable very much copied by other manufacturers (Even Amstrad TP12D ).

A case of keeping it simple and the rewards are to be had. What cartridge are you using? That arm looks well made!

Just looking for a replacement myself and cant make my mind whether to go for MM or MC given present budget of £200.

Still enjoying spinning those Lp's!

Hi mate, presently using a Linn Adikt, which is ok, def much better than what I had before.

I have had in the past a Linn K-9, an Audio Technica (can't remember which) and an Ortofon OM10 before deciding to move up a bit.

Funny enough I've wondered what else was out there at about the £200 mark.

Goldring were always well regarded at about this price, but I've never had a chance to listen to one.

You'll have to keep us updated on your quest

Well my rash surfing session on the net has resulted in my buying a second hand Moth record cleaning machine! Again, found it via Gumtree, and again had a long drive home from work to collect it! It's a big heavy beggar! Ordered some new cleaning pads and fluid, so hope to have it up and running shortly!

Only one problem, no idea where I'll store it when not in use!!!!!

EDIT: Zerostat, still got mine

OOOOOOO I remember those, they made that funny 'clicking; sound when you were using them on vinyl. :yes:

I had a red one.

And I used to use TDK 'metal' tapes. I used my dads old Kef Concord speakers.

Well my rash surfing session on the net has resulted in my buying a second hand Moth record cleaning machine! Again, found it via Gumtree, and again had a long drive home from work to collect it! It's a big heavy beggar! Ordered some new cleaning pads and fluid, so hope to have it up and running shortly!

Only one problem, no idea where I'll store it when not in use!!!!!

he he - haven't seen one of those in about 20 years

Funny this thread has come up. I've recently had a hankering to dig my vinyl out of the loft and get back to listening to music.

My old HiFi wasn't that Hi, but I still have the Rega Planar 3 with standard arm and Ortofon something cartridge. NAD 3020 ? amplifier. No decent speakers left though. I used to have floor standers which Mrs Phosphoric complained were big and ugly for our small lounge.

Now the kids have flown the nest, we have a couple of spare bedrooms. May set one up as a music/reading room. :p

Well my rash surfing session on the net has resulted in my buying a second hand Moth record cleaning machine! Again, found it via Gumtree, and again had a long drive home from work to collect it! It's a big heavy beggar! Ordered some new cleaning pads and fluid, so hope to have it up and running shortly!

Only one problem, no idea where I'll store it when not in use!!!!!

Brilliant investment! You done any before and after listening ? I came to a halt on the cartridge front as decided the LP12 required a full service but havent had the opportunity to find a dealer as all the local ones have disappeared. Must get back on track! (Excuse the pun).

Bought any new vinyl recently?

Brilliant investment! You done any before and after listening ? I came to a halt on the cartridge front as decided the LP12 required a full service but havent had the opportunity to find a dealer as all the local ones have disappeared. Must get back on track! (Excuse the pun).

Bought any new vinyl recently?

Not tried it yet, still waiting for the pads to arive, but i've a couple of prime candidates lined up! Both of them are almost un-listenable at the moment, so worst case I trash them, best case I get them back! I'm struggling to think of a place to suggest for the LP12 service (other than through a Linn dealer). There used to be a guy in Sheffield (A1 Audio "something") who would do Linn stuff at fraction of the cost of the dealer, but I don't know if he's still about. Can check, but i'm guessing you'd rather keep it local.

I did buy the Kate Bush LP 50 Words for Snow, and every time work sends me somewhere I try and find time on my lunch break to do any local second had vinyl shops. The major down side for me has been that most of the charity shops near us have now started selling their LP's to a local record dealer, so for the moment my "cheap" sources have dried up! What used to cost me 20 - 50p is now £4.

Lost all of my sound system when I became single and have yet to replace it. Not sure at this point if I will. With everything changing so quickly its hard to choose. I even considered a low-jack Bose 3-piece system for the TV but even that isn't good. I miss the old days before digital. The new stuff sounds soOoo empty and lifeless.

Lost all of my sound system when I became single and have yet to replace it. Not sure at this point if I will. With everything changing so quickly its hard to choose. I even considered a low-jack Bose 3-piece system for the TV but even that isn't good. I miss the old days before digital. The new stuff sounds soOoo empty and lifeless.

Lots of excellent used equipment out there to tempt you!

Chris

Latest update, I decided to replace the belt on my Rega Planar 3. Well the deck is nearly 30 years old and the last time I had it serviced was when they fitted the then "new" synchronous 240v motor, about 10 to 12 years ago! Cost of the new belt was a shock at £20, but it was long over due as they are supposed to only last 5 years, and mine was slipping badly! I also decided I'd service the bearing, by cleaning out the old oil and putting new in. Well the belt arrived on Monday and what a difference, didn't realise just how bad the old one had got! I'll be a bit more proactive in future! When I looked at it close up, it was about to split and could well have been the original one!

So the oil turned up this morning and I followed the Rega instructions, which was a little more specific than I'd expected, removed the hub and ball bearing, cleaned and degreased them and re fitted with the recommended oil. All two drops of it! Now the sub platter seemed ok before, but seems to spin a little more freely after being re installed, and everything seems to be sweeter than before, I can now hear the age in Kate's voice, which was less apparent before. The combined cost of the service is about £25, but well worth it. It's easily done, even with my limited skills and for any of you out there still using old Regas, I can't recommend this enough!

Nice little service that! Think the Rega get's it right without any fuss!

The Linn is a pain in the proverbial to keep in tune with its springs/grommets and other floating bits!

Looking forward to the HiFi Show in Bristol! Always go even though it's nothing like it used to be.

http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/

Linn not making a presence which is a shame but there are plenty of the good old british names making an appearance!

Still have my Sugden A48 amp. and other more modern stuff. Now and again the Sugden comes out of it's box and I'll remind myself how involving music can be. Digital music is more clearer and detailed with less noise I have to admit but analogue presentation seems to be less tiring to listen to.

Hope someone might be able to proffer an opinion. I have an old reciever in my possesion. Last time I got it out it worked ok. I'm pretty sure its a Rotel RX-202 from the mid to late 70s. http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rotel_stereo_receiver_rx_202.html

I don't know what to do with it. I don't have it out at the moent as I have nowhere to put it but look the way it looks and one day hope to have it out. Just not sure what to use it for. Is it worth keeping?

No doubt a £100 receiver or amp from Richer Sounds would be many times better but it has character.