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I thought that was a good review covering the basics. Randy does a excellent job explaining subjects were a person is just starting thier journey. Great job Sir!

One *key* thing that all phono preamps have to do - is the RIAA equalization curve. The Recording Industry Association of America EQ is a standard that is used for all records - because the physical nature of music is that the bass frequencies would cause the groove on the record to be too large. The groove would have to take up a lot of space on the surface, and the length of time of the music would be a lot shorter. So - the RIAA standard cuts the volume of the lowest bass (20Hz) by 20dB. And the treble frequencies in the record groove would be too small - the stylus would have a hard time tracking them, and they would wear out too quickly. So the RIAA standard increases the highest treble (20kHz aka 20,000Hz) by 20dB. The phono preamp has to apply the opposite EQ curve - it has to increase bass at 20Hz by 20dB and cut the treble at 20kHz by 20dB. This is why using 2 phono preamps would be bad; as was mentioned.

This is a great precursor to getting into vinyl, just 50 years too late for me. Back in the day we bought a record player and took what we could get. As long as the speed was correct, the needle tracked and noise came out, the party was on. Knowing what I know now, it wasn't a very precise science in my youth. I am sure a new generation of vinylafficionados will be emerging, and well informed with all this good info. Thank you as always for this valuable info, your time and effort to share this with us all. Much appreciated.

They have upgraded vinyl it’s called cd .. Seriously it can be fun and very frustrating. To get the best it needs lots of t l c . When I was young that’s all there was oh radio too . 8 track cassette I remember them also . Great explanation Randy and good luck to all newbies to vinyl .

Love my Fluance RT 85. What a great turntable for the money.

Randy the best buy in a budget turntable at the moment is definitely the Rega P1 green grade. I have just bought one for £199 which includes a Rega carbon cartridge. These use very slight seconds for the plinth or colours and finishes that are not current. I was lucky to get mine with the P3 gloss red plinth and matching better bearing. The current P3 is a Matt finish. For £30 more you can get the plus version with built in phono amp. These usually retail at £380. Rega states that they are not making anything out of these, they are only selling them to save on waste. You also get the lifetime warranty. I can honestly say that this is an absolute bargain and it sounds great. Another budget turntable that I can also personally recommend at £250 is Audio Technicas AT120XUSB which I bought for my son. Another great bargain and it sounds remarkably good for the price.

I‘m a lucky guy…a german distribution offer a Rega Planar 1 with the glas platter the Planar 2 and adjustable antiscating for the same price like the original Planar 1 (even 20€ cheaper)…so i had to get this immediately 😍

Great getting started guide Randy! I recently upgraded from a Pioneer PL-990 (light piece of chinese plastic, but at least it's not a Crosley 😅) to at Audio Technica AT-LP5 with a AT-VM95E, a turntable with room to grow in the years going forward. I convinced a salesman to sell me the showroom model for $120, because it was missing the headshell and cartridge. Bought a new AT-VM95E including the AT-HS6 headshell for $95 when I got home ... quite pleased with that purchase, kinda feel like I stole it from the store though 🤣

Phono preamps are a little more complicated than just increasing signal level. (sorry if my explanation is a bit off) When the record is made there is a special 'curve'' or equalization made to the signal that is set to a standard decided by the organization, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It's normally referred to as the RIAA CURVE. It's the phono preamp's job to correctly compensate for that applied curve. Some phone preamps do a better job on balancing that curve than others. See the Wiki article on it.

I invested in a fluance turn table. I couldn’t be happier.

The phono pre-amp has another job in addition to amplification and that is RIAA equalization (google it). When a record is cut the low frequencies are reduced and the highs are emphasized. During playback the opposite of the equalization curve is employed to make the bass louder and the highs lower. This reduces the surface noise and allows the program to fit by making the grooves smaller for bass. Ack. That is why when you plug a record player into an amp w/o a phono stage it sounds janky.

The tried and tested Technics 1200/10 mk2/3/5 or even the never 1200 mk7 at a push are my favorites but that's because I used to dj and cant stand having just one deck, bonus for me being my classic tascam 'super analogue' mixer has balanced xlr outputs.

Excellent video with clarity & wit.

I am currently using a Pro-Ject Debut turntable with upgraded Ortofon 2M Black cartridge and separate phono preamp. The sound quality is excellent and serves me well until I’m ready to budget for a higher end system.

Always wondered why I saw people running away from the audio section in Best Buy . . . It was those hollow plinths!

Rega RP1 plus with QA M20s. Minimalist no fuss and budget friendly.

If your intent on going vinyl I would suggest that if you find a turntable make sure it's got some heft to it. Cheap turntables can often ring with their plastic chassis.

All this is great information, and why I love my CD's.

Good coverage of entry level turntables and what goes into their design.

Rega Planar 1 super easy to set up and great build quality!

Randy well presented video. An Isolation shelf for the turntable to sit on that has adjustable spikes to level the kit.

Helpful video. I have a Technics I am very happy with and love vinyl but still have a bunch to learn. Specifically on changing cartridges and styli and calibration.

I never play vinyl anymore but my Dual 522 turntable from the 1970's (maybe 1980's) crapped out about 10 years ago, so 7 years ago I bought one of the cheapest automated TTs I could find, the Denon DP-300F. Its cartridge is not very good so I bought a decent Ortofon and a Denon headshell to mount it in. I haven't played a record since, nor have I bothered to even mount the new cartridge either. Digital seems to rule in my system and there is no going back for me.

Love the openings.

I have a Technics SL-Q2 and its perfect

The absolute best channel I have seen on KZfaq

Very happy with my budget AngelsHorn turntable. Perfect for my fleemarket and garage sale records. Very good video, thanks Randy

Wanna give a shout out to Pro-ject--they are an Austrian company with manufacturing by our Czech friends. Nothing against Chi-fi (Fluance, and just about everything else in that price range), but I look to U.S. and our European friends as much as possible. Also, I troll Goodwill looking for old German and English all mechanical ones. Not much to break except the normal consumables, and many just need a little grease/oil if they happen to be "stuck". Edit: and here's yer' upthumb for some good 411.

Grrrrreattt! (to be said in you finest Scots' accent). Really enjoyable, informative, balanced video. Knocked it out the park, yet again, Randy. All the very best to you & your family, from G. in Japan (ex-Scotland).

I've been eyeing the AT-LPW40WN for a while, really like the looks, it has a CF tonearm, MDF plinth, speed control, phono preamp, antiskate, belt drive. it does have a die cast aluminum platter which im not very fond of but overall the specs look pretty good to me, idk if some of you vinyl pros know if it's worth it or not.

Great intro, Randy! Thanks!

Really well done, Randy

Thanks, very informative, ive been considering getting a turntable but finding the basic info has proven difficult. Need to save up anyways, but it seems very fun. Maybe ill end up delaying it and getting different speakers first, will see. Full analogue is intruiging though!

Good job for newbies, I guess. Stopped audio upgrades for now. My small apt., now with window A/C noise the wrecks me, is more a limiting factor, more than budget. Can't and won't even listen to the system with the AC on. I really should put on my Bose 'collar' noise reduction bluetooth headset even to listen to KZfaq from my desktop PC. So, no reason to jump up a grade of turntables. Could have had a high output moving coil (i'd have a dealer install and align) on the new (in 2020) NAD TT I had tonearm wires repaired because of my stupid action...but had a reasonable 2M Bronze installed on it. I've seen moving coil video showing cantilever and diamonds up close and realized precision needed to install, and more rarified system to play it. In a bigger room in a bigger finer apt. or a house. Had thought about camera upgrades, too. Trade some of my Nikon F for Z mirrorless perhaps. At least I can walk into 2 famous retailers here and sell or trade at a loss I can accept (making up for it if I in turn buy other used or refurb. gear). Can't do that with regular audio gear. Perhaps with the high end stuff. locally by appointment.

Rega p1 green grade is an excellent option

Great video Randy, I love all of your turntable content. Just a side question though, are you feeling ok? You didn’t seem to have the same energy as usual on this one. I’m sure its really tough to be “up” for all the videos you do….. Still rockin my 20 year old Music Hall MMF7 turntable with my first generation Project Tube Box pre amp. Love my vinyl!

Some metal platters have a polymer lining to reduce or eliminate ringing.

All you have to do on a metal or aluminum platter is use a quality rubber mat and you will get no ring

When vinyl records are made, bass frequencies are cut and high frequencies are boosted. A phono preamp restores the bass and reduces the treble.

What do you think of Rega who strive to make light weight turntables?

If you want to dive in to the progression of the Turntable you could do worse than look at the history of the Linn Sondek LP12 it's 50 Years Old. You'll be quite an expert by the time you finish reading.

Randy is there any need to actually ground the ground wire from the turntable to the pre-amp

Great vid. Very informative. Met u at axponia 2024

I’ve used business cards to level

I love you Randy but I have disagree with some of your fundamental points here. The most important is that it is the turntable itself that makes the biggest difference to the sound quality. You do talk about the importance of the plinth, platter and isolation feet , all of which will affect the performance of the turntable. I would recommend anyone getting into vinyl to research Rega’s design philosophy to really understand what is required from a turntable. The Rega RP1 is probably the best affordable vinyl player on the market. Go to a good dealer and they should be able to demonstrate the differences

Turntables are cool. I started with 1 now I have 3.

I bought a Rega P1 in 2021.

I received the AT LP60x last Christmas. I don't recommend it. It sounds ok but features no tone arm adjustments. Mine occasionally skips on outer tracks. Monoprice sells a better entry level turntable with adjustable tone arm settings. I would say you need to spend about $500 if you want a decent turntable.

HE WANTS IT TO BE STIFF.

Thanks for the great video! I’m new to this and still don’t understand of all the phono preamp options, what will produce the best sound quality? Stand alone, integrated into the table, amp or speakers??

Has anyone done a head to head between the Fosi x2 and x4?

Great video, Randy!

Ok for the experts i have a old kenwood direct drive and am thinking of a rega planar 1 but i saw rega eco and its supposed to be the same exact thing but with a blemish is that true

Advice to beginners in this technology: this is an expensive hobby. I started in the early sixties and had many turntables and combinations of amplification along with speakers. There is no one answer or expert on what is the best for you. Consider your budget and your ability to contain your eventual addiction. Do you just want to listen to good musicians producing good music or do you have a lot of money to pursue your eventual desire for that elusive something a little bit better? Set a limit of say $1,500 and get a good sounding setup, and that is very possible and realistic even today. But understand that without an ability to manage your money and self-restraint you can get in over your head fast. That said, do a lot of research and listening to as many combinations before you dive in. The best stuff is not, I repeat, not all good ole USA made, or German made, or UK made but can even be made in Asia as well like TV and phones for instance. Most of all, vinyl is different and other analog sources too. Follow your ears, learn to listen critically. You are welcome. Keep ‘em spinning!

I got a Pro-Ject EvolPro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB last month, its connected to my 16 year old Denon DM31, but doesn't sound as good as I expected, even the spotify running from the Echo spot to the DM31 sounds better than the vinal. So last week I tried a Pro-Ject Pre-amp, this sounded even worse, really distorted and quiet with background interference (I think may be faulty) so I returned it. Today I purchased Marantz 6007 Amp with phono pre amp built in, but unfortunately this just sounded basic, no where near ss good as the Denon DM31. So what next, try a different pre-amp or intergrated amplifier?

Vinyl is great for the inconvenience and distortion. I clean my music files, burned from CDs, once a year.

sadly rt85 is not available in hk meanwhile im looking at teac tn-4d-se

Do you have recommendations (other than the Douk T8 and T8 Pro) for a budget preamp that has left-right speaker balance controls? My listening room needs it, and in order to change over to one of the class D amps (most of which don't have this feature) I'll need a preamp that does.

Rega actually has the opposite approach to the plinth, which is very light in weight on the higher end models. Doesn’t make sense to me.

Retrolife makes a good turntable with a 40 dollar coupon,making it 119.00

I still have one question... Why? I never had the chance to play with one and I wonder why they are so popular? Is there anything about sound or is it mostly about the hands-on feel?

My tone arm is reliable

I am going to get back into vinyl with a new turntable. My issue is it will be located about 15 to 20 feet away from my Onkyo TX RZ50 which has a phono preamp. Finding and RCA cable with ground wire that long is proving difficult. Any suggestions? I don't want to have interference problems. Do you recommend a preamp and bypass the one in the Onkyo? Thanks

Bought a 45 year old Sanyo plus Q60 for 200 dollars put a ortofon om40 on it, now I am selling my linn lp12 😂.

I bought a Thorens turntable about 10 years ago. A $1000 piece of trash. I didn't know it, but they have been sold several times over the last 50 years or so. Not the same as the 1960s tables at all (not even close).

Pro-ject and nothing else

I have a turntable platter made out of cast iron...yeah...cast iron.

The correct name for what people call anti skating is BIAS.

😶

I love your channel but I wish you would get rid of the heavy metal intro after the 1970s game show intro.

What in the hell is a vinyl turntable? It’s a turntable. Lose the vinyl!