Are all turntables alike?

[NBPK402]

If you are buying a turntable with an arm already, I would listen to it when you get it setup, and then when you are totally familiar with its sound in your setup decide if you want to upgrade or not. Unless you are very picky or go out and demo setups with your same table arm configuration... I think you will be happy with the one it comes with.

 

[Grayson Dere]

This is ALL great info. Just to add to what has already been said, I've been following a HiFi channel on YouTube recently called HiViNyws that actually has video recorded side-by-side comparisons between different cartridges at various price points. Even if you are just using laptop audio the differences can still be heard. I highly recommend checking it out as it is both informative and entertaining to watch.

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNKJ_uFheEftryRCvbmfNg

 

[Asere]

Cartridges absolutely sound different. Upgrading often gets you better sound. That being said, my own experience with cartridge lines like this is that one step up in a line is rarely a big jump in sound. It’s incrimentally better. So is the blue better than the red? Probably. Is it night and day better, probably not.

Years ago I replaced a Sumiko Blue Point with a Grado sonata to a grado reference. The difference in sound between brands was greater than the difference in sound between models even though the difference in price was greater within the grado line.

I emailed UTURN and they said between the 2m blue and red the sound is subtle and the only way to really tell would be with A/B comparison. If I move forward with UTURN I may just go ahead and get the blue. Makes me feel better I guess lol.
Aslo how important is it to have a Cue Lever? Do you suggest having one?

 

[Grayson Dere]

I emailed UTURN and they said between the 2m blue and red the sound is subtle and the only way to really tell would be with A/B comparison. If I move forward with UTURN I may just go ahead and get the blue. Makes me feel better I guess lol.
Aslo how important is it to have a Cue Lever? Do you suggest having one?

Hi Asere,

I would highly recommend getting a Cue Lever. It will make life much easier knowing you'll be able to raise and lower the tonearm without the risk of causing harm to the record/needle.
Without the lever there is too much risk that you might accidentally damage the cartridge needle/record grooves during the raise/lower action using just your fingers.

There is a certain finesse that goes along with enjoying vinyl : )

 

[Asere]

Hi Asere,

I would highly recommend getting a Cue Lever. It will make life much easier knowing you'll be able to raise and lower the tonearm without the risk of causing harm to the record/needle.
Without the lever there is too much risk that you might accidentally damage the cartridge needle/record grooves during the raise/lower action using just your fingers.

There is a certain finesse that goes along with enjoying vinyl : )

I think I will do that. Thank you!

 

[Grayson Dere]

I think I will do that. Thank you!

No problem, Asere. I still scratch my head today as to why any turntable manufacturer would not include the cue lever.

 

[Mark C Flick]

No problem, Asere. I still scratch my head today as to why any turntable manufacturer would not include the cue lever.

Or 78 rpm...

 

[tesseract]

I have been seeing some have a phono cartridge and others moving magnet. What is the difference and which is better?

The step between Red and Blue is significant, in my opinion. Go with the Blue if it is within budget.

The UTurn or the Project Debut 'tables are both excellent budget pieces paired with the also excellent Ortofon cartridges. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[tesseract]

Speaking of cue levers, do get any upgrade that includes that. Extremely helpful moving and removing the needle safely from the record.

 

[Grayson Dere]

The step between Red and Blue is significant, in my opinion. Go with the Blue if it is within budget.

The UTurn or the Project Debut 'tables are both excellent budget pieces paired with the also excellent Ortofon cartridges. You can't go wrong with either.

If your looking for a quality turntable I would not look at getting anything new, look for used on Craigslist or eBay you will get better bang for buck and something that is going to last.

I, too, agree that buying used can lead to some very promising finds. In addition to the above mentioned pre-owned outlets I also would like to suggest: https://www.usaudiomart.com and https://www.audiogon.com

 

[Asere]

The step between Red and Blue is significant, in my opinion. Go with the Blue if it is within budget.

The UTurn or the Project Debut 'tables are both excellent budget pieces paired with the also excellent Ortofon cartridges. You can't go wrong with either.

I am leaning more towards the Upturn and yes will definitely be a blue cartridge.

 

[Grayson Dere]

The step between Red and Blue is significant, in my opinion. Go with the Blue if it is within budget.

The UTurn or the Project Debut 'tables are both excellent budget pieces paired with the also excellent Ortofon cartridges. You can't go wrong with either.

Although I haven't heard the Blue myself, I used to own the Red which definitely had a darker sound character to it compared to other carts I've heard. Does the Blue lift the veil a bit?

 

[Asere]

Or 78 rpm...

Please excuse my ignorance. As you can see all this is new to me and it's really exciting learning and owning soon a turntable.
Which records support 78 and how come most turntables do not support 78?
Do I need one that supports 78?

 

[Grayson Dere]

I am leaning more towards the Upturn and yes will definitely be a blue cartridge.

Cool! Also, if you haven't yet budgeted in a record cleaning device I recommend the Spin-Clean Record Washer. You'd be surprised at how much gunk falls into the cleaner bath, even from brand new out of the sealed wrap records.

https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Clean-R...qid=1546215822&sr=8-5&keywords=vinyl+cleaning

 

[Grayson Dere]

Please excuse my ignorance. As you can see all this is new to me and it's really exciting learning and owning soon a turntable.
Which records support 78 and how come most turntables do not support 78?
Do I need one that supports 78?

Perhaps Mark can provide better advice here, but I believe the 78 rpm record stopped being produced in the late 1950s. If you collect records from that vintage you would want a player that can play at the 78 rpm speed.

 

[Asere]

What's the difference between carbon and blue cartridge?

 

[Grayson Dere]

What's the difference between carbon and blue cartridge?

Are you referring to a carbon tonearm (like from Pro-Ject) and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge in combination?

 

[Asere]

Are you referring to a carbon tonearm (like from Pro-Ject) and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge in combination?

I'm not sure. I think I read there is a carbon cartridge. If there is such thing is there a difference between carbon and 2M?

 

[Grayson Dere]

Oh okay. I'm not aware of a carbon cart being made by Ortofon, but if you were interested in pursuing that route from other manufacturers the carbon material would more than likely be that for the body construction. Yes, there will be audible differences from different body materials because of physical resonant properties. In fact, the Grado Statement is completely made out of wood: https://www.needledoctor.com/Grado-Statement-V2-Woodbody-Cartridge

Here is a great resource for reading more about cartridge companies and sound quality (scroll down for the comparisons):
https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/cartridges-mc-mm/

 

[Mark C Flick]

Yes, the 78 rpm record is long dead but some of use do still have a few kicking around. My comment about 78 rpm was slightly facetious. It is easily understandable why so few turntables include this feature.

 

[leecreek]

Yes, the 78 rpm record is long dead but some of use do still have a few kicking around. My comment about 78 rpm was slightly facetious. It is easily understandable why so few turntables include this feature.

My father always said a Sapphire needle was required for the 78 rpm records.

 

[Tony V.]

Yes, you will damage the record/needle if you use the incorrect one on a 78 but as mentioned 78rpm records are from the mono days before the 1950s

 

[Asere]

Someone is selling a Rega Planar 2 at Audiogon brand new for $500 plus shipping. It has the carbon cartridge.
Is this a great buy?

 

[Grayson Dere]

Someone is selling a Rega Planar 2 at Audiogon brand new for $500 plus shipping. It has the carbon cartridge.
Is this a great buy?

Not a bad price for brand new and free shipping. The cart is definitely entry level at $65 when bought separately, but nevertheless this will be a great starter kit for you. I would recommend Rega over the U-Turn since Rega has been around for a very long time and make some of the best turntables ever, in my opinion, of course : )

This listing, correct?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...dge-gloss-white-finish-new-un-open-turntables

 

[Asere]

Not a bad price for brand new and free shipping. The cart is definitely entry level at $65 when bought separately, but nevertheless this will be a great starter kit for you. I would recommend Rega over the U-Turn since Rega has been around for a very long time and make some of the best turntables ever, in my opinion, of course : )

This listing, correct?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...dge-gloss-white-finish-new-un-open-turntables

Yes that's the listing.
So the carbon cartridge that it comes with it's entry level compared to a 2M blue?