Vinyl quality in comparism with CDP

[stwessed]

You can also consider the legendary Technic SL-1200MK2. It sound good, well build and made in Japan. Available at Sim Lim Square.   

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_intro_sl1200mk2.asp

is it a very fuss-free, just-plug-and-play turntable?

is everything fixed/in built? or it's possible to tweak/change/upgrade the parts in the turntable?

remember someone using this turntable (not sure if it's this model but i think so) and he seems pretty happy with it.

[cannoncal]

You can also consider the legendary Technic SL-1200MK2. It sound good, well build and made in Japan. Available at Sim Lim Square.   

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_intro_sl1200mk2.asp

is it a very fuss-free, just-plug-and-play turntable?

is everything fixed/in built? or it's possible to tweak/change/upgrade the parts in the turntable?

remember someone using this turntable (not sure if it's this model but i think so) and he seems pretty happy with it.

Yes, like Rega or Project, it comes completed, just plug and play. And it's built like a tank. There's many third party upgrade mod available which you can consider in future.  One of our kakis is using the 1210 for some time now and very happy with it. 

[Droicut]

I see... but this is only the turntable yes?

I believe I need some sort of amp before plugging in my headphones/speakers to listen?

[cannoncal]

Yes, only turntable. You'll still need a phono amp to connect to preamp/integrated amp/headphone amp, then to your headphone/speakers. 

[stwessed]

sounds like a viable option in the future! 

[cannoncal]

Yes, you should seriously consider this than a new cdp. 

[mark_twain]

A newbie question: the analogue line-out from the turntable - can it be connected straight to the speakers or perhaps to PC for recording purpose, and what is the difference between phono connection and a normal line-in?

A little confused here though exploring on getting started with this....

Thanks for your advice!
Mark

[super-fied]

You need a phono stage to amplify the signal of the cartridge.For recording purposes, you also need an ADC. Sorry can't connect to the speakers outright.

But for a phono, recorder AND dac,try the sonneteer sedley. Why not come down and listen tomorrow with us?

[mark_twain]

Thanks for the invitation!

Wasted I am travelling and couldn't join the audition.

Anyway, heard the songs produced from the vinyl in the CD shop at Adelphi and totally understand the difference. Just that need to do more homework before deciding whether to get one.

Currently having some fun with SACD and HDCD output to DSD files and though may not compete with vinyl, it is slightly better than the CD-to-FLAC.

Enjoy and will try to join in the next round!

Cheers,
Mark

[super-fied]

Me thinks you will just end up selling away those formats anyway simce it is slightly better than redbook standards. Why waste time on them?

[mark_twain]

Still need portable for office and short trips on flight, so at least SACD/DSD helps.

Vinyl need space and must first settle house...

Will take my time for now to do more research. Thanks anyway!

[super-fied]

Yea get what you mean,but these days ipad,alac files and a custom seem to do the trick just fine when i'm on the move. Never saw the need to have that high res a format for portable.

[mark_twain]

Sorry but i am a bit blur. If the output is analogue, isn't it ready to just connect to a recorder directly? Why is it still requiring an ADC?

As for the phono stage, it is just to amplify the signal? I.. Just to control the volume? If connect directly from the turntable to a normal speaker without a phono stage, will there be sound coming out from the speaker?

Thanks!

You need a phono stage to amplify the signal of the cartridge.For recording purposes, you also need an ADC. Sorry can't connect to the speakers outright.

But for a phono, recorder AND dac,try the sonneteer sedley. Why not come down and listen tomorrow with us?

[alamakazam]

recorder is ADC , but u may want something with RIAA standard for lp recording

the power of google... answer below

WHAT DOES A PHONO PREAMP DO, AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?

Unlike line level audio sources you connect to a stereo (DVD/CD players, tape decks, TV audio, minidisc, etc.), the output from a magnetic cartridge installed in a good quality turntable is MUCH lower, and requires an additional stage of amplification to bring it up to the same volume as the other sources you listen to thru your stereo. This additional amp stage, the phono preamp, is built-in to most older receivers and amps, allowing direct connection of a turntable. However, newer stereo equipment (including virtually all mini-systems and home theatre units, as well as many stereo receivers and amps), have NO phono input (this because records and turntables are supposedly obsolete in today's world dominated by CDs and DVDs). In order to utilise the inputs such units DO have (Aux, Tape, Line, Video, CD, etc.) to connect a turntable, you need to first pass the signal thru an external phono preamp to bump the level. The same level increase is needed if you're connecting a turntable to a computer sound card's line input so you can make CD-Rs from LPs; again, the external phono preamp provides it.

WHAT IS RIAA EQUALIZATION?

Because of limitations in the LP recording process, an equalization curve must be applied to the music or other sonic content prior to it being cut onto vinyl, so as to reduce backround noise and sibilance. Reversing this equalization effect (the RIAA curve) and restoring the music's original frequency response curve during playback is an important part of the phono preamp's job and differentiates it from other preamps used for microphones and musical instruments, which usually provide gain but no other modification of the original sound quality. Proper RIAA re-equalization during playback is a must in faithfully producing the original musical content without coloration or distortion.

WHICH PHONO PREAMP IS BEST FOR ME?

Obviously, the more money you invest, the better the performance and sound quality of the preamp you buy will be. Signal-to-noise ratio is the most important criteria; the higher the number, the lower the backround hiss level will be. This may not be particularly crucial if the overall playback system's quality is low (a cheap minisystem or sound card, for instance; both may generate enough hiss in their own right to obscure any added by the preamp), but matters a great deal when comparing LP fidelity to other sources like CD on a good playback system. Ability to faithfully correct RIAA equalization is another important sonic quality; higher-priced products like the TCC TC-750 Audiophile Phono Preamp, Pre-amp (Preamplifier) do it better. Additional features like mike inputs and a power indicator may be useful to one user but not to the next; buy only what you need. Models like the TCC TC-740 Variable Output Mike/Phono Preamp, Pre-amp (Preamplifier) which include additional features generally also have better overall specs and sound quality, even if being used only for phono. Remember, you're likely investing considerable time if you're creating CD-Rs from LPs; don't waste it making bad copies of good music thru a cheapo preamp.

[mark_twain]

Very good reading! Thanks a lot!