First, to control static I have two devices: a Zerostat and a Furutech destat III. They both work, the difference is like the difference between manual steering and power steering. If you can afford it, the Furutech is worth the money, but get one or the other. As for your question about brightness, if the problem is confined to just a few records that you rarely play, my advice is to not lose any sleep over it. If you are finding yourself annoyed frequently, then you want to look at the loading on your cartridge. I am sure VPI publishes recommendations for the Shyla or you could just call them and ask. VPI sets themselves apart from a lot of companies by actually answering their telephone and having people to talk to who know a thing or two about their products. A quite refreshing phenomenon IMHO. Anyway, if you explain to them what you are hearing, pretty much exactly as you have done here, they can help you tame the cartridge down a smidge. Please note that new electronics are not required to make this minor adjustment. What you own is all first rate stuff that can sound stellar when adjusted to perfection.
Vinyl foibles
I'd like to make this a space to ask questions about vinyl problems you're having trouble solving. I have a lot of questions, but I think it's better if we ask one at a time, or else I think we could have long lists.
Here is my first question. I have a Degritter album washer. I think it works great. I wash all my albums once, but not before I play them again and again. Somehow, though, and this includes new albums no one else has ever touched, they pick up ticks and what sounds like scratches. I rewash the album and it sounds like new again. I only touch albums by their edges. How do inner bands become so dirty that sometimes a smudge can last a minute or more? I've been playing vinyl albums for more years than many of you have lived, and I have learned to be very careful with vinyl. Are there vinyl gremlins haunting my album shelves?
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- 150 posts total
- 150 posts total