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Vinyl newbie - have a few questions

Ok, I'm fairly new to vinyl. I have a few items I'd like some advice on.

My vinyl system is a small collection of hand-me-downs:
MacIntosh Mac1700 receiver
A/D/S L500 2-ways
and the recent addition, Denon DP-52F w/ Ortofon OM-3e

I realy like the over-all sound, and am really impressed with how dynamic instruments are compared to CD. I love how the brushes on drums sound like brushes instead of static like on most CD remasters. However, I have a couple gripes and need some direction in working them out.

I suppose I should mention that a majority of my listening is jazz, mixed with classic rock. Right now my personal collection is probably only 30 discs, but with my father's neglected collection I have three or four hundred within a couple minutes drive from my house.

First of all, is the background noise. I just can't seem to get it completely black behind the music. I must say, it's not much noise, but I notice it; even when other's don't.

Second, on some stereo recordings the mid-range seems a little "compressed" to me. Even my wife has noticed that it just isn't as dynamic in the mids as the rest of the range. However, this seems to only occur on stereo discs, when I play mono's I get a really sweet full-range.

Third, I just need advise on cleaning albums. I'm just using my discwasher from 1980-whatever while hunting through boxes at my dad's for his Zerostat. Any suggestions for cleaning regimens that don't include dropping a thousand dollars for a RCM would be appreciated.

So I guess the crux of my inquiry would be; where am I going to get the most bang for my buck in improvements?

I appreciate any input you can give me.

M
ninetwofour
inpepinnovations
134 posts
 
Victor, you might be surprised to discover that the 'Joy' you recommended in your mix does, indeed, contain surfactants and surface tension modifiers. Windex like products also contain ammonia and dyes which are not necessarily good for vinyl surfaces. The methanol serves not purpose than to accelerate the rate at which the liquids evaporate, without leaving a residue, it is hoped.
I might be tempted to modify your formula to a bit of 'Joy' added to distilled water and then a good steam and rinse with distilled water.
Most good cleaning agents have surfactants in them and rinse agents have surface tension modifiers in them.

respectfully, Bob P.
ninetwofour OP
3 posts
 
Ok. I picked up the steam cleaner from Walgreens and am whipping up some cleaning solution in the lab this afternoon. I'll clean several of the old albums before I head out to the caucus tonight. Also grabbed a magic eraser to clean the stylus.

We'll see how that works; maybe that alone will open up the sound a bit. That being at least addressed for now, if not resolved; I'd really like to see about my less than stellar mid-range response.

I'll check the VTA tonight and see if shimming it improves things at all.

Looking around it appears that the cartridge I have is definitely on the budget end of the spectrum. Getting a bit ahead of things; does anyone have some suggestions for reasonably priced (~$100) MM cartridges that would fit my set-up/music tastes? Would this be the best place to start in improving things?

I have seen mention of record clamps and upgraded pads, which seem to be in the same neighborhood as far as cost. How are those items going to compare as far as improvement vs. cost?
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Use Disc Doctor, follow the directions and you WILL NOT leave grunge on the LPs. IMHO, RCMs are a waste of money.

If you've got a few truly grungy LP use a steamer to loosen the crud, rinse real good and then do the Disc Doctor thang.

Dave
crem1
672 posts
 
9-2-4 : Be mindful that water is important ,distilled is very important but Peak Battery Water is better. Find a gentle scrub brush. I've noted a few inexpensive back brushes @ the Dollar Store that show promice for the buget minded. Scrub is circles and allow your cleaning solution to "soak" in the groves a few moments before steaming off. Wipe off, repeat and steam off ALL record cleaning solution. Wipe off with a micro cloth in a circular motion and allow to air dry in a plastic dish rack. De-mag if you have a zero-stat or just let the Lps rest for an hour(optional). Best to you
headsnappin's avatar
headsnappin
295 posts
 
The speakers you have are a bit laid back in the midrange and are clean on the top but a hair bright.
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