What's your favorite Turntable tweak?
For obtaining the maximum from my turntable, Walker Audio Prelude Record Cleaning system, without any doubt. People for whom I demonstrate the results are consistently amazed at the improvement in resolution and timbral accuracy coming from their vinyl after cleaning. I've tried most of the alternatives - this is the solution I would not be without. . |
In my case, with a VPI Scout Signature, there is not one, but a series of tweaks that have transformed my analog experience. I buy mostly used lp's, some at pawn shops and elsewhere, and when I started out with the Scout, many of them I considered unplayable due to surface noise and unwnanted distortion, poor tracking due to set up issues, etc, etc. Now these same lp's sound superb, with surface noise so far in the background, it is nearly unnoticable, except between tracks. What are these tweaks? 1. A solidly mounted Target wall-mount platform 2. A sand box (a Brightstar Audio BigRock2, but home made would be more economical) 3. Four steel coil springs under BigRock for isolation 4. Mapleshade NanoMount system 5. Starsound Audio Points replacing VPI feet on both table and motor. 6. Cutout in lid for motor feet, to isolate that section from table supports 7. Yip's incomparable MintLP arc protractor 8. PS Audio P-300 Power Plant to stabilize voltage to motor All these tweaks combined add up to an analog playback system that has made an ok system into one I just can't get enough of. The issues all of these tweaks addresses so well relegates noise well into the background, and brings what's in the groove to the forefront. If you are not having a similar experience, get back in and roll up your sleeves, you have work to do. I think most any basically good table can be made to sound much, much better if the issues that impede proper playback can be addressed. With this system, motor noise, vibration from the styus, and airborne vibrations are all drained out of the arm, into the plinth, and then into the sandbox sink. There are alternative methods to accomplish these things, but this worked very well for me. I hope by passing this on, others can get as much enjoyment from vinyl as I am now. And to think, at one time I was ready to throw in the towel. Don't do it! My very best regards, Dan |
