First turntable

cmreal04 · Post by **cmreal04** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:10 am

I found a used technics 1200 at the pawn shop today, and you can guess the outcome

Now I need to pick up a phono preamp but there's such a discrepancy in price I'm not to sure. Can anyone lend some insight on this ?

turntable > phono Pre > fire box interface, If the way I'm setting it up matters.

Please excuse the ignorance of this next question, but what do I need to ground the turntable too

CM

longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:56 am

I would not worry too much about quality of preamp on a 1200. it is popular but not because of sound quality

isn't there an instrument level in on the fire box? try that. it still may be quiet, and the frequency response will not be quite right, because of that RIAA curve business on a true phono input

or just boost the signal in the computer. it's digital at that point, and should be good enough. make an EQ preset for making the response more accurate. the riaa curve is easily googled and you should be able to reproduce it close enough.

maybe if the firebox has a 3-pronged plug, try loosening a screw on the body and attaching something metal which you can then attach the phono ground to

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:26 am

get a DJ mixer, they're fun to use with a turntable.

plug it into a phono input, you'll definitely lose sound quality on an instrument level input that can't be regained.

a DJ mixer will have a screw tab that you ground the turntable to. longjohn's suggestions works too. you can connect it to anything metallic that's grounded.

cmreal04 · Post by **cmreal04** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:01 am

Any suggestions on a cheap mixer ?

CM

GUY SMILEY · Post by **GUY SMILEY** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:00 am

longjohns wrote:I would not worry too much about quality of preamp on a 1200. it is popular but not because of sound quality

isn't there an instrument level in on the fire box? try that. it still may be quiet, and the frequency response will not be quite right, because of that RIAA curve business on a true phono input

Come on thats bad advice. Have you seen the RIAA curve ? It will sound like utter shite without a phono pre-amp of some kind. And just because the 1200 is ubuquitous, and therefore used with some of the lowest quality playback systems available, doesn' mean it isn't capable of excellent sound reproduction with good cartridges and a decent pre-amp.
Any DJ mixer will have phono pre-amps...or most hi-fi amps pre 1990.

doc holiday · Post by **doc holiday** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:36 pm

If your a DYI kindda guy you can crack that sucker open and ground it internally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK9rK6yLR7U

Khazul · Post by **Khazul** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:00 pm

GUY SMILEY wrote:Come on thats bad advice. Have you seen the RIAA curve ? It will sound like utter shite without a phono pre-amp of some kind. And just because the 1200 is ubuquitous, and therefore used with some of the lowest quality playback systems available, doesn' mean it isn't capable of excellent sound reproduction with good cartridges and a decent pre-amp.
Any DJ mixer will have phono pre-amps...or most hi-fi amps pre 1990.

+1, My SL1210 M5G with ortofon electro cartridges and into a pioneer DJM-800 mixer sounds noticeable better (more overall pleasing sound, very low noise) than any more exotic hifi I have used over the years - maybe the music I listen to suits that particular chain well, who knows?

The standard cartidges that get thrown in for free by shops sometimes when you buy an SL12nn are often really crap cheap DJ type abuse orientated cartidges, but spend some money on good cartridges (appropriate for your needs) and you will get a very good sound. If people are really that bothered, they can get a better tone arm as well.

One advantage the uniquity of these decks (for hifi users as well as DJ users) is its a good solid and stable deck and there are alot of after market improvements that are available to turn them into quite exotic hifi turntables if you really want to.

the_antagonist · Post by **the_antagonist** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:02 pm

i may be selling a cheap generic 3 channel mixer that has some bleed on the cross fader. where do you stay?

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:46 pm

Go to a thrift store and find a cheap old stereo receiver from the 1970's or 1980's. Old receivers from the 70's sometimes sound better than good quality DJ mixers. You can buy old Sansui receivers on eBay pretty cheaply:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1971-SANSUI-1000x-S ... dZViewItem

longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:04 pm

what is the big difference to applying the eq curve to the signal after it's in the computer?

4ace · Post by **4ace** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:29 pm

longjohns wrote:what is the big difference to applying the eq curve to the signal after it's in the computer?

Not sure but Metric Halo just released a plugin for their MIO software that allows you to plug your TT into the interface and your done.

Of no use to the OP but i thought that was neat when i saw it.

www.metric-halo.com

doc holiday · Post by **doc holiday** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:33 pm

longjohns wrote:what is the big difference to applying the eq curve to the signal after it's in the computer?

um, you loose your ability to eq the track later?

not to mention your altering the mastered recording.

every system you play on is going to be different your best keeping that track the way it is.

longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:37 pm

that doesn't make any sense.

if the phono input is passing thru an eq stage, then what's the difference if you instead create the eq stage inside the computer? if you record the output of that eq, then your file is compensated for the riaa curve and should be normal

cmreal04 · Post by **cmreal04** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:08 am

What about something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-USB-MM-MC-RIAA- ... emQQptZPCC

I was also recommended these :

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Radial-J33- ... 1124781.gc

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Outboar ... B00106JE1E

Thoughts.... I really didn't want to drop $200 on a phono pre but if necessary...

ashley_k · Post by **ashley_k** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:14 pm

If it was me I'd just get a low cost phono preamp and plug it into your fire box interface, that's If you don't need or want a mixer.

I'd also bin the old stylus if it has one (actually I'd probably bin the cartridge too), I'd get a nice new stylus/cartridge, set the turntable up properly - and the job is done...

and if you're not sure how to set it up have a look on the web, must be a step by step guide on the web.

Check these phono Preamp out:
Pyle® Pro PP999 Phono Preamplifier
Behringer Ultra-Compact Phono Preamp PP400
ART DJPre II Phono Preamp
ART DeeJayPRE Phono Preamp
Rolls VP29 Phono preamplifier
Audio Technica ATPEQ3 Phono Preamplifier

I've seen the Rolls one recommended a few times and it's not that expensive, the Audio Technica and ART DJPre II look good too.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_MI?ur ... p&x=9&y=21
http://www.amazon.com/Rolls-VP29-Phono- ... 0002BG2R2/
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT ... B001649QY0
http://www.amazon.com/ART-DJPre-II-Phon ... 000AJR482/

A good low cost Preamplifier and nice new stylus/cartridge on a 1200 that's properly set up will sound great... that's all you need...

First turntable

First turntable

buy my mixer