Just picked a Pioneer PL-100 for $40. I have an ok receiver, and will be connecting it to that for the immediate future. This is the 1st turntable Ive owned, and I have a few questions.
Should the cartridge be replaced, and if so, with what?
What is Anti-Skate, and does it ever need to be adjusted?
Did I get hosed?
Thanks.
Posted Sep 5, 2014, 6:28 PM UTC
I also recommend you replace the cartridge and learn how to setup a table properly. I think you got an excellent deal, the table looks clean. Let us know what your budget is and we can help you from there, I recommend spending between $60-100 on a cartridge, that table is worthy.
What kind of receiver and speakers do you have? Does your receiver have a built in phono preamp? You will need one of those externally if it doesn't to adjust the frequency of the signal coming out of the turntable. You can google more about RIAA cuve if you want to learn more about phono preamps and the reason why vinyl is pressed at a modified frequency response curve.
I've got a NAD receiver, with a built-in phone preamp. It's old, and heavy as hell. For speakers I have a pair of PSB give to me from my dad. I actually forgot I had them until this afternoon.
I think I might just swap out the stylus so I don't have to calibrate the cartridge. Then I'm going to get straight into posting my Zeppelin albums to piss off u/totaldick_
Thanks for the advice.
Nice receiver and speakers, you will definitely enjoy the table with that setup.
How do you know the cartridge is calibrated now? I recommend at minimum checking the alignment. If you go into your local record shop at a slow time like a monday or tuesday night and you drop $25 or so in used/new vinyl I bet they will show you how to do it at no cost. You can also look at videos on youtube, it isn't rocket science and can be checked very easily. If you plan to get into vinyl you may as well learn now.
I don't think you got hosed.
You can get a new cartridge, just google what fits. Popular and under $100 new cartridges are [Shure M97xE] (http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-High-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B00006I5SB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409945556&sr=8-1&keywords=shure+mx97e) along with audio technica
You will need to adjust the anti-skating if you put a new cartridge on there, it's easy and the new cart will tell you what to set it too. The TL:dr on anti-skating is it keeps the needle in the very center of the groove.
You don't need to replace the cartridge, just the stylus. I feel like I have to point this out daily.
Anti-skate is somewhat controversial. Some turntable manufacturers don't include it on their decks. Also it's more difficult to set than tracking force (VTF). In my experience, I set the antiskate to 75% of the VTF, and go from there.
[deleted]
You are fucking kidding me right?
You could have spent two seconds on Google and found the answer to all 3 of your questions.
Stop wasting everybody's fucking time.
Thanks for living up to your user name :) It needed to be said; why can't anyone use a search engine around here?
I'm with you, man.
Oh, this is one of those kinds of subreddits. Yeah I could have Googled it, but I thought I'd get some opinions of people who are spending time on an actual vinyl discussion board. Sorry to take up so much of your time, you guys can go back to being awesome now. Love you!!!
You can look up how long a cartridge should last and where to get a replacement. You can look up what anti-skate is and how to set it. You can look up the going price for the turntable you bought.
What information do you want from us? If you're looking for validation, post a photo after you've got everything worked out and tell us about it. Nobody wants to answer the same questions 20 times a day because you are too lazy to look up the damn information yourself.
Great response!!
You did good. I'd replace the cart with an AT95E. Both tracking force and anti-skate should be set around 1.8g for the cart I suggested.