Does anyone still use or like vinyl?

[gramophonic]

EMG? Steel or fibre?

Oh good, another one of us! :d
Expert JNR, BCN needles. They are the very best and are still being made to original specs. Far better than triangular fibres.

http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com/

I must admit, though, sometimes a big orchestral record just needs steel!
This is with a 4 spring expert soundbox. When I got this machine from auction only last year (paid a fortune for it I might add but was determinned to have it after missing out on my close friend who called himself the EMG Colonel on youtube's machine. I use other soundboxes for some types of records. Yeah, I got really into this stuff!

[hmvman]

Oh good, another one of us! :d
Expert JNR, BCN needles. They are the very best and are still being made to original specs. Far better than triangular fibres.

http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com/

I must admit, though, sometimes a big orchestral record just needs steel!
This is with a 4 spring expert soundbox. When I got this machine from auction only last year (paid a fortune for it I might add but was determinned to have it after missing out on my close friend who called himself the EMG Colonel on youtube's machine. I use other soundboxes for some types of records. Yeah, I got really into this stuff!

I would like an EMG/Expert and will probably succumb at some stage but the prices are high (and always have been, really). Making do with a few HMV machines at present. Usually steel with me but the occasional thorn if the record will stand it!

[gramophonic]

I would like an EMG/Expert and will probably succumb at some stage but the prices are high (and always have been, really). Making do with a few HMV machines at present. Usually steel with me but the occasional thorn if the record will stand it!

Which HMV machines do you have? I had a 109 for years, a fine machine though nothing like the expert jnr. A friend and I made a machine using a public address system horn, garrard induction motor and an old table that was brilliant for what it was!

Fibres and non-metalic needles are only any good if your records are in excellent condition, but it is a preference thing really, steel needles reproduce a lot more highs and I prefer them for large orchestras.

[hmvman]

Which HMV machines do you have? I had a 109 for years, a fine machine though nothing like the expert jnr. A friend and I made a machine using a public address system horn, garrard induction motor and an old table that was brilliant for what it was!

Fibres and non-metalic needles are only any good if your records are in excellent condition, but it is a preference thing really, steel needles reproduce a lot more highs and I prefer them for large orchestras.

I'll PM you with the info, gramophonic, rather than risk boring the others on the forum with that kind of detail!

[hmvman]

I've been helping out a friend, who's recently moved home, with connecting up his hi-fi (he's not techie by any means). He has a Rega Planar 1 turntable and likes to play his collection of organ and choral LPs. Unfortunately, he's developed a shaking in his hands that makes it difficult for him to operate the turntable. He'd really like to get an automatic turntable to replace the Rega and I said I'd help him find one. Just looking at the available models and the Pro-ject A1 looks like a good equivalent to the Rega and at a similar price point. Does anyone here have experience of this turntable or otherwise recommend another suitable model, please?

[richardfinegold]

I've been helping out a friend, who's recently moved home, with connecting up his hi-fi (he's not techie by any means). He has a Rega Planar 1 turntable and likes to play his collection of organ and choral LPs. Unfortunately, he's developed a shaking in his hands that makes it difficult for him to operate the turntable. He'd really like to get an automatic turntable to replace the Rega and I said I'd help him find one. Just looking at the available models and the Pro-ject A1 looks like a good equivalent to the Rega and at a similar price point. Does anyone here have experience of this turntable or otherwise recommend another suitable model, please?

I had the entry level Project table about 20 years ago. Given the nature of the technology and from comments in audiophile forums I suspect it hasn’t changed all that much. It was decent entry level but extremely fiddle with the antiskate and tracking force, and man it was vibration sensitive. Given the nature of your friend’s disability it isn’t ideal, imo. Actually, his best bet might be a streamer

[hmvman]

I had the entry level Project table about 20 years ago. Given the nature of the technology and from comments in audiophile forums I suspect it hasn’t changed all that much. It was decent entry level but extremely fiddle with the antiskate and tracking force, and man it was vibration sensitive. Given the nature of your friend’s disability it isn’t ideal, imo. Actually, his best bet might be a streamer

Thanks, Richard. Looking at the specs I think the A1 has come on a long way from the early Pro-ject tables. The whole tone arm assembly is a fixed unit designed to work with the Ortofon 10 cartridge so there's no tracking force or anti-skate adjustment.

A streamer is right out of the question because a) my friend isn't very techinical, b) he doesn't have internet and c) he loves his LPs!

[smittims]

I've just caught up with gramophonic's long and interesting post , which I recommend to anyone still trying to understand why some people still like gramophone records in this day of CDs and streaming; his experiences in many ways parallel my own.

On the subject of prices, I think it's only fair to remember that Oxfam is a charity and their job is to get the best price they can . Some of their managers are well-informed on the value and scarcity of some labels and artists, and the present condition of the disc and sleeve. This varies enormously ; for example Hans Richter-Haaser is highly regarded at present . I was quoted £100 for his Brahms second concerto with Karajan (the only disc they made together). You can always say 'no'. I did, but then I have the CD!

On the other hand there are still shops who haven't woken up to this trend and you can find gramophonic's preferred early-50s LPs in good condition for £2 or so.

[richardfinegold]

Thanks, Richard. Looking at the specs I think the A1 has come on a long way from the early Pro-ject tables. The whole tone arm assembly is a fixed unit designed to work with the Ortofon 10 cartridge so there's no tracking force or anti-skate adjustment.

A streamer is right out of the question because a) my friend isn't very techinical, b) he doesn't have internet and c) he loves his LPs!

The vibration sensitivity was fatal to the old player. Hopefully he has a dedicated shelf and lives on a quiet street with few trucks

[gradus]

I've just caught up with gramophonic's long and interesting post , which I recommend to anyone still trying to understand why some people still like gramophone records in this day of CDs and streaming; his experiences in many ways parallel my own.

On the subject of prices, I think it's only fair to remember that Oxfam is a charity and their job is to get the best price they can . Some of their managers are well-informed on the value and scarcity of some labels and artists, and the present condition of the disc and sleeve. This varies enormously ; for example Hans Richter-Haaser is highly regarded at present . I was quoted £100 for his Brahms second concerto with Karajan (the only disc they made together). You can always say 'no'. I did, but then I have the CD!

On the other hand there are still shops who haven't woken up to this trend and you can find gramophonic's preferred early-50s LPs in good condition for £2 or so.

General auctions often have boxes of LPs that sell for very little and if you have the time and inclination to attend on viewing days rarities can be found amongst the dross.

[gramophonic]

I've been helping out a friend, who's recently moved home, with connecting up his hi-fi (he's not techie by any means). He has a Rega Planar 1 turntable and likes to play his collection of organ and choral LPs. Unfortunately, he's developed a shaking in his hands that makes it difficult for him to operate the turntable. He'd really like to get an automatic turntable to replace the Rega and I said I'd help him find one. Just looking at the available models and the Pro-ject A1 looks like a good equivalent to the Rega and at a similar price point. Does anyone here have experience of this turntable or otherwise recommend another suitable model, please?

Just a heads up that if the pro-ject comes with an ortofon 2m series cartridge on it, just the stylus on those can be changed to upgrade. I upgraded a 2m red on a pro-ject debut carbon I had to a 2m blue and the difference in sound quality was substantial.
This being said I'd much rather have something like the technics 1500SE where the cartridge can be swapped for something really good, but that is a fair bit more money and if he doesn't have all that many albums may not be worth the extra outlay.

[gramophonic]

I've just caught up with gramophonic's long and interesting post , which I recommend to anyone still trying to understand why some people still like gramophone records in this day of CDs and streaming; his experiences in many ways parallel my own.

On the subject of prices, I think it's only fair to remember that Oxfam is a charity and their job is to get the best price they can . Some of their managers are well-informed on the value and scarcity of some labels and artists, and the present condition of the disc and sleeve. This varies enormously ; for example Hans Richter-Haaser is highly regarded at present . I was quoted £100 for his Brahms second concerto with Karajan (the only disc they made together). You can always say 'no'. I did, but then I have the CD!

On the other hand there are still shops who haven't woken up to this trend and you can find gramophonic's preferred early-50s LPs in good condition for £2 or so.

I'm glad you enjoyed the post!
The other issue is that Richter-Haaser's lps weren't all that widely reissued and don't turn up every day. I have a few monos that turned up in collections, and as you say, box lots at auction are often the way to build a good collection cheaply!
An lp dealer friend is going to start or may already have started shifting less collectable records in boxes of 100 for £1 eacby record label. I can imagine the market for such records being very large, and if I were starting again this is what I would do. I wouldn't bother with cheap lesser quality stuff as it has a way of sticking around and being difficult to get rid of (a charity shop employee once asked if my records were classical which might imply they don't want them, but as I was already walking in with them I just smiled and nodded!)
I recently spotted an HVK Beethoven symphonies set with significant box damage for £50, which makes me think box lots are now the only way to start collecting, sadly.

[Dave2002]

General auctions often have boxes of LPs that sell for very little and if you have the time and inclination to attend on viewing days rarities can be found amongst the dross.

You don’t always have to attend the actual sale. Go to the pre sale viewing, and then put in a written bid. Work out your own strategy - which might mean you don’t get the box, but then you can be smug and think that someone else has paid more than the box was worth to you. Just don’t put in ridiculously high values, or you’ll be the person paying over the odds.

[hmvman]

Just a heads up that if the pro-ject comes with an ortofon 2m series cartridge on it, just the stylus on those can be changed to upgrade. I upgraded a 2m red on a pro-ject debut carbon I had to a 2m blue and the difference in sound quality was substantial.
This being said I'd much rather have something like the technics 1500SE where the cartridge can be swapped for something really good, but that is a fair bit more money and if he doesn't have all that many albums may not be worth the extra outlay.

Thanks, gramophonic. The Pro-ject A1 comes with the OM 10 cartridge. I think it's unlikely my friend will want to be swapping cartridges and upgrading, he just wants something that sounds good to him and involves little technical fuss. I quite liked the fact that the arm assembly on the turntable is set up and balanced for that cartridge and needs no adjustment which I think would suit my friend very well. Also the Pro-ject looks similar in design to the Rega he has at the moment.

[Lordgeous]

Having gone through many, many turntables, arms and cartridges over the years, starting in my teens with the trusty Garrard 301 and Leak moving coil pickup/arm (anyone remember those?) I settled for my current Dual CS5000 integrated turntable & arm with Ortofon cartridge. Three big advantages for me: 78rpm included and a 78 stylus for the Ortofon available (as I occasionally have to 'rescue' 78 discs) plus a lowering feature for the tone arm, which I value these days, having developed very shakey hands. I'm unlikely to change again I guess.