Phonograph needles (Page 3): I can always tell the different between vinyl and digital like CD. I prefer the digital.

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

If the D-A converters are excellent, there's probably little discernible difference (for the majority of people).
The difference is more evident with poor D-A converters.

I can always tell the different between vinyl and digital like CD. I prefer the digital.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Just gave my wife a little player; we were remembering about those needles! First came osmium then saphire then diamond!
What a delight.
Tracking pressure on those 78 rpm shellac record was very high; shellac contained an abrasive filler no wonder metal stylii were chewed up.
Never used cactus needle but understand some people swore by them.
Have seen old grammophones (no electronics, just acoustic) retrofitted with diamond stylus proper size for 78 and they sound great , still fairly high tracking pressure

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Another vinyl fan here (just gave my wife a player so we can both enjoy vinyl hunting in Antique stores)
My old Dual 1229 is very sick; idler has a flat and have not found replacement
It is only machine to play 78's of which I have a few and a Shure cartridge with 78 size stylus
Main turntable is a Pro-Ject now with Shure VR15-MR using new stylus.
Came with High output moving coil Sumiko; not very impressed by it; after a year suspension failed and stylus is at wrong angle. Did not like high tracking force, Shures track well at 1 gram net .
Have around 2000 LP's a few 45's dating to early 50's (started buying as teen).
Best accessory is a washing rig Spin Clean.
Some late 90's sound fantastic! Much music not otherwise available,
Sequence is wash; play record as CD (dedicated CD burner ); then MUSIC in iMac connected to Stereo rigged to speaker whole house.
A computer driven Wurlitzer! (Do younger folks know this word?)

EricG

melismus wrote:

I was mainly recalling 78's, made of shellac, not vinyl.

I figured you were talking about that vintage. My dad had a crank up record player, horn and all. It took a wooden needle if I recall correctly. Needed to replace it or trim it frequently. No sapphire stylus here!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Terkat wrote:

Good morning Melismus, br br I still have (a... (show quote)

You bring back memories. I had a Dual 1019 also in 1969. I still have a good quality turntable and the classic Shure V15, but while I have a good collection of pristine vinyl, I changed to CDs/SACDs years ago and recently started using Apple or Tidal’s high definition streaming with an external DAC, and I can tell you definitively from careful A/B testing on a high quality system disc for disc and track for track, that hi def streaming with a good DAC is the equivalent of CD/SACD and superior to vinyl.in dynamic range, frequency response, THD, TIM, and IM distortion, separation (and sound stage) and most importantly, S/N.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

No question digital can achieve better dynamic range When dgitizing to CD my vinyl it is amazing how much compression old LPs have
Many years ago desgnes and built and later assembled a Heathkit expander but volume pumping never sounded natural . Never tried some propietary encoders that handled compression, do not even remember names
My main problem is what old age (over 80) has done to me hearing, pretty much total roll off over 10 kHz! Now do not really need tweeters…

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Tote1940 wrote:

No question digital can achieve better dynamic range When dgitizing to CD my vinyl it is amazing how much compression old LPs have
Many years ago desgnes and built and later assembled a Heathkit expander but volume pumping never sounded natural . Never tried some propietary encoders that handled compression, do not even remember names
My main problem is what old age (over 80) has done to me hearing, pretty much total roll off over 10 kHz! Now do not really need tweeters…

The best expander I’ve ever seen is the Dbx 3BX. By dividing the spectrum into 3 bands and expanding each separately, it almost completely eliminates the “breathing” of single band expanders. When listening to vinyl or other DR limited sources. You can expand at 1.2x which adds “punch” and reduces noise without any audible artifacts. They were ~$800 new, but you can find them used for $100 or even less if you search. The best $100 you can spend if you listen to vinyl.

If you listen via headphones to a source with limited separation so that the sound is in the middle of your head, see if you can find a used Carver Sonic Hologram Generator. It essentially doubles the separation and moves the sound field from in the middle of your head to in front of your face.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Do they work on any sound source or disc must be compress by similar device?

Richard Engelmann Loc: Boulder, Colorado

On a tangent here - I find it annoying when songs that are linked (no break) between tracks on the vinyl original are played separately in a streaming service or library playlist. I feel like I am left hanging...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Tote1940 wrote:

Do they work on any sound source or disc must be compress by similar device?

On any sound source. I still have my 3BX. Just looked on eBay, and except for one where the bidding is still going on, the prices are way back up, probably due to the resurgence of popularity in vinyl. I had 2 and sold the second on for $125 a few years ago. Looks like I should have asked more.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

On the old Victrolas, I think I actually saw they suggested after each record. LOL

Fly cessna Loc: Hemet ,Ca

I have 2 victrola’s

(Download)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Fly cessna wrote:

I have 2 victrola’s

And I bet they have a little metal cup to hold a supply of the replaceable metal needles (styli)

Fly cessna Loc: Hemet ,Ca

Yes but I’m out of needles 😜

alleyoop Loc: Danville, Va

Terkat wrote:

Good morning Melismus, br br I still have (a... (show quote)

I, too, am a big fan of vinyl and yes there is a difference in the music. To me it has a resonance that can't be heard in the reproduction format (i.e. cd's or MP3).