Wearing out an LP

[Eleven O'Clock]

Does anyone know about how many times you have to play an LP for it to actually wear out and not play anymore?

[Patrick]

Assuming you have a well-set-up turntable and a decent cartridge that's aligned properly, and that you replace the stylus every 3000 hours of play or so, basically the rest of your life.

That's a lot of assumptions - but as mechanical rather than digital items, LPs have a much longer potential lifespan than CDs (or MP3s).

Patrick

[c. leo]

Bless that vinyl and make sure it is always shoed.

So, to bring up an old set of questions that I am sure Patrick has answered many times before: How much do I have to spend for a quality turntable? And where should I look (I live in the Twin Cities).

Here is the deal, I am getting back into vinyl -- last time was high school. And, believe it or not, I have less disposable income than I did in high school. So funds are limited. But the generic turntable on top of my old-ass stereo is out of tune -- and it is pissing me off! I need to update, and now.

Any thoughts oh Master of All Things Long Player Patrick?

T'anks.

[Patrick]

Yeah. Try for a Thorens TD-145, TD-150 or TD-160 off eBay. Should run you between $150-200. Do feedback checks on the seller and try to buy from someone who's sold a lot of other old audio equipment to good feedback. New turntable belts you can get from elexatelier.com. Just make sure the motor and platter and tonearm are in decent shape.

The reason I recommend these TTs, aside from experience, is that they are simple mechanically and relatively easy to service.

If you must go new, I guess look at Rega. They seem to be more reliable than the Music Halls, which are great deals but which people have had some issues with on the quality front. To get a really, really good new turntable, you are looking at the VPI Scout which is $1500 (albeit with arm and cartridge).

And don't forget that no matter what you get on the secondhand market, you'll need to get a new cart 99% of the time. The Grados are good bets under $100. There's also a good cheap Audio-Technica.

If you've found another used TT that appears to be a "deal", post here or email me and I'll fill you in (or refer you to someone who knows). The good news is that there is a huge quantity of still-working high-quality TTs out there looking for a home.

Patrick

[Kameek N Deesha]

They should start manufacturing vinyl records with a CD copy of the album built in as the center of the platter, where the label goes, and build new turntables/CD players accordingly.

[Sid Hartha]

Definitely go for the Thorens, if you can. I bought my TD-160 in 1974 and it still works perfectly.

[c. leo]

Dig.

[wut wut]

in reply to kameek:

your idea is too controversial.
you have to choose which side you're on, asshole. cd or vinyl? which is it? which side are you on?

choose a side. jerk.