Repair or buy new?

[PhonoDummy]

Hello audiophiles,

I'm new to this forum, and new to this country, too. That's where my problems start.

I've shipped my 20-year-old Technics SL-D3 from abroad, but when it landed here in NY the platter won't spin anymore. Analogique service lab, which I hear is the best in town, charges a *minimum* of $150 to repair turntables.

Since I'm on a student budget, I'm kindly asking for your help in deciding whether to fix the old Technics or to buy a new one.

$150 is around my total budget. I prefer to buy a new turntable, of course, but I don't want to significantly compromise on sound quality. I'm considering turntables that can be connected to a computer, such as Numark:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B00012EYNG

To sum up, my questions are:
(1) For $150, should I repair the Technics or should I go for a new, entry-level turntable?
(2) Which new turntables would you recommend at this price range? Again, I don't have the budget for audiophile equipment, but I'm still looking for reliability and good sound.

Thanks for helping out!

[Resident Loser]

Hello audiophiles,

I'm new to this forum, and new to this country, too. That's where my problems start.

I've shipped my 20-year-old Technics SL-D3 from abroad, but when it landed here in NY the platter won't spin anymore. Analogique service lab, which I hear is the best in town, charges a *minimum* of $150 to repair turntables.

Since I'm on a student budget, I'm kindly asking for your help in deciding whether to fix the old Technics or to buy a new one.

$150 is around my total budget. I prefer to buy a new turntable, of course, but I don't want to significantly compromise on sound quality. I'm considering turntables that can be connected to a computer, such as Numark:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B00012EYNG

To sum up, my questions are:
(1) For $150, should I repair the Technics or should I go for a new, entry-level turntable?
(2) Which new turntables would you recommend at this price range? Again, I don't have the budget for audiophile equipment, but I'm still looking for reliability and good sound.

Thanks for helping out!

...service facilities have a minimum troubleshooting/estimate fee which, if you choose to have the repairs done, will be applied to the total bill...If you elect not to have the work done then you just pay the fee and walk away...Are you telling me they will charge $150 just to advise you as to whether the repairs are worthwhile?

jimHJJ(...seems steep...)

[PhonoDummy]

No, they will charge $75 for checking the turntable. However $150 is the minimum they charge for repairing (the $75 is included in that fee)...

[coastrat]

I can't vouch for its quality, but Denon has a model that you can buy new for $149.

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/529.asp

Maybe someone else has experience with it?

[coastrat]

You can use the extra $1 to buy a candy bar, btw.

[Resident Loser]

...manually spin it?

Can you remove the platter?

If you plug it in, do any indicators light up?

If adjustable, is the voltage set for 120VAC/60Hz?

Did you ship it in it's original packaging?

jimHJJ(...just wondering...)

[JohnMichael]

...manually spin it?

Can you remove the platter?

If you plug it in, do any indicators light up?

If adjustable, is the voltage set for 120VAC/60Hz?

Did you ship it in it's original packaging?

jimHJJ(...just wondering...)

Jim good point about voltage. That was what I first thought reading the post.

[PhonoDummy]

Jesus, guys, I can't believe I'm such an idiot! The voltage was indeed set to 220. I was mislead by seeing that the indicator is lit, but the platter wasn't moving. I found the voltage switch under the platter... Thanks guys! You're great!! You made my day! Hell, you made my week!!

If you don't mind, I have two last questions --

(1) On what number should I point the anti skating and the tone arm? The anti skating is currently set to 1.5 and the tone arm to 2.5. Is this OK?
(2) It's time to replace the stylus as well. Where can I find a Diamond EPS-270SD?

Thanks again! This is definitely the best forum!

[coastrat]

Can I have the candy bar?

[PhonoDummy]

Sure, just pick one:
http://images.google.com/images?svnu...=Search+Images

[royphil345]

The needle you're looking for to fit the EPS-270SD cartridge is a 706-D7 http://www.turntableneedles.com/inde...OD&ProdID=9528

They also have an elliptical stylus that will fit for more $. I believe your cart came with the conical though. Believe the "SD" in the cartridge model name means spherical diamond. The one that took the elliptical was the EPS-270ED

2.5 grams is the max recommended stylus pressure for the conical stylus. Carts usually do sound their best near the top of their tracking range, so you should be good. The anti-skate is usually set to match the stylus pressure. Yours isn't so far off that it will hurt anything if it sounds better to you where it is. Sometimes automatic tables add a little drag to the tonearm and too much anti-skate can cause the needle to "stick" in the groove on less than pristine records...

EDIT: Found the genuine Technics / Panasonic stylus for less $. http://www.partstore.com/Default.aspx Enter 706-D7 in the search box on the right that says "enter your part number".

Also an eBay deal... Buying NOS styli can be risky. The rubber suspension part can harden and cause poor tracking. This one does look a little old... Price looks tempting... http://cgi.ebay.com/PANASONIC-NEEDLE...QQcmdZViewItem

Another on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-EPS270...QQcmdZViewItem

[PhonoDummy]

Thanks! You've all been very helpful! I really appreciate it!

[Blue Meanie]

Hello audiophiles,

I'm new to this forum, and new to this country, too. That's where my problems start.

Glad to hear that the 'fix' was something simple.
And welcome to this country. Wherever this country is...

Jeff

[jrhymeammo]

Try this link for more information.

http://www.turntablebasics.com/advice.html

Anti-skate is a bit tricky if you ask me.
Anti skate setting should be used to balance out R and L channels. You should hear more sound out of Right Channel if you apply too much counter-force, so you should find a proper setting by listening or with a TEST LP (I think it's about time I got one).....BUT!!!!
I dont think none of that matters if you dont have your cartridge setup properly.
I dont know how you have your cartridge setup, but no one should ever screw on a cartridge without proper alignment adjustments.

Get yourself a cartridge alignment tool if you want the best sound out of your TT and records. I have one from the site I posted above and it is pretty effective, but you can print one up yourself.
Search this site for "Free Audio Programs" or "Free Stuff, not a promotion". I should've posted a link for a free cartridge alignment tool. Just print one up or call one of the numbers and have them send you one for a buck or two. If you wanna go with a cheapest route, then make sure you cut the center hole on EXACT place. I would just buy one from turntablebasics. It'll be the best $20 you'll ever spend.

[Blue Meanie]

This is definitely the best forum!

Not even close. It's just the best one you've found so far. This place is a virtual ghost town compared to the way it used to be. Still good advice/info to be found here, just a lot less of it. The servers here are really slow compared to many other sites that have proliferated in the last few years. I think it sometimes puts people off. Not a complaint, merely an observation.

Jeff