Does anyone know much about turntables/record players?

[jones2289]

I picked up a vintage turntable at Goodwill today, and was wondering if anyone could provide some guidance/advice. After Christmas, I'm planning to pick up and A/V receiver and some speakers to hook up to my tv. Along with that, I've been thinking about picking up a usb turntable, as I have a lot of my dad's old records and nothing to play them on.

I ran across a Technics SL-QD3 record player at Goodwill today, and although I have absolutely no knowledge about this stuff, it seems to be in working order (it spins at both the 33 and 45 speeds, start/stop button works, all lights work, etc.) I've done a bit of online research and from what I've found, it sounds like I will need a phono-preamp in order to hook this up to a receiver?

I paid $14.99 for the turntable, and figured it was of better quality than the modern usb version I could pick up at Fry's or Best Buy. However, if I'm going to have to sink a lot of money into it, I was wondering if I should just return it and pick up a more modern version.

Also, since I don't currently have a receiver, I was wondering if I could just hook it up to the tv or something with the red and white L/R outputs in the back.

These may seem like fairly elementary questions, but I figured with all the gentlemen on here who have vintage-inspired hobbies in addition to wet-shaving, maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

Any help would be much appreciated, and Happy Holidays to everyone!

 

[tomviolence]

turntables require a phono pre amplifier, to bring the pickup's signal upto line level. Anything that can use a line level signal can then play it. (ie your tv input or the CD input on a reciever)

A USB turntable obviously plugs into a computer, and thus can be easily digitaly recorded.

Recording a analog signal on a computer requires a line level input on your computer and is a bit more difficult to get a good recording.

 

[BigFoot]

Also make sure the cartridge is in good shape, if not you will want to replace it before damaging any of your albums.

 

[jones2289]

I put a record on, but it doesn't look like the needle is actually touching the record. The arm isn't bent, so I'm wondering if the needle is broken? Sorry for all the questions, I just can't seem to find much information about it.

Also, does the turntable need to be grounded? There is no visible ground wire, but there is a hole next to the L and R plugs in the back.

 

[Walker]

I put a record on, but it doesn't look like the needle is actually touching the record. The arm isn't bent, so I'm wondering if the needle is broken? Sorry for all the questions, I just can't seem to find much information about it.

Also, does the turntable need to be grounded? There is no visible ground wire, but there is a hole next to the L and R plugs in the back.

The one i had when i was a kid had a little lever located around the base of the arm. It was used to gently lower the arm onto the record so you wouldn't damage the stylus when lowering the arm. Do you have something like this on yours? It would only lower it a very small amount. Maybe that's why it isn't touching the record.

 

[jones2289]

No, there isn't a lever on this one, but I know what you're talking about. I saw one that had the lever at Fry's a while back. The stylus is touching the record now, but I'm not getting any sound. Also, it kind of skipped up and down almost as of the record was warped or the turntable wasn't level. They both seem to be okay, but then again, maybe there's a reason someone donated it to Goodwill.

 

[RichGem]

Sorry, my only turntable is a circa 1919 Vitanola (Type 8) floor model.

 

[Greybeard]

You are correct that most usb turntables are crap and the SL-QD3 is better. It was considered a good entry level turntable when it came out in 1979 and is capable of decent sound. Place your turntable on a very stable, solid, level surface to help negate vibrations and sonic feedback.

How involved do you want to get in this and how fussy are you about the quality of your sound? Setting up a vintage turntable does require some work and has a bit of a learning curve. It's not plug and play unless you're willing to spend some coin and buy a good one already set up or you can live with the tinny sound of a cheap new one.

You will need a phono preamp. The cheapest one I've found that's capable of good audio quality is the TCC TC-750 available at the link below.

http://www.phonopreamps.com/

HDStreetGlide is absolutely correct that the condition of the phono cartridge is critical. A worn or misaligned cartridge will carve your vinyl's grooves and permanently damage your records. You're usually better off to just replace the cartridge with a new one.
The cheapest, good sounding cartridge that will work in the Technics can be found at the link below.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Audio-Technica-9...981?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d283668f5

If you are installing a new cartridge, you will need to align it.
A protractor is required. You can download a free one at the site linked below. I recommend the "stupid protractor" since it's the easiest to use and correct for your tonearm. Download it and print it on heavy paper.
At the same time you should download the manual for your table. These dowloads are free, but it's required that you register on the site to be enable file downloads. It is also an excellent site to learn about vinyl hardware.

http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge-alignment-protractors.shtml

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-q3.shtml

After you have your phono preamp you can plug turntable > phono preamp > your tv and get sound out. TV amps and speakers aren't great so your sound won't be great, but you will get sound.

Too much? Or are you still interested?

 

[Gray Wolf]

It appears that you need a new needle/cartridge for the turntable. I made the mistake of geting a Chinese turntable with a usb plug, it was a cheap *** that broke before playing even one record.

 

[Walker]

You should get sound just from needle touching a rotating record. It will be faint but you will still hear something even with the sound off. Sounds like you need a new needle/stylus

 

[jones2289]

Too much? Or are you still interested?

I'm definitely still interested, and thanks a lot for your help and suggestions. The arm is actually hopping up and down when the record spins, so the stylus isn't in constant contact with the record. The arm doesn't appear to be bent, and neither does the platform that the record sits on (sorry for the non-technical terms). Also, it just makes an awful sound like fingernails on a chalkboard (from the turntable, not the speakers).

I'm wondering if something isn't completely level, and if the thing is even worth keeping. Obviously, I have no experience with turntables, or I would try troubleshooting and repairing it.

 

[_JP_]

There should be round counter balance weight on the back of the arm with some markings on it. Turn it so that the weight is increased slightly to make the needle stay in contact with the platter.

If there isn't a weight then there is an adjustment screw that is probbly attached to a spring. Turn that screw to make the adjustment.

 

[DavyRay]

I have a Harmon Kardon 330 receiver which has a phono input. I got it at a yard sale. If you find a vintage receiver, you may be able to use the turntable with it without a separate pre-amp.

I would also replace the cartridge on any Goodwill turntable, unless you are better than I am at evaluating a stylus and cartridge.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm definitely still interested, and thanks a lot for your help and suggestions. The arm is actually hopping up and down when the record spins, so the stylus isn't in constant contact with the record. The arm doesn't appear to be bent, and neither does the platform that the record sits on (sorry for the non-technical terms). Also, it just makes an awful sound like fingernails on a chalkboard (from the turntable, not the speakers).

I'm wondering if something isn't completely level, and if the thing is even worth keeping. Obviously, I have no experience with turntables, or I would try troubleshooting and repairing it.

No, there isn't a lever on this one, but I know what you're talking about. I saw one that had the lever at Fry's a while back. The stylus is touching the record now, but I'm not getting any sound. Also, it kind of skipped up and down almost as of the record was warped or the turntable wasn't level. They both seem to be okay, but then again, maybe there's a reason someone donated it to Goodwill.

1. Do you have a needle on the end of the stylus? Sometimes these get decapitated by accident.

2. Balance your tonearm. Take the arm off the record and place it just to the side of the platter. Rotate the round counterweight at the back of the tonearm counter clockwise until the arm floats free and parallel to the platter. Turn the small marked dial attached to the counterweight (Make sure the counterweight itself doesn't move) to where the 0 lines up at the top center of the counterweight. Rotate the counterweight clockwise to where 1.8 is at the top center.

3. Your turntable is an automatic. It should cue when you turn it on and should move the arm over the record and then drop onto the record automatically.

Edit: Download and read your turntable manual!

 

[jones2289]

Edit: Download and read your turntable manual!

Good idea, I tried to track it down online, but didn't have much luck. I'll keep looking for it, and thanks for your patience.

 

[Greybeard]

Good idea, I tried to track it down online, but didn't have much luck. I'll keep looking for it, and thanks for your patience.

It's at the link in my first post. Once you register on the site a pdf link will appear that you can download and save to your computer.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-q3.shtml

 

[Mako72]

Its been some time since I did this but IIRC you can go to Radio Shack or the like and get an adapter cable that has the 2 RCA plugs on one end and a Mini Jack on the other and connect it to the computer via the line in plugin. You still need the preamp tho. Most computers have some general recording software although if you want real quality you probably need something fancier. Hope that helps!

Jay

 

[raisindot]

+1 to what everyone else said, particularly about it needing a new cartridge/needle.

It definitely should have a counterbalance weight on the far end of the tone arm. You simply adjust it to make the tonearms 'heavier' until the needle remains steady on the record (as someone else said, you should be able to hear the nonamplified sound of the record if done right).

There's also generally a know for what's known as "anti-skating," another control that adjust the tone arms so it doesn't skip across the LP.

Since you don't have specs for this, you may want to play around with the knobs until it tracks fairly well.

As for amplification, any receiver should have RCA inputs that will allow you to connect your turntable directly to it. More recent receivers may have audio outs that you can attach audio cables to and then feed into your computer's audio card. And, yes, a receiver should have a grounding connector and your turnable should absolutely be grounded.

However, this method doesn't often bring good results. You're better off getting some kind of dedicated PC audio interface (either a card or an external USB or Firewire based device) with a set of phono plugs and a preamp that can automatically convert the signal to digital and feed it into computer, bypassing the cheap internal PC audio card entirely.

Between the new cartridge, needle and interface, doing all this right may add another $150 to your $15 investment. Nice thing is that when you're done you could probably sell the interface stuff.

Jeff in Boston

 

[SiBurning]

I also found an article on How to Adjust a Technics SL-Q3 Tonearm. The picture bring up another point. The needle, if replaceable, must match the cartridge, and the cartridge must fit the head shell. Finally, there could be two different kinds of cartridges on those turntables: moving magnet and moving coil. They each require a different preamp. (There are other older types that you probably don't need to worry about.) Aside from amplifying the signal to a normal line-in voltage (roughly 2V), they also provide RIAA equalization. Without this, it will sound horrible. And definitely look for the ground wire and ground it somewhere. The needle sliding across vinyl generates a lot of static electricity that needs to be dissipated, and that's not even the main reason to ground it, which is to keep the very tiny signal from picking up whatever radio (or wireless or cell phone) noise is nearby.

 

[dpm802]

The advice to replace the cartridge and calibrate the tone arm are spot on.

I don't know where you'd go to buy a phono-cartridge nowadays, but I'm sure a little online research will turn up a good source. Don't scrimp on quality, buy the best one you can find.

While you're at it, pick up some record cleaning equipment. This is generally a micro-fiber cloth wrapped around a 6-inch cylinder, with some detergent to soak the cloth. Use it to remove dust and dirt from the grooves of the record before you play it.

Finally, check the inside of the unit to see if there is a rubber belt that transfers motion from the motor to the turntable. If its there, it is probably dry-rotted and close to breaking, so go ahead and replace it. If it doesn't have a belt, then you have a Direct-Drive turntable, and nothing to worry about.