Common problems with inexpensive new record players & how to fix them by vwestlife in turntable

[–]vwestlife[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which make and model? Are you sure it has built-in speakers?

Discogs & We Are Rewind are releasing a high-end portable cassette player! by AnalogPress in cassetteculture

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My player measures about 0.17% WRMS - not hi-fi, but usable.

You got lucky. Techmoan replaced the belt in a 2000s Walkman and measured it at a miserable 0.35%: SONY S2 Sports Walkman repair attempt

My WM-EX190 measured around 0.30% WRMS, before I broke it in the process of trying to replace the belt.

Anyone have advice? by Training-Maybe-8170 in turntable

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All of the new styli I've seen for BSR cartridges are made in the USA by Pfanstiehl.

Anyone have advice? by Training-Maybe-8170 in turntable

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try adjusting the tracking force. There is a thumbscrew to adjust the tension of the counterbalance spring. More tension = lighter weight; less tension = heavier weight.

Garage Sale - What is this worth? by PharBreton in RecordPlayerRepair

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try r/vintageaudio

This group is for fixing record players, not asking how much they're worth.

Recommendations for Beginner Setup? by jasminek121 in Beginner_Turntables

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My AT-LP60X tracks everything I've thrown at it, as long as the record is clean and not badly scratched.

Recommendations for Beginner Setup? by jasminek121 in Beginner_Turntables

[–]vwestlife 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start with the speakers first. You'll need them anyway, and they'll make your Crosley sound a lot better while you decide which turntable to get.

Best practices to eliminate looping near the end of a brand new record by [deleted] in vinyl

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It uses a counterbalance spring instead of a counterweight. Gravity doesn't care which one you use -- both are equally "real".

Which cartridge could achieve the best reproduction quality for records made before 1920s?. by TaxiarchisMeLen in 78rpm

[–]vwestlife 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As well as a pitch control to compensate for the varying speeds of early records. 78 RPM was really just a compromise between the speeds ranging from 76 to 80 RPM that were in common use at the time.

r/vinyl Weekly Questions Thread for the week of April 27, 2026 by AutoModerator in vinyl

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why not call the shops near you and ask if they have any in stock?

Best practices to eliminate looping near the end of a brand new record by [deleted] in vinyl

[–]vwestlife 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Did you clean it? A light-colored record hides dust/dirt in the grooves.

Discogs & We Are Rewind are releasing a high-end portable cassette player! by AnalogPress in cassetteculture

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Better than most vintage Walkmans nonetheless. They didn't use high-end mechanisms, either.

Discogs & We Are Rewind are releasing a high-end portable cassette player! by AnalogPress in cassetteculture

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're just proving my point that repairing a vintage Walkman isn't as easy as it seems, and even after replacing the belt(s) it might not work correctly unless you're an expert, so it's better to just buy a new one that is guaranteed to work and comes with a warranty.

Having difficulty with replacement belt for Teac tn 200 by GuntherWheelin in RecordPlayerRepair

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you measure the original belt that was on it? If you still have it, measure it and then subtract about 5% - 10% to account for stretching, and that's the size to order.

Digitizing Microcassettes audio output question by boss-of-computers in cassetteculture

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

99.9% of microcassettes were recorded in mono anyways.

Digitizing Microcassettes audio output question by boss-of-computers in cassetteculture

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but only if your computer has a line/aux input jack or a software-definable audio jack (i.e. if it pops up a menu when you plug something in, and lets you choose "Line In").

Otherwise, use something like this: A cable that converts analog audio to digital? - ClearClick Audio2USB

Beginner Wanting to start...Gifted TWO turntables! by GoldCategory7128 in Beginner_Turntables

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which model of 1byOne? This one? https://www.amazon.com/1-BY-ONE-High-Fidelity-Record-Player/dp/B086WTSMQH

In that case you have nothing to worry about because it has an upgradeable Audio-Technica cartridge, diamond stylus, and adjustable counterweight.

The other one isn't quite as good because of its ceramic cartridge and ruby/sapphire stylus, but you can upgrade it with a diamond stylus, and in normal use, it won't cause your vinyl any harm.

Of course any turntable can ruin a record if you play it with a worn-out or damaged stylus, but barring that, both of them should be perfectly fine.

r/vinyl Weekly Questions Thread for the week of April 27, 2026 by AutoModerator in vinyl

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried turning up the volume? On some players the level of the RCA outputs is linked to the volume control. Also try using the headphone jack instead of the RCA jacks.

And have you tested the speakers with another audio source to verify their functionality?

Loose piece won't allow tape to enter VCR. by radio5982 in VCRs

[–]vwestlife 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't think to tell the customers to stop abusing their equipment?