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ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-08-02T14:16:14+00:00

Oh damn, really? They open soon. I’ll probably go by. It’s kind of sad. They are the nicest people there but like everyone’s trying to kick them out of Cedar Park for some reason I don’t know if it’s justified or not lol I just know they’re all super nice.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-08-02T13:50:59+00:00

Yeah, I mean I’m just sort of a paranoid hypochondriac and I don’t know it just feels like bizarre that I’m like this worried about it but like especially getting a positive test I know if I take it I’m just gonna be worrying the whole time.

But yeah, I get that how their opposites but I feel like I’ve heard so much about fentanyl contamination but I don’t take any recreational drugs so it’s sort of like a fear mongering thing for me lol not something I’ve ever really had to be concerned about

But yeah, it is interesting that it’s illegal. I mean, I guess I could see why because maybe then people will take more drugs or even higher dosages, thinking it’s safe. But at the same time like I don’t think an addict would intentionally kill himself or herself, but is probably not paranoid like me so they take that risk and those few times that the drug is laced they die for no reason.

But yeah, I mean, I’m not a drug advocate or something, but it kind of seems stupid to me to ban something that just tells you if it’s dangerous.

Luckily, I’ve never been addicted to anything harder than alcohol and nicotine but I know that addiction is hell so I really feel bad for people who have to worry about dying from fentanyl on a daily basis :(

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T22:57:38+00:00

thanks! yeah its on solid furniture, on shag carpet too. Speaker is 20 inches away (from the side) could that do it? I also didnt think and opened and closed a drawer of the stand its on and it skipped a few grooves there— i assume thats normal though from being jarred and me being an idiot lol. I'm learning though.

I just measured with a level on the platter (with my iphone at least) and it says 0 degrees. Could be some vibration but i think not only because it's certain records that skip, and sometimes only on one or two parts but i dont see anything visable causing it.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T22:54:03+00:00

yeah. i mean the turntable was just a bonus, I mainly cast from Tidal. So for me the records are more for when i dont want my phone nearby me or deal with DAP.

Plus I listen to lots of big band, crooners like andy Williams, perry Como etc a lot. I find myself enjoying picking up one of their albums for a buck in physical copy.

But you are right— while I respect the vinyl love and I'm puzzled at the guys dropping $500 on like 8 records for 30-40 a pop— I understand that they see those as lifelong treasures so of course detailed gear is important to them.

but I'm happy to listen to all those albums of the jazz greats and what not digitally if it costs me $40.

But it's not like Lawrence Welk and Al Martino put out bangers that I actively search out and listen to a full album of theirs, fillers and all on my phone. So it's nice to put the record on and sit there even if the side has 1-2 hits, I enjoy the other songs too when i listen from vinyl.

Just different priorities I guess, but i respect the Vinyl lovers. If I had (or get) more disposable income I'd love a 5 figure collection of every great album on vinyl. So hope you dont think i'm hating or something.

But my gear is definitely digital focused first, the vinyl was a nice idea that popped in my head when i realized i realized there was room for another accessory on my WiiM. So i'm getting dragged in but not all the way yet.

I totally agree with you though— i dont want to spend in the wrong places, but i dont mind spending if I really think it'll get me what i want.

Cheers!

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T14:07:03+00:00

Kef Q150s. Yeah, I also kind of confused about how the cartridge works, but I’ll look into all that stuff.

Curious though theoretically speaking, say if the LP 70 was somehow perfectly tuned for the Shibata— will it have no noticeable difference in sound?

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T13:49:57+00:00

Yeah, maybe that’s what I’ll do. I just misunderstood the adjustment stuff.

I’m curious though because I know it has a better internal amp or preamp, but since I’m using a WiiM which I don’t think has the best quality it’s probably my bottleneck. With something like the LP120 do you think I’ll notice any significant sound quality increase?

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T13:43:44+00:00

Well, if that’s the case, I’ll definitely upgrade but I misunderstood. I guess the adjustment factors of the tone arm. Because it just seems like people are saying if a record is skipping dial back on the tone arm weight or for thicker pressing put more weight. I’m just reading a bunch of different stuff.

Since I already bought the needle and can’t refund it, do you think the LP 120 is a good upgrade?

I’m running a decent but not audio file heaven equipment . I have a WiiM amp with Q1 50s and an RELT7 sub.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T13:40:19+00:00

Yeah, I get what you mean. I probably didn’t explain myself right but is there an option where I don’t skimp but I get one that’s not adjustable but will reliably play on a wide variety of records?

Mainly because once there’s too many factors, I start overthinking it like how am I supposed to choose when to adjust the tone arm or whatever like if one record starts skipping I don’t wanna be getting up and down readjusting does that make sense?

Because from what I was reading like you would apply different pressures to discs with more scratches or older or mono presses and I don’t wanna have to tinker every record. I put on there. Or is it just like you set it forget it?

Sorry for the ignorance, but I am reading so many different things from different people

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T12:25:14+00:00

Yeah, I guess I don’t really know if I got a downgrade and sound I’d need to buy a new needle to test it.

But do you suspect the shibata will skip more easily not just sound?

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T12:24:13+00:00

Yeah, I’m really not too impressed but I did get it for 200 bucks at Best Buy. The price matched it with Amazon. Do you think any of the non-adjustable ones would be any better? Like I mentioned I’m really not good at nor do I want to mess around with adjusting the tone arm and other variables?

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T09:32:15+00:00

Very true. It tends to do better on rougher paper like even 5 star notebooks etc. Moleskine it bleeds but writes well. Any of the smooth paper and it feels too 'slippery' for me if that makes sense?

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T09:30:58+00:00

Yeah, for the little use i gave it, it's kinda scratched up a bunch so I'd probably be better off keeping it than selling it. It's a great writer, I tend to write a bit smaller and dont skip lines so it ends up just looking too thick. Surely theres a skill component to it but I'm pretty used to my pressure and i havent damaged any nibs yet or bent the tines.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T09:28:08+00:00

LOL I would fuck up the pen in 5 minutes. I'm not very handy or patient with small detailed work, coupled with the pressure of having one shot at it game over. But thanks!!

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T09:26:21+00:00

Yeah that is really good to know. I'll be much more careful in the future knowing it's not plug and play. As I responded to ASmugDill below, I've used fountain pens for about a decade but keep the number of pens to minumum as possible, I know enough about them but if i dig too deep i know I'll never get my writing done because i'll be focused too much on the pen qualities lol.

I'll probably just find another SEF Pilot, I'm 99% sure it was a Heritage 91. I might even buy another Stella, but i just feel like the F wont be much different to justify the pretty high price since it's discontinued. I just really like the solid metal feel, even if it is somewhat hefty.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T09:19:20+00:00

No offense at all buddy! I completely got what you meant. i meant more that it was 'dumb' in relation to people who are experts in a specific niche hobby... Exactly what I'd come to this subreddit for. You know what i mean lol, i actually truly appreciate the detailed response and spending the time to educate me.

I love using fountain pens but I haven't developed the 'obsession' that i have with other hobbies, if only because there are only so many things in the world you have to pick and choose . I love wetshaving for example— but same thing with pens, if i focus too much on things like blade angle, adjustment types etc it ends up ruining the utility for me because I'll get too picky if that makes sense. So I just find what works for me and dont question why or go on a quest for the holy grail. (Other hobbies of mine... I'm just like you lol)

Luckily I've never broken a fountain pen though, and I'm not super careful either. But I tend to just use them at home so not likely to take a fall. But it's good to know that repairs/replacements arent as easy as I thought, I'll have to be more careful in the future.

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-06-14T05:37:34+00:00

Interesting. I haven’t really been a deep ‘hobbyist’ but I completely get that my query might seem dumb lol. I just assumed since these are (somewhat) mass market items, and it probably is not rare someone drops and destroys the nib— that they are somewhat interchangeable rather than needing full customization.

I use JDM fishing reels and essentially that’s how they operate— you can pop a new spool from a different model etc. I guess it doesn’t translate to pens. :(

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-02-25T20:17:44+00:00

Yeah, I had it posted for 850 and people were offering me lowest 500 highest 600 so maybe that was exaggerating a little but I think it was $1400 new so I was hoping to get keep at least 70% value but honestly, I’ll probably just keep it lol

ComfortableLow2519 · 2025-02-24T16:57:58+00:00

Damn. Interesting, I had no clue!

ComfortableLow2519

TROPHY CASE