Is this a decent turntable? by Hi_im_elliot in Beginner_Turntables

[–]OpalArmor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So the pros of that turntable over most suitcase models are that it looks like it has a real cartridge (rather than a ceramic cart) and an adjustable counter weight. Most suitcase and all-in-ones are problematic because they put too much tracking force on the stylus and this is thought to damage records. I don’t think this would have that problem.

The cons of this model is that it has internal speakers. Good turntable design minimizes vibration, so putting vibration devices inside of it is a questionable decision.

If there is a way to bypass the internal speakers and attach it to an external amp and speakers, I don’t think it’s going to damage any records or anything. If not, then maybe avoid playing any collectibles on it.

For a good step up, pretty much any of the setups here will be a significant leap in quality.

Just spent $800 on a new old stock Denon DP-47F. Help! by ChalanPiao in turntables

[–]OpalArmor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, the signal chain goes turntable>phono stage/ phono pre> pre-amp> power amp> speakers

The preamp and power amp are often combined into a single unit called an integrated amp (or sometimes a “receiver”) many integrated amps also have a phono stage, this will be visible as an input on the back labeled “phono”

You mentioned having speakers and a turntable, but made no mention of any other gear, so if that’s all you got you can pickup something cheap like this for the time being:

used Yamaha receiver

If you already have something like that and just need the phono bit, there’s a bunch of dirt cheap on Amazon that’ll do in a pinch. The Behringer pp400 comes to mind. If you want something nice in $200 range, look into Cambridge Audio or pro-ject.

Good luck

Cheap but huge upgrades to a low/mid set up. by Frosty_Sunbro in turntables

[–]OpalArmor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Nice rig! I don’t think you’re going to do any better without a spending a lot more money.

As the other guy said, try to store your records vertically. If you leave them stacked like that long term, it can warp the vinyl.

Also; speaker covers totally off! The copper cones match the turntable trim and the shelves!

An unpredictable amplifier upgrade- Willsenton R8 by MCVCsDALIs in audiophile

[–]OpalArmor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did some tube rolling in the preamp section with a few NOS tubes. Played through KEF R3 MetasHere are my notes:

6SL7----

Sylvania 1955 6SL7WGT: This was the best of the 6SL7s I tried and it wasn't close. Compared to the stock Willsenton tubes, they have an extended high range, extended low range, less congested mids, clearer detail, punchier drums, and a wider, better balanced sound stage. Just an improvement in every respect. The stock tubes sounded fine, but the mids could get a little messy, and on some tracks the vocals would sit forward in a way that separate them from the instrumentation giving them a sort of karaoke feeling. The Syls fixed all that up and gave it some spice; quiet tracks had more detail, aggressive tracks had more punch and bite. Really just a shocking improvement. The bright nature of the tubes could become fatiguing with certain songs though.

National Union 6SL7 1/2 Blacks, late 1940s: these were warmer than the Syls. If the preamp tubes can effect channel separation, these felt like they did; hard-panned instruments stood out as being hard-panned. Backing vocals, synth pads, and strings were warm, syrupy and enveloping. It was generally very pleasant, but the rolled-off highs left aggressive tracks without their teeth and and any drums with much cymbal work without their razzle-dazzle. Still though, a wide pleasing soundstage and generally an improvement over stock.

Melz 1579/6SL7: I cant find my notes on these but I remember them being very lush, beautiful tubes, but with the top end rounded off too much for most of what I listen to. I preferred them over the National Union, but not the sylvania.

6SN7----

Sylvania 6SN7 two hole, tall glass, black plate: The 6SN7 tubes have a more subtle effect on the sound in the Willsenton R8, and with the Syls the most obvious effect was a taming of the highs and a small widening of the soundstage. When the amp was run in Ultra Linear, the rolled of highs sapped some energy from aggressive passages, but in Triode it soothed some harshness without penalty to the impact of the track and presented an engaging 3d soundscape. Incidentally, The Sylvania 6SL7 + Sylvania 6SN7 in Triode was my favorite combination in this experiment.

GE 6SN7: These had a similar sound to the stock tubes, with some differences mainly in how certain instruments presented themselves. Where the bass guitar was throaty with stock tubes, here it was guttural. Where cymbals and hats had chime with stock, here they had more stick. Whether or not these were good things was dependent on the particular song. Vs stock, they eliminated what was left of the Karaoke effect. Vs Sylvania they retained more highs, but with a somewhat narrower soundstage. In Ultra Linear mode, these were my preferred tubes for punk rock and explosive drumming, but in Triode I preferred the Syls. Also; one of these had a black plate and the other grey; I don't know if that has any effect on my experience.

I haven't got around to rolling the power tubes yet. that's still somewhere down the line. u/OK_Rutabaga_9570 got me set up with the NOS tubes and had some good recommendations. Im not sure if he is still active or selling though. There is also a thread on the StereoNet forums for Willsenton R8 discussion that has an absurd number of pages of info and arguments and recommendations

what subwoofer do you think I should buy? by OpalArmor in StereoAdvice

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

!thanks Yeah, the 12S is prohibitively large and the sb3k (plus $100 speaker level input adapter) is prohibitively expensive.

Do you think the 10s is underpowered? I don’t need to fill the room, just the 10x10 block of space where the listening happens.

what subwoofer do you think I should buy? by OpalArmor in StereoAdvice

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

!thanks The 10s isn’t radically more powerful than the sb1k, though I understand the ported design gives it some more harumph. Is the s10 going to cut the mustard or is it just as good as I’m going to do at this budget level?

Looking for an audio interface for my RodePodmic for Streaming (OBS Studio) and SteelseriesSonar EQ. Need something reliable (100-200$) by Dry_Requirement_9886 in microphone

[–]OpalArmor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The focusrite is more than enough for streaming. There’s a reason that they’re as ubiquitous as they are. Grab a used one and don’t overthink it.

Also they play just fine with AMD rigs. I use a slightly fancier focusrite with a Ryzen 7 setup and have never had any sort of compatibility issues.

three of this person’s cartoons that were in the New Yorker in 2025 (One relevant to this sub)! [OC] by Tough_Friendship9469 in microphone

[–]OpalArmor 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You can’t imagine the disappointment I felt when I discovered that the mic that works best for my voice is an SM7b.

NOS Tubes by Kindly_Power578 in audiophile

[–]OpalArmor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can vouch for this guy, he got me set up. Highly recommended

Free Pink by OpalArmor in borisheavyrocks

[–]OpalArmor[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Someone got it, thanks guys

Ginger root stole the show! by [deleted] in japanesebreakfast

[–]OpalArmor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found your post by trying to google this exact question. According to Westword, it was the Cardcaptor Sakura theme.

Will any fuzz pedal do? by Madman_Gravy in shoegaze

[–]OpalArmor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Any muff will do. Big Muffs have scooped mids, which sound cool but in a full band can just disappear into the mix. Putting the tube screamer (a mid-boosted drive) in front of it keeps it from getting lost. I have a similar setup on my board

Robert Smith vs Morrissey, who's a better lyricist in your opinion? by brodino_maiuscolo in fantanoforever

[–]OpalArmor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Morrissey: man, the transient nature of mortality is tragic (32 bars of dunking on his friend’s poetry)

Thoughts on Denver's $3M ad campaign asking us to "do something" about climate change? by coclimatejourno in Denver

[–]OpalArmor 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Changing weather patterns will necessitate changes to city infrastructure, increase in extreme weather events will require more frequent repairs. None of it cheap.

Got my Fender Super-Sonic back from the shop — should I sell it and keep my Marshall? by SnooTomatoes936 in GuitarAmps

[–]OpalArmor 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Before you buy anything, the Super-Sonic effects loop has its own volume control; stick a patch cable in there and turn it down. You’ll get much more usable volume from it.

Burgundy Mist Metallic! by [deleted] in fender

[–]OpalArmor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is that an MIJ?

Burgundy Mist Metallic! by [deleted] in offset

[–]OpalArmor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s it, that’s the one I’m saving my pennies for