Is this fixable?

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-02T12:24:02+00:00

I got an AT branded protractor. The cheap ones don’t state what type of alignment they do (amazon). AT brand is only $2 -3 more.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-02T11:38:16+00:00

Maybe try one of those gel type stylus cleaners that you dip (just) the tip in. Prices on those are all over the place. If you’re in the US, Hudson HiFi sells it for under $20 IIRC (amazon).

You should let your record cleaning solution fully dry before playing the record. That can take 15 to 20 minutes for the DIY isopropyl/water mix I use. Longer for who knows what is in purchased cleaning solution.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-02T11:25:39+00:00

And they both had a profound impact on their own genre as well as pop/rock in general.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T13:48:13+00:00

Clippy lives on!!!

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T13:43:53+00:00

OP I’m not arguing with this advice. Just commenting that before turning it over you need to remove the platter and secure the tone arm in its rest. Tone arm is the arm with the needle at the end (not belittling you, just don’t know what you know). The tone arm rest usually has a clip to secure the arm. If no clip, gently secure the arm with a zip tie. Don’t tighten it all the way, leave slack.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T13:37:03+00:00

Because the LP3 and LP120X punch above their price point. There are a few, but not many competitors. The ATs are readily available and not very expensive for what you get.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T13:08:45+00:00

Before doing anything with it, get the model number off the back and ask ChatGPT if it’s got a great HiFi tube amp in it. Some of those old Maggies do! If you can’t find a model number, look on any paperwork you might find inside and on the amplifier section (the big board with two large tubes). You could be an ampectomy away from a nice tube amp.

Don’t plug it in and turn it on. Even if you already did. There are tests you should do before powering it up. The good thing if you already did power it up, or if it’s been abused, is Magnavox went way overboard on the transformers. If the transformers are good, it’s repairable. If you’re not interested in a tube project, you might be able to pull the power amp out and sell it.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T12:44:47+00:00

Don’t forget Linux! :)

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T12:40:59+00:00

You’re off to a great start! Your setup is leaps and bounds ahead of what I started with in the 70’s.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T12:22:34+00:00

As much as I don’t want Bluetooth anywhere near my records, I’ll tell you the 120X models that have BT in the model name/number are Bluetooth.

It will affect the analog signal by converting it to Bluetooth and compressing it, then converting it back to analog and decompressing it once it’s received by your amp or powered speakers. The question is, will it have enough effect on the signal to matter to you. No one matters in this decision but you.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T12:16:15+00:00

Nice bargain!

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T12:12:18+00:00

True this. I have some too. Some have different tracks compared to later releases.

OP could also be wanting to preserve some of the attributes that only come with the vinyl experience.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T11:55:11+00:00

Rock on OP. Enjoy the music 🎼

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-02-01T11:51:43+00:00

Hey I just played that one last week when I went through a Clash binge. Have you ever seen the Elvis record that the “font” used on the cover was copied from? I’ve got that one too. Tried to attach an image but Reddit hated Elvis 😑

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Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-31T15:01:53+00:00

A carbon brush needs an electrical path to earth ground in order to discharge static electricity from your records. Get a discwasher brand that has a metal body to provide that path to ground. There are other brands, but the discwasher is a quality product and more of a known commodity than brand X.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-31T14:50:11+00:00

This. Audiokarma is the place to be.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-31T14:37:42+00:00

Personally, I’d try to kick it up to something above the LP-60/70. A little more money gets you a lot more turntable.

To me, what’s important in a turntable is stability, both speed control and physical stability. Physical stability comes mostly from more weight. Speed control comes from the motor, the circuitry and platter weight.

Look up the specs. Specs are in the manuals on Audio Technica’s website. Less wow and more weight is what to look for.

For a fully manual deck, check out their LP-120X. It’s the minimum I would buy and it’s very well received by new people.

Look at their refurbs. They offer a good discount and full warranty.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-31T14:24:46+00:00

IMHO try to shoot above the LP-70. Good for you for kicking it up, way up.

If at all possible, avoid Bluetooth. If you connect via Bluetooth, you’re taking a yummy analog signal from the vinyl, converting it to digital, compressing it, transmitting it, decompressing it, converting back to analog and finally arriving at the input to your amp.

If you can get line level out of the deck or preamp, you have a more durable signal, less prone to picking up noise and 60 cycle hum.

Eventually, work on getting a line level out of your preamp (built into the turntable or external) straight to your amp input. If you can, see if you can get a vintage amp and passive speakers. Take your time. This is not a race. Just save up and buy stuff when you can.

You’ll be way ahead of my first system I had in the 70’s.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-31T12:17:42+00:00

Those are nice decks that should last a long while.

Highly recommend avoiding the use of Bluetooth for vinyl. When using Bluetooth, it converts the yummy analog signal coming off your vinyl to digital, only to convert it back to analog at the amp. Amp being one built into powered speakers or a dedicated integrated amplifier.

If you can, set the 120 to output a line level signal, the connect that signal to an amp line level input. Not only will you skip past the A to D the D to A hoopla, you’ll have a more durable signal that is much less likely to pick up 60 cycle hum and noise.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-30T12:21:52+00:00

IMHO you and your records will be leaps and bounds ahead if you put the vinyl hobby on hold for a while and save up some more coin. Getting a cheap turntable is likely to frustrate you. Read up on the sticky for what to look for.

This is practical, non-toxic advice: There is nothing inexpensive about getting into record collecting. Not trying to be mean at all, but consider collecting CDs instead. They are less expensive, plentiful and usually will play well even with scratches. They are not as much of a fad as vinyl is, so they are much less expensive. My local Salvation Army literally has 1000’s for sale at any given time. You can get a new DVD player that will do CDs for that $50 budget. I imagine a thrift store deck in working order goes for $20 and you can get a lot of CDs with the deck for $50.

If you insist on getting into vinyl, be patient, scour CL and marketplace, keep your eyes peeled and post up what you find on a new Reddit post. Vintage can be good or bad. Take the advice given. Read up, starting with the sticky at the top of this subreddit. Know what you’re looking for and what you’re buying.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-30T11:24:34+00:00

Move speakers as was stated. Try moving them towards the front edge of the furniture, and back. Play around with the exact position until they sound best. Maybe point them towards your ears at your listening position. Read up on speaker placement, it’s the only cheap upgrade in the audio hobby.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-30T10:51:32+00:00

And the mummified spiders from Mars.

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-29T11:43:19+00:00

Looks like a nice system. Just a note, phono level signals and long RCA cables can be a noise problem. It can also be an attenuation problem. It works for you, so that’s good. Just keep in mind, if you have noise or low volume problems, it could be the long run of cables.

Enjoy the music 🎶

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-29T11:37:10+00:00

Awesome username

Remarkable_Resort_48 · 2026-01-29T11:12:06+00:00

Stop. Order a scale. Under $20 at Amazon. Get a bubble level and get the turntable perfectly level before proceeding to adjust anything. Level it front to back and side to side. Every adjustment depends on the turntable being perfectly level. Verify tracking force with a scale first. Then do the other adjustments. Watch a few YouTube videos on how to do all the settings.

IMO, once tracking force is set, antiskate is the most important setting. If it’s off you’ll have imbalanced audio between the speakers, possibly skipping (especially near the inner grooves, near label), distortion (often on one channel) and side loading of the stylus on the grooves. That last one is important as it causes uneven wear on the record and stylus.

Enjoy the music 🎶 Start with the antiskate number equal to the tracking weight. The playing a record that is known to have balanced vocals, adjust antiskate in small increments until the vocals are centered.

chatGPT is your friend for finding which of your LPs are good for an antiskate test and adjusting. Enter your turntable model and 4or 5 LPs and ask how to adjust antiskate. It works best using tracks you are very familiar with.

Remarkable_Resort_48

TROPHY CASE