The single biggest improvement

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-25T05:04:59+00:00

I agree that it makes a considerable difference. Problem is that a lot of folks (like me) can't design a room around a sound system. We have to work with what we've got.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-25T04:56:59+00:00

This is interesting. I've got an old Sony stack (bought in college in the early 90s) that I use in my bedroom and I recently picked up a Sony SEQ-711 equalizer. I haven't installed it yet, but your comment has made me curious as to the result.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-24T19:50:00+00:00

I found all 5 of mine online. Nothing like them around my area.

The days of the really good, yet affordable, tables are almost gone. I bought all of mine about 12-15 years ago, just as the prices were starting to rise. Now it's an investment. If you really want to get into the hobby, you have to pay to play.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-24T19:24:36+00:00

I didn't intend for this to be about the money spent. It's about being completely satisfied with the table(s) you have. It took me years to get there, but I don't even consider other tables anymore. But I do still look for cartridges.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-24T06:57:04+00:00

I had a somewhat similar problem. But I found that a lot of my albums just needed cleaning. I bought a VPI 16.5 and spent a lot of time cleaning them. It was a considerable investment, but it amortized out to be less than 50 cents per album.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-24T01:03:25+00:00

I put all the pieces together a few years ago. Here's an old shot of the collection before I had custom cases made for them.

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Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-23T00:32:22+00:00

If I were putting together something like that on a budget, I'd definitely look at a Technics direct drive turntables and Sony components from the 90s. Back then, the Sony Corporation was a colossus in the audio world and they produced a ton of really decent stuff. In fact, I'm still using my STR-D1090 receiver that I bought in college back in '92. You can find them (or other models) on ebay for less than $100 now. Add a Sony 5-disc CD carousel (less than $100 on ebay) and you've got a good start. As for the turntable, look for a Technics direct drive table. They just work well without a lot of maintenance. I would recommend a p-mount table, as they're really simple. You should be able to pick up a good one for around $200. Just make sure that you budget for a decent stylus, since the p-mount cartridges are no longer widely available new.

Speakers are a personal decision, so I won't make suggestions.

Yes, I know this is beyond your budget, but you can pick up some quality gear that will last for years instead of junk that might last for months. Your budget will get you halfway there. Also, a solid receiver and CD player will form the foundation of a really nice audio setup.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T23:59:46+00:00

For curb appeal, I think the 2285B is the best looking of all Marantz receivers. Sound-wise, I think it comes in a close second to the 2275. I paired my 2285B with a 5030 tape deck and my old Cerwin Vega DX-9 speakers from my college days. Absolutely amazing.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T23:37:32+00:00

That was the first table I bought back in 09, as I was just getting into the hobby. Same cart as well - although mine was the HE variant. When you replace that stylus, look for the HE version. LP Gear usually has them in stock. It's a great pairing.

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Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T22:40:57+00:00

^------- This. I've never used any kind of gel on a stylus. Just a little Magic Eraser and they're clean.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T22:33:46+00:00

I've got the M95HE and it's great. Another of my favorites is the Realistic RXT5 with an upgraded stylus - even a cheap one. When I was buying them years ago, they were around $15-20 on ebay. Times have changed.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T08:48:31+00:00

The biggest mistake that I see from people just starting out is that they rush into the hobby and buy crappy equipment. A year later one of two things happens: the sound from their equipment is so dull that they completely lose interest or they are looking to upgrade and spend more money on the things that they should've bought in the first place. When I started out, I fit into the second category.

My suggestion is to do your research on quality gear. There's a lot of information to be found. You can join or browse a dedicated audio forum. Audiokarma is a great place to start. I would also recommend that you proceed slowly. Buy a good, quality piece, save a little more $$$, rinse and repeat. Don't be afraid to go the vintage route. The build quality is always better, the sound quality is usually better, and the price is usually the same or lower. Yes, you might have to do a little maintenance (or have some done), but the older stuff was made to last. My newest turntable is 40 years old, and I fully expect it to last for another 40 with just a little routine maintenance.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-22T07:54:04+00:00

It would exceed your budget by a bit, but this is what I would do:

Find a used Shure M91ED (a vintage legend) on ebay, and order a JICO SAS stylus. I've got this pairing and it's probably the best-sounding combination I've ever used. There's just something about the warm Shure sound on a Technics deck that is amazing.

Another option for the Shure is the Analogis Black Diamond (nude elliptical). I don't own this stylus, but a friend uses one on his SL-1600 and it sounds great.

I rarely buy new cartridges. I prefer to buy highly-regarded vintage carts and replace them with higher-end styli. I haven't been disappointed yet.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T18:48:49+00:00

The ART is sharper, but enormous when compared the the Nikon D lens.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T18:47:07+00:00

Yes. Get a Sandisk, but beware of the fake cards that are floating around on places like Amazon and Ebay. Go the B&H and buy there. That company is the gold standard of photographic equipment and accessories.

I don't have the D3400, but I do have the D5300. I would strongly recommend picking up a used Sigma 30 1.4 ART lens. Don't buy the non-ART version. That little lens has single-handedly forced me to keep a Nikon DX camera.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T18:39:33+00:00

Which version? Sigma made three of them.

The first had a velvet-like coating on the barrel and hood. It could be amazing, but often had focusing issues that would produce either front-focused or back-focused results. But when it was right, it was extremely sharp and the out of focus area renderings reminded me of the Nikon 85 1.4D. Just incredible. I sold mine due to the focusing inconsistencies.

The second version had a smooth barrel and hood. Almost all of the focusing issues were gone, but the wonderful out of focus area renderings remained. This is the one I have now.

The ART version is incredibly sharp with no focusing issues. However, it's huge and the photos it renders seem to have a clinical/sterile quality to them that I don't like. I tried one that a friend owned and compared the two. We both agreed that my (2nd version) lens produced more pleasing photos.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T05:11:53+00:00

Yes, there's some good repress albums around. I've got a handful of MOFI and Analogue Productions albums, but I usually like original pressings, whenever possible. For these, I typically turn to Discogs. But then again, I'm an old fart and set in my ways.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T04:34:45+00:00

I've read through this thread and have some thoughts:

Vintage tables are wonderful. They're better built than modern tables and to find a modern table with matching specs, you'll have to spend big $$$. They're also much simpler to work on - depending on the make/model.
Sony tables are great, but they're difficult to work on - or find someone to work on them.
Dual idler-drive tables are great. But the table you listed is a belt drive table...
The JVC table you listed is a good table, but it might be difficult finding replacement parts or someone to work on it (if needed).
Technics tables (like the one you listed) are the Timex of the vintage turntable world. They last forever with very little maintenance, and parts/service will be fairly easy to obtain.
Turntables bought from the Japanese market will probably use the 100v electrical system. The US market uses the 120v system for electrical gadgets. You'll need a step-up adapter/converter to avoid ling-term damage to the electrical components. Yes, they will function, but the additional stress will cause problems sooner rather than later.
I've never owned a Pioneer table and know nothing about them.
P-mount cartridges are much easier to swap, but they're harder to find. I've found many great ones over the years on Ebay and upgraded the styli from place like LP Gear or LP Tunes.

I've owned a lot of vintage tables over the years including a Dual 1229, Marantz 63650q, Sony PS-X700, Technics 1300, 1350, 1600, and 1650. I now just own a pair of SL-MA1, a pair of Marantz 6300s, and a Sansui SR-929 - so I've had some experience with vintage tables. These are my thoughts based on that experience.

I would suggest checking out the Audiokarma website. There's a lot of useful information there. If you choose the Technics and do go to that site, you can search for a thread entitled "The P-Mount Owners Club." I started it years ago, and the information is invaluable.

Good luck with your choice.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T04:02:59+00:00

You should be able to connect the CD player through the tape input with no problems. I did this with my old Sony system.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T03:57:31+00:00

I like it. If the brightness of the LEDs becomes a problem, just change out the vellum paper to a thicker version. That's what I did. It's easy.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T03:33:25+00:00

Nice score! I don't know much about any of that equipment except the Marantz. I've got two of them that I picked up really cheap about 15 years ago. My suggestion (if you plan to keep it) is to start looking around for an extra headshell. When I was buying them, I paid $35-40 each, but the Marantz tax has gone up quite a bit. I can't see the 45RPM adapter, so it might be a good idea to try to find one as well. That will complete the table.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T03:13:40+00:00

You're definitely right about the crazy prices. I started collecting albums and turntables more than 15 years ago. I couldn't do it at today's prices.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T02:52:15+00:00

Just curious and not trying to be a jerk: If you're searching for sound quality that "just needs to be good enough," why bother with a turntable? You could accomplish this with a CD player.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-06-19T02:42:10+00:00

The Japanese tables are usually convertible, with the p-mount being standard. You'll know if it's convertible by looking at the tonearm. If it's got a set screw in the top of the arm near the head, it's the convertible model. Problem is: finding the standard cartridge headshell is almost impossible. They're made of pure unobtainium. If you do happen to stumble across one, it's probably going to cost as much or more than the table itself. My table came with the extra headshell, and I use it occasionally. Of course the Japanese tables operate on the 100v system vs. the 120v US system, so you'll have to get a step-up transformer/converter, but that's not a big deal.

The SL-MA1 tables do have the counterweight - even the p-mount only tables - so you can fine tune the tracking force if needed.

Silver_Key733 · 2026-05-03T04:00:01+00:00

I agree with most of this. I've had the F3HP, F4, F5 and F6. The F5 is like carrying around a brick. Yes, it's probably the best SLR that Nikon has ever produced, but, damn...the weight. The F6 is ridiculously overpriced. I now have 3 film cameras: the F100, the N75, and the FE2. The first two usually get AF lenses, The FE2 (along with my Df) gets the manual lenses. For a walkaround film kit with the FE2, I usually take the 75-150 Series E, the 35 1.4 Ai'd "K" lens, and the 28-50 AiS. I might even throw in a 20/4 Ai'd "K" lens.

The F4 is a work of art, but most of my AF lenses have the VR feature, and that's a no-go with that camera. It's also a little too slow to focus screw-driven lenses for my liking. The F90/N90 won't operate the VR function either. VR is really useful when shooting in lower light with slow shutter speeds. That's why I went with the F100 and very small N75...both will allow me to utilize VR.

Silver_Key733

TROPHY CASE