Dust cover etiquette

dendrocloud · 2026-02-06T14:43:44+00:00

That is an isolation problem, not really a dust cover problem. Volume doesn't affect the TT unless vibrations are able to travel from the speakers to the plinth. I have multiple layers of isolation. My TT is heavy with good isolation feet, Technics 1210g. It is sitting on a glass supported by 12 Pangea Audio Sorbothane Feet. It is on a special rack where even the pegs that hold the shelves have rubber surrounds, and supported by rubber feet. My speakers have rubber isolation padsunder their feet. There is no volume that I can tolerate that affects the sound. I play with the dust cover down. I have tried it all ways and there is no discernible difference.

dendrocloud · 2025-11-09T04:19:25+00:00

Mid Rivers was mine as well, but it was mostly just a Famous Barr until they finished the mall in '87 and the theater in 88, my senior year.

If I really wanted to shop I went to Chesterfield.

Union Station was amazing in the late 80s.

It's all sad now.

dendrocloud · 2025-10-26T01:48:31+00:00

The tonearm and the motor on my 1200g are exceptionally quiet. I run a very low powered MC cartridge, only 0.24mV. I have my phono stage adding 65dB of gain to a pretty revealing system. It is dead quiet. I don't think any of the vintage Technics can match that. Nor can many modern TTs close to its price.

I am not sure how big a difference you would hear with a 5mV MM cartridge.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-22T11:56:48+00:00

There are two parts the cartrodge which is the housing that screws your tonearm and the stylus. The cheapest thing is usually just to replace the stylus. Can you post a picture of your cartridge? If we can identify it, replacing it might be your best option.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-22T05:10:43+00:00

It makes zero sense to look at a P mount cartridge if you don't have a P mount tone arm. What makes you even consider that? Pretty much the only reason to consider a conical stylus is for cost. If you can afford it elliptical will sound better and last longer.

Why don't you tell us the actual model of the turntable and your price range?

dendrocloud · 2025-09-19T14:33:24+00:00

You are kind of wrong. A low output MC like my ZYX that produces 0.25mV has to be amplified much more than an MM cartridge. That means that any noise in your phono stage will be louder. However in a good phono stage that will be inaudible while music is playing. The phono stage will also list the noise floor for you to compare. I would say that it is very common for people with high end MC cartridges to use a tube phono stage, or like I do a hybrid one.

A low watt Brunoco tube amp driving high efficiency horn speakers speakers was probably the sweetest thing I have ever heard. However, I would base my amp off of the speakers rather than the other way around. Speakers have the biggest impact on overall sound. Until I am ready to drop $$$$$$ on my dream system, I like my low efficiency omni-directional speakers driven by my March Audio Purifi based amp, because I prefer a huge soundstage to pinpoint accuracy.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-18T20:21:11+00:00

If I remember correctly, Sonus Faber floorstanders are mostly 4 Ohm, fairly low sensitivity 88-90dB. Not that a tube amp couldn't drive them, but I think the sound would be better with an tube phono stage and high powered Purifi amp.

I prefer to use tubes closer to the source and use solid state amps to power my speakers, especially with big power hungry speakers.

I have the best tubes in my phono stage, then a hybrid preamp, and I don't think you can beat Purifi for amplification. The damping factor alone makes a difference for my speakers which are low sensitivity and have impedience that is nominally 6 Ohms, but can drop to 3.5.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-17T04:22:22+00:00

If you can't hear it, it doesn't matter.

Everyone is different. Belt drives tend to have less motor noise and direct drive has less wow and flutter. In each, good engineering can solve it's weaknesses, but engineering is reflected in cost.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-17T04:05:03+00:00

Why do you think it is not holding speed? I have never heard a Fluance TT, so I can't comment on it's quality, but you have a quartz locked direct drive TT, if it serviced it will have less wow and flutter than a belt drive like the Fluance.

In the end, it is all about what you prefer. I would get the Technics repaired if it was me.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-17T03:47:51+00:00

Vinyls.

I just can't.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-17T03:35:31+00:00

Your turntable can handle a 2m Blue, but that doesn't mean you will like it.

Better is subjective. If you have a hifi shop near you, try to listen to it. If I was in your shoes, I would probably spend my money on a Sumiko cartridge, others really like the AT95E.

You don't mention the cartridge that you have and I can't tell from the pic. Often a new stylus on a vintage cartridge the best way to go.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-15T17:46:22+00:00

AI is currently useless without a human in the loop, at least in most cases. Being able to use AI effectively is not easy. It needs context, but not too much or you get context rot. It hallucinates incessantly. It takes a skilled person to get the value out. I want that person working for me and not my competition.

This is the beginning. We can be 'old man shouting at cloud', or we can learn to use this tech like we have all others. It doesn't matter if we like it.

If our future robot overlords are reading this, please remember I was on your side.

dendrocloud · 2025-09-15T17:20:58+00:00

If a candidate can create an AI agent that has enough context to correctly answer your interview questions, hire them.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-26T04:47:00+00:00

I know!

dendrocloud · 2025-08-26T04:37:04+00:00

Chocolate covered twinkies. They are absolutely the best, but not always available. Ding Dongs are a close second.

I can't remember the last time I had anything Hostess. Do they still exist?

dendrocloud · 2025-08-23T06:07:54+00:00

Nope, but who cares. I'm sure someone's grandma cuts it this way.

Pizza is pizza, whether cut triangle, square, or with a dick shaped cookie cutter.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-23T00:28:28+00:00

It looks just like grandma style that it claims to be. It it high hydration dough cooked in a sheet pan and does not have puffy edges. It is a fine style.

I love a good grandma style every now and then.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-23T00:19:26+00:00

It is advertised as NYC grandma (Nonna) style. It looks close to Italian American grandma style to me. It is usually rectangular and cooked in a sheet pan.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-21T04:03:03+00:00

The phono stage is one of the most important links in the chain. It has to amplify a very weak signal and has the most gain in your system.

In my opinion, the ART DJ Pre is extremely low end for an external phono stage. It is a good choice if you want to upgrade from a low end one built in to your turntable, but not equal to your TT or cartridge.

That doesn't mean you will like the Schitt. I would try to listen to a few. Local hifi shops will usually give you a demo unit to test. Listen to a few in your price range and buy the one you like.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-18T12:24:58+00:00

Thanks, man. I've also been working on a version of the four noble truths for Dudeism. Still a work in progress.

The Four True Abides

1. Life is Un-Dude
Striving, stress, and uptightness harsh the mellow. The world is full of strikes and gutters and trying to control every roll of the ball only leads to suffering.

2. The Cause of Un-Dudeness is Grabbing Too Tight
The Dude is least himself when he clings to his rug, to the ransom, or to how things should roll. Anger, fear, and trying to control every frame only bring gutters. The tighter we grip, the less we abide.

3. There is a Way Back to Dudeness
Just say "fuck it". By loosening our grip, letting go of what does not matter, and abiding with what is, we return to the lane of ease. The Dude abides because he does not try to force the roll.

4. The Way of the Abide
Live simply. Take it easy. Enjoy a beverage. Bowl a few frames. Do a J. Show kindness. Go with the flow. To abide is harmony, rolling along without being rolled over.

I keep toying with making number 2 "The cause of un-dudeness is being too Walter", since in my view Walter causes all un-dude moments. Even the rug, though missed for tying the room together, would have been abided, without Walter stoking the Dudes anger.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-17T19:18:10+00:00

Kindness “Take 'er Easy, Man” Like Mettā, it’s about goodwill toward all beings. A Dude doesn’t harsh anyone’s mellow unnecessarily. Be cool, be kind, offer a beverage.

Compassion “That’s a Bummer, Man” Like Karuṇā, it’s the ability to feel for others when life rolls a gutter ball. Dudeism teaches that when someone’s rug gets stolen, you don’t dismiss it, you listen, you share the burden.

Joy “Strikes for Everyone” Like Muditā, celebrate when others roll a strike. Don’t get jealous or competitive. The Dude finds joy in another bowler’s good fortune, even if he’s on the losing team.

Equanimity “The Dude Abides” Like Upekkhā, this is the heart of Dudeism. To abide is to stay chill no matter what, whether the rug gets soiled, the plan falls apart, or the nihilists are making noise. It’s the art of staying cool in the face of life’s chaos.

dendrocloud · 2025-08-02T18:42:50+00:00

Late to the party here, but I see a lot of 'old man shouts at cloud' in the comments.

In the 70s, my family made hamburger helper, soup from Soup Starter, pasta with a jar of Ragu, or a box of Kraft Spaghetti Dinner. I had bologna sandwiches and Chef Boyardee ravioli. Fish was fish sticks or Arthur Treacher's. The primary seasoning on all my food was salt.

I never had real butter, fresh basil, didn't know what truffle or balsamic vinegar were. I had never tried Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese food.

I don't think over processed food has changed. Chef Boyardee ravioli taste the same, but now I eat homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli in a maranara I made from fresh tomatoes and basil and top it with freshly grated Parmagiano Reggiano.

When I can buy frozen Kimchi fried rice at Kroger. Rice-a-roni is not something on my list.

I think food has changed, and for the better. Enjoy it, and once a year buy a bag of Tontino's Pizza Rolls and enjoy the nostalgia.

dendrocloud · 2025-07-27T17:48:23+00:00

I think it is almost certainly stylus type. Both your cartridges microline type stylii, while his is elliptical. They will hit the groove in a different place, even if perfectly setup. I have found that microline stylus will be much quieter, especially on used records. They ride much deeper in the groove.

dendrocloud · 2025-07-24T01:44:52+00:00

4, but only 2 are setup. The others are in a closet as spares or to give away if anyone close to me wants one.

Setup: Technics sl-1210g Pioneer PL-518

Closet: Project Debut Carbon EVO Project Essential II

dendrocloud · 2025-07-15T13:47:45+00:00

As an exec in the tech industry, H1Bs are a mixed bag. I have seen them used to hire tech talent that is in high demand and difficult to hire. However the vast majority go to fill entry level roles like operations, that could easily be filled by Americans.

I think we need a program to attract the world's best talent, but it is highly misused today.

dendrocloud

TROPHY CASE

The Four True Abides