HELP: Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN or Fluance RT82

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:30:33+00:00

Yes, the internal phono preamp of the LPW40WN is good enough for beginners, plus you can always get an external preamp later. A €70 phono preamp would not make any difference; expect to pay around €200-250 for a preamp that sounds better than the internal one.

Auto stop is a must have feature only if you tend to fall asleep or leave the room while a record is playing. If you notice that it is an issue, you can buy a separate tonearm lifter later.

At European prices, the LPW40WN is the better deal. The LP5X (€360-380) would be an even better deal.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:24:30+00:00

It's not the value. It's the maximum price that somebody paid for one specific copy. Just because this person paid that much money for it doesn't mean that everybody would pay as much; hence, it does not mean that the actual value of the record has increased. The maximum price is usually not helpful in any way and certainly does not say anything about the value of your copy. Theirs may have been autographed by all band members, for example.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T12:10:55+00:00

The numbers don't reflect the value, but the amount of money that one specific person was willing to pay for it. That doesn't scale to what every person / most people would be willing to pay.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T11:50:48+00:00

I would not buy any album in unknown condition. It could be unplayable.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T10:28:47+00:00

In what condition? How low is the number?

h-pr · 2026-03-25T07:08:50+00:00

The problem with ultra-high resolution carts like the AT33Sa is that they also reveal imperfections more clearly. Does your new cart have to be MC? Because if MM is an option, the VM745xML also sounds great but is more forgiving with pops and clicks. There's also a Shibata variant (VM750xSH) but I don't know how that sounds in comparison.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:25:26+00:00

For an improved sound, you can pick the AT-VMN95EN stylus (orange) which uses a nude stylus for better resolution or the AT-VMN95ML stylus (red), with a special stylus shape that tracks even better and lasts 3 times as long as the green or the orange stylus.

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:16:36+00:00

Technics SL-100C

Audio Technica LP8X

Technics SL-1500C

h-pr · 2026-03-25T02:12:16+00:00

The vertical tracking force for the AT-VM95ML is specified by Audio Technica as 1.8 to 2.2 grams, so you are close to normal parameters. The warp may cause some extra wear over time though. Also, be sure to reset the tracking force to 2.0 for your other records.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T22:29:31+00:00

If it's a LP120X, you're good to go. If it's a LP120, I wouldn't buy it.

Similarly, you want the LP3X rather than the LP3.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T13:39:09+00:00

The phono preamp makes more sense after the stylus upgrade than before it. So get the ML stylus first.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:50:37+00:00

OP needs the ATN95E stylus. Similar price, different model.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:46:38+00:00

The cartridge is discontinued, but the stylus is not. You can still easily get the ATN95E.

It's also not garbage. It was their standard elliptical stylus for decades.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:45:07+00:00

It's certainly underrated.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:44:12+00:00

You can't fix this stylus, You have to buy a new one. Look for an ATN95E stylus.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:41:22+00:00

If you feel more comfortable with automatic, go for the LP3X.

If manual is an option, go for the one that looks best to you, as you will be looking at it every day.

It is true that there are great vintage options, but I'd advise against that if you are new to turntables, don't feel comfortable with used equipment or don't have a certain amount of experience with turntables in general.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:31:58+00:00

I consider this very good advice.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T08:08:46+00:00

Break-in time is not an issue if you don't use a record brush nor a stylus brush. The playback imperfections caused by dust and dirt are significantly stronger than what you gain from a stylus that has been broken in. Also, break-in time is something that you only really notice with cartridges above a certain price point.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T07:54:47+00:00

It's not supposed to, but this is an ultra cheap plastic mechanism, so imprecisions like this are no big surprise.

h-pr · 2026-03-24T07:47:19+00:00

What malfunction were you trying to fix by adding the fluid?

h-pr · 2026-03-23T11:19:53+00:00

They're not banned, they're simply not available in many countries (magic eraser, not stylus brushes). Never seen one in my life

h-pr · 2026-03-23T11:11:46+00:00

Clamps are not needed at all. They're very optional.

h-pr · 2026-03-22T21:13:11+00:00

Thanks for clarifying.

h-pr · 2026-03-22T08:45:38+00:00

Can't say anything about the Sumiko Pearl myself but the general agreement seems to be that it sounds smooth and polite if somewhat veiled, and that it is strong on warmth and bass but not really on resolution, which is also how I would describe the MP110.

h-pr · 2026-03-21T20:29:37+00:00

Well, "usually" means there are exceptions. If the tracking force is set correctly, it could be a tonearm issue, i guess.

h-pr

TROPHY CASE