It's about time

[SoundHarmonyMKII]

I'm back. Haven't been on here in a while because I was too ashamed of the mockery I made of myself with that cheap Kenwood.

But I finally got myself a turntable I feel confident in admitting to owning...

A Rotel RP-850 equiped with a Nagaoka MP-11 Boron cartridge, and brand new Vivid belt (from LP Gear).



An all around excellent performer. Very well isolated, no vibrations seem to phase it no matter what I play or how loud I play it Even my new Metallica records sound decent on this thing, and trust me on this one, out of all the poor quality new album pressings out there, Metallica records are the worst I've ever heard! Oh yeah, and my static issues... gone

[BeEvil]

Awesome! Welcome back.

BeEvil

[Timoteo]

Nice table! You should pick up a good record clamp to stablize the record itself...great little upgrade & fairly cheap too!! I didn't know Metallica records sounded bad. Never owned one but would like to get some. Sad to hear that.

[SoundHarmonyMKII]

Plan on getting a Clever Clamp, heard they work great and for only around $30. Also was considering an Isokinetik acrylic platter mat, again only around $30. However, never have heard any reviews on it.

And it is highly unfortunate about the Metallica records. There always seems to be this constant low bass frequency in the backround that just doesn't belong. If your table isn't perfectly isolated it will cause your woofers to jump well past there limits, even at low volumes. With a well isolated table I still notice unnecessary woofer movement, like playing a warped album will cause. Once I get a clamp I'll post again and let you know if that gets any better.

[satanfriendly]

Haven't been on here in a while because I was too ashamed of the mockery I made of myself with that cheap Kenwood

Nothing to be ashamed of mate. You came here for a bit of advise, got your results and you're a happy bunny. The site has served its purpose.

Nice choice and glad to hear you're getting better results which is what matters. As for Metalica, I can't say I have ever noticed any bass issues with any of mine. The Black Album is very well crafted and likewise with Justice for All. Let's hope you cure the problem

[Doug G.]

As long as you are making an effort to play records, there is never anything to be ashamed of.

It is a very hono(u)rable thing to do.

Doug

[SoundHarmonyMKII]

Where were yours pressed? Because if I had to guess overseas albums are probably still of a higher quality, they always have been. From what I've read on the internet, and the folks I've talked to from back in the day when the only alternative to vinyl was cassettes, awefull 8-tracks, and for the wealthy open reel, the US has always been notorious for pressing some of the lowest quality albums available... and of course, they're about all you can find anyone getting rid of. Unless you trust buying sight unseen.

[Coffee Phil]

Hi SoundHarmonyMKII,

I hope the Kenwood you are dissing is not the KD 500. I like mine a lot.

Here it is playing a Count Basie 78 with Jimmy Rushing doing the vocal:

[img][/img]

Phil

I'm back. Haven't been on here in a while because I was too ashamed of the mockery I made of myself with that cheap Kenwood.

But I finally got myself a turntable I feel confident in admitting to owning...

A Rotel RP-850 equiped with a Nagaoka MP-11 Boron cartridge, and brand new Vivid belt (from LP Gear).



An all around excellent performer. Very well isolated, no vibrations seem to phase it no matter what I play or how loud I play it Even my new Metallica records sound decent on this thing, and trust me on this one, out of all the poor quality new album pressings out there, Metallica records are the worst I've ever heard! Oh yeah, and my static issues... gone

[duficity]

I have a couple of the 180g Metallica reissues and they dont sound bad at all. I dont have the originals to compare to, so I cant say if they are different.

[SoundHarmonyMKII]

Hi SoundHarmonyMKII,

I hope the Kenwood you are dissing is not the KD 500. I like mine a lot.

Here it is playing a Count Basie 78 with Jimmy Rushing doing the vocal:

[img][/img]

Phil

Oh heavens no. It was a much later, plastic model KD-42RB.
Here it is w/o a cart. stored in my basement:
[img][/img]

Was the KD-500 marble or concrete base? If I remember right I believe it was marble, right? And is that a SME tonearm on it? Also noticed that stylus brush is the same one my father had for his old concrete base KD-3070.

[Coffee Phil]

Hi SoundHarmony,

I feel better now.

The material Kenwwood used for the KD 500 pinth is man-made. They described it as a compression-molded resin concrete called ACRB (Anti Resonance Compression Base). It is made of limestone particles, unsaturated polyester resin, limestone powder, and glass powder. Basically I think it is similar to Corian. It is pretty dense and rigid. I think it is good material for the purpose. I think it looks good, however it was more exotic to me before Corian counter tops became popular.

The arm is an SME 3009. The stylus brush is by Disc-Washer. There used to be a fluid for it which was solvent to vinyl but presumably not the stylus adhesive. I would like to find a source of whatever it was.

Phil

Hi SoundHarmonyMKII,

I hope the Kenwood you are dissing is not the KD 500. I like mine a lot.

Here it is playing a Count Basie 78 with Jimmy Rushing doing the vocal:

[img][/img]

Phil

Oh heavens no. It was a much later, plastic model KD-42RB.
Here it is w/o a cart. stored in my basement:
[img][/img]

Was the KD-500 marble or concrete base? If I remember right I believe it was marble, right? And is that a SME tonearm on it? Also noticed that stylus brush is the same one my father had for his old concrete base KD-3070.

[SoundHarmonyMKII]

Got my clamp These things really do work! First album to be played, Metallica-Black Album, all remaining issues are gone and I'm left with much cleaner sound Having the right equipment and accessories makes all the difference in the world. Also, no more unnecessary speaker movement.

Here's a pic of it in action
[img][/img]