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Which turntable to use?
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OldiesmannOffline
Post subject: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Jan 30, 2010 - 03:07 PM
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I got my Zenith to play records again, but the automatic functionality is no longer working, and, not being an electrician or electronics guru, I decided I'd rather not mess with it because I have no idea what to look for or anything like that. So, I'm likely going to be purchasing a phono preamp and using one of the following "spares" that I have in the basement:

BSR McDonald 5500 - I've never used this one. This one came from the same person who owned the old Zenith I have now. I don't know anything about this company, but this turntable appears to be in good shape. It has the 45rpm adapter and dust cover, and everything appears to work fine.

Dual 1015 - Got this at a thrift store for $20 several years ago. I have used this before (back when I had an ancient preamp that was part of a larger mini stereo system of some sort), and know that it works well. The two downsides are that it doesn't have a dust cover (but I do have an old Radio Shack turntable dust cover that fits over it well enough when turned sideways), and I no longer have the stacking spindle for it.

I know Duals are supposed to be good, and this was marketed as a "professional" model (I used to have the owners manual, but tossed it recently thinking I no longer owned that turntable), but I like having the stacking functionality - something about that just makes things a bit more fun.

I did end up finding an electronics store across town that repairs vintage electronics, but it would cost me only $20-something for a basic phono preamp, and I figure that it would likely cost a lot more than that to repair the Zenith.

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greyhoundOffline
Post subject: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Jan 30, 2010 - 06:32 PM
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The Dual is clearly the superior table. The manual is available for download at Vinyl Engine. You have to register, but the downloads are free. As for the stacking spindle, they should be available on e-bay. I have a drawer full of spindles but I don't know what models they go to. If I can find a picture of the one that fits your table, I'll see if I have one. Personally, I wouldn't use the stacking function. When a record that is not rotating drops onto a platter that is, the resulting friction can scuff your records. Also, as more records pile up on the platter, the angle of the stylus to the groove changes which can cause damage.

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weletthegoldfishgoOffline
Post subject: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Jan 30, 2010 - 07:45 PM
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If anyone has literature they don't want or need, mention it here and maybe someone will want it. Also, sometimes you can sell them on ebay for a few bucks, not that taking time to list a small item like that is worth it, really.

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OldiesmannOffline
Post subject: Re: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Jan 31, 2010 - 04:04 PM
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greyhound wrote:
The Dual is clearly the superior table. The manual is available for download at Vinyl Engine. You have to register, but the downloads are free. As for the stacking spindle, they should be available on e-bay. I have a drawer full of spindles but I don't know what models they go to. If I can find a picture of the one that fits your table, I'll see if I have one. Personally, I wouldn't use the stacking function. When a record that is not rotating drops onto a platter that is, the resulting friction can scuff your records. Also, as more records pile up on the platter, the angle of the stylus to the groove changes which can cause damage.


Thanks for the info. I'll go ahead and order a phono preamp and spend the next few days dusting off the Dual and such.

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OldiesmannOffline
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Feb 05, 2010 - 09:24 PM
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Preamp arrived today. Got everything hooked up and it works quite well.

This is now my current setup:

Aiwa NSX-AJ310 mini shelf system
TCC TC400G/L preamp from phonopreamps.com
Dual 1015 3-speed automatic turntable, mounted on a United Audio base

Tested the system with a 33 and a 78 and it works well. Haven't decided what I'm going to do with the old Zenith yet. Anyone interested in one?

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pat5067Offline
Post subject: Re: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Feb 08, 2010 - 08:07 AM
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weletthegoldfishgo wrote:
If anyone has literature they don't want or need, mention it here and maybe someone will want it. Also, sometimes you can sell them on ebay for a few bucks, not that taking time to list a small item like that is worth it, really.


I just paid 12 bucks for a photo copy of an owners manual on e-bay. It goes to an Advent model 201A cassette deck I purchased at the Goodwill for 15 bucks. Rolling Eyes

(and please don't tell me about a site that has this manual available for free, I looked for a long time before I coughed up the 12 dollars)

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OldiesmannOffline
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Which turntable to use?  PostPosted: Feb 08, 2010 - 01:54 PM
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The new setup is working well, but I might have to get the Dual looked at. When I play records, it's kind of noisy - almost sounds like metal rubbing together. Is this typical or do I need to have it cleaned?

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