re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.

A fixie is a bike with only one gear (sprocket in front on cranks and one in rear fixed on rear hub)—it doesn’t have a freewheel hub, so the crank arms/chain/rear sprocket are moving whenever the wheel is moving...like an Olympic velodrome bike.

...typically seen in the NOLA bywater/fauburg/warehouse districts with a bearded, skinny-jeans wearing hipster atop.

Wondered this myself. He was always up for some in your face.

My friend loves Frisell. I believe he saw him in Austin a few weeks back. I’ll check out that album.

Who is the Liverpool player? I can’t figure it out. Firmino?

I went to the local record store on Friday and they happened to have an Ortofon 2M Red, which is one I'd been considering. I bought it and have been happy with the sound. What do you think about that cart?

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I discovered that the needle on my ClearAudio Concept turntable is bent to the side and I will likely need to replace the cartridge with a new one. Can anybody recommend a place in Lafayette LA that could set up the new cartridge once i get it? Thanks.

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I didn't know dick about setting up a new cartridge, but the folks on here guided me through it. It's really simple. Buy a Stylus Force Gauge and a Cartridge Alignment Protractor. That'll run you about $20 and will never need replacing. You can download a free alignment protractor online and print it, but I found it easier to work with the mirrored protractor; easier to see what you're doing.

First, you disconnect the headshell (the thing that the cartridge is bolted onto) from the tone arm. Then, unscrew the cartridge from the headshell and unhook the four little wires from the back of the cartridge. Be very gentle. These things are delicate. Leave the stylus protector on the new cart. Now connect the four little wires of the new cart to the posts on the headshell that match by color (you have blue, green, red, and white, I believe). Then bolt the new cart onto the headshell (not tightly, you are going to have to adjust the alignment using the protractor). Reconnect the headshell to the tonearm. Your goal is to adjust the cartridge so that it is squared up with the protractor at both points on the protractor (i.e., the inner "dot" and the outer "dot").

Once your cartridge is properly aligned, the only thing left to do is adjust the "vertical tracking force." That's what the force-gauge is for. The cartridge that you buy will have a set of specs that tell you the recommended vertical tracking force. It's usually a range. For example, my newest cart has a recommended tracking force of 1.6g - 2.0g. Thus, I set it at 1.8g--right in the middle of the suggested range. Leave the stylus guard on the cartridge. Gently lower the cart onto the force-gauge and make note of the reading on the gauge. You will then adjust the counter-weight on the back of the tone arm until the gauge gives you the number you're looking for. When you get the tracking force set, you are ready to spin a record.

You've learned well! Good, concise explanation, better than mine that spilled out over several days. Glad to see that your passing on learned knowledge and expertise.

First time I’ve seen Audio Solution on AudioGon...great deal here... LINK

Anyone grab anything on Record Store Day? Unfortunately I couldn’t make it out, but was able to order this from a store online.





Marshall Tucker Band “New Year’s in New Orleans”

Cool show recorded at the infamous Warehouse venue on December 31st, 1978.
A little disappointed in the sound quality, it’s not bad but it is cut kinda low. You really need to crank it up some before it starts to open up. Vinyl is quiet and the performance is great.