Date:         Fri, 11 Jul 2003 10:53:06 -0700
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         Rod Stephens <[log in to unmask]>
Organization: S.A.V.E. Stephens Audio Video Enterprises
Subject:      Re: Need Turntable advice for amateur archivist
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O.K. Everybody seems to have their favorite TT, because of vested
interests, namely the purchase and use of the instrument.  All do the
job within given parameters or they wouldn't be in use.

At Family Theater, we've used three Esoteric ATEN turntables with
Stanton  500 MkII cartidges which have interchangable styli for playback
of both 78 and 33 1/3 standard grooves (2.3 mil and 3.0 mil for
"standard") and LP microgrooves (0.7 mil elliptical with 1.5 mil for
early LP's).  They have reproduced over 400 transcriptions for
digitizing flawlessly with no rumble (except for transcriptions that
were cut with low frequency already in the recording) and excellent
tracking including staying the course over bad digs and scratches.  The
strobe readout on the edge of the table is used constantly to check and
set true rotation speed with the minute pitch adjusting lever.

As to being "flimsy",  they all seem sturdy and weigh enough that I
would want to carry them any great distance.  They rotate at an even
speed per the strobe, so that is the best criteria, I would think.  The
Esoteric Ramses II that you've been thinking of is quite similar to the
ATEN, so it might do as good a job, and, of course, they all come with a
45 adapter.

I also use the Disk Doctor's Miracle Record Cleaner solution and brush
set to clean the disks before ever touching them with a stylus.  The
sound that I'm getting is as good as if the broadcast were "live" or so
people say.  The studio sound from the 40's and 50's was pretty
broadbanded, so even though Hi-Fi wasn't quite yet a catch word, the
literal envelope of sound technology had reached the limits of the human
ear.  So, it's a thrill to produce CD masters that are "as good as new".

I hope this has been of help.

Rod Stephens
Family Theater Productions


Sirnailhead JR Superfly wrote:

>Hello...I just signed up again after being off the list for quite a few
>months, so if I'm dredging up a recent thread please fell free to give me
>a link that I can check it out on the web archives, or however that
>works.
>
>I'm in need of a new TT, and I would like to be able to do some amateur
>sound restoration/preservation.  Mostly it is working with my own
>collection and that of various pals and associates, and by and large it
>would be records made in the last 30 years or so, often garage/punk type
>stuff that was at times poorly recorded and cheaply pressed.  I do have
>other interests, including a small personal collection of 78's so I'm
>looking for something that gives me the most options for the future.  And
>my budget tops out at about $500.
>
>At first I was looking for a nice Technics 1200, but I found a Denon
>Model, the DP DJ151.  It plays 33/45/78, is direct drive and has a
>digital line out that can be jacked directly into a PC, CDR, etc.  This
>possibility sounds intriguing, but I would be curious as to how it
>sounds.  It has the proper phono EQ to compensate for newer equipment
>that doesn't have a Phono pre standard, or you can run out of the analog
>set into an amp that does.  Anyone familiar with sound and workability of
>this?
>
>I'm also considering several of the models that Esoteric sound has.  I've
>never bought from them, but have heard only positive things.  I like that
>they have more speeds and an even wider range of RPMs with the pitch
>controls.  Has anyone owned or used any of the models that have under
>$500 (RA-6, Rondine Jr, Rek o Kut Seti, Ramses II and Vintage models) and
>have any advice or opinions in choosing one?  I don't expect I will need
>to deal with 16" transcription discs or exceptionally rare/high end 78's.
> Much of what I would devote large amounts of time would be 45's, with
>the occasional LP, some of which are in less than mint shape.  Due to the
>rarity of such things I would like to be able to get the best possible
>sound off the grooves before I start working on them with PC cleanup
>tools.
>
>At this point I'm leaning towards one of the Esoteric Models, unless
>someone gives me another model to consider or the Denon turns out to be
>highly recommended.  I'd also like info about the best cartridge's I can
>get for this type of thing.  Up to now I have always used Shure and
>Stanton cartridges, but often with the DJ/Warhorse needles like the
>Stanton D6800s.  Should I stick with these brands and switch to a
>different type of needle?  Should I have one needle that I use only for
>transfers and a 2nd (of the same or different model) to use for everyday
>listening so I don't run them down?  If anyone has already wrestled thru
>these questions lately please give me your thoughts, and if there is a
>thread in the archives point me to it and I'll check that out.  Thanks.
>Randy Lancelot
>
>
>