Hi Everyone!!

[bobjan]

Hi to Everyone from New Jersey in the US. I'm fairly new to this forum. I've been lurking about for a couple of weeks. Thought it was about time to say hello. I got back into audio about 7-8 years ago and have been building my system little by little. I finally finished the amp & preamp I've been working on a couple of months ago and I'm really happy with the results. I also completely rebuilt a set of AR9 speakers I had in storage for over 30 years and am thrilled with them. All new crossover parts except the inductors, new wires and new surrounds. At some point I just need to change the binding posts to some Cardas I have. Didn't have them when I did all the other stuff. To me and everyone I've had over to have a listen, the sound is outstanding. I've been to many concerts over the years and like a system where everything sounds as close to the actual instruments sound live. I've heard only one system years ago that I feel got there all the way, and the owner spent over a quarter million dollars on his equipment and the custom listening room he had built just for his audio system. No TV or surround speakers. Jus a room designed for listening to music with all the right treatments. The speakers he had were over $100K. Since I knew I could never afford to buy my way there, I decided to build my way as close as I could on my budget. I think I'm starting to get close. I've been listening to only CD's up to this point through a Rega Saturn player and decided it's time to start working on being able to listen to the thousands of records I've had in storage for 30 some odd years. I got a great deal on a Technics SL 1200MK2 with lots of extra stuff and wanted to start putting all the pieces together. I was told that this is the place to be when it comes to that turntable, hence the lurking. Tons of great info and lots of really knowledgeable people so I can't wait to get started. The guy who sold me the table off Craigslist included a bunch of stuff he bought for the table but never used.. I mean never, like still in the box never. There is a brand new Jelco 750D tonearm in the box with an aluminum plate thing I would imagine is for mounting the arm and a cable for it by a company called Audio Origami. Also was a brand new AT150MLX cartridge in the box never used (from my lurking, I see this is supposed to be a pretty good one), as well as a Stanton cartridge on the Technics tonearm. Also is a brand new Shure M78S cartridge, even though the table can't play 78's. Through my lurking, I saw the info on the modified collar for the Jelco and just ordered one, so I'll wait for that before I install the arm. But I can't wait to get started. So much great info on the site. I spent all day checking out all the stuff on building an external power supply for the table, and I've already been through all my spare parts to see what I have and what I'm missing to get started on one. Probably spend a few days going over all the different designs before I get started on anything. . So many great ideas from the many experts over here. My musical tastes are all over the place. I love any kind of jazz from the older more classic stuff to the heavy fusion. Also rock & folk as well as classical. There's actually very little in music that I don't enjoy listening to. So I ended up with a large collection of records that ended up in storage to be replaced by a large collection of CD's. I have to say that I have really enjoyed the sound of the CD's since I got the Saturn player. I'm looking forward to starting work on the turntable, as well as getting to know all the members of this forum.
Again, Hi To Everyone. Best Wishes, Bob

[Audio Al]

Hi Robert

Good intro , Thanks for that

If you think CD's are good you are in for a shock when your Technics is up and running ,

Vinyl is in a different league it blows CD's into obscurity

Nice music taste ( Folk ? are you sure :scratch: )

I have a full blown 1210 MK11 with just about everything that can be done fitted , Its rather good old chap :lol:

Have fun and enjoy the forum

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi Robert and welcome to AoS.
That's a great introduction, so thanks for that.

[bobjan]

Hi Allen,
Thanks for the nice reply. Yea, I do listen to a lot of what I'd call folk music. Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen (one of my favorites), Ani DiFranco, Phil Ochs, Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, John Prince, Joni Mitchell ("Blue" is another favorite album), Judy Collins Tom Waits, Gordon Lightfoot, and the list goes on. :rolleyes: Even people like Bruce Springsteen, John Melloncamp, Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman and so many others have their roots in Folk Music.
I can't wait to get started on the table :D. Once I get the Jelco Collar, I'll install the Jelco arm with the AT cartridge and start from there I'll listen to that for a while before I make any changes so I'll have a reference. I listened briefly with the Stanton that was in the stock arm, but it sounded kind of dull & muffled with that combination. Back in my youth I had what I thought was a very nice sounding setup. It was a direct drive JVC table with an SME arm and a AT Signet TK7 cartridge. I sold all that stuff years ago so had to start with a new vinyl setup. Since I like building & modding stuff and after checking around the internet, the Technics seemed like a great base for that. So I kept looking for one and eventually found the Craigslist deal. I'll probably need to clean all my records, which should be quite a time consuming job. They were stored away in crates for over 30 years. I'll probably need some help with info on the best way to do that without spending thousands of dollars :(. Maybe info on some type of DIY record cleaning machine:).
Oh well, it's time to call it a day and get some sleep.
Best Wishes,
Bob

[Audio Al]

Hi again Rob

As this is the welcome section bets post other subjects in the appropriate section of the forum

You can get DIY RCM kits from people like Moth


Ask in the DIY section

Allen

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Robert,

Great introduction and great taste in folk music.

Good luck with the Technics/Jelco combination. You will find plenty of information about using those two items here. Keep us informed as to the progress. :)

Enjoy the forum

[bobjan]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the replies. Most Appreciated. Sorry about the record cleaning post. Wasn't really looking for answers here, just thinking out loud about things I'll be looking for help with as I get into other parts of the forum. Can't wait for the collar to arrive so I can install the arm. I'll probably need a bunch of help when it's time to set up the table. It's been a REALLY LONG TIME since the last setup . Thanks Again. Off to work now. Rainy, dreary day here. I'll check back again later when I get home.
Best Wishes & A Great Day To All,
Bob