Allan Songer

LOL! http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Antique-Grundig-Gramophone-Model-1950s_W0QQitemZ110130738732QQihZ001QQcategoryZ1442QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You're about a third of the way there. Your cartridge will probably be running strong at 1000 hours but by 1500 you will probably need a retip. I have run cartridges over 2000 hours with no problems. When the time comes for a re-tip you might want to consider these folks. Lots of Denon users over at the Asylum think the DL-103 is actually much IMPROVED by their work:\ http://www.sound-smith.com/retip/

Sounds like you have a cartridge where the suspension is shot--the tinny sound and the massive surface noise you are experiencing surely point in that direction. Buy a cheap replacement--this will never be a great rig and there's no reason to pop $200 for a new cartridge with little resale value. Saying that, I really don't know where to point you--I have never owned a P-mount cartridge, but you might want to do a search over on the Vinyl Asylum, as this subject has come up quite a bit over the years.

It's pretty easy to just lift the record off carefully. I have NEVER "lost" one--NEVER! The problem with the brake mechanism on the TD-124 is that in order the make these tables sound their best, you really need to put a thin sheet of sorbothane between the inner and outer platters--at least I think so-and when you couple the two platters together the brake mechanism can not be used. I have also ditched the stock rubber mat and replaced it with a Ringmat. When you use the Ringmat, it's MUCH easier to pick up the LP off of the spinning platter. I know it seems crazy to spend $100 for a piece of thick paper with some cork rings glued to it, but I don't think I'd be able to make one without tools I don't have access to. http://www.ringmat.com/html/products/ringmat/story/story.html

I have been in the UK for the past 11 days. I haven't spent more than 10 hours with the new amp and haven't even hooked up the TT to it yet. And none of this listening time has been in any way focused or "critical." I should have something to say in the next 2-3 weeks. But I have to tell you guys, I really like what I've been hearing.

Angel Wings routinely sells for $40-$65 -you'll have to step up and bid higher if you really want a copy--they come up about 5-6 times a year on ebay. I wouldn't put this record in my top 20 of Art Pepper records, so if you asked my advice I'd tell you to begin with the early Contemporarys, the Omega sessions and then a handful of the late Galaxys. Gary loves this record not only for the fierce blowing by a great band, but also for the INSANELY good sonics. These Atlas recordings are among the finest of the era (late 70's into the mid 80s). Buy the Analogue Productions pressing of Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section brand new for $25--that's the place to start. http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=10606&sct=music

Thank you, mask man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CebRfSFnWGM

The joint will be PACKED!

Three years ago nice ones sold in the $500-$600 range--you could still buy them BRAND NEW (the 3012R--maybe the best of the lot, really--similar to a series 1) from SME until 2001--the price was $850 from Flat Earth Audio. Now that they are no longer in production and also because idler drive tables have become so very hot, they sell for about $1000-$1100 on average in excellent condition. Do you want one for your Thorens? How do you like the 3009/SPU combonation? If you really love it, then MAYBE it would be worth stepping up to the 12" arm. You can sell the 3009 for $400-$450 to lessen the pain. I went from a 3009 to a 3012 about 10 years ago. Much more forgiving when dialing in a cartridge--tracks the torture tracks on the HiFi News record much easier. Does it SOUND any better? Maybe, but not by a landslide, that's for sure.

Similar? In that they're both 3-way speakers in big boxes? Don't get me wrong, I prefer the Cornwall, but they're not all that similar. My pal Joel had a pair of these a couple of wives ago. Really awesome rock and roll speakers. I wouldn't trade my Cornwalls straight-up for them (other than to make a tidy profit!).

Not "new" in any sense, but someone I never listened to before 6 months ago and now I have half-a-dozen of his CDs and play them contantly in the car (I spend about 2 hours per day in the car). FRED ANDERSON! His playing is too free and "out" for me to reccomend to most folks, but I gotta tell you his music and his playing are the real deal. He's active in Chicago, so next time I'm that way hearing him live is right up there with hearing Von Freeman again. http://www.okkadisk.com/releases/od12007.html http://www.okkadisk.com/images/birdhouse.jpg'>

Famous last words.

Typical of his BS.. Validating his preference by denigrating others. Pretty obnoxious. My favorite is when he complimented Craig on his VRD amps by telling him they sounded just like solid state.

Any of you SoCal guys who want to get out of the house next Tuesday night, come join me at Charlie O's to hear Steve Wilkerson with the Jon Mayer trio (Mayer on piano, Roy McCurdy on drums and Chris Colangelo on bass), This quartet will TEAR THE ROOF off the joint!!! Steve doesn't get out to the clubs very often--he's busy teaching--but he's one BADA$$ and I try to catch his 2 or 3 appearances at Charlie O's every year! Tuesday the 15th at 8 PM!! You will NOT be sorry! http://www.wilkersonultimate.com/about_steve.html http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=6212 http://www.insidejazz.com/Roy_McCurdy%2FRoy_McCurdy_Bio.htm http://www.chriscolangelo.com/ http://www.charlieos.com/

Don't live in the past--get our there and see this Hardy kid! What a ballplayer!! And I wasn't the only one who didn't think you were kidding. "Nuff said. End of story.

The Brewers are freakin' 22-10 and Fielder and Hardy look like the real deal. Who needs humor?

I didn't think your posts were funny at all. Apology accepted.

It was Roy Delgado who is Klipsch engineer. He usually posts as "Bodcaw Boy" and I have no idea why he was using a sockpuppet--just being a goofball as usual I guess. No harm done. Kinda funny, acutally.

And POOF! All of the posts from "rdj" are gone from the thread. Very strange . . . the bodcaw boy rides off into the Sunset with nary a trace . . .

Why are you hiding behind this "new" moniker? Step up and be PROUD of your nonsense!!!

You are so full of crap. Nobody cares what you think. I am done with you.

Anyone who would take your advice over mine when it comes to jazz recordings gets what they deserve!!! [] You have probably listened to this record once or twice at most! Let's hear why YOU think this one is a "stinker." And I want DETAILS!! LOL!!! As I said before, anyone who said --AND I QUOTE YOU DIRECTLY-- that Giant Steps "stinks" should NOT have their opinion taken seriously!!!! Jeesus, pal-- LIGHTEN UP--what on earth are YOU bent out of shape about?

Hey Chris! Just pop me an email next time you're going! I can't make the meeting with Dr. Bruce---maybe next time?

What's not to like about this session? It an incredible recording of a nice, loose session from some of the best L.A. musicians of the era. I never said it was one of MY top five records, but it IS worth owning--as are ALL of the Atlas sessions (I think there were about 20 of them before the label went under). Then again, you're the guy who thinks Giant Steps stinks, so we'll have to take your assessment with a HUGE grain of salt!! Love you, buddy!

Many of us around here feel that the Crites tweeter is ANYTHING but an upgrade. Your ears will tell you what you prefer, but PLEASE don't call the Crites tweeter an "upgrade"-- they are an alternative to be sure and many prefer them. To my ears the are shrill and sound disembodied from the rest of the speaker. I tried them for three days. Three ear-bleeding days.