|
Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
|
Thread Tools |
18th Sep 2020, 3:54 pm | #21 | |||
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Quote:
Incidentally, if I had to get another replacement stylus, what would you recommend to get the best out of this turntable ? I must say though, the Audio Technica is superb when working properly. It transformed all my vinyl into a lovely, rich sound (as well as investing in a vacuum record cleaner) |
|||
18th Sep 2020, 4:11 pm | #22 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
By all means use the gel cleaner. Most stylus and record cleaners are based on IPA maybe mixed with distilled water. The advantage is that the water and IPA solution evaporate completely. I always have IPA about as I find it useful which is why I would use it.
__________________
Paul |
18th Sep 2020, 4:21 pm | #23 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Quote:
__________________
Paul |
|
18th Sep 2020, 4:55 pm | #24 | ||
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Quote:
Last edited by hergest74; 18th Sep 2020 at 5:05 pm. |
||
18th Sep 2020, 5:46 pm | #25 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 7,580
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Try Audio Technica themselves or at least a reliable specialist. Just Google the number and you'll probably find information. Beware buying 'replacement' types from unknown sources. If by chance your stylus is unavailable, at least AT are still manufacturing cartridges so you should be able to find something suitable.
The stylus for your cartridge is ATN440MLB. Audio Technica appear to be out of stock but others list it. Try these people http://www.decoaudio.com/ based in Buckinghamshire. They might be able to supply a stylus. I used them recently to buy a new genuine stylus for my AT85.
__________________
There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman..... Last edited by Sideband; 18th Sep 2020 at 6:05 pm. |
18th Sep 2020, 7:01 pm | #26 | |
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Quote:
|
|
18th Sep 2020, 8:05 pm | #27 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 7,580
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
I doubt it's 'special'! It's probably IPA with a different name....
__________________
There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman..... |
18th Sep 2020, 10:06 pm | #28 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
As Sideband says it is probably mainly IPA. You have nothing to lose with the current stylus. Try leaving it to soak then give a good brushing with a stylus brush.
__________________
Paul |
20th Sep 2020, 5:13 pm | #29 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Hi folks, well the vacuum cleaning fluid shifted it almost immediately. Now my vinyl sounds stunning again.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. Mystery solved! |
20th Sep 2020, 6:19 pm | #30 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Good news. Mending is always better than ending!
__________________
Paul |
20th Sep 2020, 6:34 pm | #31 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 7,580
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Maybe you should look to why so much crud was picked up by the stylus. My records can attract dust and nothing more that the humble dust-bug takes care of that. I've never trusted so-called vinyl cleaners after an episode with my Deep Purple 'Machine Head' album. It was the first (and last) record I tried to clean with a proprietary record cleaner fluid. Having followed the instructions and allowing ample time for any residue to dry, I then played the album. Bearing in mind that the album was no more than a year old at the time I had to keep stopping the record because of all the muck that the stylus was collecting. I imagined that any surface contamination had been sucked down into the grooves by capillary action of the cleaning fluid and the stylus was now digging this out as it played....I pictured it as a plough digging furrows in a field...... I eventually managed to get the record clean and playable again by using nothing more than warm water and very mild washing-up liquid, lots of rinsing under running water and a thorough dry. I vowed never to use record cleaning fluid again. Proper storage at room temperature, careful handling and the humble dust-bug plus a dry wipe with a proper cleaning cloth is all that's needed. All I use on the stylus is a stylus brush to remove any fluff that may have collected.
__________________
There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman..... Last edited by Sideband; 20th Sep 2020 at 6:46 pm. |
20th Sep 2020, 6:46 pm | #32 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
I have also made records worse by using cleaning fluids, although I haven't fared better with tap water, maybe because the water is hard here.
I agree that the humble dust bug is about the best method of keeping records clean. Unfortunately I find that the modern ones with just a brush tend to pull to the centre of the record too quickly. The old metal Bib ones with a velvet "roller" and a brush are much better. In Post 3 the OP does mention dust and a slightly damp old house. I think that has caused mould growth on the stylus in a similar way the tiny spots can appear on records which have not been played for a long time.
__________________
Paul |
20th Sep 2020, 7:00 pm | #33 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,835
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Tried and tested by the BBC and thousands of others who know their stuff, the Keith Monks record cleaning machine is proven to clean records better than anything. I had my complete vinyl collection cleaned by a KM machine a couple of years and can only say that the difference was amazing. It's like anything though; tuning a car, setting up a guitar, realigning a radio etc, if the operator/technician isn't the best then the results will inevitably be less than perfect.
__________________
A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
20th Sep 2020, 7:10 pm | #34 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
My Project vacuum record cleaning machine (cost £200) with fluid provided is the best thing I purchased. The fluid isn't alcohol, just a bit like washing up liquid with a mild lemony smell. After cleaning all my vinyl it didn't leave any residue in the grooves.
I think dust + ambient humidity (controlled sometimes by a dehumidifier) + No Perspex cover on turntable (which I need to get but its old so probably won't be able to) and not having been played for a while compounded the problem. |
20th Sep 2020, 7:10 pm | #35 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Our local Hi-Fi shop had one of those Keith Monks machines in the 1970s. It gave excellent results. The original owner died and the shop was sold off as a going concern. Unfortunately the new owners didn't understand it and the last time I saw it was on the floor at the back of the shop semi dismantled.
A cover is important. It stops dust from falling on the turntable when not being used and on the record when being played. I have bought new Audio Technica ones for my Lenco GL75 and Rotel 1500 decks and they fit perfectly.
__________________
Paul Last edited by PaulR; 20th Sep 2020 at 7:16 pm. |
20th Sep 2020, 7:14 pm | #36 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
I will add that I have a carbon fibre brush I bought from Virgin or HMV that probably does the same as a dust bug.
|
22nd Sep 2020, 7:32 pm | #37 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 52
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Incidentally, I picked up one of those red velvet cleaning blocks from a charity shop a few years ago which seemed old then. Are they any good ?
I am also looking at a record cleaning arm by Project on Amazon but at £55 it's not going to happen. |
23rd Sep 2020, 10:05 am | #38 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,237
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
The wide brush on the Project cleaner may stop the main problem on these which is the tendency to pull straight to the centre of the record. Putting that aside I have found that cleaners of that type are quite good at removing dust, but I have used the type that have the little velvet "roller" as well as a brush,
__________________
Paul |
23rd Sep 2020, 10:27 am | #39 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,835
|
Re: Technics SLD 202 - Can't get it to sound right
Try to imagine how a brush interacts with the grooves of the record at a magnified level. The bristles bend under in the backwards direction and mostly just push detritus further into the grooves. A wet process combined with suction is what is required for effective cleaning.
__________________
A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |