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What to get next?

Posted by: JimDog on 05 September 2018

I have just started reading this blog - my first ever HiFi research.

I have a Rega Planar 3 turntable, Naim CD5i/NAC112x/NAP150x/Ariva N1501s (and a low end 'Pro-Ject Phono Box'!), all bought new in 2004.

The first 4 items on the list above currently sit on top of one another on a wooden table, plugged into my Samsung QLED TV.

The preamp and power amp are being serviced.

I can't afford to really upgrade the system in the next few years (3 kids).

I think I need to do the following - but in what order and where should most be invested? And am I missing other things which I should consider doing instead or as well?

Should I do these with new or secondhand (serviced) kit?

Posted on: 06 October 2018 by Bob the Builder
JimDog posted:

I plugged in the new Rega Fono MM Mark 3 this morning.

it hummed when I switched it on

normally the system does not hum at all

I suppose that it needs Earthing...?

 overall it sounded better than the old Project phono stage - the difference did not seem dramatic, but it was an uplift so definitely worth doing

I'll give it a more thorough test tonight and try to earth it

 also, just spotted a reviewer giving the Rega a very poor review vs the Schiit Mani Phono Stage - but his review was rather hyperbolic

but then others say that the Mani can act as a radio receiver

is the Mani as good as the Rega?

I've also ordered a Rega Elys 2, L'Art du son fluid, a goat's hair brush, some 30cm microfibre cloths, a stylus cleaning pad, an antistatic/velvet record brush and a Vinyl Vac (this latter direct from the manufactuer in the US) - I will get some deionized water and insert a piece of dowling into the centre of a lazy susan my family used in the 1970's which is still in my garage - & hey presto, I should have a homemade record cleaning system

Any cleaning is a good idea especially used buys I've learnt very rare records in poor visual condition are still very playable after a good scrub and a vacuum cleaner will get loosened dirt out of the grooves better after a good manual clean.

Posted on: 09 October 2018 by JimDog

thanks Bob - will do. My Vinyl Vac is in the post from the U.S. Do you use ethyl alcohol to clean records? Also, I've owned most of my records from new so they are in pretty good nick. But they are between 1986 when my first record collection got nicked from a student house and around 2004 when I stopped buying vinyl. So they have been through a lot of parties and some need a good clean. But if they look clean should I still clean them? Online one often sees it said that even new records need a clean before one plays them to get rid of some residue of the production process. Is this an urban legend or for real?