Sir Fleschler, you are a far more serious enthusiast that I will ever be. I am guess you do not move much as I can not imagine having to pack up all those records? My mother and older sister sat on the only 78 I ever owned, a set from the Bing Crosby film, “Going My Way”. Talk about a seismic sink. Congratulations on what must surely be an excellent collection! I am certain you and Sir Ian will have a LOT to talk of if ever you met.

A GE Wildcat in 1971 was the first record player I bought my self with money made pushing a lawn mower all over Virginia Beach and Honolulu.

Fully automatic and with a changer spindle! I was and remain, a proper pauper.

ORT

If I were to purchase a new TT today, it would probably be more like a Technics or VPI Scout under $2,000. Used TTs are in abundance and include higher end older tables that often will crush cheap new ones. Shop carefully and don’t get a plastic or resonant TT.

My first TT was a Dual 1209 at 14 year old in 1970.

Thank you, Ian! I appreciate the friendship and honesty. I do like “stuff” but lately have done good in backing off buying things for family and friends. I like what I have and am thankful for being able to buy it. I was set to buy some B&W speakers for my big brother but his wife talked me out of it as he really likes the speakers he has.

Most days I listen to at least 2 or 3 records along with the steaming music thingy. During PT in my garage gym I have music on too.

I will take your advice and try to get to my favorite Stereo Shoppe more often where they have a good selection of used records! Last time there I got some Shelly Manne, Nancy Wilson and Lena Horne.

My brother took me to 3 live shows last month in Arizona and at one of them by “The Surfrajettes”, I bought their album! Surf guitar!

Thank you again!

ORT

ORT,

Only go the balance route if the following is possible — MC cartridge to balanced in on phono pre-amplifier — balanced out to balanced input on a line-stage (with balanced outputs) or integrated amplifier.

I heard a very small difference from the Pro-Ject phono using its balanced in/single-ended output — but I suspect it was my brain playing tricks.

Running the balanced outputs of the Pro-Ject into the Cambridge Edge A’s balanced inputs was night/day better. Bolder. Cleaner sounding. Bass impact was stronger and tighter. Soundstage was much wider sounding.

I really think your existing set-ups are really good and I would buy more music.

Ian White

I normally rotate these turntables to the setup I use most for listening to records but the last time I moved the X2 in it was, ashamedly, too difficult for me and now I am not strong enough to safely pick the 22+ lb player up. So by the Will of the gods, it is staying there. I fell moving my Dual 1246 turntable and saved it but broke some other stuff. I cannot risk that happening again.

I grow curiouser an curiouser as to whether or not it would make cents to find and buy SE to X B and convert the 2X to balanced or if it can even be done. It would be due primarily for looks. I like the look of balanced cables and doubt my ability to hear the difference but seeing is fine for me.

I admit to drooling over the Andover Audio (fully auto!) Spindeck Max and I own and use two of their Spinbase setups and one Spinstand as well as have given two Spinbase to family members as presents. They are a great company and have been very helpful to me over the last few years.

Any advice on the SE to balanced thingy (Shallow Hal time!) would be appreciated. I very much enjoyed this Podcast, gentlemen. Thank you so very much. I play and enjoy records a great deal and all because they are tactile in a way that (not even) CDs and Steaming will never be.

ORT