VIDEO: Michael Fremer Recommends Vinyl Accessories For The Budget Audiophile
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- Give a listen to turntable & vinyl expert Michael Fremer, senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine and editor-in-chief of AnalogPlanet.com, as he gives CoolCleveland his top recommendations for the budget audiophile: an affordable record cleaning machine, record brush, stylus cleaner, record sleeves, stylus gauge, and a slick device that lifts the tonearm when the side is finished. www.AnalogPlane..., www.Stereophile...
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Michael Fremer - the CEO of Audiophile
The idiot of audiophiles
as your guests are leaving.. "wait, just 2 more steps then i will play music". ;)
ha ha ha ...gotta point there.
The magic eraser sponge (the soapless) works great to dip the tip onto a few times. The needle becomes microsope clean.
Magic Eraser sponges have micro abrassives embedded in them. Do you really want to run your $500 or whatever needle accross sandpaer? No. It's practically the same thing. Sorry.
Stephen Castro the advice as far as I can see is to more or less lower the stylus onto the sponge and then lift it and the gunk is removed. Nobody advocates brushing the stylus with it. Not tried it myself.
@@bendog73 I certainly hope so. I wasnt trying to be critical as most arent aware of the abrassives in the sponges. Merely an FYI. If it came across differently, my apologies.
Didnt intend to come across as critical. I was just supprised to hear that suggestion. You know what works: SILLY PUTTY! Try it, and its cheap.
@@stephencastro1437 haha no its fine. We're a very discerning bunch, us vinyl enthusiasts. Quite right too. I'm forever looking to upgrade or improve real or imagined turntable related issues...
5:34 “Who am I doing?-okimsorry” LMFAO i love this man
I didn't realize there was a technique to the carbon record brush, will have to try out the Fremer method.
Playing vinyl comes naturally to someone that grew up doing it. While I prefer the sonic purity of an high end CD transport, I still like going through the motions when it comes to listening to pure analog in the vinyl format. If you get the right gear and find some good quality recordings, you too will become addicted to vinyl.
I still use an Audio Technica AT 6002 'dust bug' works like magic (and looks cool). It's been in the family since 1979 and still looks like new! I use it on my Thorens TD 160 Super that i inherited from Dad (along with his love of music).
Michaels enthusiasm is absolutely. He may single handedly be responsible for vinyl's longevity. I know he's got me hunting for a turntable again!
Fremer is such a nice, funny guy. Love to rewatch these from time to time.
"a ball of doodoo, that was a very famous band in the 80s" c'mon, i can't be the only person that caught this lmao
LOL, i did now, thanks! I actually love the real band though, I still play Call of the West frequently.
@@matbasterson520 love them, i think they frequently get disregarded as an 80s novelty but they had a very unique sound
BEING ALMOST 80 I HAVE KEPT MY LPS AND FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND BOUGHT A NEW TURNTABLE WITH A PRE AMP SO I CAN PLAY THRU MY RECEIVER...LOVE IT...AND MY RECORDS NEVER SOUNDED BETTER...
Why are you yelling?
I bought a new turntable two years ago ( my first new one in 40 years). Like you, I find that the records have never sounded better
@@Lehmann108 probably to be able to read what he was writing more easily.
Mike is the best. Funny, smart, and very informative at all times. He needs his own tv show. X
He is great, I think he may be a bit over-caffeinated though. :-)
wall of voodoo not ball of doo doo
I loved this guy already the first 15 seconds of the vid. Give me more of this guy.
I really love that Cool MOFI t shirt that’s on the table!
This sport has a lot of HEART
I saw his video about four years ago when I was deciding whether or not to buy a turntable. I was concerned about the cost and whether or not it would be worth it: all these accessories on top of the already high price of new records. Well, as he says at the end, now that I have started, I can't see stopping because I love it so much! Records are not for everyone, but I love the hobby.
Its like someone that knows how to pick up a photo without ceasing it.
Very helpful, informative video. Michael Fremer is a wonderful ambassador for playback of vinyl.
Micheal fremer is great and his reviews are very good.
Nice Omega watch Mr. Fremer!
I used to play vinyl records in the 80,s cleaning them with all the cleaning stuff out at the time its a labor of love bought new sleeves for them but over time the edges became damaged . I went in to a record store the other day and was shocked at the price of vinyl records and are very expensive and the limited inventory out there compared to the 1980,s
hi there micheal, i found Patti LaBelle album called Tasty,and it LOOKED awfully strathed,so i took it to the kitchen sink,made me some warm soapy water,and well gently rubbed one side,and actually could see the light brown water come off,so i turned it over and did the same and i gently cleaned side 2,and slowly rubbed my hands around the way the music plays,and then backward.s i let soak only for about a min,or less,and i took a very soft towel,and then i let Air dry for about a half hour I was really really amazed how much differnet the entire album played
this was not the firs time i have ever washed an album, but Just to let everyone know That this proceedure does work, you might still hear a few pops once in awhile when you least expect it. but for the most part, IT WORKS.
david paul: OK, so you've cleaned the surface of the record. Well Done. What about the deep groove? You've hardly even got that part wet yet. You've achieved Stage 1. Just another 4 to go ...
Can't recommend Project Cork It (Cork mat) There are tiny pieces of cork that comes off and lands on the records.
Anders And Yes that’s what happened to me when I bought a Cork Mat. It shed little pieces of cork all over my Record. I use an Acrylic Mat now & I really like it.
I tried cork years ago and didn't like the sound of it. For an Linn LP12 the felt mat seems to sound best. For my modified Dual which sounds better than my LP12 I use a Platter Matter mat from Canada which is like a form of rubber with a skin coating.
Great many tips that I've been doing for years.
Any cheap gram scale will more than do for checking stylus pressure.
I recently bought one through Amazon for about $13.
Good job Michael. Really enjoy you're videos
Nice Speedy, Michael!
rubbing alcohol is quite safe if you tap off the excess
Or dilute it.
I use a mix of 75% distilled water and 25% high proof rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth for wet cleaning and as long you don't soak it and dry it off good that stuff evaporates fast enough it won't have a chance to react the plastic in any meaningful way.
Thanks Michael, I like your no nonsense attitude to turntables and vinyl. Just got back into vinyl 5 or so years ago and love it, there is nothing like the sound of vinyl. I've had 7 turntables in that time and now have 3. Also like your video on the comparison between vinyl and CDs.
find the technics 6mm heavy rubber mat , dead as doornail and reduces feedback wonderfully
If you have and use the turntable Mike uses , 10 grand for a cartridge is about right. BTW this man is TRULY THE turntable expert!! Boy would I love to see a show like this one.
Michael is Maestro of vinyl, never ceases to teach. That tip with the Audioquest carbon brush I did not know, thanks!
Nice lil interview. Thanks for posting. Some essential dos and don'ts for new lovers and "old lovers".
I've always owned vinyl and have a large collection now. I've had cheap and nasty playback stuff and worked up to some good stuff now (by no means the level of the extremists though).
Maintenance of your playback equipment and correct care and handling of records is essential if you want to get the best from it all. Both in terms of quality and value for money.
We all have our own methods to some extent, but they all follow tge same principle or at least have a very good ethic behind "why". For example, i won't use a spin clean or any "bath" style cleaning method as the deposits go straight back onto the same or other vinyl yoi may clean. I'm a vac style RCM person myself, but that is not to say that all "bath users" are in some way inferior of knowledge, that's just wrong and arrogant.
This guy is an Audiophile, hence why he and others will spend what might seem crazy amounts on accesories and components. Just because you "don't get it" don't be all sarcastic and "i know better" in the comments.
If you can't "get it" just carry on with whatever medium you prefer. I own all sorts of media from reel to reel, compact cassette, cd, minidisc, vinyl as well as mp3 and flac files. Every one has its own place. Vinyl, in my own opinion of course, is really for those who see and hear music as more than a fashion statement or a background to talk over. It really is a way of life and a heck of a journey too.
So if you think, for example, the digital scale he recommends is over priced compared to the cheap Japanese ones on the bay, there are reasons. Accuracy and Precision mainly. A poorly setup up cartridge (or any part of a turntable for that matter) can ruin you record/s. You'll find out.
Take it easy folks and love your collections 🙂
I hate it when my stylus hits the band of badness.
Val Peterson I just throw it over my shoulder so that can't happen.
Do you clean your wax when it’s brand new before using it?
Garry Hall Yes, I clean brand new Records because most of them will come dusty from the pressing plants.
not even a minute into the video.... "First thing you need, you need a cleaning machine".
You may want a carbon brush. You might want a velvety brush/sponge (you know... like the ones they use in those record cleaning machines), you may want a cleaning solution of some sort, so you _can_ clean your records. But you absolutely don't _need_ a cleaning machine - you may end up buying one in the long run, but "first thing"? No!
I'd think of a decent player (and some basic means of cleaning records) first. But I don't own a stylus -worth- that cost 10k either.
I'm sensing low-fi
Yeah you need a cleaning machine if you plan on buying used records...
Nonsense. Everybody needs a proper cleaning machine, even if its the relatively inexpensive spin-clean which I personally own (it's great by the way). If you're new to vinyl and turntables disregard this post and do yourself a favour and buy one. Dust, dirt, and grime will quickly get into the grooves of your records and ruin the listening experience. Using a velvet brush to clean is tedious and a pain in the ass. It might be okay if you own a handful of records, but once your collection starts to grow you will understand.
Ha! I'll do an impression, ok who am I, who am I doing... Love it!
What brand and model electronic stylus gauge was he recommending in the vid?
Here’s my thoughts on the Digital vs Vinyl debate. Please bear with the optical system analogy.
There is a close correspondence to an audio system, especially the recording process, hardware and
the recording medium.
A useful optical system such as the one in cameras consists of two basic elements, the lens system and the
recording medium (then Film, now CCD or CMOS). The optical system can be designed such that the lens diffraction limit (the Airy disk, Rayleigh criterion) is smaller than a pixel, no matter how small today's pixels are. In this case, the CCD/CMOS determines the resolution (bad practice, but can be done). The same can be said about an optical system using film. Hi res film grain size is about a micron. The diffraction limit can be designed to be smaller than this also. CCD pixels are 5 microns size or greater in order achieve high dynamic range, since most applications are scientific. With today's technology, CMOS sensors can be made 1 micron square, but they suffer from poor dynamic range because they store far less charge before they saturate (clip) than larger pixels. Thus they have the lowest dynamic range. With today's technology, hi res film has several orders of magnitude greater resolution and dynamic range than 1 micron pixel CMOS sensors (if the sensor is
the system resolution defining element and not the optical system).
Enough about optics.
I wonder what the same criteria are for Vinyl? The resolution and dynamic range tradeoff is among many factors: the stylus size, groove wiggle range, recording speed, cutter response time, are some that come immediately to mind. There are certainly many more. Have system analyses been done for the Vinyl recording process and playback?
It is clear from what I've said above that we know a lot about resolution and dynamic range in an optical
recording system, one that is storing optical data. I think we also know a lot about the resolution and dynamic range of digital media. I don't think we have the same kind of info for vinyl and the record cutting and playback processes. It is my opinion that two factors, resolution and dynamic range, are the main contributors to the perceived quality of recording on a medium, be it optical data (images) or audio data (sound). This is so because the ideal medium would flawlessly re-create the information stored on it. However, we know that recording media are not capable of recording flawlessly. They are so because of limitations in resolution and dynamic range. The highest resolution in an audio medium is defined by the highest recorded audio frequency than can just be resolved above random noise. Dynamic range is the ratio of the signal strengths between clipping (saturation) and the smallest sound that is audible above the background random noise (yes, digital media have noise). Of course, bad mastering or initial recording or playback will result in bad sound in any
medium. I'm assuming the best mastering and initial recording methods are used.
This is a purely technical discussion. There are non-technical factors that also influence perceived audio
quality. Both the technical and the non-technical factors contribute to the enjoyment of recorded music.
Thoughts?
LISTEN RECORD NEWCOMERS. Half of what he said was very unnecessary and/or exaggerated. Yes records take a fair amount of maintenance. But that's part of the attraction to analog. It's a dedication to your music and frankly, part of the joy of vinyl itself. Just wash it with water every 6 months, brush both the record and stylus every time you play a side. It only takes about 10 seconds at most. Drip some record cleaning liquid a few times every play session per record. Also invest in some high quality inner and outer sleeves, to keep your records in perfect condition. Records aren't fragile little things, but they aren't heavy duty material, so treat with proper care, but don't stress about it. Hope this helps someone getting turned off to this amazing hobby. 🤘
Thanks, I found a room fool of 60's vinyl from my Grandfather..will Crosley turntable do the job?
The Michael Scott of audiophiles
Hi Michael
Love your insight, enthusiasm and great sense of humor. I'm a great fan of yours - (coming from a guy who for the past 50 odd years never strayed nor abandonned vinyl for obvious reasons.)
Btw. Is this a Omega "Speedy" you're wearing on your right wrist? Sorry for asking.
Best wishes from DK
$80 for a digital stylus gauge? They go for £12.95 on Amazon. Doing the maths based on 9th May (1.44$ per pound) that's $18.65. I'll round that up to $18.99. It's still less than 20 bucks.
+cjmillsnun They are all under $20 on the US Amazon site. Pro-Ject's $80 gauge used to be (and likely still is) the exact same unit as the off-brand offerings, and they do the same job. Nothing different about them. They are all exactly the same, even down to the casting of the plastic case, and the metal stamping used for weighing the mass.
cjmillsnun I paid $7 shipped from China, it's identical to the pro-ject gauge.
you forgot the audiophool tax
150% gullibility markup
cjmillsnun Just borrow the neighbor's weed scale. Or get your own if you don't already own one. :)
That's not true... they have a huge difference: they make audiophiles feel insecure that they did not spend a ridiculous amount of money for something that the exactly same job but for way less :D!!!
Stereo Central likes this.
We should have a high end show in Seattle.We could call it The WPL SHOW.It stands for WHY PAY LESS.
Great show
It's impossible to discuss the value of a turntable mat without talking about the acoustic properties associated with the material the mat is made from. A good mat is suppose to neutralize static electricity between your stylus and and your vinyl. Their function is not to eliminate dust. If your mat attracts dust it means it's doing it's job. Better dust on your mat than your vinyl. Cork is great for bass heavy music as it absorbs and or deadens reverberation. Rubber does the same thing but it also absorbs the high end as well. Felt does neither, which makes it an ideal material for a machine that reproduces sound by way of an electrical current. Felt mats neutralize static between your vinyl and the stylus. They're the factory issue standard for that reason. Unless you're a funk connoisseur or a Tony Levin aficionado a felt melt will serve you just fine.
I own The Oracle Delphi Mark V {Anniversary Edition} Turntable. It's all laid out in Gold Trim , with the Black African Granite Base. & on it, I have a Graham Engineering Uni-Pivot 1.5 Tone Arm. The Cartridge is a Benz ~Micro (Glider). I've never had my table / Tone Arm & Cart Tweaked ? Not sure ? I know how to do this ? Wished someone would run a video on You Tube to show this set up done properly ? Any Tech's out there, that do House Calls ? Mike L.
Fremer is great! Get Stereophile Magazine....it's very good. Budget gear...mid-price....and the crazy stuff. But, even that stuff is cool to read about. Gives you an idea of what's starting to drip down to us fans who live in the real world.
I think its great that Jerry Springer has found a new career talking about vinyl
Skynard's Street Survivors with the original 'Flame' cover at seven minutes!
Did one of these "gatherings of the fools" once. After a 5 minute walkaround the bullshit you hear piles up sooooo high you just wana find the nearest bar...
A lot of bad reviews on the Project cork mat,static complaints,what is the best turntable mat
Got a Thakker soft brush some time ago. It's much more effective than these old school brushes.
I use a Mr Clean sponge for the stylus and the record
Can you do a video on how to play 78 rpm on a budget please. Which cartridge and player?
This was the first video where I saw Michael share his expertise! Awesome guy, check out his site!
Funk component mates are great
Clean the stylus every side. He's right. Even clean vinyl leaves stuff on the needle. I got a hand scope and was surprised what was left on the stylus after 1 side.
Stylus brushes are pretty inexpensive. It's also important to remember to brush from back to front. No other direction, or you could damage the cantilever. I think it makes sense to brush in that direction because that is the general direction the stylus traces along the grooves in.
5:34 man this guy funny as hell hahaha
And a well mastered cd is just press and play.
I learned something new today: "ball of badness".
Play the record wet, distilled water. Nuff said
My MacBook Pro screen is so dusty it makes the records Fremer is holding look like they are covered with dust!
wall of voodoo
Can I get a black cork matt? I have a strict everything has to black rule on my gear shelves as they are under my home theater screen.
What happened to the ultrasonic stylus cleaners don't see them anymore why is this.
Q tip with alcohol for stylus Rubber platter matt and my project tt is awsome love vinyl and the life not felt in cd
No need to spend 79 American Dollars on digital tracking force scales, go on Fleabay and get exactly the same thing for a fraction of the price.
from the brush
I have just begun to get into HiRes. I must admit, LPs are cool, but digital HiRes files like are the way to go now. No cleaning, maintenance, or other rituals needed. Just pure, hi-fi goodness. And you don't need space or expensive equipment to enjoy.
Joe Ibarra where do you purchase your HiRes files and how do you play them back?
Cool, video!
Clean the needle after every side? That's crazy. Yeah, every once in a while you need to remove some dust (or cat hair in my case). But every side? Maybe if you live in beach hut and get copious amounts of sand everywhere.
this dude is crazzzyyyy
Clean the stylus after every side of the record LOL. A little too obsessive for me.
Yippie it has to be done
No it doesn't.. I'm fine and so are my records. You can do it if you want to. Have fun.
+Oliver Nielsen I find that, too. Music lovers typically have quite a few records and don't play each record hundreds of times, don't let them lie about out of their sleeves, etc. Stylus should be cleaned but if one does it obsessively, it's about something else.
I actually clean my stylus with some really fine grade silver smith sand paper. From what I hear it gets off more of the necessary excess material that really sticks hard to the stylus that normal brushes dont really clean off.
Fredrik Montelius I get what you're saying but considering this guy has like a half million dollar setup for listening to music, I also get what he's saying. People who listen to *music* don't need to clean their gear -constantly- compulsively, but people who listen to *sound* do.
With a cheap setup, it's hard to justify buying all these cleaning tools when blowing the dust off is so cost effective.
'Advice for the Budget Audiophile' - Spend several hundred dollars.
One thing I’ve discovered since getting into vinyl is there’s no way to do it on a tight budget. It’s a luxury and it’s gonna cost you.
Everyone has a budget. Michael Fremer has a $100k turntable, so his budget may be a little different from yours.
the point is I thought he would be choosing the essential things I would need being on a budget, but he ended up with a list of things even longer of the ones I saw in other videos not claiming to be aimed at people on a budget
2:25 "A ball of badness" YEP !!!!
.... Not the onzlow! There will be particles of gel accumulating on the stylus!
Got into vinyl because it was inexpensive. Go to garage sales, goodwill, flea markets; between .50 to $5. Then bam. All these collectors got involved and all hell broke loose. Going back to my CDs.
Nowadays you can get the CDs cheap. I’ve picked up entire discographies of great artists for practically nothing. And I own the music forever, with streaming the month I stop paying I’ve lost all that music.
Same here. Dirt cheap vinyl 10 years ago costs at least 20 times today.
I used a generic blue tac to clean my stylus, and it made the audio sound WORSE! The oil on the sticky gue covered my stylus, and dragged it through my records! I had to re clean the two records I played with it! I don't recommend blue tac (probably spelled wrong) or at least the "generic " equivalent I don't recommend!
Cleaning the stylus for every side???? When I can see the dirt on the stylus tip, I clean it. If I can't see dirt, then there is no dirt and it sounds just fine.
Michael is the man.
Ortofon do not recommend any liquid on the stylus
How long was that guy in the cocktail lounge before the interview. I think he’s had a few. $10,000 for a stylus! Did he actually say that? My goodness. I have an idea to clean your record just get some silly putty and spread it over the record pull off to remove the dust that way you will have a picture of the label on the sillyputty and you can stretch it out like in the old days with the funny papers and get a good laugh.
he had 600k worth of audio gear in his listening room. crazy money
Turntable dj's like myself are like...we dont care about touching the grooves!
EXCELLENT
digital stylus scales cost like 15 dollars, not 79
Gee, it would've been nice if we could've seen this gentleman demonstrating his technique clearly. A two camera, edited shoot would've been preferred. Better luck next time.
They don't have typewriters anymore? I wonder if Fremer feels that books written on typewriters are somehow better than ones written on a computer. You, a computer can't convey the authors vision the same way an analog typewriter can. It's just so synthetic.
I find it absolutely absurd how people have to run down both analog as well as the people who like analog. It's like they're so emotionally invested in CDs and digital that their whole world view is threatened because there are people who prefer analog. They can't just say "Oh, you prefer analog. Cool. I like digital." and leave it at that.
Why do even the unimportant things (such as how you prefer to listen to music) have to be such a pitched fucking battle?
It doesn't except when people try to fool ignorant people into thinking they must spend $100 on this, $80 on that, another $1500 for this, and don't forget the $150,000 cables...It becomes ridiculous and the actual music is no longer even really enjoyed..and that's where the push back often comes from IMO.
The cameraman is also on a budget
5:15 i dont recommend those. You have to be very careful with those. If you press a bit too much on mistake, it will scuff your record. Micro scratches. Easier to wet clean records.
What's up with the overuse of the word "vinyl" when referring to lps or records and called the Onzow Onzau lol
vinyls ;)
elitist bullshit
Ball of Doodoo, "Mexican Radio"
rituals and a stiff drink! Mazal Tov!
By the time you do all that you wont even want to listen to the music anymore.
0:16 trompe le Monde 🤙
coagulating thing in it
such technical prowess
I am a Michael Fremer fan for life