@hachi05@IndianJesus Yes. Crappy needles, incorrectly aligned needles, overly lightly balanced tonearms (or overly heavy - though strangely too light can be worse than too heavy. Makes the needle bounce around the groove).
Vinyl can be awesome, but if you’re going to go there, go there with good and properly set up equipment!
@hachi05@IndianJesus@shahnm damnit now you’ve got me sitting here with a stopwatch and an indexing sticky note on my screen to see if it is actually accurate
@hachi05@IndianJesus@OnionSoup@shahnm Yep, somewhere I saw an electron-micrograph once of a record groove a) in its pristine unplayed state b) after one play. The difference was dramatic.
Electron micrographs of vinyl are fascinating in general too. There are even videos out there that purport to be live recordings at super-high-res of needles playing vinyl grooves. One guy did before-and-afters of a) dusty records after being left out unprotected b) the same record after debris removal.
@hachi05@IndianJesus@OnionSoup Over time, yes. But with a properly calibrated turntable/tonearm/cartridge/stylus, records will last a long time. But as @kensey suggested, the vinyl also needs to be cared for properly…
Part of the charm of vinyl is how very much of a pain in the ass it all is…
@OnionSoup A proper gentleman would not utter the comment that comes to mind in response. So I’ll just go ahead and say it: she’s kinda worn out from a few too many spins on the platter??
@Ignorant@kdemo comparing it to a CD might be confusing to a younger millennial. You need to say “it’s like the thing that goes in the cupholder on a desktop but bigger, and not digital”.
I hear tomorrow night’s Hallmehrk movie may be a period piece in which a wealthy British aristocrat comes under fire from a group of protesters pushing for democratic rule. The aristocrat’s wife finds out the protest leader is a long lost cousin, and they try to find common ground through the Christmas holidays. Can the bond of family transcend the divide between the common man and nobility with the help of jolly St. Nick? Find out in “A Christmas Tory”.
@djslack It reminds me of the a FOIA request we made four or five years ago. One of the pages we received was literally a greeting, a giant black block, and a salutation. LMAO!
I don’t know how many people have thought "I sure do wish I had a lo-fi Bluetooth speaker the size of a suitcase that also played records, so I could lug that around and play Spotify on it.
But tons of people have very nice Bluetooth speakers, some thanks to our friends here at Meh. I bet more people might have music on vinyl that doesn’t exist on Spotify. Having the Bluetooth work the other way and being able to play vinyl on your nice Bluetooth speaker might be useful to them.
Of course, those people probably don’t want those records ruined, either.
@djslack vinyl is a terrible format (the “warmth” people like about it is just the vinyl degrading), with that said, I think there is a certain quirky-cool to having a record player. There is a certain value to be applied to uniqueness and quirkiness.
@djslack@OnionSoup Digital source through a good amp and speakers with the right mix, or through a meh tube amp and good speakers offers that same warmth.
This reminds me of when Hollywood directors refused to shoot to digital because it didn’t have the same warmth as film. Now nearly everything is digital.
@OnionSoup All true, but people still like vinyl. A lot, these days.
That quirkiness is exactly why I want one of these, although I’m sure it sounds like ass and ruins records with tremendous speed:
/image vinyl killer soundwagon
Also, they want way too much money for those. $20 and I’m in, but $80 is out of the question.
@mike808 This won’t either, as you know you have to have to change the stylus to on rated to play 78s, but I gather you are joking as this will destroy anything that comes in contact with it… so bluetooth is ok. (no contact)
@akadamia
Yes, I do have at least a few, most of which were gleaned over the decades since I [now regretfully] sold my large, but [probably weirdly] eclectic collection in the mid-80’s.
@PhysAssist that looks like a USB audio interface/mixer paired with software on your computer. (Edit: on second thought, it doesn’t look like it’s USB, just a mixer). I’m assuming you want to use your existing record player and not something like the ion USB turntable. This would give you control over levels, but require a bit of interaction on the computer. You could do this with any USB audio interface (or even your line in jack) and Audacity free audio software, and also have control over what codec you use to save your audio files. Here’s one: http://m.interstatemusic.com/961092-Behringer-UFO202-Audiophile-USB-Audio-Interface-with-Built-in-Phono-Preamp-UFO202.aspx
For those interested, the story of how they added stereo capability to vinyl records while maintaining backwards compatibility with mono record players is really cool.
It’s almost as cool as how they added color to NTSC television broadcasts while maintaining compatibility with the existing base of black and white televisions.
I realize after posting this that the above may read as a joke. It’s not! It’s really cool!
I am not sure why anyone would want to stream other audio sources through these crappy speakers, now if you could CONNECT decent bluetooth speakers to bypass these then we have got something…of course would be at higher price point but I digress. Just got an audio-technica that transmits via bluetooth from my local independent record store, worth the extra bucks for better quality and to support locals who love music. This would be a cool gift for someone to start into vinyl but a good point above in that could ruin your vinyl as well.
@butchworley Wait, what? It has bluetooth in but not out? “Yo man, send the audio stream from your premium high end car stereo over to my iPhone speakers for some really killer treble.”
I don’t understand these suitcase phonographs. Records aren’t really a portable format, so why would you get a portable player? Just get a nice tabletop model and a good set of powered computer speakers. I would recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 as a good entry-level turntable and the Logitech Z323 Speaker Set does the job well. Good bass response and and mid-range.
I actually thought about one of these(different brand, but basically the same thing) for my aunt and uncle, but the reviews i read for the one i was looking at (a crosley) showed it to be overpriced gahbage. with extra craptacular speakers.
I only really wanted it for the Bluetooth function.
they wanted a non “smart speaker”(no siri/alexa/google, etc)wireless speaker they could stream music to in their dining room (from either their PC, or Surface), and a portable turntable wouldn’t look out of place with their aesthetic…
i’m probably over thinking it with the aesthetic thing, but… what can you do…
Specs
What’s in the Box?
1x Turntable
1x 45 Adapter
1x Replacement Needle
Price Comparison
$42.99 at Amazon
Warranty
1 Year Victrola
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, July 9th - Monday, July 13th
Party
mmm definitely want to destroy my records
@IndianJesus Can crappy needles do that?
@hachi05 @IndianJesus Yes. Crappy needles, incorrectly aligned needles, overly lightly balanced tonearms (or overly heavy - though strangely too light can be worse than too heavy. Makes the needle bounce around the groove).
Vinyl can be awesome, but if you’re going to go there, go there with good and properly set up equipment!
But props on the 33 1/3 RPM spinning Meh button!
@hachi05 @IndianJesus @shahnm It would be fun to have and just buy some already crapped up vinyl to play on it.
And when you click the Meh button, Meh face spins at 45 rpm. Very cute.
@hachi05 @IndianJesus @shahnm damnit now you’ve got me sitting here with a stopwatch and an indexing sticky note on my screen to see if it is actually accurate
@nolrak well is it?
@nolrak so I did it myself… I clocked 46rpm, so it just makes all the Meh hit singles a little bit peppier.
@hachi05 @IndianJesus @shahnm don’t even the best needles degrade vinyl over time though? If you play a record too much it eventually wears down.
@hachi05 @IndianJesus @OnionSoup @shahnm Yep, somewhere I saw an electron-micrograph once of a record groove a) in its pristine unplayed state b) after one play. The difference was dramatic.
Electron micrographs of vinyl are fascinating in general too. There are even videos out there that purport to be live recordings at super-high-res of needles playing vinyl grooves. One guy did before-and-afters of a) dusty records after being left out unprotected b) the same record after debris removal.
@hachi05 @IndianJesus @OnionSoup Over time, yes. But with a properly calibrated turntable/tonearm/cartridge/stylus, records will last a long time. But as @kensey suggested, the vinyl also needs to be cared for properly…
Part of the charm of vinyl is how very much of a pain in the ass it all is…
@shahnm my wife is a lot like vinyl then.
@OnionSoup A proper gentleman would not utter the comment that comes to mind in response. So I’ll just go ahead and say it: she’s kinda worn out from a few too many spins on the platter??
Is this good for listening to with my Aiwa headphones, remembering the best of the good old brands?
Great decision on speedier shipping!
thanks meh for reminding me that this is what I wanted to get my partner!
Only $29 to ruin your records!
@andrd And simulate the experience of AM radio in a hifi world!
I am genuinely confused as to what this is.
@goldnectar - Have you ever heard of vinyl records? This is for those.
@goldnectar @kdemo like a CD?
@goldnectar @Ignorant @kdemo please tell me you’re kidding…
@Ignorant - Just like a CD, only different.
/giphy feeling so old
@Ignorant This has Bluetooth, so you can burn straight from iTunes to a blank record!
@Ignorant @kdemo comparing it to a CD might be confusing to a younger millennial. You need to say “it’s like the thing that goes in the cupholder on a desktop but bigger, and not digital”.
/giphy desktop cupholder cd
Just say no kids.
@kylejwilke “no kids”?
Am I doing it right?
@djslack @kylejwilke Very close. The correct answer should have been "no kids.
"
You spin me right 'round, baby, right 'round. Sorry, the meh button was making me dizzy.
@yeppers
I was wondering if I was the only one that had that song stuck in their head.
@jst1ofknd @yeppers
/youtube dead or alive spin me round
This is just a powered toothbrush for your records. Beware.
It’s all bout’ that base…
/giphy titled-scientific-giraffe
@dj_m
So Amazon sells purple option?
Like the click face.
I’ll stick with my dual turntable.
I hear tomorrow night’s Hallmehrk movie may be a period piece in which a wealthy British aristocrat comes under fire from a group of protesters pushing for democratic rule. The aristocrat’s wife finds out the protest leader is a long lost cousin, and they try to find common ground through the Christmas holidays. Can the bond of family transcend the divide between the common man and nobility with the help of jolly St. Nick? Find out in “A Christmas Tory”.
@djslack
- That was a looong way to go . . .
@djslack @kdemo And so delightfully not worth the journey! Meh indeed…
@djslack The daily mail is a @djslack double feature. I’m star struck!
@ruouttaurmind Well I’ll be… And one of them looks positively filthy with redactions, which is terrific!
@djslack It reminds me of the a FOIA request we made four or five years ago. One of the pages we received was literally a greeting, a giant black block, and a salutation. LMAO!
@djslack @shahnm - Perfectly fits the theme of today’s write-up, and super creative.
Puns are the most elevated display of wit.
Semi-related non-catshirtswoot:
/wootstalker https://shirt.woot.com/offers/youre-old-school-1
You’re Old… School
Price: $19.00
Condition: Probably New
@narfcake “non-catshirtswoot”
@narfcake A spool holder for a sewing machine? Hah!
(yeah, yeah, I know what it means but that’s exactly what came with my sewing machine)
Vinyl has made a comeback. I have have hope for my 8 track collection.
@hchavers Undoubtedly by the 23rd Century!
@hchavers I’m old but not quite old enough for 8 tracks. I need cassettes to make a comeback. That was my earliest childhood media format.
@hchavers Somewhere I have an RCA 5-tape 8-track player and a cassette-to-8-track adapter.
I don’t know how many people have thought "I sure do wish I had a lo-fi Bluetooth speaker the size of a suitcase that also played records, so I could lug that around and play Spotify on it.
But tons of people have very nice Bluetooth speakers, some thanks to our friends here at Meh. I bet more people might have music on vinyl that doesn’t exist on Spotify. Having the Bluetooth work the other way and being able to play vinyl on your nice Bluetooth speaker might be useful to them.
Of course, those people probably don’t want those records ruined, either.
@djslack vinyl is a terrible format (the “warmth” people like about it is just the vinyl degrading), with that said, I think there is a certain quirky-cool to having a record player. There is a certain value to be applied to uniqueness and quirkiness.
@djslack @OnionSoup Digital source through a good amp and speakers with the right mix, or through a meh tube amp and good speakers offers that same warmth.
This reminds me of when Hollywood directors refused to shoot to digital because it didn’t have the same warmth as film. Now nearly everything is digital.
@OnionSoup All true, but people still like vinyl. A lot, these days.
That quirkiness is exactly why I want one of these, although I’m sure it sounds like ass and ruins records with tremendous speed:
/image vinyl killer soundwagon
Also, they want way too much money for those. $20 and I’m in, but $80 is out of the question.
@djslack - I used to sell those in my shop! You’re correct they sound awful, but worth it for the silliness.
None of my other turntables play my archival 78rpm Parlophones. Score!
@mike808 This won’t either, as you know you have to have to change the stylus to on rated to play 78s, but I gather you are joking as this will destroy anything that comes in contact with it… so bluetooth is ok. (no contact)
3.5 stars? Anything less than 4 stars on Amazon should never be considered.
@Dizavid So I guess this movie would be right out:
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Stars-Rene-Redzepi/dp/B016VEHOWK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545094472&sr=8-1&keywords=three+stars
@Dizavid And the less said about this thing, the better…:
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Stars/dp/B01LY6UZQN/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1545094472&sr=8-8&keywords=three+stars
@Dizavid This is of course unacceptable:
https://www.amazon.com/Paialco-Sterling-Silver-Pendant-Necklace/dp/B071DX8SJB/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1545094472&sr=8-16&keywords=three+stars
@Dizavid And everybody oughtta hate these:
https://www.amazon.com/Swedish-Match-Safety-Matches-Strike/dp/B01NBUVENS/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1545094641&sr=8-21&keywords=three+stars
Meh- it doesn’t output to MP3 so there is no point in it for me.
I only want one to rip my LP’s to MP3’s so the vinyl doesn’t get ruined.
@PhysAssist Do you have LPs that aren’t available in mp3 format?
@PhysAssist I want to burn my MP3s into LP format. Can this help?
@mehcuda67 Yes but you have to reverse all the diodes and hook it up to 220V, so it’s a bit of a project.
@djslack @mehcuda67 And the technique to power up the flux capacitor is surprisingly complicated.
@djslack @mehcuda67 @thmoore
What they said…
/giphy useless question
@akadamia
Yes, I do have at least a few, most of which were gleaned over the decades since I [now regretfully] sold my large, but [probably weirdly] eclectic collection in the mid-80’s.
@PhysAssist hate to ruin the fun with a serious comment, but. https://www.dak.com/product/daks-lps-and-tapes-to-cd-and-mp3-system/
@readnj You may just have started my fun!
Thanks for the link.
Do you have any experience using the DAK product?
Thanks again!
@PhysAssist @readnj I didn’t know DAK was still around!
@PhysAssist that looks like a USB audio interface/mixer paired with software on your computer. (Edit: on second thought, it doesn’t look like it’s USB, just a mixer). I’m assuming you want to use your existing record player and not something like the ion USB turntable. This would give you control over levels, but require a bit of interaction on the computer. You could do this with any USB audio interface (or even your line in jack) and Audacity free audio software, and also have control over what codec you use to save your audio files. Here’s one: http://m.interstatemusic.com/961092-Behringer-UFO202-Audiophile-USB-Audio-Interface-with-Built-in-Phono-Preamp-UFO202.aspx
You might also check out this gadget for an experience more akin to recording an LP to cassette if you don’t want all the PC fidgeting: https://m.hammacher.com/product/lp-and-cassette-to-digital-converter
@djslack @readnj Well, unfortunately no I no longer have a turntable, but that’s a very cool gadget.
Thanks!
Although not listed under “What’s in the Box”, I assume the AC adapter is "in the box"?
Asking for a friend…
Beware of cheap needles. You have been warned.
@radi0j0hn But but but, it comes with replacement cheap needle too!!! Doesn’t that add up to one decent needle?
@radi0j0hn and never share a needle with a friend.
@Contrary @radi0j0hn You need to install them both for stereo.
Don’t think we didn’t notice the webkit animation: spin linear infinite; on the meh button.
Oh, we did
@tallrob also shoutout to the web designer who gave it a slightly off-center axis.
For those interested, the story of how they added stereo capability to vinyl records while maintaining backwards compatibility with mono record players is really cool.
It’s almost as cool as how they added color to NTSC television broadcasts while maintaining compatibility with the existing base of black and white televisions.
I realize after posting this that the above may read as a joke. It’s not! It’s really cool!
I am not sure why anyone would want to stream other audio sources through these crappy speakers, now if you could CONNECT decent bluetooth speakers to bypass these then we have got something…of course would be at higher price point but I digress. Just got an audio-technica that transmits via bluetooth from my local independent record store, worth the extra bucks for better quality and to support locals who love music. This would be a cool gift for someone to start into vinyl but a good point above in that could ruin your vinyl as well.
@butchworley Wait, what? It has bluetooth in but not out? “Yo man, send the audio stream from your premium high end car stereo over to my iPhone speakers for some really killer treble.”
@butchworley @tallrob yeah, they’re basically a crappy bluetooth speaker, that also plays records.
I don’t understand these suitcase phonographs. Records aren’t really a portable format, so why would you get a portable player? Just get a nice tabletop model and a good set of powered computer speakers. I would recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 as a good entry-level turntable and the Logitech Z323 Speaker Set does the job well. Good bass response and and mid-range.
@StevenS757
They harken back to a time when that was the only portable music player. Pre-Walkman, pre-boombox…
Well, I suppose carrying a small violinist on your shoulders would be another option.
Hrm…maybe for $10?
remind me not to buy any records at garage sales in the states where these audiophilenots have purchased this low grade record killer…
I actually thought about one of these(different brand, but basically the same thing) for my aunt and uncle, but the reviews i read for the one i was looking at (a crosley) showed it to be overpriced gahbage. with extra craptacular speakers.
I only really wanted it for the Bluetooth function.
they wanted a non “smart speaker”(no siri/alexa/google, etc)wireless speaker they could stream music to in their dining room (from either their PC, or Surface), and a portable turntable wouldn’t look out of place with their aesthetic…
i’m probably over thinking it with the aesthetic thing, but… what can you do…
@earlyre depending on their aesthetic, some of these options might work well too:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Retro-Wooden-Subwoofer-Wireless-Bluetooth-Speaker-HIFI-Stereo-Bass-Dual-Music-Speakers-Dancing-Outdoor-Indoor-Party/803137823
https://express.google.com/u/0/product/14562134284842735135_11915239699168957198_7815
https://www.choice4trend.com/products/retro-phonograph-bluetooth-speaker-with-fm-radio-function
Already got it, yikes that was fast shipping.