Make Your Hi-Fi Sing: Tips and Tricks for Performance-Enhanced Listening (Turntable Tips Series)
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You can comment on this video at YouTube
Thursday April 20, 2023
David Mellor
David Mellor is CEO and Course Director of Audio Masterclass. David has designed courses in audio education and training since 1986 and is the publisher and principal writer of Adventures In Audio.
Ray Taylor: I have 2 half speed mobile Fidelity master records that I cherish. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the moon and Alan Parsons I Robot. Only play them on special occasions when I can sit and get taken away by music with a couple of brews.
Audio Masterclass replies to Ray Taylor: Good plan,
Eric Sell: You didn't offer one single "tip" or even a "trick". Thanks for wasting 10 and a half minutes of my life. Oh well, time to listen to another one of your peckish rants...
Mark Vincent Cocjin: You should talk about Garbage In and Garbage Out. How some famous recorded works weren't really high quality to begin with. And how people try to color the sound with their system to make it sound better.
Sometimes, the appeal of being able to play music from a piece of spinning plastic's micro contours is the delight in itself. Like the magic of a music box, or hearing someone's voice across two cups and a long piece of string.
nandhz: Why HiFi is strictly analog?
Larry Hazelwood: Check out some of the highly praised Technics digital equipment.
svtcontour: I just wanted to say thank you for your channel and content. Excellent material and straight to the point and well presented and clear.
Michael Edwards: This whole business is a strange, unknown world to me, and it puzzles me. David, if you actually get to read this, why do you exclude so many options? You exclude the entire realm of digital sources of music, even though (whether you like it or not) it is dominant today. You exclude cassettes (well, I do understand that, at least!), but why is reel-to-reel tape also out? Why do you make an extraordinary statement like "Reel-to-reel tape is either vintage pro audio or a different hobby entirely"?
It really looks to me as if vinyl records are just about all that's left - and I am aware that vinyl has made something of a niche comeback, although I don't understand why. Why is it that vinyl is desirable in a way that digital sources, reel-to-reel tape, etc. are not? I've heard people say vinyl sounds better than anything else, but they never explain why, beyond some vague comparison along the lines of "vinyl is warm and human; digital, although very precise and accurate, is cold and inhuman". Countering that, I have also heard people say that reel-to-reel tape is the best-sounding, purest of all music media - and I think some of those who've said that have given technical reasons, specifications, backing that up. I didn't understand all that detail in the least, but it did at least seem to indicate that the claims had an objective basis.
So, David (or anyone else who knows the answers), why do you exclude seemingly almost everything from your ideal way of listening to music other than vinyl?
If someone could explain that to me, I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
Audio Masterclass replies to Michael Edwards: I don't make the rules. Vinyl is popular and I'm not the cause of that. I biased this video towards vinyl and I cover digital elsewhere in other videos. As for reel-to-reel, yes it's vintage pro audio and a producer might want to mix to tape for its characteristic sound. But tape for hi-fi, perhaps it could be a thing (https://thereeltoreelrambler.com/reel-to-reel-tape-a-beginners-guide/music-on-tape-whats-available-whos-producing-what-and-what-can-you-legally-buy/) but until there are affordable reel-to-reel machines available new, comparable in quality to, say, Rega turntables, I can't see anything happening there. I might address the point in a future video. DM
chimneysway: I love cassette tape. Lasts very very long. It’s tape decks that make it tricky for people as they don’t last long w/o repairs needed.
asad abbas mirza: Room accoutics is in waiting though lot of material ic available. Bss traps ,diffusers QRD??
glen lapwing: I know what you mean about reel to reel, when I was younger, couldn’t wait to get one, after 6-8 months I hardly used it, just too much work, maintenance & takes forever to record a whole reel. Finally took it down & put it in a closet and forgot about it
Mark Philpot: I have a problem with anyone who thinks Nakamichi is the only cassette deck worth having. That’s insulting actually. I have two Revox decks, a B215 and B215S, as well as an NAD 6300. Neither of these are unworthy. Any of these will directly compete and beat any Nak deck made. You can hate on cassette decks all you want. Some decks weren’t hyped by reviewers or the press. What do they know. All tape media players are flawed to some extent, save the reel to reel half track decks. In a high resolving system, you can find flaws in your own components when you know what to listen for. While I respect your knowledge of audio, have you had a highly resolving system yourself? I refuse to kick streaming, but I think analog is in my DNA and we can all find something which pleases our own ears and keep our opinions to ourselves if we can’t be civil and factual. Nak decks are the only ones? Says you! Pooey, you don’t know cassette decks if that is your opinion!
Audio Masterclass replies to Mark Philpot: So where did I say that Nakamichi is the only good deck? You can’t tell me because I didn’t say that. I used Nakamichi as an example of a good deck. I have, by the way, used Revox and Studer. Good decks but I wouldn’t rave. DM
Chuck Maddison: The biggest difference between pro sound and hifi. Pro sound isn't free from physics. 😊
Audio Masterclass replies to Chuck Maddison: Free from quantum mysticism also. DM
Douglas Blake: Wow, thanks for this David...
I knew it was true deep in my heart. By every criterion you've set out and all of the standards you described I am not an audiophile.
What a relief!
WT1701: Almost every Saturday and Sunday during October till April i switch on my stereo at around 5pm, choose my evenings selection of music based on mood, eat at 6pm, go down to my listening with the stereo tubes now warmed up. I take brake for evening snacks and drink, and continue listening until past midnight.
Audio Masterclass replies to WT1701: Clearly you are a genuine audiophile. DM
Lx655321: Your demeanor may be very British, but what you depicted sounds like the essence of a universal audiophile.
Mark Songi: Ah the British art of queuing. Good timing for me as I would prefer to be in the Arena at the proms this year.
carlingtonme: Since,"Why your audio is bad and why you can't do anything about it" why would anything matter???
Gary Smith: Ok, you HOOKED me, fine fellow...............love the two video presentations I have seen thus far. Your in England, and I am here in New England and have subscribed. My late married partner was ALL THINGS British and introduced me to the Proms via video presentations years ago (there is a DVD in the collection).
Having worked for a small pipe organ firm here in the states for 34 years now, it is always wonderful to see the concerts played on fine English organs, including the Father Willis at RAH. BIG fan of Scott Brothers Duo, and so many of these fine instruments are being brought to the fore by these two brothers on this very platform! Many thanks again. 😊
David Collins: No digital, but streaming - have I misunderstood something? How else but digital is streaming produced?
Nate D.: So, your place at 7:00 then? See ya then! I expect a great listening experience from you, and I'm assuming your hi end HI-Fi.....
Coralie Fontes De Aguiar: Is this gentleman the best of all the youtubers ?
John Marchington: It seems as if I will never enjoy a 'concert' at home.I gave up listening to vinyl decades ago.
Oscar Jung: What is wrong with digital.....
Melanie Zette: Just analog? 🤔 I don't understand why.
Oolong Oolong: A heart-warming description of an evening at a live concert. But you forgot to mention one important thing. So you settle in your seat prior to the performance, amid the murmur of excitable conversation. Then, a burst of applause as the conductor appears. Then, quiet. Silent anticipation. Then, the music starts. Then, the COUGHING!
Audio Masterclass replies to Oolong Oolong: No I don't get it either. If I had to cough during a concert I'd be holding both hands tightly in front of my mouth. Of course there's worse - people who try to undo sweet wrappers silently. Prolongs the agony. DM
Les G replies to Oolong Oolong: Correct, someone needs to invent a small boxes that you place around your listening room that operate in a random fashion issuing cough and sneeze sounds. The only way to give your recorded vinyl that 'live concert ' realism.
Chris Johnson replies to Oolong Oolong: Lol
2minutes-dharma *: Fantastic presentation.
I have a different approach. Possess 105 LPs. Numbered them all. Then used a random number generator to list all the 105 numbers.
So every day .. music time.. 9 pm on wards, I pick a number from that list and play the corresponding vinyl. Makes the session very interesting as I never know whats coming up that day and I think all records have an equal chance!!
BTW my system is self built.. Main amplifier a tube cathode follower feeding the quintessential Lindsey Hood designed Class A 10W amplifier into Klipsch RM-82 II . Source is a vintage JVC QL-A2 with an elliptical stylus/cartridge LP Gear's CF3600LE
Mike+Ilky Cook: Methinks this fella has had a lifetime in sales. He is very engaging and witty though...
anahatamelodeon: I think my parents had that Fournier Bach recording in the '60s when it was new. It certainly didn't cost anything like that much then.
Audio Masterclass replies to anahatamelodeon: I had Janos Starker on Saga which was a budget label. You can now pay up to (and possibly more if you look hard enough) £113.50 GBP for the same music and performer. DM
Sascha Schroeder: Why do so many people think they should be pointlessly impolite with their comments?
I don‘t use any analog playback sources in my system, but I can 100% relate to the majority of points made in this video. Bottom line, it doesn‘t matter if you spend 10.000 bucks on a turntable. If you‘re happy with a reasonable streaming system, and you actually listen to music and not your gear, you‘re in the right place. That‘s all there is to it, not more not less.
Of course you can spend hundreds of hours on optimising every part of the audio chain, or the listening room, and yes it all makes sense and is an interesting journey by itself. But just accept that everyone needs to decide what they need to experience music and enjoy it, and some of the rants in the comments just turn into noise.
Very enjoyable and interesting channel! I don‘t agree with all of the opinions but hey - I‘d just recommend to stop watching if it rubs you the wrong way.
Carlito Melon: You forgot to break the spell and get up to flip the record😅
My American wife says you're "quite the little character"....
And she's married to an audiophile Brit!
I set aside the first a Hour or so of my day in Montana US for my concert experience* with a nice cuppa T.
🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵
*PS
Streamed from Qobuz.
Can't relax to "liquorice rice krispies" sorry.
Bought a Fat Freddy's drop LP this month for my 1984 Heybrook TT2ii tho;-)
Brian Jones: The very definition of cheeky !
Carl Fuggiasco: Today's episode seems to be entry level talk......that said what about someone older like me who's been collecting and listening to vinyl for decades and does not need to know where to find it....any tips for such - might you lend.....
Jeff Ward: Reminds me of the evenings in the 1980s when Mrs W and I would sit on the floor of our acoustically disastrous living room and share a bottle of cheap wine while we listened to scratched, worn out LPs through a deeply suboptimal system (cheap deck, cheap amp and...Yamaha NS10s, yes!)... and everything sounded completely brilliant. It was all down to the experience which is still memorable 40 years on. How right you are DM (as usual). Great video, great channel, thank you!
HieronymousCheese replies to Jeff Ward: Love it. I grew up playing my mother's old 45's on her battered mono portable player (early 60's model, I think - I could stack the singles to make a "playlist"). I'm not sure anything in my adult life (fancy schmancy amps, speakers, etc) has ever delivered the excitement and feel of those old (sometimes scratchy) sounds.
When Better Cars Are Built: What I love about analog(ue) is NOT the "patina". I hate pops and ticks. My best pressed records have little to none of this.
Emmanuel Gutierrez: $1k record is like fine wine. Now most used classical lp’s are not beat up as The Clash.
P Kaul: You Sir are absolutely hilarious! Your sarcasm mixed with sage advice is very tastefully delivered! Please keep them coming!
mbgaomo: If ya don't mean digital then there is no need watching this video.
Jahn-Pierre Zietsman: I love the Silince of the lamb's reference!
Lyle Francis Delp: I am looking forward to your tips. I’ve never been a dedicated audiophile (audiophool?), but I have maintained a reasonably good sounding system since my high school days (1976-79). It now consists of:
A nice Yamaha receiver with phono inputs
My trusty old Acoustic Research ES-1 turntable (purchased in 1986)
A secondary turntable…ProJect Debut 3….low cost and can play 78s, if I choose to do so.
Sony double cassette deck…rarely used, but I have it for all of those great live concerts I taped off the radio.
A Teac open reel deck to satisfy my recent addiction of open reel tapes, purchased used on EBay.
All patched to a nice pair of Polk 10 speakers, purchased in 1988.
All of this is patched into my computer through a Yamaha D/A converter. If I so choose, I can digitize anything that isn’t currently available on CD, drop it into iTunes, and then stream anywhere through my phone.
mark wilding: I read that book that presented the theory that the Bach Cello suites were written by Bach's wife. It is a pretty weak argument, and the only "experts" who claim it to be valid also, coincidentally, happen to be outspoken raging feminist professors. It's about a million times more likely that Mrs Bach made hand copies.
Tony Moretti: I bought 1 near mint record. It was so terrible, I throwed it away and never buy second hand again.
Michel Linschoten: This entire video sarcasm... 😂
Wolfgang Pointner: The more I watch your channel, the more I enjoy it, great stuff, thank you.
David King: You should create a video showing how you mix two instruments in mono.. explain how you get them to work. What you pull out for frequencies, and how you use certain frequencies to bring these instruments out... nobody understands this
Audio Masterclass replies to David King: I might do this. The essence is that the two instruments may have different bands of frequencies where they are strong and useful. So in Instrument A if you boost say 3 kHz, then you will cut 3 kHz in Instrument B, and you'll do the same for Instrument B's strong band. This all has to be done with close attention to whether or not you're making an improvement. DM
David King replies to David King: @Audio Masterclass how do you locate an instruments strong frequency? This would be a good video. 👍
Romi Petrut: Very reasonable thoughts.I like your british humor!
David King: I love the straight forward no crap talk.. I've been telling people this for years. That old stuff SUCKS.. it worked for the time period but today you better get used to working in the box.. in ten years that stuff will not exist... why should it? I know this rich kid who built a Hidley control room. Put a J series SSL in it.. he has all of that old gear.. I remember him telling me "that unit there, it cost me 20 grand. It's used only on the kick drum. It gives it this snap sound in the high end." I thought "how stupid, you've got this 20ft console sitting in front of you with everything in it.
He told me "every unit has this unique sound just for certain instruments." He had over two hundred thousand in outboard gear.. it was all old.. and his console had strips removed for testing and work being done to them.. ? What the Hell? 😮
You couldn't pour the money fast enough into this building. He lives in it.. dude never comes out of the studio. he's always telling us how he mixed the latest album for Jay lo or spears. Or snoop? I don't believe it! I just know Uber brings food to the place..
Miami SWL Radio replies to David King: It's fascinating how you are criticizing older 'old stuff' as you call it while simultaneously praising this video for "straight forward no crap talk" when this video is actually correctly shitting on "new stuff" thereby signifying that you comment is straight out of a schizophrenic's stream of consciousness.
Sjoerd de Jong: Yes sir, this tip has triggered me to do just that and enjoy. Played the first classical record I bought in the 70ties on my recently restored Dual 704 with Shure V15 cartridge (from that same era) and spanking new stylus. Oh the memories that come back. And the pops and clicks are the patina you just mentioned. Thanks for this. As an early adopter of digital I still prefer a good recorded digital version but I digress. Greetings from The Netherlands!
When Better Cars Are Built replies to Sjoerd de Jong: Having owned 150 individual stereo components in my life. And even more than changing speakers (Rogers, Klipsch, ProAc, on and on) the BIGGEST leap in sound quality was going from your exact turntable/cartridge to a SOTA Sapphire with Premier FT-3 arm and Grado TLZ cartridge. It was ASTOUNDING. Nothing I did before or since had even 10% of the impact. And I have had amps from Spectral, Threshold, Eagle etc.
Gregório: I've been listening to vinyl since teenage years simply because, in those days (90´s and 2000´s) in Brazil, in the dawn of CD, excelent second hand record players were very cheap, and the records either. Before internet, it was the only way i could, with the resources i had, listen to a lot of music and have the albuns i loved. See my point: it was very expensive to buy a good CD player, and the CD itself was costly. My choyce was between a bad quality equipament to play CDs or a very good to play vinyl. So, i still have a lot of LPs from this era and enjoy them very well.
This hi-fi equipament, today, can very well play digital too!
barryhall7: Thanks for the jellyfish tip.
Audio Masterclass replies to barryhall7: Jellyfin. DM
Nacho Libre: You are great
Michael Ulaskiewicz: Wow just Great stuff
BATMAN DESTROYS: You are great Audio Masterclass!
John Mark Brailsford: Good to hear about your concert-going life! - as well as your journey through hi-fi. I have a houseful of L.P.s, C.D.s, (and 78s) collected over the years, mainly classical music, but am very thankful that here in Manchester we have two full symphony orchestras performing regularly, the Halle & the B.B.C. Philharmonic, plus chamber music recitals. Thus I can experience the sound of the ultimate sound system; an actual orchestra performing in front of me! (When the first 3-D films were shown in the 1950s, one wag commented "You'll see, they'll end up inventing the theatre"). Part of the value of recorded music for me is to identify those works which I like so much that it's worth taking the trouble to travel out to a concert-hall.
Robert Matichak: Funny …. I’ve been in professional audio recording studios my entire life. Only recently have I setup my living room with a hi-fi system. What you described is exactly why I did it. I think the audio source is irrelevant. It’s the time set aside to sit and listen, without distractions … to have an experience. I know my living-room is not acoustically accurate and nor have I tried to make it so. I don’t care. I’m not listening to judge sound, I’m listening to live the experience.
Great video.
Thanks.
Tony Jedi Of The Forest: Brilliant once more, can’t decide though what is tongue in cheek and what is not as a lot of what you say can appertain to me! Very fine lines there.
ray cochrane: After consuming the meat of the topic all that remained was the skewer - and it was well used.
Paul: I am confused. This video is the antithesis of most of your prior videos.
Audio Masterclass replies to Paul: I have the sometimes uncomfortable superpower of being able to see things from different points of view. People use music in different ways - sometimes perfectly happy to have music in the background on a tiny mono radio, at other times - as I said - majestically live in the Royal Albert Hall. I know this doesn't answer your point, but perhaps there isn't actually an answer. DM
Carlito Melon replies to Paul: As long as you're not mocking the target audience for your recording and yt work...
The folks who actually care how recordings sound...?
🎵🎶🤔🎶
Mark Hayman: Great and interesting video, I do collect classical lps from specialist record shop in good quality second hand and charity shops . So you can get decent LPs . Regards mark
Audio Masterclass replies to Mark Hayman: Thank you for your comment, which I appreciate. It may be that classical records fare better over time due to their owners being more careful with them. In my crate digging days I was mostly happy with the condition, and the price I paid, never more than 1 GBP, totally made up for any that were not so good. DM
Armando Camorra: An entire video of "hiFinest" in their maximum peak
Ar De: British humor is the best.
Audio Masterclass replies to Ar De: Sometimes we just don't know when we're being humorous. DM
Chris Johnson replies to Ar De: Do you like Monty python?
Ar De replies to Ar De: @Chris Johnson of course
Bart Aldrich: Sure, you can be an audiophile snob if you have $50,000 USD lying around.
Michel Linschoten replies to Bart Aldrich: There are guys out there that consider that low budget. Look up Jay's audio lab that dude setup cost 1.5mil .
G. Gray: BLOW IT OUT YOU HI FI BUTT !!
Veselin Dochev: Hell, yeah, I'm gonna play this on a Crosley Cruiser. I'll buy a Crosley Cruiser especially for this.
Audio Masterclass replies to Veselin Dochev: This is how some people enjoy their music. Not for me, but for those who like it, then why not? (Apart from destroying their records in the process) DM
Veselin Dochev replies to Veselin Dochev: @Audio Masterclass Yes, I was joking, of course, but thank you for replying.
Maids and Muses: The experience is even better if you buy tickets to your own vinyl performance program. Then you have to make sure it is worth the price of admission 😉
Adrian Fox: Always enjoyable, highly informed comment. Sometimes reminds me of one of the oldest records I own (Flanders & Swann "At The Drop of a Hat") the track on "The Song Of Reproduction!!" about Hifi saying how mad the whole thing is, but is still Very Wonderful especially if as you say played on a high quality system reproducing repeats of great recordings of great music?
Jero: You forget THE most important thing of reproducing the illusion as good as possible and dont cost a lot when you DIY. Room Acoustics is the No1 thing to improve. Thank you.
I dont have expensive equipment, built the speakers myself, often i get tears in my eyes when i listen to a piano-Cello piece live performed (digital FLAC :) ) and also often scary realistic which makes me get goosebumps with some songs where all kinds of effects are implemented.
So you can imagine i dont agree with you when u say digital is heartless, thats nonsense.
Miami SWL Radio replies to Jero: Nonsense is throwing away money for room acoustics when you can use proper headphones. As it should be. See what I did there? I gave an opinion just like you did. Ahhh ... but in your narcissist mind only are you are correct. I understand.
David Snyder: This is one of your better videos. However, unless I've been time travelling again, I'd swear I watched it a week or two ago. If it was removed by mistake and re-uploaded, I'm glad that it was saved. Worth sharing, and I will do so.
Stephen Charlton: Shame you are so anti Digital... I will now unsubscribe
adam ant: Today I "absorbed" and greatly enjoyed listening to Santana's Abraxas LP after a workout. This is an original pressing and it still sounds swell played on my vintage Dual Turntable. Last week I actually played Michael Jackson's Thriller LP after a long hiatus and I must say that producer Quincy Jones really hit it out of the park with that album. That session reminded me how good the album sounds especially after the long hiatus from listening to it. I personally would never spend the money on a Mofi or any other remastered label. For the extra coin I could buy more LP's instead.
BATMAN DESTROYS replies to adam ant: Absolutely agree with you! Billie Jean and Beat It Wow!
Eric Myers: You absolutely get us, kind sir. Bravo! Found your channel a few weeks ago, enjoy the high quality content, and LOVE your stylized delivery. Thanks for contributing some of the best content on YouTube today!
Audio Masterclass replies to Eric Myers: Thank you. I appreciate your comment and will endeavour to keep up, and hopefully improve, the standard. DM
Richard Singer replies to Eric Myers: Are you absolutely sure this isn’t a gentle mickey take?
Audio Masterclass replies to Eric Myers: @Richard Singer Well maybe I've gone a little over the top, but I think that one of the attractive points of hi-fi is that you can put an effort in and get a reward, which isn't really the case with streaming. I wouldn't expect anyone to try and replicate my nine-hour concert experience at home, but I think there's value in going at least some of the way. DM
Eric Myers replies to Eric Myers: @Richard Singer had to Google "gentle mickey" being American, but no, my comment was genuine. 👍
PAO in UA: Great visualization of hifi)
vdochev: What a pointless video. I was expecting real tips like setup my components, speaker placement, etc. I don't want to go for a walk in the UK, drink wine and do all those stupid sh*t before listening to my records. I buy and listen to what I like, I'm not looking for who pressed the vinyl and stupid things like that, things I have 0 control over. What the hell!?
Chris J: Should have included CDs and then I would have finished watching the video
Frosty Canada replies to Chris J: I’m sure his just pocking fun of the analogue folks (joke video) and I’m pretty sure he embraces digital fully.
Lou p replies to Chris J: hope you are enjoying your sterile life.
Richard Shepherd: Well l must be deaf because l only stream from Tida via an audioquest cobalt DAC with a modest quad amp and quad esl 57s from the 60s No vinyl hiss, records scratched to feck, better bass, no shelfs of vinyl l never play, every track crystal clear and over 100 million tracks to choose from. Mmmh why would l ever go back to a turntable. You must be happy to spend a fortune on one vinyl disk. Good luck mate. I'll enjoy my Tidal for £19.99 a month and know the artists get a decent 10% cut. I find you a bit patronising to be honest. Bye
Chunksville: MJ's MOFI Thriller has a digital step DSD256 flat transfer of the tape then file sent to the cutting head so it's a bit of a slap in the face to be honest especially for £100, a lot of reviewers prefer the original from the 80's which "was" cut from the analogue tapes.