I only changed out the cables on the MK-2's cause of their age (1992). I left the M5G's intact minus the grounds. I picked up an extra set of audio cables for the M5G. That's when I compared them to the old MK-2 ones and noticed difference in the cable builds.

Yeah cleaning the connectors really does make a difference. Just like cleaning patch bays.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN As for the cable thing, there's absoltuyl no need on the M5G's, apart from removing the ground. The leads are already up to Canare/Belden/Van Damme quality, so I think the difference you noticed (Katmau5) is just a cleaning of the RCAs and ground removal. On all the other models it will make a noticeable difference, sd the cables are quite crap, so the benefits of oxygen free, high quality copper and proper shielding are apparent. At Stu said, beyond that (like sliver or gold hifi bullshit) there is no difference. The best things you can do to get great rips: 1, if you have anything other that a m5g, then do replace the leads (Van damme if you are in he UK, Klotz if you're in Germany, and Belden / canare if elsewhere). Do the ground mod while you're at it. 2, Get a damn good cartridge and calibrate the deck propery. 3, Make sure you have a really good audio interface and then calibrate your gain staging so you're coming in as hot as possible without clipping. 4, Use a vacuum vinyl cleaner like the nitty gritty or VPI. Yes it will take a while and cost you a few hundred but it's worth it if you're serious.

Cheers for that mate

I read somewhere about removing the target light as it can create some unwanted hum. Also looking into creating my own slipmatt off another blog I spotted a guy using a cork one.

Cheers for the tips mate, gonna get the van damme cables and the vinyl cleaner (dunno which one yet).

I have a project headphone amp going into a US 122L external soundcard so thats how im planning to get the sound into the comp. Vam damme cables here too.

Going for an ortfon arkiv cart and a stanton 500al just to play through the grooves and get rid of any shit before the arkiv goes through.

Just leaves having to research a new tonearm maybe see if there is any benefits in swapping one out.

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Help ID this lost Planet Perfecto / Trouser Enthusiast track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj2uIleonh4

quote:

Originally posted by Matt_Moor Cheers for that mate I read somewhere about removing the target light as it can create some unwanted hum. Also looking into creating my own slipmatt off another blog I spotted a guy using a cork one. Cheers for the tips mate, gonna get the van damme cables and the vinyl cleaner (dunno which one yet). I have a project headphone amp going into a US 122L external soundcard so thats how im planning to get the sound into the comp. Vam damme cables here too. Going for an ortfon arkiv cart and a stanton 500al just to play through the grooves and get rid of any shit before the arkiv goes through. Just leaves having to research a new tonearm maybe see if there is any benefits in swapping one out.

I've heard the target light thing before as well but AFAIK, it only affects (or benefits) the original mk 2's which have an incandescent bulb, and certainly not the m5g's as they have an LED. If you have an older deck you could always just do the LED mod to sort it rather than outright removing it.

TBH though, if you're talking about audiophile quality ripping, I don't think the tonearm should be your first consideration. IMO, that will make a minute difference to the quality of your rips.

I think once you have a quality stylus and good cables throughout, the weak link is actually your audio interface - the US122 is OK, but certainly nothing more than that. You'd see a better pound for pound increase in quality by getting a better soundcard than upgrading the tonearm.

This is where it can get scary in terms of expenditure. In the budget area, buy a Echo Audiofire or Motu, and if you want to big, then buy a lavry black, apogee rosetta, or RME FF80, but bear in mind the latter three aren't going to give you any change from a grand.

Let me kno if you need any suggestions on audio interfaces,

im bumping this as i just got a few 1210s for listening, not djeing. i need some needles as these dj needles suck ass, but im not sure what to get. on other forums people seems to recommend replacing the whole tonearm to a Rega one, but im not sure I want to do that because that might reduce their resell value. So any suggestions on a regular needle/headshell solution for good listening? Or should i do the whole tonearm replace thing? its reversable right? im not destroying anything?