The Better Sound of the Phonograph

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5.0 out of 5 stars * * * * * How to get great sound from your vinyl records

by Richard Z (UK) on 9 October 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

"This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to get the best from their vinyl - and older shellac - records. It works on several levels, explaining how record players (turntables) and their component systems work and how to get better sound by careful setting up and optimisation of your system. Finally, there are constructional chapters showing you how to make your own equipment with minimal skills and fairly basic tools. I like this book because it is well written, easy to understand and has very useful illustrations. There's also access to online features and updates. What makes this book so good is that it shows how great vinyl playback does not need thousands of dollars (or your own currency) to achieve."

[Author's description] Why now a technical book about the phonograph? The turntable, record player, gramophone, etc.? I'd researched 41/2yr to do disk restorations for clients: 1940s 78s of church choirs nearly destroyed by microgroove styli; the lone recording of a family's dad; chewed up radio ETs; commercial CD re-releases. But I'll never use all I've learned and experienced, so why not share it? Especially with more newbies joining vinyl's resurgence. And because the Internet is laden with unknowing or intentional pseudo-science: the reverse alchemy that would have you part with your hard-earned gold for no better sounding lead. Digital is so convenient that most consumers don't need much technical knowledge to plug in a player and push a button. But grooved media are mechanically finicky, and a bit of technical know-how goes a long way. About skating, arm alignment, interconnects, cartridge loading, and distortion of tone color and phase from RIAA "encoding\decoding." It's explored in 47,000 words, 150+ images, and 57 foot- & end-notes in The Better Sound of the Phonograph: How come? How-to!

Important to know is: "The sound of the phonograph is the sound of the stylus." How different tip profiles change the clear sound baked in the groove. Micro-photographs in self-explanatory forensic posters illustrate defects in replacement needles, and disk damaging wear in "lightly used" finds at auction, if not in your head-shell already risking your collection. For those on a beer budget are maker instructions for a flat DIY preamp, and a low-distortion DIY transcription tonearm, each very low in parts cost. A free DIY overhang checker and tracking force gauge. A sophisticated but free way to measure & fix troublesome tonearm resonance. About hearing perception, from a 55+yr professional in psycho-acoustics, tape, and digital media. Why used LPs sound good - often better. That the more than a century of 78s are second only to the printing press in documenting human experience. For a future-proof paperback reference, the live Update at www.filmaker.com/papers.htm. Just Google my name + Phonograph for a free sample. In eBook or paperback, ISBN 9780692903117 or 0692903119, wherever you buy books.