Recently I purchased a new turntable and some software from www.dak.com. After seriously considering getting a direct drive type versus another belt drive one, I decided to go with the latter. I searched online for info and came across the DAK website where I was convinced to go with their package which included a belt-drive turntable.
I have had belt-drive turntables go bad over the years so I did not want to deal with the same problem again. The belts warped away probably from long periods of non-use. Though I have never myself attempted it, I understand that it is complicated to switch out belts. First of all, they tend to be a bit pricey--for a band-like piece of rubber. Second of all, if you do not have the proper tool to remove the special washer that locks the platter down in place you will have quite the time trying to remove it. And there is no other way around removing the platter.
Thus, I decided to buy a new turntable. This particular one came with a diamond stylus, a strobe light and adjustable speed control and a light to help you make sure you're placing the needle in exactly the right spot. Pretty good deal for the price. I'll have more to say about it and all that came with it in my next post.
For now, I mainly want to say that I can finally make mp3 files of the vinyl that I have, including the ones I have bought at thrift stores recently. I'm not a big fan of LP's. They're big and bulky and wear out a little each time you play them. And they damage easily. Ultimately I want to have them on cd's and on my computer so I will not have to deal with them anymore. I'm not one of these vinyl purists who believe that it is the best sound reproducing medium for music. I think it's psychosomatic anyway. I'm happy with cd's.
Until next time....
