10.30.2010

Bad News...

Last week I found out my turntable was busted (ie. it stopped recording). I don't have an audiophile rig I just used a USB flash drive turntable which audiophiles turn their nose up at. After learning about vinyl and sound over these past couple of years I understand why.

So I read reviews about this particular model that I have and people have had worse problems, but for me a dead USB is a dealbreaker. I went back to the store where I got it yesterday and the guy WHO SOLD IT to me still works there and he's a manager now. I say that he sold it because if it weren't for his testimony against the model I really wanted (a vintage expensive looking lame duck model) I wouldn't have gotten this one instead. He made a generous offer as to what he could do to fix the situation as my model is discontinued (ie. trade for the current model). The newer one(s) don't even have the features mine has (USB, SD card, radio, speakers).

They're really cheapin out on these! He told me it's like that across the board (1-year warranties). Stuff isn't made to last. I know people have the same turntable for like 20 years so... I've learned a lesson. I passed on his offer. He was disappointed that he couldn't make things right, but I respect that he tried and we negotiated. It is a business after all and there are rules.

So when I do get a new turntable I know how to go about it and what to get this time. Forget that flash drive stuff. I read about a cool converter that can make any analog table digital. That's the route I'll go.

17 comments:

Mike said...

"They're really cheapin out on these! He told me it's like that across the board (1-year warranties). Stuff isn't made to last. I know people have the same turntable for like 20 years so..."

You'll find that most things are like that nowadays. Although they tout technological breakthroughs, things don't last as long as they used to. Record players, stereo equipment, computers, video game systems, etc. Everything breaks down much more easily. "Built-in obsolesence," as they say. Even TV is worse. When you're watching a show an it starts glitching and freezing, ugh, there's really no excuse for it. With the switch to digital it was supposed to improve quality yet the analog signal was far more reliable.

Hrangue said...

A couple of days ago I woke up and my TV was frozen. I've had it freeze a few times on a particular channel. Yeah man, that's BS. I think it's because we're such a "throw-away" consumer culture. They expect that we're down to just buy another one.

Mike said...

Yeah, that's happened to me before, too, only not just after waking up. Sometimes I'll walk away and ome back a moment later to find the channel has frozen in place. So I have to change the channel back and forth to "fix" it. Funny, there was never a problem with the old analog boxes.

It's all about the bottom line. There is no standard for quality anymore, only performance. They could make things which last ten times longer, if they wanted, but they want people to have to replace their products within a certain time frame.

It's funny -- I had an old stereo receiver with a record player built on top. It was really cool. It had metal sliders for volume/EQ and when it was turned on the channel dials for the AM/FM radio would light up neon green. Oh, and of course it had great sound quality to boot. It was actually from the late 70's and I had used it up until about 1992 or so when I eventually bought a new receiver because, you know, 'new' was supposed to mean 'superior quality.' A lot of the older equipment was manufactured here in the USA, really sturdy and well-made. But even the Japanese/European stuff worked much better back then.

isfahani said...

I recently had this experience with a two year old Westinghouse 26" LCD TV... Power supply went out. Now, 2 years ago this was $500 on sale, I expected to get more than 2 years out of it, but noooo... lukily the repair place hunted down a new PS but the guy said "if you're going to get a new TV instead of having this one fixed, get an LG, at least they make parts for their own stuff and it's easy to get" DAY-um!

Re: LP ripping, I have had good experiences with an M-Audio PCI card with RCA inputs...

Zer0_II said...

I'm sorry to hear that. I see that you have been unable to post since this happened. I hope this doesn't mean that you won't be coming back. Perhaps you should consider putting up a donation button on your site so that people could lend a helping hand. I know I for one would be more than willing to donate to your cause. I think you might be surprised at people's generosity and capacity to help out another human being, especially one who delivers high-quality rips of rare vinyl gems. Just a thought.

I hope your situation improves soon. Please let me know if there is any way I can help. You can find me here http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.com or here http://music-bloggers.blogspot.com Just leave a comment and I will do whatever I can to help you out. Take care.

0II

Hrangue said...

About 2 weeks ago I first took notice to your blog. I forget what put you on my radar though, but you do have library.

I'll be back some time as I have some things I'd still like to share. I just saw your other comment too (Eric Towren). I'll be in touch if there's an email on your blog. Thanks for the kind words and enjoy anything you find here.

Hrangue said...

And @isfahani

When I do get back in the mix I'm definitely trying to get something old school instead of this new hybrid stuff they have out it just doesn't last. I trust RCA to a certain extent just because they're been around so long. They may not be innovators, but they know some things when it comes to quality..

Killa said...

That sucks, I dont know why they make shit cheap, cuz if it breaks(like two of my x-box 360's) I never buy that product again. The Ion table I got runs off rca and usb. It works great, but it doesnt have to much milelage on it yet.(Fingers crossed).

Hrangue said...

Speaking of Xbox, my PS3 stopped working around the same time my turntable did. Not to mention, my laptop battery died. It was really a rough patch. I haven't replaced any of that stuff yet. I ended up giving most of my PS3 games away to family and I didn't have that many to begin with.

I'm gonna see about a new vinyl rig after I get my tax return lol.

Killa said...

Cool I ripped some dewolfes so Im going to email you to see if you need them.

Hrangue said...

Word. If you have something I can use/need I'll definitely send something your way.

Mike said...

Long time no see. Anything new going on?

Hrangue said...

Hey Mike. I'm finding that some of the best music is what I get through trades. Nobody is really shaking things up blog-wise, but the music is out there.

I just ordered my 1st records of the year. I haven't ordered/bid on any in months. I haven't replaced my turntable yet. I'm more concerned about replacing this laptop. I'll be graduating this spring and I'll need a proper computer for my work (read macbook pro). This Dell has done a lot of good for me, but isn't the biz anymore!

Other than that, I'm gonna ask for some requests pretty soon (JPTVOSTS) and I may drop a share or 2 just because.

What's going on with you Mike?

Mike said...

Just the usual business. I've been working on music, trying my hand at MIDI composing and such. Seems complicated. There are some MIDI programs which aren't as complicated but maybe lack some of the extensive details of more serious programs, but I don't mind.

Also, I've been looking at past-generation computer systems that I used to play/own like Commodore 64/128, Amiga, Apple I & II, etc. It's like a switch that goes on inside my head occasionally that says, "Remember this *insert random awesome thing*?" and then I must look into it. I really enjoyed those things. Ultima V FTW! Good stuff.

Oh, and they're doing a remake of ThunderCats which I'm not too thrilled about. They're giving the characters a decidedly anime look but there was nothing wrong with the original designs. The anime look is so overdone by now.

I'll write you soon.

Hrangue said...

I've traded one stress for another. Since I've stopped actively blog I don't have that constant urge to search for vinyls and files. I feel like I have some sanity back.

As for Thundercats... I've only heard that a remake is coming. I don't know anything more. I liked Mumrah more than any thundercat.

Your Pal Doug said...

I miss you.
Come back to Soulseek.
Keemo said you've got a new moniker.
Been getting a lot of library.
Let's hook up there
Your Pal Doug

Hrangue said...

Thanks for stopping in Doug. I'm glad I'm not forgotten. I'll be in touch with you fairly soon.