Could this be your FIRST turntable? [Angels Horn H019]

After what I've said about vinyl in previous videos, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. But I have to ask the question - Can a (relatively) cheap turntable be good, and can it be fun? I think it can. You can find out in this video, and listen to my audio examples too.
LINKS
My affiliate link amzn.to/44TVCbM
UK Amazon link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CRJ4CB3
US Amazon link: b.nxw.so/2SNmmK
15% off code "Angels" for the Official website: bit.ly/4czxqPC
The full album 'Behind Closed Doors At A Recording Session' is available on Spotify at open.spotify.com/album/4enN64...
DAVID MELLOR'S MUSIC
David Mellor's music on Bandcamp - davidmellor.bandcamp.com/
David Mellor's music on Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/6OkaD...
Available on all good streaming services
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Disclaimer: Videos on this channel may include affiliate links and may feature software that has been received free of charge with an NFR (not for resale) licence, equipment that has been loaned or donated by a manufacturer or distributer, or equipment that has been bought for less than full retail price.

[@atoptip6193]

The whole business of record playing, the idiotically simple setting up of a turntable - that so much fuss is made about - anti-skating, but most importantly the whoosh of the grooves, crackling from skipped / scratched vinyl upon a piano transient…it all gives me the heebie-jeebies, reminds me of my poor days of school where I spent all my savings on a Denon 103R, only to be happy for a few hours before vinyl-blues settled in again. No, never want to go back there. This video, sadly, brought it all back, shatteringly. The emperor truly has no clothes!

[@buteforce]

I will never be buying or playing any vinyl again in my life. So much music to be listened to at high quality already.

[@nickmoranis2865]

I’m close to agreeing… but it still sounds better. I’ve only got a Planar 2 with an upgraded cart but I was listening last night and it was amazing.

[@rareearthfab5511]

I was so excited to pick up a pricy DAC and a good streamer. All that lossless music at the stroke of a swipe on my phones Tidal app. Then I spin well recorded albums and man…. I can’t give my vinyl up. It sounds so warm and dynamic. Of course just like streaming.. some recordings sound better than others. I just can’t give vinyl up yet.

[@ericmc6482]

Hello and thanks for your channel, always interesting and fun. I remember when the alternatives to vinyl were cassette and radio and then CD arrived. I am a techie so when the first Sony CDP-101 arrived at the showroom/repair shop we had the lid off and inspected the internals before we auditioned it lol. When we did audition it what a revelation !!, no crackles or pops, instant track access, no feedback, just no worries put the shiny disc in and hit play. I have had my share of good turntables since then but nowadays I plain can't be bothered with all the fussing that surrounds a vinyl rig and crucially I now can't stand the variability of the suboptimal sound quality. I did some unique experiments with a USB dac and was able to OTF inject vinyl sound into the audio throughput, the kicker was that the two donor vinyl samples sounded quite different. Yes thats right each vinyl formulation has its own sound signature and once heard in the DAC output are identifiable when TT playing (the playable remains of) the two donor records. On first listens of the modified DAC the 33 vinyl sample sounded 'pleasing' and the 45 vinyl sample sounded different and kinda rough. Further listenings using the alternate two vinyl samples reinforced the initial findings and led to rejection due to the underlying but overbearing vinyl 'wrong' sound signatures that ultimately get boring if not irritating. Research reveals that historically record company vinyl 'recipes' were a closely guarded secret with the source of the carbon black powder being critical to the signature house sounds of different house vinyl pressings. So ignoring vinyl pops and crackles etc, vinyl sound fundamentally has variable overlaying 'flavour' irrespective of the programme content and once heard directly cannot be unheard. Digital is not by definition subjectively good but when digital is good vinyl is indeed a very poor cousin and there is no going back imho. I hope you learned something today. Cheers from downunder.

[@garymalone547]

Yeah nah, no snap, crackle and pop for me. The vinyl revival is pure nostalgia.

[@peraspera999]

there are still analog LPs that are not digitized, as i guess... so maybe makes sense to sometimes listen to rare discs ...

[@AudioMasterclass]

I saw a record at a boot sale the other week that I thought I would listen to on Spotify when I got home. You can probably guess what happened, or rather didn't.

[@straymusictracksfromdavoro6510]

@@AudioMasterclass You can always digitize it yourself and add it to your collection of digital files

[@verdedoodleduck]

I could watch you unbox a bag of nails - I know you'd make it good. I also enjoy your reviews very much. [I'm not anything close to being an audiophile but I know enough that I can enjoy following along.] To me, you have a rather familiar (if scarce) sense of humor that makes equipment I might not really care about interesting. :) Thank you!

[@AudioMasterclass]

For my next video I'll buy a bag of mixed resistors then sort them by colour code.

[@TupmaniaTurning]

Wow! There's a blast from the past seeing that album cover at 7:02! Used to borrow a copy of that from our local library (when they leant out records) about 50 years ago. Recognised the commentary voice straight away.

[@AudioMasterclass]

It's well worth a listen, and hey it's on Spotify!

[@EricIolo]

Good Afternoon sir! I just dug out my budget music LPs, Labels such as Music for Pleasure, Pickwick, Camden, Hallmark and Marble Arch Albums. Jim Reeves and Des O'Connor and Harry Secome to mentions a few. Oh and the wonderful Mario Lanza! So I am looking forward to the delivery of my Angels Horn in black! To celerbrate the wife and I plan to purchase a bottle of Blue Nun and invite a couple of close friends around for a bit of a sing song! Once more, thank you for the video.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Des! Who doesn't like a bit of Dick A Dum Dum?

[@thexfile.]

82' I went all digital and never looked back.

[@HansGeersing]

Same here!

[@johnchildress8707]

the Saturn store in Hamburg, Germany has a huge vinyl selection!

[@stevengagnon4777]

Not only is my Technics SL-7 a record player...it's also a close"n"play record player. It's a cute little bugger and always puts a smile on my face every time I close the lid and it plays my record. Fished it out of a dumpster by the power cord. Even managed to fit it with a Stanton L747S. So it cleans the record for me . This was fun and the song you picked out is nice ...😊.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Comment readers - Quick, search all the skips in your area. You might find an SL-7 for yourself. Or maybe a Sondek.

[@JimmShaffer-vr9wu]

I found an SL-7. Love it. The plexiglass is cracked unfortunately so I'm going to try to fix it. Have you any experience with that on your SL-7 or have any guidance?

[@AudioMasterclass]

@@JimmShaffer-vr9wu I don't have any advice myself but it wouldn't surprise me if there are specialists in fixing acrylic and it further wouldn't surprise me if there are experts who can make the repair invisible. Let us all know how you get on. Free advice comes without guarantee.

[@nikosibarramante2677]

If ikea sold turntables, this would be it

[@AudioMasterclass]

I don't know that they do. On other other hand, my affiliate link in the description does [Edit: Putting the words in the right order!]

[@TechTroppy]

They actually sell a turntable. It's called OBEGRÄNSAD turntable

[@nikosibarramante2677]

@@TechTroppy there you go

[@johnchildress8707]

Hogey Carmicheal and Lauren Bacall do a great job on Am I Blue in the movie, To Have, and To Have Not.

[@juliancanada3199]

Thanks for a great Saturday morning!.. I thought it was April Fool's Day again..lol

[@JimmShaffer-vr9wu]

Thank you!

[@AudioMasterclass]

You're welcome.

[@chuckmaddison2924]

I still have my first real turntable a Garrard Zero 100 SB and it still works with a Sure M55EM. My very first turntable was a Garrard ripped out of a Dansette fitted with a stereo ceramic pick-up .

[@thforshaw]

I remember my first turntable, mostly because I still have it, an MCS 6601 I got in 1979 as a teenager. I had to buy a preamp when I bought my last receiver because it had no phono input. When did *that* happen!?!

[@ericmc6482]

"This is a journey into sound....", that sample is the intro to a track I cant remember lol, thanks for solving my mystery.

[@AudioMasterclass]

This disc is from the early days of stereo when people couldn't understand it. Seems odd now, but I remember my parents asking what they were supposed to be listening for.

[@ericmc6482]

@@AudioMasterclass Oh dear lol

[@user-yx9xm9ue1b]

I remember that the next part sampled asked how low can you go. Then about a 35hz test tone 😂

[@geoff37s57]

I also have the 1958 Decca album A Journey Into Stereo Sound. I bought the album around 1964 as a youngster setting up my mainly home built stereo system. The audio quality on this early stereo sampler LP is amazing for the day. There is a streaming version on Tidal but the audio quality is nowhere near as good as the original vinyl.

[@keithneal5369]

I have an AT 3600 Cartridge which I use when playing older vinyl and 7 inch singles. It tracks fine at 3grms, and sounds pretty decent. After all rega fit it to there entry level turntables. Garrard 401 sme 3009 , I'm still using one , fluid damper fitted to the arm, works fine with moving coil cartridges. For those who dont like the vinyl sound, there must be something wrong with the system cos mine sounds absolutely fantastic.

[@peraspera999]

i am happy with my Audio Technica 120 LP x for nearby 300 Euros, and i did have prior the other equipment ... But it may not be too bad for a beginner for just close 300 to have such a set as "Angels Horn" with amp and speakers so... oh, by the way there was a setup with 2 cable stereo speakers, for near 300 which i saw on Ama.... could be better maybe ?

[@andymouse]

They have budget REGAs on there website and I miss picking out a record looking at the art as I wait for the needle to come down....cheers.

[@AudioMasterclass]

It's odd, but there is a certain pleasure in operating a turntable. Streaming services not so much, just play me the music.

[@carlsitler9071]

I have never owned a record player. I used mom's in the '70s then bought a car at 16 and put in an 8-track. Later a cassette then CD and now Bluetooth. I don't do wireless on my home system though.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

David please ignore the people who knock the AT3600 cartridge. The main thing it’s not going to destroy your records like a Crossley would but I would recommend a stylus balance from eBay at about £11 so you can set things up properly. That cartridge is fine, I have one in one of my turntables that I use for older worn records a Rega P1. Its conical stylus is kind to records and as it sits higher up in the groove I can’t understand those that say that it suffers from pinching.

[@AudioMasterclass]

It's a budget cartridge by a respected manufacturer so I won't be knocking it myself. I'm certainly willing to listen though to those who can explain why other cartridges are better and how they justify their prices points. If it were practical, I'd try a pricier cartridge on this turntable and see if I can hear the difference. In fact if Audio Technica, Ortofon or anyone wants to send me one, I'll make a video with audio demonstrations.

[@billmilosz]

I do not like the way vinyl sounds, but I have two fairly high-end vinyl setups in both my good listening systems because I like to play with hardware. And the equipment looks cool.

[@IndigoDavei]

Looks like a decent entry-level thing, and relatively simple for those who didn't grow up with records. I started out with a mono Emerson record-player with a BSR Monarch deck - that was even more simple. The amplifier went up in smoke (literally) when my friend came round and played his copy of 'Crazy Horses' by The Osmonds on it. A local repair man sorted that out. Anyway, I would hope that the Angel Horn might be more tolerant of The Osmonds. My modest Pro-ject deck is probably more tolerant still, but it's never been put to the test. (I don't often play records, but it's good to have the option available - which is where that Angel Horn might come in useful for some.)

[@AudioMasterclass]

In my personal life I see this as being similar to my HMV picnic gramophone. An interesting thing that occasionally gets an airing. Professionally, I can see more videos on vinyl coming up.

[@IndigoDavei]

@@AudioMasterclass Ah, that's what I'm missing! A picnic gramophone!

[@AudioMasterclass]

£100 should get you a decent one. It will be money well spent. Don't forget to change the needle every two sides. Oh, if it's too loud, you'll need to sacrifice a sock.

[@SnapperX3]

Unboxing jamz!

[@AudioMasterclass]

I presume that's a compliment, if so thank you. My album of unboxing music is releasing later this year.

[@SnapperX3]

@@AudioMasterclass I'm a fan!

[@stelachris]

Sometimes i diwnload digital cooies of vinyl. Sometimes its thebbest you van get. It diesnt bother me at all. But no turntable on my stereo.

[@Johnny-te4rv]

Fremmer should play this on his 360k record player for comparison.

[@DJStanSteel]

Ha! Vinyl is the top media to listen to, hold and enjoy. No one can remember the joy of the 1st tune they downloaded. My memories carry on buying vinyl and always will. I do hope the internet messes up and all u sad people have to sit and listen to your tears!😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AudioMasterclass]

I remember my first download. It was around 1999-2000 and I wanted to see what the process of buying a download was like. It was a single by sax player Candy Dulfer. Very pleasant once downloaded, but it took somewhere around 15-20 minutes. Other than one track I needed for one of my videos, I haven't bought a download since.

[@straymusictracksfromdavoro6510]

If you've got digital music files captured from LPs, VHS, DVDs, CDS, digital downloads, streamed data etc, that are stored on hard disc it doesn't matter what the internet does.

[@jedi-mic]

Reviews a bit lacking would have been nice if you give him prize! for starters people come here to buy a cheap turntable so price would be relevant. you didn't say anything about connections on the back of the device has it got speaker out connections? has it got RCA out connections? can you disable the speakers? Is there a USB output?

[@AudioMasterclass]

Oh dear. This is why you should watch the video before commenting.

[@peraspera999]

to listen to used, older records is fun and it is good... to discover earlier music! BUT I would never buy NEW vinyl, instead of a good ! made digital recording !

[@AudioMasterclass]

I haven't bought new vinyl since before 1982. Secondhand vinyl from boot sales - loads.

[@rabit818]

Hardly play my Technics 1600 & Rega . It’s Linn or Marantz CD-63. So tired of pop and clicks

[@nickmoranis2865]

I re bought The Bends and even the packaging is a disgrace. Higher price but even the inner sleeve, instead of being laminate it’s cheap paper. Vinyl buyers are being ripped off. What a surprise.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

I hope the back side of that platter cover is plain ... otherwise it would be the first thing in the garbage.

[@Flarptube]

No 16 2/3rds or 78 RPM? Well, that is unfortunate.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Indeed. There's no experience quite like playing Pink Floyd at 16.667. As for 78, there are diehards who insist it's the only way to listen to early Beatles.

[@ian-nz-2000]

​@@AudioMasterclassif you remember them, pinky and perky were dead ringers for the Beatles at 78!

[@AudioMasterclass]

@@ian-nz-2000 Not only do I remember Pinky and Perky, I remember Lenny the Lion. If you can play your Four Feather Falls card then I admit defeat.

[@ian-nz-2000]

@@AudioMasterclassyou win, I’m too young 😂

[@nickmoranis2865]

That’s the exact same cheap Chinese mechanism on all crap turntables. Croseley etc.

[@albanana683]

Nope, you're wrong. Go and check Techmoan "The cheap record player mechanism to avoid" - it's totally different.

[@ac81017]

3.5 grams!! A bit heavy!! That's a good weight for grinding and wearing out the grooves.

[@AudioMasterclass]

You might say that, but an arm/cartridge combination that's set too light won't follow the groove precisely and will cause more damage. One gram might be the holy grail for turntable enthusiasts but it isn't always the best thing to do.

[@garyb2507]

@@AudioMasterclass But isn't that weight outside the vinyls capacity to 'spring back' and therefore cause permanent deformation of the grooves, albeit on a microscopic level?

[@Flarptube]

Back in the dark ages I had an Astatic phono cartridge that tracked that heavy. It was of the piezoelectric persuasion and its output did not require a preamplifier. It also sported channel separation that rivaled the better moving magnet types. Then I got a job and purchased Pickering and Shure elliptical cartridges so not to completely destroy my records. If I was daft enough to revisit phonograph records, I certainly would not play them on the contraption in this video.

[@stevengagnon4777]

But a Stanton 680el sounds so nice at that tracking force.

[@AudioMasterclass]

@@garyb2507 NAMS (not a materials scientist) but obviously there will be a certain force that damages the vinyl simply through that and not any other issue. Perhaps a qualified comment reader could tell us what this is. It is my understanding however that mistracking damages the record and for any arm/cartridge combination there will be an optimum force that finds the sweet spot where minimal damage occurs.

[@mikeross4081]

The Rotel RP-830 has the same belt drive arrangement. I bet they copied it. Wouldn't surprise me. I bet it doesn't sound as good as the Rotel though. Rotel made excellent, well constructed quality equipment. This device looks crap..

[@billymountain1124]

Music lovers listen to the song; (au)-idiophyles listen for frequencies quality (no Art there)

[@fredashay]

Turntable? Seriously? Was it made in 2014? And your hair doesn't look like it turned a seasick sort of green. Belt drive??? Welcome to wow and flutter city!!!

[@gmlgml780]

Yeah. How much I don't wish such a thing like a turntable. It's everything what makes music listening to be just t@rt@re.

[@paullongtailpair3812]

A turntable with a AT3600 with a spherical stylus ? Yes it is and the resulting pinch distortion is clearly audible while playing the last track close to the label called ""Behind Closed Doors At A Recording Session". Horrible. The last cartridge I bought was the first that enable me to play vinyl records to the label instead of stopping it already halfway is equipped with a FG80 stylus. And even then at the "inner grooves" pinch distortion is audible, certainly if the record is played before with a spherical stylus because it is damaged by pinch distortion. Sorry the turntable you present here I will never buy. Vinyl can be fun but at least with a good cartridge with at least a shibata stylus. I will not accept less. Funny video it is.

[@curtiscroulet8715]

3.5 grams !!!???

[@obsprisma]

😂

[@AudioMasterclass]

What did you expect? 3.5 kg?

[@curtiscroulet8715]

@@AudioMasterclass Ha-ha! We expected 3.5 gram tracking in 1960. Not in 2024.

[@currykevuk]

If it's marketed for the more youthful then I'm confused why you are showing it! Maybe you think your audience matches that target! I don't. Good presentation nonetheless.

[@AudioMasterclass]

I can see why you say that but I don’t think I’ll get very far if I aim my videos at the near-death demographic.

[@obsprisma]

@@AudioMasterclass Those near deaths have at least more to spend than young ones.😉

[@andymouse]

@@AudioMasterclass LOL!

[@albanana683]

I love the anti-vinyl lobby who pile in on this kind of video. Have you actually contributed anything to the debate? - No. Best not to waste your time, so skip this kind of content. Or, continue to froth at the mouth whenever vinyl is mentioned, but please keep your ranting amusing.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Hard to tell whether @albanana683 is going after me or my commenters. I don't mind. Send more fun.

[@nickmoranis2865]

Audio Technica are somehow massively overrated. Terrible Chinese nonsense.

[@albanana683]

Audio Technica are a Japanese company, with a long and respected history in the Hi-Fi industry. Their ART1000 cartridge costs over €5,000 and is in no way "terrible Chinese nonsense". They do have a factory in China to produce the low end cartridges that you see on many lower end turntables, but the basic cartridge body is so cheap because of economy of scale. The 0.6 mil conical stylus as shown here is at the budget end, but it can be upgraded to a 0.3x0.7mil elliptical, and 0.02x0.30mil Hyperelliptical.

[@MC-jv6fs]

Did u make the music ? if yes, you could make some worthy hard-style tracks too if u would engage in it. well done!---- i always likes this AT3600(l) . Here too, so this player cant be really wrong.

[@AudioMasterclass]

The unboxing music yes. My album will be released later this year. Maybe I’ll make a song in a similar style - see how it turns out.

[@MC-jv6fs]

@@AudioMasterclass Good luck + thx !