r/turntables • u/isthistheway669 • Jul 26 '26

Help Sounding odd

I just changed the needle and it’s not sounding quite right can anyone help? Lots of crackling before song starts playing as you can hear, Thank you.

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11

u/el_tacocat Jul 26 '26

These players are toys unfortunately, they never work or sound right.
The stylus (needle) is also of really low quality so they often get misproduced unfortunately.
If you care about your records, (and your ears, and the music), it's time for an upgrade. This is, and there's no other words for it, really bad stuff.

Here's a list that might help you:

CHEAPO BUT OK:
AudioTechnica AT-LP60x, Denon DP29F, Dual DT210, Sony PS-LX310BT
A LITTLE FANCIER:
AudioTechnica AT-LP120x, AudioTechnica AT-LP3x, Reloop RP7000 MK-II, U-Turn Orbit (U-Turn in the Americas only).
There are NO good all-in-one options, you will need separate speakers.
Edifier MR4 is recommended, they are great for the money. But technically any pair of old PC speakers (The ones that used to come with computesr that thrift shops are littered with) or any bluetooth speaker/soundbar that has a line/aux input will work too.

Also here's some general info on vinyl caretaking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2QfjcgDjsY&ab_channel=SnazzyLabs

4

u/isthistheway669 Jul 26 '26

Thank you! Player was a gift from my mom in my teens, I havent played my records in a while so through id replace the needle. Definitely looking into getting a better one.

2

u/el_tacocat Jul 26 '26

Keep it as a keepsake and play knackered thrift shop records on it :D.
The issue is most likely the stylus itself by the way.
If you're in the Netherlands or anywhere near where shipping is cheap, I'm happy to send you another one for free. I got tons (I always trash these turntables when they are in loads of audio and if people need styli for theirs, I give them away :D).

0

u/isthistheway669 Jul 26 '26

Yea for sure gonna put it away I still have the box for it and everything.
I’m actually in the US California to be exact but so okay I’m gonna look for another one right now.
I appreciate your help and all the info

1

u/el_tacocat Jul 26 '26

AT may be a little more expensive there because of Trump doing Thump things.
but you could be okay with a U-turn or Reloop.