WARNING! DON’T Get Into VINYL (I Mean It!) PART 2
United States of Analog | January 23, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What this video is about:
This is part 2 of a series aimed at vinyl beginners, where host Bob continues his tongue-in-cheek “warning” about getting into vinyl playback. The video covers essential turntable setup procedures, specifically focusing on leveling the turntable and setting vertical tracking force. Bob aims to educate newcomers while being honest about the complexity and costs involved in vinyl as a hobby.
Gear, products, or brands discussed:
- SoundBurger turntable [00:01:19] – Couple hundred dollars, has Bluetooth capability, described as “okay” but not high-end
- Unspecified turntable [00:01:34] – Around $1000, requires many adjustments to sound right
- Hardware store level [00:04:07] – $2-3, recommended over expensive audiophile levels
- Audiophile level [00:04:03] – $200-300+ (“maybe more”), jokingly dismissed as unnecessary
- Record weight with built-in level [00:04:27] – Mentioned as convenient option
- Moving magnet cartridges [00:05:09] – Focus for beginners, tracks at 1.8-2.2 grams, recommendations promised under $200
Host’s main opinions or takes so far:
- Vinyl is a complex hobby that causes many people to “tap out” once they understand the learning curve and costs [00:00:54]
- Turntable setup knowledge was common among men in the 60s and 70s but isn’t today [00:01:44]
- You should get a cheap hardware store level instead of expensive audiophile versions [00:04:07]
- Lighter tracking force is better for record preservation [00:04:44]
- Higher-end turntables (SoundBurger) that track at 3-4 grams shouldn’t be used on your best records [00:04:54]
Strong recommendations or warnings to viewers:
- Essential setup step [00:03:49]: Make your turntable perfectly level before doing anything else – “before you play any records, before you make any adjustments”
- Money-saving tip [00:04:07]: Buy a $2-3 hardware store level instead of expensive audiophile levels costing hundreds
- Record care warning [00:04:54]: Don’t play your best records on turntables that track heavy (3-4 grams)
Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes:
- Opening challenge [00:00:11]: “Give me 15 more minutes and I’ll get you to tap out”
- Audiophile humor [00:04:03]: Sarcastically describes “expensive audio file level” costing “two, three hundred bucks, maybe more” before revealing he’s “just kidding”
- Excitement about setup [00:04:19]: “I’m dialed in. I’m dialed in. I’m level, baby. I’m level.”
- Record preservation analogy [00:04:46]: “That’s a sharp object going into a soft piece of plastic”
Summary:
In this second installment of his beginner-focused vinyl series, host Bob continues his playful approach of “warning” newcomers about vinyl’s complexities while actually trying to educate and welcome them into the hobby. He emphasizes that he wants people to enter vinyl for the right reasons and be fully aware of what they’re getting into, noting that vinyl knowledge that was once commonplace has become specialized again.
The technical focus of this portion centers on fundamental turntable setup procedures that separate basic players from more serious equipment. Bob draws a clear line between simple turntables like the SoundBurger (which he describes as adequate but limited) and turntables in the $500+ range that require proper setup to perform well. His approach balances technical necessity with practical cost-consciousness, particularly evident in his humorous dismissal of expensive audiophile levels in favor of basic hardware store alternatives.
Throughout the segment, Bob maintains his welcoming but honest tone about vinyl’s demands. He acknowledges the hobby’s complexity while providing actionable guidance, setting up what appears to be a comprehensive tutorial on turntable setup fundamentals. His emphasis on record preservation through proper tracking force shows the careful balance vinyl enthusiasts must strike between equipment performance and media longevity.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
Gear, products, or brands discussed:
[00:06:04] – Stylus force scale (specific model not named, described as “relatively cheap” and used by host for “a few years”)
[00:07:27] – Turntable mats (cheap ones recommended for VTA adjustment)
[00:09:24] – Anti-skate test disc/tool (very cheap, link to be provided)
[00:11:12] – Belt drive vs direct drive turntables discussion
[00:11:14] – Spare turntable belt shown
Host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions:
[00:05:46] – Recommends setting tracking force on the “lighter to right in the middle range” of manufacturer specs
[00:07:09] – VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) adjustment “is not too critical” and is “for people that like adjusting things”
[00:09:08] – Anti-skate calibration “doesn’t work on a lot of turntables” with warning that “the cheaper the turntable, the less likely you’re going to get any kind of calibration out of the dial”
[00:10:25] – Detachable head shells make cartridge switching “very easy” but have drawbacks
[00:10:52] – Head shell wires are “very, very delicate” – host admits to snapping “many in my day”
Audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content:
[00:05:51] – Adjust tracking force if experiencing sibilance issues
[00:06:04] – Use a stylus force scale for exact tracking force measurement
[00:07:27] – Use additional or thicker mats to adjust VTA when tonearm lacks height adjustment
[00:09:30] – Anti-skate setup procedure: use test disc, drop needle carefully in center, adjust controls until tonearm stays still
[00:10:49] – Be very careful when installing cartridges to avoid breaking delicate wires
[00:11:01] – Broken head shell wires require professional repair unless you can solder small components well
Memorable quotes or strong takes:
[00:07:47] – “Have I lost you yet? Have I lost you yet? Because we’re going to talk about anti-skate.”
[00:08:30] – “That’s for you to look up on your own time, all right?” (regarding the physics behind anti-skate)
[00:09:08] – “I’ll forewarn you, and this is a cautionary tale, it doesn’t work on a lot of turntables.”
[00:10:00] – “You’ve got peace of mind, you can go to sleep at night. That’s anti-skate.”
Summary:
This portion focuses heavily on turntable setup and calibration, with the host providing detailed guidance on three critical adjustments: vertical tracking force (VTF), vertical tracking angle (VTA), and anti-skate. The host emphasizes the importance of using proper tools like stylus force scales and anti-skate test discs for accurate setup, while acknowledging that some adjustments like VTA aren’t critically important for most users. Throughout the discussion, there’s a practical, hands-on approach with specific techniques like using multiple mats to adjust VTA when tonearms lack height adjustment capability.
The host shares honest assessments about common turntable limitations, particularly warning that anti-skate calibration often doesn’t work properly on cheaper turntables. There’s also practical advice about the trade-offs between detachable and fixed head shells, noting that while detachable versions make cartridge swapping easier, the delicate wiring in head shells poses risks during installation and maintenance. The host admits to personal experience breaking these fragile components.
The segment concludes with the beginning of a discussion about drive systems (belt vs. direct drive), maintaining the educational tone while preparing viewers for another important turntable decision. Throughout this portion, the host balances technical information with accessible explanations, often admitting knowledge limitations (particularly regarding the physics of anti-skate) while still providing practical guidance for setup and use.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed
[00:11:26-00:12:50] Direct drive vs. belt drive turntables comparison; Project belt drive turntable mentioned as personal example
[00:12:57-00:14:49] Cartridge recommendations:
- Ortofon Red and Ortofon Blue cartridges
- Nagaoka MP110 (recommended for rock and roll)
- VM95ML with micro line stylus (~$160)
- Samico Rainier cartridge line
Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion
[00:15:27-00:15:51] The host concludes that vinyl is great and he loves it, emphasizing that the vinyl community is legitimate and fun, and he doesn’t want viewers to be discouraged from getting into the hobby.
Final Recommendations
[00:11:52-00:12:00] For belt drive turntables: get disposable gloves to handle belts
[00:12:35-00:12:50] If belt becomes contaminated, you can boil it to clean it, or alternatively skip belt drives entirely and get a direct drive turntable
[00:13:08-00:14:49] Cartridge upgrade path: start with Ortofon Red, upgrade to Blue (~$200-250); considers all mentioned cartridges under $200 as good beginner options that won’t damage records
Final Tips, Caveats, or Advice for Viewers
[00:12:00-00:12:33] Critical warning about handling turntable belts – oils from fingers cause slipping and distortion over time
[00:15:15-00:15:26] Encourages viewers to think about how deep they want to get into the hobby and what they want to put into it
[00:15:53-00:15:56] Advises doing research and offers to answer questions in comments
How the Video Wrapped Up
[00:15:10-00:16:02] The host mentions a planned next video about record storage and cleaning machines, describes his listening room as a “Japanese Kisa bar” where friends gather on weekends, emphasizes the community aspect of vinyl, and ends saying he’s exhausted
[00:16:17-00:16:20] Brief afterthought about forgetting to discuss phono preamps
Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions
[00:11:28-00:11:32] “Like an electric vehicle. Like a Tesla. It’s just got instant torque” (describing direct drive turntables)
[00:15:03-00:15:07] “This is not hate in the comments. This is for the folks that are just leaning in”
[00:15:51-00:15:53] “I don’t want you to be discouraged”
Summary
In this final portion, the host wraps up his beginner’s guide to vinyl by comparing direct drive and belt drive turntables, using a Tesla analogy to describe the instant torque of direct drives versus the slower ramp-up of belt drives. He shares a hard-learned lesson about his Project turntable, warning viewers to use disposable gloves when handling belts since finger oils cause slipping and distortion over months of use, though contaminated belts can be cleaned by boiling them.
The host then reviews several cartridge options under $200, including the Ortofon Red and Blue, the Nagaoka MP110 (which he particularly loves for rock music), the VM95ML with its micro line stylus, and the Samico Rainier line. He emphasizes these are beginner-level recommendations in a field where cartridges can cost up to $20,000, but notes that his suggestions track well and won’t damage records.
The video concludes on an encouraging note, with the host describing his listening room as a “Japanese Kisa bar” where friends gather on weekends to enjoy records together. He emphasizes that vinyl represents a legitimate, fun community and explicitly states he doesn’t want to discourage anyone from entering the hobby. After mentioning plans for a future video about record storage and cleaning, he ends somewhat abruptly, admitting exhaustion, and has a brief afterthought about forgetting to discuss phono preamps.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
