Needles & Grooves

I’ve never really had a problem with their belts in the past. The most recent one I got likes to fall off when I start a 45 record. Which is very fucking annoying. Especially when I am on like the fourth or fifth side of 45 since switching. I’m half convinced they sent me one for the new tables.

Fuk that shiz. #directdrive

@TrainFan73 going from 33 to 45 is never an issue but once I’m at 45 it’s a whole ordeal to go back. I’m at the point where I don’t play a 45 unless im ready to end my play session. I have own this player for over 10 years so that could be a part of it but feel like this has been an issue since day 1.

As of now I have spent over an hour trying to restring this and it just keeps falling. Won’t even stay on 45 at this point

@Yer Ol' Uncle D realistically I should upgrade my speakers first but they don’t enrage me as much as the this does so I’ll be looking into this

If you upgrade your turntable and cartridge, you may be surprised at how much better your speakers perform. That might get you set on TT for a good long while and allow you to get much more mileage out of your speakers than you thought.

Before this new belt, I could pop it to and from with a finger while it was running.

I have found this (their manual’s) way to be the most consistent way to get the belt on. When I am super frustrated, it can help to take the lever out.

I hear you @Yer Ol' Uncle D , and not remembering @Fleetwood-Matt ’s set up off the top of my head, but my speakers and my phono stage are the weakest parts of my system currently. I plan on getting those where I want them before getting another table. Stage is next (barring some incredible deal)

Also, I don’t like the technics aesthetic and am too much of a grado fanboy to seriously consider direct drive.

So that NAD phono stage is weak? Not expecting it to perform like a stand-alone unit but I'd think it wouldn't be terrible. Or are you bypassing it already?

It’s better than my Pluto but only a smidge.

If you don't want to go nuts $ wise, look at Darlington Labs. They outperform price and are easily upgradeable. I've been happy with mine.

Darlington is on my list. I’d like tubes but am not going to short myself when I can do better without in that price range. It’ll be early next year before I decide what to do though. Then it’s a savings game for speakers.

whelp my belt broke during this and I had to make a new one out of twine lol. If anything this as pushed me to upgrade my whole system. I definitely skimped on speakers back when I started this but I think a new player will be up first now

This post is giving me all kinds of mixed emotions! Sad your belt broke, happy for your pending upgrade.