Klarinet Archive - Posting 000322.txt from 1998/09

From: David McClune <dmcclune@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: turntable fluctuation
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 16:19:16 -0400

As an avid audiophile and clarinetist I would like to shed a different
light on the turntable discussion. It is true that one can spend $30,000
on the ultimate turntable, tone arm, cartridge combination. But keep this
in mind, does a beginner plastic clarinet with a plastic mouthpiece and a
beginer quality 2 1/2 reed sound the same as a fully regulated OPUS, custom
mouthpiece and Vandoren reed of choice?

Turntables must translate lateral flucuations in a groove at faster speeds
than a clarinet reed vibrates, by a few times! To do this the speed must
be stable; vibration from the motor and from sound waves coming from the
speakers must be controlled, and have a stable place for the tone arm to be
bolted. etc, etc.

Now there are are good great turntable/arm combinations starting at $500
and very good ones in the 1000-2000 range. Look in audio want-ads for a
"Linn-Sondek LP 12". This is one of the trusty tables from a small company
in Scotland. They sell used for about $700-1,500" depending on the
included arm.

It may seem at first glance to be expensive, but I have over 2,000 albums
which are NOT replaceable. The sound of a record is often as good if not
better than a CD. Ok, the album must be cleaned of dirt, and you need a
good table, arm, cartridge, etc. But remember the plastic clarinet
example; do you play on a dry reed, you get what you pay for...

Visit a good "high end" audio store and check out the potential in home
stereo. Expensive maybe, but the sound is increadable. In 1965 money
terms a good 500 stereo then should cost about 5,000 now with normal
inflation. Today you can but a stereo in a department store or stuff-mart
for 500. Notice a problem? My first Buffet R-13 was 350 in 1968, it now
lists for over 2,000. Would you want to play a $350 clarinet today?

THanks for your patience!

Dave

Dr. David McClune
Professor of Clarinet
Director of Bands
Union University
Jackson, TN 38305
901-661-5294-office

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