Do Vinyl Records Sound Better ?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

ubertron777, i'm certain you need a receiver. i don't think i've ever heard of a turntable being able to hook up directly to speakers. something like this, but it needn't be so old:

YES, it must be that old! Just way cooler looking than the black hunks of plastic that have been coming out recently.

That thing looks amazing. The old school electroluminecsent panel and knob lighting must look fantastic in a dark or dimly lit room.

EDIT: Also it's in fantastic shape as well, how old and what model is it?

[UBERTRON777]

Yeah, I realized that and slapped myself in the face. A couple more digging in more brother's room produced that. Now, all I need is a new needle and a new power cord as my old one wobble's around and doesn't really want to give power to the record player. Are there different types of needles or cartridges or whatever? And if so, how do I know which one to get?
Also, my speakers occasionally make a static sound, like a radio station. Is there any way to prevent this?

[Octopod]

Is there an old needle there? If so take it with you while looking for a new one.

[UBERTRON777]

No, it's empty. I'll look the model up online and check what needle it takes. It's a Technics SL-L3.

[UBERTRON777]

So, I am very confused about cartridges/needles now. Do I need to get a specific one that was made just for my model or did Technics make some sort of standard cartridge? Where would I go to find out what needle I would need and where could I buy one? I don't want something as silly as not having a needle stop me from being able to use my record player.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

90% of all turntables made in the past 40 years use some sort of standardized cartridge or needle.

You can take it to you local Radio Shack and they'll help you out, I had the same question and they set me up with a new needle quick.

[UBERTRON777]

Okay, cool. I don't have an original cartridge so if I told them what model it was, would that be enough information for them? I hope I can get it at Radioshack because I hate having to buy stuff online.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

It's best to just take your turntable itself to the store with you, as it's model number is meaningless when what usually really counts is the tone arm, needle and cartridge.

[UBERTRON777]

Okay, yeah I'll do that. Thanks.

[retrofuture]

With this turntable I have I get audible hum which detracts a lot from the experience. I think it has to do with the grounding but I'm not sure...