Haynes Vinyl Owners' Workshop Manual: How to get the best from your vinyl records and kit

Ok i am old school (really wish ages should be in reviews) age 59.Think this is for people not around in the 60/70/80's even 90's.Its well but together but lacks in detail and is all over then place on facts.Perhaps I know it all, and could have helped put this together.For a Haynes manual its lacks more depth, in 5 parts or more.1 - History ok, but not one photo of magnified grooves and how the styli works in the groove.2 - Jumps from first vinyl with Quad?? no short mention of cassettes, MD,CDs or why they took over.3 - There are some very good moderatly priced decks (Hi Fi and DJ) available, from £100 - £300, but this had lots of photos of £2000 plus decks !! (Same with speakers)and for the DJ just a beloved Technics , again expensive model.4 - When I am on company forums the big problem is new folk not understanding what line/phono out puts mean and same when connecting to line/phono in. Not a mention of this except to buy an expensive amp ?? with phonos. There is really no need for a top 20 best selling LP of all time at the end taking up pages. Lets see more gear recommendations instead. The DJ section is fairly good, but no mention of the mistakes a lot of starter DJs make re levels and kit choice. 5 - nothing on replacing belts/cartridges/fault finding/ cleaning with correct fluids ,buying an ultrasonic cleaner etc etcPs I am not a Hi Fi snob, and did buy the book, but if this was a car manual I would be in big trouble !!

With my first stereo at aged 7 in 1973, I have been in / around HiFi since then and now have what many might call a "reference" system. I was pleased with this book. It contained a lot of basic information and even went a little further in some areas (e.g. a peek at some really hi end turntables). The format could have done with some really striking illustrations (e.g. of a cartridge or perhaps a stylus tracking a groove) but instead, the book decided to use words to describe the concepts. There was little mention of the Belt Drive system or floating sub-chassis... Some interesting recommendations for sound checking vinyl also made for nice reading. At the back end of the book however, a lot of time was spent on DJ-ing and even more for digital mixing, which diluted the book (IMHO). Nonetheless, it is a great read and recommended.

One of the nicest books I have ever owned.Written with love in praise of the'Vinyl' genre of audio/sound media, I cannot seriously fault this unexpectedly high quality product from the famous Haynes Guides series. Beautifully produced on a semi-gloss high quality grade paper, this hardback publication can sit easily amid other glossy arty books to grace the coffee table.The subject matters are partitioned into chapters with much history and even more high quality photos and illustrations relating to sound recording equipment from the very earliest days to the contemporary studio and all techniques in between.Emphasis is given, of course to the many attributes of vinyl as these discs became collectively 'nouned' from wax cylinders via shellac to vinyl and a look at how cds now emanate mainly from both analogue and digital forms of recording.Perhaps because of my dotage, I would have liked a nod or two more in the direction of my kind of music (from earliest jazz to big band swing as well as Country music (that had also enjoyed massive popularity via vinyl sales).The author's comparative youth reflects rather more of his music taste (rock and onwards.,), though he is forgiven for his very well produced labour of love.

As a vinyl enthusiast I'm disappointed. 50% of the book deals with disc jockeying advice, mixers , digital DJing. All fine but hardly a vinyl Workshop Manual as described. 2 Pages dealing with a turntable description. The world's top professionals. All good for a brief look at the people who make,buy n sell, produce and use vinyl. Lacking detail on vinyl technology and how to enhance actual listening pleasure. A pleasant read and reasonable value too.

I am an audiophile, and did not expect much, but it was very well written with some good advice.