Hi all, I've been playing around with my turntable which is a Sony PS-FL7II which was made between 85-89. Three things about this one are unique: 1. It's drawer mounting so a drawer opens, you load the disc in, and then close it like a CD player 2. It uses laser detection to detect whether the record is a 12" or 7" then moves the arm to the approriate position although you have to use buttons to do this manually for 10" 3. It's linear tracking so the tone arm rides on a rail rather than a pivot giving it a kinda linear, digital sound. The thing cost about $200 in the day and still goes for this if it's in good shape and in the original box. This is by no means an audiophile piece of kit but audiophiles seem to think they're decent for casual listening (high praise from an audiophile) so they're not shit either. Anyway, between late 89 and 94 I used this thing mayne 50 to 75 hours just to transfer 12"s and a few LPS to tape and minidisc (long before the days of CDR, good soundcards, and modern gear) When I pulled this thing out of mothballs last winter and started ripping it was basically new (the stylus my father bought for it which he said cost almost as much as the deck is rated for 400 hours). Anyway, I noticed yesterday that ocasionally the records wouldn't advance; not on every play but on some plays. The problem wasn't the vinyl as the problem happened intermittantly and at different points. It's also a direct drive system so the belt wasn't slipping either. So I checked the owner's guide and it said to increase the tracking force, which was still set ar factory default. I increased it by about 20-25% (tried 10-15 but it wasn't enough) and now the sound coming out of this thing is AMAZING! The needle is really connecting and I'm hearing nuances I didn't hear before and fewer artifacts as well. So... I reripped 1987 from the original issue and also created a new rip from an unplayed/mint late 1990s/early 2000s bootleg that was heavily rumored to be generated by one of the KLF or someone close them (girlfriend, etc.) for extra cash. I have to say the vinyl on the bootleg is close to or even superior to the original...highly possible it came from the orginal masters. I seem to hear things that I didn't in my official 1987 version (and yes, I checked it really is an original 1987 version). Will upload both to LL in an hour or two as ALAC AND FLAC. Please email me and tell me which is superior, or if the original rip I uploaded previously is still better. Eager to make a digital master for my iPod and wish to use the best rip...suffice it to say I don't have a golden ear. Also found the first rip I made of Madrugda Eterna (Club mix) hidden on my HD which I will uploaf as ALAC & FLAC as well...please tell me if I overcleared the thing compared to rip 11...I am told vinyl is way more durable and cleanable than people give it credit for. In fact, time permitting I will slowly convert all WAVs I've posted to FLAC & ALAC once things have settled in a week or two. For the record, I have REALLY looked into this and the FLAC vs ALAC thing is really a Pepsi/Coke argument...one of personal preference as there are no quality differences that any qualified expert may find. It is my understanding that iTunes will handle 24 bit but iPods won't. Jobs himself said he wants Apple to move toward selling 24 bit DRM free tracks so I'm sure this will be handled with an iPod OS upgrade soon. Dan