Needles & Grooves

Start then drop. Probably makes no difference. If I had to manually drop I'd probably drop first, though. With a cue arm the drop is slow, steady, and straight every time.

Start then drop

I'm manual drop, so I might switch to drop first. I always spun first, but then saw someone do it the other way! I tended to find that my stylus would often slam across the run in really quickly as well.

Start then drop the needle

On a manual TT so I drop first and then start it. I do this because my hands shake and would sometimes miss the run-in groove.

Start then drop

I'm a drop then start kinda guy

I have an automatic so I just push a button

@wokeupnew - that used to be me!

Start and drop

Start then drop and I don't usually stop it when flipping/changing records, just when I'm done listening for the day.

I have a couple edge warped albums that play fine if I place the needle then start, but I usually start then drop, mainly because it's more satisfying that way.

This is blowing my mind. I thought dropping then starting was a big no no. I can't even remember why I thought that.

Start then drop when it gets to speed.

My Technics start spinning when I move the tone arm over the record so I have always went about it this way.

I start then drop. Because when i had an auto, it used to do that, i assume for a reason???

@zomgbear - that was totally my thinking as well. I can't remember where I saw someone do it the other way, but got confused!

I'm start them drop. I remember reading that the other way was bad for the needle but that could be a myth