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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2020 16:30:10 GMT
Been a while, so here’s a potted update.
Turntable arm and cart are still the same after trying the grass on the other side and not liking that shade of green.
I sold the Artemiz and bought a TransRotor arm. I also replaced the OC9 with an AT33-EV. The Artemiz got some bearing damage in transit or perhaps due to recipient mishandling. Either way, it came back to me via Johnny who has made it sound better than ever. It’s staying put.
The AT-33 EV was IMO the biggest POS AT have ever made. To say I hated it would not begin to describe this muddy, lifeless lump. The perfect cartridge for anyone who doesn’t like bass, treble or liveliness. Or music.
Amp is still the Sonneteer Orton. No plans to change.
Speakers are mainly my Spica TC60 although I do use Neat Petite 3s for fun. I also have some later model Reference 3a MM De Capo i. They ultimately don’t beat my Spicas but they do some things so well it’s unreal. I love them.
Phono stage is still the Trichord Dino but only because nobody’s been selling their Sedleys. Fine for now though.
Headphone listening, I still love my Grado RS2i and have no plans to change. I now have a big Schiit to go with my little one. In other words I bought another Asgard 2 to sit alongside my Magni 2 Uber. Generally I think it’s better.
I’ve had two trips to Cyprus but still haven’t landed a place there. Several offers made but so far no price agreed. Health-wise I’d love to say I’m better, or even getting better. Truth is I’m probably worse, but not much.
That’s all for now. Hope you are all enjoying your kit.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 11, 2020 16:47:18 GMT
Been a while, so here’s a potted update. Turntable arm and cart are still the same after trying the grass on the other side and not liking that shade of green. I sold the Artemiz and bought a TransRotor arm. I also replaced the OC9 with an AT33-EV. The Artemiz got some bearing damage in transit or perhaps due to recipient mishandling. Either way, it came back to me via Johnny who has made it sound better than ever. It’s staying put. The AT-33 EV was IMO the biggest POS AT have ever made. To say I hated it would not begin to describe this muddy, lifeless lump. The perfect cartridge for anyone who doesn’t like bass, treble or liveliness. Or music. Amp is still the Sonneteer Orton. No plans to change. Speakers are mainly my Spica TC60 although I do use Neat Petite 3s for fun. I also have some later model Reference 3a MM De Capo i. They ultimately don’t beat my Spicas but they do some things so well it’s unreal. I love them. Phono stage is still the Trichord Dino but only because nobody’s been selling their Sedleys. Fine for now though. Headphone listening, I still love my Grado RS2i and have no plans to change. I now have a big Schiit to go with my little one. In other words I bought another Asgard 2 to sit alongside my Magni 2 Uber. Generally I think it’s better. I’ve had two trips to Cyprus but still haven’t landed a place there. Several offers made but so far no price agreed. Health-wise I’d love to say I’m better, or even getting better. Truth is I’m probably worse, but not much. That’s all for now. Hope you are all enjoying your kit. Nice to see you pop in Andrew. Sorry to hear you arent up to scratch, healthwise. But you know what they say, gets worse before it gets better. Fingers crossed Interesting about the arm. Always good to be happy with what you have. I'm sure somewhere will pop up in Cyprus. Any particular region or area you're looking for?
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Post by dsjr on Feb 11, 2020 17:42:36 GMT
Glad the arm was eventually sorted out and hopes for health improvements as the weather hopefully improves.
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Post by antonio on Feb 11, 2020 23:11:41 GMT
Good luck with your property search, and hope your health improves in the meantime.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2020 18:29:38 GMT
Black sheep......
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2020 19:10:23 GMT
Black sheep...... Ha! The matching phonostage!
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Post by firebottle on Feb 20, 2020 19:11:45 GMT
Is it called Shaun, it doesn't look very woolly ....
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2020 19:12:52 GMT
Is it called Shaun, it doesn't look very woolly .... Bit does it sound it??
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2020 19:41:41 GMT
I had one a while back but I got rid because it had an orange LED rather than a blue one. Now I’m stuck with a black one.....but at least it has a blue LED.
I will likely try and buy a new faceplate.
They are decent sounding but I very slightly preferred my Michell Iso. They are better than the Trichord Dino IMO though.
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2020 20:34:39 GMT
I had one a while back but I got rid because it had an orange LED rather than a blue one. Now I’m stuck with a black one.....but at least it has a blue LED. I will likely try and buy a new faceplate. They are decent sounding but I very slightly preferred my Michell Iso. They are better than the Trichord Dino IMO though. We could have swapped that LED no bother! I'm sure Jez would have done it too. Shame that.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2020 23:47:57 GMT
I’d honestly expected to pick up another silver one really easily. My last one was very early and the orange LED was original, I think. At the time, I was between decks and didn’t need a phono stage , so it seemed like no big deal to sell and look for another, I hadn’t appreciated just how little Sonneteer stuff comes to market.
This one’s a later Sedley with the 5mm fascia, which I like.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2020 23:50:41 GMT
Only decent? I'd have a word with Haider if I were you and see what he thinks. There may have been a tweak or two carried out since that one was made, or maybe a new thought or two to tweak it further, you never know...
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2020 23:52:15 GMT
I’d honestly expected to pick up another silver one really easily. My last one was very early and the orange LED was original, I think. At the time, I was between decks and didn’t need a phono stage , so it seemed like no big deal to sell and look for another, I hadn’t appreciated just how little Sonneteer stuff comes to market. This one’s a later Sedley with the 5mm fascia, which I like. Must say, the reviews largely pointed to this as a really good Phonostage. Surprised you aren't entirely enamoured with it?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 0:15:58 GMT
Only decent? I'd have a word with Haider if I were you and see what he thinks. There may have been a tweak or two carried out since that one was made, or maybe a new thought or two to tweak it further, you never know... I honestly feel it’s the least strong product they make. Part of that is probably personal taste. It’s a bit of a smoothie and I like a livelier sound. I thought the Hera spoiled the Iso because it smoothed it out too much and made it sound tubby. The other part may be just in my head, but both the Sedley and Dino use dip switches, whereas the ISO needs a resistor swap. I reckon the dip switches are taking away the last smidge of clarity. Booting them would be my tweak, but I don’t like taking anything away from stock. I haven’t tried this later model yet, so I may find it better. I’m not aware of any alterations but I have an internal pic of my old one, so I will have a peek inside.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 0:23:55 GMT
I’d honestly expected to pick up another silver one really easily. My last one was very early and the orange LED was original, I think. At the time, I was between decks and didn’t need a phono stage , so it seemed like no big deal to sell and look for another, I hadn’t appreciated just how little Sonneteer stuff comes to market. This one’s a later Sedley with the 5mm fascia, which I like. Must say, the reviews largely pointed to this as a really good Phonostage. Surprised you aren't entirely enamoured with it? I’d have loved for you to hear one in your system. I know you’ve heard so many other contenders and, like me, you’re also a bit “meh” about the Dino. If money and styling were no object I’d be seeking out the pricier Tom Evans stuff. Im using a completely different deck now, so I wonder how that will affect my views of this new Sedley. Hopefully I won’t want to send the black sheep packing lol.
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2020 0:54:31 GMT
Must say, the reviews largely pointed to this as a really good Phonostage. Surprised you aren't entirely enamoured with it? I’d have loved for you to hear one in your system. I know you’ve heard so many other contenders and, like me, you’re also a bit “meh” about the Dino. If money and styling were no object I’d be seeking out the pricier Tom Evans stuff. Im using a completely different deck now, so I wonder how that will affect my views of this new Sedley. Hopefully I won’t want to send the black sheep packing lol. I am happy to take a loan of it lol Ye, dip switched do tend to give me the "oh, why use them" attitude. I would much prefer a very simple jumper system, like the one present in the Simaudio i had and that is now incorporated into the Bigbottle to swap the type of valves used (shameless plug) I hear you about keeping it stock but if a few minute details were enough to make it a keeper, why not gamble? it can always be put back. I'm gonna have to see the guts now though lol You don't need Tom Evans, have a word with SQ and get him and his paradise round. I'm pretty sure that would give you a reason to start saving some dosh. I bought some PCB's and will be building one for me. I always wanted a SS phonostage to go with my Valve one. This year i may have 2x SS and 1x Valve. Im a greedy boy.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 2:08:34 GMT
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2020 9:29:20 GMT
Its tidy but that bank of green capacitors look like polyester to me....also the yellow ones. I could be wrong as it's hard to tell, but personally, all of those would be out if they are. Close up pics of the new one might help?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 13:51:52 GMT
Hope you're well, Andrew. Good to see you are enjoying the Hi-Fi.
S.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 19:51:29 GMT
;Cheers Shane. Still enjoying the kit, but not listening as much as I should. Just not up to it most days.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 9:51:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 10:12:27 GMT
Of course I was kidding myself that I could wait fir an answer, so I’ve now set it to RIAA, 100ohm, 220pf.
That’s switches:
Right: 1,4,7 Left: 4, 7,10
First impressions are that it’s better but probably not good enough for me, although time will tell.
Any other settings that might improve, given that I’ve listed one setting that was awful and another that’s okay-ish?
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Post by dsjr on Feb 22, 2020 10:17:14 GMT
There's a lot of neuroses when loading many cartridges these days. A general starting point from me could be high gain MC, 220pF and load at 220 Ohms. I would have thought the 1k loading recommendation as standard would also be fine, but you could reduce the loading down to 100 ohms as it's about ten times the coil resistance with little effect (I understand the loading should be ten times at least here). Edit - you'd done that while I was typing - glad it's slightly better for you!!! Hope that helps. Most common MC's in my experience used to be quite kind to loading changes especially phono stage input impedance, but others more highly atuned to these things may notice far more than I. Unless there's a fault, the only other thing I can think of is that the Sedley has a lower output making it sound weedier and less dramatic for a given volume control setting (I've been well fooled by this kind of thing in the past, so only making a suggestion which may well be worthless). At day's end, well worth getting in touch with the factory to see if they can suggest anything.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 10:23:18 GMT
Thanks, Dave, my experience has also been that these settings never give night and day changes. I will give the 220pf a shot, but I think the truth is that I just don’t rate the Sedley very highly. Or maybe it’s just not a good match for the OC7 and OC9.
If this was a 100 metres race, I’d say it’s a good two yards behind the Dino which I’d probably say was not quite good enough to make the British relay team. I’m not going to close that sort of gap with a small setting change. Pity, as I would’ve loved an all Sonneteer setup.
it’s not that it’s weedier. If I can describe the malaise, it’s a bit like the veiling and lack of clarity and extension I found with Audiolab amps. To me that means it’s just not good enough. Tbh it’s a bit like taking my deck out and repacing it with a stock Rega and MM cartridge.
Might look for another Iso or Iso HR. Or maybe something different. It would have to be single box and no DIY or hair-shirt/garden shed kit.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 22, 2020 10:38:32 GMT
Another possibly academic comment if I may - the 23 degree tracing angle of the stylus. Common in many Jap designed cartridges it seems over the years (I was told their vinyl is slightly softer than western sourced stuff) and this may well emphasise hf distortion a touch - why I was never worried having the arm slightly tail-down in many cartridge cases and a line or Shibabta style tip may well be more sensitive to this.
Your OC9 is way beyond this in use now, but I remember that from new, setting tracking weight to 1.7 for the first few hours and then backing off to the recommended 1.5g used to help bed it all in.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 10:41:46 GMT
I could dabble with tracking weight ......and I may do yet. I hadn’t really taken much time after re-installing the Artemiz, I doubt it will turn the Sedley into something I can live with, but it’s successor will benefit.
I’m probably going to keep the Sedley for a week or two, as I want to be 1000% sure I’ve got it’s measure. That way I can rule it out forever and not be tempted to try another with a different vinyl setup in the future,
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 11:05:49 GMT
My experience with the OC9 is to load it above 100 ohm. I suggest the 220 ohm setting. Capacitance should not make much difference.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2020 11:15:15 GMT
My experience with the OC9 is to load it above 100 ohm. I suggest the 220 ohm setting. Capacitance should not make much difference. Thanks for that. I guess that means I’m hearing tne Sedley at its “best”. Oh dear.
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 22, 2020 11:38:01 GMT
Thanks, Dave, my experience has also been that these settings never give night and day changes. I will give the 220pf a shot, but I think the truth is that I just don’t rate the Sedley very highly. Or maybe it’s just not a good match for the OC7 and OC9. If this was a 100 metres race, I’d say it’s a good two yards behind the Dino which I’d probably say was not quite good enough to make the British relay team. I’m not going to close that sort of gap with a small setting change. Pity, as I would’ve loved an all Sonneteer setup. it’s not that it’s weedier. If I can describe the malaise, it’s a bit like the veiling and lack of clarity and extension I found with Audiolab amps. To me that means it’s just not good enough. Tbh it’s a bit like taking my deck out and repacing it with a stock Rega and MM cartridge. Might look for another Iso or Iso HR. Or maybe something different. It would have to be single box and no DIY or hair-shirt/garden shed kit. The problem is in that bank of green capacitors, I'm telling ya! However, I doubt changing the caps would raise its performance anywhere near enough to make you happy. If it's a couple of steps behind the Dino, I'd bin it. Shame that.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 22, 2020 11:51:26 GMT
Why? They're film caps so *shouldn't* drift in a circuit like this, although I've obviously not measured them - Marantz classic TDA1541 CD playerrs were full of 'em as is my related Micro Seiki and that sounds much as it used to I think. The little bank of supply electrolytics could be looked at although in a cool running low demand phono stage I doubt they've gone off unless they were deliberately under-specified (highly unlikely with this maker). I still think a chat with the manufacturer is called for as they'd know the circuit compromises better than anything, including those green film caps remember, not every circuit does an Alps Blue pot down
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