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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 10:15:07 GMT
It is performing very nicely, in the short time I have had to have a proper listen. I have set it up, with VTF at 1.56g as per the spec. It seems to do well with Detail, placement, space and dynamics. But the best thing is it is very aptly names “Music Maker”. I have not had the chance for a “serious listen”, but I am wondering if an ART-9 is still a sensible move, or if I should upgrade from “Classic” to “Master”.
I seem to have a bit of noise on the RH channel, but I think that is down to the valve. Luckily I have some spares, so will change that out this afternoon.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 20, 2020 15:15:12 GMT
It is performing very nicely, in the short time I have had to have a proper listen. I have set it up, with VTF at 1.56g as per the spec. It seems to do well with Detail, placement, space and dynamics. But the best thing is it is very aptly names “Music Maker”. I have not had the chance for a “serious listen”, but I am wondering if an ART-9 is still a sensible move, or if I should upgrade from “Classic” to “Master”. I seem to have a bit of noise on the RH channel, but I think that is down to the valve. Luckily I have some spares, so will change that out this afternoon. No one can answer that question for you Kevin, it's a personal experience isnt it. You'll always wonder about the ART9 though. That's usually why I try things. Dont want to miss out lol
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 15:38:44 GMT
A cartridge "bake off" would be best for me, but that is not going to happen as I am not allowed to leave the property, without a very good reason.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 20, 2020 15:50:51 GMT
A cartridge "bake off" would be best for me, but that is not going to happen as I am not allowed to leave the property, without a very good reason. Dont they understand how serious a cartridge bakeoff is?!! Joking aside, theres no rush. Just hang fire until such time as its viable
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 16:49:13 GMT
That is the plan. Staying healthy is a priority.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 20, 2020 18:03:13 GMT
That is the plan. Staying healthy is a priority. It's a good plan
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 17:09:36 GMT
Listening to Boris Blank / Malia - Convergence. This cartridge continues to impress me. It is very quiet in between tracks, but gives great separation and space. It is probably the best £300 I have spent on a cartridge.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 19:13:25 GMT
I have asked Mr Gregory how much it costs to go to the sic Master level.... A review here
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 21, 2020 21:16:19 GMT
I have asked Mr Gregory how much it costs to go to the sic Master level.... A review hereThe review certainly reads like it was written by a fan if the cartridge. I'm never totally convinced by someones opinion, who is using a system comprising of Valve Pre and Power amps and a P10 phonostage. I dont know the Graham Slee, but you probably do. That said, You can spend thousands of pounds looking for a cartridge that does the things you like, and never land on exactly the sweet spot. If you have, and it's reasonable to get it up to it's best capabilities.....why not.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 21:24:26 GMT
It all depends on the price to be honest. If it is too much, I will wait until this wears out. The cartridge works well with light arms, so my FX1200 is perfect.
There are a few reviews from users around that say pretty much the same thing as the review. The Master just adds a bit more to the performance.
There will always be better cartridges out there. At some point, you need to stop looking....
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Post by firebottle on Mar 22, 2020 8:34:40 GMT
There will always be better cartridges out there. At some point, you need to stop looking.... Yes I almost pressed the button on an 'alternative' cartridge but have since spent the money elsewhere ........
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 22, 2020 8:49:14 GMT
It all depends on the price to be honest. If it is too much, I will wait until this wears out. The cartridge works well with light arms, so my FX1200 is perfect. There are a few reviews from users around that say pretty much the same thing as the review. The Master just adds a bit more to the performance. There will always be better cartridges out there. At some point, you need to stop looking.... Yeah, i think if you like not, max it out so you're not left wondering what could have been ..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2020 15:05:45 GMT
£1,150 to upgrade.
Yikes!
It retails at £1,850 though.. So basically, I would have saved £400 going this route. At that price, I need to be sure though....
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 22, 2020 15:49:45 GMT
£1,150 to upgrade. Yikes! It retails at £1,850 though.. So basically, I would have saved £400 going this route. At that price, I need to be sure though.... Wowzers......
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Post by electronumpty on Mar 22, 2020 16:19:34 GMT
ouch, I would stick with the 300 quid bargin of the decade .
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2020 16:23:50 GMT
It is tempting....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2020 17:36:37 GMT
Just been listening to the digital side of my system, and to my ears it does not sound too shabby. The RiCable digital interconnect lets enough detail through, and the upgraded SEG is singing quite nicely.
Makes me wonder if I want a new cartridge, or if the money would be better spent on starting to build a set of 686 Monos. But do I need 686s? Would a set of 286s be sufficient?
I have at least a month to decide on what I want to do, if anything.
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Post by firebottle on Mar 23, 2020 18:04:46 GMT
286 would be amply sufficient. The '57's are supposedly about 83/84dB and I can get plenty of volume.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2020 18:18:57 GMT
No stock, and only one 686 available. 😕
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Post by firebottle on Mar 23, 2020 18:24:43 GMT
Enjoy your '86 amps then reevaluate in 3 months time.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2020 18:31:01 GMT
That is the plan. I don’t need the 286 with my speakers. The 686 would allow me to drive anything I throw at them, as my speakers will change in the future.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2020 16:10:13 GMT
The good thing about being in confinement, is I have more time to reflect on things. I think the sensible path at the moment is to fit a remote enabled SA to my pre-amp, and see what that gives in terms of performance gain. I am very wary of the cartridge upgrade not giving the big improvement I am hoping for, at the level I feel comfortable spending. Another option will be to change the speaker cable and make up a set inspired by Oli, and replace the cat5 twisted pair in my speakers whilst I am at it.
After that is done, I may revisit the cartridge situation.
Alan is right though, I need to take time and enjoy what I have.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 24, 2020 16:44:09 GMT
The good thing about being in confinement, is I have more time to reflect on things. I think the sensible path at the moment is to fit a remote enabled SA to my pre-amp, and see what that gives in terms of performance gain. I am very wary of the cartridge upgrade not giving the big improvement I am hoping for, at the level I feel comfortable spending. Another option will be to change the speaker cable and make up a set inspired by Oli, and replace the cat5 twisted pair in my speakers whilst I am at it. After that is done, I may revisit the cartridge situation. Alan is right though, I need to take time and enjoy what I have. What speaker cable would that be? The Graphene stuff?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2020 17:22:34 GMT
Why not....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2020 20:37:38 GMT
I have just dragged my Cyrus CLS70 out of retirement. The Modulus 86 amps certainly bring them to life. The bass is very punchy, and the sound is detailed with a good sound stage. Certainly very good amps, and in my opinion the speakers are pretty good too, for a stand mount.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2020 11:29:30 GMT
So, what is the approximate cost to build a dual mono (or pair of mono blocks) Modulus 686? I want to avoid the SMPS too. Any ideas before I take the time to work out what I need, and the associated cost.
I am half tempted to sell the Modulus 86 and fund speaker and amp with my bonus.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 27, 2020 11:42:05 GMT
So, what is the approximate cost to build a dual mono (or pair of mono blocks) Modulus 686? I want to avoid the SMPS too. Any ideas before I take the time to work out what I need, and the associated cost. I am half tempted to sell the Modulus 86 and fund speaker and amp with my bonus. I worked it out for a Dual Mono recently and it worked out at about £1600 Monoblocks will be more due to the need for another chassis
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2020 11:45:16 GMT
I doubt there is any benefit from mono blocks over dual mono, apart from packaging?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 27, 2020 12:14:55 GMT
I doubt there is any benefit from mono blocks over dual mono, apart from packaging? I think as long as you have completely separate each channel, it's no different except for the finished look etc. That's the way I was going to do it anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2020 12:17:08 GMT
Interestingly enough, my CLS70 are 85 dB. They work well enough with the 86s. Not had a chance to raise the volume yet.
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