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Post by rexton on Feb 16, 2020 20:09:34 GMT
Well everyone else has started one so I thought I'd reciprocate. My system has been pretty stable for many years. I'm not a big box swapper and firmly believe in experimenting and getting the most out of what I already own. I only generally purchase stuff after loads of research and then with the possibility of tweaking which is something I really enjoy. My system(s) are pretty well known to most people but I have three system. My first is based around a very highly modded Technics 1210/SME V combo which lives alongside a ATC STC2 preamp and ATC 50 active speakers with a Yannis Tome balance cable setup. My second system is based around a fully rebuilt Garrard 401/SME V-12 plinthed in a Martin Bastin MaxPlanck plinth. Phonostage is a very highly modded 4 box paradise or EAR 834P clone, preamp is a massively modded Croft EPOCH modded to run RCA 5691 (very very rare), power amp is a recapped and fettled Sondex S100 poweramp (a Radford STA100 in albeit name). Cabling is Mark Grant silver cables. Speakers are 15" Tannoy Monitor Golds in Warwick (350 litre) cabs. My third system is the REAL SOUND system based around Duelund cabling and IC's, pre amp power amps are Radford Renaissance STA25/SC25 speakers are highly modded (by me) Celestion Ditton 15's, deck is a two armed Garrard 301 with a SME 3012/3009 armed with various SPU's. The third system only comes out occasionally.
I'm in the middle of a cull and getting rid of a few bits and pieces to pay for some more upgrades and tweaks to my current systems. I'm happy with my systems and I honestly don't think I'll be moving away from what I've got. I'm happy to experiment and trial new stuff and have had a massive revelation with the Phasemation cartridges now moving away from high-end ortofons of which I've had the Kontrapunt, Rohman, Cadenza Black. I'm still enjoying my systems but I'm now very much into lateral thinking when spending my pennies. A good example being when I saved £895 by not buying a Long Doh Audio PSU for my Garrard 401. My PS Audio P10 pretty much did everything the Long Dog PSU had to offer. I bought some Belden mains cable to make a couple of extra long mains leads and then re-jigged the plugs into the back of the P10 I now have the 401 full system running through the P10 but now with and all the benefits of the Long Dog Audio PSU but without the outlay or another box! Sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and this is what happened when I saw a SME V-12 up for sale, ok it cost a few quid but nowhere near the £7500 asking price nowadays. I'll update this thread as the systems develop.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2020 20:39:23 GMT
What have i started lol
With my impending Paradise build i will follow your mod process closely.
Looking forward to your updates.
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Post by rexton on Feb 16, 2020 20:50:31 GMT
With my impending Paradise build i will follow your mod process closely. I think mine's about as modded as it gets. There was an option costing several hundred quid to mod some of the resistors to 0.1% tolerance Z-foils but we couldn't decide if this would give any improvement at all. The only thing I'd wish for on the paradise is fully balanced input and output instead of the RCA's. I suppose you could hardwire IC's onto the Paradise PCB's but that's hardcore! |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2020 20:56:37 GMT
With my impending Paradise build i will follow your mod process closely. I think mine's about as modded as it gets. There was an option costing several hundred quid to mod some of the resistors to 0.1% tolerance Z-foils but we couldn't decide if this would give any improvement at all. The only thing I'd wish for on the paradise is fully balanced input and output instead of the RCA's. I suppose you could hardwire IC's onto the Paradise PCB's but that's hardcore! I don't think a balanced connection would matter too much in a phonostage considering the cart to phonostage isnt. I think the ZFoils are fine as they are, especially if matched as i suspect they are. I am not sure i'm gonna go down the Zfoil route. I know they are highly respected, but i like to be a little different. We will see. |
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RexBlog
Feb 16, 2020 22:22:51 GMT
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Post by alit on Feb 16, 2020 22:22:51 GMT
But a cartridge output is balanced, so you could build a system fully balanced from the needle to the amp.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 16, 2020 23:47:34 GMT
But a cartridge output is balanced, so you could build a system fully balanced from the needle to the amp. Well hang on, that's not what I read. "There is no zero volts on a cartridge, only an earth/ground from the tonearm which can be attached via a single wire to the earth terminal on a phono stage" Without the 0v for both channels, how can it be balanced? I realise you can take the third connection from the ground but I cant imagine that's the best way to do it? Just found this www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?t=5876Like I said, I'm not sure I like that idea . |
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Post by firebottle on Feb 17, 2020 8:27:00 GMT
You don't need a zero volt connection for a balanced source. Another description for balanced is fully differential, the signal on one wire is with respect to the other wire and vice versa.
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Post by alit on Feb 17, 2020 8:53:20 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 17, 2020 8:57:35 GMT
I knew that, but didnt realise you could run an arm cable in balanced configuration...... In my defence, it hadn't been something that had crossed my mind to look into. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 17, 2020 8:57:59 GMT
You don't need a zero volt connection for a balanced source. Another description for balanced is fully differential, the signal on one wire is with respect to the other wire and vice versa. 👍 |
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Post by alit on Feb 17, 2020 9:06:17 GMT
It was always in my mind to try, that's why I asked Alan to build the phono stage he made for me with balanced in and outs. Never got round to though lol.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 17, 2020 9:37:14 GMT
It was always in my mind to try, that's why I asked Alan to build the phono stage he made for me with balanced in and outs. Never got round to though lol. Well I have learned a fair bit there..... I may have to try it myself. Seems Noise reduction is where the biggest benefits come. |
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Post by rexton on Feb 18, 2020 19:36:54 GMT
Rexblog - Pt II (The numerals are back) - Patience is a virtue....
Today I bought a set of these ..
A set of Townsend Seismic isolation pods. I'd wanted a pair from the very first day I saw them but I was not prepared to pay the associated pricetag! I've seen numerous DIY versions and had even been tempted to build a set myself but I always had a nagging feeling that they probably wouldn't achieve the same objective as the Seismic pods. The springs in the Seismic pods have been specifically tuned and yes you can use complex maths to work out the correct spring needed but who the hell has time for that and I don't feel confident with the equations even though I've got MSc level maths under my belt!! This set came in at under half price, I'd waited a year and they carried the correct weight loads. I'll be using them with my Garrard 401 which weighs ~50lbs (in old money) including the plinth and tonearm. The seismic pods supposedly isolate the deck from spurious outside vibrations. This is just as well as I have two whacking great transformer in my Sondex S100 amp, a couple of PSU's in my Paradise phonostage, and an additional smaller Tx sitting in my Croft Epoch amp. All these components sit of bamboo and sorbothane shelfs to minimise vibration transfer already. The pods arrive tomorrow and will be plumbed in tomorrow evening. I'll then hopefully hear some benefit.
Until next time readers.....  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 18, 2020 19:48:24 GMT
Rexblog - Pt II (The numerals are back) - Patience is a virtue....
Today I bought a set of these ..
A set of Townsend Seismic isolation pods. I'd wanted a pair from the very first day I saw them but I was not prepared to pay the associated pricetag! I've seen numerous DIY versions and had even been tempted to build a set myself but I always had a nagging feeling that they probably wouldn't achieve the same objective as the Seismic pods. The springs in the Seismic pods have been specifically tuned and yes you can use complex maths to work out the correct spring needed but who the hell has time for that and I don't feel confident with the equations even though I've got MSc level maths under my belt!! This set came in at under half price, I'd waited a year and they carried the correct weight loads. I'll be using them with my Garrard 401 which weighs ~50lbs (in old money) including the plinth and tonearm. The seismic pods supposedly isolate the deck from spurious outside vibrations. This is just as well as I have two whacking great transformer in my Sondex S100 amp, a couple of PSU's in my Paradise phonostage, and an additional smaller Tx sitting in my Croft Epoch amp. All these components sit of bamboo and sorbothane shelfs to minimise vibration transfer already. The pods arrive tomorrow and will be plumbed in tomorrow evening. I'll then hopefully hear some benefit.
Until next time readers..... There are folks that doubt these Townsend bits but IME they can be worth their weight in Gold |
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Post by jimbo on Feb 18, 2020 20:27:22 GMT
I am sure they will make a difference Andrew but whether that is for good or bad is something to determine. Anything that Isolates the turntable even more will be a benefit but it will be interesting if these will actually do the job. I have sorbathane pods and a compact laminate slab under my turntable which has proved effective, however I would have thought your seismic pods should have even greater effect.
If I had the money i would buy the ultimate Isolation - an Air Table/shelf!
I have found significant improvements to my Croft Preamp Isolating it from vibration especially like yours it is stuffed with glass bottles! I bought a roller shelf from Steve at Sonority design which has made a difference but they don't come cheap unfortunately.
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Post by electronumpty on Feb 19, 2020 11:13:29 GMT
Time I earthquake-proofed my system too!🙂 Hope they live up to expectations.
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Post by rexton on Feb 20, 2020 20:49:09 GMT
Rexblog - Pt III - Townshend's a winner Well call me sceptical but it looks like the Townshend's have worked and I can now say that after quite a few hours that the detail level has eeked up another level on the Garrard 401. It's not night and day but the soundstage is sounding a little more articulate and yes I'm squeezing a little more detail out of the 401 and the big Tannoy's. It's quite subtle but you can start to hear additional details that you didn't previously hear. Cymbals seem to have additional shimmer and the soundstage just feels more coherent. So I think the outlay was worth it. I've got my next little project planned but it's about the infrastructure of the system and what can be done to improve the vinyl. It's all very well spending money on new carts and seismic pods but what about the state of your vinyl Rex lad!! So, we are getting an Ultrasonic cleaner. Again, remember, lateral thinking is at play here. Cheapest ultrasonic cleaner was ~ £350, but we bettered this. I managed to do a few deals and now I'm waiting for the bits for the new ultrasonic cleaner, cost?? Well it was <£150. As ever, stay tuned. |
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2020 23:58:37 GMT
There's a chap on ASR who used to work at Garrard. A mine of vibration-related info, he used to measure rumble on Garrards and suchlike and found their test gear very sensitive to very sub-sonic interference, say from a bus outside quite a distance from the lab with a car park in between. They developed a sprung? isolation platform to use which cured the over-sensitivity. if I have it right, he insists that sub 20Hz stuff should be removed from vinyl playback as all there is is power-sapping grunge and other shite....
Max knows a thing or two, even if he dresses it all up to make an (expensive) interesting story.. He was quite well aware in the Rock days how good CD was in direct comparison as he had good master tape copies and vinyl and CD versions of the same recordings, but he shrugged his shoulders, rolled up his sleeves and went on with the isolation products and so on. Nice bloke and a huge character...
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2020 0:57:31 GMT
Rexblog - Pt III - Townshend's a winner Well call me sceptical but it looks like the Townshend's have worked and I can now say that after quite a few hours that the detail level has eeked up another level on the Garrard 401. It's not night and day but the soundstage is sounding a little more articulate and yes I'm squeezing a little more detail out of the 401 and the big Tannoy's. It's quite subtle but you can start to hear additional details that you didn't previously hear. Cymbals seem to have additional shimmer and the soundstage just feels more coherent. So I think the outlay was worth it. I've got my next little project planned but it's about the infrastructure of the system and what can be done to improve the vinyl. It's all very well spending money on new carts and seismic pods but what about the state of your vinyl Rex lad!! So, we are getting an Ultrasonic cleaner. Again, remember, lateral thinking is at play here. Cheapest ultrasonic cleaner was ~ £350, but we bettered this. I managed to do a few deals and now I'm waiting for the bits for the new ultrasonic cleaner, cost?? Well it was <£150. As ever, stay tuned. It's the effect when you take them back out that i look for. If i miss something when i remove it, i know it made a difference. Glad they have worked out and for less than £150, you've done well. They normally go for more. |
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Post by rexton on Feb 21, 2020 9:01:06 GMT
The Seismic pods have come out and the old bamboo + spikes isolation plinth has gone back in, let's see what happens.
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Post by rexton on Feb 21, 2020 16:13:11 GMT
Next purchase ??
Could be.....
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Post by rexton on Mar 1, 2020 10:02:27 GMT
Rexblog Pt IV - 6SL7 Tuning.
My Croft Epoch uses 5691 variants of the 6SL7 Valve. Over the years I have tried many (and marked them out of 10).
1. RCA 5691 (Red Base) 9.75/10
2. Bendix 5691 (Red Base) 9.75/10
3. Tung Sol 6S7GT (Black Bottle) 9.6/10
4. Tung Sol 6SL7GT (Orange base) 9.5/10
5. Mullard 6SL7GT (Black base) 9.25/10
6. Ken Rad 6SL7GT (Black Base) VT229 9.25/10
7. Tung Sol 6SL7GT VT229 (Black bottle) 9.1/10
8. General Electric GSL7GT (Black base 1970's) 8.75 / 10
9. Slyvania 6SL7GT black base 7/10
10. Brimar 6SL7GT (black base) 6.25/10
11. Reflektor black base 70's version 5/10
I've got the bug again to try some new variants. So I'm on the look out for some Mullard Ecc35, Melz 6H9C (5 holed versions), or some 6SU7GTY / 6188 all rare, all expensive and all at the upper end of what could be done with valve's back in the day. Today we also have several versions of these classic valves especially the Shugang variants which claim to have several new innovations to improve performance. I may even have a go with these at some point. So I've gone into stealth mode looking for these rare beasties....
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 1, 2020 10:34:57 GMT
I'm intrigued by your ratings for the Valves.
No Mullard I've ever heard would get that high to be honest.
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Post by jimbo on Mar 1, 2020 10:52:14 GMT
Mullard valves - fat warm sound slightly nostalgic and rosy?
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Post by rexton on Mar 1, 2020 13:44:43 GMT
I'm intrigued by your ratings for the Valves. No Mullard I've ever heard would get that high to be honest.
Well you've not heard all Mullards!! The values are simply gauged on how good I think the valve sounds in my Valve setup. The value is simple based around how "good" I feel when I listen, a measurement of pleasure if you will. I really can't be bothered or arsed why one valve sounds better than the other it's all about the pleasure derived.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 1, 2020 15:08:49 GMT
I'm intrigued by your ratings for the Valves. No Mullard I've ever heard would get that high to be honest.
Well you've not heard all Mullards!! The values are simply gauged on how good I think the valve sounds in my Valve setup. The value is simple based around how "good" I feel when I listen, a measurement of pleasure if you will. I really can't be bothered or arsed why one valve sounds better than the other it's all about the pleasure derived.
No, I haven't heard them all. |
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Post by sq225917 on Mar 1, 2020 15:11:25 GMT
To be fair trying to describe the sound of a valve is about as nebulous as try to describe the sound of a single transistor type.
The circuit makes more difference than the actual valve.
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Post by jimbo on Mar 1, 2020 15:16:23 GMT
To be fair trying to describe the sound of a valve is about as nebulous as try to describe the sound of a single transistor type. The circuit makes more difference than the actual valve. Absolutely but I think it is possible to discern general differences from valves when they are swapped in and out of the circuit. I can certainly hear the differences but I do have some reservations in that the age and electrical performance of a valve may have an influence on the sound aswell which maybe more influential than the actual characteristic of the valve? Not sure of the sound of valves can be compared with the sound of transistors? |
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Post by rexton on Mar 1, 2020 15:19:07 GMT
I agree with the last two comments. I can only go on what I hear in my system(s).
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 1, 2020 16:04:25 GMT
I agree with the last two comments. I can only go on what I hear in my system(s). That 100% right, I was wondering it was more a case of me not hearing a good enough Mullard |
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