|
Post by rexton on Mar 1, 2020 17:23:02 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 We have completely different amps, phonostages, decks, cartridges, cabling, and speakers. Things are bound to be different. I've tried more ECC83's than I care to admit (and spent the money as well) and I ended up using the military spec M8137's in the EAR834 clone over Telefunken ECC83, I refused to pay the stupid prices for the S variants. I still own both the Mullard and Telefunken ECC83's. I will say one thing, it seems to me that military spec valves work better in my kit. Perhaps it's psychological perhaps I've got really great Mullard valves, perhaps it's synergy of valves and my equipment. I honestly don't know and as I said life's too short to worry. Mullards seems to sound good in my kit, although I did get rid of a matched Quad of Mullard KT88's, I preferred reissue Genelex gold lion, how do you explain that?
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Mar 1, 2020 17:25:46 GMT
That 100% right, I was wondering it was more a case of me not hearing a good enough Mullard We have completely different amps, phonostages, decks, cartridges, cabling, and speakers. Things are bound to be different. I've tried more ECC83's than I care to admit (and spent the money as well) and I ended up using the military spec M8137's in the EAR834 clone over Telefunken ECC83, I refused to pay the stupid prices for the S variants. I still own both the Mullard and Telefunken ECC83's. I will say one thing, it seems to me that military spec valves work better in my kit. Perhaps it's psychological perhaps I've got really great Mullard valves, perhaps it's synergy of valves and my equipment. I honestly don't know and as I said life's too short to worry. Mullards seems to sound good in my kit, although I did get rid of a matched Quad of Mullard KT88's, I preferred reissue Genelex gold lion, how do you explain that? I know you've paid for your opinion matey...no doubt there. Oddly, I found a GE military valve, an ECC83 AND it's my favourite valve ever. You may be onto something with the milspec idea
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Mar 1, 2020 17:50:09 GMT
We have completely different amps, phonostages, decks, cartridges, cabling, and speakers. Things are bound to be different. I've tried more ECC83's than I care to admit (and spent the money as well) and I ended up using the military spec M8137's in the EAR834 clone over Telefunken ECC83, I refused to pay the stupid prices for the S variants. I still own both the Mullard and Telefunken ECC83's. I will say one thing, it seems to me that military spec valves work better in my kit. Perhaps it's psychological perhaps I've got really great Mullard valves, perhaps it's synergy of valves and my equipment. I honestly don't know and as I said life's too short to worry. Mullards seems to sound good in my kit, although I did get rid of a matched Quad of Mullard KT88's, I preferred reissue Genelex gold lion, how do you explain that? I know you've paid for your opinion matey...no doubt there. Oddly, I found a GE military valve, an ECC83 AND it's my favourite valve ever. You may be onto something with the milspec idea I've tried the GE military valves as well and even military spec valves vary so in future I think I'm just going to buy and valve roll military spec variants.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 1, 2020 20:27:23 GMT
It's been a while since I posted on my Blog. So I thought I'd update what's happening in the valve system. I sent the Phasemation pp300 back, I was very sad to see that go. I'm currently waiting for COVID-19 to bugger off and the business settle down before I buy the Phasemation PP500. So, whilst I have some down time I decided to flog excess gear and re-review what I have sitting around. I'm currently running a Shure M55E+JICO neoSAS stylus on my Garrard 401/SME V-12 combo. The resolution is nowhere near that of the Phasemation PP500 running into a highly tricked out 4-box paradise phonostage but it's still enjoyable and it's nice to see just how far you can push 40+ year technology. I have the M55E running into a Firebottle modded EAR 834P clone. It all sounds very nice. I'm trying to rationalise my kit, so over the next few weeks I'll be plotting the EAR 834 clone against my Croft EPOCH phonostage. I really love the EAR 834 but sometimes you've got to say goodbye!!
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 1, 2020 20:57:18 GMT
Think the EAR is probably gonna get found out a little.
Very decent with Alan's mods but I didnt want one when I heard it.
The croft was good though.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 1, 2020 21:02:36 GMT
Yep time will tell! I'll be having a play around in the next week or two.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 4, 2020 20:17:51 GMT
More dicking around with this Covid19 imprisonment. I decided to swap out some Russian 6H9C's in my Croft Epoch preamp for my all time favourite 6SL7 variant the 6591. These happen to be the rare and (and now getting expensive) RCA red base. I'm now pitting the Croft MM phonostage against my EAR 834P clone and the Mullard 8137's. In some respects I'm loving the COVID lockdown in that I get to do stupid stuff like this. I'll be playing all sorts of Genre's to make my final judgement. Should be fun, now I just need to think up some more experiments.
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Apr 4, 2020 20:38:03 GMT
Great stuff!
|
|
|
RexBlog
Apr 5, 2020 9:54:35 GMT
via mobile
Post by stevew on Apr 5, 2020 9:54:35 GMT
The Seismic pods have come out and the old bamboo + spikes isolation plinth has gone back in, let's see what happens. Just curious. I have a fancy to try the Seismic pods out (prob the platform version) Just wondered what you concluded? Cheers Steve
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 5, 2020 10:57:06 GMT
The Seismic pods have come out and the old bamboo + spikes isolation plinth has gone back in, let's see what happens. Just curious. I have a fancy to try the Seismic pods out (prob the platform version) Just wondered what you concluded? Cheers Steve EEEEeerrrrmmmm, I miscalculated the weight of the TT. The plinth is quite heavy in one corner and this meant pod was more heavily compressed than others and this means an unlevel TT, DOH!!
I've still got them and I did intend trying them under the pre-amp. I doubt it will do anything!
|
|
|
RexBlog
Apr 5, 2020 11:18:56 GMT
via mobile
Post by sq225917 on Apr 5, 2020 11:18:56 GMT
So nudge each of the other three feet toward that low corner.
|
|
|
RexBlog
Apr 5, 2020 11:31:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by stevew on Apr 5, 2020 11:31:50 GMT
Just curious. I have a fancy to try the Seismic pods out (prob the platform version) Just wondered what you concluded? Cheers Steve EEEEeerrrrmmmm, I miscalculated the weight of the TT. The plinth is quite heavy in one corner and this meant pod was more heavily compressed than others and this means an unlevel TT, DOH!!
I've still got them and I did intend trying them under the pre-amp. I doubt it will do anything!
Ahhh.. of course. I guess any turntable is not going to be evenly distributed. I was very impressed with the results that Angus(Phonomac) had with them under his speakers, so it had me thinking. Sorry it didn’t work out, but thanks for letting me know.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 5, 2020 15:47:48 GMT
Right that's the Croft MM stage assessed. I'll stick with the EAR 834P clone.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 5, 2020 15:56:28 GMT
Right that's the Croft MM stage assessed. I'll stick with the EAR 834P clone. What it close?
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 5, 2020 16:48:27 GMT
Well I thought it might be, but no. Both the Croft MM stage and the EAR have been extensively reworked. In a very small nutshell, the Croft was smooth, detailed, relaxed great timbrel detail. The EAR had all this + bags of definition and the ability to capture live and raw. The Croft didn't quite have enough gain for my liking. So overall, a worthwhile experiment but the EAR still wins and so far it's bettered an ATC preamp MM phonostage, the Croft MM phonostage, the Sugden PA4 MM stage, and a Radford SC25 preamp MM stage. OK, nothing great in that list but I only use the EAR when my Paradise is out of commission. I'm waiting to order a Phasemation PP500, so for the time being I'm using a Shure M55E+Jioo neoSAS stylus into the EAR. It's sounds very good but would probably be nothing up against the Paradise+Phasemation combo.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 5, 2020 16:51:11 GMT
Well I thought it might be, but no. Both the Croft MM stage and the EAR have been extensively reworked. In a very small nutshell, the Croft was smooth, detailed, relaxed great timbrel detail. The EAR had all this + bags of definition and the ability to capture live and raw. The Croft didn't quite have enough gain for my liking. So overall, a worthwhile experiment but the EAR still wins and so far it's bettered an ATC preamp MM phonostage, the Croft MM phonostage, the Sugden PA4 MM stage, and a Radford SC25 preamp MM stage. OK, nothing great in that list but I only use the EAR when my Paradise is out of commission. I'm waiting to order a Phasemation PP500, so for the time being I'm using a Shure M55E+Jioo neoSAS stylus into the EAR. It's sounds very good but would probably be nothing up against the Paradise+Phasemation combo. I heard you EAR phonostage, unlike it but I agree, the Paradise would show it a clean pair of heels.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 9, 2020 20:20:04 GMT
Buggering about with a MI tinbox at the moment. Rather lively.......
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Apr 10, 2020 2:59:17 GMT
MI tinbox?
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Apr 10, 2020 6:19:04 GMT
Decca?
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 10, 2020 13:10:25 GMT
Yarp! I'll plonk a piccie up later.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 10, 2020 17:44:47 GMT
Yet more time on my hands and I decided to bolt my DECCA Maroon onto the SME V-12. This cart has less than 10 hours on it, it's been fully worked over by John Wright and has his recommend diamond profile installed (yes I forget which it is).
I have a slight hum in the background but nothing to upset the enjoyment of the cartridge. Installation is not as fussy as you might expect. It's plumbed into the EAR 834 clone and producing nice lively performance. It's a surprisingly good performer over a number of genre's. I've had it playing classical Previn The Planets on HiQ, Jazz Cal Tjader - Sessions, and even a decent dose of Testament (Thrash metal for the uneducated). I'm running out of carts at this rate!
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Apr 10, 2020 18:08:34 GMT
Nice one Andy. The tin can can sing!
|
|
|
RexBlog
Apr 10, 2020 19:10:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by sq225917 on Apr 10, 2020 19:10:50 GMT
3 or 4 wire?
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 10, 2020 19:37:34 GMT
Three wires. I think it might be a wise idea just to merge two wires into one to earth both channels. TBH the cartridge isn't stopping in forever it's only a stop gap until all this COVID Sh#t passes over.
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Apr 11, 2020 6:21:33 GMT
Three wires. I think it might be a wise idea just to merge two wires into one to earth both channels. TBH the cartridge isn't stopping in forever it's only a stop gap until all this COVID Sh#t passes over. I just used the three wires and bent the other back. No hum but it can be system dependent.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 11, 2020 7:07:32 GMT
Yet more time on my hands and I decided to bolt my DECCA Maroon onto the SME V-12. This cart has less than 10 hours on it, it's been fully worked over by John Wright and has his recommend diamond profile installed (yes I forget which it is).
I have a slight hum in the background but nothing to upset the enjoyment of the cartridge. Installation is not as fussy as you might expect. It's plumbed into the EAR 834 clone and producing nice lively performance. It's a surprisingly good performer over a number of genre's. I've had it playing classical Previn The Planets on HiQ, Jazz Cal Tjader - Sessions, and even a decent dose of Testament (Thrash metal for the uneducated). I'm running out of carts at this rate!
Best thing you can do to that Decca, is put it on a really solid surface, and strike it repeatedly with a hammer. Terrible things I am, of course only joking but seriously, it wouldnt even get a play here.
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 11, 2020 7:22:05 GMT
Oli, have you heard a DECCA cartridge playing the older DECCA mono and wide black band classical recordings? In the dim and distant past I had a plan of just having a specific DECCA tonearm, to house a DECCA cartridge just to play DECCA cartridges. I might still do it!! I have a couple of DECCA cartridges kicking around and a FFSS mk1 tonearm. The DECCA carts give classical music a big dose of vitality. It's getting rather sad now in the Rexblog system's because different decks have different tonearm's and carts for specific music genres.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 11, 2020 8:24:34 GMT
Oli, have you heard a DECCA cartridge playing the older DECCA mono and wide black band classical recordings? In the dim and distant past I had a plan of just having a specific DECCA tonearm, to house a DECCA cartridge just to play DECCA cartridges. I might still do it!! I have a couple of DECCA cartridges kicking around and a FFSS mk1 tonearm. The DECCA carts give classical music a big dose of vitality. It's getting rather sad now in the Rexblog system's because different decks have different tonearm's and carts for specific music genres. I haven't Andrew. I must admit to only trying 3 Decca carts and all three, with a minor exception for the Blue, made me want to fill my ears with cotton wool to protect them. To be honest, I didnt feel I wanted to venture any further I to that rabbit hole.
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Apr 11, 2020 8:45:21 GMT
This Decca was rather good...
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Apr 11, 2020 10:34:30 GMT
Oli, have you heard a DECCA cartridge playing the older DECCA mono and wide black band classical recordings? In the dim and distant past I had a plan of just having a specific DECCA tonearm, to house a DECCA cartridge just to play DECCA cartridges. I might still do it!! I have a couple of DECCA cartridges kicking around and a FFSS mk1 tonearm. The DECCA carts give classical music a big dose of vitality. It's getting rather sad now in the Rexblog system's because different decks have different tonearm's and carts for specific music genres. I haven't Andrew. I must admit to only trying 3 Decca carts and all three, with a minor exception for the Blue, made me want to fill my ears with cotton wool to protect them. To be honest, I didnt feel I wanted to venture any further I to that rabbit hole. Fair enough they are not for everyone. I wouldn't use the DECCA for certain music genres. Jazz and classical seem to be very good. I have loads of Jazz records and only about 50 classical. I'm slowly collecting the old DECCA mono and stereo classical recordings. Some of them are truly excellent and I think the DECCA shines when playing these. I only play classical records every so often so the DECCA is more of a fun thing to have around the listening room rather than an every day workhorse transcription tool.
|
|