Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 6, 2019 12:30:50 GMT
Laziness has got me today but I have tried the Rega Brio against the TP3116 and the latter is quite a bit better in terms of clarity, I had made efforts to get vinyl up and running but the phono stage blowing up has left me having to reconsider for now, I hav set both decks set up including an MM cart on the Xerxes but the only phono stages I have are internal in the Claymore and the Brio. I’m not really motivated to try vinyl until I can use a better amp (Campion) and phono stage.
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Post by macca on Apr 6, 2019 14:20:12 GMT
What now, the Dino blew up?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 6, 2019 16:25:13 GMT
What now, the Dino blew up? Yep, I put it on and nothing, No light, no sound, not a peep. The seller recommended changing the fuse which I did. A second later and there was a popping sound followed by a smell of burning components/buggered transformer. The seller was a gent and refunded right away so I need another one. |
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Post by macca on Apr 6, 2019 16:32:01 GMT
Bummer.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 6, 2019 17:50:58 GMT
Well I decided not to be defeated so I played the Xerxes through the Brio. I’d forgotten just why I love the Xerxes. It just has this organic, rhythmic quality that bowls me over every time. And this was with it sat on the floor with a £5 headshell and an AT-91. I have the Mantra set up with the Mayware MC. It might be a week or two before I get it going but I will. Will I keep both decks? I guess it depends on what I hear from the Mantra, I’ve never been a fan of black but the Mantra looks mean and cool, so I’m tempted to keep it too.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 7, 2019 14:21:36 GMT
Been playing the Xerxes all morning in the bedroom system with the little Brio, It’s only MM but I have absolutely loved having vinyl back again. The Xerxes is MY deck and I really don’t know why I’ve ever bothered with others, it’s my Goldilocks turntable. Now I need more vinyl lol.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 7, 2019 14:32:18 GMT
If anyone has a Xerxes I’d recommend trying it without the outer plinth, it really does open up even more, I just leave the bolts undone and lift the outer plinth and lid off when I listen.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 10, 2019 20:29:33 GMT
Hard to explain but it actually feels “right” to have a Xerxes again. I’m away from home until Friday evening but I can’t wait to get back to it,
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Post by antonio on Apr 11, 2019 5:13:01 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 12, 2019 21:00:48 GMT
Hoping to get another Dino tomorrow  |
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 5:41:41 GMT
Hoping to get another Dino tomorrow A mate did a really late drop off and I git it last night, All working but I didn’t play loud cos my wjfe wanted some sleep. This limited my ability to tell much. I’ve never heard a Mantra before and the Rega arm is new to me (IME samples sound different.). Then the cartridge is allso an unknown quantity and not even aligned. To cap it all, VTA is wrong too high (using a Michell adjuster) so it all needs tweaking anyway. But it’s still an advance on an exploding phono stage, |
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Post by brian2957 on Apr 13, 2019 6:42:35 GMT
Well I received the little Breeze Audio TPA 3116 class D amp yesterday , on the recommendation of Geoff of this parish . Quite a bit smaller than my SMSL SA-36A class D amp and a bit lighter too . I really like the SMSL amp but , surprise surprise , what a musical little amp the Breeze Audio is . I listened to it most of the day yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it . Not quite as weighty as the SMSL , but cleaner and more musical .I also bought the recommended PSU ( thanks again Geoff ) and it's very good indeed . However , I found it better again using the Chinese Linear PSU which I have here .
The Breeze Audio is driving my Tannoy 637s beautifully and I'm now going to buy another TPA 3116 , and recommended PSU , and bi-amp the Tannoys . All for the princely sum of £29 lol .
Thanks again guys for the reccie on this cracking little amp .
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 10:47:28 GMT
Glad you like it, Brian. I used to be one of the naysayers regarding T amps because the one I tried was bad for music, Not the Breeze Audio that Geoff discovered. It’s easily good enough to live with and it’s really does score high on enjoyment. I’d love to time travel back to the 80s with a container load of these and change the future of hifi |
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 11:25:36 GMT
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 11:40:59 GMT
Oh and the Mayware cart is the real deal too. Very organic but lacking nothing in fine detail,reminds me a bit of the better 103 variants.
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Post by macca on Apr 13, 2019 12:24:32 GMT
I thought the Dino was quite clean and detailed myself, but I don't know about compared to the Iso. At least it hasn't spontaneously combusted like the first one.
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 12:28:50 GMT
I have a nice counterweight to add to the Rega arm, but the stub I ordered cane with flaws. Before I could source another, I’ve just hit an Origin Live Structural Upgrade in black, so that will be fitted next.
I also picked up a pair of Kennerton Algiz earbuds for just £30. I will use them quite regularly when travelling,
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2019 12:29:21 GMT
Funny how each person that bought a TPA3116 amp wants a second one. I started the ball rolling by doing so, my best mate did the same, Andrew has I think and now Brian says he will.
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 12:30:11 GMT
I thought the Dino was quite clean and detailed myself, but I don't know about compared to the Iso. At least it hasn't spontaneously combusted like the first one. It’s really silly of me, but every time I plug it in I’m expecting a bang. It’s a totally different device and PSU so its totally illogical, but I guess it’s only human nature, |
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 12:31:39 GMT
Funny how each person that bought a TPA3116 amp wants a second one. I started the ball rolling by doing so, my best mate did the same, Andrew has I think and now Brian says he will. Still waiting for number two to arrive but my advice to anyone who can bi amp is just buy two at the start. Geoff has golden ears |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2019 12:33:57 GMT
I think the Mantra will give the Xerxes a run for its money. Both are turntables I like a lot. (I suspect my Toshiba SR-370 would give them something to think about though ) |
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Post by antonio on Apr 13, 2019 15:25:14 GMT
That looks very nice Westie. Pleased you're enjoying the Mantra, never heard one myself.
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 15:39:26 GMT
That looks very nice Westie. Pleased you're enjoying the Mantra, never heard one myself. My third attempt. I sold the other two without even bothering to fit an arm. I have a vivid memory of the last one when I took EBay pics. You need to put something weighty on the arm board if there’s no arm because the platter won’t be level otherwise. I chose a can of tuna! |
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 16:29:33 GMT
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 16:45:29 GMT
Anqyone know how I can get the outer plattter in the Xerxes to a near mirror finish like later ones?
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 16:53:04 GMT
Anqyone know how I can get the outer plattter in the Xerxes to a near mirror finish like later ones? Just looked on prom thread and they recommend Autosol or Maas polish. Any other reccys? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2019 17:07:45 GMT
Nice to see pics of your Sonneteer gear as always, Andrew. Everyday I'm getting more curious about the Alabaster. Must get round to trying one next year. I read that the Alabaster is a damn fine musical amp with good enough power. But according to some folks, the Alabaster lacks some of the magic of the Campion?
S.
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 17:11:11 GMT
Nice to see pics of your Sonneteer gear as always, Andrew. Everyday I'm getting more curious about the Alabaster. Must get round to trying one next year. I read that the Alabaster is a damn fine musical amp with good enough power. But according to some folks, the Alabaster lacks some of the magic of the Campion? S. It’s. A question I’d like to know the answer to, myself, you hear conflicting views but Art K had both and seemed equally happy with them. Having run two Campions in single channel mode.I have a hankering for an Orton too. Hardly anything has CI eup I ages, bu two Ortons went on EBay for under £900 a year ago. Wish I’d snapped one up. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2019 17:16:44 GMT
Anqyone know how I can get the outer plattter in the Xerxes to a near mirror finish like later ones? Fine wire wool and Autosol chrome polish (a Brillo pad will do), finish off with cloth and Autosol. I've used this on several turntables platters, it works. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 13, 2019 17:26:01 GMT
Anqyone know how I can get the outer plattter in the Xerxes to a near mirror finish like later ones? Fine wire wool and Autosol chrome polish (a Brillo pad will do), finish off with cloth and Autosol. I've used this on several turntables platters, it works. Cheers, Geoff. It’s not a Xerxes without a mirror platter AFAIC! |
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