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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2019 10:22:44 GMT
Clicked on the first song, 4 In the Morning, that's not bad, clicked on the 2nd, Loving these Days, remarkably similar, realised it's the same song.  Nice work though Oli. They are two different tracks but yes, remarkably similar lol. I didn't write those, just lent a few guitar pieces and the solo instrumental parts |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2019 8:05:27 GMT
Been a bit slack on updating this blog for a couple of weeks but I have been rather busy!
firstly, The Neurochrome preamp has been in the system pretty much constantly since it's arrival. A brief swap back to the DCB1 showed that the Neurochrome was actually rather better than I had hoped. I decided I'd see how much performance could be gleaned out of it, which meant I had to sell the DCB1 in order to pay for the mods I think will improve it.
I managed to secure a Motorised Khozmo Stepped Attenuator from our very own Simon (Sq) which will replace the Alps Blue that currently resides. This has proved to be very effective in at least 5 preamps that have been either in my system or that of the local guys who regularly hold a mini bakeoff, more so when we get new gear.
The next step will be to possibly replace a pair of the XLR inputs and convert it to a set of inputs for the use of single ended connections. The reason for this is that I often have gear on loan and it makes the system a lot more accessible to loan gear and the trial of cables especially. I also don't need all of the inputs so it's not going to be a loss. I also have all the parts required so won't cost anything.
I may then put my Raspberry Pi in there with the PecanPi DAC. I like the idea of it being hardwired in to the preamp. It's a thought at the minute but one I am liking the idea of. There's loads of room in the case, so why not! Can't see me changing the Pecan for some time. It really is very good.
lots of listening to this Pre has taken place and I must admit, having a remote control has opened my eyes lol. I was determined not to lose that function when I made the swap to the Stepped Attenuator. I didn't realise what I was missing hahaha!
Today also brings another new arrival, a Simaudio Moon LP5.3RS. For a while I have been without a phonostage of my own, loaning a Valab LCR MK2 has bridged the gap (Thanks Nigel) but that is going home on Thursday. Facing having to go back to the Rotel, I decided I needed a spare phonostage. A good one that I could plumb in when I am Bigbottle-less.
You may be wondering why I didn't just build another?
Well, it's not ready. The MM/MC version was found to have a couple of errors in the component list and when Alan and I went through the build, Alan realised there was an opportunity to remove 4 capacitors (2x Silver Mica and 2x PP) and a couple of resistors.
With that information, we sent the modifications to Andy, our PCB guy, and then asked him to make the PCB smaller. This has meant a total overhaul of the PCB to ensure the component placement is right. This has taken way longer than I anticipated but I suspect will yield the best outcome. Worth the wait and as I have 90% of the bits to build one, I am just waiting for the PCB to be designed and finalised. Lots of interest on DIYaudio about this one. Seems Andy was spot on about offering MM capability as well as MC
So why the SIMaudio.
Reviews are excellent, the price was right and having heard a few Simaudio Moon bits, I think it's a fairly safe bet. I will of course be sharing my opinion of it lol
Also been busy cable-wise too. I recently received a request to investigate cables using Graphene, which I did. I am now making a 4m set of speaker cables out of some really interesting stuff. eye-watering prices, but I must say, the conductor looks pretty special! OCC copper and OCC Silver wrapped around a solid OCC copper core. It could be jewellery. I was hoping to get them finished this week but the cable boot didn't fit. Seem marginally smaller than advertised, especially when I measured them so they have to go back. Replacements are of the way from the land of the rising sun!
I will share some pictures and thoughts when they are finished.
So whats next?
Phonomac will be visit in the next few weeks. He has a mod for the SP10 motor. No idea what he's done and he won't tell me. He want's to blind test me on the two SP10 motors and see if I pick up on the differences, if any. He will also bring his Avalon Phonostage, which he has designed and is so far very impressive.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2019 14:49:14 GMT
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Post by sq225917 on Oct 22, 2019 20:14:15 GMT
Interested to hear what you think of it. Dont bother fudging the sockets, just wire up an RCA to xlr spotifire. Connect signal positives, then wire xlr - and gnd to RCA ground.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2019 20:52:24 GMT
Interested to hear what you think of it. Dont bother fudging the sockets, just wire up an RCA to xlr spotifire. Connect signal positives, then wire xlr - and gnd to RCA ground. It's got balanced outs so I can go directly Into the Neurochrome preamp with a fully balanced loom. It was part of the plan tbf. Strangely, with all the Neurochrome interest, I've been busy selling these lately lol    image hosting servicesPs, don't tell Jez that they're gold plated copper lol |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2019 21:07:01 GMT
Im a bit confused here Bigman. XLR to RCA is not Troo Balanced, Its Pseudo Balanced?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2019 22:17:29 GMT
Im a bit confused here Bigman. XLR to RCA is not Troo Balanced, Its Pseudo Balanced? Nothing to be concerned about! The cables pictured are Pseudo Balanced for a customer. They will go from the guys preamp to his new Neurochrome 686. I was just illustrating that Simons suggestion of making up pseudo was already in hand. I will be converting my unbalanced Spotfire cables to balanced when my new xlr plugs arrive. They will go from the balanced out on the Neurochrome differential preamp to the Neurochrome 686 amplifier. I will then set about getting a balanced pair between the balanced out of the phonostage to the balanced inputs of my Neurochrome preamp I think that just about covers it lol |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 6:03:01 GMT
Im not concerned i was just a bit puzzles however that dose not take much to do.. I dunno why people bother with Pseudo balanced cables they may as well buy an XLR to RCA Adaptor for what difference it serves. All Balanced does is basically transfers two of the same signal.. one out of phase to the other. This obviously does not happen in Pseudo..   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 6:07:43 GMT
Im not concerned i was just a bit puzzles however that dose not take much to do.. I dunno why people bother with Pseudo balanced cables they may as well buy an XLR to RCA Adaptor for what difference it serves. All Balanced does is basically transfers two of the same signal.. one out of phase to the other. This obviously does not happen in Pseudo.. Outrageous comment!! lol
Those Cardas converters cost how much?
This whole cable was under £80 and its UPOCC copper, Gold plated Copper contacts and Silver solder.
Some folks may think it's pointless but I just don't agree.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 6:09:49 GMT
Na Neutik sell em for a tenner each. You can use what ever Interconnects you want that way. Neutrik are industry standard..
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 6:11:44 GMT
Na Neutik sell em for a tenner each. You can use what ever Interconnects you want that way. Neutrik are industry standard.. I don't like Neutrik!
Honestly, the thought of sticking brass on a connection makes me shiver. I just can't accept it is as good as Copper, my ears know!!. I won't be swayed either, F#ck science 
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 6:22:12 GMT
Quite a few companies make em. DAP Audio, Studiocraft, Stagg, Procab etc..
Neuriks actually use a Bronze pin.. But if they were not suitable virtually every Recording studio under the sun would not use them..
btw: I was not saying you were to use them, im saying other people allowing them to use standard interconnects instead of messing about wiring up bespoke Pseudo cables, for what i see as a pointless exersize..
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2019 8:26:01 GMT
Quite a few companies make em. DAP Audio, Studiocraft, Stagg, Procab etc.. Neuriks actually use a Bronze pin.. But if they were not suitable virtually every Recording studio under the sun would not use them.. btw: I was not saying you were to use them, im saying other people allowing them to use standard interconnects instead of messing about wiring up bespoke Pseudo cables, for what i see as a pointless exersize.. That's fair enough. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 10:07:36 GMT
For the first time in three years, my system doesn't contain a single valve. When i told the Valve guru himself (Firebottle) of my latest buy, his response was of surprise. "No valves?" he said.
Yup, no valves in sight.
It's been a rather busy 4 years of Hifi forum activity for me and an even busier time auditioning kit. The latest buy, the SIMaudio Moon LP5.3RS was not that of whim, it was very deliberate.
A while back now, we auditioned a plethora of phonostages at the Penkridge bakeoff. Solidstate vs Valve, and the valves won at the time. Pretty much everyone agreed. When we went from solid state to Valve, the sound became real, like listening to organic matter. Something no Solid State phonostage did on the day. IMO anyway.
Due to the results of the bakeoff, i never coveted anything Solid State. So when Phonomac told me he was designing his own SS Phonostage, I was excited to hear it. But i wasn't sure it could do what my Bigbottle did. I was right!
It did something else.
FFW to the last week or so. Alan went on holiday for three weeks and when he came back, i had sold 2/3 of my system and replaced everything. He was as interested in having a listen as i was in demonstrating it. We arranged a little get together for Thursday. Shaman (Nigel) joined later. He was collecting some stuff he'd loaned me.
With the system being so different, we got ourselves acclimatised to the new sound.
Alan looked slightly unconvinced by the Neurochrome Preamp, which is understandable. I couldn't run my Spotfires between Pre and Power and the Pre contained a dreaded Alps Blue. I was still waiting for my DHLabs Silver Sonics XLR Plugs.
We agreed that the potential for this preamp was huge.
We swapped it out for the Firebottle KIN and a set of Spotfires. First we listened to the LP5.3rs.
The first track was from a "Yello" album. No idea what it was called but we listened through and Alan suggested it was all a little "Synthetic"
I agreed and smiled a little. My plan was working to perfection. We then did the same track via the Vivant in Alans Preamp. "Ah, that's better, there's air and space!" said Alan. I smiled again. The track finished and we discussed what we'd heard. Then i dropped the bombshell. "Alan, your valves are lying to you"
I proceeded to explain:
"What you heard via the LP5.3rs, was synthetic sounding because the album is synthetic. The synthesised sounds they used, sounded synthetic/artificial via the LP5.3rs. That's what they are. Artificial"
I suggested that where the vocals were real, and some of the instruments were real, they actually sounded real. What we were hearing was a phonostage with low enough distortion to demonstrate it.
I could see that this was a bit of a revelatory thought, so we put on a guitar album. Acoustic and bluesy. Alan will have to remind me of the name of it.
Within the first few bars, my "suggestion" was accurate. The sound was as organic, as real as i have been able to garner from any system in my house. Now you may be thinking "the KIN is in the system and it has valves"
I'm afraid the result is the same via the Neurochrome. Maybe even more obvious. It's just missing the micro detail, masked by the Alps blue. A real nod to the transparency of the KIN to be able to do this.
We played on for a fair few tracks and we listened to both sides of that album. Superb.
I said before that people don't buy valve gear for accuracy, they buy it for the valve sound. I stand by that statement, especially after this comparison.
Around this point, Nigel arrived and we had a good chat about all things hifi. We played a few tracks and i believe Nigel is considering a Neurochrome Amp based on what he heard. It must be doing something right. I'll leave the evaluation of the system up to Nigel or Alan to comment on.
So, back to the Phonomac Phonostage, the 'Avalon' and why i mentioned it earlier.
Angus brought his prototype round for a listen a few weeks back. I didn't know what to expect but we did an A/B comparison vs the Bigbottle. It was during this comparison that i noticed the effect that ultra low distortion has on sound. Angus and i use a Dire Straits track to test. For the first time on Carousel Waltz, i heard the synthesiser for what it was, a synthesiser.
After a few hours, Angus and i agreed that we could live with either phonostage. The Avalon's ability to sound organic, as well as highlighting the artifice in the recordings, meant i had to explore.
The LP5.3rs became a phonostage of interest. It's reported spec ticked the boxes. I also saw a mirror image PCB and the option of Balanced output as a sign of good design. I took an educated punt. Thankfully, the LP5.3rs has the same ability as the Avalon. It has the ability to reveal the differences between organic and artificial matter. What it also has is a ridiculously low noise floor. Sound appears out of nowhere. I commented that it has the same effect as the Pecanpi in that respect.
This is a cracker of a phonostage and i must admit, i am looking at improving it further. Simaudio did a matching 5.3PSX (LPSU). Angus revealed that he may in fact, have a better solution, so watch this space.
The Avalon will return here in the coming weeks, complete with a few tweaks and improvements. I am sincerely excited to pit the two against each other.
I have read far too many reviews on this phonostage to be completely original in my words, so go read them. I agree!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 26, 2019 10:59:09 GMT
You must have heard an lot of phono stages by now. I haven't had anywhere near as much experience. I have zero valve phono experience unless you count an AI500 internal phono stage with an AT MC transformer.
The differences I've heard between decent phono stages have been mostly presentational.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 11:50:58 GMT
You must have heard an lot of phono stages by now. I haven't had anywhere near as much experience. I have zero valve phono experience unless you count an AI500 internal phono stage with an AT MC transformer. The differences I've heard between decent phono stages have been mostly presentational. - SIMaudio LP5.3rs - Lacks any artifice or grain and replay is neutral and transparent. I'm a big fan of this one. It'll be here a while.
- Firebottle Vivant - Excellent transparency, lots of Air and space. Still a fave of mine.
- Bigbottle - Same designer, same 'feel' but with more weight and a more dynamic delivery. I'm bias though lol
- Bigbottle MK2 - Current version. This phonostage has trumped everything else on this list.
Phonomac's Avalon - Reference level RIAA response, No compromise on components and built to exacting standards. It's reference level. - Valve Wizard MM - Small Soundstage, wonderfully timbred mids and loads of bass extension. I liked it but not in the same class.
- Valab LCR MK2 - For the money, it's hard to criticise but I will. The RIAA response is audibly off (measured to confirm) just can't forgive that.
- Ray Samuels Nighthawk - Sounded like Eddie Hall was sat on it. Flat, heavy and lacked dynamics.
- Trilogy 907 - Fast, detailed, expansive and far too expensive. The SIMaudio is better to my ears and it's £1000 less.
- Aqvox - Bit bass light but excellent in all other ways. Best SS phonostage I'd heard until recently.
- Firebottle OTP1, 2 & 3 - Budget Phonostages that sound like they should cost more. The '3' Is the best, and is easily a bargain.
- Original NVA Phono 2 x 2PSUs - Quite enchanting at times, musical and spacious sound. Highly susceptible to noise and interference from electronic devices. RIAA was off (measured to confirm)
- Original NVA Phono 3 x BBPSU - Too much bass. Overpowered the sound. Preferred the NVA2. Also susceptible to Interference.
- Music First Reference - Yup, this one is epic. Just sweet and neutral with a hint of soul. The best I'd heard. Full stop.
- LDA Jfet - Imagine the above phonostage made to be affordable. It's 90% of what you get from the MFA
- Vincent PHO-700 - Superb Valve jobbie. Neutral, soulful and highly addictive.
- Audio Detail NV-06 - Absolutely dire. sounded like id filled my ears with mud.
- Croft 25 - A glenn Croft Phonostage, which sounds like a Glenn Croft Phonostage. Awesome timbral qualities but HF is a little subdued. Quite dark sounding but I liked it.
- Arkless 651p - T'was OK.
- EAR 834p - Flat and heavy sounding. Worst of the Valve Phonostage we tried at Penkridge.
- Jolida JD 9II - This could possibly nudge it's way into most systems. A superb phonostage that has it all, IF you swap a couple of Caps and the Opamps. Can sound a bit 'shiny' if you don't.
- Project Phonobox - Utter shite.
- VAS Phonostage - Blew my mind that valves could be so good. Shine wore off after an extended listen. Not as transparent as I like. Still superb though
- Russell technologies - Had a lot of good qualoities but ultimately had a bit of edginess and could sound quite shrill on some material.
- Digna - Sounded a little odd. Has all the good stuff but it didn't seem to mesh. A bit like Silver Plated Cable. Dunno how better to describe it.
- Trichord Dino - Dull as ditchwater. No soundstage width.
- Clones PA1 - Meh
- Tron Convergence - Wonderful imaging, fluid sound, like syrup flowing from the speakers but soundstage too narrow and far too heavy/dark
- Lounge Audio LCR - If you want a phonostage that doesn't do what a phonostage should, then look no further! Honestly, the WORST designed of any phonostage I have ever heard. Even the Project Phonobox tried to get the RIAA curve close. POOR.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 26, 2019 12:51:28 GMT
You must have heard an lot of phono stages by now. I haven't had anywhere near as much experience. I have zero valve phono experience unless you count an AI500 internal phono stage with an AT MC transformer. The differences I've heard between decent phono stages have been mostly presentational. - SIMaudio LP5.3rs
- Firebottle Vivant
- Bigbottle
- Avalon
- Valve Wizard MM
- Valab LCR MK2
- Ray Samuels Nighthawk
- Trilogy 907
- Aqvox
- Firebottle OTP1, 2 & 3
- NVA Phono 2 x 2PSUs
- NVA Phono 3 x BBPSU
- Music First Reference
- LDA Jfet
- Vincent PHO-700
- Audio Detail NV-06
- Croft 25
- Arkless 651p
- EAR 834p
- Jolida JD 9II
- Project Phonobox
- VAS Phonostage
- Russell technologies
- Digna
- Trichord Dino
- Clones PA1
Plus more I've forgotten the names of lol
I might do a cartridge list next lol
I’ve only heard two of those. Project phonobox: Unacceptably veiled. 3/10 Trichord Dino: Good enough but I’ve heard better: 7/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 13:57:08 GMT
- SIMaudio LP5.3rs
- Firebottle Vivant
- Bigbottle
- Avalon
- Valve Wizard MM
- Valab LCR MK2
- Ray Samuels Nighthawk
- Trilogy 907
- Aqvox
- Firebottle OTP1, 2 & 3
- NVA Phono 2 x 2PSUs
- NVA Phono 3 x BBPSU
- Music First Reference
- LDA Jfet
- Vincent PHO-700
- Audio Detail NV-06
- Croft 25
- Arkless 651p
- EAR 834p
- Jolida JD 9II
- Project Phonobox
- VAS Phonostage
- Russell technologies
- Digna
- Trichord Dino
- Clones PA1
Plus more I've forgotten the names of lol
I might do a cartridge list next lol
I’ve only heard two of those. Project phonobox: Unacceptably veiled. 3/10 Trichord Dino: Good enough but I’ve heard better: 7/10 There are more but the best ones I've heard were the MFA, LDA, BigBottle and Avalon. I think the SIMaudio will be there or thereabouts when the PSU has an overhaul. Maybe the caps too. I don't like WIMA and this thing is full of them. It's all a question on if others will fit in. I'll be going stacked foil, rather than metalized. |
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Post by karma67 on Oct 26, 2019 14:17:37 GMT
You must have heard an lot of phono stages by now. I haven't had anywhere near as much experience. I have zero valve phono experience unless you count an AI500 internal phono stage with an AT MC transformer. The differences I've heard between decent phono stages have been mostly presentational. - SIMaudio LP5.3rs
- Firebottle Vivant
- Bigbottle
- Avalon
- Valve Wizard MM
- Valab LCR MK2
- Ray Samuels Nighthawk
- Trilogy 907
- Aqvox
- Firebottle OTP1, 2 & 3
- NVA Phono 2 x 2PSUs
- NVA Phono 3 x BBPSU
- Music First Reference
- LDA Jfet
- Vincent PHO-700
- Audio Detail NV-06
- Croft 25
- Arkless 651p
- EAR 834p
- Jolida JD 9II
- Project Phonobox
- VAS Phonostage
- Russell technologies
- Digna
- Trichord Dino
- Clones PA1
Plus more I've forgotten the names of lol
I might do a cartridge list next lol
have you not heard a paradise phono stage oli? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 14:48:11 GMT
- SIMaudio LP5.3rs
- Firebottle Vivant
- Bigbottle
- Avalon
- Valve Wizard MM
- Valab LCR MK2
- Ray Samuels Nighthawk
- Trilogy 907
- Aqvox
- Firebottle OTP1, 2 & 3
- NVA Phono 2 x 2PSUs
- NVA Phono 3 x BBPSU
- Music First Reference
- LDA Jfet
- Vincent PHO-700
- Audio Detail NV-06
- Croft 25
- Arkless 651p
- EAR 834p
- Jolida JD 9II
- Project Phonobox
- VAS Phonostage
- Russell technologies
- Digna
- Trichord Dino
- Clones PA1
Plus more I've forgotten the names of lol
I might do a cartridge list next lol
have you not heard a paradise phono stage oli? No Jamie. I've never managed to get one here or get to a bake off with one there. Dissapointing. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 15:42:23 GMT
And......... Its alive!!!!!!! Thanks to Alan for sorting out the 5v power supply to the board. Sounds rather epic. Just need to engineer a way to mount the display!    |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 19:54:34 GMT
Cartridges I've heard with brief opinion:
*Ortofon Vienna - Transparent, highly detailed and very balanced. Dynamic and Punchy. Best cartridge I have ever heard.
*Ortofon 2M Black - Wonderfully timbred, slightly edgy in the HF. That was with a valve amp so SS users be careful.
*Ortofon Kontrapunkt b - Best all rounder. Vienna is a step up in every aspect but you can tell they are stable mates.
*Ortofon Rondo Red - Great taste of MC quality but a bit rough around the edges.
*Denon 103 - Not as good as the 103r
*Denon 103r - If you're in need of a cheap cartridge, This wont let you down but it's not for detail lovers.
*Denon 301 - A proper gem. Has the typical Denon sound but manages to be lively and dynamic. I liked this a lot.
*Denon 304 - If you like filigree and detail, without and effort or drive, this is heaven. Bit laid back for me.
*Denon DL-S1 - Most overrated cartridge i've heard. Good at detail, not as good at communication. Felt 'cold', emotionless. Terminator like.
*Goldring Electra - I like this a lot. Good all rounder but on the warm side of neutral.
*Goldring Eroica - Like the Rondo, good but lacked the panache of the better MC carts
*Goldring 2100 - Balanced and musical without sacrificing detail. Still dirt cheap too.
*Goldring 2200 - As above, no complaints. Handles everything you throw at it and more.
*AT110 - A bit sharp in the HF's and rough sounding. Got a bit busy in the mix.
*AT95e - Can't fault it. HiFi's biggest bargain.
*AT120 - Bit more polished than the 110, but it didn't hang around long.
*AT33PTG - Good refinement like the best MC carts but lacked a bit of solidity in the bass. Sounded a bit soft at times but that's nit picking.
*AT33PTGII - Improved where necessary on the PTG but I still felt bass lines had a soft leading note. Couldn't ignore it.
*AT-OC9II - I like this cartridge. Clean, fast and detailed.
*AT-ART7 - Ah! Now we're talking!! Erred on the warm side and beaten in width by the Vienna but other than that, superb.
*NWA-DH1 - As transparent as the invisible man. Bit lightweight sound wise, lacked a bit of weight or slam but stunningly clear.
*Linn Asak - See Goldring Eroica for a carbon copy opinion.
*Linn Troica - Decent MC cartridge but not up to the levels of the Kb, AT-ART7 or Vienna. find a cheap one, you'll be happy.
*Lyra Clavis - Top class in all areas. an equal to the KB but the bodied sound of the KB won it for me. Slightly. I'd buy one.
*Acutex 412 - Detailed, neutral and dynamic. Slam and delicacy. Get a fair amount of surface noise though.
*Acutex 312e - Paid £15 for one 3 years ago and I couldn't believe how good it was. as good as the GR2100. Easily.
*Decca Super Gold - MY EARS!!!!! TURN IT OFF. Wretched things with no bass and enough HF to break glass.
*Decca Gold - I didn't know it could get worse?
*Decca Blue - Oh? This isn't too bad (in comparison) Best of the Deccas by a margin, but lack of bass just pissed me off. *ZYX R50 Bloom - Boogie monster. Great for parties but don't expect the Philharmonic to sound anything other than "chunky" *ZYX R100 - Slightly more refined and better balanced but I always felt the ZYX carts were bass heavy.
Possibly a couple I've forgotten.
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Post by sq225917 on Oct 27, 2019 9:40:27 GMT
Looking good Oli.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 9:54:03 GMT
Thanks Simon, It's sounding far better than it looks at the minute. I'll be trying to fit the display at some point this week. Not looking forward to it to be honest lol |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2019 14:20:43 GMT
I like little milestones and such, so I quite often just drop a little reminder in the blog.
Todays reminder is that the First European pair Of Spotfire Interconnects have left the UK to my first cable customer in........Italy.
Wooohooo lol
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Post by sq225917 on Nov 6, 2019 19:12:19 GMT
I could ask mark to rustle you up a smoked front panel.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2019 19:20:22 GMT
I could ask mark to rustle you up a smoked front panel. For the Pre!!!!! That would be epic. Please please please please lol |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 5, 2019 17:35:28 GMT
For the last few weeks, I have been struggling with Vinyl. There. I've said it out loud. The trouble all started when i put the new system together. When i added the PecanPi, the Digital jeapt forward at a rate I hadn't even considered. It outdoes the vinyl in some areas and quite often I find myself not using the SP10 for days at a time. Instead, I am using, and get frequently blown away by the PecanPi regularly. It is a horrible feeling and I hate it. I’ve done endless comparisons and i just can’t escape the fact that for 90% of material, the digital is flawless. Yes, it isn’t as rich as the vinyl but when you get past that caveat, there isn’t really anything the Pecan can't do, that the vinyl can, except for that rather larger soundstage the Analogue provides. I can’t escape the feeling that had i invested the same amount of cash (say £4k) in a digital front end, the results would be even better than I have from other of my existing front ends. Suffice to say, im torn. Should i sell the whole vinyl front end and go for it with digital? I couldn’t decide. I decided that I needed to do something, anything really, to see whether I could rekindle the love for vinyl. If not, I will sell the lot. I remembered the vinyl Jimbo brought round with him on a recent visit, and how when we listened to Rodrigo y Gabriel the world changed. It was an epic moment and one I felt in my guts. There was also another track, St James Infirmary on Satchmo Plays King Oliver. I decided to go for the Satchmo. I searched around the internet and bagged an original pressing. However, when it arrived it certainly wasn’t as described (as per usual) and a refund ensued. The seller didn't want it back surprisingly. I’ve cleaned it 4 times and managed to make it playable to a degree, but it still sounds like it’s on fire. However, between the crackles and pops, the SQ is quite superb. Anyway, listening to the tracks on there, even with the crackles, is filling my mind with joy and whilst it hasn’t rekindled my devotion to the format, I am remembering its merits and why i enjoy vinyl so much. One of those aspects is the history of the vinyl. The cover is full of interesting facts and bits about how they recorded the album. It’s got the history about how Louis Armstrong was involved. Loads of stuff. That's when it hit me. Browsing for the same album in HiRes digital, the cover notes are not included. This highlighted something that I had not considered. Had I not bought the vinyl, i would never have seen all this great info! Just like that, it was back. The LP hasn't left the turntable for 2 days and i havet stopped playing it at every opportunity. It was then that i thought that I may always need a vinyl replay system. I think I’d miss it and no matter how good the digital can be, it wouldn't fill the void entirely. I’m sure this matter isn’t finished because whenever my brain gets a notion like this, I tend to only fend it off for so long. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy this LP    |
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Post by macca on Dec 5, 2019 17:57:15 GMT
Whatever you do don't spend £4K on a digital set up. Total waste of money.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,408
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 5, 2019 18:02:07 GMT
Whatever you do don't spend £4K on a digital set up. Total waste of money. Hahaha, no I wouldn't be spending that much. It was just an example figure |
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Nice work though Oli.
