A Final Go With Vinyl

IslandPink · Post by **IslandPink** » Fri May 30, 2014 9:37 pm

Ali Tait wrote:Which would those be Mark?

Oh, all the old controversial stuff, Ali

103, 103R , SPU ( various ) .
The Dyna XX-1L has a nice treble, but lacks tone in the mids compared to the 103R . The XX-2/II has the alnico and the midrange tone, but has a 'HiFi' top-end.
Koetsu Red ( borrowed ! )
Zyx R-1000 ( borrowed ! ) .
I had a 103R modified by 'Expert Stylus' to have a sapphire cantilever and modern diamond, but I didn't like it.

Other than those I haven't had much experience on carts . I quite like the balance of the cheaper Audio Technica MM's though - but they're not as subtle as a good MC .

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 9:45 pm

Tried any Deccas?

I have a Maroon, but it's down on one channel, I need to send it away for fettling.

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 9:51 pm

What did you think of the ZYX?

Read a lot of good things about them.

Cressy Snr · Post by **Cressy Snr** » Fri May 30, 2014 10:07 pm

Ali Tait wrote:
Maybe try a decent MM cart Steve? I'll bring down a couple of NOS Acutex I have, very good for the money IMHO.

I'd like to try one of those Ali, but though a lot has happened today, the thing is a still a longer term project, so if you don't mind me keeping it for at least six months, until I can sort myself a phono stage and a low mass arm, then I'll be glad to try the Acutex.

Mark,

Yep, I think the high trackability route is the only way to go for me.
a DD turntable and low mass high compliance arm cartridge interface, though not the current state of the art will give me the best chance of satisfaction.

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 10:18 pm

Steve, no problem. I liked the cart that much, I bought another, so you can have the new one as long as you like. I also bought a 412, which I've yet to try, so I'll bring both, you can take whichever you like best.

IslandPink · Post by **IslandPink** » Fri May 30, 2014 10:32 pm

Ali Tait wrote:What did you think of the ZYX?
Read a lot of good things about them.

This is a good way outside of Steve's thread, but it was very impressive. It had the clarity of tone I want - actually sounded a lot like a well set-up 103R, but the treble was more resolved and refined and the imaging was more precise. However I can't justify the 10X extra cost ref. the carts I like , for those improvements. If a cart lasted for 10,000 hrs, then it would be a different calc !
I would like to hear the current R-100 though .

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 10:56 pm

Thanks Mark, yes agree, I'd like to hear one too.

Sorry for the OT Steve.

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 10:59 pm

Buuut, I think given Steve's love of Northern Soul type stuff, he'll like what the Acutex does.

Cressy Snr · Post by **Cressy Snr** » Fri May 30, 2014 11:12 pm

Speaking of arms.
The old Audio Technica AT1120 looks just the job - if I can find one at the right price and in the right condition.

Ali Tait · Post by **Ali Tait** » Fri May 30, 2014 11:36 pm

I have a Jelco SA 250 I'm using at the moment which will be spare once the Tecnoarm is in place, you can borrow it if you like Steve, has a Sumiko head shell on, which was a fair bit better than the OEM that came with it.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sat May 31, 2014 8:40 am

How much do you want to spend on a 3009?

Andrew

Cressy Snr · Post by **Cressy Snr** » Sat May 31, 2014 12:19 pm

Cheers Ali, I'll have a think.

Andrew.
I'm prepared to pay £150 as I think that is what a used one is worth, but no doubt sellers would get more for one on eBay than I am willing to pay.

It is somewhat academic at the moment, until I am in a position to buy something

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sat May 31, 2014 2:05 pm

SteveTheShadow wrote:
Andrew.
I'm prepared to pay £150 as I think that is what a used one is worth, but no doubt sellers would get more for one on eBay than I am willing to pay.

It is somewhat academic at the moment, until I am in a position to buy something

OK, I'll ask about/keep my eye open for you.

Andrew

shane · Post by **shane** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:32 pm

Steve, did you ever go any further with this? I'm beginning to like the idea of balanced working, and my TT2/Mission 774 is already wired that way into the MC stepup. I've been following your balanced push-pull with interest as well.

Cressy Snr · Post by **Cressy Snr** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 12:36 pm

Nah!
My heart's not in it.
I think it's because, at the end of the day, I simply don't like the sound of vinyl. It's no use me trying to pretend otherwise.

Regarding the balanced, push-pull, all-pentode, high voltage, low current, class A/B concept; I'm completely sold on it. For me, nothing, but, nothing comes close.
These amp types play music like nothing I have heard previously, and nobody else does them these days, at least not as far as I can tell.
Admittedly, I haven't tried class A/B operation with direct heated pentodes, but at the same time I don't feel the need to take things any further, which is why I have stopped building.
I do have mixed feelings about that, but there you go.

audio-talk

A Final Go With Vinyl

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