Now have 40 LPs of play on the new Benz Micro Ruby Z low output cartridge. It's a big step up from my previous 6 year old Ruby 3H (high output) cartridge. I'm not sure if it's because the Ruby 3 was getting old or the Z is that much better. The Z is much "fleshier" sounding, more meat on the bones -- I'm not a reviewer, eh? Bass and low-mids are much improved compared to my previous Ruby 3H. The cartridge is very smooth with nice extension in the highs as well.

I am really enjoying this new cartridge so far! And it's the best out-of-the-box cartridge I've had in quite a while. Absolutely no harsh break-in time, it just improves as it gets some hours on it.

txp1 August 31, 2011 13:31

Are they flat? Due to WAF considerations I need to run them under a large wool rug on a hardwood floor. And because it's a long run, it really helps if they're low capacitance and inexpensive. But thanks for the tip!

txp1 August 17, 2011 23:36

I had the same Nordost Flatlines like you do. But once I replace them with the Signal Cable Silver Resolutions, it was a big upgrade - at least for me.

milpai August 17, 2011 12:46

System edited: Recently replaced my 6 year old Benz Ruby 3 with a low output Benz Ruby Z. Now have 17 hours on it and I'm loving it!

txp1 August 16, 2011 22:49

Hi Mbump,

I'm at exactly the same place you are regarding the Ospreys. Great speaker, great design, I've had 'em 7 years, only the Plinius is that old. I sure wish Pat would get back in the speaker business!

Terry

txp1 July 22, 2011 17:41

Curious to know if the Ospreys are still in your system? Tremendous speaker, and very difficult to improve upon with respect to Pat's build/design. We've had our Ospreys for 7+yrs. Only recently have we considered an upgrade, as all other pieces in our system have now undergone. Been through a few in-home auditions, but nothing that really pulls us away from the Ospreys. Great system in-total - enjoy!

mbump July 12, 2011 12:35

System edited: Forgot to mention that I added Hydra 4 back into system due to increased noise without it.

txp1 July 10, 2011 00:20

System edited: New black Avid Volvere SP replaced my old satin Volvere about 2 months ago. Replaced Copperhead with Black Mamba HC to the Hydra. Much improved bass depth, fullness and tightness after Black Mamba purchase! That was so good that I bought a Python Helix CX for the Plinius to replace the Taipan Helix. The Python CX is still burning in as it has about 80 hours on it. Also, many moons ago, I purchased a Music Hall DAC 25.3 and added a netbook PC for Internet radio for background music. Left the stock 6922 tube in it for now.

txp1 July 10, 2011 00:10

System edited: Added Python Helix between wall/Fim and Plinius int amp. Added Taipan Helix between AAV1 and BC balanced power supply. Both are still burning in. Moved Hydra-4 out of system.

txp1 August 14, 2010 14:00

System edited: Replaced OL Encounter tonearm with SME IV.Vi. Initial impressions, the SME has better bass, better low mids, and much fleshier, weightier performance, and a blacker background. Hmm, those are some of the same attributes that the Encounter had over my much previous Sumiko Premier FT4 on my old SOTA Star turntable. Perhaps that's a common characteristic as one moves up in the world of tonearms?

txp1 August 20, 2007 19:56

Hi Chad,

Sorry about my late response - I forget to check this thread, especially over the holidays. Thanks for your kind words regarding my system!

I did not have the Ruby 3 on the Sota, only on the Volvere. I did have a couple of Benz Micro Gliders on the Sota and they worked very well with it.

I bought the BC MR1200 first and it raised my interest in power line issues. Then I later installed dedicated lines. Well, actually an electrician friend of mine did it. After that I bought the Hydra-4.

If I did it again, I'd do the dedicated lines first. Some amps, mine included, don't like power conditioning (i.e., reduced sound stage depth, artificial mid-range enhancement), and you can't put anything on the MR1200 that draws a stand-by current as it will trip the circuit the MR1200 is fed from. But everything likes dedicated lines! So my amp goes straight into the FIM receptacle. I may end up moving the Hydra-4 to a separate small home theater system to how it helps there.

A while back I purchased a used SME IV.Vi to try on the Volvere. I need to install it and report on the sound. The Encounter has been quite good however.

txp1 January 04, 2007 19:47

Txp1

Your system looks beautiful on paper let alone what it must look like in person!

Glad to hear your remarks on the OL Encounter being well suited for a suspension table...I have one on order to go with a Michell table. Incidentally I have a Benz H2, which is not a Ruby 3 but at least in the family. Did you have this combo on the Sota? Any thoughts of it there?

Also curious about you power lines. I recently finalized my power "issues" but did not go as far as dedicated lines. Were the lines in place prior to buying the BC and Hydra?

I don't think I could ever see an Avid player and not fall in love with how they look. I have to avoid the temptation each time I get thae latest Music Direct catalog!!!

Look forward to your reply

Chad

chadlesko December 18, 2006 23:38

The system is really cookin' with gas now! Its sounding quite fine due to recent replacement of the tubes in my Art Audio Vinyl One phono preamp. It appears that one or more of the tubes (probably the regulation tube) were gradually failing and causing reductions in bass and lower mid-range - i.e., leaning the system out. This is likely the reason for what caused me to hear what I did and make the post above regarding both the Volvere-Encounter combo and the Ruby 3.

Also, I added a Finite Elemente Padode rack a few months ago.

txp1 August 26, 2006 01:03

Gary - the Avid is a fine highly resolving turntable. Its taken some time for me to get used to it as it shows all the warts on many of my rock albums! I previously had a SOTA which was more forgiving on not-perfect albums. Albums in excellent shape show that the Avid can really produce fine tunes. I'm not sure if the OL Encounter is the best fit in a tonearm for the Avid, as the Encounter is a very transparent tonearm and maybe over-emphasizing the detail that the Avid provides. Avid seems to recommend SME tonearms for their turntables and my dealer feels that SME tonearms are a bit bloated sonically, so that would appear to confirm my listening impressions of the Volvere-Encounter combination perhaps being extremely detailed.

The Ruby 3 has about 60 hours on it and is just starting to get broken-in. I think it will need at least 100 hours for full break-in so I haven't yet finalized fine-tuning of VTA/VTF and anti-skate. My early impressions have become much more positive and I think it will be a winner -- the first 30 hours were harsh! I'll remember to post again as break-in continues.

Terry

txp1 February 09, 2006 20:01

Dear Txp1

It looks to be a very well thought out system. How do you like the avid. I have had the ruby 2 and think I will be moving up in the near future or consider the lp.

Gary

gajgmusic February 08, 2006 09:30

System edited: Added the Volvere last September and the Ruby 3 just prior to last Christmas.

txp1 February 07, 2006 19:50

Mike,

I researched several balanced power supplies and selected the MusicRing based on a combination of good price and good reviews. I originally purchased it for my separate home theater system and it made a big improvement in the video quality. Then one day I decided to try it in my audio system - its never been back to the HT system! I use it on all sources, analog and digital. Yes, it compressed the dynamics and soundstage of my amp.

Sorry about my late response. Terry

txp1 February 27, 2005 03:38

Nice system. I'm installing a dedicated circuit for mine next week. Thinking about balanced power. Did the music ring make an audible improvement? Why plug only digital? Did the ring compress dynamic of your amp? Did you audition any other brands? Thanks ~ Mike

mikemarv February 07, 2005 15:56

System edited: added Vinyl One and Cardas GR IC a couple months ago. They're starting to sound good! I pre-burned-in the GR IC with a Hagerman FryKleaner because the GR is known for a very long burn-in requirement.

txp1 January 14, 2005 21:01

That's another reason I selected the Nordost super flatline for a long run. Its almost reasonable in cost.

Thanks for the Cable Company rec and description of how they make recommendations. I'll keep them in mind.

Someday, maybe, I'll have a different configuration with "normal" length cable runs ...........

txp1 October 05, 2004 11:29

Txp1,

Interesting to hear no ground loop hum for you on your XM. That is good for you, and perhaps I will have to try it again.

As for speaker cables that are flat, I personally have no experience with such a cable. After reading you need a 25 ft. run I too would hesitate to change! I choke at the prices I pay for 6 ft. runs!

Since you will most likely not find a company with a 25 ft. "loaner" to audition, you may want to call someone like The Cable Company and explain your equipment and your current cabling. They will then ask where you would like to make an improvement in your sonic presentation, and in my experience they are normally very good in making a precise recommendation. They will usually offer a few recommendations in various price ranges as well as which may work best in what areas...

audiofankj October 04, 2004 21:49

Audiofankj,

Thanks for your comments! I've been reasonably pleased with the Nordost speaker cable but would like to upgrade someday. Currently, I have not tried other cables with the Meadowlarks. I choose the Nordost cable for its low capacitance and because it is flat -- I needed a 25 ft run under a large area rug for WAF reasons. Nordost can add transparency and doesn't roll off high-end detail, both are attributes that mesh well with the Meadowlarks and the Plinius since neither is bright. I'd be very interested in your recommendations for other flat speaker cable that may mate better with the Meadowlarks.

I haven't had a hum problem with my XM equipment. Because it and its cables are so cheap, I wonder if you had a bad connection or cable?

txp1 October 04, 2004 13:06

Congratulations on what looks to be a very musical system! I have owned the Ospreys and the Jolida JD100 at the same time in the system and I imagine with you Plinius gear it has the control it needs, yet has a very musical presentation. I find your use of Nordost interesting, as I have never seen it mated with Meadowlarks before - dealer or owner. What are your thoughts and what cables have you compared it to? Would love to hear your opinions. BTW, nice choice of tubes for the JD-100. I also liked the Mullard CV4004 tubes in the player as well, perhaps a slight bit more euphoric midrange, however that worked well in the system I had at the time.

I bought (and returned) XM after trying it in my rig and getting severe ground loop hum. Do you have that problem?

audiofankj October 03, 2004 03:11

System edited: Added Plinius Jarrah

txp1 September 04, 2004 23:11

System edited: deleted Cardas Quadlink interconnect as it wasn't needed after getting a new tonearm that included phono cables.

txp1 August 12, 2004 14:56