System edited: I had some extra money so I upgraded my Phono stage. I was going to buy a Rega RP3 but was told by my dealer that it was not really an upgrade for the Technics so I went with the LFD. I like it alot better that the Grado PH-1, the Grado sounded really good though. Alot more detail & much tighter & better defined bass. Still breaking in. It's set from the factory for MC but the Ortofon is MM so it's alot louder.
Thanks. My friend is a custom cabinet maker. I told him exactly what I wanted. I wanted something low so nothing would be in between the speakers. he did do a real nice job. He did it for $500.00. He did the base for the Technics, I went with the VPI type design, I like it better than the KAB one & he did it for $45.00
Thanks, I really like the Plinius still. It has loads of power but sounds real smooth, great match with the Marantz also. CDs sound great. I just got the Nordost Blue Heaven, I think the are amazing. I also just added the Shunyata Venom 3 to the Marantz.
A wonderful system you have. Seems like a nice blend of audiophile vs. budget equipment choices. Everything seems just perfect including your modern stand. I like the wood base on your SL1200. Nice touch. I don't hear much about Plinius these days. Is your integrated amp still satisfying after all these years? If I remember correctly Plinius and Totem have nice synergy.
fwiw - I found removing the "ballls" and running just claws bumped up the bass (at least to my ears). How do you like the Ortofon? I run a KAB SL1210M5G TT myself.
Thanks, I have some, I had the Hawks on them at first but it said the Claws were self leveling so I put them on the carpet. I'll give them a try again now that I have a better idea on how they sound.
Hello there - Nice system. Running Totem Forests myself. You might consider experimenting with a plinth under your Hawks. Larger 18"x18" Travertine tile as the base for a 1-2" thick maple slab. Might provide better stability for your speakers and tighten up the sound.
I noticed a few days ago that with the Totems I was getting alot of woofer pumping, I didn't get this with the Polks. I was going to get a rumble filter but did some research & people said this is caused by bouncy floors. With the Gingkos it is bouncy. So I switched feet, I put the Nordost feet under the Technics & now no rumble at all.
I'll have to do some more listening to compare the sound. I put the Gingkos under the Marantz.
I was listening mostly to CDs trying to break in the PS Audio AC-5 so I really didn't notice the rumble problem.
I think they work great. Much quieter background which gives more detail. Yes, I took the OEM feet off. The base of the plinth has boards, I just rested the plinth on the Gingko balls. It actually leveled perfect with no adjustments. I use 4 of them.
Ekobesky is right about the Grado, with the Totems it really show it's weakness. I can't believe how great the Hawks sound. I might upgrade the phono pre next.
How are those Gingko balls working out for you? Did you just sub out the OEM feet and place the Gingkos directly under. I've thought of doing a DYI verision using squash balls...
System edited: I thought it was good for awhile buy you know how it goes. Added a pair of Totem Hawks. A PS Audio AC-5 Power Cord & some Nordost feet for the Marantz. I've been looking for a pair of Hawks because I love the sound of the paper Revelator woofer. I found a mint pair here & they were local so I bought them. I still really the the Polk LSi15s buy the Hawks are a nice step up.
You know guys after real listening i sold all my POLK audio gear! that happened after i decided to auditioning several high end stores in NY-NJ area with lots to offer, for example after started with the Dali line mentors till Helicons, my mind experienced something out of this word simply transparent sound with no noise in the back ground i made me feel i was at the blue note listening a jazz concert. I was lucky enought after, listening all Totem line, Linn, Dali, Thiels, plus plus. that Helicons were the way to go in beauty and sound. I found a deal for the Helicons 800 demos mint with boxes in 4000 i made the effort instead of buying used gear for pennies and never satisfy my ear, story short i am the happiest men in earth! Polk sounded Booomy and dull after the Helicons visited my home, i could not listened them anymore, lucky enough i sold my LSI9 in 800 i think. LSi15 still for sale. meantime i want a pair of monitors as a second system for my plinius, i went to the Lirycs in Ny best high end audio store i said to BOB, i have 5k to but a good pair of monitors, he said you dont need that, get the Nola BOXER and you will be in heaven, I said ok, let me listen the Linn 312 at Innnovative first, i went all the way down to 59 listened to the Linn series went back to Bob and get his Nolas Demos, Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww you cant bit them for 1500 i got it for 1300 as demos. sold out in NYC, hard to get. So now first sytem Parasound Halo A21 ParasoundJC2 Cayin17 CD player Dali Helicons 800 MKII
Second System Plinius 9100 Nola Boxer speaker Marantz 5003 that I am looking to upgrade as a CDP Keenwood 8300 Tuner
Yes it has spikes, I used the Dayton brass cones that I had for the Technics before I went with the Gingko Mini Clouds. I was going to use the MyrtleFeet for the Technics but they did't match my stain on the TT. He has some nice cable lifters also, he through them in for free when I bought the feet. I use them downstairs for the HT setup.
I like your simple setup. The custom stand is awesome for simplicity!! Does it have spikes? I will check out the Myrtlefeet Signature feet - never heard of them before.
I agree, leaving electronics on 24/7 does make a noticeable improvement. The DD Technics are very dynamic in my experience so that can add to the dynamics your experiencing. I'm using a DD Technics w/ an Ortofon cart into a tube amp and it is very punchy. I think that Tech/Ortofon is a good combo for PRaT.
I think the combo is very dynamic, maybe because my room is small 15 x 18. I think with all the power the Plinius puts out really helps. I really can't even get close to 1/2 way on the volume. I don't use the spikes on the Polk's, they are terrible. I was trying to get them in the right position without them & noticed they sounded so much better right on the carpet. The only problem was they were not to stable so I put them on some maple boards.
I had some Energy Veritas 2.1s bookshelf speakers w/ the Plinius & they sounded great also.
I love the sound I'm getting so I really don't want to change anything, although I switched the Signal Cable 2s out for some Audioquest Diamondbacks which I feel made a huge improvement (Plinius to Grado) for vinyl.
