Hmm not sure how to answer that Iglun as I use Skylan speaker stands which is made of some plastic polymer and have never used any quality metal stands before. The speakers do sound better when it's on the granite plates with BDR cones between them than simply placing them on the speaker stands though.

viggen February 22, 2007 00:15

Hi Chad,

I was very happy with it. I sold it awhile ago when I sold my analog setup. This was my only tonearm, so I didn't get to really compare the OL with anything else. However, I thought the arm is very well made and mated really well with both the 301 and 501 Shelters.

viggen December 21, 2006 00:49

Hey Line,

Nope, no changes. I did buy a new Sony PC. It's the kind with the water cooling instead of fan cooling, so it's very quiet. One of these days, I am going to use it as a music server in the stereo system. All I need is a good USB DAC. I am waiting for a good USB DAC, non-os, with a very good PSU without costing over $1k to come out. The Wavelength Brick seems to fit the bill, second hand, however, I don't think any component powered by a wall wart will sound good.

Bcretty,

Just type "granite surface plate" into google.

viggen December 10, 2006 16:45

DK,

I think 4ohm speakers draw more current thus result in a stronger low end.

Also, I think the rasp has reduced a bit. Maybe it's because of the powercord change, or, maybe it's because it's 12am right now.

viggen February 12, 2005 03:05

Dk,
Got the Eichmann pc on the sharp now, and I don't really hear a diff. The rasp is probably not noticeable to most people. I toot my golden ears. How does the sharp compare with your tube amps if you had them hooked up to the same speakers?

Rene, it is true that not everything can be measured. Over and over again I confront people who think math precedes reality. Rene Descartes formulated cogito ergo sum because formulas cannot for certainty explain anything even as mundane as existence *chuckle*.

viggen February 11, 2005 04:51

DK,
I have the sharp on 24/7 for 2 weeks. Am using OTA powercord from wall to Furutech power distributor and another OTA powercord into the sharp. The mids are good but just raspy compared to the gc.

Lin,

Forgot to comment that your system looks very good although it might be a bit busy with the NAD, tv, dvd and xbox all in the same place as the 2 channel. And, I thought those surface plates look familiar haha.

viggen February 10, 2005 20:51

Rene, Good luck with your dissertation! I really do admire you for what you are achieving both audio-ly and scholastic-ly.

Lin, I argued that I can always get the Gaincard back whenever I want to from the second hand market. I prefer to hold on to cash as I might or might not start grad school in the coming year. But, the replacement is very good. I am not really regretting selling the Gaincard.

DK, Well, you used to have the Twin, so I don't have to tell you how good it is. Just to let you know there doesn't seem to be any issues regarding sensitivity as it is an issue with the Sharp with most speakers. So, they are a pretty good match.

I'd have to say the only thing not so good about the sharp when comparing to the gc is the midrange. The sharp is raspy. The raspiness can be drowned out by using loud 2 which is what I have it on most of the time. The bass is a bit bloated this way, but I prefer this over the rasp.

viggen February 10, 2005 02:54

Ahh sorry I haven't checked here in a long time. I don't know why the pics dissapear by itself spontaneously.

My system has changed a lot actually. I've downgraded big time. Gone is everything except the JMR Twins. I replaced them with a sharp digital amp from the overstock.com $75 special and my first turntable, an old Luxman, back from the dead.

For winter, I actually didn't go anywhere because my gf's parents won't let me take her anywhere far... and, YES, she's legal.

viggen February 09, 2005 03:44

Hey Rene,

I guess we both have our laptops in the listening area, so we can "chat" while listening to our tunes.

I am listening to Zero7 at the moment. I really like electronic lounge and acid jazz genres. Most of these stuff are available on vinyl new, so I am pretty lucky. I was worried I couldn't find what I like on vinyl. The facts are actually contrary to my apprehensions as these genres are readily available on vinyl. I am a happy camper.

Thanks for offering to look out for some records for me when you go to Calgary. But, I am pretty set with records in Los Angeles. We really have lots of record stores here. So, again, I am a happy camper. As you know from that thread you linked me previously, LA is a mecca for vinyl. Few weeks ago, I drove down to Long Beach and went to 3 stores that sell exclusively vinyl all within a few miles of each other.

When you do feel like experimenting, rip some CDs and vinyl and compare how they sound when stored on your harddrive and feeding into the Unico's DAC. I'd like your assessment on how it sounds compared to its original format. When I do move towards my own HD system, I plan to get some studio grade AD converters to rip the vinyl and cds onto harddrive via USB input. Apogee has a good product for that, the Mini-Me.

Regarding playback, I want to use USB based output from laptop to dac too. The Unico sounds like a good solution since it has digital input. It makes things very flexible as it can be used as cd player and dac as well. And, it does help that it is capable of playing higher rez redbook. If I am to use the Mini-Me, I'd definitely rip at 24 bit resolution. But, I think a pure USB connection will have less jitter.

Wavelength has a Cosine DAC with USB input but that is a bit more than $3k. Apogee makes a Mini-Dac which has USB as well as Coaxial inputs for about $1k, but I am weary of its audio playback quality. Most internet stores that sell Apogee offer 30 day refund policy though,, so I should be ok there. Empirical Audio also offer mods to convert any DAC's digital input into USB interface for about $400.

Speaking of USB, I did cut the connectors off an USB cord before and solder RCA connectors in its stead. It made for the second best digital cable I've had in my system. The best is still the OTA wires with Eichmann plugs which I used between the NEC CDrom and Nixon DAC until a few months ago. The NEC has both analogue and digital coax outputs. But, up until a few months ago, I preferred using the analogue output in lieu of the DAC.

BTW, what's Calgary like? Should I take my gf there? We're looking for some place go to go for winter vacation.

Ed

viggen November 05, 2004 03:53

Rene,

I guess you got a pretty good cd player. Don't mind me asking how much it goes for? I am not too familiar with Unison. Regarding tubes in digital, I only had experience with the CAL Alpha and SIgma DACs. My impression is that the tubes doesn't contribute too much in terms of sonic signature. And, with digital in general, its the "better" PSU and "better" powercord that makes the most improvements. So, I think it's the Unison's superior powersupply as well as its newer processor doohickeys that makes it superior than the Rega and close to the Technodec rather than its tube attributes?

Also, with the Dino+, the bass does get a bit deeper. Mostly, everything is cleaner and smoother with wider deeper attributes and most importantly more intoxicating.

As you know, I am mucho happy with my analog at the moment. I do wonder what the results would be if I dropped $4k on digital rather than analog. I guess I need to spend another $4k to find out... maybe after a year and after I get more shelf room....

I go back to listening to my records and wondering what $4k digital to get. Actually, I think I will use something harddrive based. This way I can rip my records for days I am too lazy to flip'em over.

Ed

viggen November 05, 2004 02:04

I am not using any digital at the moment. I do have a NEC Multispin CD rom being used as a CD player but not used. I also have the Nixon Dackit with upgraded PSU but not using that either. Both has been in my drawer since I got da turntable.

viggen November 04, 2004 15:26

Ah those are pumice produced in volcanic regions where steam flows through molten rock as it rapidly cools to produce its porous state. They are not funny. Rather, they are a good, cheap and utilitarian choice of material to experiment with.

I wasn't aware you can get stone block versions of these. I've only seen then in its natural state or in small chunks sold at The Body Shop. If I can find some manly sized and angular shaped pumice or "feet cubes", I might buy a trio.

viggen November 03, 2004 21:16

Hi Linaeum66,

Wut does your username mean?

I am using a single Neuance shelf underneath the turntable. The speakers are still on the granite with BDR cones between them.

Theoretically, I think Neuance is a better solution for "grounding" vibration than granite where it's better at "draining" vibration. I think grounding leaves the components' vibration nature alone while preventing any type of resonance amplification. Draining can alter the components' vibration nature and, most of the time, makes the component sound more clinical.

That's why I have the BDR between the granite and the speaker. The BDR is draining vibration and altering the vibration nature of the speaker as does granite, but the BDR alters the vibration frequency of the speaker while draining it's vibration in a manner that leaves the speaker sounding less clinical.

In actual application, with the turntable on the Neuace, the improvement is noticeable much more so than changing a cartridge or upgrading the transformer. So, I think the speakers will sound better on the Neuance as well. But, that will have to wait. I intend to get two Neuance shelves. One for the turntable, and one for the electronics. Good thing all my electronics are small, so they can all fit on one shelf.

Ed

viggen November 03, 2004 17:11

Hey Rene,

Glad to see you're back!

I did get the Dino+ along with making some other chances in my system. I can't say enough about the Dino+. I think it is a crime that Trichord is selling the Dino without the PSU. Then again, I probably would not have purchased the Dino in the first place if it was going to cost more than what I had paid. So, it is probably a smart marketing move on their part to separate the two pieces. Now, I have my eye on the replacement power/interconnect cable for my next upgrade. I've also upped my vinyl collection up to about 30 new lps and some used since I got the turntable.

And, I got the upgraded motor transformer for the Origin Live table. This is a decent upgrade too. Not as big of an upgrade as the Dino+ but still worthy. Now, my system is not as termpermental. It is still better at night though. Rather, it is glorious at night and just great during the day.

Can you tell me more about the differences between the speakers you've tried? I had the CDM1 before and didn't like it. I really liked the Linn first generation Kan but only with a decent sub. I would probably buy a Quad down the road in a few years. I am sorta captivated by the 988 due to the respect the 57 has in the audio community.

And, it's good that you're looking at monitor speakers. They are much easier to buy and try. I certainly went through a plethora of monitors through audiogon. Infact, I think there's atleast 3 Dulcets on sale on audiogon at the moment and, I think, a few Europas too. I think at the prices they are selling at, you can buy'em and sell'em and just eat the shipping cost if you don't like'm.

I feel very fortunate to stumble on the Twins. I was at a audio downpoint selling off as much extraneous gear I can. I was moving back to my parents house instead of renewing my lease at my apartment because I was to have a surgery done and won't be working for awhile. I sold everything I can to make room at the new place including my speakers, cd players and whatever else I thought was worth selling. In my heart, at the time, I was sorta giving up on audio for awhile. I only bought the Twin because it is small and perhaps good enough to tie me over until after I've recovered from surgery and find another job and get a new system after I move out.

Who knew the Twin would be the cheapest, smallest, yet the best speaker I've heard in my system thus far. Lately, I've read some posts on audioasylum of the synergy between JMR and the Gaincard. So, maybe that is it...

Anyhow, thanks to Gumby Dean, I got a pair of Ridge Street Audio Poiema!! speaker cables and a Neuance shelf in my system at the moment. Both of these definitely has contributed to my audio happiness. Eventually, I will have to return the shelf, so I have to order a few from Neuance. The cable I am buying from Dean.

Speaking of monitors, I just had the Galante Rhapsody at my house for a few days few weeks ago. It didn't sound very good. If I knew you were looking for speakers, I should have let you borrow it first before selling it. It probably would sound very good with your amp. It's one of those monitors that begs for good tube power.

Yours,

Ed

viggen November 02, 2004 08:30

Hi Dave,

The Galantes came and went. I kept it for only a few days before placing an ad to sell it, and it went in less than 12 hours.

There's just no synergy between the Galante and the Gaincard. Perhaps the situation could have improved if I kept the speakers for longer. But, I am quite happy with the Twins and rather spend the marginal funds on upgrading the turntable ie transformer for the motor and external psu for the preamp.

Are you "literate" with piano jazz at all? Next time I go to Amoeba, I want to pick up on these types of LPs. I heard Laurent De Wilde on KCRW last week and loved it. He's not available on vinyl though. Perhaps you can help me find something similar and get a chance to hear your system too.

Yours,

viggen October 07, 2004 19:01

Hey Rene,

First of all, just want to say that I enjoy your long “wordy” posts. They read more like letters from a friend. Replying your posts while listening to my vinyl at night has become an enjoyable ritual. And, no where in your posts would indicate to me your your English is “foreign” except for the word “indented”. Maybe this is because I’ve read too many badly translated European books= X. JK.

Second, I should update information regarding my system. I ordered the external psu for the Dino as well as the transformer upgrade for the turntable motor. The transformer arrived yesterday, and I have to wait another 2 weeks for the psu. I can’t believe what a big difference the transformer makes. The instant I plugged it in, air, bass, dynamics and presence increased 3 folds. And, this was during the afternoon when my turntable is in a bad mood.

However, the stereo actually started to get worse sounding into the evening.. I think the transformer is going through its burning in process. Most records became barely listenable. Acoustic music sounded almost rock’n roll, and rock’n roll sounded like rap not that I listen to the latter 2, but you get the idea. The mid and highs are starting to open up this evening. Stereolab’s vocals, as I am listening now, are very clear at the moment; even though, I have no idea what the lead singer is singing about. There’s still a rather long way to go though.

The power cable on the transformer is the non-detachable kind and is very low quality. I think I might get a tech guy to disconnect the cheap power cable and install an IEC inlet in its place if the transformer doesn’t improve in a week or so.

And, feel free to talk about your system all you want in my virtual “palace”. As I am learning from you in regards to how you've built your system, your system is definitely relevant in this thread.

BDR stuff can be bought from Jeff’s Sound Value for cheap as they are B-stock. I bought 2 sets of the cones from him. I do think the cones would be awkward under your table though as your table seem to suffer more from physical vibration rather than high frequency resonance. I think it is awkward because I can imagine the cones causing your table to rattle due to the bass from your speakers. However, I don’t know how well your table is suspended, so I can only give you my best guess.

How has the Denon burned in and how does it compare with the KonA now? As my system is bottom heavy at the moment, the Kontrapunkt with its exceptional emphasis in the mid and highs as you’ve described does seem to make it a candidate for me to try. I did go back to that site that tenderly disparaged the 103 carts, and Romy recently described he’s endearing himself to the DL-103M. I tried to look for that cart but was informed that cart has been discontinued long ago and is pretty rare now. I think I will give the KonB or a lower end ZYX a try in the coming month. Any further comments on Kon vs Denon will be appreciated.

Regarding my source switching, yes I am swapping interconnects in order to do so. However, since I got the turntable set up, I’ve only listened to CDs for 2 minutes and is only used to hear how one album sounded between its CD and vinyl format.

As to why I have so many virtual systems… I guess I am not the only one. Just that others delete or hide their systems after they have built a new one. I want to keep mine to see a sort of chronological evolution of my system building physicality as well as philosophy. I guess any more explanation of this will underscore that I am actually a prima donna who wants to take up as much cyber space as possible, so ... = X

Speaking of prima donnas, I think I would be too full of myself to write a review on cartridges as I’ve only heard one table (not counting my prehistoric one) and two cartridges so far. My review would be more inclined to steer people in the wrong direction. They are more than free to read how these carts have sounded in my system in my virtual system page though.

What are you going to do after you have graduated? You’re going to move to another continent? You’re going to splurge on a new stereo system? I just got a call from a perspective employer this morning asking me what I've been doing for the past year since I graduated. I told him I just stayed at home. I don't think he'd understand the turntable issue nor appreciate me explaining it to him...

Yours,

viggen October 07, 2004 03:03

Rene,

Hope you're named after the great Descartes too since he's da fave philosopher I was talking about. Many know him as the inventor of geometric planes and such, but he was also father of modern philosophy. The first episode of Matrix was based pretty much on Descartes' discourse in methodology. He's my forray into philosophy, and I thank him for it. If I am to have a kid on a no-man island, I'd name him Descartes then no kid would tease him because of his name.

I tried the knocking test. I knocked on various locations on top of the shelf. I tapped on the turntable's plinth, and I even tapped on various parts of the tonearm. No feedback at all. Atleast, I don't see or hear anything from the woofer. I guess the turntable is well designed in regards to resonance and vibration. It doesn't do well with physical vibrations though as the table is not designed to dissipate/absorb vertical shock as a fully suspended table is.

The BDR cones work very well under my Gaincard. Some people argue that if 47 Labs actually put the guts of the Gaincard inside a tuna can, it would sound better as well as being more affordable. The metal case does seem very resonance prone and does result in a slightly etched ringing and thinned bass when the resonance is not properly addressed. With the Symposium under the Gaincard, where it is supposed to rapidly drain resonance, the highs open up a bit but does nothing for the lows. The BDR doesn't seem to change the treble or bass too much, but it does allow the GC to be easier to listen to. As it is made out of carbon fiber, I suppose the resonance frequency is altered towards that of carbon which is more similar to our biology thus making it easier to listen to.

I got the 501 today and spent the day A/B/A/B/A... all day long. It helps that I am not working at the moment. The table was not in a good mood today until about 7pm. It was very grating sounding when I first got the 501 installed around 2pm. I couldn't come to any real conclusion between the 501 and 301 until just about an hour ago. Maybe it's an electricity matter, but it was hard to distinguish the two before 11pm.

The 501 does bass better than the 301. But, the 301 does highs better and has a wider and more transparent sound. When I say the bass is better with the 501, it's not just a matter of attenuation but the bass is more arromatic. It has better decay, guitar strungs are a bit more vibrant...
However, lots of air is lost up top. Voices are much better with the 301 as you can hear the vocalist reach back deeper into their chords before letting it out. The 501 doesn't have any of that.

One thing I found intersting which possibly also allowed me to hear more of the difference between the 501 and the 301 is the Dino. I switched from LOW MC on the dipswitches to High MM. Basically, I had all the dipswitches turn to it's off position. The Dino resulted in better transparency. The only thing I left on was the capacitance which is set for the MC. Ofcourse, I have to turn the Gaincard's volume up many notches. I hear lots of benefits with this configuration. Perhaps you can try it out with your Dino too and see if you hear what I am hearing.

Right now, I am in the opinion that I might benefit more by adding the Dino Plus PSU and maybe even the upgraded powercord rather than upgrading the cartridge. Perhaps, with the PSU, the lows will come close to the 501 and the highs will further improve. And, most importantly, maybe my table's disposition will become more temperate during the day.

My stereo shelf is a mess now. I got pliers, screw drivers and such all over the place. I definitely need to make more room, and I might just take the CD player out in order to do that.

Thanks for your compliment, Rene. Actually, Dean (gunbei) and I have both discussed how well put together your system is as we were driving to the dealer where I got the table. Your Tecnodec both caught our eyes. Also, we find the way you used the block to be very attractive and, best of all, cheap.

And, how is your new Denon doing and how would it compare with the KonA?

Yours,

viggen October 01, 2004 05:05

Hi Rene,

Just a though after I read your reply... my ex gf and one of my fave filosofers are both named Rene...

Making sure we're on the same page, what kind of anamolies do you experience with the Tecnodec when being influenced by your speakers' vibration? Is it something as simple as the needle skipping or are we talking something more complex like vibrational energies. (You're the physicist. You tell me what the hell I am talking about).

And, stop talking about green chile. I had to walk to the kitchen to make myself a bowl of instant noodles because you mentioning chile got me hungry. And it's 1am.

Anyways, I don't think my Aurora is suffering from being too close to the speakers. But, thanks for pointing this out. The dealer guy and I both wondered why the Aurora chose to use a rubber type of material for the table's footer as it goes against the de-coupling method that Mark, of Origin, designs his tables around. Now that I think about it, I guess a more conductive material is better for draining mechanical energies but is also will allow the table to be more susceptible to external vibration as well. So, maybe it's the footer thing being made of a rubber material that allows the table to be free from the Twin's influence.

(I read somewhere later on, about tables of similar design but not Origin per se, that the vibration is not dissipated at the foot but at the bottom of the platter atleast I think it is anyways).

If there is anything that my table is suffering from, perhaps it is static. About 11pm, I ran my hand across the table trying to absorb any stray ion and transmit it to the table's footer. The table started sounding gorgeous after that. But, this might be because the electricity have improved since earlier ... Yah my motor is probably impervious to AC fluctuations but don't think the Dino is, and, to a lesser extent, my amp as well.

I am considering getting a Neuance shelf. I've been saying this for years actually but never actually ordering one. I guess I want the instant gratification and don't want to wait 6 weeks for it as it takes that long to make one, thus I never ordered one.

The motor of the Aurora, as you probably know, is separate from the table and is current sitting on 3 CDs as it is too short without the height support at the moment. The dealer guy, his name is Jay, didn't have the tall pulley for me and had to order one. I will get it tomorrow, so I can then remove the CDs. Before the CDs, I had a piece of cardboard under the motor, and you can definitely here the difference. I prefer the CDs over the cardboard but think I will prefer neither under the motor.

Anyhowz, take carez,

viggen September 30, 2004 04:43

I just spent 10 minutes using a q-tip soaked in alchohol to clean the piece of metal bar that connects the tonearm's tube to its base as well as its bolts and spacers. When I put everything back together, the tonearm just skates away from the center of the vinyl. Apparently, I've either taken off some weight off the tonearm after cleaning it or simply reduced the viscocity of the tonearm's connecting rod.

I had to increase the VTF by about 3 grams according to my estimation, and I only set the VTF at 1.9 grams according to my Shure force gauge.

The bit of glare I had up top slighty decreased. Air and detail increased a bit more.

I attempted to clean the crud because I am starting to learn that the resonance of the tonearm is critical to the front end's sound. And, anything that touches the tonearm will influence the tonearm.

And, I started to dislike the sound of my table a bit. I don't know whether it is the electricity that is temporarily worse now, or my table is going through a downward curve during its burn in process. So, I felt impelled to do something about it.

I think I still like the sound of the table more yesterday than today though.

viggen September 30, 2004 01:15

Rene,

Never been to Santa Fe but does seem tempting. Definitely want to go there some day. Heard there's a pretty artsy community.

Regarding the Denon, I found an amusing link:
http://www.goodsoundclub.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?postID=46

Regarding the record stores in LA, thanks for the link. I did go to Amoeba last weekend. They have a very good slection. Reminds me of the Tower Records I went when they were still selling vinyl 15 yrs ago but better. I will hit some of the stores in the link this coming weekend.

Be nice to your cartridges in the mean time, oh, and what do you use to clean them?

Ed

viggen September 30, 2004 00:16

Rene,

Thanks for chiming in!

I just went through a series downgrades to end myself up in the budget minded category. But, the expense from the added turntable pretty much disallows me to conscientiously categorize myself as budget minded. However, in audiophile terms, I guess my system is still budget level.

“From what I heard you probably can't go wrong with the 501 though (even if it is not silver).”

I think you eerily know me too well haha. But, the black does go better with the table if not the arm.

And, I just bought 8 records over the weekend. I am actually finding a lot of stuff that I really enjoy listening to that is only available on vinyl. Only part that sucks about this analog business is how often I have to get off my ass to change LPs when the needle hits the label.

Yet, I am now in the opinion of how can I have been an audiophile and not have owned a LP player for this long. I haven’t even touched my CDs since I got the table set up. Might just be a temporary novelty factor with the LPs, but I really don’t see myself touching the CDs anymore unless I buy something from a fave artist who doesn’t release in LP format.

Yes, I will continue to let the current set up play to get a better handle on whether what I am hearing will further improve or not.

I’ve been told the Shelter takes no more than 15 hrs to burn in by the dealer. I’ve read 50 hrs from various threads on AA and on da Gon. So, we shall see.

You don’t happen to live in Southern California do you? It would be nice to be able to do some A/Bing with our perspective carts and the rest of the system as well.

BTW, where did you get your KonA from and for a good price?

Ed

viggen September 29, 2004 01:12

I need some help choosing a cartridge.

I have maybe 20-25 hours on the Shelter 301. It sounds great. However, I am getting greedy. I want more. I want more air, body and a pinge more warmth. I characterize the 301 as very neutral and relaxing sounding but not mellow by any means.

This is the only cartridge I've owned (only table and arm for that matter) and would like opinions on where to go from here cart wise.

I have a 501 MK2 coming for demo in a few days. I am also thinking about the 901 as there is a demo available for ONLY 300 and change more. I also wonder if other choices from Ortofon either the Kontrapunkt A or B or the MC30II should be considered.

Thanks in advance.

viggen September 28, 2004 20:38

Hi DK,

Thanks for the nice note. AR is in Carlsbad which is about 1.5 hrs south of LA from the 5. Dean actually did the driving when we went down to Carlsbad last week. We made good time in his M3...

I actually have some nice Skylan speaker stands which is what Galante uses at the Shows. But, with the Twins, I am preferring to table mount. It's sitting on a 20lb slab of marble with BDR cones between them. This saves me a lot of space too. I will see how it goes with the Galantes when I get them later this week.

Currently, the Skylans are being used as a drink coaster and a laptop stand.

Dean might be drop by next week to give my new table and speakers a listen. You are more than welcome to come if you are up for the trip this time.

Regarding washing LPs, I am actually getting very good results with this http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1069298077436&productCategoryId=cat08042&type=product.
I've been using this on my laptop for years. I now use that on the vinyl and scrub VERY hard until I hear a squeeky noise then I know the vinyl is clean. Definitely not for the arthritic...

Ed

viggen September 28, 2004 02:02

Also, I am looking for a preamp as I have two sources now. I already broke an IC when switching it from CDP to LPP. I was thinking I need a tube pre to help drive the Gaincard properly something like an AudioNote M2. However, with the OL TT plugged in, I don't think the Gaincard needs any help. So, on with my search for a really transparent and quiet preamp.

I also have a pair of new second hand speakers coming my way: the Galante Rhapsody. The Twins are magnifiscent but wondering how much I am missing versus a more expensive and acclaimed speaker.

I had to switch this system from budget to ever evolving... my poor checking account...

And how can I forget to add that Jay at Audio Revelations is a revelation in customer service and product knowledge. Could not be happier with another liason during my re-entry into analog.

viggen September 25, 2004 16:39

It was a voice calling to me from deep within… It had control over my every thoughts and whims. I was succumbed by its gnawing grips tearing into my skin dermis by dermis.

Days later, I arrived at a cavern filled with tables rotating with oblong walking sticks fixed in horizontal positions scratching endlessly … I had to possess…

I exchanged the numbers on my plastic for a table that spun plastic….

A week later… the table is set up.

I am glad to share that those voices led me to a happy place.

After setting the table up which took no more than 10 minutes, I was amazed at how easy it is. On hand, I am armed with Allen wrenches, a few flat and Philip head screw drivers, a tone arm template, a strobe disk, and a Lowes’ fluorescent lamp.

Ok, it actually took about an hour if you exclude the time I spent on adjusting the rotation speed. Using the strobe disk is very easy, however, I had the table spinning at about 10 RPM for like half an hour thinking the strobe doesn’t work. Turns out I just had the table spinning too slow. After I sped it up, it was a snap.

Then, I waited about a week for the tone arm and cartridge. Actually, I couldn’t decide on which to get. The obvious choice is the OL Silver or Encounter, but I had my eyes set on the Bluenote U3 tone arm because it’s cheaper, supposedly sounds damn good, and it looks gorgeous. I hate the way the base of the OL tone arms look; although, the tube and head shells are gorgeous. After fumbling around, I finally decided on getting the OL Silver, and the 301 because it’s silver body matches the tone arm so well.

I have one of those $25 Shure stylus gauge force thingy which, after reading up about digital meters that come within .01 grams of resolution and how one hundredth of a gram difference can create an audible degradation, I am amazed that my monkeying around with the cart and arm actually results in very good sound. I really think my procedures were crude during installation as I never installed a table before plus my anticipation to finally fire the sucker up.

I did break a conductor in my home made OTA interconnect during my haste. I had to resolder the damn thing. Ten minutes in damnation before I can get the left channel to work…

Instead of getting vinyl cleaning solutions at $30 a pop, I am using my LCD screen cleaning solution and cloth to clean the vinyls at the moment. I still hear lots of pops and clicks during the first 20 seconds of the LP, but it either goes away or I tune them out mentally afterwards. I am curious enough to use the solution people are talking about by Frumkin to see if the pops can be further ironed out.

viggen September 25, 2004 16:33

They are very similar. But, you'd think the JTMs would be more coherent since it uses a single driver design. I actually think the Twins are more coherent. I think the JTMs being made of MDF instead of natural wood has something to do with this. Otherwise, both are TL speakers with about the same sensitivity and frequency response.

viggen June 19, 2004 21:03

Tranny wire? Is the Paul Speltz anti-cable sold here on the Gon tranny wire? Supposedly, it's the same wire inside his auto transformer.

viggen June 15, 2004 13:28

Hey Greg,

The smoothing of the cable thing is to prevent the signal being transferred from being smeared. This is if you believe that things inside the cable can actually get in the way of the carried signal.

Smoothing the cable is to remove the pits and valleys that are on the surface of the conductor. We're talkin microscopic levels here. I am not even sure that you can do this DYI style. Cuz, if you sand down one area than the other, then you're probably doign more damage than good.

Just for reference, I am looking at the tonearm cable sold by Ohmygodverizonnet here on the Gon. This seller have taken this cable smoothing thing into consideration. He's also taken the interior of the cable into consieration too being that the wire is "contious-pulled". It probably only lacks a cryoing process but who knows.

Dunno if it can be better than the OTA which is also continuously casted but has been cryoed. The copper in the OTA is also very soft. I think it went through an extensive soft annealling process. Dunno if the tonearm cable described above has this. I theorize this is an important factor in terms of alleviating the transfer of maliscious mechanical vibrations.

Now this is a lot of audio voodoo as you described in the typical audiophile thread haha.

viggen June 13, 2004 03:52

Hey Greg,

I was wondering about the same thing in regards to input/output impedances between compnents. It seems to me that you CAN use the same wire through out the system but only IF the impendances can match OPTIMALLY. And, this assertion assumes that there is an optimal impedance match between components and not just a range of tolerable thresholds. This scenario probably never exists even between compnents of the same make. In any case, good luck with the Valhalla clone! I think one of the trick is making sure the conductor is sanded to a mirror smooth surface (again with the sanding).

viggen June 11, 2004 17:20

Greg, My hunch is that using the same wire throughout the system will reduce distorting the signal, hence, this is why I want to bypass the speakercable terminal as well. So, I think I see what you are trying to do in regards to your speaker cables. It's ingenious. How about the interconnects in relations to using or not using the same wire throughout the system?

viggen June 11, 2004 05:16

Hi Greg, Thanks for your comment. I'd also like to thank your for your participation on the OTA wire thread here in the forums. Your inquiries on these wires, stripping and varnishing, did inspire some creative wire use in my system.

Dean, I am telling you, it's the Leica lens on my digital camera. And, yah, like Bruce says, simpler is better. = P

viggen June 10, 2004 13:47