For some unfathomable reason beyond me, I am unable to edit or upload pics in my existing(circa 2007)system. Hence, I am adding pics/brief description of the recent changes to my vinyl chain including some new pics of my enlarged and refurbished,dedicated basement listening room.Apart from the vinyl set up, the rest of the system is unchanged from 2006.
In the past 8 yrs I have upgraded/changed my TT four times, gone through 5 cartridges.I am almost embarrased by the naivety of my early enthusiasm for vinyl. This prompted the purchase/cartage of a VPI 16.5 from Chicago to New Delhi. The decapitation of my Transfiguration Orpheus L was a wake up call. The system and sound have evolved in a manner that is consistently pleasing.
Jan 2013
After 7 years the upgraditis flu strikes hard. New speakers, Rockport Aviors, a new pre bought on Agon but yet to arrive, the CJ GAT and drooling over the prospects of large SET monos driving the Aviors.
Baby steps in computer audio with a Macair and Mytek DSD. Initial results...this could be good and I am beginning to understand what all the hype is about despite my initial cynicism.
June 2013
All things vinyl. On that plea decided to do all the vinyl fun things I always wanted to. A restored Garrard 401, a 12" arm, a Ortofon SPU and a Miyajima BE mono cart. This required coordination between Hong Kong(Mint LP),Singapore(source of the 309D,SPU,Miyajima cart and a Ortofon 80 SE SUT),Switzerland(MM card for the Nagra phono stage) and two locations in Delhi for the woodwork and Garrard 401.
Jan 2014
The Final Frontier or Sunnyboy goes bananas or My All Out Assault on Being Done For Now.
The Rockport Aviors arrived in Jan 2013, followed by the CJ GAT in April and after a 11 month wait and several hiccups the Wavac HE 833 V2 mono blocs arrived in Dec 2013.
I guess I am at the pinnacle of a 40 year audio journey. I have achieved all that I could dream of
and much more besides. The best part of the journey are the friends and fellow audiophiles across the globe that I have got to know.
My Nagra MPS is backordered...should be here in a week or two...guess they are selling a few of these now. I did listen to the VPS at my dealers again (has his at my house a few weeks ago), unmistakable improvements in focus, illumination of instruments in the stage...more quiet...more resolution ....
Hi Pradeep, on the Lyra Phonopipe cables...were you also able to change your loading on your Nagra? When I bought my Shroeder LT arm and its integral low capacitance cable...I changed the loading from 300ohms to 847ohms. The previous 300ohm loading I used to love with my prior phono cables sounded a bit slow and over damped in comparison. The 847ohm allowed better dynamics and retained the warmth that I loved.
Apparently this is one of the side benefits of a good low capacitance cable like your Lyra...curious to your experiences
Well you know I agree with you on the Nagra VPS phono. I've had a very hard time replacing it and when you feed it with the best power and I now am running interconnects from it to preamp that cost more than the Nagra...but it always seems to step up to the occasion.
I do wish Nagra would come out with a higher gain phono card, I seem to like their transformer the best...as it's the most linear. The EAR MC4 I've owned is very good to...just a little more "pleasing" in certain area's.
I read great things on the Dart, and I love the integrated phono approach, but once I heard the Robert Koda K10 preamp it just wasn't leaving my system. To be fair, i haven't heard the Dart...
I do think I'll get to hear the Allnic H5000 DHT in my system soon. I'd love to hear the Lamm LP1 siganature also...other than that...the Nagra might just stay for another 6-7 years...It's the oldest piece of gear in my system...everything has changed around it....but it seems to stay.
I have gone back to the stock tubes, I ordered a new set about a year ago and seem to prefer them again vs the TJ Full Music. The TJ's are more dynamic with a closer perspective and a bit more in the bottom end. The new stock tubes more linear, more resolute, stage set a few steps back...it's a close call however.
Sorry about the atlas...but good to hear you have vinyl spinning again via the Transfiguration. Are you still using your Nagra VPS/VFS with a .2mv cartridge ?
HI Pradeep, after some tube experimentation, I am quite happy with the stock 12at7 and the TJ Full Music 12ax7. Seems to be the best combination of dynamics, low noise, and beautiful sound. I have 3 spare on the TJ's so...have lots of back up...seems like these are no longer sold?
Did the EAT dampers inside the Nagra help? if so how? Thanks
Hi, yes I still have the Full Music 12AX7's also. I had a friend loan me 4 12at7's (a sylvania, GE, Fisher, Valvo) and a 12ax7's (Siemens, sylvania, GE, valvo) so I am about to really dive into the world of tube rolling to see how it goes. Apparently all these are tested/matched for phono use...
I should be able to hear the Allnic H5000 this week...will let you know...
Pradeep, have you tried different tubes in your Nagra VPS? I have a few I am about to try...just curious ...and if you tried your EAT dampers on the stock Nagra tubes...Thanks
Hi, I bet this will be fun !! Keep us posted ! Congrats on the GAT ...
I wonder if your wife is reacting to the idler drive....and a different sense of PRaT? (or she's hoping you'll sell the Black Night rig and spend the cash on her ;-)
Hi I've been to both the Wilson manufacturing facility and the Rockport facility. They both closely measure and match each speaker/crossover.
Wilson even breaks the drivers in for a period of time before getting installed in each speaker.
Rockport, and Andy Payor himself, measures and adjusts each speaker/crossover personally before he releases for shipment. I suspect Andy has one the most tightly tailored/matched speakers crossovers in the industry.
However, break in is a little different. Like break in in a speaker wire or a capacitor. I also suspect break in in the internal speaker wire is more of a constant than the differences Wilson or Rockprt do to their cross overs in matching the speakers up...
I can honestly say, you have one of THE best speakers in the world...at any price. Congrats again !
I don't know about this....I think break in on speakers is a real thing. It was certainly true for my Wilson Maxx 3s. You have wire, capacitors, and then the suspension on the speaker cones....
I bet you'll get changes here....more subtle after the first few weeks...
How's the Triton breaking in? Mine seemed to take awhile be definitely got better (more transparent)
Congrats on your Loricraft. When I got my Monks...I had to stop listening to the records off my former VPI 16.5...until they got a new cleaning. It's a big deal for you I am sure...almost like a better cartridge.
Hi, what great pics. And what a killer killer system. Thanks taking the time to post the pics of your room to!
Are you able to use transformer+tube on your Nagra with Atlas? Since I've been spinning the Allaert's cartridge, I needed to go with a higher gain step up trannie and have to use the solid state gain (the Lyra Skala was very happy with tube or tube+solid state) on my Nagra.
Anyway, after your Triton upgrade, you may want to consider a external SUT. The E.A.R. MC4 I am now using to help the Allaerts low (.18mv) output is really nice. Even with a bunch more wire between the cartridge and phono input...
I potentially have a biz trip to India in 2-3 months. If so, I'll see if we can connect.
