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.
Apologies have been away from this site and most things audio for nearly a year. Slowly finding my feet again. Every improvement has made a sonic difference but off course some more than others and I would recommend going down the path of slow incremental changes. The max impact was from the Cu platter, 10kg to 20kg, the HRS platform was a definite go to given that I have a wall mounted wooden platform. May not be that impressive if you have good isolation etc. I only have the 3 feet and don’t intend to upgrade. The battery controller is a mixed bag, love the isolation that the battery provides, but not sure if it is worth it. TBH there is so much going on in the system that it’s unfair to single out single components/changes etc. I love the overall sound that I have achieved after many years of tweaking.
Some recent changes, 2 new carts the Lyra Etna SL and the bamboo cantilevered Miyajima Madake. A new SUT , the Airtight ATH 2 with 3 inputs allows me to use the Nagra VPS phono for all my carts. It's a fine SUT but not in the class of the Lyra Erodion.
The Etna SL is an amazing cart coupled with the Lyra Erodion SUT. The Etna SL has taken my vinyl pleasure to a level I could not have imagined. Even discounting owner bias/hyperbole, simply awestruck with what the Etna SL is doing in my system and its not even close to break in.
Dan, many thanks. A close audio buddy who helped acquire and refurbish the 401 did take it apart and we changed a few parts etc. The low rumble is not intrusive or even perceptible from the listening chair or beyond. He reckons it could be the oil bearing .
Would love to have you over for a listen. Unfortunately, the 401 has been relegated to exclusive mono duty with a Lyra Kleos mono cart. With the two tone arms on my main TT rig, the 401 rarely gets a look in which is a pity as it is a superb TT. My mono collection is also pretty modest.
I have changed a few parts in the 401 but there is a slow rumble noise noticeable only a few feet from the plinth. Perhaps I need a new bearing assembly ?
Some new system tweaks. The TW AC is now upgraded to full BN status with the new copper platter. Apart from the gorgeous looks the sonic benefits are impressive : larger soundstage(could be my imagination 😂), deeper bass, longer sustain and definition of notes .
My Wavacs are temporarily out of commission and have substituted them with a pair of local made 35wpc mono blocs based on the GM70 Russian tube. Lamm sells a GM70 based amp at around USD 140k.
Some recent additions. Added a 3rd tone arm , a Durand Kairos with an Ortofon A95. A new phono the Nagra BPS to convert the Garrard into an exclusive mono TT with a Lyra Kleos mono cart.
Adding pics of dome recent tweaks. All cabling is now from Audiomica,Poland. Added metallic cups/coasters under the Aviors and the new Gen Shunyata cable elevators. Replaced the Ortofon 80SE SUT with the very first commercial edition of the new Lyra Erodion EVO. It's a SUT but Lyra prefers to call it a MC step up interface. Initial impressions : very impressive but a lot of break in to do.
Many thanks for your kind words. Did take a peek at your system page via WBF. Really most impressive. Retired is what I would like to be... Do plan a trip to this part of the world . You can combine audio with food, culture and whatever takes your fancy.
Many thanks gorgeous your comments. Much appreciated. The dedicated room is in a basement with a 10' ceiling. Actually the room pics are a bit dated. Will post fresh ones showing recent paintwork etc
Reporting on two recent upgrades. Thanks to Jfrech's recommendation I got the Nagra MPS, basically a battery driven power upgrade for the Nagra phono stage . The results are stunning in that the soundstage has expanded, lower noise floor. The phonostage is almost silent. IMO, the Nagra VPS has been underrated as a phono stage . With the addition of the MPS, this is now in another league. Added a new cable between the phonostage and the preamp. A 1 m Audiomica RCA cable. I simply can't believe how good this cable is. Simply put this is the best cable I have heard. In every sense it smokes a very highly regarded cable it has replaced. The Audiomica's are from Poland and an insane bargain.
Breezer TBH I need to check with Lyra regarding status on the Erodian. I have had both the Etna and the Atlas playing through an Ortofon SUT and it is clearly superior to the non SUT mode. I imagine there should be a special synergy between the new Erodian and a Lyra cart.
John Good question regd Atlas vs Etna. Many friends ask why 2carts from the same family. Don't I have enough of the house sound etc. Actually, it's 3 Lyra carts incl the mono Kleos. Both the Atlas and Etna share the Lyra DNA of attack, speed and agility. Where they part company and IME Atlas is superior is in its explosive bottom end and liquidity with almost an ether like higher frequency response. Female vocals are divine. Pure, crystalline but never etchy. The Etna is no slouch on bottom end extension but has a superior mid range presence if not grunt. The Etna is still a work in progress having barely crossed the 30 hour mark. Both superb SOTA carts but very different animals. Pradeep
System update. Some cart changes on the vinyl front. Sold the Transfiguration Proteus as it was a poor match for the Ortofon 309D arm. Currently plying on the main rig, a Lyra Atlas alternating with an Etna. Both superb SOTA carts. Unable to decide which is better though they are NOT identical. The Miyajima Mono BE has gone as I could never handle the hum issues. Replaced with a Lyra Kleos Mono. Hum has disappeared . Celebrating the arrival of the Kleos Mono with the Beatles Mono set. Thanks for looking
Hi John The Lyra Phonopipe feeds into a Ortofon SUT and then into the MM input of the Nagra VPS. I don't have too many loading options in the Nagra but I get the best results with the Atlas at a 1k ohm load. Tried leaving it wide open at 47k but found the gain way too high. I believe that Lyra are working on a new gen Erodian SUT designed specifically for Lyra cartridges. I will upgrade to the new Lyra SUT as and when it is available. Best Pradeep
Time for a System update. Just inserted a pair of Shunyata Zitron Sigma HC power chords on the Wavac mono blocs. The Sigmas replaced a pair of Cardas Golden Reference power chords. Early days yet, less than a couple of hours listening time. The Sigma are special. The system plays louder at the same volume setting. Distinctly lower noise floor, more prominent mids with more air and clarity as if you can peep through the music. Last month replaced the stock cable on the Ortofon 309D tone arm with a Lyra Phonopipe. The changes are pretty spectacular. Even replaced a Audience AU 24 SE with a Lyra Phonopipe from the phono stage to the preamp. I am done with all component changes. The system is sounding sublime and even CDs are fun to listen to. Thank you for looking. Pradeep
Lloyd ";) well...if you ever get a chance to watch the first one again, let us know what you think. Morpheus' speeches are great...Take the Red Pill!!! " Is it like the blue pill ? -;)
Lloyd I couldn't agree more though Matrix was never my favourite movie, not by a long shot. Our hobby is made more delicious when you get to enjoy these uber expensive toys at a fraction of the sticker price Have a great weekend Pradeep
Thesaint519 Many thanks. You have an exquisite system. Am interested in your impressions of the Transparent power chords. Happy to continue this conversation on your system page Cheers Pradeep
John You are always welcome. It's not that far, an overnight plane ride. Once on a hunch I attended a Leonard Cohen concert in Madison Garden in Oct,2009. Probably the high point of my live music experience. Many thanks for your thumbs up on the Aviors and the Typhon Best Pradeep
Lloyd Thanks as ever for your kind comments. I do at times wonder whether our audio decisions are optimal, prompted at least in my case by limited availability of brands/dealers etc. More often than not ,it's the endorsements of audiophiles and Agoners that have nudged me forward. It's gratifying when things work out. There are many roads to grounding/power conditioning as you are well aware. Shunyata seems to work for me Cheers Pradeep
System update. Just added a Shunyata Typhon to the Triton. According to the Shunyata manual the Typhon needs a minimum of 5 days settling time. It's only been 3 days but early signs are this is a more dramatic improvement than the Triton. Will add pics soon. Cheers Pradeep
Dan Agreed. As many pundits more knowledgeable than me keep saying ..."if it ain't broke don't fix it". The 401 is absolutely gorgeous. The amazing bit is the bass and the whack of the drum sticks, tight yet musical and in a different league compared to my TW AC rig. Best Pradeep
Hi Dan Many thanks for looking. I gob smacked by the performance of the 401. It was meant as a mono table, a project that never took off given some hum related issues. I have not modded the 401 apart from loosely mounting it in a solid mdf plinth. I suppose I should upgrade the bearing and other parts etc. Is this something recommended for a table that trounces the TW AC ? Best Pradeep
My audio buddies were over on Saturday night for an extended listening session. It was a shoot out of sorts between the Atlas/Garrard 401/Ortofon 309D and the TW/Proteus/Talea2. We took turns playing the same LP on both rigs. The verdict : The Atlas rig trounced the TW with the sole exception of Leonard Cohen who sounded better with the Proteus/TW. Go figure. Of course both the Atlas and Proteus are a long way from break in. Cheers Pradeep
Hi Arnie Many thanks.Interesting and expensive possibility. 3 tonearms may require a phono or even a preamp change. The system with the Wavac mono blocs is sounding divine. Does the Schroder LT have an Asian dealer ? Perhaps something to consider in 2015. Cheers Pradeep
John Many thanks. As both the carts, the Atlas and the Proteus are new with 5 hrs and 25 hrs respective playtime, I am having a lot of vinyl fun. I play one side of the LP on the Proteus TT and the other on the Atlas Garrard TT. Very different presentation. Once I achieve breakin at 100 hrs or so will swap the carts as I suspect the Atlas with the greater speed and agility is better suited to the TW which is a wee bit on the darker side compared to the Garrard 401 which has more PRaT. Have a great weekend Pradeep
System update. The Lyra Atlas arrived via Singapore on Sunday night. Managed to mount it in a Ortofon wooden headshell on a 12" arm on a Garrard 401. Cart aligned with a Mint LP. First impressions, absolutely glorious. Listened to Paul Rodgers- Live Sessions, Jazz at the Pawnshop and Lyn Stanley. Barely a few hours on the rebuild Atlas. Long way from breakin but its speed, agility and sheer musicality on a 401 is special. The TW/Talea 2/ Proteus combo is in for a long rest. Cheers Pradeep
Charles Many thanks for your brief comments on the Tripoint. Honestly I am a bit confused by the range of grounding devices out there. I hope to take possession of a Shunyata Typhon soon. As this is a passive device with no connection to a mains outlet apart from a PC that plugs into the Triton conditioner, I suppose the Typhon is a grounding device of sorts. Owners of the Triton/Typhon rave about them. I look forward to hearing from any Shunyata owners who have adopted further grounding in their systems. Pradeep
Lloyd Manufacturers that stand behind their products and provide world class service deserve all the kudos and recognition. Planning to start a thread here and possibly elsewhere . Hoping others will chime in with their experiences. Pradeep
Hi Charles. Many thanks for looking. Are you using those little brass footers, I think Starsound calls them APCD, as coupling devices between the amp and the brass cones on the Sistrum stand ? Not sure if they impart any sonic benefit or it's only cosmetic/protective etc ? I see you are a happy convert to Tripoint. Would love to learn more though I am a wee bit sceptical as I have a dedicated line with a separate ground in my backyard. Best Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Many thanks. Fascinating and frustrating this hobby of ours. Just when I thought I had everything sorted out and was smug about my world class sound, my Lyra Atlas cart commits suicide. It happened suddenly without warning. I have thought long about it and the only rational explanation is that Bob Dylan LP collection that I went on and on about over at WBF . The diamond stylus just disappeared , methinks in sheer disgust at the appalling modern day treatment of many Dylan classics. Off course Lyra have been magnificent in their response. Cheers Pradeep
System edited. The only available review of the Wavac HE 833s in PF recommends the Amps should be mounted on Sistrum SP 101 stands. Was fortunate to snag a used pair on Agon and yes they do make a difference . Not as dramatic as a day night sort of comparison . The overall presentation is cleaner, notes are a tad better defined. Will post pics.
John Looking forward to your impressions of the Allnic DHT 5000 in your system. Agree on the Nagra tubes. Ordered a Telefunken NOS 12ATY and Amperex 12AX7 from Brent Jesse. Yes it was an improvement but really way too close to call. Hopefully should get the Typhon in July. It's been a long long wait. Best
John Many thanks. Lyra have been outstanding in their professionalism and in standing behind their product. Not many or all manufacturers do that and Lyra deserve full credit. Yup I am still ploughing the Nagra. A lot has changed in my system over the last 8 years particularly the vinyl chain but the Nagra has been a constant. IMO,the Nagra has never garnered the kudos and recognition it deserves as a superb phono equal to or better than anything under 30 k. The 0.2 mV is not a problem. Will try it with an Ortofon SUT over the weekend. Any thoughts on a phono upgrade ? I am seriously interested in the new DarTzeel NHB 18 with 2 phono inputs and a mono switch etc. Pradeep
System edited. The Atlas cart has gone to Dr Lyra in Tokyo for a new lease of life. Just a received a Transfiguration Proteus. Barely 10 hrs old with minimal tweaking it sounds really good. Output is 0.2 mV so need to turn the preamp up a notch or two. Initial impressions : smooth, lovely highs but lacks the bite and aggression of the Atlas. I suspect this will change once the suspension settles in probably around the 30 hour + mark . I had experienced a similar breakin with the Orpheus L which was my favorite cart till the Atlas. Will post pics and follow up notes as the breakin progresses. Cheers Pradeep
Al Once again sincere thanks. Major paint job with minor decor changes should be through this weekend. Will post pics of the refurbished room. Best Pradeep
My basement listening room is undergoing a major paint job. Haven't listened to my system in nearly 12 days. If it wasn't for the Cricket World Cup, I would be at a total loss. How do normal people spend their evenings ? Most depressing. At our last listening session, Agoner Andrew Oliverio from Tokyo was with us. Hopefully persuaded him to explore the SET route. Lloyd The 25th Anniversary PAD pc is nearly 10k USD. That's almost what I paid for my used GAT on Agon. My system is as complete as complete can be save for some Herbie Audio Lab tube dampners for the Wavacs and maybe some in house isolation under the amps. Cheers Pradeep
Lloyd I noticed in another forum that you are using a PAD power chord with the GAT. What kind and degree of improvement over the CJ stock chord? I have thrown all the pcs I have, namely , Cardas GR, Shyunyata Zitron Python, some old Transparent pcs etc , at the GAT , but found the CJ chord to be superior. Pradeep
Lloyd One of the fun parts of our hobby is making friends and meeting audiophiles from all parts of the globe. Next week, hopefully , I have a Agoner from Tokyo who will come by. His vinyl toys are pretty similar to mine. Cheers Pradeep
Lloyd You are such a knowledgeable and prolific contributor on so many forums with an outstanding system. Why no system page/pics ? Apologies if you have been asked this before. Not sure this is the appropriate forum for this query . Best Pradeep
Hi Lloyd I tried a different tack that seems to work. Gently prised the black insert out wards to narrow the aperture. It's not a snug fit but seems to work. Does it make a difference ? Yes , but not dramatic perhaps a wee bit more clarity. Many thanks for all your help. Pradeep
Lloyd Am curious how you narrow the EAT dampers. I have the Amperex 7308s PQ and not the pinched waist. The 7308s are way too narrow and the dampers slide to the bottom not making any contact with the tube. If I remove the black rubber inserts in the damper it only makes the aperture larger... Pradeep
Lloyd Thanks. The pinch waist Amperex 7308s are rare as rare can be. Hoping Brent Jesse can locate a pair. The PQ 7308s I have are nice with a lot more air and a soundstage that's almost spooky. Not sure if it's the new tubes in the GAT or the Wavacs crossing 150hrs breakin. Either way the system has reached a pinnacle I never imagined. The EAT dampers wont the Amperex as these tubes are much too thin. Am using the CJ supplied rubber band dampers. Are there other tubes in the 6922 family equal or better than the Amperex pinch waist 7308s ? Best Pradeep
Lloyd and Suteetat Over the weekend a pair of Amperex 7308s PQ were inserted in my CJ GAT courtesy Brent Jesse. A couple of hours on Sunday was nice but not overwhelming. Come Monday evening, maybe a total of 3/4 hours of listening and the GAT opened up. Clearly better than the Amperex tubes that were replaced. Many thanks for all your help. Am tempted to dream of a pair of pinched waist Amperex 7308s later in the year. Best Pradeep
Hi Jeff Thanks for looking. You have a mouth watering system : Altairs and Absolare SET amps. Would love to listen. Absolutely spot on regd SET amps vs push pull. Cheers Pradeep
Charles I agree wholeheartedly with you assessment of the sonic virtues of DHT SET amps. Whether 8wpc through a 100db + efficient speaker or 150wpc through my 89.5db Rockport Aviors, the tonal purity of a SET amp is overwhelming vis a vis a pp amp. No splitting of phases and re combing of the -ve and +ve signals etc. In my case the difference between the pp CJ LP70S and the Wavac was stunning . An exposure to a decent SET amp should be mandatory for any serious audiophile :) Cheers Pradeep
I have always held, particularly in my case, that the aural memory is short and that over time the full import of an upgrade tends to diminish as the upgrade becomes the " new normal " etc. I have just completed 2 months with the Wavac HE 833 V2 in my system. The 7 year old Conrad Johnson LP70S with KT 120 tubes is still around as the the dealer has yet to collect it. Yesterday, when some audio friends were over we did a switch between the Wavac and CJ. Wow.. all I can say is that exposure to a SET amp should be mandatory for every audiophile. There is no way a push pull amp even comes close to a well executed SET amp. Cheers Pradeep
Thanks Lloyd . Ordered a pair of Amperex 7308s PQs from Brent Jesse. Should receive them in early March. Cheaper than the EAT 6922s but not Jesse's absolute top of the line. Cheers Pradeep
Lloyd many thanks. I have a pair of EAT 6922s on order that come with a set of dampeners. Some pretty mixed reports regd the EAT tubes. I shall soon find out. Should have done the "due diligence " before ordering. Not very intelligent of me. In case the EAT tubes don't work shall contact Jesse Brent. Have heard great things about him. Will keep you posted. Cheers Pradeep
Altanpsx Many thanks for your endorsement of the Miyajima Kansui. I have not decided on the choice of a 2nd MC cart but it will be between the Transfiguration Proteus and the Kansui. My initial experience of the Wavacs Avior combo is that it is superb. I am told that the Wavacs need 300 hrs breakin. I am nowhere close to that.My initial fear/apprehension was that maybe the sound is sweet or syrupy. Far from that.It is rich with just a wee bit on the darker side of neutral but honestly it really depends on the recording etc Best Pradeep
Hi Tjkurita Thank you for your kind words. Wavac makes 3 amps in the 833 series, the uber expensive SH 833 which has 2 separate power transformers in black for each channel, the HE 833 Mk 2 which has a single outboard power transformer also in black for each channel and the baby of the series , the HE 833 V2, with the power supplies,transformer and amp all on the same chassis. Do drop in for a listen :) Best Pradeep
John The best part is that the amps don't need to play any music. You can ogle at them the whole day. They are that pretty. Next upgrade a pair of al cheapo headphones and a MP3 player...:) Cheers Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Thank you for being so encouraging and supportive in my quest for the Wavacs. I bought entirely on reputation, not the best way to go, and am truly delighted. If your travels bring you to this part of the globe do drop in and listen :) I suspect my eloquence or lack of it barely does justice to the Wavacs Cheers Pradeep
Charles Many thanks. What fuses are you using ?I am told and this is pure hearsay, that Hi Fi Tuning are good but not necessarily the best. You have a superb system. Congrats. Pradeep
Iso Many thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated. I confess I was a bit of a naysayer when it comes to some of these tweaks but my dealer insisted and I am glad he did. Given the considerable investment in your system and I am not talking $$$ but the emotional commitment and time, you owe it to yourself to try some high grade fuses. At well under USD 100, you really can't loose. Best Pradeep
Lloyd and Jeff Many thanks for looking. It's a little over a month since the Wavacs arrived. It's like a second coming and I was just anxious that this time around everything should work. Less than a 100 hours play time. Initial impressions : an excessively polite and cultured gentleman, highly educated with a lot of restraint and not an iota of aggression. The thwack on the drums was missing, like a canine with nice rounded teeth and a polite bite. Inserted a pair of Hi Fi tuning fuses and ever since I am absolutely gob smacked. In all honesty I have never heard anything like this. The sound is absolutely sensational. The initial restraint or politeness is gone. A glorious liquid midrange, almost crystalline highs and prodigious bass. Given my fondness for a variety of genres : rock, classical, blues, jazz, pop and Indian, The amps and the speakers need to be good at all things. The system reminds me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez : "magical realism." Jeff I never had any doubts that the Rockports are sensational speakers. The Wavacs have taken them to another level. I suspect that good as the CJ LP 70S was, the extra extra juice of the Wavacs is something rare. There is a tonal purity that I have never encountered before. A lot probably has to do with the inherent superiority, so I am told, of a SET vis a vis a push pull amp. My audiophile friends with more refined listening skills all agree that this is one special amp. Early days yet. Happy listening Pradeep
This is a new version that looks identical to its more expensive siblings sans the black power supply boxes. The front is curved and the transformer is in a single stainless steel L shaped enclosure unlike the V1.3 which has/had the transformer(s) mounted in separate units on the chassis. I am told this is a premier of sorts not counting the good folks on Mars who have probably been enjoying this for years -:) Wishing all Agoners a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 Best Pradeep
Iso Many thanks. I guess there is a magic to SET amps that I am just beginning to discover. They look soooo good it's not necessary to play any music :) The best Xmas present I could have hoped for. Cheers Pradeep
John It's a pretty close call whether the EAR dampers are doing anything at all in the Nagra. They are obviously doing no harm so I have just let them be as I have no other use, for now. Lloyd I am looking for more feed back/impressions on the EAT 6922s. I like the 6 month warranty etc Yesterday, after a 10 month wait, the Wavac HE 833 V2 monos arrived. Gorgeous almost sumptuous looking. Am told, break in according to Wavac is 300 hrs. The sound is glorious . The serial nos are 001 and 002 so I guess this is a premier of sorts for these amps as this is a new model and not the V1.3. Will post pictures soon. Best Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Many thanks. Looking forward to hearing more about the EAT 6922s. I was pretty keen on a pair of NOS Telefunken ECC 88s, but my track record with NOS has not been good. Cheers Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Many thanks. I have the EAT dampers in my Nagra Phono as they are too big for the NOS 6922s in the CJ GAT. Have you tried tube rolling in your GAT ? I find the CJ supplied stock EH 6922s a bit dry and boring. Cheers Pradeep
John Tried the standard CJ supplied tube dampers on both the tubes in the Nagra. These are like thick rubber bands. Did notice a wee bit more transparency. IME tube dampers are never an iffy thing: you either like or dislike. There is nothing to dislike. I reckon that's a strong positive. Cheers Pradeep
Hi John Thanks for looking. IIRC, it was on your recommendation , quite sometime back that I tried the Full Music 12AX7 in the Nagra. It was better than the stock Nagra tube, more transparent yet more body. I haven't tried any tube dampers in the Nagra but that is something easy to do now that you mention it . Will post my findings . Have you tried tube rolling in the Nagra and with what results ? Did you audition the Allnic 5000 phono ? Cheers Pradeep
Hi Lloyd I guess you were right about the tubes and the knocking sound. Removed the Seimens CCa's and reinserted them and the knocking sound is almost gone even with a high gain on analog. The NOS tubes from Singapore may be due for replacement. Occasionally hear some whooshing sounds . The tubes are barely 3 months old !I guess that's the bane of NOS tubes. Cheers
Lloyd The EAT dampers are way to big for the Seimens NOS tubes in the GAT. These are quite slim compared to the EH 6922s. I have been using Cardas Gold Reference power chords throughout my system and am too lazy to explore alternatives, which are probably pretty high cost. I have a Shunyata Typhon on the horizon to mate with the Triton. Delivery dates for the Wavacs keep slipping . It's mid July now. Probably have forgotten how to make them. Pradeep
Lloyd I have the red EAT dampers but they don't fit the Seimens CCa tubes I have in the GAT. I am back to using the CJ supplied rings.The NOS CCa's are a wee bit narrower than the 6922s. I use the EATs on the power amp. The ringing/knocking sound is distinct when the GAT is powered on with no signal coming. The moment the music starts a knock or finger tap is barely discernible. I guess it's no big deal and in every other way the GAT is sounding superb. Cheers Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Thank you for looking. I have the GAT set up much as I had the CT 5 with 3 HRS couplers acting as feet and 2 HRS Nimbus plates on the top. I have noticed that if I knock on the GAT with music playing I can hear the knock through the speakers. I don't recall if this was so with the CT 5 or maybe I never tried it. I suppose this is pretty common with a tube pre. It's no big deal and probably has no impact on sonic picture. Lew Johnson mentioned I would continue to see improvements over 200 hrs. Almost, but not quite there. Cheers Pradeep
Hi Dan Many thanks for your comments on sprucing up the metal facia. Actually it doesn't look too bad though it lacks the spit and polish of several 401s I have seen online . Cosmetics apart, it really sounds musical. There is an ebb and flow to the music that is effortless. I have some questions on the 401 which I will post on your system page. Best Pradeep
Chris Thank you for your perceptive and interesting comments. My personal 'reference' for how natural a system sounds, not just vinyl, is how well it handles piano. Any trace of metallic or digital sheen and its a no go. My current favorite piano LP, Lang Lang"Live in Vienna" and the perennial masterpiece (side one) Keith Jarret "Koln Concert", sound brilliant. Cheers Pradeep
John Many thanks for your kind words. In my part of the world a 2nd hand vinyl rig is not going to yield many trinkets and I could be held for spousal abuse... I am sure its that PRaT thing. The 401 sounds so musical. Off course there are differences with the main rig. The Atlas, Talea 2 and TW combo has better definition,longer sustain of each note with the most obvious difference in the bass. The opening track of Dire Straits 'Sultans of Swing" has some deep,pounding bass rhythm that is a little papered over with the 401 etc. I expect the SPU has a minimum breakin period. I am not even close. Cheers
I know it's early days to comment on the Garrard 401 but on first listen my wife preferred it to the main rig which has a Atlas,Talea 2 on a TW AC et al. The wife plays the piano ! My ego prevents me from agreeing with her but yes ,it's pretty close with the Ortofon Silver Meister having clocked a few hours at best. This is going to be fun. Cheers Pradeep
System edited: System edited to reflect changes to the preamp, a CJ GAT and a vintage vinyl rig built around a 1965 Garrard 401 with a Ortofon 309 D with a Ortofon Silver Meister SPU and a Miyajima Premium BE mono cart. The Ortofon SUT is yet to be commissioned as I am waiting for a MM csrd for the Nagra VPS phono stage.
Hi Jazdoc Did run the Miyajima with the Talea 2 for a few hours yesterday . Sounds good but would not be my preferred choice. It's a huge overkill to mount a 1K mono cart on the Talea 2 not on account of the price difference but you could achieve similar results with a Ortofon or any other half decent arm. Had some concerns regarding compatibility of a mono cart with the Talea but that turned out to be a non issue. Cheers
Hi Lloyd Many thanks. Was in Singapore for a day yesterday returning from Tokyo. Not enough time to contact Mihalis. Did exchange a few PMs with Mihalis and he has been supportive. I guess the Wavacs should arrive sometime this month. Am in the process of restoring a Garrard 401 and will mount a Ortofon 309D with a SPU. Busy days ahead. Best Pradeep
Hi Assad Thanks for looking. I have set up the Miyajima BE mono in the Durand Talea 2 and it is sounding nice and smooth straight out of the box. Using the same cart loading on the Nagra VPS that I use for the Lyra Atlas ie 1k ohm. Not sure if this is the correct loading. Will mount the Ortofon 309D on the Garrard 401 when it arrives. The 309D has removable head shells . Intend to use a Ortofon SPU, the Silver Meister, and switch to the Miyajima BE for mono records. I suppose the Miyajima needs probably 30-50 hrs breakin. Early days yet but should be fun. Cheers
Lloyd Many thanks. I have ordered a spare set of tubes and yes these are expensive. The Wavacs have been regularly exhibited at various audio shows and received positive reviews. Still the minuscule " ownership experience " is disconcerting . Did send a PM to Thuchan who is/was an owner of the more expensive SH model.No response. Cheers
Hi Jason Finally a Wavac owner !!Would love to connect with you and learn more. Always wonder, if this is such a great amp why are there no owners out there ? As one wag put it, each amp is hand built and they hardly sell, so they have probably forgotten how to make it...!! On current reckoning, delivery early June...fingers crossed Pradeep
Lapierre Many thanks. The G 1s seem to sound best at 30hz ( the Aviors go down to 28 hz according to Rockport) with the volume setting at 10 or 11. It's a corner placement almost touching the long wall. The Rockports and the RELs are getting along well. Thanks for looking Cheers Pradeep
Hi John Thanks a ton. I know it's a good speaker but best in world ...no way. I don't believe there is such a thing. Maybe most expensive yes, but definitive best in a hobby as subjective as ours is a bit of a non starter. I would certainly agree that at its price point, the Aviors are among the best...but even that's a difficult statement to make coz I have not heard every speaker in the world nor am I likely to. I fully agree that it's is an amazingly good speaker that seems to be getting better. I think you make a valid point about the internal speaker wires needing to break in. I doubt if manufactures would attend to such nitty gritty. If you like the Aviors so much come listen to them in my den -:) Cheers Pradeep
John I hope you are right. I'd love to hear further improvements. A lot of online stuff with measurements before and after than again after a gap of a few years and the differences were zilch. I suspect high end manufacturers such as WA, Rockport etc measure each speaker before it leaves the factory and every component is optimised or else each pair would sound different. Just my 2 bits and hopefully I will be proven wrong.
On further consideration and a bit of online reading I realise that the holy grail of speaker breakin doesn't really exist and I succumbed to the popular myth that all audio components require burn in. It probably doesn't apply to reasonable quality speakers. I guess the changes I have been describing in the Aviors are more to do with my brain getting used to their sonic signature with a subterranean ongoing comparison between the Quads and the Aviors. Notwithstanding all this the Aviors sound divine Happy listening Pradeep
John Many thanks for showing me the light. Recall I had asked you about used WAs and you mentioned the Aviors. Was lucky to demo a pair at Passion Audio in Singapore last October . Really impressed. It's a like a ESL with a full body. What's your take on speaker break in ie minimum hours etc? Cheers Pradeep
Hi Lloyd Thanks for looking/asking. I have been somewhat reluctant to post any comments on the Aviors as it is still a work in progress. I reckon I have around 70 hrs on them and in this period the break in is perceptible. The initial harshness has all but gone but I don't have a reference or a yard stick ....I don't know any Avior owners ! I will send a mail to Andy Payor and get his take on break in. I will try and address your query regarding differences with the Quads. To be honest I never thought I would part with them or ever be satisfied with a box speaker. I have had ESLs for close to 8 years, 6 years with the Quads and 18 months with Martin Logans. There is a holographic ,almost ethereal magic about the mid range of a ESL that to my mind no box speaker could match. Major differences detected : 1. The Quads have a wall to wall and floor to ceiling soundstage . It's not as if you are in the 1st or 2nd row but in the middle of the orchestra. The Aviors have a much smaller soundstage barely a few feet above the enclosure . There is ,however ,much greater depth to the soundstage with the Rockports, indeed amazingly so. In comparison the Quads were almost flat. 2. The major limitation of the Quads, according to some "knowledge able pundits "is that they don't play too loud, lack LFE and generally are not suited for Rock etc. IMHO this is a load of bunkum. Yes, the Quads are limiting in respect of dynamic contrasts but at very high SPLs. If you seriously want good bass in a stereo set up, you need to invest in a pair of qualty subs. I have always had a pair of RELs. Notwithstanding the above, the Aviors play much ,much louder and deeper with prodigious bass. Obviously there is no comparison on this score. 3. The single most impressive attribute of the Aviors and it hits you in the face as it were, is transparency . Well recorded sources sound way superior to the Quads in terms of delicacy,air,detail with far greater coherence and mid range body.Resolution is superb.The USP of ESLs is the midrange where 80% of the music resides. The midrange of the Aviors on current reckoning is the best I have encountered and is distinctly superior to the Quads. These are preliminary observations. You need to discount for owner bias/pride but IMHO if you are looking for a speaker in the sub $75k range you owe it yourself to audition the Rockport Aviors. They are that good. Will post pics soon. Thanks again for looking. Cheers Pradeep
System edited Added a pair of REL G1 subs to replace the REL 505s that have been relegated to the HT. Awesome subs, easy to dial in with tuneful, musical bass that takes my system to a new high.
Hi Tarjin Many thanks for your kind words. Am using the long wall and don't really have too many placement options. The room is 23'x13' with a L shaped opening. The great thing about the Quads is that they don't need much breathing distance from the side walls, 6" or so will suffice. It's not the same with the front wall as its a dipole. I have them about 4.5' from the front wall. Unfortunately much as I hate too I am selling the Quads. It's not a performance issue. Can't think of many speakers which come remotely close especially if you can mate them with a decent pair of subs. I have responded separately to your thread regd the subs. If possible try and elevate the Quads. I have a home made sandwich of granite, soft wood and again granite. This does wonders and also makes for easy manoeuvrability while using the supplied spikes. All the best and thanks for looking Pradeep
Hi Vertigo Many thanks for looking. I couldn't agree more regd the TT mat. I have tried various permutations between the TW supplied Millenium mat, Boston Audio 1 and no mat. The BA 1 was clearly superior. I have the system tweaked to the point that I am really enjoying the music. There is a natural flow... and I am reluctant(speaking from experience) of trying to fix something that aint broke.I suspect a granite base instead of the 2.5" mdf may be superior for the wall mount shelf except my encounters with granite have been mixed. To get a 2" or 2.5" thick shelf would require creating a sandwich of sorts ...I am not confident of the workmanship quality etc even a 1mm deviation could be a problem. Not ruling out the possibility. Took a quick peek at your system page . Realised I need to spend time to fully appreciate your impressive accomplishments. All the best Pradeep
Hi John The music is flowing ever so sweetly ....the Triton must be doing something right. Seriously , I haven't noticed any break in point or event . May have to do with the new pcs which have a much longer break in. With the Lyra Atlas its easy to tell which records were cleaned with the VPI ( the majority). I am only now beginning to fathom the real difference that the Loricraft has made. Do let me know your travel plans to this part of the world. Will need your advice on Wilson Audio at some stage Cheers Pradeep
System edited Added a Loricraft PRC 4 dx quite sometime back. Excellent RCM does a great job with the Avis enzyme cleaner and distilled water. Am having to reclean virtually every record. The subdued noise levels of the PRC 4 permit this while listening to music unlike the VPI 16.5 Cheers
System edited. Switched the Talea 2 to the stainless steel arm board provided by TW and this has tightened the bass and the overall sonic picture. Added a Hydra Triton which has led to significant lowering of the noise floor. The Triton came with a couple of power chords, an Anaconda Zitron to the wall and a Python from the power amp to the Triton. Break in is supposed to be 200 hrs + . Cheers Pradeep
Gpgr4blu Many thanks for your kind words. Have been blessed with a large space in which its somewhat easier to tame room aberrations. Thanks for looking Pradeep
Hi Dan Thank you for your comments and words of encouragement . Vinyl is a painful journey with oodles of learning...I think I am finally getting there :) Cheers Pradeep
Hi Phil Many thanks. Am using a Boston Audio 1 mat. It's 3 mm. Would have preferred the 5mm version. It's better than the stock Millenium mat that comes with the TW AC. Cheers Pradeep
Hi John Thank you for your kind words and taking the trouble to post. The room has evolved nicely and now has a separate HT setup with an overhead Panasonic and a 12' x 8' screen. The pics were taken with a iPhone 4s and the quality could be better, I remember it was at your suggestion that I started using the tube only gain stage on the VPS Nagra. It worked well with the 0.3 mV Orpheus L cart and obviously I have had no problems with the much higher output Titan i and the Atlas. My email id : [email protected]. It would be wonderful if we can connect during your forthcoming trip. I do get to the US once or twice a year. Was there in Feb and there is a possible trip in Aug when our elder daughter is off to a B school in Philly. You have such a wonderful system you should go for a Atlas / Telos combo. I don't think it would get any better ... Keep in touch Cheers Pradeep
