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.
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.
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 ....
Do you know more about the upcoming Lyra SUT? I have an Atlas, too, did have a Helikon, Helikon mono and Kleos in the past, as well as the Erodion. That was fine for low output cartridges as XV1s or Ortofon SPU, but for new Lyra a matching SUT would be fine...
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
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
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 ? -;)
As for Matrix...its a funny thing. I thought the movie was cool when I first saw it...but agree it did not inspire me that much. I never even saw it when it first came out...I got the rental years later.
But now that I own them (great stuff buying things for a buck on amazon)...I really enjoy Laurence Fishburn as Morpheus. Its actually more fun now than it was when I first saw it.
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
I hear you...what is 'optimal'? Like 'Morpheus' said in the Matrix..."you think that is air you're breathing? hunh."
In the "real world", we find at best a shortlist of great components...put them together and we keep going.
Would most of us be able to handle the infinite combinations of every single preamp, amp, cable, isolation...?
Could we afford the cost of infinite possibilities? Both in terms of money and time.
I am opportunistic about ALL my purchases (all second hand/demo)...so I narrow my field very quickly and wait and wait and wait til I get the one I want at the price I want. Since I am pretty ambitious with my system, I have just had to wait longer. 8 years to get most of the 'dream list' I have had all this time.
Knowing I've got a system I really enjoy at a price that's a fraction of retail gives me its own great satisfaction too.
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
