Suteetat, Have you had a chance to compare the Atlas to the Supreme in the same arm? I'm curious to know how you would compare these two cartridges and if you prefer one to the other. Thanks.
John, I borrowed a Transparent Ref MM2 phono and it is the best I've had in my system, but until I decide to start spending big bucks on cables, my Hovland MG2 will have to do. I did once ask Bob Graham to reorient the din plug to fit in my new SME V-12, but discussions broke down, so I did it myself. The MG2 is pretty good.
I agree that phono cables can alter the sound a lot.
Albert will soon be comparing the 12" Graham Phantom to the SME 312S. I look forward to reading his findings.
Suteetat and Jfrech, I hope you don't view this comment as intruding on your thread, but I was very interested to read Suteetat's last post about the Supreme in the two arms. As you both know, I own the Supreme, an SME arm/table and Magico speakers and have admired both your systems for some time.
When Suteetat described the Graham like SS and the Reed like tubes and the other details, I can really relate, though I have never heard either arm in my system. The description was just so clear and well written.
The Supreme in my SME V-12 arm has both the quick leading transients/attack, as well as a very developed decay and harmonic structure. It is a very complete sound, and one which I can't identify any fault with. It really sounds like it has the best qualities of both arms. I know his system is highly resolving, though I have not heard it. John, you have heard the Supreme in Alberts SME 312S. Did it sound complete, or was something lacking as Suteetat suggests with the Graham and Reed?
This is all very subjective, but Suteetat's description above is so clear to understand, I think we can relate to the sounds he is hearing.
John, I would suggest you strongly consider adding the V-12 to your short list.
Suteetat, Have you had a chance to compare the Air Tight Supreme to the Coralstone? I'm also curious if you have ever had the opportunity to compare an SME table to your TW Acustics. Your system must really sound great these days. I'd love to audition the Q3.
Given the new Q7, I wonder if someday the Q3 and Q5 will have version 2 with one woofer above the tweeter like with the Q7. The technology should trickle down to the lower models at some point.
I notice you have the AirTight Supreme. I have the regular PC-1. Could you describe what you like about your cartridge and which other cartridges you compared it to? Thanks.
Suteetat, You raise an interesting issue. I have always thought that maintaining a constant distance from motor pulley to planner is essential for speed stability. You don't want them to move, even slightly, relative to each other. That would effect the belt tension and thus speed.
You may want to post this question in the Analog forum.
If you can't find a Minus K platform that works or is cheap enough, you could try a Vibraplane with a compressor (active) or without (passive), but the passive one requires minimum periodic adjustments.
I envy your Minus K solutions. Congratulations. I would by one if I could afford it. I have recently discovered the benefits of isolation with my turntable. I have a Vibraplane under my SME 10 table and just bought an inexpensive Townshend Seismic Sink for under the motor controller. I have found that separately isolating the controller from the table is very effective. The motor itself should be on the same platform as the table for stable positioning reasons, but the controller benefits from its own separate isolation. I agree with you that having to manually maintain constant air pressure is inconvenient.
Has either of you experimented with this separate motor controller isolation?
Suteetat, Congratulations. Great list of components. Set up is crucial at all levels, however, in your rarified plane, you won't know what your gear is capable of until you get the listener/room/speaker relationship spot on. It is really worth every effort.
I'm curious about your unsuspended TT. I have the SME 10 which also has no suspension and found that isolating it on a Townshend Seismic Sink made a huge difference. So did ultra clean records. With the resolving capabilities of your fantastic system, a very clean LP free of vibrations will surely sound fantastic.
I would love to see photos of the TT and seating area. Wonderful job.
