| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
April 20, 2009 - 9:17pm
#1
Finding my way
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
That will be a very nice system that will most likely bring you many, many hours of enjoyment. I'm glad that you've found the path enlightenment.
"fucking right on, man" is right indeed. music on a hifi is a glorious thing! welcome to the addiction my friend and i hope you enjoy the new system as it looks to be a sweet rig you've got for yourself.
congrats: great story. you will enjoy that system. welcome aboard.
Great post, edever. After months of no vinyl I recently added a Bellari phono stage to my vintage Philips 212 and Grado. Not as resolving as your set-up, but satisfying nevertheless.
You can quote Paul Newman from The Color Of Money: "I'm back!"
It's been about ten years since I setup that system I talked about. A new Blackbird, a Hydra and a Copperhead powercord later, the system remains the same. I still love listening to it and it has been a solid investment.
My one-decade review of the setup?
Fucking right on, man.
Congratulations on enjoying the music in the last decade. That's just wonderful.
Did you notice any difference with the powercord change, compared to the stock cable? If so, how did you confirm that and what was the difference?
Finally found the time to get around to this (I jest, I just happened to login for the first time since 2019).
My short answer to your question regarding the powercord change is "no".
The longer answer has more to do with me than anything. I have a bit of tinnitus in my left ear, so the transparency to the source that a certain type of powercord may provide is lost on me. The Copperhead (that I still run) was acquired more for insurance against power fluctuations. It is plugged into a medical grade outlet that runs on its own circuit.
It's not as much voodoo as, say, a Clever Little Clock (!), but in the rabbit hole of diminishing returns my ear prevents me from going too far down.
Edever, I just stumbled upon this post & thread. Have to say, the beginning of your story really saddened me but I loved the happy ending. I much admire your staying power! A 12 year thread! That's gotta be a record! Also loved rvance's mention of his (or her) Phillips 212, which was my beloved stalwart TT for approximately 43 years until I replaced it about 3 years ago. Saying goodbye to it was like saying goodbye to an old friend. Still have my old Sansui 2000X. Haven't used it in about 18 or 19 years but just can't let go. Tinnitus and Presbycusis be damned! Play your tunes! Enjoy those glorious vibes! The day I stop loving music is the day I die. May the music be with you always!
Did someone say Clever Little Clock?!
Geoff Kait
Inventor Clever Little Clock, now in 4th generation, takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’
Machina Dynamica
Not Too Chicken to Change
Excellent advice, indeed! I have to ask, what did you replace the Phillips 212 with?
My system is currently in a state of flux. Several months ago the display on my Simaudio integrated amp decided to stop working. It didn't really bother me much, I don't listen to the display and it was still providing the necessary functions.
A month or so ago, I decided I needed something to stream music. I had been using an Apple Airport Express, connected to the preamp with an optical cable, and it worked great, but the Airport Express died. Apple hasn't made them in a long time, so I figured I'd step into a purpose-built device.
After much looking around, I decided to go for a Technics SL-G700. It also has a SACD player, and I have about 20 CDs and 1 SACD that I have never listened to except in my car, because I have never owned a CD player. I went down and talked to some guys at the local hi-fi shop, and yeah, that was a mistake.
They turned me on to the Technics SU-R1000 integrated amp. Oh my. After some wrangling I went home with a new network streamer/SACD player AND a new head unit. The Simaudio is now gone, after many years of faithful service, and two Technics devices are now in its place.
I'm still trying to get the sound right. The SACD I have, Bill Wither's Greatest Hits sounds other-worldly, but I'm not sure about my turntable/cart synergy. I've played about ten different albums through it by this point, and they all sound good, a little different, but can't put my finger on what's bugging me. I used the Technics provided calibration LP, and fiddled with the phono stage, maybe I just need to learn more about it. The manual is somewhat light on explaining things.
Or I just have "new gear" mania and am psychologically pre-disposed to wanting to get a new turntable and maybe some new speakers haha. But those Dynaudios are awesome in the space I have, I can't imagine what I'd move to in that regard. Same goes for the turntable. Maybe a different cartridge, I don't know.
To quote part of Mr. Kait's signature line - "Not Too Chicken to Change".
Cheers!
After months of reading & research, I was just about to pull the trigger on a Rega P6 with either the Exact cartridge or the Ortofon 2M Black to replace my old friend, the Philips 212. At the last minute, however, I ultimately decided to go with the Mofi Ultradeck+M. Love it!
Odd, about that Simaudio! I spent some serious seat-time with the Moon Neo 340 IX and was very, very impressed! I thought (still do!) it rivaled my MAC integrated and if I had heard it before buying the MAC, I very likely might have walked away with IT, instead of the MAC. If your Moon Simaudio is still under warrantee (or even if not) you might want to contact the Moon Simaudio folks to see about getting that display fixed. Those units are built like tanks. Probably an easy & inexpensive fix.
In terms of sound-tweaking relative to your TT & cart synergy issue, keep in mind that albums, like any other audio media, are subject to sound engineering & mixing quality. May not be the hardware! Might be just bad or less than optimum sound engineering or even other issues like pressings. I'm assuming you use stuff like a good record brush, stylus cleaner and stuff like than, right? Also, do you use or have you used a good record cleaner (e.g. ultrasonic cleaner; vacuum type cleaner; etc.). I've got a lash-up ultrasonic cleaning system and the results have been nothing short of eye or, rather, ear-popping! A good record clamp has also surprised me with the significant and readily audible fidelity improvement this can make, as well. Good speaker cables are also important.
A mofi! I've wondered about those, haven't had a chance to be around one yet, but have heard nothing but good things!
Agreed that it might not be the hardware and just could be the albums themselves. I have a VPI Typhoon that I use to clean my records, and an assortment of brushes for the day-to-day.
The system is starting to settle in, and I think I'm going to keep it as-is for now - in a fit of desperation I pulled out my copy of Hard Attack by Dust, on Kama Sutra, and spun side 2. I haven't listened to that thing in years, and it sounded FANTASTIC. The raw production came shining through and it was like being in a garage with those guys while they cranked out the music. I could almost hear Aaronson's fingers sliding on the windings of the bass strings.
If my system can do that, it can't be all bad.
Best wishes for a stellar new year to you and the rest of the fine folks around these parts!