Gramophone Dreams #25: Dr. Feickert, Jelco, Koetsu, My Sonic Lab Contacts

Sidebar: Contacts

Dr. Feickert Analogue, Stegenbachstrasse 25b, 79232 March-Buchheim, Germany. Tel: (49) 76-65-94-13-718. Fax: (49) 76-65-94-13-725. Web: www.feickert.org

Koetsu, Web: www.koetsuaudio.com

My Sonic Lab, Web: www.mysonic lab.com.

US distributor for all: MoFi Distribution. Web: www.mofidistribution.com

ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
volvic's picture

Have you tested the the iOS-based RPM app from iTunes with the now discontinued Feickert app for speed accuracy?

Ortofan's picture

... the following article was written that might make a MC cartridge seem - in HR's opinion - to provide a closer approximation to the sound of the master tape than a MM cartridge?
http://www.regonaudio.com/Stanton881AudioTechnicaATML70.html
Recall that AR once determined that LP playback via a Shure V15 Type IV (MM type) cartridge resulted in sound quality most closely approximating that of the master tape.

otaku's picture

A little bit off-topic, but the product photography in this article is exquisite, especially the lead photo.

Lincolnmat's picture

Herb,

I have read your rejection of the Sota Sapphile/Sumiko MMT combination a few times. As the almost 30 year owner of what is probably a contemporary Sota/MMT turntable it makes me sad. However it also makes me a bit upset as people may not consider a beautiful turntable based on your comments.

I did go many years thinking it was a good, if not great combination, but two changes I have made in the last couple years has made me totally realize where the weaknesses are - and it isn't with the basic turntable or tonearm.

My first improvement was changing the stock phono cable with a Kimber TAK model. The sound which had been very detailed and a bit lacking in fullness was changed to a much more musical tone.

But what made the biggest change - and where I think the Series III Sapphire was most lacking - was in the armboard. I found a acrylic/aluminum Sota armboard that was drilled for my arm online for a good price. When I moved the arm to the new board - double checking the pivot to spindle distance which was slightly off on the original mounting and re-balancing the table for the heavier board - the first notes were a revelation. Percussion was MUCH tighter, all sounds had much more ease to them, and I even think the speed accuracy was improved.

The biggest drawback to the tables of that era was the press board armboard. And either of the new improved armboards can be retrofitted to any Sota Sapphire and up turntable.

Stereophile has not reviewed a Sota product in some time and it is no longer on your recommended list. With the new Series VI coming out soon, I think it would be a good time to re-introduce your readers to the current performance level of Sota turntables.

Matt

Christopher98383's picture

The Halo JC 3+'s sound is gentle and finely detailed, with touches of softness in the bass and extreme treble—but when set to load the expensive Rosewood Platinum Signature at 100 ohms, the result was an exceedingly rich and unaffected sound. The combo allowed baritone Bruno Laplante and pianist Janine Lachance to sound as if they were giving a real recital in a real recital hall in their recording of Reynaldo Hahn's song cycle Mélodies Vol.2 (LP, Calliope CAL 1840). I could sense the polished wood floors and room parameters. https://www.psiphon.onl

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