Thanks Willie.
Trick looking rig.
Glad I asked for advice.
You guys are gonna save me from making my usual mistakes.
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You read my mind.
Been looking at the Scout Jr. since I got your previous recommendation.
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Brings up the question of vinyl reissues. Are those generally mastered from analog tape or from digital archives? Seems it would defeat the purpose if there was digital inserted in the production chain somewhere.
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3 votes for VPI HW-19 & Jelco SA-750D,
I see a used VPI for $975 and new Jelco for $485.
About the same price as a Scout Jr.
Does swapping in a tone arm require any savvy?
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Appears the HW-19 listed has a Audioquest P9 arm that is the same as the Jelco. Sent a message to the listing.
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Looks like the GEM Polytable uses the Jelco SA-250 tonearm but can upgrade to the SA 750-D for $200. Gonna take a hard look at it.
You guys have given me pile of homework. Much Appreciated!
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And
TAS 2015 Product of the Year for
GEM Polytable
is definitely a significant recommendation.
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Contacted George at GEM. Ordering the PolyTable with the Jelco SA 750-D.
he suggested the Hana EL cartridge. Plan to go with the Vincent PHO 8 of which he also approved. Will probably get his digital power supply later on.
Thanks for all the great info.
Almost feels like cheating.
Buying gear and then replacing it in short order is more my usual MO.
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johnnyb53 and yogiboy-
Thanks for the PolyTable tip. I owe you.
As for the Vincent, I went with the PHO 8. I'm feeding a PrimaLuna tube amp so I maybe got the tube effect covered. George is of the opinion that a tube phono can introduce too much distortion sometimes. I have a ModWright Oppo tube mod feeding a SS system and it works really well to eliminate the digital effect. But when I tried it with the PrimaLuna,
to me
it sound too tubey. Kind of lacking definition a bit.
mofimadness-
Thanks for the Jelco tip. I almost went for that VPI, but as you pointed out it was not the MK4. And a little bit older unit.
Oleschool-
Thanks for the link to your LP thread.
sjtm-
Sadly, predictions about vinyl dents in the budget may be accurate. :/
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Hey bpoletti!
I'm in San Deigo area.
Thanks for the Jelco tip.
Got a few votes for the VPI with a Jelco.
When I saw the GEM used a Jelco I figured that was a good sign.
You guys done me a solid I think.
My first plan would have been OK no doubt.
But the PolyTable with the Hana is probably orders of magnitude better. (I hope. :)
And for pretty much the same price.
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Been there done that :)
Swapped in the KT150 and the Mullard CV4003.
Sounds freaking wonderful with that combo IMO. In case any PrimaLuna guys are interested, the Mullard really smooths out the ultralinear mode. Sounds about as sweet as the triode mode. And the KT150 allows the Amp to
really
get a grip on the somewhat inefficient Revels.
Thanks for the suggestion. :)
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I tried the Brimar first and initially was impressed by how it opened up the sound. But eventually started to seem a little bright on some material, to my taste anyway. The CV4003 are sooo good, I’ve got no interest in trying anything else. First tried just the 2 input tubes. So good I replaced the other 4 as well, not expecting the same degree of impact...wrong. The driver tubes make a big difference as well. Unfortunately Upscale bumped the price. Now $105 each. I'm sure you can find them cheaper but 6
perfect
matching tubes that you know are gonna be good may be worth extra to some people.
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Thanks,
Checked the Mullard CV4003 at TubeDepot and they are a little less than at Upscale. thetubestore appears not to have that particular tube at the moment. I know I should shop around more but have never had a single glitch with an Upscale tube. Have had a few bummers with eBay however.
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bpoletti-
Appreciate the thought.
Already ordered the Gem PolyTable though.
"TAS Product of the Year" 2015
Stereophile Class B rating.
At $1495 looks like a steal.
Had to hurry up and order before they changed their mind! Haha.
They will put the Hana cart on and adjust everything.
Total package for less that $2K. (Still need a phono pre though)
George is a stellar guy. Owns several patents. Kind of a phono pioneer it seems. Apparently doesn't mind explaining stuff on the phone either.
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I feel your pain.
I had probably hundreds of LPs when I was a kid. Pretty much lost or given away over the years. Fortunately I gave the last batch to my brother in law a few years back, so now I can reclaim these at least. Pretty sure all were original pressings from the pre CD era. :)
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Grabbed Vincent PHO 8. Has a separate power supply contributing to quiet operation. Reviews say it is very quiet.
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So got it up and running.
GEM Polytable with Jelco SA 750-D
tonearm and Hana EL cartridge,
using Vincent PHO 8 phono stage.
(Connected to PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated (w/ Tung Sol KT150 and Mullard CV4003) and Revel F206s.)
About $2400
Sounds wonderful.
Doubt SQ/price can be beat.
Though I have no frame of reference really.
My bro in law is the high end analog expert and thinks the synergy is outstanding.
So thanks for all the excellent advice.
No way I could have done it without you guys.
Sounds so good I cannot foresee and impulse to upgrade.
Except eventually the digital power supply.
Cheers :)
Leo
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Thanks Guys,
None of my final choices were in my original plan.
I'm especially grateful for the George Merrell GEM Dandy tip.
Turns out Mr. Merrell is a "Living Legend." Who knew?
Just as I feared... I prefer the sound of vinyl.
So my fairly extensive digital library is gonna be playing second fiddle.
And I'm gonna have to have to pile real $$$ into the vinyl.
Another first world problem I guess.
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Down the rabbit hole...
Didn't want to get carried away on first foray into vinyl, given uncertainty about rate of use. Turns out I prefer analog to digital source, so have dropped a few hunderd on LPs. (Don't want to add it up.) But seems I need a better phono stage now. Looking at Sutherland 20/20. And need speed controller. Looking at Phoenix Eagle with Roadrunner tachometer.
Those 2 improvements will cost more than original outlay. Fortunately with advice I got here I don't foresee a need to replace the Polytable or Hana cartridge anytime soon. So thanks again for the excellent advice.
Leo
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Bummer.
What other product does on the fly automatic speed adjustment?
Best I can tell just dropping the needle slows the rotation by 0.1 RPM.
Seems like continuous automatic adjustment would be a plus.
Thanks for tip. Might just get one anyway.
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Guess it's true.
Kinda strange given just reviewed in TAS in August.
Got one anyway.
Seems to have unique capabilities.
Just hope it holds up.
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