2008 RMAF – – – all things analog.

I'll be walking around with a big camera, covering as much as possible.

I'm looking forward to all the rooms, I make it a point to have a good time at RMAF and I'm never disappointed. Love seeing the people, even when a room could be better.

Hope to see you there, don't be afraid to walk up and say hello.

Great post Mike. Is there another turntable that might match the Rockport? I don't know but this is an interesting proposition.

Imagine for a moment a turntable with 1.1 tons per CM2 moment of inertia, driving a copper laminated platter that weighs 10KG and starts in 0.25 of a second.

Imagine this same turntable has the second lowest rumble (noise) ever measured in ANY turntable, figures of 98A via (DIN 45 507) and exhibited speed variation of zero (unmeasurable) up to applied forces of 10 KG per CM.

The force required to cause error is the equivalent of 1000 tonearms, all tracking at 2g each. Speed error remains +/- 0.001% and wow and flutter is 0.015% WRMS.

Pretty amazing for a turntable that's now 20 years (+) old. Unfortunately they sell used for $6000.00 and up to $10,000.00 in new condition.

It's the Technics SP10 MK3

No MK3 yet, but the platform for it to sit on is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully the plinth is no more than another week after that.

Dobbins says the MK3 is better than the MK2, I don't know how much better but assume he's right, he's very conservative with opinions.

A crazy thing just happened, suggest you contact Louis or any member of my group for confirmation. I already told Dobbins and he is supposed to do a test.

I replaced all the fuses in the MK2 and MK3 power supplies (10 fuses total) with the Hi Fi tuning from Cable Company. Everyone in my group raved about the difference all last Tuesday evening. (Listening to MK2 only of course).

Power supply always seems to be a big deal, and this one has already had all the caps replaced with Black Gates and Nishicon's, the stock cord cut and replaced with high quality IEC male. The AC cord is now a Purist Audio Anniversary and the internal supply wire was replaced with Purist 12 gauge conductors.

Who would think 5 fuses would be so audible when all those other upgrades are already in place? Or maybe that's why they are so easy to hear, everything in the chain seems to be a big deal and the more you peel the onion the more is revealed.

I can hardly wait to hear how the MK3 performs, especially since it will be fitted with the Air Tight Supreme. I'm very seriously considering the Koetsu Coral for my MK2, to replace the Air Tight PC-1.

That way I would have the best of Koetsu and best of Air Tight. Could be very cool take on the music from two excellent sources.

I always love RMAF, it's my favorite audio show. Lots of rooms this year sounded nice, overall better than typical CES showrooms.

The surprise came from Classic Audio's new field coil drivers. It was an amazing upgrade from last years RMAF, and I'm not really a horn speaker guy. I was also stunned by the Oswald Mills room, I fell in love with the rim drive Saskia table and slate plinth. Wish I could hear one in my own system.

Since I was doing photo coverage, I was literally running from room to room, just hoping to not leave anyone out. It would have been a lot more fun if I could have cruised around listening, like everyone else.

I had a great time at dinner with Mike Lavigne, Guido and David Stevens, we were supposed to go to a private showing at a manufacturers home after the show, but got lost driving around.

The Audiogon get together at the Mexican restaurant was a high point, meeting members face to face (we wore our Audiogon names on badges).

I always enjoy seeing manufacturers and designers that are friends, some that's I've known for 30 years or more.

Audiogon Arnie was there too, but was little more than a blur going by, he was capturing video which is more of a pain that stills.

of course; i could always sell the Rockport to fund my adventures (like the Walker did yours). One must choose.....

but I’m not complaining.......

If you were able to replace the Rockport with a MK3, what a pile of cash you would have. You would be far better off than me, the Rockport is worth three times what a used Walker sells for.

With that in mind, if the MK3 got within 5% I would be tempted to pocket the cash and go mad for software and whatever cartridges you want.

Who knows, these new cartridges could be as big as turntable differences. I'm hearing such incredibly strong feedback on the Supreme, i can hardly wait to get mine running.

Comments on the Koetsu Coral have been pouring out for what seems forever. I just wish the Coral was not so expensive.

Albert,

The Classic Audio and Oswald Rooms were special.
Your taste seems to be similar to mine. I know you are Koetsu fan, so I really hope you get your hands on a Koetsu Coral Stone, as you have been thinking about. It really is special, and leagues above your former Koetsu Jade and PC1, IMHO.

Perhaps we do hear alike, or at least treasure the same strengths in audio reproduction. I'm very happy for you to have found a combination of pieces to excite you as much as it has.

That, in the end is what all of us are looking for.

As for Koetsu, I'm reasonably sure it will be Coralstone and Air Tight Supreme as my reference pair of cartridges.