2. analog
  3. 134221-3695

Analog bliss!

Good Day all,
                      I've been a CD digital guy for most of the past 30 years. (and I liked it!). I do own a VPI TNT Mk5 with a 12" VPI arm and a Benz Ruby cartridge. I bought a PS Audio phono stage mostly because it has a A/D converter in it that I thought would be put to good use. I recently bought a PS Audio BHK preamp due to the great reviews. I got a killer deal on it. I wasn't even thinking about it matching up with the PS Audio phono stage. Wow! am I pleasantly surprised. My VPI has come to life! I did take my turntable to VPI about one year ago to get it looked at. They brought it up to specs as I stood there. The man who did the work also set up the Benz as well. He didn't use one single instrument like a Fozgometer (?) or even a test record. He balanced a tiny rod across the top of the head shell. I was dubious about this. It sounds fantastic. I haven't gotten around to seeing if my test record and various gadgets will back up his calibration. Right now though, I hear no groove noise and the soundstage is beautiful. I find myself listening to my records these days. Don't give up if your analogue rig isn't there yet.
128x128jnovak
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,531 posts
 
@jnovak,

Halleluiah!

I am skeptical about the rod method used for azimuth however, at least on it’s own merit. What’s critical about this method is:

(1) Your platter/lp are flat/level
(2) Your eyesight is in a special place that it aligns with what you are actually hearing.

( of coarse, these issues may not be as critical if you are using a uni-pivot arm?)

On it’s own, it seems like a logical method.

Glad you’re back!
playpen
161 posts
 
 Most of my listening is LP's also for last 10 years.I record them to an Alesis to make a CD to keep the time off my stylus and records and even with the digital middleman a high quality LP like an RCA living stereo 1S is superior to any digital CD I have,analog remake or full digital.
chipito's avatar
chipito
10 posts
 
I have a system where I found myself listening almost exclusively to CDs.  They just sounded better.  After some investigating I purchased a VPI Prime TT with a quality tone arm, cart, and phone preamp.  My previous TT had a built in phono pre-amp and a cart. that just wasn't cutting it.  Now my collection of Classic Vinyl, from the '60s through the '80s, all acquired by me within a year or so of the release,  has come back to life from a moribund state.  The analog sound has better imaging, more "Wack" where wack is needed and other good sounding things.  My CDs are smoother sounding and better when listening to quieter, instrumental background music.  I have even started to buy vinyl again.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,531 posts
 
@chipito,

Great!  When the funds present themselves, seriously consider a US cleaner. Glad you're back.
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