Thanks @larryi. I've been playing with setup a bit today and it's definitely making a difference. I have been using a fixed SPU headshell with an Ortofon SL-15, which technically should be dead on with the Bokrand (the pivot to spindle is confirmed correct) but there was some small differences using a DB Systems protractor. The adjustments are making things better but still hearing the arm difference... but this is making it easier to overlook. Always tradeoffs!
Anyone notice different amounts of surface noise with different arms?
Using the same cartridge, I just went from an SME 3012R to a Bokrand AB309 and while the Bokrand is no doubt a better sounding arm in my system, I’m definitely hearing more surface noise. Records are cleaned with a Degritter so it’s not dirt... but the arm picks up more of the noise from my older records.
Showing 4 responses by dhcod
@mijostyn As someone who listens for a living in my work which is tangential to the music industry, your blanket statement about that level digital being superior is completely fine for your ears. I’ve done the comparison in a room of people in a recording space with multiple analog sources vs the best digital and every single analog source, tape or LP was preferred by the group. It’s just what you like, what sounds bring YOU pleasure. This group likes analog sound, you don’t. Blanket statements don’t apply. |
@mijostyn Blinding the panel isn’t what music listening determination is about. It’s what you enjoy listening over a long period of time. I’ve had state of the art digital in my personal listening system and boy it sounds awesome. And then after a few days I want to kill myself because it’s just not conducive to long term listening. With good analog, I’m hard pressed to turn off the music. With even the best digital, I’m out after about 45 minutes. By the way, the music is recorded digitally but there’s a ton of analog elements in between because artists know digital sucks. They hate it. |
@mijostyn Just gibberish. You have ears. I have ears. They are just different ears. For me, you can measure to your head spins but I listen to the best digital and I love it for about 20 minutes but then my ears hurt and I can't go on and then I listen to analog and I want to listen all night, the answer is easy. This isn't just me. I have a whole group of friends with great systems that all were able to pinpoint digital fatigue, some earlier than the other. Again, just a group of people that have a preference. Other people have the opposite preference. No absolutes. Stop with the abosolutes. |