Jfrech -
Hard to say exactly what I'm looking for sound-wise. Over all I'm relatively pleased with the 17d mkII in terms of tonal balance, so I think I'm really looking for better resolution and detail, and maybe a tiny bit fuller and firmer bottom end. Also, it might not be a bad thing to have a caertridge with a little more output, sine the Dynavector only sends .24 mv to the phono stage. The 17d mkII gets a wee bit confused at times when the musical load becomes really complex, so I really think it's a matter of finding a more suitable partner for my 20/2A which I believe is capable of much more.
I am interested to find out more about what cartridges are suitable for the iv.v arm in terms of mass. I've been able to figure out that the SME arm is a medium mass design, but don't know anything about cartridge masses. Some of the cartridges I have been thinking about are:
Koetsu Rosewood Signature
Dynavector XV-1 or XV-1S
Transfiguration Temper Supreme
Benz Micro Ruby 3
Lyra Skala
I am also actively looking for a new set of interconnects, but for the moment I don't want to pay retail, and DIN to RCA cables aren't that common. |
Okay, it's not like I don't appreciate the input, but y'all need to understand two things... First, I am not unhappy with the sound I'm getting from my combo, but when I state that there is a weakness, I think you need to take into account that I am speaking in relative terms. The 17d mkII has a nicely balanced natural sound to it, and generally speaking is not a disorganized sounding cartridge, but I also realize that as an $800 component it is going to have limitations, as does the standard Van Den Hul interconnect supplied with the turntable.
Second, I have tried a number of phono stages against my BC27 pi, and while at $1500 it's not the most expensive piece of equipment in the world, it competed very favourably with phono stages costing over twice as much. Unless some of you have A/B tested some phono stages against a Blue Circle, then I'm not sure how you can be so sure that it is a problem. As I said earlier, I have a solution down the road for that anyway, but trust me the phono stage is not the issue here, at least not yet.
Bottom line, stop beating up on my phono stage; my guess is that you would be pretty surprised at it's level of performance. |
Monk -
Well, as a matter of fact, there was some talk of a custom phono stage a little while back, nudge nudge, wink wink ;-)
Funny, the Xono didn't work out that way in my system, mind you, it was good, so was the EAR. I'd be interested to know what speakers you are running, and I will certainly look into the TG cable, that might well be the place to start. |
Guys,
First off, a sincere thanks for your comments. I have a feeling that you haven't had a chance to compare my phono stage with others that you would consider superior - so you'll have to trust my judgement when I say that the phono stage is not an issue, at least not to the same extent that the cartridge and interconnect are. The phono stage may well be an issue on down the line, but I have plans for that, eventually...
I am also concerned about isolation for the table, but have tried a number of available solutions (some very expensive), and nothing has worked yet even remotely as well as a 1" slab of MDF with PVC flange fittings and 20 inflatable miniature sports balls - cheap and incredibly effective!
The motor controller and phono stage already have upgraded power cords. So I 'm pretty well set on dealing with the cartridge and interconnect first. I do have some questions:
Is there a particular value of cartridge mass that I should be looking for to work effectively with the SME arm?
Any particular comments or opinions that you would like to share regarding Koetsu? Seems like there is little enthusiasm for that brand...
Anyone feel compelled to share thoughts on the overall sonic qualities of the ZYX Airy 3 (I don't think the Universe is going to be an option ;-), and the Lyra Skala (I will certainly read your review Jfrech)
Something to keep in mind - I have very widespread musical taste and listen almost anything and everything with the exception of opera, death metal, hard core punk, and common rap - the ability of a cartridge to produce accurate timbre on acoustic instruments is very important to me.
|
Wow guys - I just spent the morning looking over your systems pretty carefully, in short I am very impressed! I would have looked your rigs over sooner, but have spent most of the week prepping to conduct a musical. Now that opening night is over with, I have a bit more time.
Clearly, a great deal of thought has gone in to each of your systems, and it is a reminder to me why this is such a great hobby since there are a limitless number of ways to achieve a musical result.
Raul - you are an analog wildman! It would be a priveledge to have the opportunity to look over your gear and discuss tonearm and cartridge matching. I've never seen such an assortment of stuff! I am really taken by your Micro Seiki, it looks awesome.
Doug - a Loricraft, and a Teres 320, and a Triplanar vii, AND and ZYX Universe????? That's extreme; clearly sanity left you long ago :) I hope somday to pick your brain a bit about the Loricraft. My project for the next two years is to "ramp up" my analog setup, and a record cleaner is on the "to do" list.
Pete/Sounds Real (Jim?) - what elegant and well integrated setups you both have, obviously well thought out and I bet they sound awesome.
You have convinced me that Sumiko and Dynavector should be on my shortlist, though I may eventually shoot higher than the Celebration or the Te Kaitora.
JFrech - another clearly awesome system, and of course the best turntable of the bunch ;-) (sorry guys, just couldn't resist). I have been waiting for a PAD Din to RCA cable to show up here on the 'gon for quite some time, so far no luck, but I'm still watching...
Just to provide a little more fodder for conversation, here are some of the phono stages I have listened to (in my system) and not purchased:
Benz Lukashek
Pass Xono
Ear 834
Aesthetix Rhea - not impressed!
Bat (don't remember which)
I would certainly value opinions on what might be a suitable phono pre, keeping in mind that it's #3 on my priority list, and the Blue Circle compared favourably to the above mentioned units. Also Raul, I won't be building my own, okay? :)
Thanks again guys,
George |
At the risk of asking a stupid question...is the SME 5 pin din connector different than other din connectors, or will any 5 pin din connector fit the iv.v arm? |
Ah, so the 90 degree angle is an SME thing is it? By the way Raul, that is a beautiful looking preamp that you've built! (I've been looking at a few of your posts from the last little while :) Would you mind sharing some of your thoughts regarding the Sumiko Celebration cartridge - I think you mentioned it in one of your other posts?
Thanks,
George |
Just to update for those that are interested, I replaced the Van Den Hul interconnect with an Audioquest Jaguar - a subtle but nice improvement, still not quite the level of resolution I am looking for. I'm going to spend a little time making sure that the arm/cartridge setup is optimal, then I will have a listen to a couple more phono stages. Stubbornly, I still think a new cartridge is a priority, but it is also the hardest to audition, so I'll keep an open mind on the phono pre. Any recommendations you guys have will certainly be appreciated.
In the end, I will likely stick with a dynavector cartridge of some type, since I like the overall dynavector sound, but I will listen to as many of the recommended cartridges as I can dig up. |
Well, the winner is a Dynavector XV-1. I got a chance to hear almst all of the mentioned cartridges (never could track down a ZYX), and though all were very, VERY good, in the end I preferred the tonal balance of Dynavectors. The ultimate nail in the coffin was Raul (many thanks for that Raul) pointing me in the direction of a killer deal on an XV-1. I spent a couple of hours setting the thing up last night, and while I am sure it's not perfect, it is close, and is a marked improvement over the 17DmkII. I did in fact get eveything I wanted - slightly firmer bass, better resolution, and a bit more output. Also, things are a little smoother up top.
In all fairness, I have gained a new appreciation for the abilities of the 17DmkII, it really does an outstanding job for it's price. But I certainly don't regret selling it to upgrade ;-) |
Shade of pale, (cool I.D. by the by :)
Yes, probably the XV-1S is a better cartridge, but I got a really good deal on an XV-1, and was not prepared to spend about double for a new XV-1S. And make no mistake, the XV-1 is a very competent pickup, and I am thrilled with it. And, considering the deal, and the savings I can now start to think about a record cleaning machine. Which leads me to...
Cipherjuris,
I would certainly like to fire off a number of questions about the Loricraft in the not too distant future, if that is okay by you. I would also be more than pleased to hear from any other record cleaner owner/operators. The more advice the better! |
Sounds awesome. Now I just have to find one - not sure that's going to be easy up here in Canada. I guess if worst comes to worst Loricraft themselves can help. |
