Thanks for the follow-up report! Looks like a nice combination. Hope you enjoy your re-entry to vinyl.
Need to re-discover analog - please help
Like the short-sighted, lazy, modern moron that I am, I threw away all my LPs and turntable when I got hooked on my first decent CDP, a Kinergetics Platinum KD-40, 15 years ago. Because it was easier to take care of CDs. Now, my mother who was a musician, and had a classical collection of about 200 really absolutely great recordings, collected from the 1940s til the 80s, has left me her collection. They just have to be preserved, played and savored. I need an analog set-up that will a) do them justice and b) not sound noticeably "worse" compared to the digital set-up I am now used to. My analog set-up that I discarded (I know, I know.........please dont rub it in, what's done is done.) was a Denon 103D and Sony PS-800 linear tracking TT and also a Kenwood marble platter with SME tone-arm and also Denon 103 D cartridge and circa 1980 PS Audio MC phono stage.
The present system, to which must now obligatorily be added a turntable: EMM DCC2/CDSD; Atma-Sphere Line-stage MP-1 MkII, Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 modified (27 tubes each); Kharma 3.2; Indra Stealth i/cs; PAD Dominus i/cs and S/Cs (Rev C & B).
I tried MM cartridges before - Dynavector,Ortofon,Shure V15 iv - but only liked the MC Denon 103D - so would prefer that MC "sound".
I have not kept up with the analog market, nor new equipment, and am totally ignorant about the components but would greatly appreciate input as to what TT, tone-arm, cartridge and phono preamp to get that would neither bankrupt me nor do the wonderful collection my mother left me a disservice, nor my ear that is now spoiled by the pretty "good" digital, ancillary set-up I have. Nor, obviously, sound "inferior" to the CDs:)
What sort of a budget am I looking at to keep the system within the overall quality of the associated equipment that I have, without going crazy, since i will still mostly be listening to CDs (unless i get totally hooked and go bonkers..........)?
I listen to classical 90% of the time and 95% of her collection is classical.
As always, I appreciate your advice.
The present system, to which must now obligatorily be added a turntable: EMM DCC2/CDSD; Atma-Sphere Line-stage MP-1 MkII, Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 modified (27 tubes each); Kharma 3.2; Indra Stealth i/cs; PAD Dominus i/cs and S/Cs (Rev C & B).
I tried MM cartridges before - Dynavector,Ortofon,Shure V15 iv - but only liked the MC Denon 103D - so would prefer that MC "sound".
I have not kept up with the analog market, nor new equipment, and am totally ignorant about the components but would greatly appreciate input as to what TT, tone-arm, cartridge and phono preamp to get that would neither bankrupt me nor do the wonderful collection my mother left me a disservice, nor my ear that is now spoiled by the pretty "good" digital, ancillary set-up I have. Nor, obviously, sound "inferior" to the CDs:)
What sort of a budget am I looking at to keep the system within the overall quality of the associated equipment that I have, without going crazy, since i will still mostly be listening to CDs (unless i get totally hooked and go bonkers..........)?
I listen to classical 90% of the time and 95% of her collection is classical.
As always, I appreciate your advice.
Showing 7 responses by rushton
Springbok10, we'll all suggest for you a system that will match our respective tastes. I won't be any different. Assuming you're not quite ready to go the all-out route I've taken with a Walker Audio Proscenium turntable and Aesthetix Io Signature phono stage, consider this alternative combination that I've found very engaging and just enjoy those 200 LPs you've inherited without breaking the bank. You'll get a large slice of great analog sound. Later, if you want to take it further, re-sale should be no problem. Turntable: VPI Scoutmaster with JMW 9 tonearm - $2400 Cartridge (MC): One of the following: Benz Glider 2 ($800), Dynavector Karat 17-D2 ($750), Sumiko Blackbird ($750). (Sure, one of the $2-5,000 cartridges will be better, but any of these would be very good. Live with one for a while before moving up market.) Phono stage: Your existing Atma-Sphere MP-1, assuming you didn't have Ralph eliminate the phono stage when he built it for you. Welcome to analog once again! . |
All of the above have been great comments. Dougdeacon is clearly our most knowledgable contributor on the ZYX cartridges. I've not heard one, I have heard from a few folks whose ears I trust (in additon Doug) that the ZYX Airy and above are really nice sounding cartridges that have a nice balance of strengths. I have a bias towards medium output cartridges in the 0.34mv range and above because I prefer all tube amplification in the phono stage and have never been happy with the transformer solution many find acceptable. I think there are versions of the ZYX available as medium output. If your interests push you up to the $4000 price range, I'm still very fond of the Magic Diamond cartridge Lloyd Walker sells, and Harry Weisfeld has been very complimentary of the Dynavector DRT XV-1s. For a phono stage, I'd recommend you go directly to an Aesthetix Rhea. Used Rhea units are available in the $3000 range, and they are fully balanced from the first gain stage forward (so they will accept a standard RCA input from your turntable), and they have a 600 ohm balanced output impedance so they are a perfect match for your MP-1. The Rhea will be a nice complement to the rest of your system and will give you sonic performance in that same realm of performance. There have been several reviews of the Rhea in the various mags, here's a link to Robert Harley's comments in the TAS issue in which the Rhea and Calypso received "Editor's Choice" awards: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter/151/calypso.html . |
Springbok10, if space is at a premium thereby excluding the Rhea, you really might want to consider sending your Atma-Sphere MP-1 back to Ralph for him to add the phono section. Ralph is very much a vinyl guy. Scott Markwell was pretty complimentary of the MP-1's phono section when he awarded it a 2002 Golden Ear Award in TAS, saying: "It also handily surpasses the Jadis [JP80 MC preamplifier] in frequency extension at both extremes and has even greater dynamic wallop, with the best 3-D soundstaging I have heard. To me, the MP-1 Mk II is a glorified phono section with the bonus of line-input capability." http://www.atma-sphere.com/reviews/tas/m60mp1/index.htmlThe Jadis JP80 to which he's comparing is a pretty doggone good full function preamp with an excllent phono stage. Updating the MP-1 might be your most cost effective option, too. . |
Springbok, good thoughts from Nsgarch above. Also keep in mind that, as a mechanical transducer and even after breaking in, all cartridges need to warm up a bit during each listening session, just like dynamic driver speakers. Before a serious listening session, I always play mine for about an hour with some complex and demainding music (e.g., organ) before sitting down to listen critically. You may also find that after that first 50-150 hour bread-in period (varies by cartridge), the suspension loosens up a bit and you need to readjust the VTA to compensate for the cartridge now riding a hair lower. Good setup is critical to getting the best sound, and don't expect to shift between 150gr, 180gr and 200gr LPs without getting a change in sound due to the change in VTA that results from the varying thickness. Many of us end up adjusting VTA for each weight vinyl, and must keep in mind that all vinyl was not cut to the standard cutting angle so their can be LP-LP variances. This will depend on how sentivie your 901 is to cutting angle variances, some cartridges are not as sensitve to this as others and I don't know about the 901. Let your ears be your guide on this. Unlike Nsgarch, I would plan to set up the cartridge optimally when new, but then plan to readjust as it breaks in. Cold out of the box, some cartridges can sound awfully good. I wouldn't angst over it, though, because as Nsgarch says, it needs to break in. I also highly recommend you read and follow Lloyd Walker's advice for fine-tuning your turntable setup: www.walkeraudio.com/fine_tuning_your_turntable.htm Best wishes, |