I've reached the limits of my EAR 834 P mc/mm w/ volume phono.
I just put in a request to K & K Audio for my ultimate phono only preamp.
|
just wanted to remark on the Funk Firm FXR tonearm.
My first hearing/listening to a Rega /(based) tonearm.
When I called Max Townshend a couple of weeks ago, I told him that my table came with this arm. He seemed to not know of it. When I said it was an upgraded Rega with better bearings and a stiffer arm wand, he remarked that the Rega had excellent bearings. (I got the feeling he did not think it could be improved). He seemed to be unaware of this arm that was reviewed in Stereophile with this table around 3/4 years ago! (I've learned to give designers a pass on what's going on in the industry because they are so focused on their own projects.) Ok, so what? All that matters is I've seen it, heard it, felt it in my hand... it is a solid arm and I cannot now find of any faults.
more to come............. |
more thoughts upon extended listening...
The trough... this is an integral part of the design. (and a game changer) It should be initiated throughout the industry as a standard. As a layman, I can say that it seems we all have been trying, (through all of our ongoing upgrades, whether it be a multi-thousand $ cart, 12" tonearms out of exotic materials, multi-thousand $ tt's, equipment supports, etc....) to achieve an, up to now.... an elusive sound, one that can enthrall you, one that keeps you entertained with all of your lps, no matter how well recorded.
With all of the well-intentioned designers of high-end carts/tables, what has been missing with-in my experience, is this Townshend Rock 7 /and it's trough. This design will make you sit up and think, "what the hell have I been doing all of my audiophile life?"
I just bought a couple of lps through Insound. At half price and free shipping, well, how could I refuse? One of them is Jethro Tull "Minstrel In the Gallery" the Steven Wilson mix. I confess I haven't complete knowledge of the entire Tull catalog, but just let me say, this lp has over this weekend, become on of my favorite lps this year! The sonics are amazing! I can say that this is a Tull "masterwork", no _hit!
I've read reviewer's posts of the Dyna Karat D3, which I'm currently listening to with MANY hours on it. Actually, it is my second one. (I always felt there was something special about this cartridge).They have said it has a "golden glow". Nothing could be farther from the truth! It is very revealing. and emotionally involving. Of coarse, those reviewers did not have the Rock 7 as their source did they.
more to come..........
|
I've discovered for micro-leveling at the arm side... determine an appropriate amount of blue-tack and just lay it at any point on the upper arm pod plate. Simple, no resonance. Done!
I just, almost had an "out-of body" experience. I put on Montrose "S/T". I did not know this record could sound this good!
Sammy may be forgotten as one of the great rock singers.
|
Also, the soundstage "bloom or air" seems limited only to one's room size. Awesome!
|
currently listening to Porcupine Tree "Fear of a Blank Planet".
I've not previously heard this lp sound So good! The transients are really tight and crisp. The bass is very musical and clean. The overall presentation is of the highest caliber for a modern rock record.
The entire soundstage, while having each instrument and vocal portrayed in a proper space... it is more organic, more complete!!! Not a feeling of a wasted space! (I've never experienced this before).
|
I mentioned earlier, setting up the arm pillar.
What I've found is the center pillar risers that are basically long through-threaded nuts...... when using the supplied bolts without any washers, the top & bottom bolts will "bottom out" or "meet" inside of these "threaded nuts/risers" before the top and bottom plates can be fully tightened. I ended up using a metal washer between the bottom bolt and the bottom plate in order to allow enough space inside of these "long threaded nuts" so the whole set-up could be completely tightened.
Even then, I made some paper washers of different thicknesses and through trial and error am using one or two in (2) different places right beneath the top plate. This gives me the best leveling of the arm pod.
All of this really makes a big difference regarding my cartridge azimuth and having the center image really shine!
Since I purchased this table used and on-line without the benefit of a well written manual and/or a dealer's help, this is what I've come up with. It's really sounding fantastic!
|
I was just wondering... how many more years of pleasure, how much money I may have saved, how many smarter purchasing decisions I may have made through the past 30 years if I could have had this table from the beginning?
|
bdp24,
I've read through your comprehensive explanation of the principles behind the Rock's design and how they work in practice. I thank you for taking the time to write this. I loved reading it!
One statement you made really stuck out to me..."I, myself, don't want to hear the ringing of undamped resonances..."
After listening to my VPI Classic 3 SE Sig, that has the 3d arm, then the Rock.... with the sonic differences I'm now hearing, this makes perfect sense! I may say that the VPI's design being mostly (mass)... while having attributes, doesn't really compete with the Rock's unique, simple and effective design.
Do you or any others here know whether or not the motor w/ the Merlin upgrade needs to be oiled? Thanks.
|
bdp24,
You may recall a thread "turntable isolation" (I believe) where I posted my using springs under my tt support (wall mount) and their effectiveness in which you remarked. I'm very excited to experience the Townshend table and the damping trough at the cartridge end. Do you recall the damping fluid viscosity off hand? I'm an ET owner. I've experienced the damping at the (other) end. This should be quite the experience!
I'm currently running Anti Cables 6.2 cryo'd tonearm cables. They use the latest KLEI rca's. I also used the original silver bullet plugs on my DIY tonearm loom on my ET. I'm a fan of his products.
|
bdp24,
Thanks for your input!
|
The table has arrived. One question so far, I've cleaned the spindle and bearing shaft. (Wondering if there's a ball bearing still in the shaft?) When I place the spindle into the shaft, it spins freely. There is some slight horizontal play. Is this normal? |
According to the manual, there is no separate ball bearing. Just wondering about the play? |
sbank,
I'll be using the FF arm that came with the package.
( I was just making an observation about the ET.)
I think I'll send my question to Dan @ EAR USA. After an initial set-up, with oil in the bearing shaft, belt on, and platter on, it seems to be fine. It's an interesting and beautiful design, IMO. I've been like a kid in a candy store this afternoon... getting to know my new friend.
|
bdp24,
Could you comment on my observation that when I cleaned the spindle shaft/bearing well, then inserted....I noticed some horizontal play. After installing oil and an initial set-up, this does not seem to be a problem.
I'd appreciate your comments.
Thanks!
|
bdp24,
Thanks for the response. I think/hope it will be a great comparison to my VPI Classic 3 Sig. SE / 3D arm which has great bass/slam.
Cheers |
bdp24,
I've always read great things about the London/Decca cart. You, being a musician, I'd like to know what attributes with respect to that cart/and in the Rock 7 you find appealing?
Thanks! |
sbank,
Sure. I plan on reporting my experiences. Thanks for your attention.
It may be a few weeks.
Cheers! |
bdp24,
I spoke with the US distributor today and I concur with your assessment. He did give me Mr. Townshend's # and did provide a willingness to help in any way he could. The trough fluid viscosity is 12,500 cs. According to him, my tt is a later model that does not use a separate ball bearing. I have lots of questions for MT. I'll report back when I get the answers.
Thank you for your description of the London/Decca. Sounds fantastic!
I appreciate your time and expertise in responding. Thanks! |
bdp24,
I just spoke with Max. He told me the bearing does have a slight bit of play and mine should be fine. The power supply I have (Merlin) he said isn't a completely dc design. He went on to say he worked on a dc motor for three years and couldn't overcome a glitch that affected speed accuracy and dropped that project. The Merlin he says is his best design and 100% reliable a stable.
He said his new tt will come out in around 6 months and cost 4 times of my unit. He says my tt has bested 10k+ designs and says "I have gold dust".
|
bdp24, alonski,
One of the issues I'm running into (without even hearing it yet) is when I get the platter level, I then put my level on the arm pillar, it is off level.
This is just one aspect, (similar to using an ET arm, and thankfully I have that knowledge going in) that makes taking time at first, that benefits the actual, later experience!
|
alonski,
Hi,
In my research, the Rock 7 platter is of a substance called "plastisine"(spelling may be off).
It is indeed a material to mimick the vinyl record. I have had several "acrylic" platters in house, this is different. Though I've yet to hear it, it is of a different feel, and overall weight as well. Interestingly, as opposed to my VPI's heavy platters, this fairly lightweight platter w/ no ball bearing, spins very, very freely. Almost like one would expect from a heavy, especially heavily outer weighted platter. (This seems to be just one more positive attribute of a very well thought out design!)
I had recently been looking into Origin Live products for a tt project I have going on. In researching the belt, I've found nothing but positive remarks. I obviously, cannot remark on anything yet. It is in my thoughts.
One of my (need to own) cartridges is the K Purpleheart. I'd love to know what viscosity of trough fluid you use with that cart?
|
nsp,
I will comment on the differences at a later date. Thanks for your comments.
alonski,
I'm using a MANA bubble level. I don't see the bubble change enough when I place it on any surface for it's weight to be a factor. I'm having to make some shims out of paper to get the arm pillar level when the platter is level. What I've learned when leveling the table is to get your tt support platform level so I don't have to adjust the stock (feet/springs). Using the counterbalance weight solely for the leveling is optimal as the tt remains more stable. Almost there. I couldn't wait any longer and did a rough cartridge/alignment and quick listen. Without the cart being perfect and no trough fluid, I could hear a basis for very good things to come. The motor speed is a little fast. I believe I need a new belt. I set the motor further out that recommended to get the speed close to correct with my Timeline.
Thanks.
|
I thought I should go ahead and make some initial observations after some 10 hours or so of listening. This isn't a formal comparison to my VPI Classic 3 SE Sig but a small bit of insight to what I'm experiencing. This is in part due to my excitement and to document what I'm hearing initially. My phono stage isn't balanced so I cannot use the same cable to compare my two tt's.
When I switched out my VPI for the Townshend, I had been listening to my Acutex 420 STR w/ shibata stylus re-tip and then switched to the Brinkman Pi. I used my Anticables 6.2 cryo'd phono cable w/ that set-up.On the Townshend, I put on my Dynavector Karat D3 that has many hours on it. I'm using the Discovery Plus 4 here.
On my "go to" lp for system evaluation, (Shawn Colvin "Steady On"), the center image is the most focused/stable as I've ever heard. The two female vocals, when singing together are better articulated and very easy to separate individually and are more in "their own space". (this aspect continues on through every lp going forward). LP surface noise is lowered. This all brings increased transparency and a clearer overall sound. Live recordings sound more, well, (live) and a greater sense of "you are there".
On recordings with piano, the key strikes are present very clear and accurate. I'm getting a grater sense of no electronics is the signal chain.
Queen's "News Of The World"/We Will Rock You...the foot stomps and hand claps sound much more realistic and have a greater spread.
Low bass, 30hz + below is more meaningful and I get the sense that these frequencies are more "filled in".
Cheers!
|
bdp24,
I thought you may be interested in this...
Last night, PBS had a special "The Last Waltz" concert. After watching a while, I put on my MFSL "The Band".
I had previously thought it was kind of murky or muddy in the lower frequencies. Not now! Also, the whole lp is more like "you are there". The rest of the frequency range is more transparent and revealing. This may be why some have described their experience with this tt, upon listening to a studio recording, "like listening to a master tape".
I've never heard a master tape but I think I now understand more this sort of description.
Cheers!
|
One (important) thing, ...I just realized...
I don't feel a need to adjust for differing record thicknesses.
|
...did you ever hear the one about...???
|
anyone out there who would like to keep me honest?
I'll try and check in every hour with my play list.
The Rock 7 is sounding fantastic!
I did change some cables during the day. I found that the cables I was using with the VPI weren't the best for the Townshend.
I'm going mostly copper. The Discovery Plus 4 & Bob's Devices (mid level) cable on the front end.
My speakers are Usher Tiny Dancer, Mini One, Diamond's. I'm very much liking my Abbey Road Bi-Wired speaker cables.
Up next... Mark Knopfler "Shangri-la". Should be great!
Cheers?
|
OK..... I've been listening today for 12 hours straight.
Still not tired. My plan is to go for 12 more hours.
This would not have been a possibility before.
Right now, I've got Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris "All The Road Running" spinning. Sounding fantastic!
|
should I be enjoying listening while keeping my promises? We will see. I'm trying to decide what to put on next after the (masterwork) I'm currently listening to. Hum???
So. today I've been evaluating in my mind..
The tonearm
The platter.
The VPI's 3D arm is/was fairly neutral. Or so I thought?
The Classic platter/bearing? Yes! Wait!. NO ...after hearing the Townshend platter made of plasticine, a material that mimicks a vinyl record. ...
( This does seem to make a BIG difference my friends!) I tried different clamps/weights on the Townshend, to no positive attribute. This is a GOOD thing!
I think the motor is not a high torque variety. When I barely apply force enough to clean the platter while it spins, it bogs down easily........
Up next... Neko Case "Canadian Amp" ... if I could only............
|
Listened to side one of the NC lp. Now putting on "Black Star" /David Bowie.
A great listen... in the dark. This lp may not be for everyone. Upon several listens, it is really a masterwork, IMO. Sonics are very, very good!
Check out "Lazarus"!!!
( I think Bowie knew.....)
|
Although I've never bought much Bowie, I've always appreciated his work.
Somehow, "Black Star" just grabs me and won't let go. I'm thankful that his last work appeals to me so.
A great, late night lp!!
|
noromance,
I really appreciate your response!
It was my goal to, (instead of the usual comparisons of equipment), instead to have a "live" kind of experience for anyone reading. I thought this would be a new/appreciated way of doing things.
I've listened for around 8 hours today.
Suzanne Vega's Solitude Standing"... Wow!!!
I'm hearing all of the "lost" subtle info now. Her voice takes on a new, more personal meaning!
I've found my "holy grail" in turntables! |
Don't think I'll make it folks. been listening for around 15 hours straight. The Townshend is still rocking!
Peace!
|
Cleaning Buddy Guy's "Walking Through The Woods"/MCA heavyweight lp. I have not listened to this lp but once, well over 20 years ago. Now is as good a time as any, right? I thought you'd agree.
(Saw him several years ago locally. He was very energetic and actually very vocal on how much he respected newer (blues) artists. He made it clear how much he thought of John Mayer. Buddy walked around, while playing, he walked through the audience then up in the upper seating then back down. He is a great (showman))!!!!
The Townshend just sounds right! It's a joy to listen to, or through? Because it really kind of makes all of my equipment disappear. Nice... real nice!
Just started side two.
|
I think I have to go to work tomorrow. |
