2. analog
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OK, I said it...

Just got the new turntable running this morning. Installed the Kontrapunkt B on the Rega P9; a most nerve wracking job. Well I can't find a crow and I am not yet ready to eat some, but here are my very preliminary findings based on listening to one side of two albums (one brand new, Art Blakey's "Indestructible"), one that's been on hand for a while, (Dire Straits "Communiqué"):

my greatest peeve, surface noise: way less, but still a bother on softer cuts or portions of pieces where the volume is low;
soundstage: quite incredible;
layering of instruments: quite incredible;
natural tone of the instruments: stunning;
treble: well the cymbals are back the way I like them; sharp attack and decay when hit near the centre, sharp attack and shimmering decay when hit nearer the edge;
bass: not the subwoofer-type of bass, but the overtones are more present, that is an acoustic bass has that plummy quality.

Well I am not a "convert", in the sense at looking at the experience as crossing a threshold from where you never go back. I still think that digital is better at doing silence, which is so necessary in music, and, in letting the sound of soft music come out without the anxiety of tick and pops.

So far, I have not listened to enough music to have a real hard opinion about the merits of better analog equipment. Suffice it to say that in answer to the post wondering if any progress has been made in the last twenty years, I would have to say quite a lot. This is based on a very quick, very subjective appreciation at the moment. What is the table's, what is the arm's, what is the cartridge's contribution in all this: very hard to say, and will never be known since I have no intention of playing mix and match.

Am still using the Sumiko Phono Box for the time being. The next move is a new phono section. Is there another level yet to be achieved with that upgrade? I while back I would have been extremely sceptical, now I hope there is. What bugs me, is to have to make another leap of faith.

Well, I will keep you posted. Good day.
pbb

Showing 2 responses by david99

david99
1,467 posts
 
Pbb-Clean,clean,clean those LP's! Gruv-glide will help as well and allow the music to sound smoother and more transparent.
Im am a true believer in a good wet -vac machine.
I spent a good amount of change on a Japanese Sgt.Pepper.This LP was as new looking as if it had just come out of the wrap.It was rated mint minus.
Imagine my surprise when I played it and it was LOUD with surface noise! Not just the quiet passages but surface noise was audible within the music and the entire LP was like that.
I thought it must be a defective copy.
I had cleaned this LP before listening and figured it was a lost cause but decided to clean it again.I wet-vac'd and gruv-glided this LP 3 times more.I spent an hour cleaning it.
With my breath held I gave it another spin.
WOW!! I was shocked! This LP now was DEAD quiet and sounded stunning! It now was the quietest and best sounding LP I owned.
As I said,clean,clean,clean and treat your LP's
Even brand spanking new LP's need to be cleaned and treated to get rid of the mold and vinyl shavings in the grooves.
Its lots of work but well worth it.
david99
1,467 posts
 
p.s. if you cant get a LP to sound quiet IMO its defective from abuse from the previous owner,even if it looks good.Their stylus may have been damaged.
New Lp's are a different story,try to get a refund if it sounds like crap (slappy?)

Guys,when are we going to give Pbb the business for all his taunting in the past about analog? :~)
Pbb- dont give up!
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