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 dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
OK, I heard it...

I echo the praise others have heaped on you Pbb. Whether you stay with it or not, at least you're giving it a fair chance. You've already heard alot of what we fanatics keep babbling about.

If you don't want to spend for a RCM just yet, at least buy a GroovMaster (available from an ebay seller for about $40). This handy device lets you wash and rinse records in the kitchen sink without ruining the label or touching the vinyl. I've only had mine for a month (thanks to 4yanx for the tip) and can't imagine living without it.

Albert Porter and others say they've eliminated ticks/pops on 90%+ of all records, even used ones. That has been my experience also. It takes a little effort but the results are worth it for me.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Congats on the new phono stage. I suppose a SE version will show up someday.

Raspy noises may be warp-related in that warped spots are harder to clean and rinse effectively. I've heard warp-protected groove grunge many times. Wash and rinse the record thoroughly. Twice. :)

I have a recording of Beethoven's 9th that looks like a potato chip. Had to wash it four times, but now it's as silent as any other LP. Cueing is scary but that's another story.

Humans simply cannot hear warps directly, and if we could no one would describe the sound as "raspy". Do the math. 33.333/60 = .555 Hz for a single warp. A record would have to have 36 warps to reach 20Hz. Unless your woofers are pumping 20+ times/second only whales and elephants can hear them. Be careful if you live near the zoo!

BTW, if surface noise is more pronounced in the right channel near the outer edge, your antiskating may be too high. Rega arms are famous for inaccurate antiskate scales. Try reducing it a bit.
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