Pro-ject 12 xtension TT vs Meridian 808.2 CD player..and the winner is!
I repeated my same shootout last night. Brothers in Arms Mofi 45 LP vs the CD layer of the 20th anniversary SACD masters by Bob Ludwig. This was a great exercise as I just installed a new preamp/phono, a VAC Signiture SE : ))))) this compare really helped me dial in cart loading and tracking force. Ayre cx7mp CD player vs pro-ject extension 10 TT with blackbird lo MC cart. A few important details, not sure what exactly it is but the Ayre CD player and VAC line stage are just a perfect match for each other. All CDs I play through the Ayre now are very very good. I don't usually give that sort of high praise of equipment. So the BiA CD above was amazing. Maybe it's the fully balanced CD player? With that said, the Mofi 45 is just tough to beat... The level of realism you get in the vocals is very good. The drums are also amazing going deeper than the cd representation. So I will say it's close but the Mofi lp wins out. This was great fun, let's find another album to compare. Preferably something that was originally analog recorded, which BiA was not (digital). |
Try adjusting rake without the microscope method. I found that just doing it by ear yielded significant gains. I was amazed how much of a difference it actually made. I have a Micro-Line stylus which is supposed to be especially sensitive to rake angle, and I think line-contacts like yours are similar. |
BiA doesn't get any better than this: https://www.musicdirect.com/vinyl/dire-straits-brothers-in-arms-numbered-limited-edition-180g-45rpm-... |
Schubert....hmmmmm....not sure I agree with you.....the meridian is a spectacular CD player and I was shocked that any other method of music reproduction would equal it let alone surpass it Once again...not here to wreak havoc My observations were made in the context of MY system....and posted because i thought it might be interesting ...or not.... your milege may vary Mike |
MadavidO yeah you are probably right .I did not do the full “Michael Fremer” yet..lol i felt comfortable enough to do the basic setup with the protractor and digital tracking force gauge I do not have the microscope for the 92 degree angle yet.and I was also going to check the azimuth.....in due time..... that was also part of my surprise that it sounded so good without all the tricked out adjustments...... |
tablejockey... i did a quick search on the Fosgate..that is reeeally sweet looking piece......the VPI Classic?..niiiiiiice... i actually had my eye on that. i wasthisclose to buying VPI...i called them directly a few times and they are very cordial on the phone and very attentive to your needs. i love their tables and they are a stones throw from me in nj. i do love tube stuff. i would love a tube amp one day but i have my reservations. i don't know if i am up to it yet. my friend just bought preowned BAT monoblock tube amps...loves them. but he also says they warm up his room! lol if ever i was to consider the tube phono stage i am going to check back with you . i would appreciate your opinion for sure. mike |
mikepaul- we are in the same generation. Your re-entry certainly isn't a compromise. That being said, there's a certain vibe(maybe its just noise and distortion?) I've always preferred with the tube phono. I have a now outdated Fosgate, plugged into a VPI Classic, which delivers enough of a "super table" Sonics just seem more convincing with an all tube system. Probably all in my head. |
tablejockey i actually borrowed a pro-ject rpm 3 TT for 3 days .. modest cart and TT... barely gave it a listen, but i heard the potential... and i found out about a special offer from my dealer for the TT and cart combo that i have.---it was hard to pull the trigger. trust me. . i have been in this game since the 80’s... lots of trade ups... i guess i could have mentioned that i had a garrard TT and technics TT waaaay back in the day--- in 1962..i was 5...i played bobby vee’s 45rpm "take good care of my baby" on a tiny victrola..over and over and over again similarly i played the beatle’s 45 rpm "there’s a place" over and over again i was hooked.. the rest is history....i am sure my story parallels a lot of other old guys’ beginnings... lol |
"I never had a TT so I was surprised by the results." Mikepaul- You’ve started running out of the gate. Many here had more humble beginnings. Thats a heck of a "starter table" "i would love to eventually have a tubed phono stage...any recommendation?" I gave up recommending any gear, especially tube stuff. ARC naturally has great tubed phono stages. There's always listing here, on Agon. I would imagine you can't go wrong with one of those. Once you ask for suggestions especially tube, many times it starts the silly SS vs tube debates. |
tablejockey...i would love to eventually have a tubed phono stage...any recommendation? schubert....my brain might tell me never to listen to cd again...what is your guess? what is your preference? the beauty is that it's not really about a "winner"...because WE are the winner. we can have enjoyment with streamers/dacs ( i have a bluesound with the auralic vega combo) we can do TT and scan thru songs on CD players.....all sound great....XM radio in the car/ home...etc in search of musical perfection at home is why we're audiophiles. there are a lot surprises along the way and when we think we have finally achieved our goal...WE TRADE UP! |
