I've also got a thread running here...
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1173920079&openmine&zzPerfectionist&4&5#Perfectionist
Trying to narrow my choices. |
I've read your post, but am going to ask anyway. I just took delivery of my KAB SL-1210 MK5, Shure M97xE, and after some very careful setup, am not too impressed with the sound at this point. This is replacing an old Yamaha tt in my garage rig. How did yours sound right out of the box? Do you feel that the tt and/or cartridge require break-in? Kevin at KAB seem's to feel that break-in is a non-issue. |
I'm wondering if I'd benefit more from a cartridge upgrade or an external phono stage? |
Well, my thread referenced above was deleted for some reason. Asked Agon staff why, no reply. So I'm going to post here since this seems to be an open forum for the SL-12x0. I've installed an AT440MLa and it is much better, IMO. It is more lively and upbeat with better PRaT. The highs are also much more extended. The build quality and overall design of the Shure is very nice at it's pricepoint, the AT is cheap looking in comparison, IMO. But it's the sound that matters. One thing that really irritates me about the AT is they didn't even scribe a line in the top of it to line up the needle for easier queing. Blackmongoose, I did experiment with the brush, tracking force, and VTA on the Shure, nothing seemed to help.
I've been playing around with the VTA on the AT, and I discovered a problem with my brand new TT. I could barely raise the VTA above 4mm, even with two hands and four fingers. WTF? Agon member Cytocycle suggested that perhaps the tonearm cables were too tight. Called Kevin at KAB and got his blessing to flip table, remove base and cable clamp for tonearm cables. Sure enough, the cable's were clamped in the wrong position, not enough slack, causing the VTA adjustment to bind. I repositioned clamp and can now freely move VTA from 1-6mm.
Anyway, I like the AT much better than the Shure (for sale) for shure (hehe), but it still isn't on par with digital in this system. And it's not even in the same league with the Naim setup in my main rig. I prolly really need to do a phono pre. I may try to pick up a used Gram amp 2 here on Agon. I just don't want to sink too much money into this rig. |
Well, I'm finding this all very interesting. I read every thread (here) on the Bellari VP 129, most are positive regarding this unit. But I got a little turned off when I read in one thread that the price increased substantially after M.Fremer reviewed the unit. I have a local dealer that really likes the NAD PP-2. I've also read all threads (here) regarding this unit, and the common consensus seems to be that the Bellari is preferred over the NAD. But I decided to start at the bottom if you will, and picked up the little NAD.
I grew up with vinyl having mediocre setups in the past always just using the phono section of whatever receiver I had at the time. After taking a long hiatus from vinyl I decided to set up my old Yamaha tt in the garage just for fun and since I have over 100 albums. I recently decided to replace the Yamaha with the Technics, because I wanted a dd workhorse with more adjustments on it, and I wanted something that would be less susceptible to feedback as well (which it is). Since I got more into the high-end in '03, I have a greater appreciation for all thing's audio these days. The reason I bring this up is...
PLEASE EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE ON THIS (vinyl) SUBJECT!!!
This stupid little phono pre has opened up a varitable pandora's box for me! For the first time in a long time, I actually enjoyed the quality of sound I was hearing last night. Man what a difference! What's better? Simply put, all of it. For a budget setup it sounds pretty darn good, and obviously, there is much room for improvement here. I just hooked it up with some old AQ Topaz cables I had laying around, but am going to throw a spare set of Nordost Blue Heavens on it tonight to see if it improves further. So, where to go from here? I'll run the lil' NAD for awhile and then probably move up to either a VP 129 or a (used) Gram Amp 2, leaning towards the latter. |
Hdm,
I neglected to discuss the DB systems phono pre. I'm a bit skeptical because I can't find any threads relating to it. I read the review you referenced, but it is from 1998, which leads me to more skepticism. But you seem quite persistant about it, and with Psychicanimal now chiming in, perhaps I should put it on my short list. I will most likely call Mr. Hadaway Monday and have a conversation with him. At $165 it is not to big of a gamble.
I stopped in to a local hi-fi shop today that specializes in vinyl and tubes. After my conversation there, I think I'm going to rule out the Bellari VP-129. They suggested that the Clearaudio Basic would be a good choice, with the Smartphono being an even better choice (of course)(said dealer carry's Bellari, but not Ghram Slee). He said they will do the Basic for $279.
What say you all?
|
Hdm,
Yes, I was speaking of the Clearaudio Micro Basic. After sleeping on it, I decided to call David at DB Systems (forgot it was Easter Sunday, oops!) and order one up and get it over with. He said if I'm not having any rumble or feedback issues (which I'm not) I don't need the subsonic filter, and he basically steered me away from it. Hopefully, I will have it by next weekend. Oh, and I did apologize for bothering him on a holiday. I'm very excited about this as I am really enjoying the vinyl right now.
Forgot to mention in my last post that I picked up a remastered 180g version of Deep Purples' Machine head ($25) yesterday at local dealer. This is the first "audiophile" grade lp I have ever bought. It's warm sounding, and the high's are rolled off, but it's not too bad for something from '72 I guess (although I don't feel it is worth paying $25 for). But I have a question... On side two, the grooves are not perfectly round, that is, they're almost egg shaped. So, the arm is moving in and out big time. It calms down some towards the center, but not completely. It also has a sharp warp to it. The cart tracks perfectly, and I really can't "hear" it, but I have over 100 lp's and I have never seen this before.
Is this acceptable in this day and age at these prices? Or should I bring it back? |
I added a DB Systems DB-8 MM phono pre and I've done some A-B'ing between the NAD PP-2 and DB-8 on my garage rig. I just can't hear much of a difference between them, it's very close. Maybe a little bit better channel separation on the DB-8 and a tiny bit less grain. I'm thinking this system may not be resolving enough, so I plan to bring the tt in the house and try another a-b session on my main rig. Then perhaps I can decide between them. For now, the DB-8 remains installed. I blew the 30 day return on the DB-8, so I own it now. Another thing worth mentioning, I've never cleaned a single connection on this system, even though it is in a somewhat harsh enviorment (I'll get around to it one of these days). This is prolly not helping matters. And I've only got one decent set of ic's on this rig (another thing not helping my cause). I think I prefer the DB-8 (slightly) over the PP-2 and that's why it's still installed. I just can't seem to put my finger on it at this time... |
I picked up another Tech deck, an SL-1210M5G, and it is installed in my main rig. Do check it out...
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vdone&1102716162&view |
