Trans Temp W, Magic Diamond cartridges - comments

I would also like to hear about the new Temp W and what phonostage works well. Raul recently posted that the bass was near perfect and the presentation was neutral.

My V will be delivered on Tuesday. I plan to start with VTA alignment by ignoring the body and taper of the armtube. Concentrating on the angle the stylus is at when VTF is at 1.9gm. I have the ability to infinitely adujust VTA with my set-up. From there, I'll spin the tunes and not be too picky until break-in occurs. I tend to prefer minimal cartridge loading. In my case, the phonostage I'm using allows 22k and down. My experience with loading down MC's has not been very positive.

I'm expecting delivery of the new Temper V at .38mv/3.54cm anyday now. All the points you mention above clicked with me. Although, Im much more comfortable with the lower output of the V.

Thanks, I'll respond at length after I set it up. FYI, the new version of the V has the same "technological changes" as the W. That is what the USA distributor told me.

Sirspeedy, can you confirm that the most recent batches of "v" does indeed have the same advances as the "W". Thanks for the tip, not unusual for a MC to be configured with the arm down at the rear.

Nsgarch, I'm in the process of upgrading my system to higher level components(after a temporary cut-back) So, most of what I own right now is around the 3k per component level. Nothing here right now that is at your level. But my system is set-up to deliver a flat frequency response aka-neutrality. The arm however is a modified Rega RB1000 and that will never change. Phonostage is a modified Lukaschek T-9 with custom external power supply. That also will not change as I have not heard a more transparent phonostage- even in stock form. I recently had a Klyne 7PX3.5 and sold it because I prefer the Lukaschek.

From what I understand, the "V" has gone thru (3) versions. Output levels of .25mv, .34mv and .38mv. The Profundo website was last updated under the specs section to indicate the .34mv version. The newest "w", I was told puts out close to .6mv.

Temper 'v' is in the house, arrived today! Took me about two hours to set-up and dial in. Already listened and the first thing that I noticed is LOW groove noise. This is one one quiet in the groove transducer. The next thing that is readily apparent is the lack of grain, grit, glare, gross colorations and frequency imbalance. I also hear precise db balance between channels. Given the vinyl is encoded, the bass goes deep with a high level of control and damping. That tiny stylus at the end of the cantilever will point straight down at the vinyl of your arm is tilted back at all. I heard some etch that way. Just kept lowering VTA until the stylus did indeed point backwards. To my eye this is when the flat undernearth of the cartridge body is level with the record surface. Even looks like it might be a fraction of a mm nose down. I would like to add that on paper the Temper is a perfect match for the RB1000. With my pair of ported speakers that are flat to 28hz, I have no woofer pumping problems that haunted me in the past. Also, I am noticing that this MC sounds good out of the box. A first in my experience. I just hope that the top end stays open(highs) and the Temper will not be subject to frequent need of de-magnetizing.

Hi, the only type of demagnetizing I have ever done or plan to do, is with the Cardas sweep record. Not to worry, I don't own an electronic demag device. I am loading at the factory "fixed" setting of 22k. I used this setting as well with the recent Shelter 901 I had. To add resistance, I have to introduce resistors. Part of the reason the Lukaschek phono stage performs beyond it's price range is the lack of gain/resistor switches. I have experienced first hand how that type of set-up degrades transparency. When I had the Klyne, I ran that at 47k with the Benz Ruby and Shelter, so I am one of those that can tolerate the extra zip. And until breakin, I'll just leave the load as is because the sound will definitely change. If I hear a detached vocal and top end from the midrange, then I will go right to a 1k load. I run into a tube linestage, so benign loading has worked great for me in the past. VTF is about 1.85g and anti-skate is approx the same using the Rega magnetic force. Thanks for the good wishes. And I hope my rambling was clear.

Nsgarch, I'm some what puzzled by your comment about loading at 80-100ohms. You state amazement at the air and ambience. My experience is the exact opposite with a mc loaded to this level. Loading below 1k IMO significantly reduces air and ambience. It also reduces output and therefore dynamics. The only benefit that I ever heard was improved stylus resonance control. But I'll try it again anyway.........

Hmmm, now I have to try a 100ohm resistor pair shunted to ground. If the signal gets louder, well then I have learned something new. I have owned a cartridge with an output of .36mv with this same pre and it did play slightly louder than the "V". Load was the same 22k. Sometimes these specs can be off though on a given sample. Sounds like I'm hearing more like .35mv. The "v" instruction manuel does indeed say .38mv/3.54cm. I'll report back later. I respect your knowledge, you were right about the VTA set-up....saved me lots of time.

It was a Benz Ruby 2. Keep in mind though that the Benz line has a rolled off top end.

Before this thread dies off into the archives. I just wanted to say that I'm absolutely thrilled with the Temper V. If there is one thing I learned in high-end audio that can't be disbuted IMO. It's the fact that it all starts at the source. So, the source in vinyl replay is the cartridge. I find nothing...zero...nada...to criticize about the performance of the Temper V. The sound, true to the source as well. What do I mean by this?? Analog tape, the Temper V sounds like analog tape is playing in my room. What more could one ask for.