2. analog
  3. 1432492872

VPI, Graham, Koetsu advice please

Hopefully there are some experienced agoners out there that can help me figure this out. I use a Well Tempered Amadeus/ Lyra Kleos / Bob's devices step up / Lamm Lp2 - that finally, after many years, betters my modest digital side (Bob's Devices step up did the trick).

Through an unfortunate event, I now also have a VPI TNT 3.5 with Graham 2.2 arm and Koetsu Rosewood Signature and SDS. I set this all up last night and the VPI is dead silent compared with the well tempered's v low yet audible rumble between tracks. But, compared to the Amadeus/Lyra on actual music tracks, the VPI is comes across veiled, a bit congested, plodding, with no bass and no sparkle. And, please know overall I lean towards that tube sound (SET 211, etc).

Both are running thru Bob's SUT and then into a Lamm LP2. The only other difference is the Kimber TAK-H IC between the Amadeus and Bob's vs the hard wired Hovland IC from the Graham to Bob's.

What's going on here? I expected the TNT beast and lush Koetsu to destroy the Amadeus/Lyra. What would be your expectations? Before I move the Lyra onto the VPI, I thought I'd ask you all for suggestions. Thank you
poonbean

Showing 1 response by terry9

terry9
2,354 posts
 
I bought I KRSP two years ago, and have been refining the sound ever since. The first improvement I made was increasing the mass on the tonearm wand, using several distributed brass weights. Tonearm is the Trans-Fi air bearing. So yes, mass can really make a difference. It's empirical, so experiment.

Last month I achieved a breakthrough by changing the azimuth angle by 6 (six!!!) minutes of arc. Yes, a Koetsu is that sensitive to setup, but when it's right ... it's right. I suspect that's the reason why some people are disappointed with their K's, while for others, K's are the reference.
More to discover