Weak point in this analog system ?

I don't know Sdcampbell, have you ever heard a Scheu and compared it to other TT's? There's a definite performance reason why the founders of Teres, Redpoint, Gablier, and a few other cutting edge turntable companies originally set out together to copy and improve on the Scheu Premier instead of the myriad of other tables and design philosphies available at the time.

The Premier mkII is absolutley fantastic(I've got two - 50mm & 80mm platters) and can hold it's own against many more expensive and popular tables. Partnered with the right arm and cart, it is capable of superb music.

Obviously, the Denon DL-103, SME , and Linto have all earned "classic" status for their performance.

Before assuming the table's the weak link, it would be nice to know what Ad feels is missing or wrong with the sound of his vinyl setup. Next, how much experimentation has he done with cart/arm setup?

If it is simply a matter of wanting to try something new, I would suggest demo'ing a new phono preamp. It is the easiest(and quickest) of all the components to swap in and out for comparison without excessive fine tuning.

If his system sound is not rich or textured enough, demo a tubed phono. Comparably priced and first on my list would be the new Eastern Minimax. Great reviews and it definetly will sound different than the Linto. There are also some used Art Audio Vinyl One's available here whose reputation speak for themselves.

For less money start with the EAR 834P(especially the mod'd version), wasn't my cup o' tea, but there are lots of diehard owners and great reviews.

On the solid state side, the Tom Evans gear jumps to the front of the line. I think Ad was considering one a while years back.

But, first let's find out what he feels is missing or lacking.

Sorry about the late response, I posted it before Ad0 described the rest of his system.

Anyway, it sounds like he's loooking for "a little more flesh on the bones" kind of presentation. Something richer with greater tonal density.

On the tube side, I think the before mentioned Art Audio might do the trick. I have their PX-25 SET amp and it is superb. Their whole line of components shares a common sonic approach. Herron and Aesthetix phono's might also be worth looking into.

On the solid state side, Tom Evans, Whest, and even the Graham Slee Era mkV. I've got the GS in my setup right now with Scheu's Tacco tonearm and the Denon DL-103D and the combination is fantastic - rich, smooth, authorative with great detail and speed...

I also love Cartridge Man's Music Maker III cart, a real performer for the money. Actually, it holds it's own with my much more expensive carts.

Sorry about the seemingly redundant post above, but I submitted it late last night and it didn't get posted until today after Ad0 described his system.

I'm new to vinyl this year, so please take all my opinions with a HUGE grain of salt, I simply do not have the years of experience that others around here have. But, I have spent a good amount of time over the last few years listening to the better VPI, Nottingham, Linn, Kuzma, Origin Live, JA Michell, SOTA, etc. in systems I consider equal to, or better than, mine. So, I have been able to get a decent sense of how the Scheu stacks up against others..

And I've found that the Scheu is capable of performance equal to, or better than, most those others.

Lately, I've been looking at tubed phono preamps, myself. I love the GS Era Gold I've got, it's just that I'm partial to tubes and want to see how that works in my system. I tried the EAR 834P, while it did some things extremely well, I found it a little slow, bloated, and diffuse in comparison to the GS Era. Still, what it did well was enough to sell me on tubed pre's.

My current wish list is the Art Audio Vinyl One(I've got their PX-25 SET amp), Eastern Electric Minimax, Wright WPP200-C, and Herron Audio VTPH-1.

my vinyl system is:
1) a pair of Scheu Premier mkII's
2) Scheu's top of the line unipivot "Tacco" tonearm.
3) Graham Slee Era Gold mkV + GS Elevator "transformerless" stepup.
4) Grado "The Statement",
5) ZYX Fuji FS 100 Silver,
6) Cartridge Man Music Maker III,
7) Denon DL-103D. (Check the rest of my system via my moniker link)

Gregm, can I get your opinion of how the Tacco stacks up against other arms like the Morch & Clearaudio? Also, what were your overall impressions of

I'm very happy with the Premier/Tacco combination, I just have never tried anything else on the table.

Bravo Johnnantais!!

My Denon DL-103D gives up almost nothing to more expensive a famous cartridges when it comes to terms of sheer musical enjoyment over a wide range of material. It surely gets far more playing time than any of my others (also for financial reasons).

Sure, some have greater detail, focus, air, space between performers, timbral accuracy, etc. All these fine points are better recreated, but when I take my critical listening hat off it really doesn't matter that much. Perhaps it's because I still listen to a good amount of rock and hard rock. I need an all around performer. The Denon can easily go from Black Sabbath to Branford Marsalis and then on to Joni Mitchell. All sound great and the Denon gets right to the heart of the music, as you said.

Is it the best? Definetly not. But, other carts will be sold off long before it will.

***Gregm***

Thanks for your insights on the Scheu Tacco. The arm seems to perform extremely well with my cartridges. I've been considering trying out that low-priced Airtech linear air bearing tonearm.