Whats on your turntable tonight?

@noromance

Seimens tend to be like the Teles but without the soul.

Interesting. I was checking out some of Siemens. 

Not sure why, but I keep thinking if I go Telefunken, I would probably get a vintage set instead of new....but yea...they are not cheap.

Just getting my feet wet so to speak.

Leo Kottke - Mudlark. Capitol reissue 1972-74. Originally 1971

The Beatles - Rubber Soul. Capitol reissue 1976, originally 1965

.....and no Phil Spector....whew

@noromance

Yep, I was thinking of getting a set of the Nobsound. Pretty inexpensive.

Check that, just bought a set.

@noromance

Good to know, thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.

And yes, considering Telefunken as well.

Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde. Columbia 2LP gatefold 1972 repress

@noromance 

Very nice 👍🏼

@noromance

I’m trying (all) four 12ax7’s first. They are (supposedly) ‘platinum’ matched as a set of four. Thus, I just figured that was the way to go instead of mixing the 4 12ax7’s. Are you saying you can mix within the same tube type without issue? I don’t have them yet BTW.

I may also try new 12au7’s as well, but only have a pair of those. And not certain those are as critical as the ax’s in terms of overall sound.

Got a decent price on the Genalex Gold Lions (gold pins) at about $32 per tube, or about $10 less than most all are charging. So, not a huge investment at all, more about trying something different, and they seem to have an excellant reputation for new lower cost tubes. From what I have read, they have very good performance across all frequencies. I may also try some new Tung-Sol, but figure from what I have read, that would be a much different sound. They are pretty cheap though.


I haven’t considered too strongly NOS yet, but they are intriguing. Just don’t have enough history of their various sound signatures yet. And also not ready to pay $450++ for a set of four......yet 😉

@noromance

Seen those too, but wasn’t sure how much like the old Telefunken’s they may be. Glad to have those around me with experience with tubes. This is just all new to me, but I’m truly interested now, especially because the Trumpet has increased my vinyl pleasure even further. Never seriously considered it prior.....but to be honest....I could see seeking out tubes throughout the chain....but for my current set-up, that could be a bit more challenging.

Been a pretty fast paced journey since purchasing the SOTA last year....and all well worth the $$$ thus far. Heck, two years ago I never thought I would have a turntable again.

Horslips - Happy To Meet...Sorry To Part. Atco 1973

Decameron - Say Hello To The Band. Vertigo 1973

Absolutely Steve 😁

@tomic601 

start with input gain stage first.

But, that would be the 12au7’s, right? Not the ax7’s. 
I think I sent you the circuit/manual.

The new ax7’s are coming regardless 😉😁

Steve, yea, I noticed it was very quiet in here. Was watching a live performance of the Berlin Philharmonic earlier, and catching up on some YouTube regulars.

Now......vinyl time...

Holy crap, that Kottke LP kicked serious butt.....

John Lennon - Imagine. Apple 🍏 1971

Joni Mitchell - Hejira. Asylum 1976

Steve.....Wow, that’s fantastic. Just don’t give him my second one 😁

The person I ended up buying new tubes from actually lives in my city. Questioned him about the quality and method of matching the set of 4 #1, and whether I could pick them up personally #2. He seems to prefer shipping regardless, which is a little odd I thought. But, he sells ‘tons’ of tubes, so whatever....his method of operation. Some folks are just comfortable doing it one way, or perhaps being over protective.

Thanks again for that Joni Blue album (and second MyMat) Steve, an incredibly fair bargain.

Too busy, way too busy lately. Finally, an evening of music…..

Tokyo String Quartet : Bartók - Die 6 Streichquartette. Deutsche Grammophon 3LP box 1981, German release

This set kicks serious butt

 

@mammothguy54

Absolutely, go down the path of isolation and vibration control. It really pays off! I use Symposium Acoustics products both for the platform and the rollerblocks. The two products, when combined, provide a very positive outcome. There is a ton of reading on their website which provides a very good education. Symposium Acoustics (symposiumusa.com) Have fun...

Thanks Joel. Yea, I took the Vibrapod Cones I had under my pre, and put them under the Hagerman, just to check it out.

Not a tremendous difference, will have to listen more, and perhaps get something just for it. I know the Vibrapod Cones made an incredible difference under my Belles amp. So much so I did a double take.

One thing is for sure, this whole rig, with the Trumpet, is sounding really good. I’m not trying to fix something that is broke, that is for sure, just trying to eek out more performance if it is availiable.

And Mikey, I’m listening to Joni right now, and it sounds incredible, wonderful, and non-‘excessive’ 😁

Perhaps the Soundsmith Zephyr is simply a better match than any of the Ortofon’s he was using.

@noromance

Oh, these will be for use with the Hagerman only. Seriously, I personally see no point of using anything but the stock feet on the SOTA, which are essential to level the table only, as the sub-assembly suspension (if properly loaded) is so superb already. Nothing going on around the exterior plinth effects the isolated sub-assembly/platter/arm at all. Zilch. Nada.

But, I never thought about the need or desire not to use all the springs on the Trumpet. That makes sense.

Ormandy conducts Charles Ives - Symphony No. 1 In D Minor & Three Places in New England. Philadelphia Orchestra. Columbia Masterworks 2 eye 1968

@tomic601

i think the Hagerman is crying out for mass, then springs......
like a 1/4 or more plate w holes drilled for tubes, granite base and springs.....

Jim, now on that I agree. But, unlike Mikey stated, you aren’t going to flip it over with IC/phono cables. That was a more than slight and unnecessary exaggeration.

One problem is that the bottom has venting slots, so probably cannot be fully covered. The bottom/base would be a great place to install a heavy plate, or similar. Hey, I have my bag of excess lead weight for the SOTA I could simply tape inside 😉 I do have some DynaMat that I could strategically place inside. That would help reduce vibration within the chassis, but wouldn’t add mass as in actual substantial weight.

But really, the Trumpet is pretty incredible ‘as-is’. That said, tube rolling, a possible external power supply, (I tried one I had after consulting Jim, but took it ‘off’), and yes, the possibility of making it more impervious to vibrations (especially with the tubes) seems to make sense, and I’m sure could make it even better than it is, which is pretty darn good to my ears.

As Muveling has noted in a post. The Trumpet has found a place only below his VAC Renaissance, but places it above his Herron VTPH-2A, Rogue Ares, and Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 SE.

@mammothguy54

Thanks Joel, and I did save that link, and you make an interesting case.

I opened the Trumpet this morning, and strategically placed some DynaMat I have. Tight confines after the bottom/side plate is installed, so had to be careful. That stuff does not come back off easily. Anyway, tapping on the chassis, no more ‘ping’, but instead a ‘thud’. Will it help? Well, it surely cannot hurt. Not really any good areas to install actual mass with the tolerances between board(s), various components, and the chassis itself without some more major retooling. Jim’s work is neat and tidy inside. Very nicely done.

Second spin for this....

George Weldon conducts Elgar - Cockaigne, Overture, Op. 40 / Chanson De Matin And Chanson De Nuit, Op. 15 / Pop And Circumstance Marches, Op. 39 / Serenade For Strings In E Minor, Op. 20. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. RCA Victrola 1968

EDIT: Man, this a great recording and engineered so well. I love finding old albums that are so well done. And pretty darn quiet too. I gotta see if this guy has any more LP’s I want. I’ve bought a few now, an always in great shape, an very good recordings too.

Steve,

DynaMat was pretty much created for the auto industry; for use under hoods, trunks, etc. So pretty impervious to water.

The bad thing about it is trying to remove it. Attempted once, and quickly gave up. So, when you place it, you better not want to move it again. Which is why I might take a look at the other dampening product you mentioned from Parts Express.

Thanks Steve, I’ll check that out. DynaMat works great. 

I have a significant amount of it inside my CD player. The Pro-Ject I sold had a significant amount of it under its plinth. Jeez, probably used it elsewhere as well. Still have a nice sized sheet left for medium to small uses, even after installing it within the Trumpet.

Yea Jim, as we chatted about this before the purchase, Muveling‘s comments were what focused and narrowed my decision. The fact that he has had several high end phono stages, and I haven’t, meant a lot in making my decision.

And as a constant ‘bargain hunter’, it also checked that box. That said, you guys have gotten me to crack my safe much larger than I normally would/do, and have always given good advice in how and where to do so. For that, I’m indebted, and my enjoyment has been rewarded.

I love this little section of the forums. 👍🏼

Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting
Johann Sebastian Bach
Violin Concertos On Original Instruments

• Konzert Für Zwei Violinen D-moll, BWV 1043
• Violinkonzert E-dur, BWV 1042
• Violinkonzert A-moll, BWV 1041

Telefunken, Das Alte Werk series, 1980’s reissue, originally 1967. German release 

The Jam - Setting Sons. Polydor 1979

Gold Lions installed, and have been warming up all afternoon. Picked something I am not only familiar with, but has an abundance of midrange acoustic tone, along with a couple full range songs...will run without dampers.....right now.....

Neil Young - After the Gold Rush. Reprise reissue 1978, originally 1970.

Second spin....

Luna - Bewitched. Gotta Groove Records reissue/repress 2021. Originally Elektra 1994 (CD only)

Zubin Mehta conducts Tchaikovsky - Symphony #6 'Pathétique'. Los Angeles Philharmonic.  London 1979

Joni Mitchell - Mingus. Asylum 1979

Fairport Convention - Full House. A&M 1970

Arlo Guthrie - Hobo's Lullaby. Reprise 1972

Sir Neville Marriner conducts Händel - Concerto No 1 In B Flat / Concerto No 2 In F / Concerto No 3 In F. The Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Philips 1980 Netherlands

@jerryg123 

👍🏼 Will keep her, you, and her relatives in my prayers. Insanity, no doubt.

Guarneri Quartet with Pinchas Zukerman : Beethoven - String Quintet In C, Op. 29 & Mendelssohn - String Quintet In B-Flat, Op. 87. RCA Red Seal 1979
 

 

Gidon Kremer - Edition Lockenhaus Vol. 1 / 2

Franck - Quintet In F Minor For Piano And Strings
Caplet - Conte Fantastique D’Après Une Des Histoires Extraordinaires D’Edgar Allan Poe

Poulenc - Zwei Lieder Aus, Two Songs From, Deux Mélodies Extraits De Fiançailles Pour Rire
Janáček - String Quartet No. 1
Stravinsky - Concerto En Ré
Shostakovich - Two Waltzes For Flute, Clarinet And Piano
Shostakovich - Two Pieces For String Octet Op. 11

ECM New Series 1986 2LP gatefold. Recorded live

 

 

@boxer12 

That is a great album from Brian Eno. If you haven't heard "Tiger Mountain", check that one out as well.  

Great album, as is Before and After Science, and Another Green World.

@slaw 

👍🏼

An oldie but goodie.....wait, that is 99% of my LP’s 😁

The Beatles - Abbey Road. Apple 1969