I think it's time for a group hug ...
Some interesting statistics: this year, sales of new vinyl exceeded the combined sales of SACD and DVA.
Did anyone attend the seminar at this year's Rocky Mountain Audiofest on the future of analog? I'd be interested in the condensed summary.
Unfortunately for me, when I exhibit at shows, I don't get to attend any of the seminars. Heck! If I didn't have a second turntable located in the Artemis Labs room, I wouldn't have even left my floor.
Apparently, in the follow-up seminar moderated by Robert Harley, the future of high definition digital was discussed. I understand that Harley was dismissive of analog ... poor soul.
Blows against the empire ...
Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier |
Frankly I think we should all give ourselves collectively a big thank you that LP's and TT's are still being made and available. Does not matter what brand of TT, arm or cartridge we own.
The reality is that the BIG electronic/hifi companies would prefer vinyl no longer existed, but due to our luv of music and the way all turntables play music we all collectively (consumers and manufacturers) have a format that will surely outlast CD and give us many many more decades of pleasure.
If analogue did not sound better why would we go thru all the hassle of setting up and playing records. I would just burn all my LP's to CD and sell off my records and TT.
kind of makes our petty arguing about what sounds better seemingly pointless in the larger scale.
Still good fun arguing thou :)
cheers |
A call for peace and an opportunity to learn from each other ...
Like many of you, I grow tired of touchy personality issues on web forums. I'd love to see a fresh start with the slate being wiped clean. Perhaps I'm missing something here, and frankly, I don't have the time to surf back to trace this "pattern of abuse" which Raul has been accused of in this and other threads.
If individuals consider Raul's transgressions to be intolerable, then my comments are meaningless. Never mind ... OTOH, we can learn much from each other.
I'd love to focus on Raul's approach to system building. If you look at his system, you'll find an eclectic mix of gear which quite obviously did not come about by accident.
Raul is coming from a technical space that might be strange to some of you here, but it constitutes viable approach to reproducing music. I have not heard much in the solid-state realm that appeals to me on a long-term basis, but recently, I heard an effort by a denizen of Portland by the name of Gary Pimm (http://www.pacifier.net/~gpimm/) that turned my head around.
Gary brought an amplifier to the Rocky Mountain Audiofest that was in effect a tube amplifier with solid state devices plugged in where the tubes would normally be. The amplifier has interstage coupling transformers along with output transformers! After an audition with Robert Bastanis, the amplifier took center stage in his main room with his Apollo speakers.
If you look at the gear on Raul's system page, the only conclusion to be drawn is that Raul worked long and hard to get a sound he likes. I would expect it to be likely extremely musical, dynamic, and to scale extraordinarily well.
The best audio system I have ever heard was assembled by a local Denver area manic named Orey Block - a fellow who Ron Welborne lovingly calls "Danger Audio". Frank Schröder had the "Orey experience" while in Denver, but I won't ask him to comment ... he needs to build some tonearms for me :-)))
If you look at the voltages Orey typically works with, you'll understand the "Danger Audio" moniker - 2KV to 4KV is typical for him. Orey has designed and built amplifiers around rare transmitting tubes like the 450 TL, and is currently powering Raul's speaker of choice (ADS L 2030) with a push-pull pair of 150 TL's. Orey turns write around and throws a garden variety 6SN7 into the mix ...
Orey's system does it all ... It goes well beyond the normal categorizations of horn/electrostat/closed box, single-ended/push-pull /OTL and such. His system is the standard by which all of us in Colorado judge our systems. You don't buy this kind of stuff, but it's still instructive - even for those who don't know or care which end of a soldering iron to hold.
Back to Raul, systems in general, and analog in particular ...
I realize that this is an analog (turntable) based list, and will refrain from further comments about downstream components, other than to note that looking at Raul's rig with the above perspective will give you a good idea about his listening biases. I think that it's important to consider the whole (system), in order to better understand the person behind the post.
That Raul owns a very fine Micro Seiki turntable is further corroborative evidence of what he's about.
Let's not all be lawyers about this ... having to parse our words so carefully that we don't have the energy to get our message across. Sometimes, casualy thinking out loud can be productive - stimulating conversation and creative discourse.
We don't have to eat our young.
Peace,
Thom @ Galibier |
George,I will tell you one thing,for sure.If I ever run for any elected office,and must debate you,I will absolutely drop out of the race.Your language command,and tenacity are too much for me!BTW--that was an off colored compliment,so have a little humor,this time!
Nrchy---What happened with the Cosmos/arm/cable(PURIST P.C./umbilical) issue?My wine is aging fast,and I want to crack open the bottle already! |
gmorris please forgive my error. I meant to write Teres/Schroeder/Zyx combination. The purpose of these comments is clear, and has been stated plainly a number of times already. It is simply impossible to determine that the Zyx cartridge is the ONE item in the entire chain that caused the poor quality sound in that room. There were many products of questionable quality, the Zyx was not one of them, but even if it was how would you isolate it?
How much time did you spend in that room listening to other cartridges on the Teres table with the Schroeder arm, that you were able to determine the Zyx was to blame???
Gmorris you are right again! I am a shill for Schroeder arms. I sell them out of my trunk, or the saddlebags of my bike!!!
Actually I had never seen or heard a Schroeder arm before attending the RMAF, and knew nothing about the arms or Herr Schroeder.
To the best of my knowledge (do I sound like Clinton???) I have never spoken a negetive word about the Graham 2.2, or another other Graham arm. My comments were based on what I heard, and the salacious attack on the componants in the room under discussion.
My statements are based on the obvious facts in evidence in the room, that were available to anyone with two ears and an unbiased opinion.
I have no motivation to speak good or ill of Mr Schroeder, Mehran, or Chris Brady. To which one of them am I trying to ingraciate myself?
I own a Zyx cartridge, not the UniVerse since I cannot afford it, I just bought a Sota Cosmos, and a TriPlanar arm. I have no intention of buying a Schroeder arm, or anything else shown in that room.
My intention with my comments was to reveal your unsubstantiated bias against a product about which you know nothing! Am I being clear enough about my intention?!? |
Nrchy:
In your most recent post you wrote:
these comments about the Schroeder/Teres sound at RMAF are foolish at best, or possibly borne of the desire to trash a great product purely out of malice
I took the time to re-read all of the responses on this thread. No one disparaged the Schroeder/Teres combination. The negative comments were specifically about the ZXY Universe cartridge low bass performance and perceived brightness. Your statement puzzles me. Your posture is typical of a shill or propagandist who deflects comments from the main issues and focuses instead on an issue that is more defensible and trumpets that issue to create a predictable emotional response.
Presumably, it is acceptable to write negative comments based on spurious data points about the Graham 2.2 but it is sacrilegious to say anything that could be construed as negative about the Schroeder et. al.
Your statement reeks of bias and dishonesty and portrays someone who is hell bent on ingratiating himself with the manufacturer |
Kha, these comments about the Schroeder/Teres sound at RMAF are foolish at best, or possibly borne of the desire to trash a great product purely out of malice.
The electronics in the room where mid-fi at best, and the speakers were unimpressive. Based on these facts, how can you determine that the arm and cartridge were to blame.
I will concur that the sound in that room was not real good, but to place the blame on the best two componants makes the reader question the wisdom of the writer, or perhaps their absolute intelligence!?! |
Pcosta
Are you referring to the recent RMAF show at Denver?
If yes, I would agree that the setup was err... "less than ideal".
I did get a chance to listen to the Titan/VPI in another room demoing the Audiospace amps driving Harbeths and I was truely impressed by what I heard, certainly one of the better analog setups. |
Hello Paul, dear KHA,
KHA, all I try to do is offer advice to (potential)customers on how to get the best out of what I consider a serious investment. If someone doesn't like what he hears even after perfecting his setup, then so be it. Other parents have beautiful children too...
Paul, I didn't setup the table in the room for which Chris Brady had provided his turntable as the analog frontend. Any attempt to improve upon the sound by readjusting the arm would have meant compensating for other flaws. This isn't meant to be an excuse, but as you said, if a hitchhiker gets a free ride, he can hardly complain about the poor suspension on that car(particularly if he's never met the driver). What I'd like to do is bring an entire system to the show, but this is rather impossible(distance, cost...).
Back to the original topic:
I did compare the Universe(copper coils, 2.4mV) with the Titan i for an extended period this summer.
The Universe has a very coherent and more "fleshed out" midrange(very seductive!), the highs appear to be ever so slightly rolled off, the low bass is a smidgeon soft, but extremely natural sounding(yes, this sounds like a contradiction...). It means, that the leading edge is slower than on the Titan, but the harmonic envelope, the "bloom" of, say, a bowed double bass comes a cross as less "hifi", more like the real thing.
The soundstage is vast(very deep too, when called for), imaging very "3D". Mid and high frequency detail rendering is exceptional, but not of the "in your face" type.
The Titan has a more "matter of fact" sound, very revealing, seemingly limitless extension at the frequency extremes. It's perceived speed and punch could be attributed to the "louder" highs and/or the leaner(some will call it more neutral) lower midrange. The soundstage is very wide and images within are "bold", with the images reaching not quite as far back as with the Universe(still very,very good).
My take on this is that the Titan i will appeal more to the engineer and the Universe more to the poet. They both serve the music equally well, only in different ways...
Impressions valid on my system only, ymmv off course.
Cheerio,
Frank Schröder |
Hi Kha
I think Mr.Schroeder likes to "watch from the sideline" about what others are writing about the arm he makes because he knows them best. Like a parent looking out for his kids.
I was not at the show but having spoken the Mr.Schroeder he did the setup of his arm and Chris as a dealer and owner is probably more than capable of doing a adequate setup. WHen you are put in a show setting like that, with your doors open to the public "have to run what you brung". So I would attribute it to something else in the room, but a public forum like this I will not repeat what was thought to be wrong with the sound of that room.
I know someone who has is using a Schroeder Ref one and he cannot say enough good things about the sound it produces. It is not like any other pivoted arm he uses, but some may not like it and will be more than willing to state it a public forum like this. |
Hi Paul,
why does Schroeder everytime someone post that the
system with his Tonearm sound awfull, he replies
that this is due to the setup, or mismatch of other
components in the system or the room etc....
As with other Tonearm, there are less responce from
the designer.
This gives me as a potential buyer an unsatisfied view
of the Schroeder Tonearm, as I am not willing to modify
the setting each time I hear an LP.
Regards KHA |
Hi Kha
I think if you call either Frank Schroeder or Chris Brady they will tell you what was wrong with that room.
It is certainly not a true reflection of either of those gent's products.
Paul |
The Universe is a top quality cartridge, but in the room Chris Brady had the misfortune of setting up his Teres 360 NO cartridge would have sounded good. I couldn't stay in that room for more than a few minutes without getting a headache. Chris felt the same way and will return with a vengeance next year.
Does that mean the Schroeder sounded bad ?
Or is the Schroeder very hard to setup ?
Or is the Schroeder not a good match for the Teres 360 ? |
I missed all the action from the posts.My connection is down and I'll reestablish in about 2 weeks.Here I am at the public library reading the posts after several days not seeing the flame wars going on.
Yes I must clarify that possibly the system as a whole may have contributed somewhat to what I was hearing,But from my experiences with other systems I have heard in the past.,I still am sticking to my guns with what notes and impressions I came out of from the show.
I will make sure I go next year and will register with my user name and make my presense be known.I will also make sure I bring live recordings I've done of our symphony as well to hear what is really going on.I did have him put on an LP I am intimately familiar with Linda Ronstadt Whats New,and was extremely dissapointed with what I did not hear ,as opposed to what I did hear.Just no ambience retrevial at all.The sound was so shut down and closed in.
But I'm willing to give it another try next year.
I look forward too seeing all your smiling faces next year,
Best regards and enjoy the music.
I have a live concert to play Oct.22nd in Mt.Vernon WA.
featuring An American In Paris.
Log into Skagit Symphony and maybe a few of you will fly out and listen to the live concert.It will save you money on buying a new ZYX instead.
Bye for now
Don |
.
Thomas,
.
I have seen you and Frank Schroder bo back and forth a few times over the last year or so.
.
It would be nice if you and Frank could meet each other at some point in the future. I think some of your conecptions of him would disappear and you would find a very special human being that you would be happy to know. He is not at all near the defensive/overly sensitive image that you might have come to believe through the Audiogon postings.
.
Rgds,
Larry |
Well, I don't think, that Raul wants to influence the 2. hand market, it's his opinion. Others think different and some are sad, that the rest of the world does not follow their "experience".
Even Mr. Schroeder ( just for example, because he is always here to write a comment ) is V-E-R-Y thin skinned, when there is a comment about his arms which is not in awe. I understand it, he lives from it and the other ones ( like me ) are unexperienced listeners, have bad systems or whatever.
Good analog Reproduction depends from quality from a few factors, like Turntable, Phonostage, Interaction with the Tonearm and the wire in it and the rest of it.
A Forum is a platform to share interests and to share own experiences, a good chance for a "User" to think about a few things, which are probably not written in a magazine.
But is all true ? Well, don't know, a Forum is also a super platform to create a hype or to sell things easier. |
Cello, perhaps Raul wants to buy a Universe cheap and he is just trying to depress the s/h market :>) |
.
Raul,
.
It has been almost year since I swore off responding to you out of frustration. After this post, I am guessing it will be a long, long time before I waste any of my time responding to any more of your ignorant or rude posts.
.
I went back over all the threads to check and I never said that the UNIverse was the best cartridge as you stated that I said. Here are my two quotes:
On 1-28-05 It might be the best cartridge out there at any price.....
On 5-08-05 The UNIverse is just one of the best cartridges available by a clear margin.
Those quotes are not me saying that it is the best cartridge as you quoted me. This is a typical example of you twisting or mis-stating the facts. This is why I have no patience or respect for your opinions.
.
Telling me to sell my UNIverse when you have never had a UNIverse in your own system: what is wrong with you and where do you get off giving such advice when you have no idea how my system sounds or how the UNIverse sounds in my system or yours (this is rhetorical, please do not respond) ?
. |
|
Sorry Cello my notes said starch the boxers and no starch in the shirts... my bad. |
.
Nrchy,
.
Please do not mix the whites and colors on me again and no starch in the collars this time.
.
Rgds,
Larry
. |
Raul, I must make a confession. I have spoken extensively with both Cello and Vetterone, on the phone and in person. Both of them are considerably more intelligent than I, so neither of them need me to manage their arguements, but I still do laundry better than them.
Regards, and enjoy the music... |
.
Gmorris,
.
I continue to smile in spite of my reactions to Raul.
.
I think that auditioning a cartridge in your own system is absolutely the only way to make a decision on what to buy. Everything is so system dependant down to the tonearm cable, loading and phono stage or step ups. All can make a monumental differences.
.
Since I last posted, a friend informed me that I had in fact heard a Titan in another friends system and I have to say that his system sounded glorious. I hope that at some point I am able to get a UNIverse in his system so that I can compare the Titan and the UNIverse.
.
I think you are kind to give Raul the benefit of the doubt, but language is not at the root of his problems. He flat out misquotes other peoples postings and or exaggerates to win an argument or prove a point. I just can't stomach that behavior.
.
I am not saying that Raul does not have valid points at times, but a good percentage of the time he is way off base and argues as vehemently when he does not know what is talking about as when he does. The newbie read his bravado and think Raul knows what he is talking about in all cases and that is my major problem along with bashing products that do not deserve the bad rap.
.
I do respect opinions that are well thought out or from people that have sense of what the frontier of their knowledge is. Raul speaks in absolutes that he can't possibly know and it is wearisome.
.
Do spend more quality time with Raul and see if you still feel the urge to rise to his defense.
.
Rgds,
Larry
. |
Dear Gmorris: Tks for your understanding. I really appreciate that.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Folks,
Your individual positions seem clear and it doesn't seem like there will be any resolution this way and with the choice of words. Remember, two wrongs don't make a right. Why don't you all call it quits on the rancour and move on to more constructive comments, albeit varying in opionions. As a new reader and contributor to Audiogon, it's sad to see threads turn out this way. I'm seeing it more and more. Let's face it; we are proud of the purchase decisions we make and we try to stand by them. But we also have heard the usual saying "this is the best" before. Please take this with a grain of salt. As we also all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When we hear "the best", don't always take it in absolute terms. It might so happen to be the best the person has heard in the configurations they've tried.
Come on, let's be resonable.
Andrew |
Dear larry: +++++ " . I have zero patience with him or his behavior. " +++++
Please don't read and don't refer to any of my post and if you don't want to " hear " on me: change of forum.
You was one of the members of this forum that told us that the " Universe was the best on the world ": this statement is stupid and ignorant, no question about.
+++++ " . There are people that can be influenced by those comments and it is not fair to them. " +++++
So you think that that Universe statement is fair for them?, come on !!!! wake up.
I can remember when I start at this forum: all of you attack me because I don't agree with you and I have differents opinions . No one of you ( others people did ) care about that.
The problem with your club is that any one has to agree with you and when some one like me disagree then you react in a negative way. I'm telling you stupid/ignorant only because you use that words with me but I don't usually insult to any body in this forum like many of you and other peoples do with me.
What is all about: I think that all of you an me have more things in common that differences.
I always try to hrlp and be honest: I always post what I think and what is my experiencies. I know that you don't like it but that is up to you: I can't do nothing about.
My advise is that many of you have to break with those old audio paradigms that are out of today reality. I already do and that's why our differences.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Cello:
It's good to see that you have retained some sense of humor.
I am in the process of considering the auditioning of the Titan and the ZYX Universe. I tend to use these threads not to make final decisions on likely future purchases but as a source of information on possible contenders for consideration. Ultimately, I rely on my own ears whenever possible.
Maybe Raul's style appears confrontational because of his lack of mastery of the nuances of English. To wit: by using the wrong word or using direct prose he may seem to be in an attack mode when it may not be the case. Having said all of that, I must admit that in spite of his perceived tone, Raul has made many legitimate arguments that cannot be dismissed easily by derision. It is apparent that he has exposure to a wide range of arms/cartridges and is quite knowledgeable. This is also true for some of the posters on these threads.
The bottom line: we should all respect each others opinions. |
Gmorris,
.
I am sorry that you are non-plussed and that my behavior could be to blame. I do hope you get your plus back.
.
In order to remove any confusion, I am not a dealer, just a person who is more than tired of Raul's inane arguments, sanctimonious attitude and mean spirited comments. I do have a UNIverse that I paid for and have strongly recommended the cartridge to others. I felt like I was doing them and ZYX a favor. I have yet to know anyone that has bought a UNIverse that was less than thrilled with the results in their system.
.
I had sworn off responding / reacting to Raul about 6 months ago, but I was really got tired of his recent bashing of people & components with which he was not in a position to make those comments or the comments were just plain stupid/ignorant. There are people that can be influenced by those comments and it is not fair to them.
.
There are plenty of good/great cartridges available and I have certainly not heard all of them and more importantly not in my system. I do recognize that there are a goodly number of people that are quite happy/delighted with the more recent version of the Titan.
.
If you have the time and are inclined, you can go back and read through the threads where Raul has visited and posted and you might come to understand the reactions his comments elicit. Perhaps the individual comments he makes on their own dont warrant such a strong reaction from us, but when taken in whole from the many postings he has made, people just get sick of his B.S. He is consistently offensive amongst a group of wonderful people that I feel quite fortunate to know and interact with.
.
I have not heard the Titan in any system and can not comment with how it sounds as compared to the UNIverse. I have heard the Olympus in my system and felt that it was only slightly better than the Universe (the Olympus was mounted on a Schroder Reference and the Universe was on a Schroder DPS, so it was not a perfectly controlled comparison).
.
At some point when I am fortunate enough to hear a Titan in my system, I would be happy to share my experience / opinion of the Titan as compared with the UNIverse.
.
You will forgive me if I have seemed a bit zealous or over the top about the ZYX products, it is just me being defensive with regards to Rauls ridiculous and ignorant postings. I understand his lack of full command of English (he speaks two languages where most here only speak one), but that does not excuse his crassness and willingness to stretch the facts to win an argument (that he started) at all costs. He is just a Royal pain in the ass that seems to be more concerned with his own aggrandizement rather than helping people. I have zero patience with him or his behavior.
.
I hope my repsonse clarifies your confusion or bewilderment.
.
Rgds,
Larry
. |
Richardmr,
I won't get into the debate on which is better, because I have not attempted anything close to a controlled comparison -- I can't even offer an opinion based on my own taste, complement of equipment, etc.
I can say that I was a long-time satisfied user of a Helikon. The Helikon is now in a friends system and still going strong after several years of relatively heavy use. By a large margin, the Helikon is the most durable cartridge I have used.
I am currently using a Titan. This is a much better sounding cartridge than the Helikon. It delivers a bit more of everything that is special about the Helikon (terrific rendering of subtle harmonic relationships, lack of murky/muddled sound (not a Grado!), decent dynamics, etc.), and it significantly bettered the Helikon in terms of a seamless quality from the bottom-to-top of its frequency range (the deep bass sounded a touch disembodied from the lower midrange with the Helikon, in my system). I like a cartridge that delivers a lively, vibrant sound, and this is something the Titan provides while not being overbearing and strident.
As a point of reference, I also have heard and liked a Transfiguration Temper V (very smooth and natural), the top-of-the-line-insanely-expensive Allaerte (warm and extremely seductive and musical without being muddled and inarticulate), and the VDH Colibre (I am not sure I could live with the Colibre, but once you have experienced its incredibly dynamic and energetic presentation of music, one is tempted to take a chance). |
Dear Richard: +++++ " I've yet to offer an opinion by Raul but here goes - let him sonically masturbate all he wants. " +++++
This is very unfair from you, if you read my first post in your thread you can " see " that I posted what I think could help to you for what you are asking for.
If you don't like it what I posted there you only have to say so, but why you attack?
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Guys. Guess what? I'm the original poster. Thanks for all your comments. Lugnuts was my favorite - with the cost between cartridges because of the Lyra discount, that's probably the way to go unless price is unimportant. I've yet to offer an opinion by Raul but here goes - let him sonically masturbate all he wants. It's usually a solo activity, anyway. |
Nrchy:
In my opinion, it is impolite and sanctimonious to correct Raul's grammar and syntax. English is not his main language. |
Raul stop asking like a little bully on the playground. I will answer anything I want to, regardless of whether or not I know anything about the topic at hand.
People are themselves, not itself, and manager only has one "n" "and answer what I ask you," is not a complete sentence.
FWIW I have been retained by vetterone to represent him and my lawyers are in contact with Cello to see if he will also hire me to represent him. More news as the situation developes.
For now I have to get back to the laundry... |
I have just hired Nate (NRCHY) as my manager/spokesman. He may speak for me anytime. Right now he is doing my taxes and laundry so I will file these antidotes to the venom flying around this thread myself.
What do you call a doublebass (DB) player without a girlfriend?
Homeless.
Whats the difference between a pizza and a DB player?
A pizza can feed a family.
What do you ask a DB player in a suit?
Will the defendant please rise.
What do you call a DB player on your front porch?
The pizza delivery guy.
What do you call a DB player with a beeper?
An optimist.
A DB player goes to the optometrist and the doc says "You really need to stop masterbating." The DB player, worried, asks "why...am I going blind?" "No" says the doc, "but you are distrubing everyone in the waiting room."
There's more where these came from... |
I posted this tid bit in another thread and thought it might be appropriate here as well. Here goes:
IMO the only response to Raul's posts is no response. He is entitled to his opinions, as misguided as most of them are, like everybody else here. The record is replete with his omniscient and combative ideas so why not let him go? I for one take no stock in anything he says and read them for the entertainment content. Roll with them and grab a few laughs. |
Dear Nrchy: Leave the people to answer by itself. are you the whole mannager? and answer what I ask you.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Cello is a music lover, not a dealer. He is employed in a completely unrelated field! His level of experience with the product that he is defending, though is significant!
Raul, again you make third party claims that are just plain outside the realm of reason. The comments doublebass made about the room at RMAF are without basis. The amp and speakers were mid-fi at best yet he maintains that it was the cartridge that caused the sonic issues in that room. How can a comment like that have any validity?
I can't speak with absolute certainty, but I believe that both Vetterone and Cello could buy any cartridge they wanted. They both chose the UNIverse. Do you really believe that they never heard another good cartridge??? Or is it that they simply cannot hear as well as you??? Vetterone has described another cartridge he currently uses, are his comments still invalid because he does not concur with you?
I don't knowif it is a language barrier, or a logic barrier, but there is a disconnect somewhere in this discussion! |
Hello again,
Just a few last remarks before I jump off this rope(I mean thread).
No apology neccessary(from noone, as even the initial misquote wasn't posted with bad intend, I believe).
I wasn't implying that Raul was bragging, it was merely a verbal boomerang, thrown to say that everyone, INCLUDING myself, can own all the hifi equipment on the planet and still not have the right to tell a fellow enthusiasts what they're supposed to like or dislike.
As it is, I shouldn't spend any more time on the computer than absolutely neccessary, so please don't expect me to give you a run down of the sonic characteristics of every tonearm or cartridge that I ever had or have in my system.
Just a tip for those who (think they) own fullrange systems: buy a quality set of headphones, preferably with a very good headphone amp and you will be able to assess how well one cartridge fares versus another in the low bass department. No room anomalies or feedback related problems to influence the result, and certainly fullrange... but not recommended for long evenings with company or that next air guitar session :-)
Secondly, not only is arm/cartridge matching important, it is just as crucial to partner the (mc)cartridge with the right stepup transformer(or active gain stage). The sonic difference between even well reputed trannies are sometimes staggering, proper loading nonwithstanding.
Cheers to all of you and back to the grind...
Frank
or as Jack Nicholson said in "Mars Attacks": Couldn't we just all get along?.... |
Cello:
I am nonplussed. Are you a dealer or just an audiophile? |
Dear Cello: +++++ " . There have been a couple of comments from people like 76doublebass that are illogical or un-supported " +++++
I don't think that a person with the live music experience like 76doublebass is " illogical " like you say. Your arguments all over your post are " illogical ".
+++++ " Are you saying the I, Frank Schroder, Chris Brady, Vetterone, Stanfi, and Doug Deacon don't have full range systems. " +++++
First, Frank is not a member of your club ( He already speaks about ) and Doug, Lugnut and your system are far aways from " full range ". +++++ " You continue to make arguments about things you do not know or have experience " +++++ Wrong, who has no expirience is you: you can't hear the bass problems through your system due for bass deficiencies on your system.
+++++ " I know you wont respond to this, but please tell us the names of all of the Audiogon members that have posted that the UNIverse is lacking in bass and in which threads. " +++++
I think that you can remember that Audiogoner that put on sale his Colibri for do a change to the ZYX. I e-mail to him asking for his reason to do that and through the time he back off and retain his Colibri and sold the ZYX: this man has a full range audio system. I can't remember in what thread.
If I can remember Thomasheisig that " just ordered chips and coke .... " give a ZYX opinion about or Johnnantais, I'm not sure.
+++++ " I really dont know what got your panties in a twist against ZYX, " +++++
I'm not against the ZYX manufacturer ( as a fact I think that I'm helping to them for incite for they make research about to do a better cartridges in a near future. ). I'm against people like you that do false statements like : " the Universe is the best on the world ". This statement is unsupported by any standards.
Larry stay calm, put on sale your ZYX and buy a Dynavector XV-1, or a Colibri, or an Allaerts, or a Transfiguration and you will be happy about. If you do this you never return to today ZYX cartridges.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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Dear Nrchy: I don't know if I understand your post: are you tell me that I have to apology to Frank?
If this is what you told me let me know you that I don't have to send an apology to Frank because I don't insult or attack him.
+++++ " shared from someone who knows what they are talking about as opposed to... " +++++
If you are implying what I figure I can tell you that you don't know what are you talking about.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
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Raul,
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You continue to make arguments about things you do not know or have experience with and take shots at undeserving people.
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There is no UNIverse Club as you patronizingly refer to a number of Audiogon members that think highly of the ZYX product line and the UNIverse in particular.
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There has not been a group of "several others" as you say that have heard a UNIverse and found it to be lacking in bass or otherwise. There have been a couple of comments from people like 76doublebass that are illogical or un-supported that you refer to as "several others'.
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76doublebass post did not confirm anything for you about the UNIverse and for you to take his post as substantiation of your opinion about the UNIverse cartridge just serves to prove that you are just out to nail ZYX at all cost, do not have a logical thought process, or both.
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I know you wont respond to this, but please tell us the names of all of the Audiogon members that have posted that the UNIverse is lacking in bass and in which threads. I dont think you can come up with a list of several members that have found the UNIverse lacking that have direct experiences with a UNIverse.
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Have you still not head a UNIverse in your own system ?
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You say that people don't have full range systems that support the UNIverse so they don't know what they are missing in bass ? Who is on your list of UNIverse supporters that have non-full-range systems? Are you saying the I, Frank Schroder, Chris Brady, Vetterone, Stanfi, and Doug Deacon don't have full range systems.
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It is not fair to the manufacturer of the ZYX cartridges to bash a product that you do not have sufficient knowledge about. It is their passion and livelihood that you are tearing at without basis. That is patently unfair and with out class on your part.
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There are newer and less experienced audiophiles that do not realize that you are an articulate (well, not really) incompetent. It would be easy for them to miss that you often speak with matters you dont understand while acting as if you do and miss out on considering the ZYX products and that would be a shame.
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I really dont know what got your panties in a twist against ZYX, but it is quite obvious that you go out of your way to trash their group of products.
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Try getting off your pedestal for a moment and listen a bit to some of the other peoples points of view and experiences with out discarding them out of hand and you might actually learn something.
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Those of us who have heard a UNIverse in a full range system know that it is an outstanding cartridge and want for others to be able to enjoy their systems and music a bit more. I know this group of people well and that is where the enthusiasm for their UNIverse emanates from.
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They get a bit of joy from helping others and are a bit excited as a result of finding a special piece of equipment that is quite extraordinary. |
Raul, there was no apology for misquoting Herr Schroeder, is that still forth coming?
It would be nice to have some arm/cartridge experiences shared from someone who knows what they are talking about as opposed to... |
Please go on.
I just ordered chips and coke .... |
Dear Frank: I only do a reference on you because the wrong statement: " one of the two best cartridges in the world".
Btw, I'm not bragging any thing, I'm only trying to explain that for any one can do a serious cartridge comparison it has to match each cartridge with the best tonearm for each one, that's all.
+++++ " In fact, I own more arms than you do and have likely owned more carts too. " +++++
Great to know this. I hope that in a near future you can share with us your wide cartridge/tonearm experiences.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Dear Lugnut: +++++ " Further, I was more irritated with what I viewed as an unwarranted attack on Frank Schroder " +++++
I never attack to Frank, I respect him like a person and like a great tonearm designer. What I already post about is something that every body understand and almost agree but you. I respect your opinion too.
Btw, I agree with Gmorris last post.
Every time that I disagree with you or with any of your members club always post that I'm attaking any one of you: sorry but you don't have any idea what " attack " means.
Stay calm and be happy: all of you.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Hi guys,
I just got back from Colorado, so please excuse the late response to retroinferno's post.
I don't recall ever stating that the ZYX Universe is "one of the two best cartridges in the world". If I ever did, there shurely must have been too much Tequila in that last Margharita. No, seriously - I wouldn't make such a statement, even I did listen to every high quality cartridge that was ever made(not many left though... ;-). Personal preferences are only one of so many variables when it comes to determining which cart is "best" for you. The Universe is a top quality cartridge, but in the room Chris Brady had the misfortune of setting up his Teres 360 NO cartridge would have sounded good. I couldn't stay in that room for more than a few minutes without getting a headache. Chris felt the same way and will return with a vengeance next year.
Comparing the Brinkmann table with the Teres 360 played via two totally different systems in different rooms and then drawing conclusions about the character of the cartridges used, well, those must be truly golden ears....or maybe they are made from Phyrite after all ;-)
Dear Raul, just for your consolation, I do listen to many cartridges mounted in other arms but my own. In fact, I own more arms than you do and have likely owned more carts too.
Neither of us should be bragging about it though and neither of us is any more right recommending a particular cartridge, arm or table than another "less well endowed list member" since it is all about INDIVIDUALS conveying the fun that playing with these grown man's toys and hopefully the enjoyment of the music that goes along with it can provide.
To sum it up, meeting old and new friends at the RMAF was what made the trip worth it, not the listening to systems that, while some might be truly great, can never be transported 1:1 into your own listening environment.
Cheerio,
Frank Schröder
P.S.: Patrick, I just wish Albert had left me a little more time to talk with you.... |
Dear ZYX club friends: +++++ " The ZYX Universe had no deep low bass information at all. " +++++
The 76 doublebass opinion only confirm what for many months I already posted about the ZYX cartridges: faulty at the bass, several times and not only my opinion but severals others opinions like the 76db here. Please there are no excuses for that.
I wonder why you all ZYX club members are satisfied: I'm sure you have good ears and experience in live unamplified music.
Now that I do a research about your audio systems I can see that any of you have a full range system, so any of you can't hear how great is the bass problems in the ZYX cartridges, so don't try to defend what you can't hear and never can hear with your today system: HOW CAN YOU DEFEND SOMETHING THAT YOU DON't KNOW THAT EVEN EXIST ? YOU CAN'T HEAR IT !!!!!!! and you never did till you have a full range system, that's all.
Maybe in the next ZYX cartridges generation they can solve that bass problems.
I really desire that they do it because if they do I'm sure that my next cartridge in my system will be a ZYX one, but not before. All of us deserve more that what ZYX is given today for its price.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul. |
Doublebass, I am glad you are happy with your Grado, but I can't understand how anyone could hang the blame for the poor sound in the Teres/Parasound/Forgettable Speaker room on the cartridge. (I think the speakers should been taken out and kneecapped, they were that bad IMHO.) I doubt even your (insert favorite cart here______) would have saved that room. I do own a ZYX and it exhibits none of the poor traits you judge it to have, but I also own a Dynavector XV-1s (currently in use) and am searching for an early Lyra Parnassus to have converted into an Olympos. I also have a Colibri coming for a trial run. My point is that I will own whatever has merit in my system and feel no need to defend any of my equipment. I am responding because you might be cheating yourself or someone reading this thread of a great cartridge choice for yours or their system. It truly IS one great cartridges of today.
The Brinkmann Balance/Marten Coltrane/Lamm room was one of the best sounds there for me. I would love to try a Brinkmann Balance in my system along with serveral top carts. Maybe someday soon... |
Lugnut:
You stated in your response above that:
I was more irritated with what I viewed as an unwarranted attack on Frank Schroeder. That is what my criticism of Gmorris was about.
I simply wrote that: Presumably, from your account Frank Schroeder has auditioned every available cartridge arm/table combination in the world.
Maybe they are the best that he has tried in his arms in his system .
This does not constitute an attack on Mr. Schroeder, who is in your estimation a very nice man. However, he is not an Audio God. He is not infallible, his opinions are just that: MERE OPINIONS, albeit probably more informed than the typical poster on these threads..
I |
