billstevenson

Responses from billstevenson

Good (great?) cartridges with user replaceable styli
Well you are on the right track.  I happen to own all of those mentioned so far, plus a few more.  Audio Technica AVN150 is also very nice and there are others.  The Shure V15 is a favorite of mine too and then there is the possibility of picking ... 
VPI upgrade?
VPI makes nice turntables. Always have.  I presently have an HW40 that is quite the berries and am resurrecting my old HW19MkIII bought new in 198?.  I have also owned but traded a fully pimped out Prime.  No regrets, they all work just fine.  My ... 
VPI Cyclone, causing pop in speakers
Your speakers could be damaged and you are right to worry about it.  It probably is a bad power switch on the Cyclone.  Contact VPI to see what they say.  Or contact a local electrician to see what can be done to isolate and buffer the circuit tha... 
End Game Turntable suggestions
I know Sota and SME and Klipsch and others also have a reputation for long term, excellent after sales support.  It might be fun and useful for us to put our collective experience together and make a list of companies that we have knowledge of who... 
End Game Turntable suggestions
Mikey Fremer addressed the motor used in the HW40 in his review with very positive commentary.  It is an very high grade motor.  I know that Matt made a significant investment in inventory of motors to bring the price down on the product.  VPI has... 
Have you heard a VAS cartridge?
Clarification, I prefer the VAS Nova Mono over any other mono options currently available.  
Have you heard a VAS cartridge?
I own two VAS Nova MC cartridges, one mono and one stereo.  The mono one in particular is magic, easily the best of several monophonic cartridges that I own.  A few days ago I reconfigured my phono pre set up for MM and had to switch from using th... 
End Game Turntable suggestions
I own a VPI HW40 and am very happy with it.  I have also listened extensively to a Rega 10 and would be quite happy to listen to either one forever.     
Mono Cartridge Question
Hi Lewm, Definitions can get tricky.  What I do is clean it and then play the damn record.  If not sure, I play the record with a stereo cartridge first.  That is always going to determine if it is mono or stereo.  Next, I try a 0.07 mil mono.  I... 
Mono Cartridge Question
I can't answer all of the questions raised here, but I can add some light at least.  First let me describe my mono vs. stereo cartridges a bit further.  I have a VAS Mono MC, .07 mil elliptical diamond on aluminum cantilever and the brother in ste... 
TechDAS Reliability vs SME
Difference is what makes horse races.-- Mark Twain I have a different opinion of SME and particularly of their tonearms.  
Mono Cartridge Question
Lewm,   I have owned many preamps with mono switches and of course many cartridges, both mono and stereo over the years.  In my experience a mono cartridge always sounds better.  With that said, a mono switch used with a high grade stereo cartri... 
TechDAS Reliability vs SME
If I were in the market now I would look very hard at the new SME 60.  In terms of reliability, though, which was your original question, I have not heard of any problems with any of them.  
Mono Cartridge Question
Mono cartridges simply work better on mono records.  Quieter, more presence.  The Miyajima is a true mono and would be the best choice of those you are considering.  
SUT - electrical theory and practical experience
R, If you are sincere, I commend DSD to your attention.  Otherwise, I think you are on a quest that is analogous to slaying windmills. I will stand by my advice to make yourself happy, play what pleases your ears and when it comes to analog, esp...