dgarretson
Responses from dgarretson
| vpi scoutmaster versus technics unbiased Barring the expensive DD models mentioned by Johnnyb53, the cognescenti of direct-coupled(i.e. idler) & DD TTs generally favor vintage Lencos, Technics SP-10 & early Denons. They can be purchased for under $500 on ebay and restored/replint... | |
| classic rock lps on VPI BTW, one way to see if the thread drive is tensioned correctly is to give the record clamp a clockwise twist while the TT is running. If you hear the thread complain against the motor pulley, then tighten the thread. If tightening doesn't fix it, ... | |
| jupiter beeswax paper foil caps I'd be cautious about Jupiter caps in a warm tube amp. They're rated only to 110F(43C), as compared to 65C for most oil caps, and 85C for many non-oil constructions. If they develop DC leakage due to heat you may have circuit problems long before ... | |
| classic rock lps on VPI Scott,BTW, listen to piano when setting up the thread drive. Piano will shimmer if the thread is too tight or too loose. Hopefully you have a speed controller, as thread digs deeper into the motor pulley than a rubber band & changes the drive ... | |
| classic rock lps on VPI Scott,My suspensionless TNT is great with rock music & your Scout is very close in design, so you should be able to get there.Regarding siting, you have exactly the same Scout/wall mount/Bright Star set-up as a fellow I know who benefitted gre... | |
| classic rock lps on VPI What don't you like about the VPI? What is it sitting on? | |
| Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil There are a few credible builders who have observed that when all things are equal(same cap type and capacitance value)a large/higher-voltage version sounded better than a small/low-voltage version. However, when comparing different types of caps,... | |
| ARC LS2 versus B.A.T. VK-3i You're on the right track with the BAT VK-5i or 3i. They're open & transparent on top(though a bit rolled off), and warmer & bloomier in the middle than BAT's later preamps-- a good offset to the dry sound of Thiel & SS amp. If later o... | |
| Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil As previously stated, I think you're missing the boat in not defering judgment until much further into the break-in process. However it's delightful to hear that the experience has salvaged speakers that you were considering selling after three de... | |
| Best way to add remote volume control to tube pre. An external box is convenient, but if you want the best sound, take a close look at motorizing the internal stepped attenuator-- or perhaps even replacing the stock attenuator with a better attenuator in conjunction with a motor drive. Assuming yo... | |
| Best way to add remote volume control to tube pre. If the pre has or can be refitted with a high-quality stepped attenuator, Bent Audio makes a nice motor-drive/infrared remote kit. | |
| Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil I have no experience with Sonicaps. It might be interesting to wire them in parallel and plug them into an AC outlet for several weeks, then reinstall. | |
| Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil Agree with Merganser. It's pointless to post an opinion of any new component until after 100 hours, and probably 200 hours for caps. There's a huge amount of misinformation that's circulated as a result of impatience. Some caps in some application... | |
| MC phono stage without transformer? The thing that puzzles me in all of this is in absolute terms, how much performance can be obtained with a very low-output MC cartridge that requires a step-up transformer and/or a high-gain transformerless phono stage, as compared to a medium-gai... | |
| Buying used vs. New I purchase only used equipment made by the relatively few remaining independent manufacturers that are highly supportive of buyers of used equipment. These are operations where you can talk to the principals. Atma-Sphere, Merlin, and BAT are a few... |