earthtones

Responses from earthtones

I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time
In my system that I described earlier, I think the Hyperion does everything extremely well, PRAT, tone, whatever. I think it’s a simple matter of superior tracking ability combined with ultra low moving mass and resonance- how do you beat a cactus... 
Rouge Audio RP-7
I had an RP-7 and thought it was decent. There was an issue with noise coming from one channel which turned out to be related I think to the front end logic board, which Rogue promptly fixed. Sensing there was more resolution and bass impact to be... 
I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time
The rest of my system was waiting- Pass XP-27, ARC Ref 6SE, Vandersteen M5-HPA, Vandersteen 5A Carbon, PS Audio P20 for sources, AQ 5000 for amps, AQ water IC, AQ William Tell Silver biwire, AQ Hurricane, and some other odds and ends. There’s a di... 
I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time
Measured wow/flutter, according to multiple trials with Analog Magic, is around .06%. This is a decent figure for sure, but to improve it I suspect I’d need to overhaul the bearing, which I’m not willing to do at this point. The next upgrade will ... 
I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time
A highly modified VPI classic 4, with the SOTA Eclipse motor and controller upgrade, including an Origin Live belt and an SME 312S arm and Funk Achromat mat, and last but not least, ISO Acoustics Gaia 2 feet. The motor is sitting on two levels of ... 
LP Vinyl: Quality, Pressing, Label, Weight, Where to Buy ???
Chesky and Phillips pressed in Netherlands have been very reliable Discogs purchases. The pressing quality is far better than what I’m seeing on many of my new reissues. I’m convinced that 180 - 200 gm vinyl is part of the problem, as I’ve heard t... 
Bonham’s Squeaky Drum Pedal
I always wondered what that was. I’ve heard it on all of my systems at moderate levels over the years.   
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
 "There is a lot of harmonic distortion at high frequencies with vinyl playback. This creates a high frequency haze that fills in between the instruments.This is very noticeable with high frequency percussion, cymbals, triangles and such." This i... 
Why recordings made before 1965 sound better.
I don’t think I have any modern digital recording, whether it’s DSD, hi rez PCM, or an LP from a hi rez digital source, that are as involving as my better analog based LPs. A few examples I don’t like: 1) Saint Saens Symphony 3, Reference Recordi... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
I think Soundsmith, for one, has been quite innovative with the Strain Gauge and the Hyperion, plus improvements like DEMS (Dynamic Energy Management System) across cartridge lines.  
My kiseki Blackheart nightmare.
I had a Kiseki Purpleheart. Three of them actually. The first two had bent (out of parallel cantilevers). Then I used it for about two years and I was happy with the sound except that I had to lower the back end quite a bit to get the sonic balanc... 
What angle should I set the VTA on my VPI turntable?
I’m one of the contributors on vinyl asylum that posted pics with SRA measurements from my USB camera. The last time I did this I was attempting to set a Soundsmith Sussoro ES Mk 2. Peter L. chimed in and explained that there’s a tiny facet that d... 
PASS LABS XP-22 vs. XP-12
I’ve gone through both the BHK and Pass XP-22. The BHK was more satisfying overall but the XP-22 had better bass. My recommendation: find a used ARC Ref 6, which bested both in my system. It was much more dynamic and fuller in the lower midrange a... 
VPI new turntable- Prime 21
I’m not a fan of the drive mechanism. Having to move the belt to change the speed means belt contamination from your fingers and varying belt tension because it goes on different size pulleys, so it can never be just the right tension, which reall... 
Sota Eclipse packages for VPI tables.
With this upgrade, I dramatically improved my Classic 4. The tricky part was figuring out what size belt to order from Origin Live, plus I had to rig up a custom motor mounting to get rid of plinth-transmitted noise.  Is your motor fixed or is it ...