larryi

Responses from larryi

SOTA vacuum or no?
I have a Basis Debut vacuum. The vacuum feature is easier to use than even a plain old clamp. Just put the record on the platter, put the center "clamp" (actually a seal) on the spindle and flip a switch. You don't even have to tighten the center ... 
How Many Turntables Have You Owned
BIC 980AR (later, not original model)Maplenoll (total nightmare)Well Tempered Record PlayerVPI HW-19 IV/Graham 1.5tBasis Debut (vacuum)/Vector Arm. 
What Solid State PreAmp?
I now run all tube amplification (linestage, phono and amp), but I do own a couple of solid state linestages (Placette Active and Levinson No. 32). For the money, the Placette Active is a very good linestage -- dynamic, open and detailed, and it p... 
Weights on a preamp
Chashmal,This is all a matter of system tuning. Your finding that the sound became thin and lacked warmth is consistent with what dampening will do. If your system was overly warm, the dampening would have been positive, but, that clearly was not ... 
Weights on a preamp
More than almost any other kind of electronic component, because they contain small signal tubes that are often microphonic, a tube linestage is prone to problems with vibration. It certainly does not hurt to try different forms of dampening. I pe... 
Cartridge for Naim ARO
I helped with tuning up an LP 12 with an ARO arm on to which we mounted a Transfiguration Phoenix cartridge. The combination delivered a very dynamic and exciting sound. I don't know about long-term appreciation, but for the two hours or so that w... 
Bybee Speaker Bullets?
Detlof,I agree with you completely that just because there isn't a reasonable explanation that does not mean there isn't a real effect. Take the aspirin. How it works was actually determined many decades after it was invented and after it had alle... 
Bybee Speaker Bullets?
Detlof,I don't doubt you heard what you claim you heard. But, it still is important to have some idea as to why you got that particular sonic result. It is possible for a scoundrel to put out something that modifies the signal using common circuit... 
Bybee Speaker Bullets?
Johnk,I don't see how it is obvious what these things do? Do you actually know what they do, or, are you saying that they obviously alter resistance, capacitance and/or inductance as would any other kind of circuit element, even though you don't k... 
Which test CD was this...
I am betting that Mrtennis has figured out which disc you are referring to. This disc starts with some very well recorded jazz tracks from Chesky's catalogue, follows with a section of listening tests and finally a collection of test signals.The s... 
Is upgrading stock tubes standard proceedure?
Generally speaking, it does not make sense for manufacturers to use anything but readily available current production tubes. First, they must be assured of adequate supplies for continued production as well as supplying customers with replacement ... 
Integrated Amp DAC Naim Supernait? Bryston B100?
I heard the Supernait, used strictly as an integrated amplifier, in a friend's system. This is a surprisingly good amplifier. I think it is much better than the 252/200 combination of separates that this friend also has in his system (not as "dry"... 
Bybee Speaker Bullets?
Hi Detlof,Any suggestions on how one gets to audition the Bybee Bullets on their own speakers? I would be interested in them, but only if I can first here them in my own system, like you have done. 
Koetsu cartridges - myth or reality?
Wow, a lot of postings here that agree with my own personal taste/experience. I like the Koetsu stone series because they are reasonably "fast" (dynamic and clear and not overly warm). But, the other Koetsu cartridges sound very good too. As Lewm ... 
nagra cdp
Misskuma,I think it was a Hovland HP 200 feeding into a Hovland amp and then into Sonus Faber Anniversario speakers. The Hovland gear is reasonable smooth and full bodied, but, a touch polite and dynamically constrained. I have no idea which playe...