lewm
Responses from lewm
| What AC motor does BASIS use in their older 2500-2800 series TT If it comes down to having to pay $2K for a new Basis motor, I would consider the Eclipse system from SOTA as an alternative. Total cost is less than $2K and you get speed control in the bargain. | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? "A mess" meaning there would have to be at least one or two more tubes, preferably of high transconductance to use as CFs. But could you then delete one of the 12AX7s and end up with the same number of tubes? While I recognize the importance of t... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? In a well designed circuit, tubes will last quite a long time, certainly many years, sometimes more than a decade. One of the few good uses for a tube tester (and I specify a tester that measures transconductance in units rather than as “good” or ... | |
| Stereo mode in phone stage going out I tend to favor porchlight’s suggestion that the fault is in the selector switch, because OP says it doesn’t happen with other inputs. on the other hand, if the stereo/mono switch is only in the phono stage circuit, in that case it could be that s... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? For a cathode follower you WANT high transconductance. Tubes like the 12AX7, used by many companies as a cathode follower, are not a good choice. They do it because there are billions of 12AX7s in the world, and more are being made in Eastern Euro... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? "Triodes that are unbalanced sound just as good as long as one side tests strong." That’s true, IF the gain circuit is single-ended as opposed to balanced, and if the section with high transconductance is the one you are using. This is often how t... | |
| Stereo mode in phone stage going out Forgot to mention, do you have this problem when switched to any of the high level inputs? For example, CDP or tuner? The stereo/mono switch is typically in the linestage circuit, not in the phono stage circuit, in an integrated amp or receiver.... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? The only thing a tube tester can tell you is whether a tube is worn out or nearly so. That you can determine by comparing the manufacturer data to the tube tester result. But the red flag is transconductance. As tubes wear, transconductance goes ... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? These days, for the exotic types and brands you mention (Siemens and TFK), I’d hazard a guess that there are more fakes than real ones on the market. I’d stay away from eBay as a source for such tubes. Most reputable dealers don’t pretend to have ... | |
| Stereo mode in phone stage going out Given the age of the unit, it’s probably a dirty or faulty switch. Before you buy anything, I would query the guys who restored it for you first. If it’s the switch, that is a very easy and inexpensive fix. I have one question along the lines of E... | |
| Do vacuum tube test values reflect sound quality? There is no test that correlates with sound quality except you want transconductance to be well within the good range and the two sections of a 6SN7 or any dual triode to be about equal in transconductance, but for two tubes that test well, no mea... | |
| Rank choice of three turntables I did not replace the entire plinth. I reinforced the plinth with slabs of aluminum which I bolted to the bottom, adding mass and constrained layer damping. I did replace the arm board. It felt light and insubstantial to me where I was trying to ... | |
| Rank choice of three turntables Cast iron, or any iron in the platter material, is not always compatible with especially LOMC cartridges that have powerful magnets. I think this issue has been cited by TD124 users. Caveat emptor. Eno, I have not had a problem with discoloratio... | |
| Rank choice of three turntables If the TT101 is working, it’s my favorite of those 3. I own one, and I have owned two different SP 10 mk2. The MS will have some admirers too; I’ve no direct experience, but I don’t care for the tonearm mount design. I doubt anyone here has hands ... | |
| What are your top 3 favorite turntable companies (manufacturer) and why? Good for you, but most other audiophiles don't, or if they do I wait to hear from them. And I think Australians might take umbrage at the notion they are naught but displaced Brits. Doehmann and Caliburn are very fine TTs, for sure, but neither m... |