mulveling

Responses from mulveling

Okay to use RCA adapter on a fully balanced amp?
@blkwrxwgn Jensen makes a box that’s incredibly handy to have for these scenarios. It takes SE / RCA inputs and converts to balanced / XLR outputs via transformers (you will also need an extra IC). I have this and can confirm its transformers ar... 
Phono Cartridge Purchase from Asia?
It’s unlikely that user damage / misuse would be covered under any warranty. @big_greg That’s exactly what I’m saying too. Nor would I WANT it covered by warranty; it would necessarily raise the prices even more, and I guess I have a more stea... 
Phono Cartridge Purchase from Asia?
I’ve personally purchased a few cartridges from Kron, and yes he’s excellent; the Benzes are legit and have always been perfect. I have yet to require warranty service on any cartridge (most cartridges will either die by accident/abuse or by worn... 
Tube amps and a Stradivarius
That would be a fantastic theory, except that tubes are just as popular with headphone aficionados as with traditional 2ch audiophiles. I definitely agree tubes are doing “something” to the sound (and I like it), but microphony is probably not its... 
Hesitant to upgrade my phono cartridge
I’ve used a Cadenza Bronze on an Ovation and with a VTPH-2A (though not at the same time) and it’s a great match in both cases. The Clearaudio decks & arms definitely benefit from a cartridge with some natural warmth, or they can come off as s... 
Balance control?
@bimmerman2  Awesome Keith did that! That's a great mod. I wish more preamps with analog volume controls would provide a few high quality (high quality resistors) discrete steps of ~ 1/3rd dB in each direction L/R. That should provide enough flex... 
Amp pairing with Tannoy Turnberry?
If I were OP I’d be tempted to try the Manley Snappers for sale at TMR (probably listed here too). 100 Watts of sweet EL34, and Ms Manley herself is a lifelong Tannoy aficionado. For what it’s worth I agree Tannoys can thrive with either tubes or... 
Amp pairing with Tannoy Turnberry?
For warmer sounding amps (something that would complement the Turnberry), I would look for amps run will 6L6 or KT66 tubes. I would tend to avoid KT88 amps because the tendency to have a "hard" or "brittle" sound might exaggerate the slight tende... 
Review of Quadratic MC-1 SUT With Comparisons to Other SUTs
@kdogsy  Interesting - I didn't realize Cardas had such a wide variance in capacitance by model, though it makes sense. Clear is definitely the one you'd want for this application (very good numbers), though a bit pricey. Cardas used to publish c... 
SUT - electrical theory and practical experience
Btw, @intactaudio  : you capacitance parameter of 80pf coukld be not real to make SUT measurements as the 300k load. Normally what sees the MM stage + SUT is a load of 47k and capacitance around 200pf. Then measures arwe different that with your... 
SUT - electrical theory and practical experience
@mulveling  The SUT I used include Cinemag 1254 transformers wired at 1:10 for my Lyra Delos.   It sounded louder because of the extra resulting gain and really good but ultimately not as refined overall as my Sutherland fully active.   Thank... 
Bob Carver tube amps
I’m not sure how you can find what you found online and still consider Carver. He’s been a gimmick salesman for decades. If nothing else, look at the claimed power output to weight ratio of his recent tube amp lines, and compare to other brands. T... 
Review of Quadratic MC-1 SUT With Comparisons to Other SUTs
@kdogsy  Hi Kim, Awesome! Both the MC-4 and Quadratic MC-1 are wonderful SUTs. They're still my favorite 2; I still own and enjoy both a lot. I think (and hope) you'll be blown away by the difference over your Classic's built-in SUT. Your Koetsu... 
SUT - electrical theory and practical experience
Dear @mulveling : SutherlaND 20/20 mk2 IS A VERY GOOD ss PHONO STAGE DESIGN ( LIKE THE pS aUDIO sTELLAR. ) AN YES BEEN an active high gain design just outperforms I think almost any SUT. @rauliruegas Hi Raul, I’m sure the Sutherland is a lovel... 
SUT - electrical theory and practical experience
In practice my SUT experience was disappointing. I used highly regarded Cinemag transformers with my Lyra Delos cartridge perfectly matched. The sound was energetic and loud but the treble was edgy and grainy. Using my Sutherland 20/20 fully act...