sturgus

Responses from sturgus

VPI's new "Vanquish" Ultra High-End turntable is a STUNNER!
"Audiophiles eat their young" 
So many great golden era DD tables out there, what do you recommend for $1000?
This guy always has a few nice DD tables. He always recaps them and goes over all the electronics so you get a nice machine. Worth checking him out.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRwg7OGjAQM 
Replacement Amp For Audio Research Classic 60
Sometimes you just have to let yourself be happy 😁. I would send it to ARC for a full check up or overhaul and sit back and enjoy for another 20 or so years. 
My sacrilegeous question to audiophiles out there regarding parametric equalizer.
I have several line stages and a few preamps. The ones that sound the best in my system have no tone controls. I am not against EQ's I just think a lot of the ones made were just not that well implemented. I think one of these would work well.http... 
Herron VTPH-2A Phono Preamp....anyone familiar?
It will be my next phonostage.   
Does anyone have any experience of hybrid valve and solid state power amps?
I have heard these amps and think they are quite good.http://www.musicaldesign.com/MD_T75.html 
Questions about VPI Turntables and rotational speed
How accurate is the app? I think I would try a good printed strobe to see how it compares. Sometimes simple is better. 
VPI TNT Mk 3 – Looking for a tonearm and cartridge
You have a sweet system. A few recommendations.Speed controller: https://walkeraudio.com/shop/precision-motor-controller-copy/Tonearms with your budget lots of choices.: http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/pu7/: http://www.triplanar.com/tonearm.html: ht... 
Best head amp of the market ?
You can go to the Graham Slee forum and check out the Elevator. They have a loaner program that allows you to try it in your system for several weeks to see if it fits. It only cost the price of shipping. By the way it's a very nice and flexible u... 
Upgrading path from Merlin VSM black magic
I have an older pair of Merlin's. I have a BAM with a custom made P/S that replaced my battery BAM. I run a pair of old Dahlquist Subs with the Dahlquist LP-1 crossover driven by an 150 watt Musical Design amp. I run the Merlins full and bring the... 
Cartridges: Complete Scam?
The only way to know is to try it for yourself. Maybe that restored table is better than your MoFi. You are the only one that can make that decision. 
Recommedation for Phono Pre for my modest rig
I also think the Graham Slee Era-Gold would be a very nice choice. If you join the Slee forum you can audition the Gold for 2 weeks for just the price of shipping. Well worth a try. 
Would you use an Ortofon A90 on a Jelco tonearm?
Soundsmith does do retipping, although it's more expensive than replacing the cantilever/stylus assembly.  
Dr. Feickert Protractor
If you only have one table and one arm I think the Mint would be the way to go.I have also used the Conrad Hoffman with good results. If you are like me and have 5 tables and 9 tonearms the Feickert is a blessing. It takes me about 10 min to setup... 
Vintage Denon turntable
I would pass on it. It may be a simple recap which would cost you $150-200 bucks. Or it could be one of those proprietary chips in that case you have a beautiful paper weight. I would look for a working one. They can be found starting around $750 ...