1210 - Journey to audionirvana @ PT

[Tiff_Needle]

So, finally...

A few spare minutes to kick-off this glorious new journey ...

(an audiofool as to exaggerate is new findings just for the make believe that every cent he spends as actual scientific arguments that supports is ventures, right? )

So after a proper presentation (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...llo-from-Lx-PT) and your more than warm welcome greetings, I hereby officially start a thread that I hope will help me be guided through on this new journey.


As already mentioned on my welcome thread, I've just recently (my gosh, two weeks have already passed? And still no 1210 feeding milivolts to my pre-amp!?!!? What a crime...) acquired a brand new, mint, boxed 1210 mk2 as my first TT rig!

My current setup is composed by:

- Jeff-Rowland Model 6 w/ BPS-6 Battery power supplies - power amp

- Jeff-Rowland Synergy IIi - pre

- Monitor Audio PL300 (Considering the Apogee duetta signature path refurbed w/ Graz's new ribbons and updated XOvers)

- Sony SCD-1 (considering abandoning for good the phisical digital media - So... I'll have to say "see you in the afterlife my cherished love" to the SCD-1 someday...)

- Abrahamsen V6 DAC (Temporary DAC - Several serious DACs up for auditioning)

- Mac Mini w/ AudioNirvana +

- Technics SL 1210 mk2 - completely stock

- No phono Stage Yet - (Considering Jeff-rowland Cadence - A bit steep for what I was thinking)

- Spectral HE2002-BG-AL rack

Objective: get the most of the 1210, step by step. DD T/T are indeed special. Let's see if this fellow can cup up with my remaining rig.

Biggest challenge (in a newbie's perspective): How to overcome the known limitations of the 1210 (and most DD) in terms of sound-staging!!!!

Passion: Enjoy and be immersed in music instead of being happy for an hour showing off a fatigating, over-analitical, dull, all bells and whistles high-end system to friends that doesn't really give me any personal pleasure. (Came from a 15+ years living with CJ system and its over-kodachrome presentation that simply gave great pleasure listening to)




I've already read several threads here, over AoS, and from what I've read I came to the following conclusions:



Upgrades to consider, not necessarily on the correct order in terms of priority...

- MN Bearing

- Paul Hynes PSU - SR7-EHD PSU w/

TDR21 dual 21-volt regulator module
S1709v4LN regulator module
Z1705LN regulator module

- Funk Firm Platter/5mm Achromat

- Isonoe Isolation feet (should I complement them w/ Sorbothane boots?)


Cartridge:

Now here is a serious issue... My 1210 is currently cartridge-less, and I really want to put it operational ASAP. But...

I really don't wish to spend a bloat load of money on a temporary cartridge just to buy another one after I've fitted a new arm on it! No way... Nor whish to spend a bloat load of money on a cartridge (I do have other bad, money spending, habits..)

As mentioned before, no phono stage yet, so that could be a plus as I could end buying a phono stage that would mate with the selected cartridge. But, I must say that I'm very inclined to a Cadence phono stage (I already have a unit waiting for me somewhere in Netherlands) for several of reason. The only drawback really is price. It comes at a modestly steeped cost!

Here is a short list of what I'm considering (based only on literature and not actual experience):

Denon DL-103R (***)

Audio-Technica AT-33EV(****)

BENZ-MICRO MC GOLD (****)

Ortofon 2M Bronze (**)

Goldring 1042 (**)


* = to were my inclination points at

Tone Arm:

Oooff, another headache!

Really need your help here...

SME 3009?

SME V? (Way more than what I was considering, euro/pound/dollar.. wise)

Jelco? (First time I've heard of it was actually here. No past experience whatsoever)



Well, for starters I think that this pretty much sums up what a 1210 newbie (actually, turntable newbie really) was able to gather in a few hours...

Now experts, can you please step in and share your wise wisdom with me ?


First two questions:

1 - Where do I start

2 - Which cartridge should I go for. (would be used for now on the stock 1210 arm... but keep in mind what I've wrote above)



PS: I really need to start putting price tags on all of this and collect as may contacts as possible on where can I get this stuff.

Project Deadline: Somewhere in the beginning of FY15, so that gives me what, a year and a half?!

[Tarzan]

First and foremost Jonathan, you will need to set a budget, to avoid expensive/ timewasting mistakes?

A bit of a generalisation l know.

[Wakefield Turntables]

If your going down the SME tonearm route only go for he 3009 if your a budget get the V if you can, additionally the denon 103 is a great cart with the V anything audiotechnica is too bright and shorty (I've been their). Of course others will recommend other tonearms but that's what I'd do if your doing the SME thing..

[The Grand Wazoo]

Where should you start?
I'd suggest that you spend several weeks with the deck as standard and with a relatively cheap cartridge mounted. Get to know the basic qualities of the device first and get to know them inside out - how can you possibly know what you are improving otherwise?

[Tarzan]

Where should you start?
I'd suggest that you spend several weeks with the deck as standard and with a relatively cheap cartridge mounted. Get to know the basic qualities of the device first and get to know them inside out - how can you possibly know what you are improving otherwise?

x2, get used it first, the stock Techie is very musical indeed.

[kininigin]

This maybe a stupid question,but do you actually own any vinyl?

I'd be a bit cautious about spending lots of money on a tt if you don't!!!

[Audio Al]

As other have already said

Use it in standard form first , you will be surprised how good it sounds

My advice would be to stear clear of the AT cart as I have a AT120e and it produces a hum , I have tried it on 2 1210 TTs with the same result, some sort of interference between the cart and the power supply , as the cart swings over the TT the hum starts on the outer edge of the platter and gets louder towards the middle of the TT

Also you need to decide if its going to be a Moving magnet or a moving coil cart , most popular will be a MM

Regarding vinyl , I obtain all mine form local car boot sales from 50p to £1 each , even cheaper if you buy job lots in bulk

[Stratmangler]

Regarding vinyl , I obtain all mine form local car boot sales from 50p to £1 each , even cheaper if you buy job lots in bulk

Last time I looked Lisbon was in Portugal (always look at the OP's location too ).
It's a long way to come to your local car boot sales, Al.

[Tarzan]

Jonathan, if you do not have a budget,the Inspire Monarch/SME V/with a cart of your choice, it looks good, sounds amazing, and is all you will ever need.

[Wakefield Turntables]

The Mike New bearing gets a lot of good comment on this forum but at £445 seems expensive to me for an item that seems to only give subtle gains IMHO.
.

Have you tried one? I find your comment very hard to believe.