Paul Hynes Veron Concert Phono Amp

[Ammonite Audio]

Running in the new Veron Concert phono amp has coincided with Expert Stylus Company returning my AT33PTG and Kontrapunkt B cartridges, both fitted with new Paratrace tips, so I've been having a bit of fun via the TD124, Jelco SA-750D and Bob's Devices SUT.

To say that the Veron Concert is better than my old PS Audio GCPH is an understatement. The GCPH sounds almost mechanical in comparison to the Veron Concert, which throws out a huge, colourful soundstage populated by delightful details. There is such "drive" and enthusiasm to the sound that Marco would, no doubt, be very impressed too. Vinyl has never sounded so good in my house. Things can only get better, perhaps with a spot of tube rolling over the coming months. This is one musical little beast that actually costs less than the GCPH!

So, the GCPH (which is a fine phono amp by any standard) must now go, so if anyone is interested in it, let me know

As an aside, comparing the two ESCo'd cartridges has been a fascination in itself, because I now have two identical stylus tips, set to identical angles, so any differences are down to the cartridge body/cantilever, suspension, coils, magnets etc (quite a lot, of course, but the tip is taken out of the equation). The AT33PTG is a stunner, irrespective of its price point, and the Paratrace tip has if anything improved it by making it a bit more civilised than before, without subtracting anything of the joie de vivre that the thing had in buckets full. Tracking is rather better, too and surface noise is lower than I recall from when it had its ML tip. The KB was very tired but it's now been rejuvenated to a magnificent degree. Its character is much closer to the AT33PTG's than I expected and it's perhaps a bit more tolerant of surface noise and clicks. I did not expect the KB to communicate the music more effectively to the heart than the AT33PTG, but that appears to be the case; however I do admit that there's very little in it.

This boils down to a huge recommendation for ESCo. The cost of servicing and retipping is so much less than buying a new cartridge (in most cases) that it's a no-brainer to keep old favourites going this way. Yes, ESCo's service is slow, taking up to 4 months, but it's worth it. My recommendation is to get your old cartridges booked in with ESCo now!

[DSJR]

Thank you Hugo. I'm right cheesed off at the mo, as funds are tight, but I have an OC30 without diamond that is crying out for the EsCo treatment (and the OC9 won't have too long to go) and a wonderful (even Marco would love this one I think) old koetsu Black with one channel out (can they do repairs too, or would Moth Marketing's "Decca Man" be able to assist with repair?).

Forgive if you've posted these but---

[Ammonite Audio]

Here is one of Paul's photos of the Veron Concert's innards:



I would post some pics of ESCo's work on my cartridges, but I need an adapter that will allow my DSLR camera to take photos through my Olympus stereo microscope. These adapter things are available, it seems, but I may need help finding the right one. Hamish???

[MartinT]

To say that the Veron Concert is better than my old PS Audio GCPH is an understatement.

I'm not surprised, Hugo. I felt the same way about my GCPH with the added annoyance of a low level hum I could never quite get rid of. Replacing it with the Whest was a whole new ball game and I'm glad you've found the same with your Veron.

The KB was very tired but it's now been rejuvenated to a magnificent degree. Its character is much closer to the AT33PTG's than I expected and it's perhaps a bit more tolerant of surface noise and clicks. I did not expect the KB to communicate the music more effectively to the heart than the AT33PTG, but that appears to be the case; however I do admit that there's very little in it.

This is fascinating. How are you loading the Ortofon - the same as the AT? What about gain? I'm interested because there are so many Ortofon variants on sale on eBay and I may just take a punt to have an alternative view from the 33PTG.

Marco will be along in a minute to remind me that I must buy an SPU. All in good time

[Ammonite Audio]

The Kontrapunkt B is loaded by the Bobs Devices SUT with exactly the same setting as for the AT33PTG, eg the "low" gain setting. The respective output impedances are very different (5 ohms and 17 ohms respectively), but both work very well with the SUT.

When you have another session with Marco, it would be good to bring the Veron Concert along. I'd very much like to know how it compares with your Whest. It would also be interesting to compare my Paratrace-tipped AT33PTG with your ML tipped original.

[Marco]

That sounds like a plan, Hugo!

In fact, we should thrash out a few dates to see when we're all free...

How's Feb for you guys, maybe the 19th, or the following weekend?

Marco.

[MartinT]

Feb 19th or the following Saturday are both fine for me. Sounds like the makings of another good shootout. Bring it on!

[Ammonite Audio]

Feb 19th or the following Saturday are both fine for me. Sounds like the makings of another good shootout. Bring it on!

I can work with either of those dates.

[Marco]

Let's do the 19th then, chaps!

Maybe get Snoops along, too? How's he doing anyway, Martin? I haven't heard from him in a while

Marco.

[MartinT]

I haven't seen Steve for a while, Marco, but I'm sure he's lurking hereabouts.