Made a few changes [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Dingdong

13-10-2011, 19:44

As I've swapped a few bits and added some stuff recently I though I'd update you all.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0058.jpg

The Lk1 will shortly be on ebay. It has been replaced by a Musical Fidelity A1 FBP. Very nice.
The VRDS 9 is very ill, so has been replaced by a VRDS 7. You will be able to spot the remote at the bottom of the picture.
The eagle eyed of you may be able to spot the very expensive feet underneath the rack. I like to call them pennies. I tried ones out of my pocket, but I think it sounds much better with ones I pick up in the street. Never polish them, though. It buggers up the soundstage.

In the corner is my new PF30. I highly recommend giving one a go. Didn't make a lot of difference to my pre, which has some fancy choke smoothed supply, but worked wonders on the CD.
There is also my 110v step-down transformer that is part of my tt supply.

Here's a quick look at the innards of the new cdp. Gave the lens a quick clean and cleaned up a previous repair on some rectifier diodes.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0052.jpg

Must make up a new mains lead to replace the piece of crap that is stuck on it now.

Most importantly it's sounding pretty bloody marvelous now. The new pre was a big improvement and has opened up the sound considerably.
Plans for the future are to rewire the tonearm and maybe get myself a pair of monoblocks with balanced inputs. In the meantime I shall just enjoy some music. That is what it's supposed to be about isn't it? I get confused sometimes:eyebrows:

MartinT

13-10-2011, 19:58

I always fancied a Teac VRDS. Lovely substantial drive it looks, too.

Dingdong

13-10-2011, 20:11

Don't be fooled by the black bridge. It's just a rubber cover for the pressed steel proper bridge and the spindle motor.
It's loosely based on a Sony mechanism. The spindle with the rotating platter is on the top and the cd is clamped between the platter and the rotating bit underneath. There is a ring magnet in the platter for this.
One of the good things about them is that you can still buy lasers for them quite cheaply.
One thing not to do is to push the drawer closed or accidentally prevent it opening. It eventually breaks the teeth of a gear. Replacements are available for 40-odd quid.

Jonboy

13-10-2011, 20:24

Still use my T1 transport, i had a new laser fitted recently to keep it going for a few years more, the T1's have a nice copper chassis and are very well made inside

Dingdong

13-10-2011, 20:47

I've missed out on a couple of T1's recently. Got the 7 for £95 and am quite happy with it.
I used to have a Wadia 16 many years ago. I'd love to get one again.

WOStantonCS100

13-10-2011, 21:38

Love the TEAC. In situ you can really see what a beast it is!!! :)

Dingdong

13-10-2011, 21:49

It all looks a bit better than last month.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/DSCN0720.jpg

Would be nice to have a more modern remote for it. My old 4 iron works okay, but it just doesn't go with the rest of the stuff.

Thing Fish

13-10-2011, 23:31

Some nice changes Mark.

synsei

14-10-2011, 00:49

The system is looking very good Mark, lovin' the look of the VRDS7 it's quite a beast isn't it? It sits well with the rest of your kit visually and I bet it sounds good too.

Now, those pennies: To get the very best out of them they need to be naturally seasoned for a year by leaving them outdoors so our great British climate can gently reduce any stresses in the copper. I find this enhances definition, particularly in the lower registers. Also, Jo says that in her experience if you polish two of the pennies, and only two mind, it helps sweeten the top end considerably. She does stress however that for the greatest effect the two shiny pennies must be placed at the back. :lolsign:

Next time I'm over I'll bring a little prezzie with me, or more accurately, four little prezzies... :cool:

WOStantonCS100

14-10-2011, 02:20

The eagle eyed of you may be able to spot the very expensive feet underneath the rack. I like to call them pennies. I tried ones out of my pocket, but I think it sounds much better with ones I pick up in the street. Never polish them, though. It buggers up the soundstage.

:lolsign: ...missed that the first time around... ...maybe that's why my system sounds like shite... ...should've used pennies, better yet a few half crowns!

Dingdong

14-10-2011, 05:44

They are going to have to be pretty special to beat my lucky pennies Dave.

I managed to get a couple of Mission Isoplat in a swap some time ago. It made a positive improvement on the cdp. Not noticeable on the pre. It's just there as I have two. I tried it under the tt and it did alter the sound, but I preferred it without.
I'm sure they are quite easy to build. They seem to be a bit of mdf with 4 sorbothane feet.

synsei

14-10-2011, 12:22

Next time I'm over I'll bring one my my granite platforms with me. You can try it under your Thorens and if you like what you hear I'm happy to make one up for you ;)

Dingdong

21-10-2011, 11:17

I just received a small parcel in the post today from Dave at MCRU. Just made a mains cable for the power amp with some Belden cable and low cost iec and mains plugs.
Bloody hell that sounds much better. For not a whole lot of money either.
Just having a break before doing one for the pre.
Then I've got a nice bit of Furutech and a silver plated mains plug for the cdp.

I'm more than a little convinced that some mains products work, and highly recommend stuff like the PF30 and half decent mains cable.

There were some Blue Horizon feet in the package as well as the mains stuff. Must find all of my M8 spikes for the speaker stands and will sort that shortly. If I don't put my back out. Heavy buggers those stands.

Edit: Just added the mains cable to the pre. Very nice.:dance:

hornucopia

21-10-2011, 14:40

"I think it sounds much better with ones I pick up in the street. "

Where IS this street you find money lying about? Times is hard!
As to "half crowns" -I have a few in a purse in my desk. Must try them out. The pre 1945 (?) ones had silver content so I guess SHOULD be better. Silver being softer etc?
There's a Research Grant in this somewhere?

I use (real cork)-corks under my stuff.

unclepuncle

21-10-2011, 15:14

I used to have a Wadia 16 many years ago. I'd love to get one again.

Definitive Audio have one for £1500:)

Dingdong

21-10-2011, 16:56

Definitive Audio have one for £1500:)

I saw that. Problem is that it's almost £1500 more than I have at the moment. With a bit of saving and selling of the unused hifi collection in the spare room I could find that sort of cash by Christmas.
16's are really rather good. With a very nice digital input section as well.

Have you not had enough of that ropey 861 yet?

Dingdong

23-10-2011, 17:43

I've just hooked up the Furutech mains cable with the silver plated plug to the cdp.
Maybe it's me but it sounds a little ssssssibilant, but everything is just warming up. Maybe should have left everything switched on for a few hours before having a listen. Will find something to eat, watch Spooks and have another listen.
That Furutech mains cable does seem like a quality bit of cable. Lovely braiding, absolutely lovely. You don't find braiding like that on yer cheap cables.

Dingdong

23-10-2011, 21:43

Ooh, that sounds better. Maybe my ears or the cable has burnt in. Who knows.
I've probably spent about £150ish on mains stuff, with the cables and the PF30. Money very well spent in my opinion.

synsei

24-10-2011, 22:38

It'll probably sound even better after a couple of days. I'm looking at just over 100 quid on mains kit as well so far, I gotta agree that it was a worthwhile investment, especially the PF30.

I wish those cap upgrade kits would hurry up, 'bout the only thing I'm waiting on now for the Hafler :eyebrows:

Dingdong

27-11-2011, 14:23

A pair of WAD Kel80's seem to have appeared in my system today. Wonder how that happened.
They are having a bit of a warm up at the mo'. Had to hook then up with some cheap speaker cable as my bananas wouldn't fit.
I'll dig me camera out in a bit. Once I tidied up, and watched the football.

Dingdong

27-11-2011, 16:05

Well that didn't sound quite right. So I've snipped the bananas off my normal cable and stuck the stripped ends in the 'oles. That's a bit more like it.

synsei

29-11-2011, 21:15

:popcorn: :)

Dingdong

29-11-2011, 23:59

Still can't find the camera. Maybe if I tidied up a bit. They do sound really rather excellent. Will be sorting out a valve cage very shortly as one of the cats is a bit too curious about the new glowy things. She liked to sleep on my old amp.

Dingdong

03-12-2011, 11:11

Dingdong

03-12-2011, 11:24

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/IMG_0073.jpg

And here's the new amps in there temporary home.
'Scuse the state of the table. It the one I use as a workbench. £1.67 of Ikea coffee table.
With the old Lk280 the midrange seemed a little recessed if that's the right word. With these babies it's a bit more in front of you and rather silky in comparison.
I thought initially that they lacked a tiny bit of low frequency punch and tightness in comparison, but either my ears and brain have got used to it or they have settled in nicely. I'm really rather happy with them for the price I paid (£300).

Ali Tait

03-12-2011, 12:25

Not a bad price Mark. Should have a bit of grunt. Are they stock or have they been upgraded?

Dingdong

03-12-2011, 12:49

They are stock for the moment. Maybe a cap and resistor change after Christmas, and maybe better mains cables. They have Winged C Svetlana El34's in. Don't plan to swap them at all as they are rated pretty highly.
I'm really very happy with the whole system at the moment. There's nothing that I'd like to swap. The balance seems just right.

Macca

04-12-2011, 11:22

What pre-amp are you using them with? the MF?

synsei

08-12-2011, 18:10

Very, very nice Mark, I've gone a rather bright shade of green, especially at the price :stalks:

I wonder how the DR5 would handle valve power? :cool:

Dingdong

08-12-2011, 19:19

I'm using the MF pre with it, Macca. All sounds good to me.

The DM2a's seem to like the amps. Placed on some decent stands (Target R2's. Gumtree bargain at £25) and powered by the Kel80's they sound pretty damned good. The improvement in the midrange over the old amps is rather good.
There's not much I want to upgrade now. Might roll the op-amps, clock and regs in the vrds, and maybe a better bearing and psu for the Teccy and then that is me done. Probably.

I could be persuaded to pop over with the amps and see how valviness takes you Dave.
I've been thinking of trying valves for a while, but never fancied one of those lower power jobbies. 80 watts of valviness seems to sort the DM2's out, without and bottomy or toppy bits missing.
I is happy.

Marco

08-12-2011, 19:23

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0076.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0075.jpg

Here is what has replaced the old Thorens. Sounds pretty good. Sat it on an Isoplat for the moment. We'll see about feet in the future.

Had Soundsupports do me an armboard so I could put my Hadcock and Shure on it.

Nice one, Mark. How does the Hadcock sound on the Techy? I should imagine that it matches the Shure rather well. It's an arm option I often recommend to people for the Techy, if they want something different from some of the more commonly used options :)

Marco.

DSJR

08-12-2011, 19:26

'Scuse me for jumping in yet again, but the Hadcock used to sound amazing with the old SL150. Hopefully, it's working the same magic with the 1210 :)

Dingdong

08-12-2011, 19:28

The Hadcock and the Shure seem to go rather well together. Completely kicks the arse of my old 3009. Bagged it for £160 off of ebay.
It's got the old ally arm tube, but I'm quite happy with it. Bit of a fiddly set-up and needs earthing properly, but once it's going it's luvverly.

I'm hoping a mixture of mine and Dave's (Synsei) systems will be at Scalford.

You may have noticed your old Michell clamp has been moved on to another member of Aos and a newer one obtained from another member.

Marco

08-12-2011, 19:35

Yes I see that... It was a lovely old thing, but the new ones work better :)

I'm not surprised that the Hadcock sounds nice - it should match the Techy really well. More folk should do it! ;)

Marco.

DSJR

08-12-2011, 19:36

Hadcocks LOVE Decca's too, should you wish a cartridge change later on (although from all accounts, an SAS stylus lifts these Shures in a serious way) :)

Dingdong

08-12-2011, 19:50

The Teccy came with a Rega armboard, but Regas have never really appealed.

The problem with the clamp was that the hinges on the brush thingy of the Shure bounced of it. I had to be pretty quick at the end of an lp. It was a very pretty thing, though.

I have thought about a Decca in the future. The Shure has the micro ridge stylus. I might try it with an SAS after Christmas unless my bank account is empty.

Might have to sell of more stuff.

Linn LK1 and Lk280 are now on ebay. 3009 to go on shortly. Then probably half of my speaker collection. Hopefully will get rid of my old Thorens at some point in the future too.
I had a spare LK1 that was picked up off ebay for a small amount of money. It has now been transformed into a rather decent phono stage. removed a few bits and linked the phono bit to the output bit and hooked up a Dirak and Bob was my uncle. It's all discrete and sounds rather good to my ears.

Dingdong

27-12-2011, 16:29

I have just acquired an SP-10. Pictures to follow shortly. Will be sorting out a plinth in the next few weeks. I have this idea to build one cheaply out of a kitchen worktop I have spare. I reckon it should work out ok.

MartinT

28-12-2011, 00:51

Well done, Mark. What condition is it in?

Dingdong

28-12-2011, 01:01

Cosmetically it is not going to win any awards and the strobe needs sorting out. Have found an arm to go on it temporarily. Will hook it up in the morning and see what it does and take some photos.

Dingdong

28-12-2011, 01:03

The Linn amps went for £60 more than I paid for them 18 months ago, so am quite happy.

Dingdong

30-12-2011, 12:02

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0090.jpg

Santa brought this wee beastie.
I've put my old ADC arm on it for the time being, and put the VST V on it. There will be a new plinth added as soon as funds allow. Maybe when I've flogged some of my increasing collection of speakers and turntables.

I am planning to make a temporary plinth out of a kitchen worktop I have spare. Then I can get the Hadcock on it.

I have been experimenting with mats on it. It came with a Herbies and its original rubber one. I didn't like the Herbies. It reduced the surface noise a bit, but sort of sucked the life out of everything.
I preferred the rubber mat. I then tried my Blue Horizon on top of the Herbies and that was better. Just tried the Blue Horizon on top of the rubber this morning and I will be staying with that. Mmmm.... Very nice.

MartinT

30-12-2011, 12:45

Look at that - very nice indeed, Mark, and a good looking arm too.

Dingdong

30-12-2011, 13:03

The arm is quite pretty. It's similar in performance to my 3009. I'll get the Hadcock on it as soon as I can as it sounds way better. It is already sounding pretty good as it is.
I'm off to buy a jigsaw (not the puzzle) and will hopefully have a 2-tier chunky plinth put together in the next few weeks. If I get a room at Scalford it should be there.

The 1210 didn't last very long in my system. It was very good. I just fancied an
SP-10.

I've swapped out everything except the cartridge at least once in the past year and I'm pretty happy with the sound now. With the arrival of the SP-10 I've spent about £1300 this year and I think I've got a pretty decent system now.

Tarzan

30-12-2011, 15:48

MartinT

30-12-2011, 16:07

Hi Andy

You need to add [ QUOTE] and [ /QUOTE] (but without the space) on either side of the quoted message so that it doesn't look like part of your message. This will make your posts more readable.

Cheers :)

Dingdong

30-12-2011, 16:20

It's hard to say for sure until I use the same arm and cartridge on the SP-10. I was going to get a jigsaw today and make a start on it. But it's cold and wet outside so I couldn't be arsed. Will sort myself out and get it done as soon as.

So far, with a bit of ply bolted on to mount the arm and sat on an isolation plinth I like it more than the stock 1210 that I used with a Hadcock arm. I think the Hadcock is way better than the ADC arm currently on the SP-10. So I'm hoping to be well impressed once I sort a proper plinth and use the Hadcock.

I'm sure there is a mod level of a 1210 that is considered to surpass an SP-10, but I have chosen an SP-10 'cos I prefer how it looks and was confident it would sound quite good in stock form without buggering about with power supplies and bearing mods and the like.

Ali Tait

30-12-2011, 16:33

I've heard an SP10 in both a wood plinth and a slate one, and the difference is not subtle, sounded superb in slate. Might be worth looking for somewhere local for a bit of slate.

Dingdong

30-12-2011, 16:51

There is a slate plinth on ebay for £350 I have my eye on. Not sure yet. I think I'd like one were I can fit different armboards.
Will have to let my wallet recover first.

Ali Tait

30-12-2011, 19:50

If you could find a piece of slate and cut it out yourself you could do it a lot cheaper than that.

Reid Malenfant

30-12-2011, 19:52

If you could find a piece of slate and cut it out yourself you could do it a lot cheaper than that.
How on earth can you cut slate Ali, I mean without a machine shop or whatever?

Apologies as I'm curious as to how you'd do it ;)

Ali Tait

30-12-2011, 19:59

Assuming you get it cut to the dimensions you want, chain drill it. It is a lot of work but can be done, I know folk who have done it. I guess an angle grinder would be handy too. Masks need to be worn though as the dust is very harmful to your lungs.

Reid Malenfant

30-12-2011, 20:02

:doh: I used to cut stone with a large Stihl cutter so I don't have a clue why that didn't occur to me :rolleyes:

Cheers Ali :)

Ali Tait

30-12-2011, 20:04

Aye, as I say, not easy and time consuming but it can be done. Slate's pretty soft.

vinylspinner

30-12-2011, 20:08

Hi Mark,

I can sort you out a bit of slate at cost, just get in touch when you are ready.

Nigel

The Grand Wazoo

30-12-2011, 20:09

I got a snapped slate pool table-top on Ebay for 99p - 7'x4' was the original size, so plenty spare for cock-ups, refinements, arm-boards & multiple layers.
So there are bargains to be had.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/478/slatepooltabletop.jpg

The Grand Wazoo

30-12-2011, 20:10

For cutting, you can buy a small angle grinder for under £20 & a pack of stone cutting discs are cheap too. As long as it's not too thick, you can do it with a jigsaw & tungsten blades too.

Jonboy

30-12-2011, 20:17

Run a spray of water on it if you're cutting with a disc cutter of some description, a bit messy but no dust. mask and goggles are frustrating as everything steams up but goggles are a must

A diamond blade is the best for cutting and some machines come with a free one of buying new, a 4.5inch dia is quite controlable then your up to a 9inch and then into the big boys petrol 12 inch, i have them all here :eyebrows:

Reid Malenfant

30-12-2011, 20:30

i have them all here :eyebrows:
:rfl: Right avatar :ner:

I used to use a 12" Stihl 2 stroke petrol cutter with a certain job I was doing at the time. All I have now is a 2KW 9" Hitachi :eyebrows:

Cheers for the insight guys, but disc cutters are not much good for cutting bends :scratch:

Ali Tait

30-12-2011, 22:00

That's where the chain drilling comes in.

keiths

30-12-2011, 22:06

Apparently, if you've the patience, it can be cut with one of those 'tension file-type' tile hand saws.

synsei

31-12-2011, 19:17

I popped over to Mark's for a visit a couple of days ago and he demonstrated his new bits and pieces while I was there. I have to say the SP10/ADC/Shure V15 combo sounds gorgeous even though it's only sitting in a piece of ply just now. it does rhythm and resolution like no other deck I've heard. Mark's WAD's are a joy to behold and hear too... :cool:

Jonboy

31-12-2011, 19:23

:rfl: Right avatar :ner:

:lolsign:

Reid Malenfant

31-12-2011, 19:26

Happy new year to you Jon :D

Dingdong

07-02-2012, 21:28

I've finally put my speakers on spikes. Previously they've been blu-taked to the floor.
Got some Blue Horizon spike feet thingies off of Dave at MCRU.
Then had to spend 10 minutes getting the speaker position right again.
Ooh that sounds a bit better. Bass is a tad tighter. I do like a nice tight bass.
I might have mentioned a few times over the last few days but I'm really liking the sound at the mo'.

synsei

07-02-2012, 21:33

How long have you been talking about doing that? :lol:

Nice one Mark, I bet it is all sounding spot on. Bugger this lack of transport milarky, it would be nice to pop over for a listen :rolleyes:

Dingdong

07-02-2012, 21:42

If you do you will definitely be wantin' some valves in your life.
Got more stuff to get around to this week. Will be in touch and sort something out.

synsei

07-02-2012, 21:54

As much as I'd like valves in my life they are just too high maintenance for me, plus they'd be a powerful magnet for a certain little boy ;)

Dingdong

21-06-2012, 19:01

Just replaced my pre-amp with one of these.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/AudioNoteM2Sig001.jpg

Plus points;

It sounds fecking amazing.
I have less boxes on the rack.
Got it for a bargain price.

Minus points;

I have to get up and change the volume.

Ali Tait

21-06-2012, 20:55

Be easy to put a motorised Alps pot in it-

http://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/potentiometers.html

You'd need the motorised Alps and the control board.

Dingdong

21-06-2012, 21:09

I have solved the issue temporarily by moving the rack within arms reach of the sofa.

I've got a motorised Alps kit knocking about somewhere.

My valve amps have been massive bargains for the performance they give. For the Wad monos and the Audio Note pre I've paid the princely sum of £625.

The previous owner of the pre had spent a few hundred quid on some very nice NOS JAN GE 6072A's for the phono stage and some Sylvania's for the line stage. Now if I'd stop spending my money I'd almost have enough for an SP-10 plinth.

The DM2's just keep sounding better and better. They don't look any better though.
I'm going to take the amps over to Dave's (Synsei) at the weekend to see if I can turn him to the dark side. He knows he wants to.

Ali Tait

21-06-2012, 21:15

Aye that's a good price. Dave will be a Sith before he knows it.

Dingdong

21-06-2012, 21:25

He keeps moaning about valve cages and kids and money and dull stuff like that.

I'll be interested to hear how his t-amp sounds as well.

Ali Tait

21-06-2012, 21:59

Mere details that will go out the window once he hears the kit.

Dingdong

24-06-2012, 19:20

synsei

03-07-2012, 08:24

Popped around to Dave's today to have a listen to his t-amp. Took me valve amps along.
The conclusion seemed to be that valves are very good, and the t-amp is excellent value for money. Sounds pretty good with the DM2's.

One intersting thing we did notice was that the valve amps sounded overly bright on a couple of Elbow tracks, but not on the t-amp. Everything else sounded bloody good with the valves, but they just sounded a bit pants with Elbow.

After you left Mark, I got to thinking that the problem I've been having with my Caiman and the brightness we heard through your valve amps may very well be down to the production on the Elbow CD's. Your amps were astounding when playing other material from various sources and yet the Elbow CD's sounded rubbish. Likewise my Caiman distorts when playing certain tracks on these CD's and yet everything else I play through the Caiman is fine. It still doesn't explain why the CD's sound great playing direct from the Arcam CDP into the pre though. It's a funny ole game :scratch:

Ali Tait

03-07-2012, 16:43

Yep, I'd agree some of the Elbow stuff is poorly recorded.

Dingdong

04-07-2012, 16:24

I will place a sticker on the amps to say 'No Elbow allowed'.

I took an 'I am Kloot' lp to a Wam bakeoff the other day. Rather nice, expensive system. Sounded a bit overly bright, so it got taken off quick. Sounds spot on on my system.
It's like prog rock. Sounds shit on every system I hear it on. Can't understand it.

Dingdong

05-08-2012, 15:12

The SP-10 is finally in slate. :cool:

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0207.jpg

Sounds ruddy loverly.

DSJR

05-08-2012, 15:28

MMMMMmmmmmm, lovely...

By the way, when amp-comparing, check absolute phase, as this does have an audible effect - if I with me "ears" can hear it on sources, I'm sure you lot can hear it with amps..

synsei

06-08-2012, 13:16

The SP-10 is finally in slate. :cool:

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0207.jpg

Sounds ruddy loverly.

Are you sure the plinth is slate Mark coz it looks like granite to me... :eyebrows:

Dingdong

06-08-2012, 13:51

Aye, pretty sure. Maybe it's the graininess of the photo.
The armboard is wood.

Dingdong

24-03-2013, 11:42

It seems quite a while since I updated this. Not much has happened with the system.

I have purchased an Audionote AN-S1 sut and will be trying mc cartridges his week.

I have a Koetsu Rosewood, a Transfiguration Temper V and a vdH MC One Special to try. And possibly a Benz Lp in the not too distant future.

The tonearm has been changed to a Kuzma Stogi S12.

Armboard is still wood. I'm having something nice made up as a more permanent solution.