MartinT’s visit to MikeMusic towers

[MartinT]

Mike's system has come a long way of late. Originally a classic Linn/Naim system with an LP12 front end, Naim amplification (a NAP 500 providing the grunt) and Isobariks, other components have been gradually mixing it with the old guard to very good effect.

Mike's two big changes are his Technics SL-1210 /Jelco SA-750D /Ortofon SPU turntable with Ortofon SUT, and the new PS Audio Power Plant P10 regenerator (me influence Mike, nah!)

So last night was really about a lot of fettling and introducing his new Whest PS.30R phono preamp into the system.

On first listen, to reacquaint myself with the system, it sounded nice but a little lacking in detail and dynamics and with fairly swimmy and ill-defined bass. We then did the following from memory, each giving an incremental improvement to sound quality:

- Levelled the turntable, adjusted the arm height to be parallel when the SPU was lowered onto an LP and fiddled with the damped cueing. Nice improvement in crispness.

- Inserted the Whest into the system after changing the settings to 47k / 43dB gain for the SUT. Wow, big changes in fine detail definition, presentation, dynamics and real bass. His Naim preamp was really holding things back here.

- Adjusted the P10 to High Regulation (from Low Distortion) setting, changed the waveform to Multiwave, applied Cleanwave.

- Swapped the Yannis 428.5 PhonoLitz tonearm cable for a 423.5. We both felt this was a better overall sound. I heard better edge detail and Mike liked what it did for voices and bass definition.

- Tried my Choir Audio / Hashimoto SUT-H7 step-up transformer in place of the Ortofon. I felt this gave better edge definition again with a bigger dynamic range.

By the time we'd finished and were just listening, Mike's system was sounding very fluid and coherent, with a big meaty sound, good deep bass definition, and a nice soundstage which came away from the speakers. I heard that wonderful Ortofon SPU sound that I've heard in my own system when Marco brought his around (this may be the same unit, as Marco sold his to Mike), and Isobariks sounding frankly better than I've ever heard before. I think Mike was pretty pleased.

A great evening of fettling, good music and fine food. Thanks, Mike!

[MikeMusic]

Mike's system has come a long way of late. Originally a classic Linn/Naim system with an LP12 front end, Naim amplification (a NAP 500 providing the grunt) and Isobariks, other components have been gradually mixing it with the old guard to very good effect.

Mike's two big changes are his Technics SL-1210 /Jelco SA-750D /Ortofon SPU turntable with Ortofon SUT, and the new PS Audio Power Plant P10 regenerator (me influence Mike, nah!)

So last night was really about a lot of fettling and introducing his new Whest PS.30R phono preamp into the system.

On first listen, to reacquaint myself with the system, it sounded nice but a little lacking in detail and dynamics and with fairly swimmy and ill-defined bass. We then did the following from memory, each giving an incremental improvement to sound quality:

- Levelled the turntable, adjusted the arm height to be parallel when the SPU was lowered onto an LP and fiddled with the damped cueing. Nice improvement in crispness.

- Inserted the Whest into the system after changing the settings to 47k / 43dB gain for the SUT. Wow, big changes in fine detail definition, presentation, dynamics and real bass. His Naim preamp was really holding things back here.

- Adjusted the P10 to High Regulation (from Low Distortion) setting, changed the waveform to Multiwave, applied Cleanwave.

- Swapped the Yannis 428.5 PhonoLitz tonearm cable for a 423.5. We both felt this was a better overall sound. I heard better edge detail and Mike liked what it did for voices and bass definition.

- Tried my Choir Audio / Hashimoto SUT-H7 step-up transformer in place of the Ortofon. I felt this gave better edge definition again with a bigger dynamic range.

By the time we'd finished and were just listening, Mike's system was sounding very fluid and coherent, with a big meaty sound, good deep bass definition, and a nice soundstage which came away from the speakers. I heard that wonderful Ortofon SPU sound that I've heard in my own system when Marco brought his around (this may be the same unit, as Marco sold his to Mike), and Isobariks sounding frankly better than I've ever heard before. I think Mike was pretty pleased.

A great evening of fettling, good music and fine food. Thanks, Mike!

And good to see Martin again
His knowledge and research benefit me wonderfully well
I feel the system is now in the same league as his, albeit some way down the table !
More detail, awesome bass, air and space that would surprise a lot of people seeing Isobariks

[Audio Al]

Sounds like great fun and well worth doing :)

NO mention of any BEER DRINKING !!!

[MartinT]

Mike - I'm still surprised at the Yannis cable switch and the effects we heard. Have you confirmed that the blue cable was definitely the 423.5?

Al - no beer flowed as it was a midweek evening and I had a 28 mile drive home afterwards. The tea was good, though ;)

[MikeMusic]

Sounds like great fun and well worth doing :)

NO mention of any BEER DRINKING !!!
Certainly was. Thanks to Martin I got lots out of it and he enjoyed himself too

There was Tea and I confess Hot chocolate imbibed
- when you get to a certain age y'know

[MikeMusic]

Mike - I'm still surprised at the Yannis cable switch and the effects we heard. Have you confirmed that the blue cable was definitely the 423.5?

The less expensive one. Confirming................

[MartinT]

Mike - I meant to add the two things that you need to attend to next:

- Experiment with tight connections and swapping channels in order to trace that annoying slight buzz in the l/h channel. In my experience, any earth loop or inadequate earth problem like that is worth hunting down and always improves fine detail resolution and dynamics.

- Relocate the Ortofon SUT to that nice Mana shelf just under your turntable. It will benefit from a good support just like any other component.

[MikeMusic]

Mike - I meant to add the two things that you need to attend to next:

- Experiment with tight connections and swapping channels in order to trace that annoying slight buzz in the l/h channel. In my experience, any earth loop or inadequate earth problem like that is worth hunting down and always improves fine detail resolution and dynamics.

- Relocate the Ortofon SUT to that nice Mana shelf just under your turntable. It will benefit from a good support just like any other component.
Thanks Martin
The SUT ought to be on a glass shelf rather than MDF for perfection but better to than on a CDP !
Confimred to myself this morning that the left channel is louder than the right. Thought it was me last night
Balance has to be at 3 o clock to make the sound equal
Could that also be linked ?
I will check the leads and try another input into the 82

[MartinT]

Yes, I had a thought about it but dismissed it because I was sitting offset to the system.

[Marco]

Sounds like an interesting sesh you guys had and that you're getting closer to nirvana all the time, Mike! I still think you need those ECS amps, to complete the journey.... ;)

Yup, Martin, the SPU Mike has is the same one you heard in your system and last year at Scalford, in John's - glad it's hitting the spot.

Once Scalford is over with on Sunday and I run a few other errands, I'll be down to your place, Mike, and we'll see if the Marco-boy can realease some more magic from your system - I have a few ideas! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

Sounds like an interesting sesh you guys had and that you're getting closer to nirvana all the time, Mike! I still think you need those ECS amps, to complete the journey.... ;)

Yup, Martin, the SPU Mike has is the same one you heard in your system and last year at Scalford, in John's - glad it's hitting the spot.

Once Scalford is over with on Sunday and I run a few other errands, I'll be down to your place, Mike, and we'll see if the Marco-boy can realease some more magic from your system - I have a few ideas! :eyebrows:

Marco.

This now completes the big step in sound quality up I was after. Everything from here on is a bonus - and will be well received !

[Marco]

Lol... I'm sure I can effect a few further improvements, in terms of cable dressing, equipment placement and Mana set-up ;)

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

Lol... I'm sure I can effect a few further improvements, in terms of cable dressing, equipment placement and Mana set-up ;)

Marco.

Thanks Marco
I have a few things to improve now I'm (semi) settled
Assume there will be plenty left for you though :)

[MartinT]

Marco - what are your thoughts on the Yannis 423.5 versus the 428.5 tonearm cables? I've heard conflicting opinions and Mike and I know what we heard but I'd like to know what conclusions you've reached?

[Marco]

Hi Martin,

Are we talking about tonearm cables or interconnects? It's been quite a while since the various model numbers have been mentioned and I've forgotten which is which.

If it's interconnects you're talking about, I found that the ones with the thinner silver core (423.5?) were best, but that was only in the position between SUT and phono stage and/or preamp. From preamp to power amp, the thicker ones (428.5) were best :)

Marco.

[MartinT]

I was talking about tonearm cables because Mike had a sample of each from Yannis. However, if you have found the 423.5 (thinner) ones to be best between SUT and phono pre, then I would expect that you prefer it for the tonearm run, too. That matches our findings.

As for preamp to power amp, that's interesting. All mine are balanced 223.5 and I wonder if there is such a thing as a 228.5?

[archiesdad]

Sounds like you guys had fun, pity I don't understand all of what was done:eek: maybe I should get a turntable eh?

[MartinT]

That would be a great start, Martin!

[Audio Al]

Sounds like you guys had fun, pity I don't understand all of what was done:eek: maybe I should get a turntable eh?

:eek::eek: YOU DONT HAVE A TT :eek::eek: