Art Audio Composer 1 + SME IV Rebuild

[PaulStewart]

Just took a day "off" to rebuild my Art Audio Composer 1 with some upgrade parts Tom Willis just shipped to me. First up I got the SME IV & fitted the optional damping trough as I have never felt Koetsus worked best in spring loaded arms and the damping is for me the only advantage of the V. I then remover the Rega RB 1000 and Rega base. That done I fitted the new acetal SME cutout arm base Tom sent down and the new strobe sub platter. This sits on top of the existing driven sub platter and adds height, mass and another layer of decoupling to the set up. Then I fitted the Koetsu Rosewood Signature to the arm and sorted out alignment, both HTA and VTA. Using the standard HFN & RR test disc and a couple I have from JVC days I set everything to it's optimum with tracking weight at 1.9 and bias at just over 1.5. Set the damping up by eye and ear using some other JVC discs and sat down for a listen.

So far the Mrs. and I have been joined by Mr. Coltrane (Blue Train) John Mayall and EC (Beano album) John Williams playing various classics and we are staying in for the night working out a playlist. First immpressions are that the "greyness" of the Rega is gone, much more in the way of texture and dynamics. Cymbals and brass are mind boggling in their detail and clarity.. Lets face it the system was good before and now it's gone up a gear or three, should have done this ages ago.

Only problem is that the Unicover lid won't now fit, the upside is I've finally found a use for CDs, lifting the lid up ;) I'll do some pics over the weekend.

[Spectral Morn]

Nice turntable Paul. I heard one in the Art Audio room a year or so ago.


Regards Neil

[SLS]

Paul, I seem to be responding to your threads. This one being in response to your comments on the Composer-1.

I have the Claro Dual version. It has less decoupling, although I can upgrade the platter (we tried Tom's version) and I have asked for some neoprene spots for the bearing. Mine is fitted with a 12" Origin Live Illustrious with Linear Flow wires in and out. I can only endorse how spectacular this deck is, especially running directly through an Art Jota (and the TQ Iridium phono).
Brett Sowerby in OZ has the same deck, arm, phono stage and cabling and raves about it on the Claro website blog.
I also ran it through a Bryston 4BSST and it immediately proved a dramatic improvement on my old Clearaudio deck and arm that retailed for over £5,000 10 years ago.
It is an object in simplicity and elegance. I think it took longer to get the parts out of the box than it took to put it together. The Composer-1 has improved the access for securing the tonearm nut, a bit tricky on the Claro.

I think I have decided on a Jelco 750D and Goldring 2500 for the second arm for my son to thrash out the latest rock tunes (being generous there) and save on main cartridge wear. David Brook may have decided for me.

I can only endorse this as a seriously satisfying, no nonsense, wonderfully engineered turntable.

Whilst some may think it a new product, it is in its third generation of development, from the Lumley Heliosphere and then the Claro Dual.

[PaulStewart]

Hi Steven, I've now gone over to using the Grant valve MC head amp and the sound is, (reaches for dictionary of superlatives), simply staggering. Viv summed it up best, she said that before it was like they were in the room with us and know we are in the room with them. We are going through the collection, pulling out records unplayed for ages and revelling in the textures. Ain't life grand :)

[SLS]

I know I'm a bit new to this, but I can't even find a Grant G100MC on Google. Enlighten me please.

I used to sit in the choir seats at the Festival Hall, which is the closest I ever got to being in with the band. You could get your teeth knocked out by a trombone. You wife would like that (the proximity, not losing her teeth). Will never forget watching Solti from behind the orchestra conducting Beethoven, busting blood vessels, very scary but exhilarating. £2 at the door. Have you heard Emily Barker's latest on Linn, pressed by Pallas, sensational music and recording quality. Just booked to see her at King's Place in February, a refreshing £17.50 (less than the LP) and you get a seat.

Suggestion for a new thread - famous artists in humble locations. Jagger in McDonalds? I have a few up my sleeve. My favourite was my wife asking Kenny Dalglish if he knew the way to the Ladies (she's not a football fan), but as he can't sing that doesn't count.

[Marco]

Just took a day "off" to rebuild my Art Audio Composer 1 with some upgrade parts Tom Willis just shipped to me. First up I got the SME IV & fitted the optional damping trough as I have never felt Koetsus worked best in spring loaded arms and the damping is for me the only advantage of the V. I then remover the Rega RB 1000 and Rega base. That done I fitted the new acetal SME cutout arm base Tom sent down and the new strobe sub platter. This sits on top of the existing driven sub platter and adds height, mass and another layer of decoupling to the set up. Then I fitted the Koetsu Rosewood Signature to the arm and sorted out alignment, both HTA and VTA. Using the standard HFN & RR test disc and a couple I have from JVC days I set everything to it's optimum with tracking weight at 1.9 and bias at just over 1.5. Set the damping up by eye and ear using some other JVC discs and sat down for a listen.

So far the Mrs. and I have been joined by Mr. Coltrane (Blue Train) John Mayall and EC (Beano album) John Williams playing various classics and we are staying in for the night working out a playlist. First immpressions are that the "greyness" of the Rega is gone, much more in the way of texture and dynamics. Cymbals and brass are mind boggling in their detail and clarity.. Lets face it the system was good before and now it's gone up a gear or three, should have done this ages ago.

Only problem is that the Unicover lid won't now fit, the upside is I've finally found a use for CDs, lifting the lid up ;) I'll do some pics over the weekend.

Sounds wonderful, Paul, and I'm very pleased for you both, however..................

:worthless:

Marco.

[PaulStewart]

Marco, yes I know and we own a media company and the Mrs. is a product photographer..... But you no what they say about the cobblers children always being the last to get their shoes repaired. New Year resoloution is to film and snap everything.

Steven, the short version is that Roy Grant designed the Lumley amps the company was originally Grant-Lumley. He fell out with Ray and they split Grant setying up as Grant Amplifier. He made a very small number of valve MC head amps. As I understand it the change hands, when they come up for big bucks in Japan and America. I got it for £69 on fleabay, I think because it was listed as a MM head amp. Now fully revalved and serviced, I think I'm in love :)

[SLS]

Of course I am now insanely jealous, but delighted for you and the Mrs. At about 4 in the morning I was listening to Gregory Porter and it was so spacious it was almost intimidating. He is placed very up front and I reckon he packs a good punch. I would like to hear a bit more of the band. Maybe Tom could come up with a humdinger phono stage. I trust you are in line for his new power supply for the Composer-1, or do you already have one? I'll stick with the Iridium phono stage for now.

[PaulStewart]

I'm waiting for the power supply apart from the SQ, the faff of changing to 45 is driving me mad and of course, the new Art supply comes from a Nigel Pearson design and I don't think anyone comes near him for power supply design.

[Audioman]

ART COMPOSER PICTURE TO BE GOING ON WITH. :stalks::stalks::stalks:https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/945801_219575628195363_1732842780_n.jpg

[SLS]

It is a bit grand, that power supply, the Claro one is a rather smaller design statement.
Will post a proper pic when HiFi Racks arrives next year.

[PaulStewart]

ART COMPOSER PICTURE TO BE GOING ON WITH. :stalks::stalks::stalks:https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/945801_219575628195363_1732842780_n.jpg

I have the silver one with same secondary strobe platter and the translucent acetal platter, looks awesome and matches the series IV. Should have the power supply before crimbo :)

[esperowl]

Maybe Tom could come up with a humdinger phono stage.

Art Audio Vinyl One.

Art Audio Vinyl Reference.

[PaulStewart]

Art Audio Vinyl One.

Art Audio Vinyl Reference.

Albeit that the Vinyl One is the best phonostage I have ever heard, both of these are essentially MM with SUTs on the input. The MC100 is all valve. All I can say is watch this space and let's see what happens.