Cartridge Pron (Yamamoto Sound Craft YC-03S ) Part 1 [Archive]

Kember

12-02-2014, 12:27

Something to cheer you all up!

After what feels like a long wait, I've just ponied up the customs charge :( and VAT :( for this little beauty:drool:

11546

11547

It should be arriving tomorrow:)!

Actually, I've been on a little bit of a spree - I've sold and P/EXed a lot of kit but have somehow acquired new speakers, a new TT and now another cartridge, to be followed by an integrated valve amp, in the process. SWMBO is not overly delerious :spank: but I have done the man maths for her and there are considerably fewer bits of kit in the place:eyebrows:.

When I have the cartridge in my paws, it will be mounted on this Terminator Air Bearing Tone Arm wand:

11548

to this Verus rim-driven Clearaudio Deck which I bought recently:

11549

As the cartridge is a bit of a rarity in these parts, I will report on the sound etc idc

Now just got to get through the next 24 hours without getting over-excited...

Peter

Audio Al

12-02-2014, 12:42

:youtheman::drool::drool::eek::eek::youtheman:

Marco

12-02-2014, 12:53

Nice one, Peter. I applaud your lateral thinking, and I'm sure that the Yamamoto will be something rather special. Enjoy it, and let us know what you think, once you've had the chance to assess it :)

Marco.

Kember

12-02-2014, 13:40

your lateral thinking
M

More tangential!:lol:

Best

P

julesd68

12-02-2014, 13:49

Great stuff Peter - did you go for one of the Audiovalve amps in the end?

Kember

12-02-2014, 14:37

Great stuff Peter - did you go for one of the Audiovalve amps in the end?

Julian

I am expecting a new arrival imminently:)!

I might as well confess all, now.

I decided to go for a vinyl only implementation.

So, the Naimnet system for the whole house consists of Naimnet DAB and Streamer through various room amps. I have a pair of Naimnet speakers which I'll discretely tuck away in the main listening room for when I want to listen to files or the radio.

Separately, I am plumbing in:

Kuzma Stabi/Stogi S 12", Ortofon Cadenza Blue and
Clearaudio Reference turntable, Terminator Air bearing arm, Teres Verus rimdrive, the Yamamoto or Ortofon Black 2M on different Tomahawk wands for easy swapping

into

Whest PS30 RDT or Dynavector P75 Mkiii

into a

Audiovalve Assistent 20 - the new arrival -

11550

into

my old Electrofluidics cables

11554

into

Bastani-type speakers

11551

11552

11553

I may, or may not, put the lovely TEAC CD player you sold me into this system. Not yet decided!

Should be weeks of fiddling about:lol:!

P

Spectral Morn

12-02-2014, 15:12

Very nice :cool:

Regards Neil

Marco

12-02-2014, 15:20

M

More tangential!:lol:

Best

P

Lol - I know what you mean! However, the choices you've made for your system are most certainly ones that I applaud, so I hope it all comes together in the end as nicely as you'd expected :)

Marco.

Kember

12-02-2014, 15:34

Lol - I know what you mean! However, the choices you've made for your system are most certainly ones that I applaud, so I hope it all comes together in the end as nicely as you'd expected :)

Marco.

Marco

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have high hopes.

The amp (in the system I heard it) is really rather special in the midrange and the treble but not too obvious in the bass. But when fed from the rim drive the story might be rather different, and of course I can always enter the world of tube-rolling - certainly cheaper than changing amps:lol:. (I had a hybrid whose character changed considerably depending on the valves I used). Certainly the OB's have no trouble in the bass department and nor should the cartridge(s). I also have a pair of Sonus Faber Grand Pianos which are probably sensitive enough to be driven convincingly by the Audio Valve.

The Yamamoto MC is the only thing I have not heard in person but I'm informed independently by two American friends whose judgement I trust that it is very much a "poor man's" Miyajima Shilabe (which i have heard and love the sound of). So I'm all a-waiting to see what I can do with it.

The amp comes on Thursday or Friday and the MC tomorrow.:dance:

P

Kember

12-02-2014, 15:36

Very nice :cool:

Regards Neil

Thanks, Neil

P

Clive197

12-02-2014, 16:10

Peter

Did you sort out the rim drive as it was a bit flaky when I was there.

Are you mounting the cartridge now that I've shown you the way? Any way I'm sure that it will sound wonderful.

Clive

Kember

12-02-2014, 16:20

Peter

Did you sort out the rim drive as it was a bit flaky when I was there.

Are you mounting the cartridge now that I've shown you the way? Any way I'm sure that it will sound wonderful.

Clive

Clive

Yes, thanks, it just needs the platter being given a good shove at start up to overcome the inertia! I've ordered a set of extra O rings from the USA just in case. But I've had the strobe out to check and it is bang on and stable once up to speed.

And, yes indeed, I'll will be going step by step through your procedures. You are welcome to inspect and listen when it is done!

BTW, you might have noticed that I scored Thelma Houston from Tony (twotone) following your recommendation. What a marvellous recording! I'm snuffling for more Sheffield Labs stuff now.

Best

P

Clive197

12-02-2014, 16:43

I did notice that you got the Thelma Houston. But just to make your eyes water I've just managed to get hold of the James Newton Howard and Friends Sheffield Labs record shipped over from the States. It's even better (I kid you not).

Clive

MartinT

12-02-2014, 17:10

But just to make your eyes water I've just managed to get hold of the James Newton Howard and Friends Sheffield Labs record shipped over from the States. It's even better (I kid you not).

I agree. As a recording, it's extremely hard to beat.

Tarzan

12-02-2014, 17:10

Thanks, Neil

P

x2 have fun Peter!:partytime:

Kember

12-02-2014, 17:21

I agree. As a recording, it's extremely hard to beat.

Hmm. My other half has to go to Noo Yoik shortly. I think she will have a shopping list, or maybe I'll go with her, only to carry her bags of course. Which reminds me of the time she very unreasonably refused to bring a Mcintosh amp back as hand luggage:(.

Best

P

Kember

12-02-2014, 17:21

x2 have fun Peter!:partytime:

Wilco, Andy!

Clive197

12-02-2014, 17:36

............ Which reminds me of the time she very unreasonably refused to bring a Mcintosh amp back as hand luggage:(.

Best

P

Peter I find her attitude very unreasonable and reminded me of the time when a close friend brought a pair of Mission floorstanders back from the USA as hand baggage!! which were given to him by an ex-pat and mutual friend.

Clive

twotone

12-02-2014, 18:01

Enjoy Peter, looks amazing.

PS, there's a low hours (200) Cadenza Black for sale on the wam at £700:eek:

PPS, I recently got a copy of Hugh Masekela's Hope :cool:

Kember

12-02-2014, 18:17

PS, there's a low hours (200) Cadenza Black for sale on the wam at £700:eek:

PPS, I recently got a copy of Hugh Masekela's Hope :cool:

Tony,

Tempting though another cart might be...my poor old dog has had just had his knackers removed (prostate problems come to all of us) and I will swiftly follow:sofa: if I'm caught buying any more hifi before I've got rid of some of my "crap" (I use my wife's term of the art, you understand).

Will keep an eye out for the Masekela.

P

Ali Tait

12-02-2014, 19:41

MartinT

12-02-2014, 19:51

Is it a direct cut original, or the made from tape version, Ali? You just won't believe the drum sound on it.

twotone

12-02-2014, 20:29

Tony,

Tempting though another cart might be...my poor old dog has had just had his knackers removed (prostate problems come to all of us) and I will swiftly follow:sofa: if I'm caught buying any more hifi before I've got rid of some of my "crap" (I use my wife's term of the art, you understand).

Will keep an eye out for the Masekela.

P

The Masekela is stunning Peter, well worth the dosh.

I'm looking for another cart myself and have my eye on one plus my phono amp is supposed to be coming back to me this week, fingers crossed.

Regards

Tony

Clive197

12-02-2014, 20:31

Is it a direct cut original, or the made from tape version, Ali? You just won't believe the drum sound on it.

Mine is the Direct Cut original.

Clive

Ali Tait

12-02-2014, 20:47

Is it a direct cut original, or the made from tape version, Ali? You just won't believe the drum sound on it.

Dunno, doesn't say, how do I tell?

Says it's a limited edition, which I suppose all the SL cuts are.

Ali Tait

12-02-2014, 20:55

CAT 23 is the number, guess it's an original?

MartinT

12-02-2014, 21:50

Mine is LAB 23.

twotone

12-02-2014, 21:56

Mine is LAB 23.

US or UK Martin?

http://www.discogs.com/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-James-Newton-Howard-Friends/master/354185

MartinT

12-02-2014, 22:28

Pressed in Germany, printed in the USA.

twotone

12-02-2014, 23:20

Pressed in Germany, printed in the USA.

Thanks, any of those three originals?

MartinT

12-02-2014, 23:46

I don't know what you're asking. It is a direct cut from the original pressings.

twotone

13-02-2014, 00:06

I don't know what you're asking. It is a direct cut from the original pressings.

Sorry Martin, I was asking if any of the three records listed in the discogs link were originals, apologies for the confusion.

I've had a look at sold listings on ebay and almost every single record sold there in the past three months all have labels saying 1983 and pressed in the US, there is the odd one that say's pressed in Canada on the label and there was one with the word LAST on the label.

Quite difficult to work out which version are 'direct cuts'.

Tony

MartinT

13-02-2014, 06:47

Clive197

13-02-2014, 10:52

Don't know if this helps. Mine is LAB 23, pressed in USA with Direct Disc Recording Limited Edition printed on the label. It came with a slip with a list of recordings effective August 1984. Interestingly not showing the Thelma Houston album which has a cat no. of LAB 2. It does list the Thelma Houston album as a Sheffield Treasury edition made from the live two-track reference tape as SL200.

Clive

MartinT

13-02-2014, 11:13

That's because the Thelma Houston was the first direct cut to sell out completely once all the stampers had been used up.

twotone

13-02-2014, 11:16

Hi Clive, this first link below is interesting, it has the label LAST on the record and seems to be a direct cut but there are others with everything that you describe without the label on the disc and all of them say on the label 'pressed in the US 1983'.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-Sheffield-Lab-23-Direct-To-Disc-Audiophile-LP-EX-/191067617814?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item2c7c847a16&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TAS-LIST-SHEFFIELD-LAB-23-DIRECT-TO-DISC-JAMES-NEWTON-HOWARD-FRIENDS-EX-NR-/111241000118?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item19e67af4b6&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-Sheffield-Lab-23-Direct-To-Disc-Audiophile-LP-Top-/350961053529?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item51b6e8af59&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

twotone

13-02-2014, 11:25

Tricky, isn't it? I had thought they were all pressed in Germany when I saw mine. The sleeve is definitely printed in the USA, suggesting that mine originated there. No mention of 'CAT 23' in Discogs, as quoted by Ali.

Here's the release data from Discogs, there's no mention of a tape version of the record in both releases, the UK version and the US version.

When I bought the Thelma Huston record there was a mention of direct cut and the tape version.

http://www.discogs.com/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-James-Newton-Howard-Friends/master/354185

Here's the tape version of the Thelma Huston record

http://www.discogs.com/Thelma-Houston-Pressure-Cooker-Ive-Got-The-Music-In-Me/release/3072422

And the direct cut

http://www.discogs.com/Thelma-Houston-Pressure-Cooker-Ive-Got-The-Music-In-Me/release/1229176

The German version

http://www.discogs.com/Thelma-Houston-Pressure-Cooker-Ive-Got-The-Music-In-Me/release/2464219

Clive197

13-02-2014, 12:03

Hi Clive, this first link below is interesting, it has the label LAST on the record and seems to be a direct cut but there are others with everything that you describe without the label on the disc and all of them say on the label 'pressed in the US 1983'.
K
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-Sheffield-Lab-23-Direct-To-Disc-Audiophile-LP-EX-/191067617814?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item2c7c847a16&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TAS-LIST-SHEFFIELD-LAB-23-DIRECT-TO-DISC-JAMES-NEWTON-HOWARD-FRIENDS-EX-NR-/111241000118?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item19e67af4b6&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/James-Newton-Howard-Friends-Sheffield-Lab-23-Direct-To-Disc-Audiophile-LP-Top-/350961053529?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item51b6e8af59&nma=true&si=45KERMskI%252Btnd8mOq1kyQPFqYp8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hi Tony

I think that the LAST label is a bit of a red herring. LAST are a company that make audio cleaning products. A clue to this in the description says treated with LAST.

Clive

Kember

13-02-2014, 12:05

I have to report that the postman gave me my woodie this morning:D.

Sadly, I need to earn my living today, so the grand unwrapping will have to keep until later.

So frustrated!

P

trio leo

13-02-2014, 12:39

I think it was about 1983, I was organising a HiFi show and I saw Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker on Sheffied Labs, I was told that these were the last and would be worth a lot in the future, so I bought 2 @ £25 each(it was a lot then for a record) 1 to play and one to keep, tbh I didn't really bond with the music and IIRC I've played it twice, tops.

I was at Whittlebury 2 years ago and I was told they were worth about £30 each, so much for investment. I also have a Sheffield Lab Drum record, the quality is good, I must have another listen, probably haven't heard either for decades.

I also have a MFSL original master recording of The Beatles White album, I literally flicked through the start of each track and decided I didn't like it, 3 years ago I was told it was worth £150, a year later it was £80, oh well.

I know it's a little off topic, but I bought a 4 Tops greatest hits white label copy and in 1984 I took it to a concert and I went on the coach and got it signed by the 4 Tops, it's in great condition, my prize possession record.

enjoy your music

regards Al

Ali Tait

13-02-2014, 13:32

Sorry, typo, the cat number for mine is Lab 23.

MartinT

13-02-2014, 14:01

Ah - good one, Ali. Sounds like the pukka version, then.

twotone

13-02-2014, 18:33

Hi Tony

I think that the LAST label is a bit of a red herring. LAST are a company that make audio cleaning products. A clue to this in the description says treated with LAST.

Clive

Thanks Clive, I never noticed that, thought it was some sort of 'special edition':doh:

daytona600

13-02-2014, 19:26

sure Sheffield labs D2D version was catalogue number LAB23 , I have FIM versions myself on XRCD24 & The Drum Record on DXD
typical FIM the best CDs i,ve ever heard should be at up to $70+ per disc

MartinT

13-02-2014, 20:15

Clive197

14-02-2014, 00:13

My Thelma Houston direct cut vinyl is LAB 2 while the CD from tape is CD 2. I know they also released subsequent vinyl from tape so watch out for a different catalogue number.

By the way, the direct cut knocks the CD sideways for sound quality.

Hi Martin

I know, I've got the Sheffield Labs. cd of KODO - Heartbeat Drummers of Japan. Recorded from live two-track digital master tape. It's good but not up to the standards we have been discussing re direct to vinyl.

For the record it's a gold cd on the Sheffield Gold label and is marked The Audiophile Reference Series cat. no. 10507 published in 1995 and pressed in USA

Clive

Barry

14-02-2014, 00:15

My Thelma Houston direct cut vinyl is LAB 2 while the CD from tape is CD 2. I know they also released subsequent vinyl from tape so watch out for a different catalogue number.

By the way, the direct cut knocks the CD sideways for sound quality.

I used to have that Sheffield Lab direct cut - superb sense of being there, the presence is palpable! Sadly, I just don't like that style of music, so I found it a good home.

MartinT

14-02-2014, 07:04

I know, I've got the Sheffield Labs. cd of KODO - Heartbeat Drummers of Japan. Recorded from live two-track digital master tape. It's good but not up to the standards we have been discussing re direct to vinyl.

For the record it's a gold cd on the Sheffield Gold label and is marked The Audiophile Reference Series cat. no. 10507 published in 1995 and pressed in USA

I have that Kodo CD too, Clive. It's mighty impressive as CDs go. Was it ever released on vinyl?

Clive197

14-02-2014, 09:24

I have that Kodo CD too, Clive. It's mighty impressive as CDs go. Was it ever released on vinyl?

I must admit, I've never seen it.

Clive

Barry

14-02-2014, 19:30

That Kodo Drummers CD is 'impressive' and probably a good CD with which to show off your system. However I find it largely impotent - to get the full benefit and enjoyment you have to see the Kodo Drummers live, if only to appreciate the choreography and the sheer muscular effort the drummers make.

Marco

04-05-2016, 23:01

Hi Peter,

Just to revive an old thread... Did you ever review this cartridge (the Yamamoto), and if so, what were your impressions? :)

Marco.

paulf-2007

05-05-2016, 07:35

I trawled through the thread only to find.......nothing. Very Interested to know about these carts as the information is sketchy at best. I do hope the op wasn't disappointed with it, hence no follow up.

Marco

05-05-2016, 07:39

Indeed, Paul. My thoughts entirely, although the Yamamoto is listed in his profile currently as part of Peter's system...

We await the man coming back to clear up the blanks! :popcorn: :)

Marco.

Kember

05-05-2016, 08:47

Indeed, Paul. My thoughts entirely, although the Yamamoto is listed in his profile currently as part of Peter's system...

We await the man coming back to clear up the blanks! :popcorn: :)

Marco.

Marco and Paul,

I'm delighted with it but deluged with a house move at the moment. Will write something up this weekend. In my view, in the meantime, it does 95% of what a Miyajima Shilabe does at a third/quarter of the price, but you also need a 20/30x SUT to make it work properly, and arguably one of their dinky headshells. One warning, you really must to be able to ensure that the VTA is spot on though.

I don't play rock with it but I copes perfectly well with Bach organ bits and Mingus solos so I know it does bass. It works well with both the 401 (12" Sony PUA arm and with the Moerch 9" UP-4) and the Versa Dynamics TT (proprietary air pumped parallel tracker). Of all the carts I've heard, I'd only swap it for an Allnic Puritas.

You don't need to import it from Japan though. The Euro distributor is Jac Music in Germany - http://www.jacmusic.com/. I've had no trouble but IIRC a couple of Americans were complaining about faults with the suspension, I think, so having someone closer than the Far East for recourse might be sensible although I think Yamamoto himself builds the things and thus repairs them, although I understand that Soundsmith has done repairs in the USA.

I'd offer anyone interested a listen but it is en route to my house in Italy where it will take up full-time residence (as I plan to work from there in future).

Laters

P

Marco

06-05-2016, 02:54

Kember

06-05-2016, 06:47

Thanks for that, Peter - all very interesting and useful info. I suspected that the Yamamoto was a bit of giant-killer... It seems to tick all the usual boxes for a high-end MC cartridge, except the price tag, which warms the cockles of my 'SPPV heart'! ;)

Good review here: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1009/yamamoto_yc03s.htm

And there's one currently for sale on ebay for £735 - got to be bargain of the century: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141884055995?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Even with the relatively inexpensive matching headshell: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181937336493?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

So where in Italy have you got your house? :)

Marco.

Hi Marco,

Having trouble sleeping:)?

The Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, not far from Stresa - handy for Milan Malpensa (half an hour's drive), Switzerland, France and Germany. I'm doing more and more work in Europe and it is a lovely neck of the woods. And even if air doesn't work, say because the French air traffic controllers are up to their usual summer shenanigans, I can get to London in 14 hrs by car and 12 hrs by train (more or less door to door).

I'd largely agree with the sentiments expressed in the review.

Be warned re buying a cart direclty from Japan - by the time you have paid import duty and VAT, you might as well have bought the thing from the German distributor, plus you have more consumer rights if things aren't right...

Peter

paulf-2007

09-05-2016, 17:33

Kember

09-05-2016, 19:13

Arm/cart matching is essential, there is nothing in the spec about the carts compliance, if the cart doesn't match the arms mass and the arms mass cannot be altered then I may as well by a rusty nail instead.

I found the compliance of the cart on that Jac music's extremely irritating website that doesn't seem to work all that well. It's low compliance so possible to get a good match with an Audiomods arm.

Paul,

It is more compliant than a stock 103. So I'd guess a good rule of thumb is to pair it with something that copes with the Denon. IIRC Yamamoto voices the blooming thing on a now defunct 60s long broadcast arm, and is reported to be unwillling to offer matching advice...From my own experience, I'd say this was a cart for good old fashioned 12 inchers.

I'd maybe worry about very low mass arms but, FWIW, I've used the cart successfully with a Moerch UP4 (yellow dot), a Kuzma Stogi 12" (which is of course viscous damped), an old Sony PUA-1500L (12") and several air bearing arms. It even paired more or less well with the plastic fantastic 9" Scheu Cantus.

I would also say that it is a very energetic cartridge so I wouldn't go looking for resonance trouble with an arm which is too light.

Peter

PS - I also made it work nicely on a Sony PS-X800 where the autobalance and parallel tracking did show the cart to some advantage (but it was a very tight squeeze into the headshell).