The SPU Royal GM Mkii cart - Splendid!

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

A few weeks ago I invited Marco up for a listen of the system. What a great day!

On this occasion he brought something rather special up for me to have a little listen to. Namely it was the Ortofon SPU Royal GM Mkii cart.

http://www.schopper.ch/uploads/images/Ortofon/Ortofon_Synergy_2.jpg

This is what my Thorens TD124 was made for I can tell you that. After we got it all balanced up on the deck Marco brought out one of 45 RPM The Doors albums. We stuck it on seeing as it was something we were both used to listening to. We started with the flip side which was ‘The End’. From the lavish psychedelic guitar genius noodling at the start the sound was absolutely amazing. Rich in tone, powerful and gutsy. Jim Morrison's voice was really quite amazing, rock solid in the stage.

http://blog.tributapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/doors.jpg http://eil.com/images/main/Julie+Driscoll+%26+Brian+Auger+-+Open+-+Laminated+-+EX+-+LP+RECORD-449308.jpg

Throughout the rest of the rather long track the sound was simply stunning bringing drama into the stage which made you sit up and listen intensely yet again.

Next up was one of my favorites, Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and the Trinity - Open. This album is an original stereo version on Marmalade. In superb nick too!. From the off the opening track booted out the jam like a Jam kicking jammy dodger. The hammond of which Brian plays is on fire and hearing the keys tap as he plays is really something. With amazing texture and realism.

Other tracks like ‘Season of the Witch’ and ‘Black Cat’ (Ow!) came across rich and full of atmosphere.

Next up was a classical number which Marco brought along namely ‘Falla the three cornered hat’ - What a great LP… Lot’s of detail, ambience and weight. This was a real treat with the SPU indeed. There is so much environmental information that goes on with this album, a superb production/recording.

http://www.classicalvinyl.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/x/sxl2296.jpghttp://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/overpowered.jpg

Marco also brought some valves with him to try out. All 6SL7’s for the Croft pre. When before I had mostly NOS MELZ in there we changed over the pair on the phono stage with some Sylvania’s, this added a more relaxed mid-range whilst the Amperex was fitted in to the middle valve position. With just the Amperex in place the sound stage deepened, this was immediately noticeable and so it stayed as we decided to use The Doors ‘The End’ as a reference.

Also spinning on LP and CD was Goldfrapp ‘Tales of us’ and Roisin Murphy ‘ Overpowered’. I’m a big fan of Moloko, Roisin Murphy and with the new valves in place the sound came across that little more rhythmic.

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Tannoyista%20System/DSC08469.jpg

So after lots of (but not to much) experimentation we got to a point where the sound from CD (TEAC P-500 and D-500) and the Turntable (Thorens TD124, SME 3009 S2 (none improved) ) became a wonderful listen from vintage rock, crossover jazz/psych, classical, electronica and dance.

There has to be something said here about the amplifier with the Tannoy Monitor Golds too. I can’t think of any other type of amplifier like my Tube Distinctions KT120 valve amp that really brings these vintage speakers into their own.

The day was great opportunity to show Marco the Spec 3 Tannoyista external crossovers too which really let the drivers excel. The amount of realism and sheer scale of the 15” drivers really move the air but never harshly and so the sound stays gelled together, focused and coherent. Here's a pic of the Spec 3's.

http://www.tannoyista.com/images/Tannoyista_Crossovers.jpg

More pics of the main system here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31356-Retrocentral-and-psychedelics

The other thing I can fully recommend is the Lentek SUT (fettled nicely by Nick Gorham) which ran direct in to the internal phono stage of the croft. Albeit quite a bit different I had one of the original MC phono cathode follower stages designed and made by Nick (Longdog Audio) and it was a really nice bit of kit.

Here's an internal pic of my old Nick Gorham MC phono. Superb!

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/archive%202012/Nick%20Gorham/ResizeofDSC04156.jpg


When I get an SPU… (dreams) I’ll certainly be looking at both options again.

There is something about the SPU cart that really makes things build, flourish and decay perfecly. I really want one… :) So if you have means, you should try one… it’s proper choice!

“...A splendid time is guaranteed for all”
Joe

System:-
Pre: Croft Epoch Elite - (Modified with Khozomo MKII Attenuator amongst other things)
TT: Thorens TD124 - (Schopperised)
Cart: Goldring G800 - (By North West Audio)
Tonearm: SME 3009 SII - None improved - (By Audio Origami)
Digital: Teac P-500 & D-500
Amplification: KT120 driven amplifier with separate PSU - (By Tube Distinctions)
Loudspeakers: 15" Tannoy Monitor Gold in vintage Lockwood Universal cabinets - (Ex CTS Wembley & Toe Rag Studios)
Crossovers: Tannoyista 'SPEC 3' custom made external crossovers
Interconnect cables: Mark Grant G2000HD's with WBT Ag - Mark Grant Oyaide FTVS-510 pure silver digital coax fitted with WBT 0110 Ag
Mains: Mark Grant - DSP 2.5 Dual Screened power cables - Silver Plated - Mark Grant 6 way Mains block
Speaker cable: Mark Grant Van Damme Blue 6mm main speaker cable & Van Den Hul The Wind MKII Hybrid crossover cable

[Tim]

Superb write up as ever Joe, even a digital boy like me thoroughly enjoyed reading it :)

I hope to have a decent SPU one day for my 401.

(now I'm off to play The Doors)

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've been eyeing up one of these http://ortofon.com/hifi/products/cartridges/spu-series/meister-silver-gm for my 301/SME 3012 setup. I've been in contact with my local hifi shop that I use (Audiovation in Huddersfield), but it seems they are like hens teeth to audition. :(

[Barry]

I have a 'cooking' SPU GM dartridge used in an SME 3012 on a Thorens 124/II. Yes, there is something "special" about the Ortofon SPU, but then I guess there should be: Ortofon invented the moving-coil cartridge, and the stereo version (the SPU) in 1959. The SPU has never been out of production.

I put in the top three: EMT > Ortofon > Denon. (I have yet to hear a Koetsu cartridge in my system, so must reserve judgement)

[Alex_UK]

Great write up and photos there Joe, sounds like you had a great time. :)

[The Black Adder]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, it was a great day. :)

[Tarzan]

Any music would sound great in that room Joe.:) Glad you enjoyed your day.

[Kember]

I've been eyeing up one of these http://ortofon.com/hifi/products/cartridges/spu-series/meister-silver-gm for my 301/SME 3012 setup. I've been in contact with my local hifi shop that I use (Audiovation in Huddersfield), but it seems they are like hens teeth to audition. :(

FWIW, I think Deco Audio in Aylesbury (I know - a long way from Yorkshire) actually has some in stock but whether they have one up for audition is another matter..

P

[Wakefield Turntables]

FWIW, I think Deco Audio in Aylesbury (I know - a long way from Yorkshire) actually has some in stock but whether they have one up for audition is another matter..

P

Peter,

MANY MANY thanks, its worth a try but I dont think they are going to send me £2K worth of cartridge, still worth a try!! :lol:

Andy

[Kember]

Peter,

MANY MANY thanks,
Andy

Andy,

We aim to please!

P

[Kember]

I'm home now and, yes, here we are:

http://www.decoaudio.com/deco_audio_cartridges2.html

Not unreasonable pricing, actually.

No mention of home trial:lol:

P

[petrat]

This might be worth a look ... http://ortofon.com/hifi/products/cartridges/spu-series/spu-95th-anniversary
No price yet, but looks interesting.

[Marco]

I shall be commenting on this thread later. Sorry for the delay, Joe - just too much going on! :)

Marco.

[Magna Audio]

Yes SPU's are special and make a bold yet detailed and sweet sound.
I have a nude Royal N which only really sang on the really heavy Fidelity Research headshell which you can guess was made for this type of cart...
Together they are 32g in weight. A normal SPU is around that, the Silvermeiseter I have is 32g also.
Perhaps it's the Replicant 100 profile stylus that makes the Royal a bit different / special - among other things...?
The Silvermeister SPU has an elliptical stylus profile, and as the name would suggest has all silver wiring. I was thinking of selling it but am not sure now. I'm rather attached to it. Another thing I could try is putting the Royal N in the Silvermeister body...

I plonked it on a standard SL-1210 deck and arm to demo the deck, and it certainly did not sound bad. Of course much more to come from it with the right arm and deck upgrades.

So yep, SPU on:)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Steve

If your thinking of flogging the silvermeister I would be very interested.

Andy

[The Black Adder]

Not much interest in this thread, surprisingly so... hmm.

Oh well, if this thread gives someone the means to try or buy an SPU then that has to be a good thing.

Anyway, for what it's worth I have been auditioning a Decca Gold over the last few days. Just on loan from a friend here in the village. This is the first time I've tried a Decca on the SME3009 and to many saying that it's not a good match I'd have to say 'listen again without the influence of others'.

The Decca is a different beast in some things but it does hold some traits to the SPU. Whilst the SPU has air and amazing presence the Decca has a smidgen more drive I felt. This of course is not a bad thing, they are both very different carts in very different price leagues so although my heart is still in the SPU camp the Decca does portray excitement and drama with a trunk-load of finesse.

This has been a great experiment for me and to also doff my hat to Glenn in regards to his phono stage voicing. And on another note I've recently updated the pre's power caps (under instruction from Glenn) with a Mundorf AG and the new ClarirtyCap TC-4 cap.

My first impressions were immediately realised, lower noise floor, quicker and more snappier transients and a tighter more textured lower frequencies. All of these analogies I'm sure you have heard before but I only say what I hear.

I'll do a pic if anyone is interested.

Seeing as IC's are the flavor of the month at the moment I have also plugged back in the Gotham GAC-1 cables back in for a few days too... I have to say that they are very good indeed but I do prefer my Mark Grant G2000HD Ag's. I can't get a handle on cables bringing 'too much' to the table, sorry ladies n gents. To me they should let your source equipment do the talking. If anything the plugs are just as important as the cable construction. All subjective of course but that's my opinion... lol

[Marco]

Nice one, Joe. Well done on the PSU cap upgrade, and yes, piccies please! :)

Deccas are fine cartridges indeed. A while back, Barry loaned me his Gold, mounted in a proper 'GB' pod inside a Sumiko headshell, so I just had to plug it into my (then, Jelco SA-750) arm, and make the usual adjustments, and I enjoyed it very much. I loved its transient attack and midrange alacrity, bass was surprisingly deep and extended, too. It's one of a select few cartridges out there that always puts the music first. Here's a pic of Barry's gold, in use on his TD-124/SME 3009:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/843/kmxv.jpg

The pod makes a huge difference to its performance - indeed in order to optimise a vintage Decca, I'd consider its use as mandatory.

However, overall, I still prefer the SPU Royal, as it has an 'effortless' and addictive way with music that no other cartridge I've heard can emulate, although my Denon DL-S1 gets very close in that respect, and edges ahead in others. You must hear it sometime - indeed, you must pop up to mine for a sesh this time, as I've been down to your place twice. We talk about it plenty, but nothing is ever finalised, lol!

Anyway, more on this thread later, once I've answered the 30 PMs and 25 emails I've woken up to this morning, mostly from folk asking questions about hi-fi and cables - hey, it's tough being popular! :D

Laterz.

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

Here's a pic of the updated pre.. :)

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Tannoyista%20System/DSC08936.jpg

As you can see its.. er a bit big.

Big cap... big sound so it seems.

Yeah, regarding the Decca... It's a great sound, solid and yet perfectly down to earth. The SPU though is a few steps up in clarity and spacial terms.

The Decca I tried didn't have the G.B pod so I wonder how that beastie sounds.... :)

[Marco]

WOW, Joe, that's a cap and a half!! :eek: Are you sure you've used the correct electrical/voltage values? However, if it sounds good, that's all that matters! :cool:

Anyway, I have to say when I was visiting I thought that your system sounded magical, which was no doubt in no small part due to the superb bespoke crossovers, fitted to your Tannoys. For me, those are very special indeed and produce a sound bristling with verve and realism, tangible emotionality, and everything that makes recorded music sound as close as possible to the real thing.

In that respect, your Tannoyista crossovers bring a beguiling musical believability to all genres of music, which I'm not sure my own bespoke crossovers are quite capable of - and so I congratulate you on, like a talented chef, moulding together some very fine ingredients, in order to create, in this instance, sonic marvels in boxes that will enhance the musical capabilities of any suitable Tannoy DC drivers, thus transforming loudspeakers that are already inherently very good into something truly exceptional.

Honestly folks, if you're serious about getting the very best performance from vintage Tannoy DCs, then auditioning the Tannoyista crossovers is a prerequisite. Once done, prepare to fall in love and be stunned... With Tannoy DCs, this is about as good as it gets. I kid you not.

Marco.

[Jimbo]

Here's a pic of the updated pre.. :)

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Tannoyista%20System/DSC08936.jpg

As you can see its.. er a bit big.







Big cap... big sound so it seems.

Yeah, regarding the Decca... It's a great sound, solid and yet perfectly down to earth. The SPU though is a few steps up in clarity and spacial terms.

The Decca I tried didn't have the G.B pod so I wonder how that beastie sounds.... :)

That cap looks as big as my coffee mug:lol:

[The Black Adder]

WOW, Joe, that's a cap and a half!! :eek: Are you sure you've used the correct electrical/voltage values? However, if it sounds good, that's all that matters! :cool:

Anyway, I have to say when I was visiting I thought that your system sounded magical, which was no doubt in no small part due to the superb bespoke crossovers, fitted to your Tannoys. For me, those are very special indeed and produce a sound bristling with verve and realism, tangible emotionality, and everything that makes recorded music sound as close as possible to the real thing.

In that respect, your Tannoyista crossovers bring a beguiling musical believability to all genres of music, which I'm not sure my own bespoke crossovers are quite capable of - and so I congratulate you on, like a talented chef, moulding together some very fine ingredients, in order to create, in this instance, sonic marvels in boxes that will enhance the musical capabilities of any suitable Tannoy DC drivers, thus transforming loudspeakers that are already inherently very good into something truly exceptional.

Honestly folks, if you're serious about getting the very best performance from vintage Tannoy DCs, then auditioning the Tannoyista crossovers is a prerequisite. Once done, prepare to fall in love and be stunned... With Tannoy DCs, this is about as good as it gets. I kid you not.

Marco.

Thanks very much, Marco.

The cap is 200uf which is what Glenn suggested so is fine along with a 10000uf. Means I need to raise the lid as you can see, I am doing this and will be done professionally.

Regarding my crossovers, that's really good of you to say. Thank you. As you know they have taken a couple of years to get right and to build up to the current model range. Currently building some Spec 4's which will sound utterly sublime :)

Cheers dude!

[The Black Adder]

That cap looks as big as my coffee mug:lol:

it is... lol.. Might even be bigger. It's a big chappie, 76mm in diameter.

The TC-4 has 4 terminals so needs to be larger to accomodate I suppose.