View Full Version : Still working on the front end.
Hello all-- Charlie Marzot here from Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA. ( on old Cape Cod if your know the song).
I arrived at this site by way of my Technics sl 1200 mkii. After flirting with other tables including a Well Tempered Simplex, Clearaudio Concept, Merrill modded Ar Xa, and finally a VPI Aries 1, I have alway had along with those other tables, and could never part with, my Technics sl1200 mkii. So for all of the reasons anyone who has the pleasure of owning one knows, I have made a serious commitment to upgrade the Techy. Half because these upgrades do improve the sound and half because it is just fun to tinker with things. So far the Techy has a KAB fluid damper, a plastic tone arm resonance damper, Isonoe feet, a Mike New bearing ( not yet installed). I' m taking the one step at a time approach to upgrading. This site has been really interesting and helpful, not to mention amusing at times. Thank You all.
BTW I' m a reformed tube guy-- mostly SS now.
The rest of band includes:
Pass Labs xa30.5 amp
Pass Labs xp10 preamp
Harbeth 30.1 speakers
Klimo Viv tube phono preamp
Ps Audio GCPH phono preamp
Sony Xa5400es scad/cd
All WireWorld silver cables and connections.
Cartridges, Grace F9 with SoundSmith Ruby re tip, Grado Sonata Reference1, Ortofon Red, and ADC xlm mkiii
walpurgis
21-03-2015, 12:07
Hello Charlie. Welcome to AOS.
You've come to the right place for Techie fans. As you know, they have a big following here.
I'm a reformed valve (tube) guy too. Using SS Class A most of the time. Your Pass stuff is very nice.
Your retipped Grace is interesting. Bet it sounds great. I like seeing that I'm not the only person who enjoys old ADCs too.
Tell us what music you listen to and feel free to add some equipment photos to the Gallery section. They'd be welcome.
Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.
Welcome to AoS Charles. Why reformed ?
Eagle owl
21-03-2015, 23:12
Hello and welcome Charles.
Geoff. :wave:
Hello and welcome Charles.
Geoff. :wave:
Hello and welcome Chaz,( fellow Harbethian)- big Pass Labs an 30.1's:eek:
Hello Charlie. Welcome to AOS.
You've come to the right place for Techie fans. As you know, they have a big following here.
I'm a reformed valve (tube) guy too. Using SS Class A most of the time. Your Pass stuff is very nice.
Your retipped Grace is interesting. Bet it sounds great. I like seeing that I'm not the only person who enjoys old ADCs too.
Tell us what music you listen to and feel free to add some equipment photos to the Gallery section. They'd be welcome.
Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.
Hi Geoff,
I will post pictures soon after I clean up a little.:) Lately I have been collecting some of the Japanese reissues of the classic Jazz labels like "Impulse" and "Prestige"
The sound quality is remarkable on some of these. Just found out that Rudy Van Gelder was associated with these labels along with the Blue Note label.
Glad to see another ADC lover out there. They are not sexy looking but man do they sing. Just picked up a stylus replacement-- NOS xlm mkii--tapered cantilever, beautiful polished diamond. I bought two.
Welcome to AoS Charles. Why reformed ?
Well, basically laziness. That is, I felt tube rolling just added another variable to the already complex interactions of a hi fi system. I suppose if I had stuck with it I would have needed a tube tester to make sure all tubes were in spec, etc. Not that I didn't give it a good go. Tried both push/pull and single ended topologies, but in the end just preferred the sweet sound of ss class a. That's a heck of a turntable setup you have there.
Hello and welcome Chaz,( fellow Harbethian)- big Pass Labs an 30.1's:eek:
Andy--Had the Compact 7's at one time as well. Just wish we didn't have to pay so much for them here.
Hello and welcome Charles.
Geoff. :wave:
Geoff, thanks for the welcome wave, and greetings from Cape Cod.
walpurgis
22-03-2015, 11:12
Glad to see another ADC lover out there. They are not sexy looking but man do they sing. Just picked up a stylus replacement-- NOS xlm mkii--tapered cantilever, beautiful polished diamond. I bought two.
Very nice Charlie. Replacement genuine styli are getting harder to find.
The XLM III is a great cartridge. I've had three, including the Integra version, which for some reason was the best sounding.
I currently keep an ADC 26, a 10E Mk.IV and two 10E Mk.II, each with styli in as new condition. As you say the diamonds are beautifully finished. They are not my main cartridges, but I'm not parting with them, as they are superb and nothing else sounds quite like them. It's an elegant presentation.
Andy--Had the Compact 7's at one time as well. Just wish we didn't have to pay so much for them here.
How did compare to one another Charles?:)
How did compare to one another Charles?:)
The 7's and 30.1's were set up in two different living spaces with different equipment, so my observations should be taken in that context.
They both have the Harbeth house sound, but the 30.1's seem to extend smoother into the highs and the bass seems a little more controlled. The really nice thing about the 30.1's is that they will play softly when needed and loudly as well. The 7's as i remember are a little more full bodied with the highs a little rolled off--suppose it comes down to how they interact with the room. I would be happy with either one, and btw I auditioned the p3's too. The p3's seemed to need more power to come alive. All three models have a lovely well balanced presentation with a gorgeous midrange.
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