Parkie37's Audio Note System

[ovlov854]

I had my wife sit in our car with three pillows on her lap and the turntable on top of those, during our move. She is a good woman!! I guess I should have treated the SUT with the same gentleness.

Ye Gods!! Just goes to show what they say about good women and rubies :wow:

[Parkie37]

I had my wife sit in our car with three pillows on her lap and the turntable on top of those, during our move. She is a good woman!! I guess I should have treated the SUT with the same gentleness.

Ye Gods!! Just goes to show what they say about good women and rubies :wow:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Parkie37]

Well, right after my last post, I received a phone call to come and pick up the new turntable cover. It looks really nice, considering that is is a plexiglass box! I have always preferred seeing turntables without any clunky cover sitting over top of them, but my opinion changed after the cartridge accident :doh:

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[ovlov854]

That really is an ultra neat instalation
Who made the furniture?

[Parkie37]

That really is an ultra neat instalation
Who made the furniture?

The hifi stands are actually really affordable stands built in China. If you are interested, I can ask my dealer for the name, as I have forgotten what it is. You should be able to source them in the UK I believe. In Canada they have a retail price of CAD$550 (£315) per stand which gives you three layers. There is enough profit in each stand to get a bit of a deal on each one from your dealer. I got about CAD$75.00 off of each stand.

I was really pleased as they are almost as good performance wise, as the top notch stands like the Reference Line from Atacama or Quadraspire but they are a fraction of the cost. I really wanted the X-Reference from Quadraspire, but it was (**cough**) a bit more expensive :stalks:

https://quadraspire.co.uk/xreference.html

[ovlov854]

I was able to acquire a used 5 tier Hutter (pics in the Gallery) but trying to get extra items is a nightmare.
It would be better if SWMBO would let me take over the dining room but she having non of it...........cause she hates anything audio!!:steam:

[montesquieu]

On cleaning days I remove the headshell from the arm and take my box with all the headshells into my study where they are safe. I do this every Monday night.

[Parkie37]

On cleaning days I remove the headshell from the arm and take my box with all the headshells into my study where they are safe. I do this every Monday night.

That is a very sensible thing to do!

[struth]

i just dont let anyone clean. grandkids were trained from young age to keep away if the wanted to make next birthday by my daughter who didnt fancy the repair bill:eyebrows:

[George47]

That is one nice looking and sounding system.

I have the Voyd Ref with SMV and Io into an M6 and the E/SPe silver siggies. The power amp, Conquest silver signatures have just gone back to Audionote. I guess you are missing the Gold and it is always difficult to make do when you know what it can sound like when it really works well. But just think a new Io Gold, yum, yum. The factory looked very, very busy when I was down there last week.

[Parkie37]

i just dont let anyone clean. grandkids were trained from young age to keep away if the wanted to make next birthday by my daughter who didnt fancy the repair bill:eyebrows:

I have a friend with a Shindo system and his cleaning lady broke the stylus on his SPU cartridge. He made her pay for the repair. Ouch!

[Parkie37]

That is one nice looking and sounding system.

I have the Voyd Ref with SMV and Io into an M6 and the E/SPe silver siggies. The power amp, Conquest silver signatures have just gone back to Audionote. I guess you are missing the Gold and it is always difficult to make do when you know what it can sound like when it really works well. But just think a new Io Gold, yum, yum. The factory looked very, very busy when I was down there last week.

Hi George;

That sounds like a really nice system! I had the opportunity to listen to the Voyd Reference through a couple of different variations of Audio Note systems, from a Soro integrated up to pre/power separates. Very nice turntable. The local dealer here used a customer's Voyd Reference at the Vancouver Audio Show in 2015 and it was quite entertaining to see how many people didn't know what it was. The other thing I remember about that show was how well the CD 4.1/X did and how similar it sounded to good analog. In my opinion, it wasn't as good as analog but it sure was enjoyable.

BTW, I have my Io Gold back now and it isn't broken in yet. But from the very first record, it was an absolute joy to listen to! It's unfair to compare it to the Denon 103, but wow is it better in every way (I know, I know, it should be!). I find myself looking forward to putting records on more and more every day. Once the Io Gold has about 30-50 hours on it, it should be broken in and it will get the subtleties even better. The small details are really where the top cartridges shine for me. Those little hints that make you feel that you are in the recording studio watching Sonny Rollins perform (Insert favourite artist here).

Did you compare the AN E SPE HEs to the Silver Signatures? The price increase is substantial - do you remember what the improvements were with the Silver Signatures?

[montesquieu]

I have a friend with a Shindo system and his cleaning lady broke the stylus on his SPU cartridge. He made her pay for the repair. Ouch!

A bit harsh considering how easy it is to pop a stylus guard on an SPU (or indeed how easy it is to remove an SPU from a TT before the cleaner comes round).

Considering what would most likely have been a big income disparity then I don’t think your mate can be a very nice person.

[George47]

Did you compare the AN E SPE HEs to the Silver Signatures? The price increase is substantial - do you remember what the improvements were with the Silver Signatures?

In a word yes. The silver signatures have far greater dynamic range and exposes even more of the musical detail. AN is sometimes accused of losing the fine detail that solid state majors on. I am not sure that is true but the siggies provide an additional layer of the fine filigree of musical detail. Not the disconnected detail of some SS but essentially musical detail. Sounds a bit like the differences between the Io and the Io gold. With a system at your level it would be worth hearing them. Despite that I did not like the AlNiCos.....they sounded a bit hifi(ish).

[WESTLOWER]

I have a friend with a Shindo system and his cleaning lady broke the stylus on his SPU cartridge. He made her pay for the repair. Ouch!

He sounds like a bit of a prick!

[walpurgis]

He sounds like a bit of a prick!

I agree. That's petty. He's the one who should have taken care that it was kept safe.

[Parkie37]

I should have said in his defence that he had asked her not to clean the HiFi. He told me that she went ahead and did it anyway. I think that she was just trying to be nice. In either case, he can afford a new stylus much more than she can.

In my case, my cleaning lady is such a nice person and tries so hard to do a nice job that I wouldn’t have the heart to get her to pay for the repair. People are allowed to make mistakes. Just not to be ignorant or flagrant in their handling of the HiFi. I figure that it could have just as easily been me on a different day, so let bygones be bygones.

I guess at the end of the day you have to decide where you want to draw the line. If you threaten my family, I have no sense of humour. But if you make an honest mistake, then I can accept that. Heck, I’ve screwed up enough for a whole family, in my life! When I think about me driving my mom’s car when I was a teenager...it’s hard to be critical of someone else! :doh::doh::doh:

[WESTLOWER]

I should have said in his defence that he had asked her not to clean the HiFi. He told me that she went ahead and did it anyway. I think that she was just trying to be nice. In either case, he can afford a new stylus much more than she can.

In my case, my cleaning lady is such a nice person and tries so hard to do a nice job that I wouldn’t have the heart to get her to pay for the repair. People are allowed to make mistakes. Just not to be ignorant or flagrant in their handling of the HiFi. I figure that it could have just as easily been me on a different day, so let bygones be bygones.

I guess at the end of the day you have to decide where you want to draw the line. If you threaten my family, I have no sense of humour. But if you make an honest mistake, then I can accept that. Heck, I’ve screwed up enough for a whole family, in my life! When I think about me driving my mom’s car when I was a teenager...it’s hard to be critical of someone else! :doh::doh::doh:

In my case I just asked the cleaning lady (Mrs Westlower) to dust very carefully around the Hifi...
Btw ...Does anyone have a remedy for ruptured bollocks?

[George47]

In my case I just asked the cleaning lady (Mrs Westlower) to dust very carefully around the Hifi...
Btw ...Does anyone have a remedy for ruptured bollocks?

Taisez-vous?

[struth]

In my case I just asked the cleaning lady (Mrs Westlower) to dust very carefully around the Hifi...
Btw ...Does anyone have a remedy for ruptured bollocks?

crying often works :D

[alphaGT]

Well, right after my last post, I received a phone call to come and pick up the new turntable cover. It looks really nice, considering that is is a plexiglass box! I have always preferred seeing turntables without any clunky cover sitting over top of them, but my opinion changed after the cartridge accident :doh:

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I have a turntable cover nearly exactly like that, my problem is, where do I put it when not in use?

Russellhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180212/e4b7abfc5fa64e55bc13a2763e2502d1.jpg

[Frazeur1]

An eye-bolt with a cable and pulley system mounted to the ceiling? Looks good to me as is.

[alphaGT]

An eye-bolt with a cable and pulley system mounted to the ceiling? Looks good to me as is.

I usually throw it on my bed, out of the way where it won’t get scratched.

Russell

[Parkie37]

I have a turntable cover nearly exactly like that, my problem is, where do I put it when not in use?

Russellhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180212/e4b7abfc5fa64e55bc13a2763e2502d1.jpg

I have been wondering that myself when I play records. I don’t have a great solution yet but it does make me feel better, every time I see it protecting my turntable!

[struth]

I use the ones that just cover the platter and arm. Much prefer them visually now and easy to place when using table. Took s little while to get used to style tho

[alphaGT]

I have been wondering that myself when I play records. I don’t have a great solution yet but it does make me feel better, every time I see it protecting my turntable!

So true! When I lift it off and place it on my bed, I can see the ring of dust around the dust free area that was under it. It keeps my ‘table clean and dust free, so it’s worth the hassle to move it. And I don’t have to worry about anyone breaking my cantilever or any such mishap while it’s under the glass.

Russell

[Parkie37]

I use the ones that just cover the platter and arm. Much prefer them visually now and easy to place when using table. Took s little while to get used to style tho

I’ve never been a big fan of the style of those covers, but I can certainly appreciate the greater ease of use they provide. I have started putting my cover on a chair in the corner of my living/listening room. I want it to be relatively easy to grab and put back on the turntable, so I don’t get lazy and have another stylus accident :D

[alphaGT]

I’ve never been a big fan of the style of those covers, but I can certainly appreciate the greater ease of use they provide. I have started putting my cover on a chair in the corner of my living/listening room. I want it to be relatively easy to grab and put back on the turntable, so I don’t get lazy and have another stylus accident :D

So true! All the protection in the world won’t work if it’s too much trouble, and you don’t use it. I think I may play more Records if it wasn’t for having to man handle the cover every time? Seems I only remove it for serious listening sessions anymore, for casual listening it’s so much easier to pop in a CD. So, it’s a two edged sword, it’s seems everything about vinyl playback is about compromises.

Russell

[ppat2]

I have a turntable cover nearly exactly like that, my problem is, where do I put it when not in use?

Russellhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180212/e4b7abfc5fa64e55bc13a2763e2502d1.jpg

I have the exact type of plexiglass cover, same size in fact that I use for my Air Tight amp. I use it if I am away from home and don't want prying fingers to make a mess. I was thinking of drilling a bunch of half inch holes in it, so I can leave it on the amp when in use, to keep my nosy cat from trying to play with the EL34's. Would need a lot of holes though for heat dissipation.

[alphaGT]

I have the exact type of plexiglass cover, same size in fact that I use for my Air Tight amp. I use it if I am away from home and don't want prying fingers to make a mess. I was thinking of drilling a bunch of half inch holes in it, so I can leave it on the amp when in use, to keep my nosy cat from trying to play with the EL34's. Would need a lot of holes though for heat dissipation.

Yes I’d say you’d need a lot of holes. And it would serve the purpose of keeping the cat away, or other hands and cleaning supplies. But it would defeat its ability to keep out dust. So you trade one issue for another. I agree it’s cumbersome, but worth it I guess, or I wouldn’t use it? My old ‘table had a hinged lid. Which was very convenient, and kept the dust at bay, but it always concerned me that it was picking up airborne vibrations while propped open, and my clamp was too tall to shut while in use. So I wound up removing it anyway.

Possibly you could make a cage for your amp? Perforated metal or rails close together, that would prevent the cat from loading it up with hair. And still have total air flow, and the plastic lid could fit over that? Or perhaps there is a tube cage made for your amp? Just a thought.

Russell

[ppat2]

Yes I’d say you’d need a lot of holes. And it would serve the purpose of keeping the cat away, or other hands and cleaning supplies. But it would defeat its ability to keep out dust. So you trade one issue for another. I agree it’s cumbersome, but worth it I guess, or I wouldn’t use it? My old ‘table had a hinged lid. Which was very convenient, and kept the dust at bay, but it always concerned me that it was picking up airborne vibrations while propped open, and my clamp was too tall to shut while in use. So I wound up removing it anyway.

Possibly you could make a cage for your amp? Perforated metal or rails close together, that would prevent the cat from loading it up with hair. And still have total air flow, and the plastic lid could fit over that? Or perhaps there is a tube cage made for your amp? Just a thought.

Russell

I have looked about for a metal cage, cannot find anything suitable. Mind you, I could go custom and find a decent metal worker or welder to make one. I had a fellow in Ontario make me a nice maple shelf for my turntable. Right now I have the area around the amp barricaded like Fort Knox to keep the cat out. I have a Thorens TD 160 with a removeable plexiglass cover also. I have found having a hinged cover on during playback negatively affects the sound. I have fussy ears.

[alphaGT]

I have looked about for a metal cage, cannot find anything suitable. Mind you, I could go custom and find a decent metal worker or welder to make one. I had a fellow in Ontario make me a nice maple shelf for my turntable. Right now I have the area around the amp barricaded like Fort Knox to keep the cat out. I have a Thorens TD 160 with a removeable plexiglass cover also. I have found having a hinged cover on during playback negatively affects the sound. I have fussy ears.

Ha! I hear you on those fussy ears. I was thinking, I saw some brand of amp, I can’t recall, but it had a cage made of acrylic. Not a cover, but slats about an inch wide on supports, to protect the tubes. And one that had sheets about an inch apart, with round holes over the tubes. An LED made it look rather cool. At any rate, one of these companies that makes custom record player covers would probably make one for you, per your design? Just a thought.

Russell

[Idlewithnodrive]

I have a friend with a Shindo system and his cleaning lady broke the stylus on his SPU cartridge. He made her pay for the repair. Ouch!

Sounds like the sort of person who would then of gone on to claim on the house insurance too. I hope she resigned following that.

[ppat2]

Ha! I hear you on those fussy ears. I was thinking, I saw some brand of amp, I can’t recall, but it had a cage made of acrylic. Not a cover, but slats about an inch wide on supports, to protect the tubes. And one that had sheets about an inch apart, with round holes over the tubes. An LED made it look rather cool. At any rate, one of these companies that makes custom record player covers would probably make one for you, per your design? Just a thought.

Russell

That sounds like an awesome idea. Yes a custom cover would be the way to go, could get something that does the job and is stylish too.

[Parkie37]

That sounds like an awesome idea. Yes a custom cover would be the way to go, could get something that does the job and is stylish too.

Paul;

I too am in Vancouver (South Surrey actually...) and I had my custom turntable cover built by:
Associated Plastics
110 Franklin Street
Vancouver, BC
V6A 1J6
604-251-9441

You can send questions or descriptions of what you have in mind to Info@associatedplastics.com. Their website is www.associatedplastics.com. I found them to be very helpful and came up with ideas for other issues that I wanted to solve, that were quite clever. I was quite happy to support a local business rather than pay someone in the U.S. to build it and then have to pay for shipping and customs fees and taxes. In the end, it cost almost half of what one of the bigger U.S. companies would have charged. I forget their name but they used to be quite popular years ago with owners of certain brands of turntables (VPI?)

Hope this helps,

Don

[alphaGT]

Just a bit of an update. I have found that plexiglass polish made for motorcycle windshields does a great job of cleaning up my acrylic record player cover. Just use a super soft cloth, the stuff scratches super easy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Parkie37]

Just a bit of an update. I have found that plexiglass polish made for motorcycle windshields does a great job of cleaning up my acrylic record player cover. Just use a super soft cloth, the stuff scratches super easy.

Thanks Russell. I don't need it yet, but I am going to remember that when the time comes.

Don

[Parkie37]

A bit of a system update. My CDT3 has had the laser assembly fail after a decade of use. There is a local service centre that specializes in high end audio, so having them repair it is much less expensive that shipping the CDT3 all the way back to Hove to have the work done. Unfortunately, AN has been quite slow getting the parts to my technician so I am using a borrowed CD player from a friend who is a Burmester dealer. He has leant me his Burmester 089 CD player to use while I wait. This thing is crazy expensive and crazy good!

Here are a couple of pics of it sitting on my new hifi stand:

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[Barry]

Love the Leica in your avatar Don.

Is it an M240 digital?

[Parkie37]

Love the Leica in your avatar Don.

Is it an M240 digital?

It is an M10. I sold off a lifetime's worth of Canon gear and studio equipment and bought the M10 and one lens! Absolutely beautiful camera. Using a rangefinder again for the first time in 25 years is proving to be a challenge but I am really enjoying it.

Don

[Barry]

It is an M10. I sold off a lifetime's worth of Canon gear and studio equipment and bought the M10 and one lens! Absolutely beautiful camera. Using a rangefinder again for the first time in 25 years is proving to be a challenge but I am really enjoying it.

Don

Ooh very nice! I'm thinking of getting a digital Leica rangefinder camera to replace my much loved, and well used, M3 and M4 bodies. The M10 looks like it would fit the bill very nicely.

[Parkie37]

Ooh very nice! I'm thinking of getting a digital Leica rangefinder camera to replace my much loved, and well used, M3 and M4 bodies. The M10 looks like it would fit the bill very nicely.

It’s the nicest camera that I have ever owned. You will love it! It is the digital camera that Leica should always have made.

[AlfaGTV]

Lovely photos Parkie! And of course the Burmester looks like business! Has you own transport returned?

[anubisgrau]

A bit harsh considering how easy it is to pop a stylus guard on an SPU (or indeed how easy it is to remove an SPU from a TT before the cleaner comes round).

Considering what would most likely have been a big income disparity then I don’t think your mate can be a very nice person.

+1

a cantilever with stylus disappeared from my benz micro (some time ago), it was without a guard. i considered myself guilty, not her.

[Parkie37]

+1

a cantilever with stylus disappeared from my benz micro (some time ago), it was without a guard. i considered myself guilty, not her.

I'm glad to hear that. I felt that my friend's response was too harsh. There is no way that working on her hourly rate for cleaning houses she can afford to rebuild an IoGold cartridge. For me it was a lesson learned the hard way. Today when she arrived to clean I placed my plexiglass cover over the turntable. Issue dealt with!

[Parkie37]

Lovely photos Parkie! And of course the Burmester looks like business! Has you own transport returned?

Thanks for asking. Yes the transport has been back for a couple of months now. It works like new and looks nice!

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