Parkie37's Audio Note System

[Parkie37]

14324143251432914331undefined

[Parkie37]

1433514336143371433814339

[Parkie37]

143401434114342

[Parkie37]

1434514346143471434814349

[Parkie37]

1435014351143521435314354

[struth]

All very nice Don. TT has nice clean lines and the 300b amp is stunning

[Parkie37]

1435514356143571435814359

[Parkie37]

Thank you. It is kind of fun to see inside the unit. I couldn't design one of these things if my life depended on it, but it is fascinating to look at and see the care that they have taken.

I am finding that as I get older that my music becomes more and more enjoyable and important to me. Sure wish I hadn't sold all of my albums twenty years ago!

[struth]

Thats a fancy rcm you have too.. more stylish than my moth

[rmsshipbroker]

Lovely, looks like a high specification on that amp. :youtheman:

[hermit]

Superb looking system. What speakers do you have?

[walpurgis]

Very nice Don. Those AN speakers are going to be a treat with that lot. Do let us know how they work out once you have them (and post a picture) :).

[Parkie37]

14360
Superb looking system. What speakers do you have?

I have stolen my daughter's Epos M12 speakers at the moment. I am waiting for some AN-E SPE HE speakers to finish being built and be shipped to me. Probably 6-8 weeks away from ownership. I have attached a photo of them in my family room.

[Parkie37]

Thanks. I certainly will. I feel like the system is a shadow of what it can do at the moment. Although the Epos are good for the money, they can't hold a candle to my previous speakers, the Proac D40R. No surprise of course, given the huge difference in price, but still.....

I had an audiophile buddy over for dinner and some record playing. Here is another view of the system from that evening.

14361

[Parkie37]

Very nice Don. Those AN speakers are going to be a treat with that lot. Do let us know how they work out once you have them (and post a picture) :).

I replied to your post below. Forgot to hit the 'reply with quote'. Oops!

Here is my main listening buddy wondering what record we are going to play next...

14362

[struth]

Nice Dog. Yorkie is it?

[walpurgis]

Here's my listening buddy:

http://i59.tinypic.com/2h2o1ns.jpg

He's somewhat larger and curled up at my feet at the moment. :D

[Parkie37]

Thats a fancy rcm you have too.. more stylish than my moth

Funny story... I had sold my Audio Desk Systeme that I had bought with my mad money from a job on the side (teaching at my airline), in order to pay for the Meishu Silver. While I was thinking that I should buy a cheaper record cleaning machine like the Okki Nokki, I was on the road, sitting in a cafe in London, enjoying a cappuccino. I thought, heck I will check the audio auctions back in North America and see if any had come up for sale. I didn't see any, but I did see a fellow selling his Loricraft and thought, 'what the heck, I will throw in a bid to raise the bidding on the auction for this guy'. I thought for sure that it would sell for twice what I paid for it. I ended up getting a like new PRC-4 for one third of the new price (in Canada)! The only downside is that he didn't include the brush or cleaning fluid. It was hard to complain, considering what I had paid : )

Of course, this put a serious dent in my speaker savings account!

[Parkie37]

Nice Dog. Yorkie is it?

Yes he is. Well, sort of. He (Finnigan) is a mix. He is also a rescue, so we don't really know what he is, except that he weighs about twice what a Yorkie usually weighs.

He is quite a character!

[Parkie37]

Here's my listening buddy:

http://i59.tinypic.com/2h2o1ns.jpg

He's somewhat larger and curled up at my feet at the moment. :D


Nice looking dog!

[walpurgis]

Not entirely sure what mine is either. He's a rescued dog too, came with the name Tippy and is a powerful 75 pound Lurcher of sorts. Very smart and very protective.

Finnegan looks a real rascal.

[petrat]

I replied to your post below. Forgot to hit the 'reply with quote'. Oops!

Here is my main listening buddy wondering what record we are going to play next...

14362

Ha ... cute mutt! I thought you Canadian types all had timber wolves for pets :)
Oh, and the amp ain't bad either. I owned the basic version of the Meishu for a short while, but sold it in a hurry to part-fund my current turntable. Should have hung on to it, as later I got a pair of nicely built E kit-speakers, which are still doing duty in the living room system.

[Parkie37]

Ha ... cute mutt! I thought you Canadian types all had timber wolves for pets :)
Oh, and the amp ain't bad either. I owned the basic version of the Meishu for a short while, but sold it in a hurry to part-fund my current turntable. Should have hung on to it, as later I got a pair of nicely built E kit-speakers, which are still doing duty in the living room system.

Ha! Yes, somewhat like the lumberjack skit that Monty Python did! Actually this is my first small dog. Funny thing is that he has more attitude than all of my bigger dogs : )

I love your system. It looks not too different from my setup. My VPI dealer also sells Verdier, Clearaudio, Rega, Brinkmann as well as one or two more like Linn. I had a chance to listen to your table before bu yang the Classic 1, then later the 3. In Canada your table is almost twice the price of my Classic 3. For what it's worth my dealer said that adding a speed/voltage controller on your table took it to a new level. He also had a VERY expensive cartridge on it. It sounded gorgeous!

[petrat]

Funny thing is that he has more attitude than all of my bigger dogs : )

For what it's worth my dealer said that adding a speed/voltage controller on your table took it to a new level.

Yorkies may be small, but they are 'all dog' for sure. A buddy of mine worked as a postman for years, and he wasn't afraid of the big dogs, it was the small ones that scared him the most :uhho:



Thanks for the compliments on my system, Don .. I was lucky enough to get the Platine at a good price second-hand, as the UK 'new' price is way out of my comfort zone TBH. Interesting about the speed/voltage controller comment from your dealer. I wonder what particular controller he meant? The only one I've seen in the UK was made by GT Audio, and was a battery unit, but is no longer available as far as I know.

[Parkie37]

Yorkies may be small, but they are 'all dog' for sure. A buddy of mine worked as a postman for years, and he wasn't afraid of the big dogs, it was the small ones that scared him the most :uhho:



Thanks for the compliments on my system, Don .. I was lucky enough to get the Platine at a good price second-hand, as the UK 'new' price is way out of my comfort zone TBH. Interesting about the speed/voltage controller comment from your dealer. I wonder what particular controller he meant? The only one I've seen in the UK was made by GT Audio, and was a battery unit, but is no longer available as far as I know.

The good news is that it's now relatively affordable to add really accurate speed to your table. I will be adding this system to my table after I upgrade my cartridge and SUT. It is the Phoenix Engineering Eagle PSU and the Phoenix Engineering Roadrunner Tachometer. The PSU is US$525 and the tachometer is US$234. You can add one at a time. Very accurate and highly rated from what I have been able to find out.

http://hifiheaven.net/store/Phoenix-Engineering-Eagle-15-Watt-High-Power-PSU-Turntable-Speed-Controller?filter_name=Phoenix&sort=pd.name&order=ASC

http://hifiheaven.net/store/Phoenix-Engineering-RoadRunner-Tachometer-for-all-Turntables?filter_name=Phoenix&sort=pd.name&order=ASC

My dealer felt that the only weakness was speed control. However it was sitting next to a $80k to $100k turntable : )

My table was a demo with very few hours but my dealer wanted to showcase a new model, so he offered me most of what I had paid for the Classic 1 and a very reasonable upgrade price. I got quite a good deal!

[Jimbo]

Hi Don,

Very nice system you have there. I have the VPI Scout 1.1 and maybe one of the few on this forum who run a VPI. Superb sounding TT and very well engineered. Looked at the Falcon speed controller myself,maybe cheaper upgrade than the VPI SDS.
Listened to a Prime VPI TT last week with top Dynavector wow.

[Parkie37]

Yorkies may be small, but they are 'all dog' for sure. A buddy of mine worked as a postman for years, and he wasn't afraid of the big dogs, it was the small ones that scared him the most :uhho:



Thanks for the compliments on my system, Don .. I was lucky enough to get the Platine at a good price second-hand, as the UK 'new' price is way out of my comfort zone TBH. Interesting about the speed/voltage controller comment from your dealer. I wonder what particular controller he meant? The only one I've seen in the UK was made by GT Audio, and was a battery unit, but is no longer available as far as I know.

By the way, I hope I didn't insult the Platine. It is probably my dealers favourite table. I found that I preferred it to the mega expensive Clearaudio! I think he just felt that adding the speed controller was the finishing touch. He used an expensive European speed controller.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don,

Very nice system you have there. I have the VPI Scout 1.1 and maybe one of the few on this forum who run a VPI. Superb sounding TT and very well engineered. Looked at the Falcon speed controller myself,maybe cheaper upgrade than the VPI SDS.
Listened to a Prime VPI TT last week with top Dynavector wow.


I do like the VPIs. The Classic 3 has really been a joy to own. I feel that it's good enough for any cartridge out there, but my bank account isn't!

[Lee Henley]

That's a nice set up you have Don, I use AN amps myself, running a couple of Empress Silver edition mono blocks, absolutely love them, best amps Ive had in the system yet. Wait till you get your AN-E speakers, the system will come alive even more!

[Parkie37]

That's a nice set up you have Don, I use AN amps myself, running a couple of Empress Silver edition mono blocks, absolutely love them, best amps Ive had in the system yet. Wait till you get your AN-E speakers, the system will come alive even more!

Thanks Lee. I really can't wait for the speakers! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning ��

[Parkie37]

That's a nice set up you have Don, I use AN amps myself, running a couple of Empress Silver edition mono blocks, absolutely love them, best amps Ive had in the system yet. Wait till you get your AN-E speakers, the system will come alive even more!

Apparently the speakers may be here as early as the end of next week. Can't wait!

[Parkie37]

That's a nice set up you have Don, I use AN amps myself, running a couple of Empress Silver edition mono blocks, absolutely love them, best amps Ive had in the system yet. Wait till you get your AN-E speakers, the system will come alive even more!

I got so excited about the new (AN-E SPE HE) speakers arriving soon that I forgot to say that those amps are gorgeous! I would love to hear your system with them, especially with the AN-K/SPe speakers. I know that they are more monitor sized, but there is quite a faithful following for AN-Ks, especially the SPe version. I read on an American forum that one of the dealers had been loving using the Empress Silver mono blocks for a while. He had access to much higher up the food chain, but never felt sad having to go back to the Empress Silver. I think that they are his favourites.

[Parkie37]

14417

I bought an isolation platform a couple of weeks ago to improve the audio/video stand that my turntable is sitting on. It is a cheap unit from Costco. At some point I am going to get a local craftsman to put together a well made stand for me. I have three different guys to choose from, including the fellow that made the isolation platform. Of course, I will have to convince my wife that it's ok for me to change furniture in the family room :lol:

[Jimbo]

14417

I bought an isolation platform a couple of weeks ago to improve the audio/video stand that my turntable is sitting on. It is a cheap unit from Costco. At some point I am going to get a local craftsman to put together a well made stand for me. I have three different guys to choose from, including the fellow that made the isolation platform. Of course, I will have to convince my wife that it's ok for me to change furniture in the family room :lol:

Nice looking platform Ron:thumbsup:

[Floyddroid]

I would love one of these.

1435014351143521435314354

[The Barbarian]

Which bit steve? :D

[andrasszamek]

nice system. the AN-Es are going to be AMAZING! :)

[Parkie37]

nice system. the AN-Es are going to be AMAZING! :)

Thank you. I found out today that the speakers are shipping out tomorrow from the UK, so I can pick them up in about a week. Unfortunately, I will be busy with work then but should find the time shortly thereafter to take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria to pick them up.

Can't wait!

[Parkie37]

Nice looking platform Ron:thumbsup:

Hi James

I'm Don, not Ron. No worries! We haven't met in person ��

[Parkie37]

I have run across a couple of beautifully recorded albums on Record Store Day. As well, I replaced my Zerostat. Once I replaced it, I realized that the old one did nothing. Completely worn out!

I have also replaced my phono cable with an Audio Note A -Vx. Between that and an NOS RCA 5U4GB, I am getting gorgeous sound!

[Parkie37]

147831478414785

Well, my AN-E SPE HE speakers in high gloss Makassar arrived! Yahoo! I unboxed them, took a few photos, then started playing music through them.

[Parkie37]

147861478714788

Left side.....right side....from the couch

[Parkie37]

Just after setting up in the family room, my wife advised me that my system was now moving to the living room. Uh....ok. The good news is that I now have a dedicated listening room!

[Ali Tait]

Very nice Don, that is indeed a very glossy finish!

[Darren]

Damn! Those are good looking speakers.

[Parkie37]

14811

So, now I have this setup. Sorry for the crappy photo, but it was a long day relocating the system and I had supper and a glass of wine to keep me going, so it was a little late!

Of course I now played record after record... :D

[struth]

you will be in the shed next :eyebrows:

[Parkie37]

you will be in the shed next :eyebrows:

As long as I can bring my Hifi, that's fine!

[Parkie37]

14813

Here is the view from the Hifi back to the listening seats. Hoping to remove the various instruments to tidy up the room.

[Lee Henley]

They look really nice Don, how are they sounding in your room

[Parkie37]

They look really nice Don, how are they sounding in your room

I was finding them to sound quite good, but with a slightly boomy mid bass up to the lower midrange and some upper mid glare, but they are slowly improving with each day. I went away on a four day business trip and left the system playing at a lower volume, so as not to disturb the family.

Last night we had friends over for dinner and music and the system eventually lost that upper mid glare (or I had enough wine to convince myself of that!) and the bass ripeness eased up a bit. Truly enjoyable evening of music. We played everything from Bill Evans to George Ezra to Black Sabbath to Joni Mitchell to Led Zeppelin. Moby Dick sounded great for a "system that can't rock!"

I am expecting up to 500 hours of break-in from what I have read. This is the most musically enjoyable system that I have ever owned.

[andrasszamek]

they will take their time breaking in, but it will be great. also, dont forget to fill the stands with sand and biwire them if you dont already. this must be a lovely lovely system.

[petrat]

Lovely, Don!
Have you experimented with positioning much? I found my e's could be quite fussy in some rooms.
Lovely speakers, though, when you get them right ... people who like them, love them ....

[Parkie37]

Lovely, Don!
Have you experimented with positioning much? I found my e's could be quite fussy in some rooms.
Lovely speakers, though, when you get them right ... people who like them, love them ....

I have been experimenting somewhat Peter, but of course, when they are breaking in and changing a lot (more than I expected to be honest), I am just waiting for them to settle down. At the moment they still have a little too much mid bass bloom, but that is slowly tightening up over time. They had way too much at the beginning, then I must have had the perfect spot for them as after I had pushed them back into the corners again, they were suddenly just about bang on ideal. Then..... I received the AN SPx speaker cables and had to pull them out again and when I put them back they had improved a lot in many areas but the bit of mid bass bloat returned. I can keep playing with them, but I think that I will just keep playing records and after enough time has passed, I will fuss with the exact right position again. They sound very good at the moment and feel like they are 95% of the way there. Somewhere on the world wide inter-web I read that Peter Q had insisted that they needed at least 400-500 hours on them. Of course they change the most in the first fifty or so hours, but each day seems to be a little bit better. A little cleaner, more resolving and less bloat.

My greatest pleasure is the fact that this system will show you all of the warts of a poor recording/mixing/mastering, but won't punish you for it like some systems that I have owned in the past. It can still be a lot of fun to listen to recordings that might be shite! And I believe that this is supposed to be fun, right?

[Parkie37]

they will take their time breaking in, but it will be great. also, dont forget to fill the stands with sand and biwire them if you dont already. this must be a lovely lovely system.


It's just as you said, taking time to break in but they are fun along the way. Some American speakers that I owned years ago weren't too much fun breaking in (or afterwards!). I filled my stands with a very strange combination........ My dealer told me that he felt that lead shot and sand was too deadening so he used a combination of styrofoam chips with clay based kitty litter filling in all of the gaps. I have given that a try, but as I don't have three pairs of stands to swap in and out, I'm not too sure how they compare. He felt that this combo retained the best tonality. Or.... he's laughing his a** off at the fact that he convinced another audiophile to try something silly!!

The used Audio Note SPx speaker wire that I bought is a biwire set which I got at a ridiculously good price, considering the new replacement cost : ) Yep, biwiring has definitely helped!

[Parkie37]

Lovely, Don!
Have you experimented with positioning much? I found my e's could be quite fussy in some rooms.
Lovely speakers, though, when you get them right ... people who like them, love them ....

Peter....a non related question..... Your Thorens 125 is gorgeous. How do you feel it compares to a modern deck, like a Rega RP-1 with Performance Pack? That is my daughter's table, that I helped fund, but she really wanted a vintage table originally. I am toying with the idea of possibly selling hers to fund something like your 125, but only if she wants and also only if it is an upgrade. What are your thoughts?

[petrat]

Hi Don.

Not heard the rega, so not really in a position to comment, but would think the Thorens would give more detail?

If the 125 has a 'fault', it is that it is some find it rather 'polite'. I call it 'neutral' :)
If your daughter's musical taste is more toward pop, rock or dance, it may need pairing with a dynamic cartridge/arm combo to satisfy ... or, better still, try a vintage idler or direct drive.

If you go for a TD125 or vintage deck, here's a plinth-maker who does good value, and ships around the world ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/desygn.and.sound/m.html?item=181713559312&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562&clk_rvr_id=837243981099&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover %252F1%252F710-53481-19255-0%252F1%253Ftype%253D4%2526campid%253D5336643969%2 526toolid%253D10001%2526afsrc%253D1%2526customid%2 53Dskim2113X565594X7541ae11e54dadc4c240e0e2c0ba6f1 c%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.c o.uk%25252Fsch%25252Fdesygn.and.sound%25252Fm.html %25253Fitem%25253D181713559312%252526ssPageName%25 253DSTRK%2525253AMEBIDX%2525253AIT%252526rt%25253D nc%252526_trksid%25253Dp2047675.l2562%2526srcrot%2 53D710-53481-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D837243981099

.... other listings are in euros.

[struth]

Peter....a non related question..... Your Thorens 125 is gorgeous. How do you feel it compares to a modern deck, like a Rega RP-1 with Performance Pack? That is my daughter's table, that I helped fund, but she really wanted a vintage table originally. I am toying with the idea of possibly selling hers to fund something like your 125, but only if she wants and also only if it is an upgrade. What are your thoughts?

My Thorens certainly wasted my Project carbon sb. these decks if you do the work are pretty difficult to beat anywhere near the money.imo

[Jimbo]

I have been experimenting somewhat Peter, but of course, when they are breaking in and changing a lot (more than I expected to be honest), I am just waiting for them to settle down. At the moment they still have a little too much mid bass bloom, but that is slowly tightening up over time. They had way too much at the beginning, then I must have had the perfect spot for them as after I had pushed them back into the corners again, they were suddenly just about bang on ideal. Then..... I received the AN SPx speaker cables and had to pull them out again and when I put them back they had improved a lot in many areas but the bit of mid bass bloat returned. I can keep playing with them, but I think that I will just keep playing records and after enough time has passed, I will fuss with the exact right position again. They sound very good at the moment and feel like they are 95% of the way there. Somewhere on the world wide inter-web I read that Peter Q had insisted that they needed at least 400-500 hours on them. Of course they change the most in the first fifty or so hours, but each day seems to be a little bit better. A little cleaner, more resolving and less bloat.

My greatest pleasure is the fact that this system will show you all of the warts of a poor recording/mixing/mastering, but won't punish you for it like some systems that I have owned in the past. It can still be a lot of fun to listen to recordings that might be shite! And I believe that this is supposed to be fun, right?

Hi Don,

Speakers usually start off tight sounding and 'relax' a bit after running in so your mid bass bloat maybe another issue, probabbly positioning more than anything?

[petrat]

Hi Don,

Speakers usually start off tight sounding and 'relax' a bit after running in so your mid bass bloat maybe another issue, probabbly positioning more than anything?

Audio Note Es seem a bit tricky in this respect, as they are designed to work in room corners to reinforce their LF performance, so making more noticeable any changes and anomalies during running in from 'tight' to 'relaxed' ... as Don says, it's worth waiting few weeks.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don.

Not heard the rega, so not really in a position to comment, but would think the Thorens would give more detail?

If the 125 has a 'fault', it is that it is some find it rather 'polite'. I call it 'neutral' :)
If your daughter's musical taste is more toward pop, rock or dance, it may need pairing with a dynamic cartridge/arm combo to satisfy ... or, better still, try a vintage idler or direct drive.

If you go for a TD125 or vintage deck, here's a plinth-maker who does good value, and ships around the world ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/desygn.and.sound/m.html?item=181713559312&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562&clk_rvr_id=837243981099&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover %252F1%252F710-53481-19255-0%252F1%253Ftype%253D4%2526campid%253D5336643969%2 526toolid%253D10001%2526afsrc%253D1%2526customid%2 53Dskim2113X565594X7541ae11e54dadc4c240e0e2c0ba6f1 c%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.c o.uk%25252Fsch%25252Fdesygn.and.sound%25252Fm.html %25253Fitem%25253D181713559312%252526ssPageName%25 253DSTRK%2525253AMEBIDX%2525253AIT%252526rt%25253D nc%252526_trksid%25253Dp2047675.l2562%2526srcrot%2 53D710-53481-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D837243981099

.... other listings are in euros.

Thanks Peter, that is good information. I have been thinking about it for a while. So, if I am not mistaken, the plinth on your 125 was purchased separately? (By the previous owner?)

So, look for a good arm on top of the cost of the deck and plinth and then fine tune with a good, lively cartridge. Sound about right? I am not interested in a direct drive deck as I have already lived through the 70s and 80s and owned some. My absolute favourite was the 2nd or 3rd from the top of the line Luxman. Something like the 'PD 289' or '284'. I had friends go out and buy terribly expensive CD players at the time and this deck absolutely smoked each and every one of them. I later upgraded to an LP12/Ittok LVII/K18 and loved that one for years. As for idler drive tables, they are very expensive in North America. I would love to try one myself, but at the going rate for one, I could seriously upgrade my SUT and cartridge.

How close to the Platine does the Thorens come? Or is it just a matter of a different presentation?

[Parkie37]

My Thorens certainly wasted my Project carbon sb. these decks if you do the work are pretty difficult to beat anywhere near the money.imo


Grant;
You feel that taking the time to find a good, clean 125 and then following up with the right arm and cartridge would be a good step up from her RP-1? I have discovered a fellow who restores old decks/builds plinths is located just a 45 minute drive from my house. He also sells used records and lives near a friend of my wife. I may have to drop her off for a visit and pop into his store : )

[struth]

I'm using a td160mk2 that I did up. Pics in my gallery. It will take on most decks and not be embarrassed. The 125 is a good one too as is the 150

[petrat]

Thanks Peter, that is good information. I have been thinking about it for a while. So, if I am not mistaken, the plinth on your 125 was purchased separately? (By the previous owner?)

YES ... mine was built by Russ Collinson, on the web trading as 'Layers of Beauty'

So, look for a good arm on top of the cost of the deck and plinth and then fine tune with a good, lively cartridge. Sound about right?

YEP

How close to the Platine does the Thorens come? Or is it just a matter of a different presentation?

Hmmm, well ... 'Cut from the same cloth', I'd say :)
But ... the Platine has it beat when it comes to sound-stage and micro-detail, and betters it on pace and timing too.
However, it is very close in terms of tone and coherence, if that makes any sense.

[Parkie37]

1492514926

A couple of updates...... I decided to get a couple of things fixed electrically in my house. So..... as part of my master plan, I decided to get a dedicated circuit installed in my new dedicated listening room. I bought a 40 Meter spool of 8 gauge wire and had the electrician run the 8 gauge all the way to the outlets! It was a bit of a struggle for him as the boxes aren't really meant for a cable that large. He made it work and so now everything runs from the dedicated circuit into the PS Audio P5 and then to each component. I was also able to isolate my AN-S2/H SUT a little better now, so if nothing is playing you can turn the volume up to max and not hear any hum or feedback. Very pleased!

The noise floor is much improved : )

[Parkie37]

14929149301493114932

After having the dedicated electrical circuit installed, I moved a horizontal filing cabinet from the garage into our 'new' office. Pushed it into the corner and moved my photo printer and two scanners onto the desk beside my iMac. I realized that I had a bunch of free room in the office if I slid the filing cabinet even farther down. My wife suggested that we move the piano into the office, so that I truly have my own dedicated listening room with no large obstructions in the way of the speakers! What a wife!!

[Parkie37]

149341493514936

So.....now my listening room is much less cluttered and our office is much more organized and all in one location. I have a few extra (old and beat up) dining room chairs lining the wall in the listening room, but I don't have the piano ringing and singing along with the speakers :lol:

As I break in my Audio Note SPE HEs, the bass is still a little too prominent, so if you look on the left side of my audio stand, you will see a box that contains lead shot. I will experiment with the lead shot and sand when I have my next set of days off. I have between 150 and 200 hours on the speakers, so they have a ways to go yet, but my listening room is on a suspended wood floor and not a solid concrete floor like so many houses in Europe. I also have wood framed walls with gyproc instead of brick lined walls. The bass tends to not be quite as tight and powerful, so I think that the lead shot may be the best answer to help tame the extra bass. The system really does sound fantastic these days :D

[Parkie37]

1493714938

The last change for a while was a new FM tuner. Its actually about a dozen years old, but it is a Magnum Dynalab MD-90 that has been upgraded to the deluxe version of the 102, with balanced outputs and Kimber Silver wiring throughout. And......for those amongst us that are lazy (me!) it has a remote! I know that FM stations are becoming fewer by the day, but it sounds fantastic on the local stations and in Canada, we don't have a real date for shutting down FM. I have owned two 'Etudes' before and regretted selling each one. I ended up buying this tuner for about half of what it should sell for, so what is a poor audiophile to do when offered a good deal :lol:

[struth]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14937&d=1434172741

Very nice Don, and always nice to score occasionally.

[andrasszamek]

if you havent filled the stands with lead shot or sand, do that, it will firm the bass up. if its still too much, just pull the speakers further to the front, keeping the distance from the side walls the same as now. this way you can fine tune the amount of bass.

[Ali Tait]

Or you could try some paving slabs under the stands.

[Parkie37]

I'm using a td160mk2 that I did up. Pics in my gallery. It will take on most decks and not be embarrassed. The 125 is a good one too as is the 150

I would love to sell her Rega and setup a beautiful Thorens, but a dad has to be careful not to take over! I'm glad to hear your endorsement as well Grant. Would it benefit from isolation like my LP12 used to?

[Parkie37]

if you havent filled the stands with lead shot or sand, do that, it will firm the bass up. if its still too much, just pull the speakers further to the front, keeping the distance from the side walls the same as now. this way you can fine tune the amount of bass.

Thanks Andras, I am waiting for a little more time on the AN Es, but I do have a 40 kg box of lead shot waiting to be opened. I am really enjoying the speakers, but do want to tame the bass a bit. My dealer is a long time AN dealer and he thinks I'm 200 to as many as 400 hours from final settling in.

I firmly believe that the suspended wooden floor and wood framed wall covered by gyproc is much more lively than my dealers brick and concrete building or the typical European concrete floors and brick walls. I spent two years living in The Netherlands in 94 and 95 and our row house had concrete walls and floors. Cleaner, tighter bass and less resonance.

I feel that I am getting very close to my final setup and sound. I will probably switch to a little more of a near field sound at some point. I prefer that s bit over the far field sound that I have setup so far. Sure is fun to experiment though!

[Parkie37]

Or you could try some paving slabs under the stands.

I used to use weights from barbells under my turntable and speakers...a LONG time ago. I would love to see my wife's reaction to that now :lol:

I have the lead shot already so I will give that a go. When my brother in law was still in university I rearranged his system and isolated it. He is very quiet, but he did say that he couldn't believe the free improvement!

[struth]

I would love to sell her Rega and setup a beautiful Thorens, but a dad has to be careful not to take over! I'm glad to hear your endorsement as well Grant. Would it benefit from isolation like my LP12 used to?

Got mine on magnetic levitation feet lol...big improvement

[Tarzan]

Or you could try some paving slabs under the stands.

l myself have just performed this tweak ( as l too have a suspended wooden floor) and the effect was very positive indeed.:)

[duo(2)]

Very Nice stereo!

I find that using some decoupling between the AN-E's and there stand, Can make a Big difference to the sound, i know that Peter Q thinks that blue tack is the only rigth solution, but i have with great effect used different decoupling to tune the soundstage and the in particular the bass on AN-E's

Cheers

[Parkie37]

Very Nice stereo!

I find that using some decoupling between the AN-E's and there stand, Can make a Big difference to the sound, i know that Peter Q thinks that blue tack is the only rigth solution, but i have with great effect used different decoupling to tune the soundstage and the in particular the bass on AN-E's

Cheers

I am going to give your suggestion a try. A fellow audiophile is dropping over tomorrow night and I am going to try some little isolation gadgets that he uses. I will update later what their name is and whether they improved things.

[Parkie37]

Well, I tried the gadgets under the AN-Es. As soon as we had them under one of the speakers, you could hear it start to clean up and tighten the excess upper bass and lower midrange. The gadgets are called 'Q-Bricks' and are made by Skylan, who make some of the very best speaker stands out there for Harbeth, Spender and Audio Note. You can see them here: http://www.skylan-stands.com/accessories_.html

[The Black Adder]

Very nice, Don...

Bet that sounds lovely. :)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14934&d=1434171878

[Parkie37]

Very nice, Don...

Bet that sounds lovely. :)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14934&d=1434171878

Thanks Josie. I am really enjoying it. The AN-Es take quite a while to break in and I have had a couple of tubes (aftermarket) give up the ghost in my Meishu Silver, so it has been a bit of a bumpy road, but it's getting there. My biggest improvement has been pulling the speakers out into the room until they are completely broken in. They have astonishingly good imaging for such a wide front baffle. Once they have about 600 hours on them, I will experiment with corner placement again. But.....

I have just ordered a new cartridge and SUT. I am upgrading the Dynavector to an Audio Note Io Gold and upgrading the AN-S2/H to an AN-S8/L. I have had to sell all of my worldly possessions to pay for them and still I am a little short, but you only live once : )

Thank goodness that it will take a couple of months to have them delivered. I will try to save up the balance in the meantime and look around for any other items of value to sell ; )

Don

[KONDO]

Thanks Peter, that is good information. I have been thinking about it for a while. So, if I am not mistaken, the plinth on your 125 was purchased separately? (By the previous owner?)

So, look for a good arm on top of the cost of the deck and plinth and then fine tune with a good, lively cartridge. Sound about right? I am not interested in a direct drive deck as I have already lived through the 70s and 80s and owned some. My absolute favourite was the 2nd or 3rd from the top of the line Luxman. Something like the 'PD 289' or '284'. I had friends go out and buy terribly expensive CD players at the time and this deck absolutely smoked each and every one of them. I later upgraded to an LP12/Ittok LVII/K18 and loved that one for years. As for idler drive tables, they are very expensive in North America. I would love to try one myself, but at the going rate for one, I could seriously upgrade my SUT and cartridge.

How close to the Platine does the Thorens come? Or is it just a matter of a different presentation? it doesnt,

[KONDO]

hi,lovely system,doe.s youre cart pick up any interference from amp,yours charlie

[Parkie37]

hi,lovely system,doe.s youre cart pick up any interference from amp,yours charlie

Hi Charlie;

I haven't had any issues with the cartridge picking up interference from the amp. I have the tonearm cable run to the SUT, which is hidden behind the a/v stand (on the floor). Then a separate 1M cable runs up to the integrated amp. I also have a grounding cable running from the table to the SUT and to the amp. The only issue that I have is that if you tap the turntable, you can hear it through the speakers. The VPI is a suspensionless turntable, so I am just experimenting with Vibrapods, to remove any possible vibration.

[Parkie37]

I should have added that I no longer have the tuner, so the amp sits farther away from the turntable now.

[struth]

Hi Charlie;

I haven't had any issues with the cartridge picking up interference from the amp. I have the tonearm cable run to the SUT, which is hidden behind the a/v stand (on the floor). Then a separate 1M cable runs up to the integrated amp. I also have a grounding cable running from the table to the SUT and to the amp. The only issue that I have is that if you tap the turntable, you can hear it through the speakers. The VPI is a suspensionless turntable, so I am just experimenting with Vibrapods, to remove any possible vibration.

I get that a bit with the Thorens Don, as I have the suspension tighter than usual. Improved the sound though and I dont usually tap it :eyebrows:

[petrat]

Any sign of the Io Gold and S8 yet, Don? Bet you can't wait :drool:

[Marco]

Top stuff, Don - looking good!


I have just ordered a new cartridge and SUT. I am upgrading the Dynavector to an Audio Note Io Gold and upgrading the AN-S2/H to an AN-S8/L. I have had to sell all of my worldly possessions to pay for them and still I am a little short, but you only live once : )


Quality - that's the sort of attitude I like to see... Tomorrow might never come! :respect:

Marco.

[Parkie37]

Any sign of the Io Gold and S8 yet, Don? Bet you can't wait :drool:

I visited my dealer yesterday. He says it might show up in ten days to two weeks. I really, really can't wait! Everyone tells you that the S8 is a great SUT, but I haven't heard it yet.

Yep! I'm a dork! I bought it on faith! That being said, I have read several reviews where those that have compared them, say that the S8 is either the best or one of the best available. I know that the S9 is reputed to be even better, but the price is crazy! Also, what pushed me over the edge is that the S8 is designed to match the IO cartridge perfectly.

So, hopefully I can update my profile soon :):)

Did I mention that I can't wait?!?!?!

[Parkie37]

Top stuff, Don - looking good!



Quality - that's the sort of attitude I like to see... Tomorrow might never come! :respect:

Marco.

Thank you Marco. I sometimes think I'm crazy to spend so much :mental:

The really crazy thing is that I'm putting two daughters through university. In Canada we have to pay for everything associated with university. It's definitely worth it, but I had to sell all of my worldly possessions to allow me to buy the components that let me enjoy my music.

Just today my younger daughter turned 19, which is the legal drinking and voting age here. After all of the other nice things we did for her for her birthday, I bought her an album by Justin Townes Earle (Son of Steve Earle). We are relaxing and listening to the new album. She takes after her dad! Tonight she asked me where the Center weight was for her Rega RP-1 (Performance Pack). I said "sorry honey, my VPI comes with one but your Rega doesn't". "Really, Dad?"

That's my girl! I got her hooked on my AN and VPI system over the summer, while she was home from university! I might be saving my money for a turntable upgrade for that girl one day :D

That's right, not just one audio addiction, but two to pay for!

[Parkie37]

I wanted to add one more thing to the analog upgrade. I realized that part of the appeal of the IO Gold cartridge is that the rebuilding cost is much, much lower than most companies. When I checked Koetsu and Kiseki and Clearaudio, I found perhaps a 20% discount compared to buying new. The Audio Note MC cartridges have a £700 rebuild cost. I like that they reward you for buying from them. If I don't have $6000.00 when my beautiful Koetsu Rosewood Signature dies, I have to go back to a budget cartridge. The AN cartridge makes it much more likely that I can afford to rebuild it.

Also, I have been emailing Peter Q and asking some specific questions about the IO Gold and the S8. The IO Gold is quite heavy and is low compliance. Only a few arms suit a cartridge like it. It will work on my VPI Classic 3, but not optimally. So, as a final step I was thinking about all of the options available to me. I would love to use a Moerch DP-8 arm on a Verdier Platine table, but that is well above my pay grade!

So, I may switch to an Audio Note TT-2 Delixe with external Power Supply and speed selection. I loved the LP12 that I had for years and my AN dealer sells both Linn and AN. They prefer AN tables.

When I mentioned this to Peter Q, he told me about the new TT Three table that is coming out. WAY MORE AFFORDABLE than the previous TT-3. Perhaps the model name will be different, but he is planning on £5000 or less for the table itself. Three motors, suspended, external power supply and a launch date of March to April 2016, he is hoping. It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. It should work perfectly with my new cartridge and SUT.

Sigh. I guess it's official. I'm now an Audio Note fan boy!

[Parkie37]

I just had a visit from my dealer yesterday. He came over on a Sunday! to install my new AN IO Gold cartridge and AN-S8 SUT. I am very pleased so far but will update once it has a few hours on it.

[EricS]

Just wandering through and have to say: That's a lovely turn table, Don! I really like the look of the VPI.

[petrat]

I just had a visit from my dealer yesterday. He came over on a Sunday! to install my new AN IO Gold cartridge and AN-S8 SUT. I am very pleased so far but will update once it has a few hours on it.

Come on, Don .... tell us ... show us ... give us pictures! :D

[Parkie37]

Come on, Don .... tell us ... show us ... give us pictures! :D

Well, it's really not much different than before.

[Parkie37]

Come on, Don .... tell us ... show us ... give us pictures! :D
1543615437154381543915440
Ok, that's not true at all! Just kidding!!!

There is no question that the IO Gold cartridge and the AN-S8 SUT are expensive, but they have transformed my system. I was getting good sound before and the Audio Note sound is one that I really enjoy. I am sure that I would enjoy Shindo and Kondo as well, as they seem to be 'music enjoyment' systems rather than detail oriented, analytical systems. Here are a few pictures of the installation, that took place on Sunday.....

The very best Audio Note system that I have ever heard was at Gearbox Records in London. They had a level four or level five system there that was near the top of the line for Audio Note. My system is now starting to sound like that system, but just not as good. I feel like I am at about 75% of the way there.

[Parkie37]

15441154421544315444

[Parkie37]

15445154461544715448

[Parkie37]

When I listen now, there is an almost astonishing level of resolution. However, it is very natural sounding, not like a cheap digital type resolution. I have found myself sitting listening to a record, trying to answer emails on my iPad, only to find myself putting down the iPad, when something sounds so life like, that I can't ignore it!

[Firebottle]

.....only to find myself putting down the iPad, when something sounds so life like, that I can't ignore it!

Isn't it fantastic when you get to this stage, it has happened to me this year. Enjoy :thumbsup:

[Jimbo]

Very nice indeed Don, what a superb system you have there. The Audio Note equipment must be getting the best out of your VPI?:)

[Parkie37]

Isn't it fantastic when you get to this stage, it has happened to me this year. Enjoy :thumbsup:

Yes it is! I was just telling my dealer, Don Thorne of Sound Hounds in Victoria, Canada, that it's a little unsettling how much of a change this has made. It has simply leap frogged every other system that I have owned. All while being the most musically enjoyable system.

[Parkie37]

Very nice indeed Don, what a superb system you have there. The Audio Note equipment must be getting the best out of your VPI?:)

To be honest, I really like the VPI, but it isn't really meant for such a heavy cartridge. I think that I will look at the new table from Audio Note, next year when it comes out. It will be designed to be used with my cartridge and SUT, so it should get a little more out of them. My next table will be suspended.

Sure do like it though....

[petrat]

Well Don, it's been a month of no postings, so we'll presume the upgrades were a success, and that you're otherwise engaged ...

:dance:

[Parkie37]

Well Don, it's been a month of no postings, so we'll presume the upgrades were a success, and that you're otherwise engaged ...

:dance:

Sorry to be so slow to respond Peter.

My personal life has become busy and time listening to music hasn't been as frequent. I had a daughter in a serious car accident, but she is ok. Several weeks of recovery and needing mom and dad to help her get back on track, but life is good and returning to normal.

I have found that my system is close to being finished. I know that I will tweak it once it is finished, but I won't be able to afford big changes for a while. In Canada, having both daughters in university is expensive!

When my dealer came to my house on a Sunday to make sure that I was happy and that the cartridge was setup properly, I was blown away by the improvement, right from the first song. An astounding improvement! There is a resolution to the IO Gold cartridge and AN-S8 SUT that makes me feel very fortunate to own these components. I keep worrying that someone will come along and take them back ��

Every record that I have played, from the very first one, has had a natural texture and timber that I have never heard in my system before. My Dynavector DV20X2Lo was very good for the money, but it produces the basic pieces of each note without the immense resolution of the entire recording space like the IO Gold. The IO Gold sounds like there is a cloud of sound surrounding each recording that is filled with resolution and natural texture of each note that is sung or plucked. It reminds me of a great camera lens like the very best Canon L series lens or a Leica or Zeiss lens. It is exceedingly detailed but natural.

All of this being said, I have a turntable and cartridge mismatch. The counter weight is hanging off of the end of the tonearm-a heavier counterweight won't resolve this, unfortunately. I have looked into several different tables, as a way to match the cartridge properly, but after looking around North America's used market, I have ordered an Audio Note TT-2 Deluxe in gloss black. I have been getting feedback through my system as the VPI is mass loaded. Every time I touch the Hifi stand, the turntable or any part of it, it is announced through the speakers. Also, I believe that AN and VPI are after two different sounds and my sense is that I am not getting the most out of my cartridge and SUT. I have spent too much not too optimize my analog setup. I love the sound improvement that I have already gained, but I can't wait for the improvement that will come with the new TT-2 Deluxe turntable! I have been missing the rhythm and drive of a really good suspended turntable.

One last thing. If you splash out on a top SUT like the AN-S8, you will have a huge sound improvement, as Peter suggested. It really is huge! The bonus is now that Audio Note supplies the S8 SUT with a built in Pallas cable with it! I don't know the price of it, but it is way up there, like Sogon! The sound is exquisite!

So, Peter, am I happy? Absolutely! I will make another change to maximize the rhythm and drive of my system. I was floored when the IO Gold and AN-S8 joined my Hifi setup. That sense of awe has not changed.

Expensive, but very much worth it!

[Parkie37]

Oh yeah.. I also bought a used CD 3.1X CD player, used at a very attractive price. Great sound so far!

[petrat]

Good news .... especially about your daughter recovering!

Your decription of the Gold/S8 combo is spot on, and I'm sure the new TT and arm will finish the job perfectly.

Strangely, I've never heard an Audio Note cd player ... how are you finding it? Or are you too busy listening to vinyl :lol:

[Parkie37]

Good news .... especially about your daughter recovering!

Your decription of the Gold/S8 combo is spot on, and I'm sure the new TT and arm will finish the job perfectly.

Strangely, I've never heard an Audio Note cd player ... how are you finding it? Or are you too busy listening to vinyl :lol:

I had planned to go with the new AN TT-3 0.3 Reference, which is coming out next April or May or...

I was planning on adding the AN-1S tonearm with AN-Vx cable. That will be a great setup but I'm not sure that I can afford it. My local dealer and two or three people that I have spoken to, that I trust have said very complimentary things about the TT-2, so I am excited. I gave a very short explaination in my previous response, but basically I am trying to find the synergy with my setup that you did with the new tonearm that matches up nicely with your IO I. I am actually familiar with that arm and I'm not at all surprised that you like it. My other dealer that I have bought from (both VPI turntables), sells about ten brands of turntables. He is very enthusiastic about Brinkmann and he and I discussed that very arm for me. In the end, it didn't seem to match my VPI, so I moved on, but I think that it will suit your system very nicely!

I almost ended up with a turntable like yours. Another local turntable dealer (specializes in repairs and tune ups and modifications) that sells mostly used gear, sold a used copy of your Platine right before I spoke to him : (

Worst part was that he sold it at a crazy good price, because he didn't think anyone knew about that wonderful brand. Sigh.

Speaking of CD players, I used to always check any CD player or DAC, for its ability to play higher bit rate and higher sample rate songs, believing that was only way to good digital sound. However, last May I attended the Vancouver Audio Show and picked up my AN-E SPE HE speakers at the same time as my dealer travelled to Vancouver to co-demonstrate with Audio Note. While I chatted with my dealer and friend, Don Thorne from Soundhounds in Victoria, BC, Canada, I kept noticing how bloody good the sound was from the CD 4.1X. David Cope, of Audio Note kept putting on interesting music that I liked, but had never herd of. I couldn't get over how much this CD player sounded like a really good turntable. The body of the music was quite close to good analog. But...its $14,000.00 CDN new. Ok, so much for that!

My dealer told me that he had an older CD player up for sale (consignment) at a very attractive price. It was one model down and one series older. But...the price was low enough to make it worth trying. If you get the chance to hear the CD 4.1/X, I highly recommend it!

[Parkie37]

I just wanted to add that I would much prefer the AN CD 3.1/X or CD 4.1/X to my previous Meitner MA-1 DAC, which was US $7000.00. It is a very good DAC, but the AN CDs sound like analog and to me that means more body and a fullness to the sound that is very rewarding.

[Parkie37]

I just wanted to add that I would much prefer the AN CD 3.1/X or CD 4.1/X to my previous Meitner MA-1 DAC, which was US $7000.00. It is a very good DAC, but the AN CDs sound like analog and to me that means more body and a fullness to the sound that is very rewarding.

Well, my VPI Classic 3 is sold now and unless there is some tragedy from Fedex that prevents it from getting all the way to Los Angeles, I am committed to the Audio Note TT-2 Deluxe.

I may be one turntable away from my final table, in that I may upgrade up the AN line in a year or three, I suspect that I am done, other than perhaps some better power cords.

My turntable arrives at the end of January and I can't wait to hear it setup. Aside from the fact that it is hard to wait, I have one more thing to do to improve my system. I have had suspended floor issues that drove me away from the VPI, but I have since found a local,supplier that will sell me extendable floor jacks that you put in your crawl space or basement, under your floor joists. This makes your suspended floor sound almost like your are on concrete. I am going to out three of them underneath my speakers, in an L-C-R configuration. I have read very good things about others doing that. Between my suspended table and the floor jacks, I am hoping that my bass bloom will be gone : )

[sjs]

Well, my VPI Classic 3 is sold now and unless there is some tragedy from Fedex that prevents it from getting all the way to Los Angeles, I am committed to the Audio Note TT-2 Deluxe.

I may be one turntable away from my final table, in that I may upgrade up the AN line in a year or three, I suspect that I am done, other than perhaps some better power cords.

My turntable arrives at the end of January and I can't wait to hear it setup. Aside from the fact that it is hard to wait, I have one more thing to do to improve my system. I have had suspended floor issues that drove me away from the VPI, but I have since found a local,supplier that will sell me extendable floor jacks that you put in your crawl space or basement, under your floor joists. This makes your suspended floor sound almost like your are on concrete. I am going to out three of them underneath my speakers, in an L-C-R configuration. I have read very good things about others doing that. Between my suspended table and the floor jacks, I am hoping that my bass bloom will be gone : )
I put jacks under my speakers which are on a suspended wooden floor. Obviously it significantly stiffens the floor and really improved everything, bass in particular.
I then sat the speakers on vibropods, sat on a granite slab, sat on sorbathane feet. This reduced the transmission into the floor and brought additional benefits.
The new AN arm will be a great match for the IO, if you were in the UK I would suggest looking for an old Voyd 0.5 Ref or Voyd Reference, but I am not sure many made it over to the US.
Enjoy

[Parkie37]

I put jacks under my speakers which are on a suspended wooden floor. Obviously it significantly stiffens the floor and really improved everything, bass in particular.
I then sat the speakers on vibropods, sat on a granite slab, sat on sorbathane feet. This reduced the transmission into the floor and brought additional benefits.
The new AN arm will be a great match for the IO, if you were in the UK I would suggest looking for an old Voyd 0.5 Ref or Voyd Reference, but I am not sure many made it over to the US.
Enjoy

I'm really glad to hear that someone else has been through the same and that it worked for them. That is no guarantee that it will work for me, but I suspect that it will. I'm trying to decide if I will put two, three or six inder the floor. I think that I can get them for $40 each, so it isn't too bad if I try these out and they only have a small improvement.

I have tried quite a few support options, including Vibrapods. I truly think that the feedback from the VPI was too great to hear much difference from the changes in support.

I would love to restore or refurbish a top Voyd turntable. There was one on display at the Vancouver Audio Show last May, being demonstrated in the Audio Note room. It was my understanding though that you can't get replacement motors for them? That makes me far less enthusiastic to go down that road.

[petrat]

Yes, I think the multi-motor Voyds used big Papst motors that are no longer produced. Various enthusiasts in the UK have hoarded spares though, for their own use. If you ever decide to go this route, then 'pure sound' (Guy, a trade member here) is extremely knowledgable, and may be able to advise (he was a leading light in Audio Innovations, the predecessor to AN). IME, those top Voyds are about as good as you can get with belt-drive, although I have never been a fan of their styling. They go for big money in Europe, so if you ever find a bargain at your local thrift shop, then snap it up and worry later ... :D

[Parkie37]

Yes, I think the multi-motor Voyds used big Papst motors that are no longer produced. Various enthusiasts in the UK have hoarded spares though, for their own use. If you ever decide to go this route, then 'pure sound' (Guy, a trade member here) is extremely knowledgable, and may be able to advise (he was a leading light in Audio Innovations, the predecessor to AN). IME, those top Voyds are about as good as you can get with belt-drive, although I have never been a fan of their styling. They go for big money in Europe, so if you ever find a bargain at your local thrift shop, then snap it up and worry later ... :D

That makes sense Peter! When I was at the Vancouver Audio Show, they spoke of the Voyd as being 'priceless', while trying to be a bit funny! They are pretty rare in these parts. I guess I will stick with the TT-2 Deluxe that I have on order - for a while. I have fairly high expectations though as I was getting great sound from my system other than the bass feedback. If this brings in the proper balance that I am hoping for, then wow! I just have to stop buying albums so that I can pay off the new turntable!

[Parkie37]

Well, I have a couple of updates on the home hifi front. I have the new TT-2 Deluxe turntable with the external power supply and after some break in time, I can firmly say that the TT-2 Deluxe is a stellar turntable.

Over the years, I have owned everything from a basic all in one (cheap) Lloyds turntable (1976), to a NAD turntable (circa 1981) to a Luxman PD289 (1982) to a Linn LP12/Ittok LVII/K18 (1989) to a VPI Classic 1 (2014) to a VPI Classic 3 (2015) and now up to the Audio Note TT-2 Deluxe, with external power supply. I also used to work part time at a couple of hifi stores back in the 1990s and had the opportunity to play with quite a few other turntables such as the early Planar 2 and 3, Gyrodecs, TechnoDecs, Maplenoll Ariadne, Oracles and several others that I am sure that I have forgotten. The more hours that I put on this turntable, tonearm, cartridge and power supply combo, the more it gels and more importantly, becomes musically enjoyable. I didn't think that the VPI Classic 3 would ever be beaten for bass power and impact, but this new TT-2 has more power and impact, but not just more, more in a more lifelike manner. The bass sounds less like a hammer on an anvil and more like a bass drum being hit. Which is of course, what we all hope for! You don't realize that your previous component isn't quite doing what it is supposed to, until you have the new component and it betters the realism of the previous one. I am certain that a good amount of this improvement is the fact that the IoGold and Arm 3 v2 were developed on the TT-2, or vice versa (or so I have been told). There is a real synergy amongst the whole system but especially the analog part of the system, which you would expect as they are from the same manufacturer.

Whenever you make a change to your sound system you always make that change with the expectation that you are improving the system. Of course, the number of times that I have made changes and later realized that they were not an improvement is a little depressing! Without a doubt though, the system is now working together and creating an incredibly musical whole that no system I have ever owned before could come close to. I would even say that there have only been a few systems that I have ever heard that equal our outperform what I am hearing at home now. I constantly find myself starting to listen to music in an analytical manner, thinking about what I need to fix, only to find myself getting carried away by the music! That is exactly what I have always wanted.

Here is how the system looks now...

16748

[Frazeur1]

Don, all that business is rather crap, and I am sure sounds rather lame. I will begrudgingly take it off your hands however. :) Very nice man, looks superb and I can only imagine sounds quite amazing. It has been fun reading about your journey here!

[Parkie37]

Don, all that business is rather crap, and I am sure sounds rather lame. I will begrudgingly take it off your hands however. :) Very nice man, looks superb and I can only imagine sounds quite amazing. It has been fun reading about your journey here!

Hahaha! Thanks Timothy. I really am having fun with the system now. My wife just invited her brother over to the house for dinner so that he could come and have a listen to it :eek: That is something that I never thought I would hear her say!

[Frazeur1]

I am glad to hear you are having fun with it, so many folks get too uptight about things to really enjoy it! While I have heard bits and pieces of AN gear, I have yet to listen to a full-on one! One of these days!

[Parkie37]

I am glad to hear you are having fun with it, so many folks get too uptight about things to really enjoy it! While I have heard bits and pieces of AN gear, I have yet to listen to a full-on one! One of these days!

If you are ever in the Vancouver, Canada area, let me know. You are most welcome to come and listen to some music. This hobby is way more fun when you get to share it with the other crazies out there!

Don

[struth]

Looking super there Don. You must be very pleased.. worth a big one:)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16749&d=1461198489

[Frazeur1]

Thanks Don, one never knows! I would certainly enjoy a listen, and also I have never been to Vancouver, would enjoy that as well!

[Parkie37]

Looking super there Don. You must be very pleased.. worth a big one:)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16749&d=1461198489

Thanks Grant. I really am enjoying it. My job takes me out of town a lot, so it is nice to be able to come home and relax while listening to some music.

The down side is that I have started to buy too many records! Not really too many, just more than I can afford : ) The other night after dinner (in a moment of weakness), I found several records that were on my must have list at prices that I couldn't ignore....sigh. They will be great but now we have to eat beans on toast until next payday!

Don

[petrat]

Talking of bankrupting yourself, have you ever heard any of ANs higher 'level' amps? The main reason I didn't go down (up?) the Audio Note trail, was that the cost of the system I really coveted pretty much exceeded my total remaining-lifetime income :( There is a school of thought, though, that suggests it is better to buy the best once, rather than inferior stuff many times. Mmm, must start doing the lottery.

Anyway ... really nice! I think (in fact, 'know') that you've hit the AN 'sweet spot' with your system as it is.

Looking at the pics, can we deduce that you're a jazz fan? Of course, all the best people are :D

[Parkie37]

Talking of bankrupting yourself, have you ever heard any of ANs higher 'level' amps? The main reason I didn't go down (up?) the Audio Note trail, was that the cost of the system I really coveted pretty much exceeded my total remaining-lifetime income :( There is a school of thought, though, that suggests it is better to buy the best once, rather than inferior stuff many times. Mmm, must start doing the lottery.

Anyway ... really nice! I think (in fact, 'know') that you've hit the AN 'sweet spot' with your system as it is.

Looking at the pics, can we deduce that you're a jazz fan? Of course, all the best people are :D

Yes sir! Big time jazz fan. I would rank Way Out West as one of my five favourite jazz albums. I also love the blues. Like everyone near my age, I love the music that I grew up with as well, which is mainly rock and roll, especially if it has a blues influence. However, as I get older, I find myself drawn more and more to other types of music. Ever since I upgraded my sound system at the end of the 80s, to Classe Audio separates, I have been discovering more and more music that I really enjoy. I am still REALLY drawn to Cuban jazz. If anyone here has a turntable and even remotely enjoys jazz, you must buy Buena Vista Social Club on vinyl. It is gorgeous! The warmth, the rhythm, the joy of life that they exude during this recording is fantastic.

I am feeling like I have hit the sweet spot of the Audio Note line. I have had a chance to hear my speakers, the AN SPE HEs in a similar finish, powered by a Tomei Kensei stereo power amp, which was driven by an M6 Phono preamp. The source was an Audio Note TT-2 turntable (non-deluxe) with a cartridge that I forgot to take note of. Every record that Daryl at Gearbox Records played for me on that system placed me right in the recording atmosphere. It is really a remarkable experience. About 3/4 of the way through the listening session, he switched to the same integrated amplifier that I own, the Meishu Silver. It sounded great! But, it was quite a step down from the previous setup. That is as it should be, as the upgrade from the Meishu Silver to the M6 Phono/Tomei Kensei is huge, both in money and performance. Daryl kept exclaiming that he was surprised at how close the Meishu Silver came to the fancier setup. If I were to upgrade from here, it would most likely be from my TT-2 Deluxe turntable to the new TT-3, as I would be able to sell my table for what I paid and only have to pay the difference. I am seriously considering that, as a couple of people that I trust have been very impressed with that turntable. That would be much later in the year or possibly next year. I would have to save up for that.

I would love to go up to an M6 Phono/Conquest Silver combination as well, but honestly it is above my pay grade, as they say. I was fortunate to get good prices for my previous system to help pay for this one. I listened to it again two nights ago and I truly feel that I am able to really hear into the recording like the higher end setup that I heard previously. Not quite as well, but it is very, very enjoyable these days : )

[Jimbo]

Hi Don, do you think you should now ditch the VPI in your post title.

[Parkie37]

That is a good suggestion! Hopefully I am allowed to do that : )

If you know how, I am open to any and all suggestions. I had a quick look around the forums and FAQs and wasn't successful finding out how to do that.

[petrat]

Send a PM to Grant or any moderator, and they can change it.
Some suggestions ... The official Audio Note addiction thread ... Bankrupt in Vancouver ... We will shortly be landing at Partridge Green ... :D

[Jimbo]

Hi Don, a few recommendations for som fabulous sounding jazz and at the moment they are cheap.

Pablo record label - try Dukes big 4 and Basie Jam - available on discogs in mint / nearly mint condition. Superb recording - pure analogue and would sound great on your system.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don, do you think you should now ditch the VPI in your post title.

Your wish is my command ; )

[Jimbo]

Your wish is my command ; )

:D

[Jimbo]

Some very nice equipment there Don. I would like to hear the speakers in particular. I believe these can be wired with an incredible amount of silver with a corresponding price!:eek:

[Parkie37]

Hi Don, a few recommendations for som fabulous sounding jazz and at the moment they are cheap.

Pablo record label - try Dukes big 4 and Basie Jam - available on discogs in mint / nearly mint condition. Superb recording - pure analogue and would sound great on your system.

I just picked up a copy of each of those on discos. Both were near mint. One was only CDN 13.00 and the other was CDN $30.00, but it was the Analogue Productions version and I have had very good luck with their reissue releases. Mission accomplished : )

[Parkie37]

Some very nice equipment there Don. I would like to hear the speakers in particular. I believe these can be wired with an incredible amount of silver with a corresponding price!:eek:

You are right. It can get quite expensive with some of the Audio Note equipment. I think though that some folks focus too much on that. When you see what their base components cost and the build quality that comes with them, along with the fact that they are built in the U.K. or in Austria, you get quite good long term musical value.

I have gotten lucky on one or two items. The speaker cables that I am using are out of my price range, but I ran across a pair of 5-10 year old AN SPx BiWire speaker cables that were still expensive, but I was able to save up for them and afford them. The improvement over the previous pair of generic Monster Cable BiWire speaker cables was not subtle. I would say that anyone who has tried them in their system and decided that they have really good synergy, should just wait for a used pair to show up in the classifieds here or on HiFi Wigwam. I have seen some very reasonable prices.

I would say from my experience of listening to and speaking to Audio Note audiophiles/musicphiles for the last three years, that the ANE SPE HE is the sweet spot in the lineup. They really give you a lot of what the most expensive models are capable of, but at a way more down to earth price : ) Not that I wouldn't like the top one or two models, but it would be difficult to explain to my kids that they have to quit university because dad needs an upgrade :stalks:

[Parkie37]

Send a PM to Grant or any moderator, and they can change it.
Some suggestions ... The official Audio Note addiction thread ... Bankrupt in Vancouver ... We will shortly be landing at Partridge Green ... :D

Hahahaha! So true sadly :lol:

I have probably come to the end of the road as far as anything major, now it is time to just quietly sneak in several records every month. What?! I have always had that album! I played it for you a couple of months ago....:D

[Jimbo]

I just picked up a copy of each of those on discos. Both were near mint. One was only CDN 13.00 and the other was CDN $30.00, but it was the Analogue Productions version and I have had very good luck with their reissue releases. Mission accomplished : )

What did you think of the 2 LP recommendations Don?

[Parkie37]

What did you think of the 2 LP recommendations Don?

I really like both of those artists, I am just waiting for the records to arrive in the mail. I should have said that I just ordered those two records, not just picked up!

I will be happy to let you know once I play them though. I'm looking forward to it!

Don

[Parkie37]

What did you think of the 2 LP recommendations Don?

I am still waiting for Dukes Big 4 to arrive, but the Basie Jam is great! I had it filling the house with sound yesterday and loved it. I also had the chance to hear a couple of other LPs recently that I also really enjoyed. One was Kenny Burrell Live At The Village Vanguard, another was Grant Takes Rhythm by Earl Grant and finally an early Nat King Cole "The Nat King Cole Trio" - Original Vocal And Instrumental Recordings Of The Easy Listenin' Favourites. Each of these was really enjoyable.

[struth]

All great albums Don. Your system should sound great with jazz

[Jimbo]

I am still waiting for Dukes Big 4 to arrive, but the Basie Jam is great! I had it filling the house with sound yesterday and loved it. I also had the chance to hear a couple of other LPs recently that I also really enjoyed. One was Kenny Burrell Live At The Village Vanguard, another was Grant Takes Rhythm by Earl Grant and finally an early Nat King Cole "The Nat King Cole Trio" - Original Vocal And Instrumental Recordings Of The Easy Listenin' Favourites. Each of these was really enjoyable.

Great Don, glad you liked the Basie, it really does boogie!

[Parkie37]

I finally had Duke's Big 4 arrive. Supposed to be in Mint- condition. Sigh. Oh well. I cleaned both sides about five times on the Loricraft and it finally is starting to look like it was advertised. That being said...

Great recommendation! Thank you. I thought that I had owned this on SACD, but I was wrong. It sounds fantastic on vinyl and the music is fantastic. This is what I love about analog and the audio community. It is a treat to share favourites.

[petrat]

My most-played Ellington is the 10 cd 'Private Collection' set. He was in the habit, in later years, of occasionally taking the orchestra into the studio to record for his 'stockpile' ... not released commercially at the time, but for his own pleasure. For the most part the band is relaxed, swinging and having fun. This set was originally released in the 90s, and appears to be no longer available, except as a two disc 'best of' ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Private-Collection-Duke-Ellington/dp/B008BENEKK

Availabe for a fiver ... hugely recommended :D

[struth]

Thats not the 10 set...its worth a lot more :) been looking for it for a while with no luck

[Jimbo]

I finally had Duke's Big 4 arrive. Supposed to be in Mint- condition. Sigh. Oh well. I cleaned both sides about five times on the Loricraft and it finally is starting to look like it was advertised. That being said...

Great recommendation! Thank you. I thought that I had owned this on SACD, but I was wrong. It sounds fantastic on vinyl and the music is fantastic. This is what I love about analog and the audio community. It is a treat to share favourites.

Glad you liked it Don, it is a gem. I have plenty more recommendations to come ! These LPs are selling for peanuts here and are audiophile analogue recordings up there with the very best.

[Parkie37]

Well, I have a bit of an update. I have just sold my Meishu Silver Phono, PS Audio P5 Power Regenerator, PS Audio AC-12 power cable, Audio Note AN-Vx interconnects, PS Vane WE300B Replicas and Shuguang Black Treasure 300Bs, in order to pay for something new.....

[struth]

must be something expensive

[Jimbo]

Ok Don, another recommendation -Count Basie Kansas City 5. Great music and performance and another Pablo records classic. Very nice recording as well!

[petrat]

Well, I have a bit of an update. I have just sold my Meishu Silver Phono, PS Audio P5 Power Regenerator, PS Audio AC-12 power cable, Audio Note AN-Vx interconnects, PS Vane WE300B Replicas and Shuguang Black Treasure 300Bs, in order to pay for something new.....

Is it a stereo pair of these? :D

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/ear-trumpet_zpsf8bk3ywf.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/ear-trumpet_zpsf8bk3ywf.jpg.html)

[Parkie37]

Is it a stereo pair of these? :D

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/Mobile%20Uploads/ear-trumpet_zpsf8bk3ywf.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/Mobile%20Uploads/ear-trumpet_zpsf8bk3ywf.jpg.html)

Wow, Peter got it in one! I didn't think anyone would guess :lol:

[Frazeur1]

Dammit Don, the suspense is killing me! Now I wonder what manufacture the new piece could be from, hmmmm.

[Parkie37]

must be something expensive


Yes, you are right. I wasn't looking to make any changes as I was really enjoying the way the system was sounding. (Why do we always change our system when it sounds really good?)

But, my friend who is an Audio Note dealer has a client who has retired and wants to sell off his system - this will allow him to travel the world or try some new adventure in life. The way that it is going to have to work is that I sell off everything except my analog and digital sources and my speakers. This will allow me to buy a preamp and a pair of mono blocks that would normally be way out of my budget. I wasn't going to say anything until it was done, but it looks like this fellow will be holding it for me as I have already raised about half of the funds required. So...if all goes well, I will have an Audio Note M6 Line Preamp (wish it was the phono version :)) and a pair of Audio Note Kassai Mono Blocks (with Western Electric 300Bs). I feel very lucky to have this opportunity!

If all goes as planned, I should be close to having raised enough funds within the next 4-5 weeks. The only downside is that I can't play any music at the moment and it is amazing how quickly you miss being able to go put on some good tunes :)

If this does fall through, which is unlikely, I will probably end up with a Jinro integrated, just to try something new rather than order another Meishu Silver. I did really enjoy that amp, but I like the idea of trying something new. In either case I will have to save up for a phono stage to keep me records spinnin'......

[Parkie37]

Ok Don, another recommendation -Count Basie Kansas City 5. Great music and performance and another Pablo records classic. Very nice recording as well!


Thanks James for that. I had heard of Count Basie and the Kansas City 7, but not the 5. I have just added it to my wantlist on Discogs and they will send me updates on what is available. My audio buddy was jealous when your last recommendation showed up in Mint- condition. He had been looking for that record for a while. I just happened across one in really good condition right after reading what you said. So far, I really like all of the Pablo records that I have heard.

[Parkie37]

Dammit Don, the suspense is killing me! Now I wonder what manufacture the new piece could be from, hmmmm.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[petrat]

Excellent opportunity, Don! I reckon the 22 watt Kassai's will add definition and dynamics over the Meishu, especially with WE valves. Nicer looking, too, imo :D

[struth]

Shockingly bad, good luck.;). Ive not heard of the amps but WE valves i know are superb..good luck and remember a little pain helps you enjoy the good times.

[Frazeur1]

Very nice Don! That should be a bit of fun I would think! Enjoy!

[Parkie37]

Excellent opportunity, Don! I reckon the 22 watt Kassai's will add definition and dynamics over the Meishu, especially with WE valves. Nicer looking, too, imo :D

I think that you are right about the looks - although I really enjoyed the music through the Meishu, it was a tad on the large size.

My dealer friend told me that the old owner is quite particular. There was some sort of stain on the brass plate on top and so he took it to a machinists to get buffed out. That is pride of ownership! I didn't even know that they had the brass plate on top. I thought that was just the very highest echelon, like the Ongaku. Of course, I haven't seen them yet, so I guess I should bite my tongue for now : )

Don

[Parkie37]

Shockingly bad, good luck.;). Ive not heard of the amps but WE valves i know are superb..good luck and remember a little pain helps you enjoy the good times.

Thanks Grant. I am having a hard time waiting! But...it will pay off, of course. I'm told that the preamp is 7 years old and the mono blocks are 10-12 years old, so they are definitely older than my Meishu Silver was, but they seem to be built like a tank. My dealer has had a Meishu Silver Signature on demo for about ten years. Pretty reliable, I would say.

Like you, I haven't had the privilege of hearing the WE 300Bs before, so I am quite excited to hear them. Steve Hoffman, the mastering engineer told someone on his hifi forums last year that the newer WE300Bs were his favourite. He has been fortunate enough to hear pretty much everything out there. Although we all have our own opinions, that sounds like a pretty good endorsement!

[Parkie37]

Well, they have finally arrived!

18150

[Parkie37]

Well, they have finally arrived!

18150

I can't really believe that they are here. I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful system. I am hearing now what I heard three years ago at Gearbox Records. I took my time hooking everything up and then ran one song off of a CD. The Kurt Elling CD 'Flirting With Twilight' starts with Moonlight Serenade. I was quite impressed by how much it sounded like really good analog through the M6 and Kassais. At the end of the song, I put on 'I'm An Old Cowhand' by Sonny Rollins, from his 'Way Out West' album. So....no warmup time and even though I have played this record countless times, I was hearing things that I had never heard before and most importantly it sounded more like the band was playing in my living room. Amazing resolution, but in a good and natural manner. As an interesting side note, I had the curtains open, so I had a hard reflective surface of the blinds between and behind the speakers and my Persian rug is out of the room while we have our house up for sale. So, it wasn't there to help calm things down a little.

These are the moments that we live for as audiophiles! I am gobsmacked.

[Firebottle]

Good to hear that you are gobsmacked by them Don. Have you got the low gain version of the Kassai?

I have heard the AN Empress Silver and have been impressed.

[Audio Al]

Hi Don

I have the same RCM as you , I can only wish for the rest :eyebrows:

[petrat]

Fantastic result!

We would like need DEMAND more close up photos :D

[struth]

Looks great Don [emoji1]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161003/211114e662f1f0fb26a59723b662d0d3.jpg

[southall-1998]

Audio Note certainly make nice sounding amplifiers. My father uses a 'standard' Meishu Line integrated amplifier, to drive his old J's. Sounds really nice.

Maybe someday he might tube roll with the 300b's. Any good modern ones? My father likes a full, rich, warm kind of sound.

S.

[Parkie37]

Good to hear that you are gobsmacked by them Don. Have you got the low gain version of the Kassai?

I have heard the AN Empress Silver and have been impressed.

Hi Alan;

I have the regular Kassai and I have to tell you that I have boatloads of gain! In fact, that and the fact that I have to use an external phono stage with the M6 as it is a line stage version, are my only complaints. I have the music thundering away with the volume pot at 09:30 position. I have a terrific technician at my local AN dealer, so I think but don't know for sure that I may be able to have the gain adjusted a little. Having the 98 db efficient AN-E SPE HEs is proving to require far less gain than I have available. When I was using the Meishu Silver, I would turn the volume pot to about noon in my room, when I wanted to really turn the music up. That would give me 90 db worth of music. I was able to get a real feel for what I was playing and adjust between 11:00 and 1:00 on the volume dial. You can imagine my surprise when the music was about to start and I had the pot at the 12:00 position! I immediately turned it to zero and inched it up until it was just right. Just happened a lot quicker than I expected : )

[Parkie37]

Good to hear that you are gobsmacked by them Don. Have you got the low gain version of the Kassai?

I have heard the AN Empress Silver and have been impressed.

I meant to add that my dealer feels that the Empress Silvers are one of the absolute stand outs that they make. Not as much power as some other amps but a real taste of the best that they offer for much less money.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don

I have the same RCM as you , I can only wish for the rest :eyebrows:

It is a wonderful record cleaning machine!

[Parkie37]

Fantastic result!

We would like need DEMAND more close up photos :D


Thanks Peter! Like you, I have been in the right place at the right time to pick up some gear that I had never expected to be able to afford. Fortunately for me the previous owners of the amps and the digital setup had a momentary lapse of reason :eek:

I will take some photos in the next couple of days and share those. The ones that I took last night while setting everything up are not very good. Your basic grainy cell phone pictures : (

Tomorrow is my birthday and I have the house to myself during the day :cool:, so it will be time to enjoy some blues, jazz, rock, world music, whatever inspires! (I am starting to feel like you are 'Team EAR' and I am 'Team AN' :lol: )

[Parkie37]

Looks great Don [emoji1]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161003/211114e662f1f0fb26a59723b662d0d3.jpg

Thanks Grant. I can't seem to afford any other hobbies any more as I have sold off almost everything that I own in order to afford this stuff : ) Oh and the phono stage is a Graham Slee Era Gold V Phono Preamplifier, so I guess that I am not a total Audio Note fan boy :lol:

[Parkie37]

Audio Note certainly make nice sounding amplifiers. My father uses a 'standard' Meishu Line integrated amplifier, to drive his old J's. Sounds really nice.

Maybe someday he might tube roll with the 300b's. Any good modern ones? My father likes a full, rich, warm kind of sound.

S.

Hi Shane;

I'm quite familiar with the Meishu and I love that amp. I found that it really rewarded you when you took the time to tube roll. Not all tubes have to be expensive! I had a NOS RCA 5U4GB that was the equivalent of £25 that sounded great in my Meishu. I tried four or five types of 300Bs and my favourites for a tight budget were the Shuguang Black Treasure. They are a definite step up from the stock tubes and are still relatively affordable. The stock tubes are U.S. $178.00 and the Black Treasure are U.S. $325.00. These tubes are built to last for years, so the extra $147.00 is worth the investment in my opinion.

I found that the best sound from a 300B can get quite expensive. The most expensive seems to be the Takatsuki at U.S. $2400.00 per pair and it isn't exactly a bargain for the Elrog's at U.S. $1300.00 or the Sophia Royal Princess at U.S. $1200.00. The Elrogs have a huge failure rate due to the type of construction that is employed. The Sophia Royal Princess has proven to be unreliable to me but not necessarily to others. I went through two pairs before I gave up on them. I hadn't planned on spending that much money, as I thought that they would last for years and be a worthwhile investment. In the end, the PS Vane WE300B Replicas had a different sound than the Sophias, but equally rewarding. A more traditional sound, but warm (not overly so) and detailed and excellent extension at both ends; great bass and beautiful high frequencies. The PS Vane are beautifully built and were perfectly reliable for me. They were a much more sophisticated and musically enjoyable sound than the Shuguang Black Treasures. Everyone has their own budget, but I felt that the extra money was well worth it with the WE 300B Replicas. They currently sell for U.S. $935/pair. Expensive but quite a bit less than the most expensive 300Bs out there (their build quality is just as good or better than their competition, other than the Takatsukis). Kevin Fiske wrote a review on them here:

http://www.dagogo.com/psvane-we-11-replica-300b-review

My personal recommendation, if you hadn't guessed already, is to simply buy a pair of the WE 300B replicas and enjoy years and years of beautiful sound. I found the other budget 300Bs couldn't come close to the Black Treasures, let alone the WE 300B Replicas.

[AlfaGTV]

A most impressive system Parkie. I can imagine some truly magical musical sessions in your sweet spot! :)
I still haven't experienced a full Audio Note system in a well sorted home environment... Yet..

[The Black Adder]

Very nice, Don... So... you like Audio Note I take it... lol :lol:

It's smashing kit, no doubt. I remember owning an OTO PP and that was super. I remember chatting to Peter at the time too, very nice chap.

A super sounding (and looking) system. I bet you are well chuffed. :)

Now it's time for you to sit back and enjoy the music.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18150&d=1475470468

[Parkie37]

A most impressive system Parkie. I can imagine some truly magical musical sessions in your sweet spot! :)
I still haven't experienced a full Audio Note system in a well sorted home environment... Yet..

It's definitely worth your effort to try to hear a complete system. Everyone has their preferences but I find that the synergy takes so much guessing out of the mixing and matching of components and cables and such.

[Parkie37]

Very nice, Don... So... you like Audio Note I take it... lol :lol:

It's smashing kit, no doubt. I remember owning an OTO PP and that was super. I remember chatting to Peter at the time too, very nice chap.

A super sounding (and looking) system. I bet you are well chuffed. :)

Now it's time for you to sit back and enjoy the music.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18150&d=1475470468

Well, as I mentioned before, I never thought that I would end up being a fan boy of any single brand, but I have found such good synergy with other AN products as I have upgraded each piece that I ended up preferring the Audio Note gear. So, even though it wasn't on purpose, I am really enjoying what I have right now and my plan is to do exactly as you say Josie and just sit back and enjoy the music. My dealer is in another city a little west of here and he tells me that we can change the mono blocks to a lower gain setting and that would be fantastic. I found the sound getting a little hard and shouty and checked with an app on my iPhone, which told me that I had reached peaks of 102 db in my listening room :eek:

That is not a normal listening level for me. When I turned it down, the detail and delicacy that this system is capable of came back. I just don't have much volume pot adjustment available with this much gain, so I look forward to getting the gain corrected. Also, the original owner had supplied the amps with driver tubes that had died, so they put in inexpensive EH tubes to get me going and I appreciate that, but I think that I will look for a really nice NOS 6SN7 that doesn't break the bank. I expect a small but noticeable improvement with those.

The rest of the adjustments will just be tweaking to get the most out of what I have setup and make sure that there aren't any buzzes or hums to mar the enjoyment. I have a grounding cable or two coming as well as the AN components all have the grounding nut and bolt on the back. I found that really beneficial on my Meishu Silver in the past. Last night I played Dark Side Of The Moon for the first time in quite a while and I heard the band members talking at spots that I had never heard before! The good part was that it was musically enjoyable not distracting.

Off to enjoy some more music : )

[The Black Adder]

Hi Don.

I agree, having the gain adjusted will bring things in to more focus. My Croft kit in the past was the same. I tried the in-line attenuators ('sticking plaster' solution) but they just sat on the sound so I'd steer clear of those. With such a fine system as yours it will be worth having the job once and done right.

The Dark Side of the Moon is one of my benchmark albums, love it to bits. Also, The Wall is a superb production too, but you will already know that, lol :)

If you are getting an occasional shouty sound maybe try to do some more room treatment. Early reflections can be the culprit too.

:)

[Infinitely Baffled]

Hi Don.

I agree, having the gain adjusted will bring things in to more focus. My Croft kit in the past was the same. I tried the in-line attenuators ('sticking plaster' solution) but they just sat on the sound so I'd steer clear of those.


:)

Unless the engineer undertakes a significant re-work of the amplifier design, isn't that going to be all that they do to reduce gain (ie. use attenuators in the signal path, only they will incorporate them in the internals of the amp rather than use the plug-in variety)? IB.

[The Black Adder]

No idea... I had my pre done and it was miles better than using phono attenuators.

[Infinitely Baffled]

Result!

[Firebottle]

The reduction in gain will be achieved with a swap of input valve, fitting one with a lesser gain, so no degradation in SQ.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don.

I agree, having the gain adjusted will bring things in to more focus. My Croft kit in the past was the same. I tried the in-line attenuators ('sticking plaster' solution) but they just sat on the sound so I'd steer clear of those. With such a fine system as yours it will be worth having the job once and done right.

The Dark Side of the Moon is one of my benchmark albums, love it to bits. Also, The Wall is a superb production too, but you will already know that, lol :)

If you are getting an occasional shouty sound maybe try to do some more room treatment. Early reflections can be the culprit too.

:)

I love both of those Pink Floyd albums and try not to listen to them very often so that I don't lose appreciation of how great they are. I feel the same way about some Jimi Hendrix albums and some Stevie Ray Vaughan albums.

I really do want to take the best possible path to get the gain adjusted without affecting the sound quality. My friend who is the manager of the hifi shop that I deal with told me that he had been working with his technician trying to figure out which set of resistors to put in to have the amps match my speakers properly. Audio Note makes a standard version of these amps as well as a low gain version. I believe that the first owner had lower efficiency speakers that needed the higher gain (I think my friend had made some passing comment about the previous owner's speakers, but for the life of me, I can't remember what he said). However, I am not an electrical engineer so I could be wrong about why he had so much gain. Here is Audio Note's description of the two versions of the same mono block amplifiers:

KASSAI Standard Version:
Level Four, 22 watt Class A parallel single-ended no feedback mono power amplifiers, component quality and output transformers as NEIRO, valve compliment 4 x 300B, 2 x NOS 6SN7, 2 x NOS 5U4GB

KASSAI Low Gain Version:
Level Four, 22 watt Class A parallel single-ended no feedback mono power amplifiers, component quality and output transformers as NEIRO, valve compliment 4x300B, 2xNOS 6J5 Glass, 2xNOS 5U4GB

The only difference that I see between the two amplifiers is that the lower gain version has 6J5 tubes in it. It had been my understanding that changing the resistors would give me the result that I was looking for, but after reading what Firebottle says above, I think that putting in a lower gain tube would make the most sense. Again, I have no training in this field beyond basic trouble shooting, but that does make sense to me.

I think that either I or my technician needs to call AN and confirm exactly what they recommend....

[petrat]

Totally different valves, with different pin-outs, I believe ... so, not just a case of substituting the valves. The 6SN7 is a double triode (presumably with both halves used for the high gain version you have), whereas the 6J5 is a single triode ... so almost certainly the circuit will be different for the low gain version, meaning re-wiring and different pins connected on the valve base.

[Firebottle]

I wonder if you could bypass one half of the 6SN7 in the high gain version?

I don't know the circuit so it's just a guess.

[petrat]

Yeah, Don, go for it! All you need is a pair of wire clippers, a reel of hook-up wire, some crocodile clips, and a pair of rubber gloves. :lol:
I mean, how hard can it be? ... it's a lot less complicated than an aeroplane, you know :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

skzzzzzzzt!

:)

[Lee Henley]

If I were you Don I'd give AN a call or drop them an email in the UK

[Parkie37]

Totally different valves, with different pin-outs, I believe ... so, not just a case of substituting the valves. The 6SN7 is a double triode (presumably with both halves used for the high gain version you have), whereas the 6J5 is a single triode ... so almost certainly the circuit will be different for the low gain version, meaning re-wiring and different pins connected on the valve base.

I wasn't that interested in experimenting but I ran across two articles that said that the 6J5 was the half strength signal tube compared to the 6SN7 - and that they had the same tube pins. I ordered. a pair and will check them out. The good news is that theyRe only 13.95 each. If they aren't right, then no problem!

[Parkie37]

Yeah, Don, go for it! All you need is a pair of wire clippers, a reel of hook-up wire, some crocodile clips, and a pair of rubber gloves. :lol:
I mean, how hard can it be? ... it's a lot less complicated than an aeroplane, you know :eyebrows:

That's the winning attitude that allowed us to win the war! What could possibly go wrong?! I am currently enjoying Blue Train with my younger daughter. Holy cow, it sounds magnificent!

[Parkie37]

That's the winning attitude that allowed us to win the war! What could possibly go wrong?! I am currently enjoying Blue Train with my younger daughter. Holy cow, it sounds magnificent!

So...we continued to listen to the MM version of Blue Train on vinyl. Wow!

[Firebottle]

Hi Don,
Don't plug the 6J5 into your amp, it will not work, it may even cause damage.

The valve base may be the same but the connections are totally different. If there are articles out there that suggest you can just substitute then they are plain WRONG.

Just a heads up.

[petrat]

Alan is correct!!! DO NOT DO IT, YOU MAY WELL DAMAGE THE AMPLIFIER.

Each 6SN7 has two triodes in it, the 6J5 has only one ... so they are different internally and use different pins to connect their various bits to the valve base. Putting the 6J5 straight into your amplifier as it is will result in the wrong pins being connected. The amplifier will need to be re--wired before you can use the 6J5s.

Also in the interests of accuracy, the 6J5 is not 'half-strength', it actually has more gain than one triode of the 6SN7, the latter only having more gain in this application because AN use both of the triodes in its tube, doubling up.

[Parkie37]

Alan is correct!!! DO NOT DO IT, YOU MAY WELL DAMAGE THE AMPLIFIER.

Each 6SN7 has two triodes in it, the 6J5 has only one ... so they are different internally and use different pins to connect their various bits to the valve base. Putting the 6J5 straight into your amplifier as it is will result in the wrong pins being connected. The amplifier will need to be re--wired before you can use the 6J5s.

Also in the interests of accuracy, the 6J5 is not 'half-strength', it actually has more gain than one triode of the 6SN7, the latter only having more gain in this application because AN use both of the triodes in its tube, doubling up.

Ok, I am officially giving up on the idea of trying out the 6J5 :) Thank you Peter and Alan for your good advice!

I will get the technician to put different resistors in the amplifiers to lower the gain. Apparently he has been talking directly with AN, so he will get the correct resistors to install and that will lower the gain somewhat. I will say as I did above that it still sounds terrific and I am merely trying to get that last bit out of it. Interestingly AN puts grounding posts on all of their gear and I really like that idea to help reduce any grounding issues. I was short one grounding cable, so I couldn't run one from my DAC to my preamp. One just arrived in the post this afternoon, so I will have to hook that up and see if it lowers any background noise.

[Parkie37]

If I were you Don I'd give AN a call or drop them an email in the UK


My technician is talking to them but I might give them a call anyway, just to find out what my options are to lower the gain. Nice to hear directly from the source.

[petrat]

Hi Don.

It should be possible to convert your amps to accept the 6J5 valves, as per the version that AN make. What we are saying is that your techie will need the circuit diagrams for both versions, and then he can change the wiring, and most likely some resistors / capacitors. This will be a better solution than merely whacking a couple of resistors on the input (simple 'potential divider' attenuator). AN went to the trouble of re-designing the circuit for the low gain model, so they must think a simple attenuator can be bettered, too.

[Parkie37]

Hi Don.

It should be possible to convert your amps to accept the 6J5 valves, as per the version that AN make. What we are saying is that your techie will need the circuit diagrams for both versions, and then he can change the wiring, and most likely some resistors / capacitors. This will be a better solution than merely whacking a couple of resistors on the input (simple 'potential divider' attenuator). AN went to the trouble of re-designing the circuit for the low gain model, so they must think a simple attenuator can be bettered, too.

Hi Peter;

Just back from Tokyo, so catching up on my hifi conversations : )

What you describe is what I have in mind. As it turns out, the technician is on holidays at the moment and my house is up for sale, so there seem to be other issues popping up and getting in the way. My dealer did say that the resistors that would be changed as the first attempt to lower the gain were not simple signal reducing resistors sitting at the output, that would affect the sound quality. They were somewhere else in the circuit and I thought that I would talk to the technician once he was back from holidays. He is the sort that appreciates doing whatever you can to get the best possible sound quality from your amp/preamp/DAC/etc.

Also, tomorrow I am supposed to pick up some NOS GE 6SN7 tubes that are brand spanking new (sort of - they are from the 1950s, but haven't ever been used) and are only $20 each, so that is an inexpensive tweak to try to see if they are an improvement over the cheapo EH driver tubes that I have now. If I am lucky, another fellow who has a couple of RCA Red Base 5692s will sell those to me at a friendly price and I can compare all three sets of tubes. I plan on trying a NOS set of Sylvania 6SN7s as well and keeping the two best sounding sets of tubes. I will sell the others to help pay for this crazy addiction :lol:

Yesterday and this morning I threw on a few records again to enjoy this new setup and the natural resolution is astounding. Lots of detail but not the ugly analytical sounding type that you get from cheap solid state or cheap digital. Linda Rondstadt's 'What's New' and Taj Mahal's 'Natch'l Blues' were a couple that really stood out!

[Parkie37]

18301183021830318304

[petrat]

Yesterday and this morning I threw on a few records again to enjoy this new setup and the natural resolution is astounding. Lots of detail but not the ugly analytical sounding type that you get from cheap solid state or cheap digital.

Hi Don ... yes, that's exactly it ... 'natural resolution'. Most hifi just doesn't deliver a 'real sound' to my ears ... this guy seems to feel the same way, too ... http://wajonaudio.m.webs.com

Pics are great! Are you going to color-coordinate? Black or silver? :D

[Parkie37]

Hi Don ... yes, that's exactly it ... 'natural resolution'. Most hifi just doesn't deliver a 'real sound' to my ears ... this guy seems to feel the same way, too ... http://wajonaudio.m.webs.com

Pics are great! Are you going to color-coordinate? Black or silver? :D

I will have to read through his postings to see what that fellow has to say. Perfect time of year for it. It is absolutely pouring here! Time to stay inside and have a cappuccino and read about music while listening to music!

Colour coordinate? Why of course....I have a new face plate coming to replace the one with the ding on the right side. It will be silver again. Even though I am delighted with the M6 preamp, it is a line stage and my dealer has worked out a price that allows me to sell the line stage version and purchase the phono version. I had thought of getting an external phono stage, but the M6 RIAA isn't a lot less expensive than the M6 Phono, therefore that option was ruled out immediately! I could go down to the M3 RIAA which is supposed to be a very good phono stage as well, but it is one more box. I have gone from an all in one integrated amplifier to having box after box after box after....So, for me personally, the answer is to get the M6 Phono, sell the M6 Line Stage and have the two boxes in one. Oh and the new preamp will be silver. When I have saved up a few more dollars, I am going to switch the face plates on the CDT 3 and the DAC 4.1/X Balanced Signature to silver as well. I had black components for years and years and I really like the cleaner and newer look of silver. It won't make the music sound any better, but it will put a smile on my face : ) What the heck, it's only money!

[Parkie37]

I have taken more photos and will post a few here as I always appreciate it when someone shares pics of their system. I have downsized them, so they shouldn't take up too much bandwidth :cool:

[Parkie37]

18322183231832418325

[Parkie37]

1834018342183431834418345

[Parkie37]

Here is how the listening room is looking these days....
18346

[Parkie37]

And this rather special LP showed up yesterday....which is appreciated even more through the current setup : )

18347

[Parkie37]

A couple of changes to the HiFi system these days...

We moved after 20 years in the same house. Our kids are grown up now so time for a change. Instead of a dedicated listening room, I am sharing it with the family, in the living room. The up side is that it is larger and has better dimensions...

Here is a picture of my listening buddy relaxing to some music;

20544

[jandl100]

Come on!
That cute little fella deserves a full size pic! :)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20544&d=1497848685

[Parkie37]

Hahaha! You are right Jerry. I am sure that if I asked him, he would agree :lol:

[petrat]

Hi Don .. happy new year!

Moving is always a hassle, so glad to see you've settled in, mini-mutt and all :D

How are the M6 plus monoblocks working out? Would imagine a decent upgrade over the old integrated?

BTW, I was just looking at your sig list of kit, and wondering if maybe you could persuade AN to start making record cleaning machines, then you could have the full set ... :lol:

[Parkie37]

True, true....if only they would build the few minor pieces that I need to complete the puzzle!
I am quite happy with my ten year old Loricraft RCM : ). It does a fabulous job!

I have been mostly happy with the M6 Phono that I ordered. I have sold everything of value that I own to purchase it and still I had to wait eight months for it! Of course, I shouldn't complain as I still owe some money on it. I do have two complaints though...I ordered it with a single volume pot to make it simpler for family, but it showed up with the nicer sounding dual pot setup. Not a huge deal, but not what I ordered. My wife and daughters are adapting, but it's the first piece to get mixed up along the way. Also, for some reason the Phono level through my S8 is much much louder than the CD or AUX output.

I have spoken with my local tech and we can make some adjustments but it is still disappointing. I am told that AN is making it right.

Overall, the system sounds exceedingly good but can still improve. The room needs some treatment as well. It's a work in progress! I am really enjoying it though : )

[petrat]

Yes Don, when you're spending that sort of cash, you expect things to be right, especially after all that time. I recall waiting about three months for a 'lowly' Io1 cartridge, and even that seemed a bit excessive. Anyway, sounds like your local dealer is OK, so hope he gets it sorted.

I went to the Munich 'high end' show this year, and heard a couple of Kondo-driven systems, both rather disappointing tbh. Much prefer the UK AN stuff ... more 'life' and energy ... sort of the difference between watercolour and oil paintings, if that makes any sense.

Got any good Jazz vinyl recently? Always enjoy your recommendations :D

[Parkie37]

I have had a bit of a journey getting the best out of the system in that Audio Note preamps have quite a bit of gain, so with my previous M6 Line preamp, the single volume pot was only at 8:30-9:00 and the volume would be 90 db+. It sounded fabulous, but i wanted to have it in the 10:00-2:00 range for max listenable volume. I had a very good technician change the values of some resistors in the mono blocks, in order to make that happen. It took a couple of tries to get it right but then it was just right : ). Now with the new preamp, I have the lower volume on all inputs because of the reduced gain values in the mono blocks.....but the SUT has raised the phono signal to a higher level, which in turn has made it ideal for 12:00-1:00 settings on the dual volume pots, for volume being nice and dynamic and a bit loud :D (about 90-95 db peaks). The rest of the inputs are 15-20 db quieter at the same volume settings, so it is just a matter of having my technician look into adjusting levels in the phono gain stage and returning the mono block values to their original values. It is a bit of a journey as I said, but in the end it will be exactly what I have been looking for. I feel like the system is very close to what I want. It is just a matter of convenience at the moment.

I had a recommendation to change a couple of tubes in the line level section of the M6, by someone who owned an M8 for quite a while. There are all sorts of top quality tubes throughout the M6 Phono, but two of them are more budget type tubes. I have just replaced a Russian ECC88/12AU7 with a NOS Philips ECC88/12AU7. At first it was just a bit better but now that it has about 50-60 hours on it, the new tube is quite a bit better than the stock tube. There is a beautiful warmth that retains the resolution of the Russian tube but sounds quite a bit more natural. I had put several hundred hours on the original tube before trying the replacement. It was sent to the penalty box (ice hockey term) fairly quickly after this improvement! I am waiting on a Tung-Sol 5687 to replace a GE 7044, that is supposed to have similar improvements. I have also just added a PS Audio P10 Power Regenerator to the system as we are now in a townhouse complex and I am unable to run dedicated electrical lines, as I had in my previous house. I prefer to go without a power conditioner, but the P10 is quite a special unit and it has really cleaned things up and improved the sound. I have a second job where I teach a safety course at work and I tuck away the funds from that to be 'mad money' spent on my hifi : )

I had put record collecting on hold while I was saving up for the preamp but I did get a special present for Father's Day. No ugly ties, but the Ultradisc One Step edition of Bill Evans 'Sunday At The Village Vanguard' on MFSL. It is the most expensive record that I own, but it is one of the ten best sounding albums that I have ever heard, and possibly the finest. It is so much better than previous versions that I have heard! I would love to recommend it but it is pricey! I have also enjoyed some much more affordable jazz. I have Jerome Sabagh's 'The Turn' as well as some wonderful mint minus jazz LPs on Pablo, such as Duke's Big Four. Pablo LPs can be bought at regular used record prices, but have some great performances as well as near audiophile recording quality. Also, my daughters bought me a couple of the new re-releases of Pink Floyd albums. The Dark Side Of The Moon is fantastic! I have bought so many versions over the years, but I think that the latest is the best yet. I am going to sell my MFSL version of it as the new one sounds better :eek:

[petrat]

I once read that most stereo (single) potentiometers are better balanced between the channels in the middle of the middle of their range (10 to 2 o'clock), not down at the bottom (7 to 9 o'clock). Some designers, like Glenn Croft, say that all single stereo pots have tracking imbalances to some degree, and that dual volume controls are a better option.

Thanks for the recommendations, Don. Spookily, you're the second person in the last 24 hours who has recommended the Bill Evans mofi ultradisc to me! Agree about Pablo jazz ... some excellent stuff in their catalogue, not least the great Joe Pass.

[AD Audio]

I once read that most stereo (single) potentiometers are better balanced between the channels in the middle of the middle of their range (10 to 2 o'clock), not down at the bottom (7 to 9 o'clock). Some designers, like Glenn Croft, say that all single stereo pots have tracking imbalances to some degree, and that dual volume controls are a better option.

.

There's certainly truth in that statement although Alps Blue while not sounding the best have very good channel balance. Used in shunt or pseudo shunt mode they can sound pretty good too! In my new build pres I use stepped attenuators which once again offer very good channel balance and sound quality but cost a little more.......

[Parkie37]

I once read that most stereo (single) potentiometers are better balanced between the channels in the middle of the middle of their range (10 to 2 o'clock), not down at the bottom (7 to 9 o'clock). Some designers, like Glenn Croft, say that all single stereo pots have tracking imbalances to some degree, and that dual volume controls are a better option.

Thanks for the recommendations, Don. Spookily, you're the second person in the last 24 hours who has recommended the Bill Evans mofi ultradisc to me! Agree about Pablo jazz ... some excellent stuff in their catalogue, not least the great Joe Pass.

You are exactly right Peter. Dual volume pots are much less of a compromise. Interestingly, I was worried about matching the two volume pots up accurately and how that would drive me crazy. If you think I'd single, smooth volume pots, you would hate to match up two of them. The M6 has matched resistors that have a very solid click between each volume setting. Incredibly easy to match the two and the sonic reward is substantial-the more that I use them, the more that I really like the dual volume pot setup.

The one other thing that I have been battling is the suspended floor in my new house. I just ordered the Solidsteel WS-5 wall shelf. Even though it means a few holes in the wall as well as some work to install it properly, from what I read I think that it will help my stylus skipping issues. Not on every record...only if you walk in the right part of the room, but...I feel like I want to isolate that last bit of external input and the added benefit is that I can stop worrying about where someone walks, while I enjoyed y a lower noise floor : ). That can be an issue with low output MC cartridges and high output SUTs.

My last house had a crawl space that allowed me to put floor jacks under the floor (below the hifi) and that came close to the sound of having the sound of a room with a concrete floor. Very nice improvement!

I'm hoping that this wall mount will better that isolation. I have a wonderful wife who enjoys music as well so I just keep telling her how much better Ella Fitzgerald will sound or the Arctic Monkeys or... so I am hoping that she doesn't mind the wall mount for the turntable 😊 Of course, I will ask after it is installed! I'm not crazy after all 😂

[Parkie37]

I have recently added a Solidsteel WS-5 wall mount for my turntable as I have suspended floors and the dreaded skipping issues. Completely removed now! It's an expensive wall mount but it works wonders and is rated up to 65 kg/130 lbs.

21075

[Parkie37]

21076Here is the view looking back from the HiFi towards the listening seats....please excuse the messy kitchen in the background : )

[petrat]

Nice room, Don.

Been thinking of a turntable wall-mount stand myself. Mmmm ... 65 Kg, you say? Coincidentally, that is the weight of my turntable :eek:
On second thoughts, while the stand might be OK, I suspect the old walls wouldn't be up the job. Or, more honestly, my DIY (non-)skills and puny rawl-plugs would inevitably fail spectacularly under that sort of strain. :lol:

So ... I guess you're finished now? We can close the thread?

(This month's jazz recommendation ... Alan Barnes and the David Newton Trio, 'Below Zero' on the Concord label) :thumbsup:

[Spectral Morn]

21076Here is the view looking back from the HiFi towards the listening seats....please excuse the messy kitchen in the background : )

Nice room.

[Barry]

Love the chair - is it an Eames? But not so happy with the way the records are filed; they need to vertical. :)

[Parkie37]

Nice room, Don.

Been thinking of a turntable wall-mount stand myself. Mmmm ... 65 Kg, you say? Coincidentally, that is the weight of my turntable :eek:
On second thoughts, while the stand might be OK, I suspect the old walls wouldn't be up the job. Or, more honestly, my DIY (non-)skills and puny rawl-plugs would inevitably fail spectacularly under that sort of strain. :lol:

So ... I guess you're finished now? We can close the thread?



Yes, completely lost interest in it now that it is complete :lol: (I actually have a big change coming....)



(This month's jazz recommendation ... Alan Barnes and the David Newton Trio, 'Below Zero' on the Concord label) :thumbsup:

Nice! I will have a look for that one. I have just picked up an early UK pressing of Bob Marley's Exodus. I have owned a couple of noisy versions and this one appears to be almost mint. Can't wait! Also, another record that I picked up cheap but that also suffered from a lot of noise was Jeff Healey's 'See The Light'. Fantastic blues guitarist from Toronto, who I had flown in the past from one town to another. I picked up a mint copy of 'See The Light' and the best part is that each of these records were a whole lot less than the MFSL records that I had recently purchased : )

By the way, I used lag bolts to attach the wall mount into the framing studs in the wall behind the turntable. I had to use a socket wrench to tighten the lag bolts down nice and tight, pinning the wall mount against the wall. You could probably sit on it now. No point in half measures ; )

[Parkie37]

Nice room.


Thanks Neil. We moved here six months ago and it is a much more modern styled house, so most of our furniture didn't look all that great here so we hunted through craigslist and picked up almost everything used and at a good price. Was kind of fun, like hunting for records : )

[Parkie37]

Love the chair - is it an Eames? But not so happy with the way the records are filed; they need to vertical. :)

Thanks Barry. I always wanted an Eames chair. This is a knockoff though as the new one is about 8-10 times what I ended up getting it for, off of craigslist. Funny thing is that you are leaning back so far in that chair that you end up with your ears below the tweeters and you need to acclimate to that. I didn't expect that. It appears that all Eames chairs have that characteristic to some degree.

BTW, the records used to be down on the bottom two rows, but I couldn't really see what I was looking for, so I moved them up much higher. I took the photo right after doing that (hence the 'I just tossed them in there' look), so they will be properly stored shortly! I have a couple of items already on two of the shelves, holding them vertically. Of course as we all know, the best solution is to get more records so that the shelves are full :D

[Parkie37]

This system has been a joy to put together over the last few years - lots of bumps in the road but it has been quite rewarding. I started off exactly 40 years ago with my first sound system:

21079

[Parkie37]

I found an old photo from around 1992 that shows my dad opening Christmas presents at my house in Toronto. He is seated next to a pair of Thiel CS3.5s. Very powerful bass but did not match well with early digital :eek:

21080

[Parkie37]

A couple of years before that I had explored Magneplanars, with some 2.6Rs. Beautiful, but they need A LOT of current. My Classe Audio amp and preamp were well suited to them, but the 2.6Rs just needed another 200-300 watts!

21081

[Macca]

Great pictures, Don.

[WESTLOWER]

Go on Peter, go for the Bill Evans...you know you NEED to....;)

(This month's jazz recommendation ... Alan Barnes and the David Newton Trio, 'Below Zero' on the Concord label) :thumbsup:[/QUOTE]

[WESTLOWER]

Is the doggie AN?:rofl::rofl:




20544

[Parkie37]

Is the doggie AN?:rofl::rofl:

No, but he is a cheeky Yorkshireman!

[Lee Henley]

Looking good Don, bet that full AN system sounds sublime mate

[Parkie37]

Looking good Don, bet that full AN system sounds sublime mate

Thanks Lee. It has been sounding really good these days, but I have to confess that I felt like I could still get more out of the system. I ended up selling my TT-2 Deluxe to a local audiophile who had sent me an email a few months ago offering to buy it if I ever wanted to sell. I was visiting a friend of mine who owns a high end store in Vancouver and he showed me a demo model turntable that would normally be well above my budget, but he worked with me to sell a couple pieces of gear that I could live without to help fund the upgrade. So, now I no longer have a PS Audio P10 Power Plant or a few smaller items, but that made the difference and allowed me to buy my new turntable.

I bought a Vertere Acoustics SG-1 Record Player with some upgraded cables that the dealer had brought in as part of the demo model. The designer visited my friend's store and had a presentation over a day or two and put together the turntable that I bought at the store. You can see the video of the interview with Touraj Moghaddam at the store here:

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/03/04/video-interview-with-turntable-legend-touraj-moghaddam-of-vertere-acoustics/

I bought the bigger of the two turntables and I have been very pleased with the improvement that this turntable has brought. Here is a picture of it:

21167

Don

[Parkie37]

At this point there are several people fainting due to the fact that this is not an Audio Note product :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[petrat]

Flippin' 'eck, Don ... that looks the business! :stalks:

[Parkie37]

Flippin' 'eck, Don ... that looks the business! :stalks:

Thanks Peter! I have to admit that I sure liked the look of it once I saw it in person. I really liked my TT-2 turntable, but this is in another league. Each record that I play is so clean sounding and in a very positive way - It's like some mud has been cleared away and you can hear just the music now. My beat up copy of Exodus by Bob Marley was a revelation yesterday. Each record has been really enjoyable. Lots more detail, ambiance and tonality, without it being analytical.

I am done. It's taken a few years to build the system up to this but it is very enjoyable. I may tinker with a interconnect or two, but that is it. Time to get back to collecting records : )

[struth]

Classy looking deck Don

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21167&d=1503094755

[ovlov854]

:wow:
That is some impressive deck. What is the arm...it looks like a unipivot?

[Parkie37]

:wow:
That is some impressive deck. What is the arm...it looks like a unipivot?

It is a variation of a unipivot. It is the SG-1 tonearm from Vertere. There is some information online that describes the design better than I ever could! It matches nicely with my Io Gold cartridge.

Happy :)

[Lee Henley]

Nice looking deck Don, if AN do have a weak point IMO it’s the turntables, glad that you have got a really nice deck to listen to mate

[alphaGT]

That turntable is pure sexy! So glad to hear it is working out for you!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Parkie37]

Nice looking deck Don, if AN do have a weak point IMO it’s the turntables, glad that you have got a really nice deck to listen to mate

I agree with you. I do think that the Half Reference and Full Reference turntables are very special, but they are really, really expensive. It is amazing how the rest of the system was ready to shine with a really good source. It feels like the music is played without any system noise (that you don't know is there until it is removed), just the sound of the music coming from the vinyl.

[Parkie37]

[QUOTE=alphaGT;891691]That turntable is pure sexy! So glad to hear it is working out for you!


Thanks Russell!

[Chivas]

I'm on holiday and just read through this whole thread, I enjoyed reading how your system came together and what a great system, congratulations!

I can certainly agree with you on one point, you have a very understanding wife!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Parkie37]

I'm on holiday and just read through this whole thread, I enjoyed reading how your system came together and what a great system, congratulations!

I can certainly agree with you on one point, you have a very understanding wife!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I do : )

I have made one step up after another over a lifetime and I have been in the right place at the right time when crazy good deals came up. I find myself enjoying music more than I ever have. We had friends over for dinner a couple of nights ago and after dinner we sat down and listened to music for the rest of the night. My wife enjoyed it as much as I did. Sometimes that means putting on some music that isn't my favourite, but if it makes her happy, then I'm happy!

I just can't afford any other hobbies now!

[Chivas]

That sounds like a small price to pay to keep the Mrs happy. Well played! It's probably hard to say considering all the changes, but if you had to venture a guess, which upgrade made the biggest difference?
The reason why I'm asking is that I currently use a copper Slagle SUT which I think is excellent for the money, but I am curious about what a silver AN SUT can bring to the party with my IO2. I'm also considering an upgrade to an M6 phono over my current M3 phono, but this will probably be a little further down the line


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Parkie37]

That sounds like a small price to pay to keep the Mrs happy. Well played! It's probably hard to say considering all the changes, but if you had to venture a guess, which upgrade made the biggest difference?
The reason why I'm asking is that I currently use a copper Slagle SUT which I think is excellent for the money, but I am curious about what a silver AN SUT can bring to the party with my IO2. I'm also considering an upgrade to an M6 phono over my current M3 phono, but this will probably be a little further down the line

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


I have had about three large upgrades. The first was switching from a Dynavector DV20X2Lo to the Io Gold feeding the AN-S8/Lo SUT. Three of us all stopped and said "holy ****!" Anyone that tells you that high end cartridges aren't any better than regularly priced cartridges have never heard a well set up top notch cartridge. It is a fantastic upgrade!

The second large upgrade was move from the Meishu Silver Phono to the M6 preamp/Kassai amps. It brought the music to an entirely higher level of enjoyment and resolution. It is wonderful once your system gets to this level. There are a lot of systems that present a lot of forced detail but not nearly enough musicality. They are supposed to be "true to the source", yet are not very enjoyable to listen to and don't present the tonality of a great tube system. The level four and level five components from AN seem to provide a reproduction that sounds like what you would have heard in the recording studio, if you were there during the recording. Some people accuse SET amps,as sounding warm and lush and rolled off in the frequency extremes. That is the opposite of what you hear as you go up the AN chain, as you probably know and yet it never is anything less than musical!

Lastly, the jump up from the TT-2 Deluxe to the Vertere SG-1 turntable was staggering. It sounds like the only thing that it presents is the music cut into the grooves. It sounds simple, but once you hear music without all of the built in noise and distortion of a good but not great turntable, you find it to be addictive. Good or bad recordings sound more enjoyable. You get the musicality and the natural sound of the instruments and vices, but no rumble, noise, distortion, pitch variation and so on. It's like suddenly seeing a portrait that was taken with the very best lens. Great skin tone = great tonality in a sense.

Oh and lastly, put the best tubes in your amps and preamps!

Don

[Parkie37]

A minor update....

My Io Gold had its stylus broken by my cleaning lady or a visiting family member when I wasn’t home. Not sure and no one seems to know how it happened. So, I have removed it from the tonearm and put it back into its original shipping box, to send it back for a rebuild. I’m told that it takes 4-5 months to get it back.

In the meantime I bought a new Denon 103 and a used AN-S2 SUT from my dealer. I had it installed by my local expert as he is much more practiced and skilled at installation than I am. I have only done it twice in the last twenty years. I’m a tad bit rusty!

Well, after waiting with baited breath we spun a couple of favourites; Sonny Rollins ‘Way Out West’ and Holly Cole’s ‘Don’t Smoke In Bed’. It sounded nice, but wow is it ever a step down from the Io Gold/AN-S8 combo, as it should be! That being said, the 103 is only $300 new and the Io Gold is many times that. I had gotten used to the Io Gold and had forgotten how much of an improvement it was over my Dynavector DV20X2 Lo, which is a pretty good cartridge.

So, when the Io Gold comes back I will have a plexiglass cover over my turntable for protection, while its not in use. Then the Denon will be installed on my daughters Rega RP-1, which will be a nice upgrade over the stock cartridge that she has been using. That and the AN-S2 will be a university graduation present from Dad.

So, a lesson learned, but it also confirmed that I prefer vinyl through the Denon 103 over Tidal via our Sooloos. I think that this could be safely classified as a ‘First World Problem’. :doh:

[Macca]

I've probably said this before but all cleaning ladies are in the pay of the cartridge manufacturers. I reckon they keep a league table amongst themselves of how many cartridges they have wrecked and they have a secret awards ceremony every year.

[paulf-2007]

4-5 months with a rusty nail, life sure is tough:)

[Parkie37]

4-5 months with a rusty nail, life sure is tough:)

Hahaha! Yes it is suffering at it's greatest ; )

I wasn't all that happy with the sound coupled with the AN-S2/H, as I have been spoiled by the AN-S8/Lo. So I tried the same songs with both SUTs and have stuck with the S8/Lo, even though it isn't supposed to match well with the Denon 103. A lot more enjoyable sound; more natural tone, air and dynamics.

[alphaGT]

Heartbreak and woe! Is there anything much worse than discovering your cantilever is broken? It’s like the death of a pet! My condolences.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Parkie37]

[QUOTE=alphaGT;924822]Heartbreak and woe! Is there anything much worse than discovering your cantilever is broken? It’s like the death of a pet! My condolences.


Thanks! I think that I will really appreciate (even more) just how special the Io Gold is. Music is quite enjoyable with the Denon 103 via the AN-S8, but it just doesn't have that beautiful aliveness and dynamics and breathtaking realism.

One other thing that I have noticed is that one or two premium records that I have, that have a tick or pop in a certain location are now not clicking or popping as much as before, after repeated playing. My Analogue Productions version of Getz/Gilberto had about four loud ticks during the lead-in groove and everything else sounded great. Now that I have played it with a different stylus that has a different shape, I think that it has perhaps worn down the tiny little piece that caused the 'tick' once per revolution. I guess I won't find out for sure until the Io Gold returns! In the meantime I am playing any record that I can think of that has a tick or a pop, with the vain hopes that I am 'repairing' that record with the 103 :D:D:D

[Parkie37]

After having a very costly accident, I have finally taken the time to order a custom turntable cover that will completely cover all of the table and it should be ready in a few days. It will look something like this:

22550

A friend of mine had this created to cover his amplifier in his garage. His garage is so beautifully finished and his system in there is better than a lot of the systems that I have owned over the years! I am going to have a front that goes straight down from top to bottom without any cutouts and the left and right side as well as the back will have a cutout about half as high as the cutout in this photo. That will allow power and phono cables to pass underneath the cover in the back and allow a place on the side to lift the cover up and off of the wall mount. It will give me peace of mind : )

I also received my rebuilt Io Gold MC cartridge yesterday. I had a dealer friend set it up with amazing accuracy using what looked to be an excellent piece of German engineering. It was the pro version of the Acoustical Systems protractor. Expensive and complicated piece of gear, just what I like :lol: I can fly a Boeing airliner but I am not sure that I could work that/those pieces of protractor to it's potential! The good news is that once he was done, the system sounded fantastic again with the Io Gold in place. The Denon was a very reasonably priced replacement, but the Io Gold is in another level altogether (as it should be). If anyone is in the market for the Denon 103, I recommend it, but give it at least 20 hours of use before passing judgement on it. Doesn't sound all that great straight out of the box but it opens up a lot after 15-20 hours. I didn't get more than about 30 hours on it but I am told that after about 60 hours it opens up more. Pretty darned good value for the money.

Through this whole process I also learned that my AN-S8 SUT had a bit of a ground hum. I asked my local AN tech to have a look at it and he told me that one of the phono lead connections had come somewhat loose. The leads are hard wired for better sound but at some point, probably during our household move a year ago, one of the leads had been a little stressed. This surprised me as I am quite careful with my gear. 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. I get the AN-S8 back later this week or early next week. That will really be the final piece to having the system sound it's best again. Can't wait!!

I have bought a few records in the last couple of months that I have been saving as a treat, for when the Io Gold was back as well as the AN-S8. I will be cleaning those on the Loricraft ahead of time in preparation.

:carrot::carrot::carrot: