The High Power High Tower at Gong Towers

[RobbieGong]

Technics SL1210 MK5g - (Modified)

Sansui AU 919 Integrated

Pioneer PD91 Reference CDP

Mission 752 Freedom

[Firebottle]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16201&d=1455464061

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16202&d=1455464107

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16203&d=1455464145

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16204&d=1455464185

http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16205&d=1455464230

Hows that Robert? Copy the image URL then paste into the 'Insert image' function above.

:)

[RobbieGong]

Bless ya Alan, very much appreciated :)

[Marco]

Looking good, Rob, and by all accounts sounding it, too! :)

Just one thing... It's probably just the angle of the picture (and it's often difficult to tell with S-shaped arms), but is your tonearm a little 'tail down':


http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16201&d=1455464061


Have you checked it with a bubble level (placed on the headshell)?

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Hi Marco, Yep, slightly tail down. Obviously initial set up is towards as perfectly horizontal as pos. However, you'll find that the sweet spot with the QB / Shibata stylus profile is a slightly negative rake. Someone else here posted that they too found this to be the case which wasn't a surprise as I found this with the 2M Black as well. It's why I wont be without on the fly vta as after everything else has been covered there's nothing better than being able to dial the all important right spot / sweet pot whilst listening :)
Btw - Thanks for the heads up regarding the Missing Link unswitched socket and plugs which are excellent ;)

[Marco]

No worries, matey. If it sounds best that way, then best it is :)

Glad that the Missing Link sockets and plugs worked out well... Enjoy yer choons! :thumbsup:

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

MMMMMmmm... Nice!

A PD-91 too, a smashing player. I've had one and would have another too!

[Macca]

Not sure whether I'm drooling over the Sansui or the Pioneer. Or both.

Almost certainly both.

Did you have a listen to that Sansui before you bought it, Robbie? If I wasn't sorted for amplification I be tempted to have a go at one, or an Akai or JVC from similar era.

[RobbieGong]

Not sure whether I'm drooling over the Sansui or the Pioneer. Or both.

Almost certainly both.

Did you have a listen to that Sansui before you bought it, Robbie? If I wasn't sorted for amplification I be tempted to have a go at one, or an Akai or JVC from similar era.

Hi Martin, I'd never heard the AU 919 before but had a hunch it was the one for me. I was determined to nail something a bit special and after doing loads of my own research I sensed this was the one to seek out. Hand on heart it is absolutely everything I hoped it would be. I have never heard an amp sound so good with tone defeated, it's amazing. It is in my opinion a genuine Reference amp, the search is over :)

[Macca]

So a blind punt then ;) it's always great when that works out. The Yanks go nuts for them. I've noticed.

BTW If you ever want to move that Pioneer on you know where I am :)

[RobbieGong]

So a blind punt then ;) it's always great when that works out. The Yanks go nuts for them. I've noticed.

BTW If you ever want to move that Pioneer on you know where I am :)

:)

[Michielius]

Very nice gear Robert! Is that a Micro Seiki arm on your 1210?

I couldn't help noticing that the subsonic filter on your Sansui is turned off. Have you ever tried it turned on? I own an Accuphase E205 and it also has a subsonic filter. In my experience it really cleans up the lower registers when playing vinyl records. Since I also use a REL subwoofer, this effect was quite noticeable. Tighter bass and less 'unrest' caused by slight record wobble and low-frequency groove noise etc. And in my case, the use of this filter doesn't affect the sound negatively at all. Maybe it's worth a try?

[RobbieGong]

Thanks Michiel, Your Accuphase E-205 is a very well regarded piece of kit, that much I do know :)
Yes that is indeed a Micro Seiki arm and a joy on the modded Techie.
The sound is pretty much excellent at the mo', no bass boom to detect but I will flick the old subsonic filter switch and listen keenly - it cant hurt so thanks for that ;)

[Michielius]

You're welcome. I'm curious about your findings. Not that I experienced any kind of bass boom without using the filter, just that when switched on the whole background became a lot more quiet. At first I thought I was hearing less bass, but when listening well I noticed it was tighter bass, not less.

Micro Seiki has made very well crafted arms (and turntables as well). If I'm correct it's the MA-202, isn't it? Build quality is a lot better than my REGA-derived OL-1, I think. That one doesn't even have VTA adjustment in it's original form and the added VTA adjuster can't be set on the fly. In that respect, the original Technics arm is also superior to the OL-1. Also VTF adjustment is a pain in the neck with the modded counterweight. Fortunately, it sounds very very good, way above it's class, and that why I'm very happy with it. But to be honest, if I were to do it again I think I would go for another option like your Micro Seiki or maybe a modern SME.