View Full Version : Sounding superb - my vinyl finally sounds awesome
I think I've now cracked it as far as the vinyl side of my setup is concerned, did a touch more tweaking to it the other day ( much to my daughter's disgust....." Not again dad, you'll break it!"), So vta adjusted, platter mats swapped around, then swapped again, more vta adjustment and BANG! There it was...... Clarity, clean but not edgy treble, superb midrange with voices sounding like voices and bass, oh I finally found fast, tight and kicking bass. I did have a few of these traits before but it just didn't make me wanna keep turning it up if you know what I mean. I've no doubt a lot of this is due to the Croft preamp, but the Zyx cartridge just suits me so much better than the AT 33PTGII and Ortofon MC25FL I have as spares.
This is how everything looks now
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170302/f1098f0b8ce33589ab59af467e8455d7.jpg
The Croft Epoch preamp using the TQ Claymore integrated as a power amp has added much to the setup. I would like to find a power amp or monoblocks to possibly improve our further, but to be honest I'm not sure if it CAN get any better. If I did swap in power amps they'd need to be demoed first just to make sure.
However...... I'm just sitting here rocking out to some Sammy Hagar and unlike most LPs of this era, it's sounding like ROCK, not some flat, no bass, treble loaded ultra thin vinyl that a lot of LPs were like back then. There's a track on his 3 Lock Box album where he makes the guitar strings screech and it's like he's in the room with me, it sounds so real!
I suppose to give an analogy it's like when you watch a really great movie and 2 hours just flies by because you enjoyed it so much and come out of the cinema buzzing, well that's what my LPs are doing to me right now.
As one of my pals used to say "unbefuckingleivable" 😁 🎸 😁 🎸 😁 🎸
Nice one Mike, glad you found the vinyl sweet spot via the Croft and claymore. The Zyx must sound wonderful through your set up? Great when it all comes together but it does take time with all the tweaking etc.
Nice one Mike, glad you found the vinyl sweet spot via the Croft and claymore. The Zyx must sound wonderful through your set up? Great when it all comes together but it does take time with all the tweaking etc.
Thanks, I must admit these last few listens have made me think that's it, I was thinking of buying new speakers as I've never really gotten what I want from my PMC 21's but now I'm not so sure, I might demo one or two pairs as my wife has capitulated and said that something the size of Harbeth 30.1's wouldn't look out of place in the living room, now they ain't that much bigger than the 21's but I'll take anything I can get as she loves the 21's for their looks and how they look in the living room.
I wouldn't buy the 30.1's but would like to try some around that size that better the PMC's. 😉
New speakers might not be necessary but it would be interesting to try something else just to hear..... If only to satisfy my curiosity.
Ali Tait
02-03-2017, 19:17
Nice one Mike, glad it's hitting the spot for you.
Nice. If you're loving it, let it ride. I've noticed Hard Rock and Metal always sound better when I don't use a clamp with my setup. Especially with percussion. I have no explanation for it, but I've gone back and forth enough times that I'm positive it's not in my head.
Nice one Mike, glad it's hitting the spot for you.
Thanks Ali, it's now sounding like I always thought it should, hey it might not be as good a someone elses but right here right now in my living room it's the best I've heard and I must admit if I don't hear anything better in here it won't matter cos right now I'm loving it. If that makes sense lol
Nice. If you're loving it, let it ride. I've noticed Hard Rock and Metal always sound better when I don't use a clamp with my setup. Especially with percussion. I have no explanation for it, but I've gone back and forth enough times that I'm positive it's not in my head.
Yeah it's great, I'll try the clamp thing it's just a habit to put it on the days, I don't even know if it makes a difference or not it just looks cool 😀
It seems to help on most music, but not the heavy stuff.
I did it on accident and was thinking Stranglehold sounded better than I had ever heard it sound. Then I realized I forgot to put the clamp on when I flipped the album.
dont use mine either now, very often, although the thinner rexords sometimes prefer it. Its mostly for looks, and the fact it will clean a stylus too.
Glad to hear your records are now top ho Mike :eyebrows:
Dubster68
02-03-2017, 20:18
Spot on Mike:D. Now leave alone and enjoy your music. One more tweek and you may lose the sweet spot. Trust me I have done it many times:doh:.
Firebottle
02-03-2017, 20:35
Yes! So glad you have found the spot.
mayebaza
02-03-2017, 21:06
Well done Mike:D let it settle and bed in before making anymore alterations 🤔
Thanks all, it's been a very frustrating ride but I can't stop playing records, Sparky streamer is feeling neglected lol
I'll be trawling a few second hand record shops in Newcastle this weekend, my Brother-in-Law is friends with the owner of Steel Wheels so I might have to pay a visit [emoji6]
walpurgis
02-03-2017, 23:52
He He :)! Another convert to the ZYX & 774 combo. It works! Who knows, you could be after a Toshiba SR-370 next.
Nice one Mike, good for you. What's the current tube complement?
He He :)! Another convert to the ZYX & 774 combo. It works! Who knows, you could be after a Toshiba SR-370 next.
Lol nope, don't feel the need to change 😀
Nice one Mike, good for you. What's the current tube complement?
Ooh, now you're asking, I know the Epoch phono stage is using Sovteks but I use the Firebottle Vivant for phono duties, I've no idea what the other tube is in the Epoch.
I bought it with spare Mullard CV4004 Military tubes without realising they only go in the phono side so I'll be selling them on as I can't see me using the Epoch phono stage over the Vivant as the Zyx cart I use is MC.With it all setup and sounding so good just now I'm not keen to pull it all back out to try it with a headamp or SUT.
I'll find out about the other tube in the Epoch though, more out of curiosity than anything else.
Ali Tait
03-03-2017, 07:32
The Vivant is MM/MC is it not?
The Vivant is MM/MC is it not?
Yeah, sorry, I meant trying the Epoch stage with your headamp as it's MM only.
Not keen to try anything different and bugger it all up lol
I was going to ask if the Vivant was being used.
You need to try a set of Alan's Monoblocks next. ;)
I was going to ask if the Vivant was being used.
You need to try a set of Alan's Monoblocks next. ;)
Behave now 😁 my wife already hates most of you don't add another to the list 😄
I WOULD like to try them but I can't see my TQ Claymore selling anytime soon to fund new amps, I've had it for sale several times now and barely any interest, ok I COULD afford to keep it but that would be a waste as it wouldn't get any use and just sit in a cupboard, I'd rather sell it and use the funds instead of dipping into our savings like I usually do 😉
I should really have bought those 100w Croft monoblocks that Vinyl sold, but they sold as the Croft Epoch was winging it's way to me, and I didn't want to buy them to go with the Epoch and then find out I didn't like the Epoch.
Must admit it's not like me not to just dive in and buy something 😀 regretting it now 😑
My other idea is to sell off my two other carts and the spare 774 I have which would get me a long way towards new amp/amps.
Also meant to add that I'm thinking why spend another £1000 when I'm liking how it sounds right now.
.Mind you demos are free......... 😉
Ali Tait
03-03-2017, 09:44
Yeah, sorry, I meant trying the Epoch stage with your headamp as it's MM only.
Not keen to try anything different and bugger it all up lol
The headamp needs to be used with MM! :-)
Tried it on the Vivant?
The headamp needs to be used with MM! :-)
I know, but I'm not going to bother as it's a pain to drag it all out ( my unit has sides and a back ) and hook it all up again.
Don't think the Epoch stage will best the Vivant anyway, and don't think any advantage adding the headamp to the Vivant MM side either 😉
Ali Tait
03-03-2017, 10:23
Weelll I think you may be surprised..
It may well not be better, but what it will do is put you several rows nearer the stage. Given your musical tastes you may well find this a good thing.
I would leave it as is until, if it ever happens, that you feel its not what it was. Thats the time to tinker.
I would leave it as is until, if it ever happens, that you feel its not what it was. Thats the time to tinker.
Yip you're right
Infinitely Baffled
06-03-2017, 08:57
I'll find out about the other tube in the Epoch though, more out of curiosity than anything else.
The valve in the linestage is an ECC82 - though I can't remember the brand. There are a couple of valves in the power supply too, but I forget what they are.
IB
My advice is: do not change a thing for at least 3 months. It is so difficult to get off the equipment listening bandwagon to music listening - man I spent so long listening to vocal sibilance rather than music.
I'll agree, no need to change a thing until you get the itch. If it is performing like you want, and you are spinning one after the other, no need to mess up a good thing! You've got me itching to adjust my VTA, etc. it's been many hours on my new cart, the suspension has softened up I'm sure. It is almost eerie when you are making adjustments and suddenly it jumps into focus. Well worth the time and effort! One thing is certain, the longer you listen, the more you will know what to change next
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Thanks Yomanze and AlphaGT wise words indeed, I've hardly listened to my streamer lately it's been vinyl all the way, still bringing a huge grin to my face and can't stop tapping along to anything I play.
Having taken delivery of an Acoustical System SMARTractor today, I couldn't wait to try it out when I got in from work this evening. 30 minutes later it was done.
What an improvement, I thought i had it set pretty good, but I was a bit out. It's really easy to use and seems to be very precise with the settings.
As a consequence my turntable is now sounding even better than ever, I think the biggest indication as to how much better is the fact that I can turn the volume up on the amp much further before I think that's too far, although it was sounding great before, this is a whole new level.
The SMARTractor was pretty expensive but Hugo at Ammonite Acoustics gave a very nice discount on rrp, but considering my investment in the vinyl side of my system the cost wasn't a major issue for me.
Highly recommended, even more so if you're a serial cart swapper, I'm settled on one cartridge so it won't be used again for a while, some might think that's a bit daft, buying something to use it once, but for me it's been well worth it.
it will last a lifetime mate, and maybe 2 lifetimes and still have residual value.. Nice one.:)
magiccarpetride
03-04-2017, 20:02
Thanks Yomanze and AlphaGT wise words indeed, I've hardly listened to my streamer lately it's been vinyl all the way, still bringing a huge grin to my face and can't stop tapping along to anything I play.
I'm in a similar spot right now, cannot bring myself to go back and listen to my digital system.
However, for me vinyl listening is sometimes a bipolar experience. There are LPs that catapult me into the stratosphere of utmost ecstasy and transcendence, a pure musical bliss, and then there are LPs that smash me to the ground, because of how dead and dull they're sounding. It seems to be an either-or situation with records, something I am not experiencing to such degree when listening to CDs.
it will last a lifetime mate, and maybe 2 lifetimes and still have residual value.. Nice one.:)
Very true, it's a keeper as no doubt a new cart could always be on the horizon lol.
Only thing it doesn't do it's VTA, but at least you know the stylus it set perfect otherwise, VTA at the moment seems ok to my ear but I might have fiddle with that later this week. That just entails one little grub screw [emoji6]
Just need the amp side tweaked ( plans afoot there, to be revealed soon I think ).
Then I also have plans to upgrade the speakers, as good as they are I know I can do better, well maybe not better, different ............ [emoji4]
I'm in a similar spot right now, cannot bring myself to go back and listen to my digital system.
However, for me vinyl listening is sometimes a bipolar experience. There are LPs that catapult me into the stratosphere of utmost ecstasy and transcendence, a pure musical bliss, and then there are LPs that smash me to the ground, because of how dead and dull they're sounding. It seems to be an either-or situation with records, something I am not experiencing to such degree when listening to CDs.
I know what you mean, mind you I've been mostly listening to LPs for the last few weeks since I started this thread, most have been great with just the odd one a bit 'different' but I put that down to the mix or mastering.
Any CDs I buy get ripped to flac for streaming and I only buy what I can't get on vinyl, mostly electronic that just isn't out on vinyl so it's either cd or flat downloads from Bandcamp etc.
Just need the amp side tweaked ( plans afoot there, to be revealed soon I think ).
Then I also have plans to upgrade the speakers, as good as they are I know I can do better, well maybe not better, different ............ [emoji4]
Aha! Spoken like a true Audiophile! "My system is perfect!", "Can't wait to upgrade!", yes that is the true symptom of the sickness. It's strange, the better it sounds the more motivated one becomes to try and find more! Like an addiction, must get even higher! It never ends, but that's why they call it a hobby. Especially if you've got the wife on board for better speakers! Like waving a red flag in front of a bull! As the old saying goes, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
I'm not pointing fingers. My system has never sounded better, and I'm shopping for a new cartridge and preamp! That ZYX sounds like something I might like? A few lightly used ones on Audiogon.
Haselsh1
04-04-2017, 10:50
I am currently in exactly the same place you are. My vinyl system sounds completely stunning and the best I have ever owned. It is at last an absolute pleasure to play music on.
Great stuff Mikey !! Glad you have it sorted !!
Keep it there as long as you can!:)
I took up Archerey about 12 yrs ago . That reminded me of the never ending search for vinyl perfection !:D
Spent a small fortune but was forever tinkering with some seriously expensive equipment !!:mental:
I have so far resisted the same with my TT:cool:
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