Barry
15-03-2010, 00:35
Since my last visit the Count has made a few alterations to his system and was kind enough to invite me for a listen to hear what I thought of the changes. Quickly obtaining a visa to Transylvania, I arrived at Castle Marco for an audition. I took the opportunity to try out some cables and give Marco a chance to listen to an EMT cartridge.
Ostensibly the reason why Marco was keen for me to hear his system was he had recently installed a mains conditioner/filter (?) unit designed by AnthonyTD and was now using Mark Grant mains leads; the latter having been praised by Steve Toy.
On this occasion I found myself enjoying Marco’s system much more than last time. I cannot necessarily put this down to Anthony’ mains unit, as there were two other changes to the system. The first is that some damping foam material had been fitted to the underside port on the Lockwood cabinets. The second, and just as important for me, was that the system was not played as loudly as before, this time the volume levels were more realistic. The upshot was for me a far more enjoyable experience. There was a big improvement in the bass performance: bass was more solid and located and the previous occasions where I heard speaker/room interaction problems were less frequent.
The resolution and detail of Marco’s system is still phenomenally good; making small and subtle changes between interconnects easier to hear than on my system.
We took the opportunity to compare the Denon 103SA with an EMT XSD15. I was pleased to hear Marco’s comments accorded with my own and were in general the same that I had formed based on comparison with the ‘cooking’ 103. I would like to have tried out the EMT TSD15 cartridge fitted with a fine line stylus, however there were problems with the adaptor permitting plug-in cartridges having the Neumann contact arrangement to be used with arms fitted with an SME/EIA bayonet coupling; only one channel worked. The set up of the Jelco arm was not optimised for the EMT, however my findings were confirmed despite the fact that a different arm was used and conditions favoured the Denon. To summarise I find the Denon to have better tonal fidelity and control in the bass and to be a little ‘tidier’ in the treble than the EMT. Elsewhere the EMT scored: the midrange being better and I believe the EMT has better transient performance.
I was also able to hear the Shure M3D mm cartridge. Had I known that all this carridge needed was a heavy headshell, I might not have got rid of mine forty years ago! Clearly it benefits from something heavier than the SME S2 headshell.
Many of the discs we played were those used at Scalford Hall; so I had my own private show! A particular delight was hearing some Son House playing the blues on a steel-bodied National guitar. (By the way Marco who was the guy we played afterwards; he also played National guitars?)
So once again, an enjoyable few hours spent chez Marco with The System. Thanks Marco.
Ostensibly the reason why Marco was keen for me to hear his system was he had recently installed a mains conditioner/filter (?) unit designed by AnthonyTD and was now using Mark Grant mains leads; the latter having been praised by Steve Toy.
On this occasion I found myself enjoying Marco’s system much more than last time. I cannot necessarily put this down to Anthony’ mains unit, as there were two other changes to the system. The first is that some damping foam material had been fitted to the underside port on the Lockwood cabinets. The second, and just as important for me, was that the system was not played as loudly as before, this time the volume levels were more realistic. The upshot was for me a far more enjoyable experience. There was a big improvement in the bass performance: bass was more solid and located and the previous occasions where I heard speaker/room interaction problems were less frequent.
The resolution and detail of Marco’s system is still phenomenally good; making small and subtle changes between interconnects easier to hear than on my system.
We took the opportunity to compare the Denon 103SA with an EMT XSD15. I was pleased to hear Marco’s comments accorded with my own and were in general the same that I had formed based on comparison with the ‘cooking’ 103. I would like to have tried out the EMT TSD15 cartridge fitted with a fine line stylus, however there were problems with the adaptor permitting plug-in cartridges having the Neumann contact arrangement to be used with arms fitted with an SME/EIA bayonet coupling; only one channel worked. The set up of the Jelco arm was not optimised for the EMT, however my findings were confirmed despite the fact that a different arm was used and conditions favoured the Denon. To summarise I find the Denon to have better tonal fidelity and control in the bass and to be a little ‘tidier’ in the treble than the EMT. Elsewhere the EMT scored: the midrange being better and I believe the EMT has better transient performance.
I was also able to hear the Shure M3D mm cartridge. Had I known that all this carridge needed was a heavy headshell, I might not have got rid of mine forty years ago! Clearly it benefits from something heavier than the SME S2 headshell.
Many of the discs we played were those used at Scalford Hall; so I had my own private show! A particular delight was hearing some Son House playing the blues on a steel-bodied National guitar. (By the way Marco who was the guy we played afterwards; he also played National guitars?)
So once again, an enjoyable few hours spent chez Marco with The System. Thanks Marco.