A Modest Wish List . . .

[Opti-cal]

Hi everyone, really enjoying reading around the forums.

Love the willingness to answer with experiences and opinions. Especially when clashes of opinions bring new perspectives to the table!

Anyway, I have planned out a list of the bits I want to try over the coming months and if anyone has anything to say about them please do!!

Alternatives welcomed.


- Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III (High Output or Low Output with SUT) / Hana EL HOMC

- Marantz M7 (clone) Tube Preamp with 6Z4/12AX7B tubes

- Lab12 Mighty Single Ended EL34 power amp

- Sophia Electric Carbon Plate Princess 300B / Gold Lion PX300B / EH 300B Gold Pin tubes


Current equipment that the above will be used/swapped with:

Linn LP12 - Ittok LV2
EAR 834P phono stage
Yaqin MC300c amplifier (highly modified)
Musical Paradise MP-D1 DAC (modified) - Fed by Pioneer N-30
Quad ESL 57's/Loth X BS1's

Any suggestions at all for gear also appreciated. My tendencies are towards late night listening at modest volumes to well recorded uncompressed music. I'll listen to anything that deserves attention for its production/recording or just sheer musicality and content!

My goal is to listen to as much of my favourite music on as much different gear as possible as I find it fascinating how radically different approaches to sound reproduction change what you hear.

Cheers,

Chris

[Macca]

My goal is to listen to as much of my favourite music on as much different gear as possible as I find it fascinating how radically different approaches to sound reproduction change what you hear.

Cheers,

Chris

I agree, It's amazing how different the same recording can sound on different set-ups. And how different people's tastes are in how they want the music presented.

[paulf-2007]

Sophia carbon plates are probably my favourite 300B, closely followed by emission labs.

[Opti-cal]

Yes, I guess people have different expectations from this little disease we all have . . .

Some are after a completely neutral response from their equipment or pin sharp imaging putting them in row C (seat 26) in the audience of a live recording.

I've wasted time (and money) chasing what I deem to be the most important thing to me at the time.

I bet we all go through this stage in the hifi journey . . . . first time I heard a proper soundstage I searched for "speakers with best soundstage" or "best speakers for detail" etc.

Like most I've found there is no definitive answer to these questions without taking into account other important factors and personal preferences. Not least the rest of your system and listening environment.

Luckily I've found my Quads to provide a mix of my personal favorite elements of what a speaker should be. I've heard better soundstaging, imaging and depth but they are certainly all there in more than adequate amounts for me.

I've still never heard vocals (especially female) or speed delivered with the toe-tapping timing ability of them. Nothing comes close, so they will always be my reference regardless of their shortcomings, which they do have.

I will add that I'd love some suggestions for similar "game changing" hifi in this thread (or possibly a new thread).

Equipment that had the same jaw-hitting-the floor effect that the Quads had (and still do on an almost daily basis) on me.

Cheers

[Opti-cal]

Sophia carbon plates are probably my favourite 300B, closely followed by emission labs.

Indeed, somewhat indulgent considering some of the partnering equipment. But sometimes you've just gotta find out what all the fuss is about!

[Barry]

Apart from the Quads, I have only heard one of the items you list: The Sumiko 'Blue Point Special'. This was some time back and I can't remember if it was the 'Evo' or not. But sadly I have to say I was dissappointed. Whilst there was nothing obviously wrong with its performance regarding tracking abilities, frequency response, soundstaging and tonal balance - it just didn't involve me in the music; quite often I found myself not really paying full attention to what I was listening to.

Unfortunately, despite the owner (the cartidge was on loan) remarking that the cartridge sounded better in my system than in his, he had to agree with my observation. In general I've not been impresssed with high-output MC cartridges.

[Macca]

I will add that I'd love some suggestions for similar "game changing" hifi in this thread (or possibly a new thread).

Equipment that had the same jaw-hitting-the floor effect that the Quads had (and still do on an almost daily basis) on me.

Cheers

A couple of things I've heard in the past few years that fit that description for me: the Paradise Phono stage, and JBL 4365 speakers.

[speedracer]

I too have only experience of one item on your list, again the Sumiko BPS Evo III, but unlike Barry I rather liked it. I do have to qualify that by saying I swapped it in & out of my system quite a few times & always got the impression my system, or rather my room at the time, wasn't doing it any favours, as back then we had no carpets, proper furniture or curtains & soft furnishings. Most would struggle in that environment but I found using a Goldring 1042 brought me nearer the sound I was after.
It tracked very well & looked quite sexy too, bags of detail & I will definitely try one again soon, so it must have been doing something right.

[Opti-cal]

A couple of things I've heard in the past few years that fit that description for me: the Paradise Phono stage, and JBL 4365 speakers.

Macca - I've yet to hear a Paradise offering that doesn't blow most offerings multiples of its price clean out the water. Do you know if their latest model is of the same ilk?

I have a Mark Travis phono stage for those particular duties as well as my EAR, but the love for the paradise stage is difficult to ignore!

[Opti-cal]

Thanks for the feedback on the Sumiko and other suggestions guys.

I think the latest "Evo III" is quite a step forward from the I and II variants but from your description Barry it sounds like it just wasn't for you. I suppose cartridges are even more system dependent than most equipment given all the tonearm/phono-stage/plinth combinations possible.

The Goldring looks an interesting option. There is something wholesome about its vintage appearance that really appeals to me too.

I would love to get my Benz Micro Ace back but foolishly I sold it on a turntable for a silly price. I just can't quite justify a £500+ cartridge when I've got as many hi-fi related projects going on. I'm always open to throwing caution to the wind and blowing more on an ear-opening bit of kit though.

I still remember the first time I dropped the Ace on "Son Of A Preacher Man" - tip wasn't broken in and amp was cold, and it still sounded awesome . . .

[Macca]

Macca - I've yet to hear a Paradise offering that doesn't blow most offerings multiples of its price clean out the water. Do you know if their latest model is of the same ilk?

I have a Mark Travis phono stage for those particular duties as well as my EAR, but the love for the paradise stage is difficult to ignore!

I don't know, it's a DIY build as you know. Simon SQ is the man to talk to. Never heard your Mark Travis so for all I know it's just as good.

[alphaGT]

I own the Sumiko Blue Point Special III, I bought it brand new for a sizable discount. While I’ve not a lot of experience with other cartridges, I personally love the way it sounds in my system. A huge jump up from my previous Grado Gold. In the past I had a Ortofon 20M, I think it was? That was 30 some years back so I won’t swear that was the correct designation. And a Denon 110. So no surprise that the Sumiko is a huge step up from these others.

After I purchased it, second hand but never used, I mounted it on my VPI Scout with stock VPI tonearm, and into my Phonomena two box phono preamp. Previously, I wasn’t all that impressed with my Musical Surroundings, Phonomena, I figured it will do for now, until I can do better. But once I installed the new Sumiko I was totally impressed with it!

I find it most compelling, records have that pace and rhythm, which may have a lot to do with the table. But I find that once I start spinning Records one leads to another, and another. It has that character that pulls me in, makes me want more! I’m sure there are a hundred cartridges that sound better, but for the money, it’s a very accomplished cartridge, and I do not have that feeling of dreaming of something different. Not even a new phono preamp, since I got this cart. I probably will move into higher territory one of these days, but a new cart is not on my short list.

Russell

[Opti-cal]

I was totally impressed with it!

I find it most compelling, records have that pace and rhythm, which may have a lot to do with the table. But I find that once I start spinning Records one leads to another, and another. It has that character that pulls me in, makes me want more! I’m sure there are a hundred cartridges that sound better, but for the money, it’s a very accomplished cartridge, and I do not have that feeling of dreaming of something different. Not even a new phono preamp, since I got this cart. I probably will move into higher territory one of these days, but a new cart is not on my short list.

Russell

Superb stuff, a glowing endorsement indeed.

I know what you mean about a cart/deck actually pulling you in to play more records. Its an almost physical magnetic energy, a harmony with the ergonomics of the deck when everything is just so right. When the timing is right the enjoyment factor goes through the roof.

Love that Russell, that's why we do this!

[alphaGT]

I worked hard to get my vinyl system to have this quality. Years ago I had a system that was the same, I’d be up until 3am on a work night because I started playing Records and couldn’t stop!

I read all that tripe in magazines about how a great stereo must sound like real life, accuracy above all else, etc. you know. But after that philosophy lead me down the garden path for a number of years, I’ve come to the realization that no two stereos sound anything alike, even though their respective owners claim they are ultimately accurate. So I built this stereo to play what I want to hear! And I find that a system that compels you to keep listening is spot on! That is the telling quality of a good system.

Russell