View Full Version : Am I lost to digital?
I have two main sources:
Linn Axis, Linn Basic LVX, Goldring 1042, Gram Slee 1
and
Teac VRDS 7, Musical Fidelity V-DAC
I've been very pleasantly surprised with some recent purchases, and these seem to have brought the best out of my CD system, but I don't think my analogue system has benefited as much.
The two main changes were:
For amplifiers I had been using an Arcam P80 with a NAD C315BEE as a pre-amp. I decided to sell them and buy an AudioLab 8000S which I'd use on its own until I could afford a separate power amp. The 8000S was going ridiculously cheap at the end of last year. Well I was blown away by how much better the 8000S was. I'm so pleased with it that I am not bothering with the separate power amplifier.
So I started looking at my speaker options. I had read some interesting articles in magazines which seemed to challenge my belief that I should go for floor-standing speakers if I could afford them. I've always had a soft spot for Heybrooks since having a pair of Solos as a student in the late 80s. So when I saw someone local selling some HB1s on ebay, I put in a bid and picked them up for a fiver. I just thought they'd be an interim which I could experiment with to try and decided what I wanted from a new pair of speakers. They sounded pretty poor - both mid/base units being shot, but I bought some new main drive units for them and the result was a second blown away me. The clarity and detail is so much better than my TDL RTL2s; the TDLs haven't been plugged in since I got the solding iron out on the HB1s.
With the addition of the VDAC last month, my CD system sings (to my ears anyway).
So now I find myself thinking, is there a similarly upgrade that I could make to my LP system that would bring it back to par with the CD system. I think the weakest link in my system is the arm. I wonder whether a Jelco arm would be the answer. I believe an 250ST would fit the Axis without much modification. Would that be my best option on a budget of £200-300? Or would a better phono amp be a better way to go? A Graham 2SE perhaps?
However I also wonder if I am just a digital junky. Perhaps I just prefer the CD sound, and I'm on a hiding to nothing trying to get an analogue system to sound as good on what is really quite a tight budget.
My favourite albums at the moment are Juana Molina's Son, and Martin Simpson's Prodigal son. I listen to a fair bit of classical (Janacek, Britten, Mahler), and enjoy Jazz (Miles Davis in particular.
Any thoughts?
The Grand Wazoo
03-05-2010, 23:00
Hi,
I'm not surprised you like the Heybrooks - I always thought they were very good - especially for the price they used to sell at. Make sure they're on a really good pair of stands though.
If you like the Audiolab too, then great - there are plenty of ways to improve on it without getting rid. But it sounds like that's one for later!
Regarding your vinyl aspirations, I'd think the number of records you own ought to have some sort of bearing on things. Just a thought.
I've got a couple of hundred records, and some old ones it would be difficult to replace. They are getting harder to find, but I think a trawl through a good vinyl shop is one of the pleasures of collecting music (Plastic wax in Bristol for example). Also my father is a classic buff and he often gives me his old LPs when he picks up a new CD set. For example, he recently gave me a lovely Billy Budd box set.
The Grand Wazoo
03-05-2010, 23:34
I think a trawl through a good vinyl shop is one of the pleasures of collecting music
Ah well, that does it then! You need to explore your TT options - and there are many (though the immediate reaction from some here will be to tell you to get acquainted to a certain model made by a company begining with 'T' & ending with 'echnics')!!
The Vinyl Adventure
03-05-2010, 23:47
BAM!
http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/P1010517.jpg
that imidiate enough for you chris?!
twelvebears
04-05-2010, 05:55
Hey ReggieB (what's your real name btw? Add it to your signature?).
Despite Hamish's (who to my surprise on the phone seems not even vaguely Scottish - go figure?) colourful response and Chris's insinuation that everyone here on AOS is Technics obsessed (some more so than others), I would suggest that a Techie is worth considering for a number of reasons.
1. They are easily available and very good, stock examples can be found for reasonable money.
2. Even 'as they come', they produce a very decent sound for the money when fitted with a good MM cartridge
3. As someone who's commitment to vinyl is uncertain, it's a cheap-ish way back in with a deck that is totally reliable and not at all fussy.
4. If you decide that spinning discs does it for you, there are a myriad of upgrade options for you to explore.
For what it's worth, I was in a similar position to you about 18 months ago when I sold a perfect but annoyingly fiddly and bouncy Manticore Mantra to go down the Technics road and haven't regretted it for a moment.
Despite owning a Techie, I can see that you might want to keep and enhance the Axis. Mods that come to mind are a Jelco SA-250ST arm (but you will need to check mounting and effective length against the LVX), and electronic speed control which may be available from Linn but is certainly available from Origin Live.
As for phono preamps, a Gram Amp 2SE works nicely or perhaps one of the ANT models from Sound Hi-Fi.
I once compared an Axis/Akito/K9 with a Lenco GL75/K9 (new exit lead and arm-fettle) and the GL75 annihilated the Axis, which sounded dirty, tuneless bass (yes indeedy) and constricted..
Seriously, sell the Axis while it's working and still in demand and either get a Techie (with future fun guaranteed) or a vintage deck like a GL75 (even more future fun guaranteed, even with the stock arm - seriously!).
P.S. RTL 2's come in two versions - the ugly mk1's are FAR better than HB1's, which sound the same no matter what they're fed with..
The better looking mk2 RTL2's (SE?) are dull as ditchwater, having a deliberate step down which can be sorted..
BAM!
...
that imidiate enough for you chris?!
Ehi Hamish, I own a blue press of "Kind Of Blue". That would match better your set-up :eyebrows:
The Technics is a good option but will cost a bit to get the most out of it (only you can decide this I suggest much like Chris it will depend on how much you want to listen to vinyl and how often), so another TT options on the cheap would be a Lenco, its a old design and to get the best out of it you need to go either slate or layers but if done right is a very capable player
I notice Dave has also suggested this I myself am not the greatest lover the arm its the weakest link apart from curing the rumble issues. But I can think of no other TT to get up and running so cheaply and sounding so good
Hi Reggie,
I hear what you're saying, and the advice you've been given so far has been very good. For me though the key to your dilemma lies here:
However I also wonder if I am just a digital junky. Perhaps I just prefer the CD sound, and I'm on a hiding to nothing trying to get an analogue system to sound as good on what is really quite a tight budget.
You may well prefer CD sound to vinyl (time will tell), but I suspect it's because at the moment your T/T set-up currently doesn't deliver the detail, dynamics and clarity of your Teac/MF combo, and it's this aspect of the presentation you're identifying which is the problem.
The problem with a budget vinyl source is that it's often easy for CD (superficially) to 'outperform' it, simply because music reproduced digitally has less inherent distortions and (obviously) a complete lack of surface noise, and so for some people it's easier to 'connect' with and make more sense of music reproduced that way.
Basically, what I'm getting at is that there is much more to get wrong (ergo, there are more mistakes which can be made) when putting together a vinyl source than a digital one, particularly in terms of set-up.....
*However*, get it right (and this is what we are here to help you achieve), and sometimes even the most basic of T/T set-ups can seduce you with music in a way that digital sources many times the price fail to achieve, but it takes experience and meticulous attention to detail in various areas to get there.
One key factor above anything else is to ensure that records are kept in as mint condition as possible, dust and static-free, and scrupulously clean, as no turntable can eradicate the sonically detrimental effect (and 'snap crackle and pop') of manky, dusty, scratched (often groove damaged) records - the latter unfortunately is fatal. To that end, it often pays to factor the cost of a decent semi-automated professional record cleaner into the available budget.
Remember that CDs are generally more resilient to the effects of 'poor housekeeping' than records. Until you've heard it, you wouldn't believe how much better records sound after they've been properly cleaned - even brand new ones, due to the removal of mold release agent left from the manufacturing process. If you can't afford one, then there are people here that own such machines who will gladly clean your records for you for a small fee, via return post.
So, after all that, what do I recommend you do?
In your circumstances, the solution is obvious, IMO - and it follows on from the advice others here have given so far: either buy a new or quality second-hand Technics SL-1200/1210, and use it with your Goldring, as the stock tonearm works very well indeed with MM cartridges. You won't need a Jelco SA-250 to make the 1042 sing.
If your budget is really tight, you can pick up a good second-hand Techie for roughly the cost of the Jelco arm you mention, which is the best way to look at it, then sell your Linn and spend the money on more records :)
I'm very confident that an SL-1200/1210 (the only difference is in the colour - the former being silver, and the latter black) will cure much of what you currently dislike about your T/T set-up, simply because the Technics sounds 'clean and crisp', but musically addictive, in many ways like digital (when done well), without the syrupy bloom and 'shut-in' sound of most low/medium-mass belt-drive T/Ts.
Basically, if your phono stage is up to it (and it should be fine) an SL-1200/1210, fitted with the Goldring, should easily compete with your Teac/MF combo, and if it doesn't, it most certainly will with a few judicious and inexpensive tweaks, which is half the fun of owning a Techie!
You can then embark on a journey of madness and mayhem like many others here, me included, which will (hopefully) ultimately end in musical nirvana. I'm confident that will be the case!
I hope this helps. If you've got any more questions, just ask :cool:
Marco.
P.S. I reiterate that great sounding as HBS1's can be, they do tend to make everything sound the same and differences between components further back in the chain are deliberately minimised - just what you need in a popular low-budget starter speaker :)
Good luck with getting the music sorted in any case..
Rare Bird
04-05-2010, 13:25
Hi,
Make sure they're on a really good pair of stands though.
He must try source a pair of Heybrook 'HBS1' Stands for them.
THE TUBULAR VERSIONS!!! Not the later ones with cast bases IMO...
Rare Bird
04-05-2010, 17:29
THE TUBULAR VERSIONS!!! Not the later ones with cast bases IMO...
Yes the original open frame ones simular to the Epos ES14 stands
P.S. RTL 2's come in two versions - the ugly mk1's are FAR better than HB1's, which sound the same no matter what they're fed with..
I have to disagree with that. Mine are the mark ones. They are certainly not "far" better than my HB1s. Rather I think they present the music differently and it depends what you want from your speakers as to which you prefer.
What I like about the RTL2 is the range of base they present. They don't present more base than other similarly priced speakers, but rather instead they present a range of base frequencies. They bring out detail, variation, and subtly in the lower end of the register that I think is difficult to match at the price you can pick them up for now. They also have good imaging and detail at the higher end.
But for me the HB1 are tauter and more detailed in the mid and higher registers. There is better separation of instruments, and vocalists breath more realistically in my opinion.
The thing is that unless you are going to spend silly money, you have to make compromises, and for me the HB1 compromises suit me better than the RTL2.
I once compared an Axis/Akito/K9 with a Lenco GL75/K9 (new exit lead and arm-fettle) and the GL75 annihilated the Axis, which sounded dirty, tuneless bass (yes indeedy) and constricted...
Interesting. I've actually got a GL72 that I bought for my father a week ago (he's got a very large 78 collection and he likes the GL72 because it is one of the few desks that can cope with the wide variety of speeds that 78s were recorded at - often in the 80s rather than 78). Looks like I'll have to swap it out for my Axis for a while and have a good listen.
I think he can manage without it for a little while longer :)
So it looks like a choice of sticking with the Axis and going for the Jelco arm, or changing the deck completely (Technics obviously a favourite here). I had been wondering about trying a Thorens TD160 and seeing how I got on with that. The Technics SL-1200/1210 is an option that wasn't high on my list, but I'll have to rethink that. Hmmm. good food for thought. Thank you.
Hi Rob,
The Technics SL-1200/1210 is an option that wasn't high on my list, but I'll have to rethink that.
I think you definitely should, and read through some of the Technics SL-1200/1210 threads in the archive where you will hopefully learn quite a lot :)
The TD-160 is a decent turntable - it just depends what you're looking for... Had you not considered a quality direct-drive T/T before?
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
04-05-2010, 18:37
Rob,
My earlier note of cynicism for the Technics was really founded on the caveat that to get the most out of it, you have to spend quite a bit of lolly. But it can be done in steps at times of your own choosing.
This is fine if it suits your aspirations. But it's not for everyone - some folks don't want an upgrading adventure, they just want a one-off purchase.
The Lenco will get you a long way there for less lolly, especially as you've already got one! If you don't want to do the upgrading, I don't think a Technics will do much that your Axis isn't already doing. You can change the arm & cartridge on that, just like you can on a Technics.
Cheers
Hi Chris,
My earlier note of cynicism for the Technics was really founded on the caveat that to get the most out of it, you have to spend quite a bit of lolly. But it can be done in steps at times of your own choosing.
This is fine if it suits your aspirations. But it's not for everyone - some folks don't want an upgrading adventure, they just want a one-off purchase.
TBH, no offence to Rob, but you wouldn't need to do much for it to outperform an Axis - upgrade the mat and feet and you'd almost certainly be there, if indeed you even needed to go that far.....
The Lenco will get you a long way there for less lolly, especially as you've already got one!
Can't argue with that, but it will involve quite a bit of D.I.Y. Is Rob up for that?
If you don't want to do the upgrading, I don't think a Technics will do much that your Axis isn't already doing.
I would beg to differ, muchacho. The superb D/D motor would remove the bloom and wavering of the Axis (due to usual low-mass B/D T/T speed stability issues), and give a much more rock solid and stable sound for starters! ;)
IMO, a fully modified Lenco or SL-1200/1210 with a decent arm and cartridge would completely outperform either the Axis or a Thorens TD-160.
Like you say, it depends how far Rob wants to go on his T/T journey, and whether or not he doesn't mind a bit of 'hands-on' tweaking :cool:
Marco.
A standard Technics should give you bass that the Axis misses. The Axis by now will be suffering on the motherboard and if the caps aren't changed the speed will gradually go off and if severely unlucky, the board may blow, as happened with a few back when Linn could replace them. The final service batch of motherboard/motor assemblies were made nearly ten years ago and even these will be getting poorly by now as most are left permanently powered..
I don't mean to be negative, but the Axis sold not because of the sound, but because of the name, the looks and initially the price, which was a step up from a Rega 3 - apologies for being cynical.
P.S. A GL75 in original Goldring plinth (preferably the springy one) and original Linn cover (with stay) is fine, believe it or not and it was like this that it all but destroyed an Axis.
The Grand Wazoo
04-05-2010, 19:01
All of the above noted.
I don't mean to be negative, but the Axis sold not because of the sound, but because of the name, the looks and initially the price, which was a step up from a Rega 3 - apologies for being cynical.
........but I think I've read here that a standard Technics isn't much better than a Planar 3 either.
Just trying to be even handed here.
Chris,
The P3 would be better in some areas - and the stock Techie superior in others.
However, let me put it this way: an SL-1200/1210, fitted with Rob's Goldring 1042, with simply an upgraded mat and feet, would leave the P3 way, way behind in a thoroughly embarrassing fashion! ;)
Especially, if as well as the above, the PSU was removed from under the platter and put inside a separate box....
Just trying to be even handed here.
As am I :)
Marco.
I don't mean to be negative, but the Axis sold not because of the sound, but because of the name, the looks and initially the price....
Precisely. Again no offence to Rob, but at the time it was a kid-on LP12 for those who couldn't afford the real thing - simples.
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
04-05-2010, 19:21
We don't want to give Rob the impression that there's a bun fight to be had over this!
At least he knows of some options he wasn't aware of before.
Personally, I'd go with the Lenco plan, but there ya go!
No "bun fight" here, mate - merely people expressing different but equally valid opinions, politely and respectfully, such is always the way on AOS :)
I agree; the Lenco option is a good one, but only if Rob's up for some fairly major D.I.Y, which wouldn't be necessary with the Techie or any other commercially available option.
One day you must hear a fully tricked-out SL-1200/1210 to find out what all the fuss is about! ;)
Marco.
Just get a Garrard and be done with it! ;)
Indeed - have you done anything with yours, Alex, since we last spoke about it and Nagaoka carts, etc, or have you been a boring lazy-arse in that respect? :eyebrows: ;)
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
04-05-2010, 21:22
One day you must hear a fully tricked-out SL-1200/1210 to find out what all the fuss is about!
Indeed, I should become properly acquainted, though it's not strictly true to say that I'm a complete virgin in that respect.
No "bun fight" here, mate - merely people expressing different but equally valid opinions, politely and respectfully, such is always the way on AOS
So if it wasn't you...............?
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/images/2009-03/pie-in-face.jpg
Indeed - have you done anything with yours, Alex, since we last spoke about it and Nagaoka carts, etc, or have you been a boring lazy-arse in that respect? :eyebrows: ;)
Marco.
A boring lazy-arse who has just spent a five-figure sum on having the garden completely remodelled (including a summer house with dedicated RCD & own earth... :eyebrows:) and so who's hi-fi pot is a bit depleted! Actually, I have been moving things a bit forward on the plinth, and there may be progress on that this week. My view is that it has taken 20 years so far, and still sounds a-may-zing in its currently neglected state, so why rush? ;) To be honest, I am still enjoying squillions of new CDs every month, I don't feel a massive need to move my system along, just devise a way of spending more time listening!
Been out for the evening, so only just getting back to the conversation.
I don't mind fiddling, but I'm more of a bodger than an craftsman.
For a bit of background, My first deck was a hand me down Tandy unit from my father. I then replaced this with a custom job I picked up reasonably cheap at a second hand shop. It had a Rega Planar three bearing motor and platter mounted into a triangular steel plate suspended from a cut out in the Rega planar chassis and suspended via springs and rubber gromits from a Linn LP12. The arm was the Linn Basik I still have (for that matter I still have this deck as I can't see anyone else wanting it). I got a thick MDF sub-chassis made at a workshop, and replaced the steel sub-chassis, which got rid of an audible resonance. That was my main deck from the early nineties to a couple of years ago when I picked up the Linn Axis for £120 on ebay. It will tell you how good the custom deck was when I say I am confident that the Axis was better (though perhaps because the Rega motor was shot).
To answer another question, I had been watching out for Pioneer PL600x on ebay to get a feel for how commonly they come up and for what price.
My friend has a Gerrard 301 that he bought from new, but I'm sure they are out of my price rang. Especially as I think the cheaper ones usually need a lot of work.
My friend has a Gerrard 301 that he bought from new, but I'm sure they are out of my price rang. Especially as I think the cheaper ones usually need a lot of work.
The Stephen especially is worth a few quid these days! :lol:
Since the Axis already has good speed control (my mistake), and you want the minimum of DIY, I still think that two good routes for you are either a Jelco arm for the Axis or a Technics SL-1200 'starter' with sorbothane feet and Herbies mat. Cost range from about £400 to £600.
SELL THE AXIS while it's still working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rare Bird
05-05-2010, 14:38
SELL THE AXIS while it's still working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lolsign:
Peter Stockwell
05-05-2010, 15:15
FWIW, I decided to replace my very nice 401, after hearing the stock 1200. It did more of the right things with the music I liked. OTOH, I now believe I was using the 401 sub optimally, i.e. low voltage supply just barely enough to turn the platter. What got me in the end with the 401 was the time to stabilize. It needed hours! and even then I'm not sure it ever did. The guy I sold mine to, phoned me to say he was going to buy a Notts Analogue Diais, because he too, had tired of the speed stability issue.
I listen mostly to digital these days, but fired up the Teccie this morning, it has an SMEIV and an AT33ptg. It does things gloriously, but I just don't buy new LPs these days.
I thought I'd just post a quick update for you.
I've been looking at the various direct drive turntable options and decided rather than committing myself to a SL-1200, I'd try an alternative direct drive deck. A deck that I could get without putting too much strain on the bank balance.
I did a bit of research and came up with a short list of likely decks. It was then a case of watching ebay for a while, getting an idea of what prices decks were going for, and then diving in.
And the result is that I've just bought myself a Pioneer PL640. Getting this will allow me to play with what I think is a reasonable direct drive deck, without having to sell the Axis to fund the purchase of a replacement. If it works well I can sell the Axis and take my time tracking down a decent SL-1200. Or even better, I may find the Pioneer is just what I'm looking for.
So, the next post will hopefully be a review of how I get on with the new deck.
Make sure the isolation is firmly attended to as almost all the vintage decks (and I suspect the PL71 so beloved of an offshoot faction) are prone to feedback and rather lively plinths, which prevented many of the better ones rising above Rega level (if that) in the sound quality stakes, what was left being a spatially flat and rather dynamically muted sounding deck with often superb wow & flutter figures.....
I've got a target wall mounted turntable shelf. However, I expect I'll be in the market for some good feet (sorbothane?)
DirectDrive_Gordon
10-05-2010, 22:45
Hi Reggie,
I used a Linn Axis/Basik Plus/Goldring 1042 for many years with a Cyrus 2/PSX and with an Audiolab 8000A before I discovered how great sounding a good direct drive TT is.
In my humble opinion, the Axis is a decent turntable but definitely NOT a great one. It is really not good enough to justify a better arm. Instead of spending £250 on a Jelco arm, I would be inclined to list your Axis on eBay (it should make circa £250 if in good nick) and then purchase a Technics SL-1200 MK2 or SL-1210 MK2 (but be careful to avoid abused DJ ones if buying used) and then change the Technics arm for a Jelco or Rega/Origin Live RB250 or RB251. You could then list the Technics arm on eBay and it should make between £50 and £75. If you would like to stick with Linn then an alternative would be a mid-eighties Valhalla Sondek LP12 which would have a lot of upgrade potential. You could keep your LVX and then upgrade to a used Ekos MK1 or MK2 when funds permit.
I have also owned a LP12 in the past which had many strengths, but personally I favour the Technics for it's grip, authority, image stability and bass power.
Well I have to start with a big thank you. The Pioneer PL640 arrived today and I've spent the last couple of hours listening to it. Splendid.
I spun it up first with the supplied cartridge. That proved the deck was working. So next step was to swap the 1042 into the Pioneer. Then it was a case of sitting back and enjoying.
I don't think my records have sounded better. My turntable system no longer sounds like the second fiddle to the CD system. There's more detail and better imaging. Individual instruments sounded clear around PJ Harvey. K.D Lang's voice gained more subtly. Singers in Billy Budd sounded clearer as they moved backwards and forward around the stage.
It's not perfect. I think there is a small resonance in higher register. Just occasionally a note will hit it and sound a little fuzzy. However, I think the whole experience is more enjoyable than I was getting with the Axis.
So I think the deck is just what I need at the moment. It's renewed my enjoyment of my LP collection - which is the main thing. I next need to sell my old kit and then take my time looking for something even better. Great result in my opinion.
Excellent result Reggie. I've not heard a PL640, but if it's anything like the PL-71, then you've landed yourself a very nice T/T!
Any chance of some pics? :)
Marco.
Check the headshell - a Sumiko or similar may just remove the "zing" a little and possibly clean up the lower mid too - where all detachable "SME" style arms have a potential weakness..
You may need to have the arm "Audio Origami'd" and re-wired too....
Lastly, the 1042 was a good deal 20 years ago, but it's not the most subtle of cartridges. I tended to find it jumps in with both feet - HARD - and sounds a bit too "obvious" with a leaden bass.. The Pioneer arm/Sumiko shell may like a Sumiko BPS, 10XV or DL160 better.. (I won't mention mats today ;))
Hmmm. Something like this you mean:
http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=430
I tried a Denon DL110 for a while, but didn't like it as much as the 1042.
I think the arm may be the weak part of the PL640. It looks fairly substantial, but is plastic. If it was carbon fibre then everyone would probably go wow, but this isn't carbon fibre.
However, the deck sounds better than my Axis with a Basic LVX. I'm starting to wonder if there was something wrong with my old set up - something amiss in the arm wiring perhaps. I'll give them a once over when I have a minute. I think I am going to have to sell the deck and arm separately, with the latter sold as in need of attention.
And I am still watching the SL1200 market. I have some bits and piece to sell, and I've just had to pay out £400 on a repair of my car. So purchasing will go on hold for a while.
Hi Reggie,
Any chance of some pics of your PL640, as I have no idea what one looks like - I presume you have a digital camera or mobile phone? :)
However, the deck sounds better than my Axis with a Basic LVX. I'm starting to wonder if there was something wrong with my old set up - something amiss in the arm wiring perhaps. I'll give them a once over when I have a minute.
It could be, but my suspicion is that the Pioneer's (I suspect high-quality D/D motor unit) is showing up the Axis' belt-drive deficiencies, and the sonic limitations of its tiny, rather poor quality, motor/PSU....
I therefore predict in due course that you'll be yet another happy convert to the joys of direct-drive ;)
Anyway, lets see some pics of that PL640!
Marco.
Rare Bird
15-05-2010, 13:32
Pioneer PL590 are where it's at...Only Pioneer i ever owned.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/PIONEER/PLC590/PLC590.html
The Axis was well put together, but the top board isn't sturdy enough and the rubber-gland suspension wasn't quite enough IMO.
The LVX isn't as bad as you'd think, as long as the headshell-socket joint is secure (stud-loc in the gap between socket and arm pipe fixes this) and all the other screws are firmly tight..
If the Pioneer arm tube isn't too hot, damping may be all you need, or I think Johnnie should go into the arm-tube making industry ;)
Any chance of some pics of your PL640, as I have no idea what one looks like
Yes, I'll see what I can do. It may be a couple of days though as I'm having a busy weekend.
I therefore predict in due course that you'll be yet another happy convert to the joys of direct-drive ;)
It looks that way.
I mentioned earlier in the thread that I had a Goldring Lenco GL72 that I'd bought for my father. Well I took it down to him today. He has one already, but the arm is broken. He is going to use the parts from the two to make up a single deck.
But that means that at the end of this process, there should be a perfectly good G72 sans arm. I seriously thinking of using that as the basis for a project. Build a plinth for it and mount an RB251 on it. Should be an interesting.
Here are a couple of quick snaps
Shame about the arm, Reggie, I wonder if it could be replaced? Otherwise the deck looks interestingly different.
A follow up: About the time I posted the first posting in this thread, I sent a letter to Hi-Fi World, roughly asking the same question. The letter didn't get posted in the following couple of issues, so I gave up looking for it. Much to my surprise, I've recently received an e-mail telling me it was June letter of the month, and would I like to choose the colour of the Kef iQ30 speakers that are the letter of the month prize! Result!. Looks like I'm soon to have a new set of speakers to compare with my Heybrook HB1 and TDL RTL2.
The reply in the magazine recommended I upgrade my phono amp, but it appears they misread my submission as it appears they thought I had an LP12 rather than an Axis.
Well done, Reggie. I'm sure you'll find a good use for the speakers.
I had a pair of HB2Rs they were very good too
aquapiranha
30-08-2010, 00:05
A mate of mine had some HB2's a long time ago, he thought they were superb and he never buys poor sounding gear.
I remember hearing a Heybrook TT2/Ittok/Karma? with EAR 509 amps (I forget the preamp) and HB2's at one of Heybrooks early HiFi shows. Peter was playing "Cantate Domino" and the sound was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. My dad used HB2's for a few years before his death and they worked their magic with a Dynatron "music centre" featuring a mint GL85/AT95e and a perfectly competent receiver with the 5 button preset tuner head that many UK people used in the 70's.
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