Richard - Hugo is right, the Neglex is a poor arm cable and is holding back the sound. The Techie should not sound bland or boring with the Jelco arm.
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Richard - Hugo is right, the Neglex is a poor arm cable and is holding back the sound. The Techie should not sound bland or boring with the Jelco arm.
I think the AT91/Carbon was conceived to be as kind and universal as possible in a huge range of different turntable systems. The lower output of these compared to the AT95E and AT105/110E may have something to do with this too although I have no idea otherwise.... As yet, I haven't directly compared the AT91 (3600) to the Carbon to see how similar or different they are, but I remember the comments of dull yet hard being thrown at the 105 back in the day - not something I agree with judging by my sample anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Arm/cartridge matching is a funny thing. The AT120E was damned with faint praise in 'Choice a short while ago, yet in the old Garrard AP76 with its lightweight but flimsy arm, it tracks and sounds a treat, with no bass issues nor treble spitch or peakiness. The mechanically similar and supposedly superior Garrard Zero 100 I've just got hold of is far far worse for cartridge compatibility and stability; the arm, despite extremely low friction and with other refinements over the lower models in the auto mechanism, needing two grammes for best stability, the high inertia working against the flimsiness of the headshell on it's pivot and possible centre-of-gravity issues affecting stability of the stylus in the groove.
Seriously, with the better base in which to mount the arm pillar, and I think a hardwood board on the techie, the jelco should start to show what it can do. I don't know the neglex wires, but the pro-patch Johnnie uses in his plain looking but excellent replacement exit cable is superb for this purpose and apparently beats the boutique stuff SME use with their better arms out to the amp..
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
It seems to me that you've mentally committed yourself to an upgrade path, Richard, when perhaps leaving well enough alone would be more sensible given budgetary constraints?
Mayhap revert to the synergy of the Techie arm / Rega cart and avoid blowing ever increasing dollops of cash just to retrieve the musical enjoyment you used to have?
Just a thought. :)
Been there, done that. :doh: Maybe time to sit back and reconsider? :cool:
It's a strange one Andy (and this is clearly more evidence of us listening for different strands in our music) but it's exactly what a standard Tecchy sounds like to my ears. Every time I hear a bog-stock one I keep feeling it needs to be woken from its slumbers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
A PL71 or PS-6750 would be nice. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Ok here goes...
1. Opened up the top of the damping fluid reservoir - it's nearly full of fluid, or certainly looks to have a lot in there. Remove arm, turn it upsde down and wait 20 mins for the fluid to drain out. Result? A bit more zest to the sound.
2. Remove the standard feet, replace with RDC cones (none-threaded unfortunately) which whilst a bit precarious has tidied things up - more transient impact certainly and less 'hash'. Best compromise seems to be to use the top board off my Audiotech table and put the cones under that.
3. Fit M75ED - bit soft and woolly (as one would expect I guess) but less shouty, and more pleasant to listen to. Think the stylus isn't in its first flush of youth as there's a fair bit of sibilance and distortion on peaks. Still, whilst it won't stay in the arm it's a valuable exercise.
4. Been getting channel imbalance - change records and one channel dies. Check arm cable, there's a duff connection. Swap channels on back of amp, dead channel follows cable. There's also a small amount of distortion on that faulty channel too, indicating possible weak connection which won't help the sonics.
5. Going to borrow a low mileage Dyna 10X5 off a mate this evening to hear a more demanding cartridge in the Jelco. He also says he might have a spare arm cable which I can borrow.
Ouch. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Are you using the deck without lid attached? These lids aren't as good as the earlier 70's examples and neither do the feedback any good at all.
Sorry Jerry - only jesting. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
I'd probably take the Sony over it though...at a push. :)
Seriously though, this is turning out to be a bit of a 'fun' morning...
Now reckon my amp's on the blink - the channel losing signal (yes the arm lead's not helping) is always the r/h one but it comes and goes, as though the system is going out of phase momentarily, but only on one channel. I know that sounds daft, but if you could be here to hear it you'd recognise it straight away. It loses h/f extension for starters than gradually fades away. Still sound there, but the level drops - it's doing it through headphones too so would indicated a pre-amp section problem.
Switch the amp off, then back on, and it clears again. Sad thing is that before I do anything else a new amp could end up being on the cards - for what it would cost to fix I'm not 100% sure it would be economical to do so. :(
No Dave - always remove the lid completely. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
Oh dear - too many variables to be able to give a diagnosis. Guess you have to fix the amp first, before returning to the deck issues.
Indeed Martin - although hopefully it could end up being a cheap fix. Just need to find someone local who's *better with a soldering iron than me.Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
*Someone who knows what to do with one once it's plugged in. :D
Hi John,Quote:
Originally Posted by Touchstone Audio
Any more news on the ebony weight? :)
Marco.
FWIW, Richard, my old 670ES did this but was cured with a few presses of the A or B speaker selector switch, I think it was a dry joint on one of those, not sure.
Although it was either in balance or not, it did not fade away at all.
Thanks Rob - I've tried this a few times, which does seem to work up to a point. I'm not sure whether the relays are channel-related (ie one relay is left channel on both A&B for example) or if each one is for both channels on each separate speaker output. Using the output 'B' still brings the same symptoms so I'm not sure what's going on (electronics aren't my forté I'm afraid!).Quote:
Originally Posted by hoopsontoast
Just now I've had a brief play with the switches - the relay always clicks (as you'll know with your 670 there's the faint 'tick' from the rear of the amp) when the buttons operated. Played a mono signal in on a line input, push the A button and the r/h channel goes quieter - keep pressing it in and out (20+ times) and it gets louder, then softer, then louder etc etc each time the speaker output goes live. I'm wondering if there's a voltage/current drop across the realy - enough to make contact for sound to appear but not always quite enough.
Would like to get it fixed as the amp's great but I'm really not confident about delving into the amp's innards for fear of breaking something. I'd rather sell it on to someone who can fix it themself easily.
Ah cool, I have no idea on the insides, cant be much more help I am afriad.
No worries Rob - you probably know more than me though. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by hoopsontoast
I'm going to try and find someone local to me who could take a look at the amp for me, could be difficult though as Lincs isn't exactly overrun with 'old school' hifi dealers.
A bit of 'me' time whilst the girls watch some Disney stuff in the family room...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01447.jpg
Very nice Richard . Your setup looks similar to mine physically , However I use an all Rega system with a music server ( I get all my ripped albums showing on my 37 inch plasma TV as you can see) . I am lucky enough to have my own listening room , whrere I spend more time than I should . How's the amp behaving BTW ? I see you're still using the Proacs , might we see the return of the Q Acoustics . Wonder where we'll all be , system - wise this time next year . Happy new year to you , and all on AOS .
Nice looking Mancave Richard...
Are you remote controlling your server with the tablet?
Apple Remote Desktop to your Mac is it?
Been playing around with controlling my various PCs dotted around the house with my Ipad, even managed to get some work done with it sitting in the lounge on the sofa. :)
Nice setup mate.
Hi guys - thanks for the comments. :)
Brian - the Sony seems to be working perfectly at the moment, giving it a good work out over the last few days seems to have cured the imbalance issue. The ProAcs are quite inefficient so the amp needs driving reasonably hard to give a decent level. I'm really clueless as to why this should've worked but hey ho...a new amp is off the shopping list for now which is good news. Presently looking at a new dac (as you know) and possibly a new cartridge - the Rega Carbon's a hoot on rock/jazz but on orchestral it's a tad unruly, to put it mildly.
Gary - nothing so sophisticated as that here I'm afraid (I wouldn't know where to start!). Just chatting with old friends on FB whilst the TV/Humax plays through my Fiio dac into the hifi system. Does sound pretty good though. The sound producer in Vienna could teach the BBC a thing or 2 about mic'ing up and balancing an orchestra - quite a refreshingly natural sound.
A Happy New Year to you and yours. :)
My new dac arrived today - a Teac UD-H01.
Got it all up and running now, including downloading the Teac drivers for my Mac to utilise the async USB input.
So far, so pretty good. :)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01487.jpg
Nice one Richard and damn, it's a looker too ain't it? ;)
Well it's a darn sight better looking than me, that's for sure. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by synsei
I've left a CD running on repeat for a few hours through it now and will have a time this evening to have a proper listen to it.
USB input does sound particularly fine.
My babiES...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01518.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01519.jpg
And the new kid on the block...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01516.jpg
It only arrived about an hour ago so have had it sat near(ish) to a radiator to help lift any residual condensation before plugging it in. Will report back soon...
You're very good at digging out the Sony ES amps Richard . I've looked quite a few times and they seem quite rare here. I eventually went for a Brio R and am very happy with it .Hope this one sounds as good as it looks mate.
Thanks Brian :)Quote:
Originally Posted by brian2957
This one came about from a thread started on Wigwam by Mike (MJ/Idlewithnodrive) asking for a good, used solid state amp. Faithless entered the thread saying he'd got a very clean 770ES up for sale - wasn't really suitable for Mike so I jumped on it. Rob (Hoops) has just got hold of one too. Typical ES 'brick outhouse' build, and it's got to be nigh on double the weight of the 670ES (hardly a featherweight itself at 12kg or so). It just about fits on the shelf in the rack but will watch how that goes because by all accounts these big'uns kick out a bit of heat.
Oh...couldn't wait any longer so just plugged it in 10 mins ago and played a couple of tracks. Back in a mo...
Interesting looking amps, Richard. Never heard those big black Sony boxes before :) Must sound very good!
Yes I must visit those other forums more . Problem is you need around 100 posts or so to use the services offered by them such as PMs and buying and selling . The 770ES looks like a beast of an amp BTW. Hope you're enjoying it mate.:)
Congrats ! By all accounts they are pure, neutral, effortless, unending power on tap.... IMO you have arrived at the point where you no longer need to think about amplifiers... Just sit back & enjoy ;)
Hi Richard. Looks very nice. I'm enjoying the Sony N55ES power amp in my system at the moment too. :)
Have you received the (new) PL-71 yet? :scratch:
Thanks chaps. :)
I'd like to think this could be the case James - would be good to get off the amplifier treadmill for a while. Saying that, I've had the 670ES for a year and never really felt the need for change (apart from the occasional 'I wonder if...' moments). :)Quote:
Originally Posted by istari_knight
The 770ES is doing what the 670 does - it's clean, pure, neither seeming to add nor subtract anything. The 770 just does it more - the picture is bigger, bass isn't greater in quantity but it kicks harder - a lot harder. I'm using the little Q 2010i's at the moment before they become part of a second system in the family room (with the 670ES at the helm).
Playing a couple of tracks off the Dave Weckl 'Transition' album there are a few bass lines where Tom Kennedy plays deep, fast riffs in parallel fifths. On previous amps, the interval was there but on the 770 it's a good deal more obvious, and there's less lag into the bargain. There's greater interaction between sounds/insturments but in a natural way. And yowzas this thing has some grunt - it's like sticking a Hayabusa motor in a moped. :D
Great stuff mate :):cool:
Nice one Bernie - glad the Sony's working out well. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Canetoad
Hopefully getting the PL71 next thursday. :)
It's awake...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01529.jpg
And in its new home - runs warm but seems to have enough breathing space above:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/DSC01527.jpg
I'm liking the 'spontaneous twin drive' - presumably this means it responds in real time on two channels, aka a stereo amplifier :)
Looks a nice bit of kit though.
Darn clever those Japanese chaps. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by RobHolt
Actually I believe it's something to do with the power supply in that no matter how much draw there is on the power side of the amp, the pre-stage will always receive its quota of electrimutical thingies.
<spot the bloke who didn't do a degree in sparky things> :D
Good old amp isnt it ;)
It ain't too shabby, that's for sure. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by hoopsontoast
To quote Sony's marketing literature:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
AFAIK most of the marketing terms for circuit designs are copyrighted as Accuphase had to purchase the license from Sony to use "Spontaneous Twin Drive" amongst other Sony "technologies" in the P-4100 which apparently is a race tuned Sony TA-N77ES.Quote:
"A proprietary Sony amplifier power supply technology which employs separate voltage rails for the driver & output stages. This methods provides greater headroom and helps prevent clipping"
As you say, clever chaps those Japanese but their marketing depts come up with some rubbish!
The "Gibraltar" chassis is quite an extravagent moniker - is it really solid as a rock??
Oh aye yeah - made from pure Sonyunobtanium 238 :DQuote:
Originally Posted by julesd68
Well, had the amp playing away for a few hours now and it's nicely warmed through. Thrown a fair few musical genres at it, from Vaughan Williams 3 to some Dave Weckl to Black Dyke and it's not put a foot wrong. It's just so unflappable, huge dynamic reserves both transient and musical (ie the ability to warm-up and cool-down a musical phrase). The track 'Tee Funk' off Dave Weckl's 'Heads Up' album has a great slow groove and the Sony gets real down & dirty with this - not quite heard this chart sound so driven before.
Had the ProAcs back on line for the last hour and whilst the 670ES sounded really good through them, the 770's waking them up big style. The last time they sounded this good they were on the end of my old Exposure IVDR. Proof that they thrive on lots of good ol'fashioned solid state power.
Some better pictures now I've got my decent camera working again...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...1/IMG_7425.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...IMG_7418_2.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...IMG_7437_2.jpg
Keeping things up to date...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps43ca8cdd.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pscd16895d.jpg
Cool looking deck. I envy your tidy rack, might sort mine out to look like that tomorrow.
Glad to see the PL71 back home?
Think so Dave - this one's in very nice cosmetic condition (which I suppose is often harder to remedy if tatty) but needs a couple of bits'n'bobs putting straight.Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
The armtube's very slightly twisted in its mating with the bearing assy (it can be released by undoing the small grubscrew underneath). Will get Johnnie to put it straight for me though. The arm bearings are in great shape though, no stiction that I can detect (it swings very sweetly) and no detectable play either.
The microswitch under the 33rpm button needs doing too but these are only a couple of quid. Just need to find the right part - I'm not good with electronic bits!!
Sonically this deck's ok - it's a bit wooly and lacklustre if I'm honest, doesn't have that satisfying balance of bite/warmth of the previous 71's I've owned. Could be having it sat up on the top of a heavy rack - I always used the good ol'Audiotech table which may end up being dragged out of the garage and dusted off for use. The sound's not helped by the Carbon having a slight channel imbalance - it centres-up better after half a side of an lp though; wonder if I've got a slightly duff one to be honest.
The Carbon majors on mid-bass to mid-midrange and above that it gets a little "safe" for some people. Fine and fantastic for £25, but I doubt it gives a 2M Blue any headaches.
I'd agree - it doesn't really like large-scale orchestral stuff, and heavily modulated piano music sends it running for cover too. On stuff like old Genesis lp's it sounds marvellous though - quite rich, but snappy and with lots of colour. For 25 quid it's a riot. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
Your rig is looking amazing Rich.
I'm just settling in with the Sony TA-F530ES, which is quite an amazing little (?) thing for what it cost TBH.
Doing a fantastic job with the Minskies; they've never sounded better :yay: