Looks very nice, the Ace looks to have nice square sides for alignment 'ease' to;).
How'd you go on with the Rega Carbon, any further thoughts on it now you had it for a while?
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Looks very nice, the Ace looks to have nice square sides for alignment 'ease' to;).
How'd you go on with the Rega Carbon, any further thoughts on it now you had it for a while?
Another one to play with - Zu-bodied 103 with Paratrace stylus/sapphire cantilever...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/8...b38638a1_b.jpg
The world's most un-photogenic cartridge? :D
Sonically? Reminds me of a Decca - full on, dynamic pyrotechnics.
Rob - I don't use the Carbon very much (reckon it's only done 30-40 hours as it is) but it's handy as a back up if needed. Good little cartridge though, not exactly couth but loads of fun and what it does wrong (a mite harsh, congested on heavy material) doesn't really bother me too much. Not at 25 quid at any rate. :)
Yep, that's what I love about it. It's a bit 'uncouth' in comparison to my Cadenza Blue, and not as holographic, but its bloody good fun :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
This is the only decent shot I ever managed:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...7/DSCF3131.jpg
Not quite your standard :D
It's a difficult cartridge to photograph, Theo - just an ally 'box'. Mind you, it doesn't half sound good! All the 103 stuff present and correct (ballsy, full-fat tonalities, fun etc etc) but with a nice clean top end which actually manages to properly differentiate between the different cymbals of a drumkit rather than making them slightly samey.
Great fun - in fact I think I may just have found (thanks to you - again!) my next cartridge when the Benz wears out. Works a treat in the PL71's arm. :)
Another TT pick, this time using the DSLR (the close ups were with Mrs Gromit's Sony compact)...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...5859b923_b.jpg
Great photos Richard!
I've read every page of your "Odyssey" and you've had some utterly blinding systems. I'd be interested in which systems have really stood out or you. I'm particularly envious of the Exposure and NVA amp combos you've had. It's been a real pleasure to read. I wish I'd kept a similar record to look back on.
Hi Andrew - you're very kind. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew B
Well done for reading through it all, surprised you're still awake. :D Seriously, I daren't go back through all of it! Had some good fun though - some real high points, some not so great. All to be learnt from though. :)
Cartridge heaven there, Richard... All you need now is to revisit an SPU! ;)
Marco.
Well, never say never, that's what I always say. :eyebrows:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
You loved the last one, when you had it, I believe.... :)
Marco.
Certainly did - a really lovely thing. Only reason it went (along with a fair few other bits) was that we were gathering as much funds as possible for the new house. Now we're settled (and the music room is built and piano in place ie the 'big' purchases are done) it's time to start building things up again - but nice and slow this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Have to say though, the Benz into the Sony's MC stage (yes really!) has been a most pleasant surprise. The Benz doesn't go shouting its presence from the rooftops - yes it does do dynamics, but strings together musical shapes most satisfyingly. It sounds dull on first listening but like a good 103, everything's there with no artificially impressive edge to spoil the plot.
Well I'll be blowed - I'd written off the Sony amp's MC phonostage as 'just a switch to make an MC cartridge louder' but I was wrong.
Had a friend over on saturday and we spent a good hour or two comparing the (already very good) Dino/+ on all its settings and came to the conclusion that whilst yes, the Dino does have a slightly more cleanliness to its sound, it does strip tonality from the music. It also has this habit (and is something I found years ago when I had my own Dino vs the MC stage in my Exposure Super XV) of chopping musical lines up into vertical moments, rather than maintaining the horizontal strings - think of long-chain molecules vs single atoms floating around in the ether. The Sony is more dynamic, nimble, gutsier, and plays music with blood running through its veins. :)
Could the 770ES be one of my biggest 'finds' in recent years? Entirely possible. Huge thanks to those (Hoops, Cjr, John - the mad Latvian) who put me on to this kit.
Richard, the 770ES is an probably an excellent match for the low output MCs like the DL-103, preferred the 670ES Phonostage to the Rotel RQ-970BX and Heed Questar MC.
I think it was John and Tommy (WeeTam) who put me onto the 770ES in the firstplace, cant remember who I bought my first one off!
Doesn't surprise me Rob - I'm running the Benz ACE SL into the 770's stage and it sounds fabulous on the 400 ohm setting. It just sparkles with life.Quote:
Originally Posted by hoopsontoast
When I swapped to low-output MC carts (funnily enough the DL-103 as well) I sold my Dino+ solely because the cart sounded better through my ..........................????????? - 670ES phono stage, so there is obviously a sweet synergy going on.
A very kind member of PFM has sent me this little beauty to try...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/8...57980e38_b.jpg
A Mayware T-24 step-up transformer. Very rare it would appear, but from what I'm reading on the www it was a very highly respected SUT in its day. The good news so far is that it is very quiet - no hum, even with the volume cranked up waaaaaay beyond what I would listen. Plenty of gain aswell so it would appear to suit the Benz well.
Got it running into the Sony's MM stage - will report back later when I've had some time to listen to it. :)
That's a lovely pic Richard :)
Thanks Dave - amazing how buying a new lens re-awakens an interest in photography. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by synsei
What lens / camera combo Richard?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Canon EOS 40D (my old faithful) with Canon 17-40 F4L lens.Quote:
Originally Posted by julesd68
I'm now hooked on L-Series glass, could get expensive. :doh:
Very nice indeed!
Great to have a high quality 'walkabout' lens. I'm a Nikon man and used to have the 18-200 VR but was never very happy with the results - since I mainly take portraits I went back to my 50mm 1.8 and it's permanently attached now - unbeatable at pocket money prices ...
Getting a full-frame 50mm seems to be a really good way of doing things these days. The guys in our local camera shop (LCE in Lincoln) have been really helpful, and always recommend owners of cropped sensor cameras to have a 50mm prime in their bag. And for the price they go for - as you say at pocketmoney prices - what's not to like? Not sure on Nikon prices but it's possible to get a brand new Canon 50mm/1.8 for less than 80 quid and it's a fabulous lens. Seems almost daft not to. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by julesd68
I was always a Nikon man before going digital and still weep when I think how much I sold the gear for. :(
Yes, I think my Nikon was 80 quid - plastic and Made in China - but who cares when the optics are so good!!
Ah well, just for the hell of it, and because I love My (not so) Little Sony...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/8...8248b597_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8411/8...bdbdc771_b.jpg
They need heavier four column stands - your ProAc Super Tablette's - to get the best from them. The Target ones made for them is ideal. I still own a pair my first hifi speakers and I won't part with them fabulous imagery etc.
Regards Neil
Strangely enough, I tried them many years years ago (a friend has them under his 1SC's) but preferred the 2-pillar. The 4-pillars made them sound more hifi to me and sucked the bounce and life from the speakers. They did supply more bottom end heft though, which I will admit is something the Supertabs need all the help they can get. Saying that, these 2-pillar ones (these were made by Target for the Tablettes too - can't remember the model desig though) still weigh itro 15kg at a guess, being filled with a mixture of Atabites and sand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L
Fair enough different set up system etc. I never got to try the two column version, might have been better I will never know now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Regards Neil
Shame you're not at all local - would be interesting to do the comparison now. Don't think I'll ever sell my wee ProAcs either, especially as we've had them in the family since 1993 (I bought them off a friend when they were less than 2 years old). My dad had them for 5 years or so, but I nabbed them back a few months ago. Wonderful little things, they don't suffer fools in terms of what they're fed with, but when all's well they're a joy. Still not owned a speaker before or since which is so good on vocals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L
They could do with new tweeters - not because they've been hammered (far from it) but one of them got slightly pushed in some time ago. Think my dad was moving them and his thumb went into it with the grille in place. It popped out no problem but there are the tiniest pair of creases as evidence (you have to get v close to see it). Sonically there is no detriment that I can detect - even down to getting someone to swap the speakers over with each of us taking it turns to listen 'blind'. Cured my paranoia in one swoop, thankfully. The tweeters are readily available, and Falcon Acoustics will even search out a matched pair. :)
Yes it would have been interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
I agree with everything you say about them and I won't part with mine either. The foam surrounding the tweeters has started to go on mine but everything else is sound.
I recall when the replacement version came out Proac had killed what was excellent with the version you and I have. The Mini Tower, Super Tower and EBT are also very good, from in and around the same time period.
Regards Neil
Agreed Neil - it seemed ProAc, in their 'wisdom' got obsessive about making the Tablettes larger and larger, and ended up with a speaker that was totally alien to the original and completely lost the plot. Then they went back to the original dimensions with the Ref 8. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L
Yup, the tweeter foam on one of mine has gone (I ended up removing it all when it became an eyesore) and the other is just about hanging in there. ProAc will sell you a new foam for something like £40 - each. A brand new Scanspeak D2010 tweeter only costs around 50 quid.
Not heard the Towers, unfortunately.
Having fun with my new ultra-wide...
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/9...37a36691_b.jpg
I think you and Mika are in competition!
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
I think we both just enjoy taking photographs. :)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/9...3ee3625d_b.jpg
Gromit,
I still own the lovely Grado SR80 headphones. Do you know some headphone amps that works well with the SR80? I listen to all types of music :)
I just use mine off my Sony amp - they sound fine, although living where we are now I don't use headphones much at all now. Maybe best to start a separate thread for suggestions?Quote:
Originally Posted by southall-1998
Yes the defect doesn't have to be big when it's between the ears :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Well, I applaud you both for your wonderful photography. Please keep posting more!
Richard, I heard your Techie at the Scalford-before-last show. How do you find the Pioneer in comparison?
Hard to say, Martin. It was a fair while ago. My Tecchy wasn't overly modded (TS HE psu/Vantage bearing & feet/KAB damper/Sumiko shell/Achromat) but I do seem to remember the Pioneer was on a similar level. The deck that beat both of them though was the Sony PS-6750. Doing a very brief comparison on the day, everyone else in the room came to the same conclusion, in fact it was a major and unexpected eye-opener. Should add the Sony wasn't even set up optimally - the cartridge was just balanced out, no re-alignment at all. Shame it had an earthing problem which I fixed on getting the deck home.Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
If a good 6750 came up now I'd sell the PL71 in a heartbeat.
Yup, the best Sony D/Ds are strangely not mentioned much. Experience tells me, that when Sony (figuratively speaking), sat back and said: 'right, we're going make this as good as we possibly can', the results were invariably stunning. The only problem with these types of T/Ts is availablity of spare parts, should anything major go pop. That's really the main reason (SQ aside) why the Techy is so popular: they can always be fixed, if necessary!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
A bit more Jap Crap...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/9...c998d0a9_b.jpg
Photo taken from 4m away. :)
I know what you mean - I've always felt the same about it's bigger brother the 8750 and if one of those came up in top order I'd be madly tempted :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Whoooaah!... What kind of lens is that.. Superb quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Hi Joe - it's with a Tamron SP 70-300. Just bought it fairly recently, and I'm chuffed to bits with it. Spent a couple of hours testing it prior to purchase and once stopped down it was easily a match for the equivalent Canon L-Series glass. For a third of the price. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Adder
Great quality for a zoom lens of that range, Richard.
must resist... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Macro-1-2-...645#vi-content
lol...
That's a slightly different lens Joe - mine's the SP version with the VC (vibration control) mechanism. For £1 under 300 quid though it's something of a bargain. Comes with a 5 yr warranty too. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Adder
Not sure that version is available for a Sony body though...
How much for a wee bit of foam to surround the tweeter :eek: - rip off there. £80 seems crazy, we are not talking about a new drive unit just the defraction cancelling foam.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Regards Neil