Seems your are getting there Martin. I'll bet a recap on the IMFs will work wonders.
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Seems your are getting there Martin. I'll bet a recap on the IMFs will work wonders.
It will be interesting to hear them working properly. The existing caps were quite far off spec, not surprising for 40+ year-old speakers. Although the caps in the Akais, also 40 plus, were still within tolerance. Japanese engineering triumphs again.
I think the IMFs will be stunning Geoff when they are recapped.
There are 3 off 6uF caps on each crossover. I didn't test them all but one measured 4.3uF and another 2.1uF :eek:, never mind any change in ESR.
Glad you're pleased with the results, mate. I thought your T/T was sounding really nice at the end. Basically, the VPI stainless steel cartridge stabiliser (see here: http://www.analogueseduction.net/hea...ll-weight.html ) I fitted to the headshell did two things:
1) Provided more range of VTA adjustment for your tonearm, thus negating the need to use two mats, which sonically is never a good idea. This in turn allowed the Achromat, unhindered, to perform as it should.
2) Ensured a superior mechanical 'termination' between the cartridge and headshell, which in my experience always provides sonic dividends.
That made quite a difference, as did levelling the turntable and aligning the cartridge properly, fixing it to the headshell solidly with non-magnetic Allen bolts and nuts, along with cleaning all signal contacts, on both the cartridge and headshell, with SRM-Tech 'Contact Z'. The stylus was also given a good clean with Audio Technica AT-607 stylus cleaning fluid.
I also fitted an 'IanMac' (he, on AoS, of the modified Technics bearing fame) copper washer to the bayonet housing of your (new) Ortofon SH-4 headshell, which provided some valuable decoupling. Then of course the arm was balanced and set up properly, headshell azimuth was correctly adjusted, and optimum VTF and anti-skate dialled in. Then I fitted the Nagaoka record weight.
Lastly, I applied some SRM-Tech Arezzo Reference anti-static 'platter fluid' to the Achromat, which I've had good results with, see here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SRM-TECH-A...25.m3641.l6368
The cumulative effect of all of that was, as you say, significant. It just goes to show how important correct set up is to the performance of a T/T... I think Alan was also quite surprised at the results! I was also rather shocked at how much difference the Nagaoka record clamp made, which was quite unexpected!! :eek:
Anyway, that little Nagaoka MP50 cartridge (with MP500 stylus) is very good indeed. I was very impressed by it, once we got it 'singing'. It would take a significant investment in an MC cartridge to beat it. You just a better arm now, to get the most from it ;)
Oh, and get yourself a set of Isonoe feet, for your Techy, as they'd be a no-brainer upgrade from the stock ones, which do nothing suitable for hi-fi purposes. Black or silver ones available here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Isonoe-Aud...item35f9b84d43
Yup, that was an interesting discovery, and showed exactly why the IMFs were so 'sucked out' in the midrange and had no presence or 'life'. New caps will of course transform them, however, as discussed, I suspect that, even then, they won't do what the Akais do so well: create that uncanny sense of realism, as if you have musicians playing in front of you, as opposed to merely a recording of such.Quote:
MF speakers diagnosed with dodgy capacitors and wonky speaker terminals on Akai speakers fixed, much thanks to Alan (Firebottle).
For me, all that's lacking with the Akais is correct placement: somewhere on proper stands, the latter which allow the bass to provide a proper foundation for the rest of the frequency range, and that gives the Akais some much needed wall reinforcement, in order to accurately develop realistic bass frequencies. That done, they would be stunning!
Anyway, the sound you've got going on now (with the Akais in the equation), certainly from your T/T, is far from broken, and should allow you to enjoy music until such time as you fix the IMFs, and decide where to go on the speaker front. So get cleaning and playing that pile of vinyl you've had sitting there for ages, and enjoy the music :cool:
No, but some moaning old git knocked on my window, just as I was about to set off, and complained that I was in a 'residents only' parking space. However, based on what you'd mentioned to me earlier, I told him that if he wasn't defrauding the benefits system, he wouldn't have needed a fooking parking space, which seemed to shut him up! :lol:Quote:
We even had time to listen to some music and thankfully no-one got a parking ticket.
;) [Only kidding, btw].
Marco.
Hehehehe..... Moi can be a naughtee big daftee sometimes :eyebrows:
This record weight used was this one: http://www.analogueseduction.net/rec...rd-weight.html
Marco.
Nice little things those.. Just about the weight of a record
This is what you really need, I have used one and they are excellent.
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7677-vp...er-weight.aspx
How heavy is it, Jim, in terms of grams? You have to be careful, as some bearings (and suspended T/Ts) don't like high-mass weights...
Marco.
Most normal streets would be denuded of cars at midday on a Monday but not mine. I'm surprised Alan and Marco could find any space to park at all.
The record clamp is interesting as I have not previously been a fan of them but the difference it made when playing the Isaac Hayes' version of 'Fever' was quite significant, without it the bass line lost a bit of pep and propulsion and that affected the whole 'groove' of the tune and consequently the amount of enjoyment derived from listening to it.
I've kept it to experiment further as I'm not yet convinced that it is beneficial to every recording, but that will take a fair bit of time to assess.
The duff caps in the IMFs certainly explain that slight 'sounds of the '70s' feel that they have no matter what is played. Clearly they are a very high quality loudspeaker but they are just being hamstrung at the moment.
Marco's tweaks to the deck have advanced the SQ quite considerably, even though there were no expensive mods or changes made. Nevertheless you would not think it was even the same deck as previously, nor would a 'DJ deck' detractor think for a minute that it was essentially a stock SL1200 they were listening to; the 'balaclava effect' is no more.
So big thanks to Alan and Marco for taking the time out to come over and help me out; I owe you both a drink. :)