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Just to echo Colin's endorsement, Analogue Seduction have always been great when I've ordered from them, and always quick and knowledgeable when I've asked questions so order your Achromat (or whatever else, from their extensive range) with confidence.Quote:
Originally Posted by colinB
I've received my Achromat from Analogue Seduction - excellent service as noted elsewhere. Stand by for preliminary feedback tonight :)
Looking forward to it, Martin!
Just one small tip: the Achromat works best when 'bonded' as closely to the platter as possible, so for best results use some double-sided tape underneath it and press the mat down firmly, smoothing it down onto the platter.
You'll still be able to get the mat off when you need to; it'll just require a bit more effort :)
Don't forget also to readjust VTA (and therefore VTF), as there is a difference in thickness between the Achromat and Sound Hi-Fi mat.
Marco.
I played some music last night, switching between the Herbies and Achromat mats. This is where the easy VTA adjustment of the Dynavector arm comes into its own. Arm height has to go up some 1.3mm to accommodate the 5mm Achromat compared with the 3.7mm Herbies. From my notes:
The needle drop into the groove is more of a fine click than a clunk. I immediately notice more depth to the soundstage, the first time I've heard the lightly applied reverb on Joan Armatrading's voice in Love and Affection. There is more air and discernible fine detail. The overall sound is spread wider and deeper but yet the focus on individual instruments is more apparent. I am hearing more lipping on voice, breathing and small cues that make the recording vivid and life-like.
The obvious studio setting of The Eagles' Hotel California and stark silence when the singing stops mid-song are clear.
Keith Richards creates a fine ensemble sound in Talk is Cheap and, again, tiny cues make it sound more realistic. The power of his guitar comes out and hits you at times.
Gordon Giltrap's Fear of the Dark can tend towards a raucous sound if not properly tamed, yet the transparency and dynamics are stunning. The Achromat reproduces this recording with huge presence but not harshness.
Steely Dan's Gaucho plays with even tighter drumming and every last detail presented leaving you wondering if there can be any more revelations on a recording that just gets better every time I improve my system.
No change to the frequency balance but something is going on in the bass. Not fuller, but more definition. The notes being played in Jeff Buckley's opener on Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk are so easy to hear. I am not finding a midrange accentuation as does Marco, possibly because I am already running Mike New's excellent platter.
Surface noise, already low in my system, is incrementally lower or perhaps just less noticeable.
Arthur has done a fine job. An excellent upgrade for the Technics and great value for money.
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/Achromat.jpg
Looks great on the platter Martin too!
Excellent stuff, Martin - glad the Achromat is hitting the spot! :)
I agree with John... It's definitely more complimentary to your T/T, aesthetically, than the Sound Hi-Fi mat, further accentuating your T/T's rather sexy 'industrial chic'.
I think you're right, as one of the things I noticed when we were doing the platter comparison at your place was how muddled and 'confused' my deck sounded with music compared to yours (I was really shocked at this), as one of the best things the MN platter does is remove the midrange coloration causing this effect, imbued on the signal by the highly resonant nature of the stock platter.Quote:
I am not finding a midrange accentuation as does Marco, possibly because I am already running Mike New's excellent platter.
The Achromat makes the Sound Hi-Fi mat sound similarly musically 'confused' in the midrange, I believe by being the better impedance match with vinyl, and so consequently I'm hearing a percentage of the sonic benefits achieved by upgrading to the Mike New platter, which of course wouldn't be as readily apparent to you with having already fitted it.
It's all coming together nicely now, and when I obtain the customised version of the MN platter and bring it to yours for evaluation, I think that'll be the final icing on the cake for both of us (once you get your SR5-21), but of course I have to test the copper mat and Oyaide with the stock platter and Achromat first. I should be able to do this in the next couple of days.
As an aside, I know that I haven't got around yet to writing part 2 of the previous session we had, but I think it'd be a better idea to leave it and write a whole new report detailing our findings with the revised platter design and different mats, as ultimately this will now be more relevant to everyone concerned when deciding what way to go.
Do you agree? :cool:
Marco.
Sounds good to me, Marco. Bring on the next bake-off :)
Talk about making someone red in the face. Before you lot go too mad, and despite my being down with the lurgy that everyone I know seems to be suffering for weeks, a heartfelt thank you for your warm welcome to AoS.
Other than I might see some of you (and put faces-to-names-to-handles) this weekend at the Guildford show in Reading, snot a lot else I can add (sorry but couldn't resist).
To be perfectly honest, the way I am feeling don't be surprised if I don't stay the duration and my visits end up short lived.
Sod's law. nothing for 3 years and then a week before a show! I'm certainly not out to give it to anyone.
Don't even know what I'll be showing / demming.
On the cards are:
Saffire maybe with a 12" FXR II?
Ankhor Link with the Linn version of FXR II (and Keel with one fitted)
If anyone is going, any other thoughts?
Well back to my Ovaltine and day nurse.
Arthur
I could do with a day nurse ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by FunkArt
Martin , is that the SR5 PSU to the left of the Deck?
If it is ,its not as huge as i thought it would be.