Originally Posted by
Marco
Just under, Barry. I think the last time it was weighed, it rolled in at 28.7kg... It's got multiple MASSIVE PSUs inside (individually regulated), which are large enough to grace most amplifiers! But that's one of the main reasons why it sounds so good.
I'm a great believer in quality (properly implemented) over-specced, fully-regulated, linear PSUs powering almost any piece of hi-fi equipment (digital or analogue), as opposed to something inferior, as for me it always produces the goods:)
The SPU was sold a long time ago, as it was somewhat of a superfluous luxury, and really best suited to jazz and classical music, which it positively excelled with. I need more of an 'all-rounder', so it went for a good price to someone who will appreciate it.
Also, and this doesn't apply to the SPU, but I'm just not really into very expensive MC cartridges, especially modern ones, as to my ears the vast majority of them disappoint and lack 'a certain something' that the best vintage ones deliver in spades, and also dislike the fear of snapping off a cantilever or damaging the stylus, when a replacement would be so expensive!:eek:
I'm much more into using cartridges that sound fantastic for the money (offer high SPPV), especially when sympathetically partnered and meticulously set-up on a good arm and T/T, and which are also relatively 'disposable', should the worst happen... Plus, and this is also key, my ears seem to be attuned to the sound of cartridges used for broadcasting purposes, and that's why I've always stuck with some form of Denon DL-103, and also why this Shure SC35C is hitting the spot.
You won't believe how good I've got this one sounding, having now 'nailed' how it likes being used [no amount of mass is too much mass, well, kind of], and having heard the HUGE difference a NOS Shure stylus makes to the sound of this cartridge. To be brutally honest, the sound I'm getting now from the Shure is arguably better than any SPU I've had, and for a mere fraction of the price... I kid you not!
The sheer 'fun/boogie factor' and rock-solid stability it delivers, in terms of never distorting or breaking up, no matter how demanding the music, the 'physicality' of the bass, beautifully open and fluid midrange and (surprisingly for a conical-tipped MM) sparkly and detailed highs (achieved as a result of the 0.6mm NOS stylus - the newer Shure ones are 0.7mm, which makes all the difference), I've rarely heard from almost ANY cartridge, never mind one that, until it was recently discontinued, sold for £60!!!
However, of course, I've shelled out for a NOS body and three NOS styli, which should see me out, and cost a few quid, but nothing like the investment required for a high-end MC. That said, at some point I would like to try to get an EMT XSD-15 working optimally on my arm, as that ticks the box in terms of having the requisite broadcasting heritage and associated rock-solid 'radio-friendly sound' that I love, so watch this space!:cool:
Marco.
