The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[DarrenHW]

Hi Darren,

What about the fact that the 306 has a sensitivity of 375mA, and therefore is more sensitive than the 405s, won't that be an issue, or is the difference not large enough to worry about?

Marco.

I think the difference between the 306 and your copper amp is negligible, but as you know I'm far from an expert in these matters.

I seem to remember I made a pretty significant jump on the 405 (possibly .5V to 1.5V), but that's just a guess and also with no knowledge of the gain on my Croft which is an old model I bought second hand. Before I made the change to the 405, the volume pot on the Croft was all or nothing within ~1/8 of a turn, but I remember that being a common complaint of the new edition Micro 25 (3-4 years ago), didn't Ken (Qwinn) commission a zero gain 25 for this reason? It wasn't just that it made the volume pot useable though, everything sounded so much better I remember saying to you at the time that it was like have a new amp, the difference was that significant.

From all the input from folk far more knowledgeable than me, I think my issue was local and you'll be fine.

[struth]

125ma shouldn't be an issue Marco

[Marco]

Cheers, guys. Good stuff. I shall report in full when she lands! Just got notification to say it's been shipped

Marco.

[Marco]

Well, the cartridge and SUT landed on Wednesday and I've been really enjoying both since! The 103GL in particular is everything I'd hoped it would be, and sounds simply STUNNING!

More on that later, including a review of my full impressions... In the meantime. some pics of her in my Denon PCL-300 headshell, fitted with Kondo SL-115 solid-silver headshell leads, and in situ on my T/T, after having just fitted it with the Houdini:









New Funk Firm APM Achromat (double-layered with a glass base, and which retails for £170). More on that in the forthcoming separate review):







More to follow shortly!

Marco.

[prestonchipfryer]

Well, the cartridge and SUT landed on Wednesday and I've been really enjoying both since! The 103GL in particular is everything I'd hoped it would be, and sounds simply STUNNING!

More on that later, including a review of my full impressions... In the meantime. some pics of her in my Denon PCL-300 headshell, fitted with Kondo solid-silver headshell leads, and in situ on my T/T, after having just fitted it with the Houdini:













More to follow shortly!

Marco.

Great pictures show clearly how it fits.

[Marco]

Cheers, mate. That was my intention, to show some nice clear shots in good light, illustrating its correct fitment.

It's piss-easy to do, when you know how and have practiced a few times, but as with anything else, rewards you with *meticulous* attention to detail, in terms of its set up, and also optimising the installation of the cartridge, ensuring that azimuth and VTA are SPOT ON

The Houdini is a genius invention from Arthur, and ably transforms the performance of every cartridge attached. I think that I'll paint the nylon screws black though, to make them less obvious!

Marco.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Proper analogue porn well done Marco!

[Marco]

Cheers, dude. Btw, the Kondo leads are superb - best I've heard by a mile!

Marco.

[struth]

looking good mate... enjoy your tunes. good to see you with main system running again.

[Marco]

Cheers, mate. It's certainly keeping me occupied!

Marco.