The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[Marco]

Just fitted the Houdini to my solid-magnesium AT headshell and Shure SC35C (I had previously been evaluating it in a different headshell with my Denon DL-103):



Same [rather dramatic and significant] sonic improvement: lower noise-floor, less distortion, superior information retrieval, much clearer, detailed and MORE LIFELIKE sound [mainly due to subtle nuances in the music being made more apparent/given more intelligibility], thus rendering both instruments and voices as more convincing and realistic.

Overall, just MORE music!

Come on guys, get your orders in!

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I might be tempted to have a go at all of this. It all very much depends upon how much money I'm going to be spending in Holland!! I have some carts and a new PSU to pay for.

[Marco]

Sweeett !!

Robster, you need to get yourself a Houdini. Trust me, it'll do the same trick in your set up as it has in mine - and if you *really* want to hear what that CB can do!

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Marco,

Just a thought. Have you considered loosing the plastic outer casing to the SC35C? Many people claim this rings like a bell. I've done a similar experiment with my USA M55e and it worked a treat.

[Marco]

Yes, lol! That's my next upgrade: an aluminium body. Going to use this chap in the States: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal...s/182245529410

I've no doubt it'll be as successful as what many have done with the DL-103...

Glad you're considering a Houdini. I know it may seem like a lot of dosh 'for what it is', but what it is, *is* probably one of the most dramatic upgrades you will hear, facilitating the accurate reproduction of music on vinyl - I cannot stress this enough, and indeed don't say such things lightly.

So you need to judge its cost against the level of sonic improvement it brings, and in turn the enjoyment derived from listening to your music collection. In that respect, TBH, I've heard complete arm-upgrades do far less!!

Plus, I know that the full-production item will have the Funk logo at the front (which mine doesn't), and come with professionally designed, attractive and tactile packaging, plus a set-up jig, to aid with installation - all of which will make the purchase a bit more 'luxurious' and enhance the Houdini's overall pride of ownership

However, 'fripperies' aside, what shouldn't be forgotten is that the Houdini fundamentally (and very ably), addresses a hitherto unknown problem that, undetected, has plagued vinyl replay for years, and in time I predict will become a ubiquitous accessory for all serious vinyl and turntable enthusiasts, keen to extract the maximum information from the grooves of their favourite records .

Therefore, I can give this marvellous little device no higher praise. Quite honestly, it's one of the most exciting new discoveries to hit the enthusiast hi-fi turntable scene in years!

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Robster, you need to get yourself a Houdini. Trust me, it'll do the same trick in your set up as it has in mine - and if you *really* want to hear what that CB can do!

Marco.

Yep, noted. Certainly wouldn't dismiss trying it out one day, funds permitting

[Wakefield Turntables]

Here's my SC35C project from earlier on in the year.








Audiotechnica magnesium head shell.
Mexican SC35C (yep I know it's not a USA version)
Pulse Paradox aluminium headshell
Total weight including stylus and cartridge leads ~21-22g, it just about scrapes into being acceptable with respects to cartridge compliance and resonance.

I have no idea how it sounds. I'm still waiting for a new stylus and cartridge leads.

Here's the stylus I bought

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/ss35c-sas-b/


There are many replacement outer bodies for this cartridge made from lots of exotic wood. It might be a good idea to check some of the damping values at this website

https://qualia.webs.com/dampingfactor.htm

Should be fun!

[Marco]

Yep, noted. Certainly wouldn't dismiss trying it out one day, funds permitting

Nice one. Honesty, it'll be one of the best investments you'll ever make in the appreciation of your record collection!

Marco.

[Marco]

Here's my SC35C project from earlier on in the year.








Audiotechnica magnesium head shell.
Mexican SC35C (yep I know it's not a USA version)
Pulse Paradox aluminium headshell
Total weight including stylus and cartridge leads ~21-22g, it just about scrapes into being acceptable with respects to cartridge compliance and resonance.

I have no idea how it sounds. I'm still waiting for a new stylus and cartridge leads.

Here's the stylus I bought

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/ss35c-sas-b/


There are many replacement outer bodies for this cartridge made from lots of exotic wood. It might be a good idea to check some of the damping values at this website

https://qualia.webs.com/dampingfactor.htm

Should be fun!

Interesting stuff, Andy. Thanks for the links. I bet you're dying to hear how it sounds now

Enjoy the Jico, but as a contrast [even if simply for education purposes] I'd urge you to source a NOS [with white writing on the front] Shure stylus for your SC35C, as I think you'd be shocked and stunned at just how good it is!

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I'd urge you to source a NOS [with white writing on the front] Shure stylus for your SC35C, as I think you'd be shocked and stunned at just how good it is!

Marco.

Yep, I had a look last night, nowt much kickin' around. It's always really really cool just to see how far these old carts can be pushed and TBH with new headshells, leads, stylii they can go a long way and usually match or outperform today's offerings.