The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[Barry]

Does it really weigh 30kg!

And what has happened to the SPUGTE Marco?

[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!

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!

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

It's all still looking mega, Marco.

That totally enveloping sound is mega addictive isn't it?

Brilliant stuff.

[Marco]

nice dac that

Churz... The transport (or rather CDP I've turned into a transport) is none to shabby either, lol. I haven't posted any pics, as they came out way too dark. The player is black, with rosewood cheeks and sits right at the bottom of my rack, and yesterday the light was pretty bad, so here are a few pics from the web of ones exactly the same as mine:



More info here: http://www.thevintageknob.org/sony-CDP-X777ES.html

And here it is featured as part of a 'stack system':





What a collection of components, eh? Just pant-wettingly gorgeous!! All Sony ES, from the days when they put every ounce of their money and know-how into designing 'cost no object' equipment - and yes my X-777ES, shown third from the bottom, was part of that. I can't imagine what that system would've cost new!

But yes, in conjunction with my DAS-R1 DAC *really* does show what CD can do, and I suspect few have heard.

Marco.

[Marco]

It's all still looking mega, Marco.

That totally enveloping sound is mega addictive isn't it?

Brilliant stuff.

Hi Jo,

Cheers, yup. "Totally enveloping sound" is spot on. And yes, as you know, a big part of that comes from the sheer effortlessness of the copper amp/Lockwoods combo!

But, that's also what this SC35C cartridge is doing on my T/T, and making listening to vinyl more of a joy than ever... You know that feeling when you put on record after record, good recording or bad, and just simply sit back and relax into the music, knowing that the sound will always remain solid and stable and never 'break up'? Well, that's what I'm getting.

And that sense of consummate 'assuredness' just makes you want to rifle through all your records, regardless, rather than selecting ones that you know will sound good, which for me is what it's all about, and not always easily achieved!

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Yo Robbie,







Marco.

Sorry Marcy boy, been up to mi pretty little neck in work - soz man.

Yeah, SP10, serviced and fine tuned by Angus,

It's a lovely thing. Doesn't have a sound if i am totally honest which is how it should be.

What you get is the perfect platform for which to showcase your cart/system, so neutrality in itself and of course that thing that really matters to you and I which is pin point timing - The music drives along with such great rhythm, pace and timing.

When I have nailed the cart/set up sweet-spot, I can only describe it is as the sheer delight of '*accurate' vinyl replay. *accurate as in the only true sense we can evaluate/determine which is when you here the individuality of each track, album, recording.... when your system resolves what is being played, properly...

That's probably the best way I can put it

[Marco]

Nice one. Yeah, I know *exactly* what you mean, as it's fundamentally how any well-sorted direct-drive T/T reproduces music!

So how would you say your SP10 (which arm and cartridge do you have on it, and also plinth?) compares in that respect, and musically overall, with your heavily-modded Techy, which I think was pretty much identical to mine, certainly in terms of the MN bearing/base plate, ETP platter and all the Paul Hynes stuff?

We'll need to have a little shoot-out/bake-off when this Covid shite is over!

Marco.

[AJSki2fly]

A great looking system Marco, bet it sounds great.

[DarrenHW]

Yo Dazza,

Howzit hangin'? Was going to give you a bell for a catch up, so you've save me the bother!

We're both fine - glad to know that you still have a pulse... Think we were watching a movie together last time just before the world went mad!

Defo pop round and we'll have a proper catch up. How's the new gaff doing - got it how you want it yet? Any changes to your system since I was there? It was sounding good then

Marco.

Hanging?? In this heat it's all generally stuck to the side of my leg! Eff'd up weather aside I'm good thanks.

Apart from the addition of a 4K disc spinner / streamer (which is a considerable step up) the only real change to the system was something you could hear last time you were round. Namely, reattaching the broken solder on a cap to the tweeter, I must have broken it in my rush to get everything in place! It certainly offers an explanation as to why you could hear the balance was off.

Electrical and networking should be sorted in the next couple of weeks, then all I've really got to do is install a screen and wait for the dark nights to roll in.

Nothings happened in the listening room, it's all still in storage, been making the most of the weather, even though I don't really like it.

I'll be in touch.

[Wakefield Turntables]

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!

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!

Marco.

Funny your using the SC35C I thought you'd stick with your SPU. Funnily enough I'm in the middle of modding my SC35C with a JICO top end jobbie. I've plonked it into a aluminium body and magnesium headshell. I'm still waiting for a few parts. I'll be trying it out on my 401.