Gromit's music centre...

[Gromit]

So how's it sounding 'as is', Richard, and what are your plans for it?

Marco.

Hi Marco - no massive plans at the moment, although I'm going for the psu first as I know from previous experience that gets one of the major building blocks in place. Then it'll be the bearing before the arm gets changed - in fact wil probably do a few other things before doing the arm. Saying that, I've a brand new PL71 arm which I got a couple of weeks ago (couldn't believe my luck on that one!) which might be put into use on the 1210.

How does it sound? At first it was awful - really. Splashy, coarse, muddled and just rather uninspiring. So, on went the Pioneer mat - a bit better - then I found some Sorbothane-like 'blobs' which I cannibalised out of a pair of old Royd speakers I had years ago. In the Royds, these act as dampers which are wedged between the magnet of the bass driver and the rear panel of the cabinet. Sliced them up into 1.5" discs and have put them under each corner of the Audiotech shelf I've got the Tecchy sat on. Tried them under the TT's feet but it's a bit wobbly for comfort.

Result?

Hard to understimate what this has done - it's tidied the sound up no end. It's gained focus, bass is no longer slow and overblown, and music has gained some direction. Not too dissimilar to doing the psu thing. If this, for now, saves me forking out for Isonoes (or something of their ilk) then it'll be a major bonus.

Am investigating the Vantage Audio bearing next - knowing that Richard's a wizard with DD's (and citing the fabulous job he did on Theo's L07D he clearly knows his stuff) I think it'd be interesting to get his slant on things.

[Theo]

Hey Richard - I thought you were cutting down on turntables?

Richard at Vantage does indeed has some interesting thoughts regarding the Technics: it's worth having a chat with him (if you haven't alrteady done so).

[Theo]

No agenda, and please don't take it the wrong way, but I do have a hunch that you could do a lot better than an Incatech these days

That's intersting Dave - I've heard Richard's system and it sounds wonderful and lacks for nothing: it cetainly has synergy. What would you be recommending that would be substantially better?

[Gromit]

No agenda, and please don't take it the wrong way, but I do have a hunch that you could do a lot better than an Incatech these days

At what cost though? I'd be very surprised if there was an integrated ampplifer for less than £1.5k which would significantly better the Claymore, especially bearing in mind its superb phonostage, which itself gave a Dyna P75 a good enough run for its money to make it not worth me keeping.

The only real criticism I can level at the Claymore is that it does have quite a ripe bottom end (ooer), otherwise it's an unerringly musical, and muscular little amp. The 'downgrade' I had from my old Exposure XXI/Super XVIII's to the Claymore was nowhere near as large as I feared it would be.

Couple more, better quality pics...

[Rare Bird]

I like your living room Rich very cosey looking

[DSJR]

Thanks for your considered reply Richard. I stand corrected..

[Gromit]

I like your living room Rich very cosey looking

Thank you Andre - it's not a bad little place to listen to music in, and now that we have a separate 'family' room (where the tv/Wii/Blu-Ray etc lives) this room is now pretty much used exclusively for music. Another bonus is that the nearest neighbours are about 50 yds away means I can play it as loud as I like.

[Gromit]

Just been having a play with Mrs Gromit's new camera (she'll get to use it eventually)

[Marco]

Nice pic, Richard, as usual... So how are you getting on now with the Techy - got a new mat sorted out yet?

Marco.

[Gromit]

Hi Marco - the Tecchy's sounding very sweet.

Sadly the Isonoes didn't really work out, something really odd going on there but clearly in my rig they really weren't the silver bullet. Still, we move on and Richard at Vantage is sending me a modded bearing and his own 'Tecchy feet' to try out. Fun times! And let's face it, that's what matters.

Mat-wise, the PL71's mat is still in place but it's going soon as Jerry's having the Pioneer off me. Will be back to the Achro and out with the grease again....ooh eeer....