Progression?

[Marco]

Hi Dave,

I have a museum antique system not of the top tier, but have heard enough decent pro grade sources and owned good monitors, as well as heard plenty of live acoustic music to realise that most "nice sounding" valve-n-vinyl systems are way, way short of reality.

I completely agree... That's why one should own a valve-n-vinyl system which only sounds "nice" when the recording does, and 'nasty' when it doesn't!

I think I've heard a system just like that a few times....oh yes, it's mine!



Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Can't comment on the Rubycon caps yet (thanks again Alex - looking forward to getting them)

Posted 1st class this morning so hopefully be with you tomorrow

Unfortunately my knowledge of messing with the internals of Hi-Fi is non existant. I buy, I listen, I do not mess with things I know nothing about. Many thanks for the advice though.

Neither did I, until yesterday! Remove the case cover (4 screws) no soldering needed - simply remove a board, (needed to scrape off a little glue, but that was it) trim and bend the legs on two caps and install - don't even need to worry about polarity with the Rubycons. 5 minute job, and I'm a ham-fisted buffoon (my nick-name is Mr Clunky...) My hifi modding virginity gone, and a MUCH better sounding Caiman. Go on... you know you want to really...

[John]

Neither did mine compared to my Garrard 401 until yesterday. Four words for you Shaun - Caiman passive output mod (unless you've already done it?) If you only need the line out and not the headphone socket then do it per AndrewR's post #117 - best couple of quid you will EVER spend on your hifi - the improvements are not to be underestimated! (Rubycon caps from Tirna here)

Whats great about the DAC upgrades are the cost to performance ratio, but if you ever decide to max out the 401 their is a lot more to come, but not cheap

[John]

Unfortunately my knowledge of messing with the internals of Hi-Fi is non existant. I buy, I listen, I do not mess with things I know nothing about. Many thanks for the advice though.

Shaun it be wrth asking one of the moders if they do it for you as it seems this upgrade is really worth it I found people to be really helpful

[Alex_UK]

Whats great about the DAC upgrades are the cost to performance ratio, but if you ever decide to max out the 401 their is a lot more to come, but not cheap

It will happen, one day! (I know, been saying that for over a year, but at least I've made some progress.) I think in a nutshell, that's one of the biggest differences - you get much more "bang for your buck" with digital - because vinyl is still largely a mechanical format, engineering is always going to be more costly than chips (generalising, I know, but true, IMO.)

[John]

I'm perhaps not the right sort of person to post in this thread (and even here these days???), but I ought to say this from my experiences and current perspective...

Of course you are

As for vintage vs modern domestic playback gear, I think the biggest changes have been in the setup of the equipment. New plinths and supports have improved old classic turntables no end.

Totally agree I would also add power supplies too! Cables and wires are better these days too and thank heavens a little bit of decent provable science is coming back outside of the loopy "Audiophool" arena, which is a standing joke amongst "everyone else" in the recording industry.

Anyway, the next generation won't know what to do with either an LP spinner or a CD, as everything will be downloaded or licensed a la Spotify I think. We're just a bunch of ageing men living in the past and looking back with a false sense of nostalgia I reckon...

I say just enjoy the music and who cares how we seen

[John]

I also think one of the other big changes is the use of clean power such as Filters, Reginarted mains, Balanced mains and good Earthing. James Heriot was telling me most studios now use balanced mains whilst I acknowledge that in some systems it seems to make little difference I reckon for most of us it has made a big impact to the quality of the sound

[DSJR]

I don't own anything that could use a balanced mains properly - I think... We are blessed with good mains here though and I use high current filters on my sources anyway (except the tuner and that is totally dependant on the quality of the radio stations)

[Ali Tait]

Shaun it be wrth asking one of the moders if they do it for you as it seems this upgrade is really worth it I found people to be really helpful

Sure,no problem,if you want to send me the dac and caps I'll do the mod for you Shaun.

[Reid Malenfant]

<snip> Celestion Ditton 66's and IMF's from the 70's. These are still good speakers if set up right and the bass quality of these comes into it's own on a decent digital source.

I'll agree there as i have a pair of Ditton 66s' myself The bass they can put out as well as the depth they can reproduce has to be heard to be believed

However they could be vastly better as frankly the enclosures are to put it mildly crap compared to a more modern design with thicker wood & decent bracing.

Honestly they sound so damn hollow when rapping on the enclosure it's almost sinful