Could this be a 'giant-killing' tonearm cable?

[MikeMusic]

Hehehehe... No, it's actually rather more mundane. It simply stands for 'Stereo Pick-Up'

Here's an interesting article to read, giving the history of the (now) iconic Ortofon SPU: http://www.ortofon.com/about-ortofon...ert-gudmandsen

Marco.

Thanks. A long history

[MikeMusic]

I think much will be revealed, when I bring my T/T over to your place, by whether your current system 'likes' the sonic signature of a Techy, or not.

If not, then you've got a big decision to make, as accommodating it successfully will mean a near complete system change. If that's not the case, then things will be much simpler

I need to hear your system first, and most importantly, understand fully how you like recorded music to be reproduced (i.e. the sound you're seeking to achieve), before advising/helping you, as is necessary.

Marco.

Yes the comparison is the key
I was surprised listening to my system on Sunday how much I still liked it.
I can take change to get more music.
If the 2 sound *different* rather than better / worse then I have a decision to make.
Sally has said she will take herself off that day, but I will get her to sit in on at least some of the session as her one working ear is stunningly perceptive.
Once upon a time she would always say "turn it down". Since about 2 years ago she is happy at reasonable volumes. I think that is down to the quality of reproduction

[Marco]

Yes the comparison is the key
I was surprised listening to my system on Sunday how much I still liked it.

That doesn't surprise me, Mike. It's a system you've assembled over many years, and been happy with, so you're unlikely to abandon it too quickly - and nor should you

I look forward to popping down, as it would be good to meet up again, hear your system and music collection, and compare my T/T to a decent LP12, which hasn't happened for a wee while

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

That doesn't surprise me, Mike. It's a system you've assembled over many years, and been happy with, so you're unlikely to abandon it too quickly - and nor should you

I look forward to popping down, as it would be good to meet up again, hear your system and music collection, and compare my T/T to a decent LP12, which hasn't happened for a wee while

Marco.

Think it's more comfortable and certainly more forgiving than what we heard on Saturday.
There have been times when I wasn't happy.
I think Martin was surprised when we first spoke and I said my system sounded rubbish - as it did. Mostly mains.
Massive step up going to dedicated unswtiched sockets and another when our earth was first fixed. It's improved since too

I want to work on the system before a visit as I think there are obvious things to change that you could see at a glance, windows, furniture, general layout.
As it can take a while to move let me know what heavy labour I can do

Let me know if you want more pics

[Marco]

Guys,

Just to let you know that the SPD-4 has now been shipped (Yannis has been busy, so there was a bit of a delay), which means that I should have the cable towards the end of next week, for evaluation against the 423.5 Phono Litz.

Martin, do you think you can wait that long for my verdict?

Marco.

[MartinT]

Martin, do you think you can wait that long for my verdict?

Luckily, I have a new earth connection (SUT) and two new Hi-Fi Tuning fuses in the system and I can hardly believe the DV cable was comparatively poor, so good is the system sounding.

I also have a new bench pillar drill, vice and set of miniature drill bits. So I'll be busy this weekend with the system rack feet.

So yes, I can wait. But not too long

[Marco]

Lol... I'm sure that your new toys will keep you suitably amused in the interim

Marco.

[MCRU]

Guys,

Just to let you know that the SPD-4 has now been shipped (Yannis has been busy, so there was a bit of a delay), which means that I should have the cable towards the end of next week, for evaluation against the 423.5 Phono Litz.

Martin, do you think you can wait that long for my verdict?

Marco.

errr no

Martin has a new secret toy to play with until your tone-arm cable war and peace article is finished

After careful consideration and seeing and hearing the wand in action I have decided to dispense with standard tone arm cables in my system as I have never liked the 5 pin din plug and cannot help thinking the plug is so small only really thin wires will fit in and shielding cannot be all that good as it's thin so as to be able to fit into the din plug barrel. Better to dispense with it altogether if possible?

Just ordered 2 x furutech RCA inlet sockets to mount on the back of my 401 using a metal plate to connect the tone arm internal wiring to then I can use an RCA-RCA cable instead of the 5 pin mini din which is a pain in the arse if you ask me! So from cartridge tags to RCA sockets and then an RCA-RCA to phono stage and the exact same RCA-RCA from phono stage to amp, sorted! TQ black tone-arm RCA-RCA of course. Interesting to hear the results.

[MartinT]

Martin has a new secret toy to play with until your tone-arm cable war and peace article is finished

[Marco]

Hehehehe... Interesting stuff. As they say, there's always two ways to skin a grape, or more than one way to skin a cat!

Btw, the Furutech RCA sockets are fab - I use them on my Copper amp

Marco.