Gromit's music centre...

[DSJR]

HeHe!!!

Marco's right about overtightening the 103 (I had a 103D once and the fixing slots are very soft) and this applies to almost all plastic bodied cartridges. Rega supply a pre-set torque driver for dealers to use with their cartridges and I got told off by them when I re-tightened a Bias a few times using this tool as part of checking demo stock. A few goes with their own tool caused noticeable deformation of the fixing lugs, so be warned.

[Marco]

Hey, Rich, how's the SPU doin' now, baby?

Marco.

[Gromit]

Hey, Rich, how's the SPU doin' now, baby?

Marco.

It's still running in, believe it or not (approx 30 hours on it now I guess). I keep swapping back to the good ol' 103 just check where the base line is, and each day the SPU seems to move a little further ahead. Virtually every other cartridge I've owned (too many to even think about) has taken approx 10 hours to get the bulk of its bedding-in done, after which point further improvements are only very subtle.

[Marco]

Nice one. It'll be interesting to know how it compares to your 103 when it's fully run-in

I've been reading your comments on pfm (great thread there, btw) and noticed you considering that the arm on the PL-71 may not be quite good enough for the SPU.

That could of course be the case, but I suspect not. I think some of the negative sonic aspects you're reporting could be to do with loading impedance. If you look at the spec in the link to Cool Gales below, you'll notice that the SPU must see an impedance of 10-50 Ohms (which is uncommonly low):

http://www.coolgales.com/store/cart....category_id=70

Are you absolutely sure that your NVA phono stage can provide this value and indeed it is what you're currently using to assess the performance of the SPU?

In my experience, correct loading is absolutely essential in order for any MC cartridge to achieve its full potential, or even to be heard properly. This is one of the reasons why I've found that specifically matched transformers work best. Even if your active MC phono stage is loading your SPU properly, I still suspect that it won't realise its full potential unless used with its original matching transformer into a MM input.

Thoughts?

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Gromit/Richard

How about putting your experiences with the SPU and Denon into the form of a review, when you have reached the end of the running in process, and as you say reach that base line, on which to make a comparison and form your concluding thoughts. I am very sure you would do a great job writing this review.

Many would enjoy reading this review which would go into the Strokes of Genius
section of the forum.


Regards D S D L---Neil

[Gromit]

Hi Neil - it'd be no problem (and would be better than going on about it in the Gallery).

Marco - I've had a lot of success with step-ups of various persuasions with a fair few cartridges over the years, and fully appreciate (from my own good and bad experience!) that where a SuT is concerned, it is absolutely imperative that it is matched to the cartridge in question. Having had a play with Guy's (superb) prototype Puresound SuT with variable loading it was great fun to hear what each setting achieved 'on the fly'. The difference between each setting was not subtle. The 103R was fussy, the Dorian less so.

However...(and this is where it gets interesting)...

Active stages work in a very different way. Of course there are active stages, and there are active stages. I've been through a fair few (some good, some awful) and laying my cards on the table I've never heard a 103 sound as good as it does through the phonostage I'm using now - if it didn't I'd have got rid a long time ago. Folk will probably be quite familiar with the Dynavector P75 - I've owned 2 of these in both Mk1 & 2 variants and it's a really good-sounding little box and very adjustable. Thing is, most of those adjustments (when not in Dr T mode) make next to bugger-all difference and really jsut seem to act as subtle tone controls - greater sonic changes can be wrought by altering VTA tbh.

Richard did explain to me some time ago what's going on in the circuit of the Phono2 (I even understood some of it) but he simply stated that yes, where a SuT is concerned the loading is not just extremely important, but in fact vital. Basically, the Phono2 has a load-rejecting circuit which means the cartridge's performance isn't altered by any change in the stage's input impedance. All I know is that my ears are telling me it sounds bloody marvellous.

[Marco]

No worries, Rich - some interesting info there

Like I said, I'm completely unfamiliar with NVA designs so can't comment on how they operate. Obviously the results you're getting are excellent, which is all that matters. Out of curiosity though at some point it would be interesting to see what you made of the A23 with your 103 (and an MM stage), so I'll definitely lend it to you to evaluate when you feel like playing

Do NVA make an MM only phono stage?

Marco.

[Gromit]

Out of curiosity though at some point it would be interesting to see what you made of the A23 with your 103 (and an MM stage), so I'll definitely lend it to you to evaluate when you feel like playing

Do NVA make an MM only phono stage?

Marco.

That'd be cool Marco - always up for trying stuff out, thanks. I'm thinking of getting the MM version of the Phono2 to go with my MC one, simply because I've a couple of nice MM cartridges I'd like to use every so often. Would be a simple case of swapping the psu's cables over.

[Marco]

No worries - when you decide to get one, I'll wing the A23 over to you

Remember to give me first refusal if you decide to let that SPU escape

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil - it'd be no problem (and would be better than going on about it in the Gallery).

Thanks Richard .

Its good that you are using the Gallery section but a review in one place with lots of nice photos makes it easier for those who might not see the gallery as a place to look for such info. We all know you do and its been very interesting. However a gathered info review would be more accessible in SOG, IMHO of course.

Thanks for agreeing to do a review, when you can. And if you want to review anything else for SOG please do feel free to submit such, when you want.


Regards D S D L----Neil