Gromit's music centre...

[Gromit]

The "Gibraltar" chassis is quite an extravagent moniker - is it really solid as a rock??

Oh aye yeah - made from pure Sonyunobtanium 238

Well, had the amp playing away for a few hours now and it's nicely warmed through. Thrown a fair few musical genres at it, from Vaughan Williams 3 to some Dave Weckl to Black Dyke and it's not put a foot wrong. It's just so unflappable, huge dynamic reserves both transient and musical (ie the ability to warm-up and cool-down a musical phrase). The track 'Tee Funk' off Dave Weckl's 'Heads Up' album has a great slow groove and the Sony gets real down & dirty with this - not quite heard this chart sound so driven before.

Had the ProAcs back on line for the last hour and whilst the 670ES sounded really good through them, the 770's waking them up big style. The last time they sounded this good they were on the end of my old Exposure IVDR. Proof that they thrive on lots of good ol'fashioned solid state power.

[Gromit]

Some better pictures now I've got my decent camera working again...

[Gromit]

Keeping things up to date...

[Macca]

Cool looking deck. I envy your tidy rack, might sort mine out to look like that tomorrow.

[DSJR]

Glad to see the PL71 back home?

[Gromit]

Glad to see the PL71 back home?

Think so Dave - this one's in very nice cosmetic condition (which I suppose is often harder to remedy if tatty) but needs a couple of bits'n'bobs putting straight.

The armtube's very slightly twisted in its mating with the bearing assy (it can be released by undoing the small grubscrew underneath). Will get Johnnie to put it straight for me though. The arm bearings are in great shape though, no stiction that I can detect (it swings very sweetly) and no detectable play either.

The microswitch under the 33rpm button needs doing too but these are only a couple of quid. Just need to find the right part - I'm not good with electronic bits!!

Sonically this deck's ok - it's a bit wooly and lacklustre if I'm honest, doesn't have that satisfying balance of bite/warmth of the previous 71's I've owned. Could be having it sat up on the top of a heavy rack - I always used the good ol'Audiotech table which may end up being dragged out of the garage and dusted off for use. The sound's not helped by the Carbon having a slight channel imbalance - it centres-up better after half a side of an lp though; wonder if I've got a slightly duff one to be honest.

[DSJR]

The Carbon majors on mid-bass to mid-midrange and above that it gets a little "safe" for some people. Fine and fantastic for £25, but I doubt it gives a 2M Blue any headaches.

[Gromit]

The Carbon majors on mid-bass to mid-midrange and above that it gets a little "safe" for some people. Fine and fantastic for £25, but I doubt it gives a 2M Blue any headaches.

I'd agree - it doesn't really like large-scale orchestral stuff, and heavily modulated piano music sends it running for cover too. On stuff like old Genesis lp's it sounds marvellous though - quite rich, but snappy and with lots of colour. For 25 quid it's a riot.

[Gromit]

Couple more pics:

[Idlewithnodrive]

Your rig is looking amazing Rich.

I'm just settling in with the Sony TA-F530ES, which is quite an amazing little (?) thing for what it cost TBH.

Doing a fantastic job with the Minskies; they've never sounded better