Gromit's music centre...

[Gromit]

A couple more of my humble rig...





My immaculate little Super Tablettes (the other one looks the same). For the first time in 20 years I've started thinking of moving them on - they work fine in my room, but they're crying out for a fuller/warmer sounding amp; they sounded sublime on my old Sugden A21 years ago. Wonderful little speakers at lower volumes (although they can rock if they have to), the Sony only really comes on song at higher levels ergo there's a slight mismatch...

[MartinT]

Lovely photography, Richard.

[DSJR]

If that's the Sony I think it is (model numbers just pass me by they changed so often), then some ATC20's would be ideal (NOT the 10's which bottom out on rock at anything like a good level). The 20SL version was clearer at low volumes than the 1992 vintage ones I had, but aren't big, should fit your stands, they're not too expensive on the used market and you might just like the sound...

[hoopsontoast]

If that's the Sony I think it is (model numbers just pass me by they changed so often), then some ATC20's would be ideal (NOT the 10's which bottom out on rock at anything like a good level). The 20SL version was clearer at low volumes than the 1992 vintage ones I had, but aren't big, should fit your stands, they're not too expensive on the used market and you might just like the sound...

I really liked the SCM10's, preferred them to the SCM7 (newer model). Although I had both and had the 770ES twice, their ownership never crossed, though I thought the 770ES would have been a great match for both.
Never heard the SCM20SL, but liked the SCM19, bar the tweeter which I thought was better in the SCM10 with the older Vifa unit with the cast faceplate.

[DSJR]

When new, the 10 and 20 sounded very similar, but the 20 went MUCH louder The Vifa tweeter when new in these was a tame thing, although the same unit in the 20ASL Pro's I had for years was vicious and one-note-spitty, the treble in Harbeth P3ESR's so much more delicate and nautral on brushed cymbalwork I thought. I wonder if they stopped applying ferro-fluid or something?

[hoopsontoast]

When new, the 10 and 20 sounded very similar, but the 20 went MUCH louder The Vifa tweeter when new in these was a tame thing, although the same unit in the 20ASL Pro's I had for years was vicious and one-note-spitty, the treble in Harbeth P3ESR's so much more delicate and nautral on brushed cymbalwork I thought. I wonder if they stopped applying ferro-fluid or something?

Dunno, I found it a better balance than the Vifa unit used in the newer models, which had a tendancy to sound a little 'splashy'

[DSJR]

I wouldn't disagree, but as I said, the Vifas in my original 20's and 100A's wasn't as fierce as the pair on the 20ASL Pro's. ATC changed to a different tweeter shortly after and I was told the whole "ATC sonic flavour" of the actives at any rate was also changed from the times I used to visit them regularly on the early to mid 90's - was it really all that long ago.

[Gromit]

Been mucking about with the new lens I've just bought so thought a piccy or 2 of the rig would be worth doing seeing as the light is good today...

[Canetoad]

Nice Richard! That PL-71 is looking rather nice!

I'd better give mine a good going over. What cartridge are you using in it?

I have a Nagaoka MP-150 you can borrow and try if you like. PM me.

I like what my Sony N55 ES power amp is doing in my system at the moment too. Another happy Sony user!

[Gromit]

Hi Bernie - I'm using a Denon DL110 in the PL71, works very well. I've always likened it to the 'Ford Focus' of cartridges. That's to say it's not earth-shattering and by far from being the best thing out there, it does nothing particularly wrong and just gets on with the job. Neil (Yomanze of this parish) very kindly sent me his Reson Reca/1042 to try a while ago - it's a lovely cartridge and yes it's slightly better than the DL110 but it's not that much of a difference.

I've left the Denon in place as I don't want to put too many hours on someone else's stylus. Was really good to try though.

Yup - these old Sony amps are really rather good. Keep it quiet though or the prices will sky-rocket.