Marco's journey to Tannoy-land

[SteveW]

I may have a crack at replicating Mana one day. I'd be really interested especially as you probably had them done locally ..I'll let you know Marco !!

The only thing that might be tricky is those strips that John used to put on the glass...rather special stuff I believe ?

[Marco]

I've got some of it put aside for projects, mate. You know me for attention to detail

It's actually a real shame what happened to the company in the end. It's a bloody good product which, if branded, marketed and sold properly should have made JW a millionaire... But he fucked it up, royally!

Did he ever tell you the story of Mana's demise in the end? I'll give you all the gory details when you visit

Marco.

[SteveW]

He seemed pretty happy to me, last time I saw him.

[Marco]

Oh he's not unhappy - far from it - he's relieved it's all over!

*But* that doesn't detract from the fact that he should have been a very wealthy man as a result of selling the product, but it just never happened like that because he trusted the wrong people and, I'm sorry to say, didn't really know how to run a business properly. That wasn't his skill or where his head was 'at'.

In the end, it was costing him significant sums of money just to keep the company alive... It hadn't made a profit for years.

When did you last see him? We only exchange Christmas cards now, and that's largely because Del gets on well with Julie.

Marco.

[SteveW]

I loose track of time...it must be more than a year ago.
John rebuilt my 'fruitbox'...which I was more than happy with until all this direct drive malarky started...and now very curious to hear what all the fuss is about.
John had gone down the Funk route...which sounded astonishing to me. In fact when funds allow that was the route I intended to explore as well.

[Marco]

LOL! It's a great word "fruitbox", innit? Coined, I believe, by the infamous 'doctor' from Glasgow after his unceremonious switch to an SME20...

A fully Funk'd LP12 does sound very good - *if* you like the LP12's inherent euphonic signature, which the Funk mods go some way to diluting, but nevertheless fundamentally remain part of its 'charm'. It has a more tonally rich presentation to the Techy's, tighter, punchier, but altogether tonally 'cooler' one. It's one of the reasons why I like using cartridges such as the DL-103 and M3D with the 1210, as their slightly more 'romantic' way of music-making, and warmth, combines with the analytical nature of the 1210 to give a satisfying and 'natural' sounding result with music.

This is partly why I don't think Rega arms and, say, Lyra cartridges work with the Techy, as the combined sonic presentation thus veers too much towards the 'tonally grey' and a rather analytical sound, majoring on forensic detail retrieval. It is not something which I consider as a relaxing or fundamentally 'musical' listen. One must seek to create a complimentary balance, which is where the Jelco SA-750/DL-103SA (or M3D) combo comes in.

It's one of the reasons why I think some people have rejected the Techy in favour of the Pioneer PL-71, because the latter uses a good quality arm which synergistally matches the presentation of the turntable, and thus everything 'pulls together' in one direction to create a musical whole. The stock Techy arm is not really at the races in the same way, certainly with an MC cartridge at the helm. It's therefore no coincidence I feel that those who've rejected the Techy on the basis of it lacking in 'musicality' or 'boogie factor' (compared to the PL-71) were using it with Rega (or Rega-based) arms.

A fully modified SL-1210, like mine, exhibits none of the euphony of the LP12, as recordings are simply stripped bare for inspection, allowing 'musicality' to come from the music itself, rather than coloration superimposed on the signal by the turntable. In short, it is a much more 'accurate' listen; possessing the unerring stability of CD (or computer audio), but with the warmth of tone and superior dynamic range of vinyl (with suitable material).

I think that's the best way of summing it up!

Steve, you may prefer the presentation of the former to the latter, many people do, so it'll be interesting to see what you think

Marco.

[SteveW]

Cheers Marco..I'll give you a call sometime as I'd love to actually hear what you've described.
I have to avoid looking at dropping something into my current system, (which is all Linn kit), as next year I'm changing most of it...so have to consider the overall balance. I suspect the bass lift of an LP12 suits my 'bass light' active tukans I currently have.
I need to avoid the kind of mistakes I have made in the past. I still have a Roksan Xerxes in a box in the loft...(whose platter eventually touched the base plate). Sounded great when it worked in the context of the system I had previously but actually didn't sound right when partnered with my active klouts/tukans...they seemed to show up the lack of detail for that configuration of deck at that time.

[SteveW]

....just a thought. Has anyone actually listened to a modified Technics, or other DD...and thought, no not for me?

[Marco]

Oh yes, just read some of the threads for example on pfm!

However, let's say I'm rather dubious as to how 'genuine' and/or thorough some of the listening experiences were

You might feel the same way, of course, and consider that it's not for you, but at least after a visit to mine you'll have heard a D/D turntable sympathetically matched and properly set-up from which to form a proper conclusion

Btw Dave (DSJR),

I forgot to comment earlier on this:

By the way Marco, the LAST thing I'd be listening to is your system when I do get to visit - I'd rather enjoy the *music* coming out of it, as your tastes may be poles apart from mine and it's always good to come away with a fresh list of albums to buy

Too right, matey! And I'm sure that I can introduce you to some unusual pieces which will tickle your taste buds

Marco.

[DSJR]

Can't say when, but I very much look forward to it one day. I jave an open invitation to HiFi Dave's place (he's got some splendid new and old toys to play with), yet I haven't ventured there since April last year (he's an hour or so away.........)

Actually, I'd love to "listen" to your system, purely 'cos I'm a huge fan of good vintage and inspired designs.................