Gromit's music centre...

[Gromit]

Blimey - you got busy after leaving mine

So to recap: the constants are the Sony CDP and the Teac DAC. Two amps and two sets of speakers (and one/two t/ts) doesn't sound excessive - unless you've got something else planned? Do you still hanker after a Decca?

Was good to see you yesterday.

Yes, constants in the hardware are as you say, although the PL71 is now up for sale. Would really like another Decca but don't feel it would marry particularly well with the Sony arm (which is a lot lighter than the Pioneer's). The Benz works very nicely in it though, although I am thinking that perhaps a really good MM would work better. Something along the lines of a 2M Black.

[MartinT]

To think we'd have avoided this kit like the plague not so many years ago...

That's it exactly, Richard. The Linn/Naim flat-earthers would have scoffed at such a system. I know which I would prefer. Well done!

[RobbieGong]

Was good to see you yesterday.

Yes, constants in the hardware are as you say, although the PL71 is now up for sale. Would really like another Decca but don't feel it would marry particularly well with the Sony arm (which is a lot lighter than the Pioneer's). The Benz works very nicely in it though, although I am thinking that perhaps a really good MM would work better. Something along the lines of a 2M Black.

Go for it Richard ! The 2M Black in my experience is a game changer and a stonkingly good cart, mine never ceases to amaze me. It is most definately fussy about set up and vta hence I went for an arm with on the fly vta adjust. Once it hits that sweet spot and you hear it, it's massive smiles all day long. Does your 6750 have easy vta adjust ?

[DSJR]

The whole thing about the best dd's from the 70's was the acoustic feedback issue. Some howled with little provocation, where the heavier ones could add a form of bass 'heaviness' to the sonics if incorrectly sited.

I see now why you want to sell the PL71. Not sure the Sony arm would like low compliance heavyweights though.

By the way, the 8750 complete with fluid-filled mat really is reference class IMO. We had one at KJ and couldn't sell it due to the LP12 I doubt many were ever sold in the UK, but maybe in Germany and the US things are different?

[Gromit]

Not sure the Sony arm would like low compliance heavyweights though.

By the way, the 8750 complete with fluid-filled mat really is reference class IMO. We had one at KJ and couldn't sell it due to the LP12 I doubt many were ever sold in the UK, but maybe in Germany and the US things are different?

Yes, the Sony's arm is a very different beast to the one on the PL71 and my previous 6750 had a 2M Black nestled in it so would be keen to try one again. A fabulous cartridge and one which really did hammer home 'why go to the faff of an MC?' (if it is a faff of course).

Like the Pioneer, the Sony does respond to being sited well - in many ways (just in my limited experience) the same rules apply as to stuff like the LP12. A light, very stiff table on a solid floor works a treat. The PL71 sounds leaden and 'thumpy' on heavy furniture but plonk it on an Audiotech and it's like someone's taken the brakes off. Another thing to watch out for on the Pioneer I've found is the feet - it's very easy to have the sprung foot 'bind' in its housing, causing stiction and wrecking the sound. They need a bit of careful adjustment when the deck's in place, ie a small push with a screwdriver on the side of each one to centralise it in the rigid part of the foot. Once done, and the deck can bounce freely, all is well.

A bit of pron...

[Marco]

Superb stuff, Richard - I really love the look of that Sony!

Aesthetically, it ticks all the right boxes for me, particularly the chunky platter. That's one thing I miss with most direct-drive T/Ts, which all seem to have 'thin'/low-slung platters, compared with the chunky beasts seen on some belt-drive T/Ts!!

Do you reckon there'd be any mileage in replacing the stock feet for some of the Sorbothane variety, or Isonoes? The stock ones look similar to the ones used on the Techy (unless in the flesh you can confirm otherwise), and we know how much those ruin the sound...

Marco.

[Gromit]

Hi Marco - the Sony's feet are just held in with M6 threads into the main body of the plinth. They're gel-filled (or a version of it) I believe but I've not inspected them that closely. You're right though, no harm in having a play with some other types. The mat's also oil/silicon-filled - if you hold it tightly between finger and thumb, you can move the 2 layers against eachother. Putting the PL71's mat on (a true dark horse if there ever was one) actually makes the deck sound slightly worse so Sony really knew what they were doing with this. On a Tecchy the PL71 mat works really well.

[Tarzan]

B'Jesus, a gel filled feet and platter mat, that is intriguing Richard- enjoy!

[Tarzan]

Apologies - shocking grammer that should read " gel filled platter mat and feet".

[Marco]

Hi Marco - the Sony's feet are just held in with M6 threads into the main body of the plinth. They're gel-filled (or a version of it) I believe but I've not inspected them that closely. You're right though, no harm in having a play with some other types. The mat's also oil/silicon-filled - if you hold it tightly between finger and thumb, you can move the 2 layers against eachother. Putting the PL71's mat on (a true dark horse if there ever was one) actually makes the deck sound slightly worse so Sony really knew what they were doing with this. On a Tecchy the PL71 mat works really well...

Interesting (and noted)... Based on what you've said, together with the fact that you've got a rack with glass shelves, I suspect that a set of Isonoes would work rather well. Aesthetically, I'd go for the black ones.

One to try, perhaps? If they don't work, you'd have no problem selling them on

Marco.