Rekindling Analog spirits!

by lalitk on analogVinylGetting Started (Again)Opinions PleaseGarrard 301
Core Audio “Quad”
E-650
QUAD - Custom Rack
AUVA 50
AUVA 50
Daruma 3-II
The Record Collection / Cleaning Station

Description

Dipping my toes again into analog bliss! 

There’s something profoundly personal about sliding a vinyl record out of its sleeve, placing it on the turntable, and gently dropping the needle. It’s a ritual, a moment of anticipation. The tactile pleasure of handling vinyl is unmatched for some. It’s not just about listening; it’s about engagement. And then there’s the artwork. And, cleaning ritual and thereafter curating Records in clean Mo-Fi inner and outer sleeves. 
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Components Toggle details

    • Garrard 301
    I can see why Garrard's were built to last. Huge precision spindle bearing, quality driving motor and idler drive. Mounted in the right custom plinth these units, even after 60 plus years old command their presence among vinyl enthusiasts. 

    Meticulously restored to its full glory by Audio Grail 🇬🇧 

    I certainly hope to enjoy mine for years to come! 


    • DASAcoustic Garrard 301 Plinith
    HQ Birch Plywood finished in Piano Walnut Burl Finish.
    • Reed Tonearms 3P
    • Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux
    • Allnic Audio H-6500
    So what sets apart Allnic Tube phono other than some very thoughtful features like dual MC/MM inputs, easy MC gain control options, tube rectified external power supply and dead quiet operation. 

    One of the most important ways Mr. Park @ Allnic is trying to improve phono preamps is by the way he implements the RIAA curve. Most valve amplification companies, even the ones making the most expensive SETs are still using phono designs that use various arrangements of capacitors and resistors. Instead, Mr. Park uses a LCR filter which uses two pieces of a linear reactor (a type of choke filter) for the main part of the RIAA filter. In vacuum tube circuits, typical filter usually operate one hundred plus kilo ohms of impedance. An LCR RIAA filter has a constant impedance of 600 ohms. It also has a series resistance that is less than 13 ohms compared to other that are two or three times higher. With lower impedance, you should theoretically get more dynamics, faster transients, and better bass response. The LCR RIAA filter also has no negative feedback and only two stages of amplification.

    And H-6500 sounds pretty darn good! 
    • ramar Tina Record Brush
    Body - walnut (oiled)
    Brush hair - Six double rows of carbon fibre and two rows of goat hair
    Bristle cover - aluminium (AW 6082), electroless nickel coating
    Stylus Brush - stainless steel (brushed), carbon fibre, walnut
    Serial number - Stainless steel (brushed)
    Rod magnets - Neodymium (nickel-plated)

    Weight Brush and Case - 166 g
    Dimensions brush with case (mm) - 44H x 121.5W x 44D
    • Pro-Ject VC-S2
    Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Premium Record Cleaning Machine 
    • Stable 33.33 SP-8000 Transit Platter
    • Stable 33.33 Vinyl Center Hole Reamer
    • Herbie's Audio Lab Way Excellent II Turntable Mat

    Made with finely textured, open-cell silicone foam, this mat has unsurpassed vibration-absorbing characteristics and no resonant qualities to discolor the music. Records are thoroughly decoupled from unwanted platter micro-vibration. Available in a variety of thicknesses and diameters to fit almost any turntable.

    A black elastomer "donut" on top of the white foam base reduces vinyl/stylus feedback and eliminates lateral slippage. Also provides for recessed label area and outer edge lead-in. Completely non-tacky, records lift right off the mat, while the underlying foam holds firmly to the platter (records can be lifted off while the platter is turning).

    • Mullard GZ34 5AR4 Recifier Tube
    Mullard GZ34 / 5AR4 “fat base, f31 series’ for Allnic H-6500 power supply.
    • Core Audio Designs Quad
    Custom “QUAD” designed none other than the Big Wig Mr. Arnold Marr.
    • Accuphase E-650
    • Viablue Spike Feet
    • Stack Audio AUVA 50 Loudspeaker Isolators
    • Final Laboratory Daruma 3-II Isolation Devices

Comments 21

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Owner
@scar972 That’s very helpful. The spikes did not work so I ordered AUVA EQ feet from Stack Audio.

lalitk

Let me know how those EQ feet work for you. I’m surprised to hear the finish on your plinth isn’t up to par, both of my piano gloss plinths turned out excellent.

scar972

Owner
@scar972 That’s very helpful. The spikes did not work so I ordered AUVA EQ feet from Stack Audio.

lalitk

@lalitk yea the 301 is an idler design so a little more effort has to be put into controlling the vibrations, I’ve experienced the same with both of my Garrards. A bit of damping has to be applied under the armboard, also the feet are critical or else you deal with rumble. None of the pointy cone feet worked for me, sorbothane based feet should work better for you.

scar972

Owner
@scar972 Thank you. 301 kinda did but it is far from perfect. The plinth did not meet expectations, both in terms of finish and rejecting external / internal vibrations. Let’s see how far I need to tweak to make it immune to any vibrations.

lalitk

That 301 came together really well, congrats! I hope it's performing the way you imagined.

scar972

Owner
@jaytor Thank you…it’s all coming together nicely.

lalitk

Owner
@jaytor Thank you…it’s all coming together nicely.

lalitk

Nice system. Love the acoustic treatments. Good luck with your new TT.

jaytor

Congratulations on your new 301. Looking forward to your impressions when set up.

noromance

Owner
@scar972 You can count on pics once 301 is fully assembled.

lalitk

Be sure to post pics when it's all put together.
I had a 301 with DAS plinth that I sold recently, if I were putting another 301 together I'd probably be going for the same walnut burl plinth as yours.

scar972

@lalitk My system is not as well put together as yours but here is my latest system
https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11511

scar972

Owner
@scar972 Agreed on feet, going to be venture some options once plinth is in-house. You should post your system in Virtual System. Looks like you got a got a well put together system.

lalitk

Owner
@scar972 Agreed on feet, going to be venture some options once plinth is in-house. You should post your system in Virtual System. Looks like you got a got a well put together system.

lalitk

Agree, the metallic black is cooler. I can vouch for the DAS plinth, I've had two and both were excellent. I also have a Reed tonearm on my DAS plinth so yours will look somewhat like what I have. Deciding which feet to use is critical.

scar972

Owner
@scar972 Thank you for your kind feedback. The 301 was meticulously restored by Grail Audio, UK. I thought of first ordering popular satin black or hammertone but then on 2nd thought, the metallic black finish would be kinda cool and different. Turned out to be really nice high quality finish. Still waiting on plinth…hopefully for not too long. Can’t wait to see how everything turns out.

lalitk

@lalitk I appreciate the attention to detail you put into your system, it makes for a nice visual experience and I'm certain audible experience as well.
The finish on your Garrard 301 is interesting and one I haven't seen before, may I ask who refinish that 301? That DAS piano walnut burl is an absolute beauty, makes me want to swap out my DAS plinth.
 

scar972

Owner
@elliottappreciate, I appreciate your kind words. I’m looking forward to seeing (hearing) how all things analog comes to fruition. This is a very ‘special’ project and as far I can remember, I longed lusted for an exquisite Garrard experience. So close now :-) 

lalitk

Owner
@elliottappreciate, I appreciate your kind words. I’m looking forward to seeing (hearing) how all things analog comes to fruition. This is a very ‘special’ project and as far I can remember, I longed lusted for an exquisite Garrard experience. So close now :-) 

lalitk

That's a mighty fine looking system, love to hear it, and I want to see your listening chair(s)!

I agree, hands on is a definite part of enjoying the Vinyl system, making a personal difference with acquired skills, finding/selecting excellently recorded content. Part of the initial resistance to CD was that you had no hands-on involvement after equipment selection.

Your 301 TT already sounds great in my mind.


elliottbnewcombjr

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