Hi Chad,
The ring clamp is worthwhile sonically. Is it worth ~$600, I dunno. It eliminates warped records as an issue entirely. As a used record hunter, that's nice. Sonically, it helps mostly with tightening the bass. If you are in a lazy mood, it can be placed on the platter under the record, too. The mass supposedly helps with rotational stability, etc.
The Walker motor controller is great. Lloyd gives trial period & full refund; you've got nothing to lose if you demo it. It comes w/KAB strobe included. My speed is 100% spot on all the time.
The Juice Bar I added simply because I needed the outlets, and a friend had one for sale. Can't really say how good it sounds or not. My gut says it doesn't do much. You are welcome to come by for a listen sometime. Email me offline if you want to arrange something. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank December 19, 2006 12:17

Spencer

Amazing system...a league I hope to attain some years from now. Hopefully you can provide some insite that will aid me on this journey. Three specific questions for you: First, how much of an improvement does the metal ring record clamp provide? I have been enamered with improving my vinyl rig and previously have thought vacum was the only route. Can you comment on what kind of improvements this has made? Secondly, the Walker speed control box is interesting to me...do you feel it has improved your overall PRAT? Lastly, I almost jumped on a PS Audio Juice Bar that you are using. I have all this gear going direct into a Radio Shack power bar...I'm either a genious or a fool...would you say the Juice Bar improved the sound at all? I'm considering it for my digital and analog cords only...amps and pre amp are either going direct to the wall or through a Richard Grey 400s.

Thanks for your thoughts...if you want to take this one off line I understand!

Great to see you Saturday...look forward to the next meet.

Chad

chadlesko December 19, 2006 00:42

Like the new photos, Spence. Things look quite handsome!

rushton October 24, 2006 21:07

System edited: Added photos of new amps, stands, and reconfigured room.

sbank October 24, 2006 20:33

hello Spencer, using black sand violets with great ear pleasure, i gotta put a rack together like you have done, its like you said, priceless for sure, beautiful, and i am willing to bet outstanding for your equipment, mike

stltrains October 21, 2006 11:24

.
Spencer,
.
Keep your eyes open on Audiogon for a used BMI Whale Supreme (not a regular whale).
.
They are terrific and when they come up, you should be able to get one for between $ 350.00 and $ 450.00.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello October 19, 2006 09:51

System edited: Just added a pair of custom made tiger maple amp stands from Timbernation. Also, been rolling tubes in the Atma preamp. Settled on best of what I've heard so far; KenRad 6SN7 drivers paired with Brimar 13D5s for the line stage. Next move will be a power cord upgrade for the preamp. Suggestions? Thinking about a Black Sand Violet w/Oyaide 046s, another Silent Source, or perhaps Omega Micro if I can find one used. Suggestions? Cheers, Spencer

sbank October 18, 2006 14:00

Swampwalker,
Thanks. They are pretty amazing. It's nice to be able to have the room for the monoblocks.
Lately, I've been rolling tubes in the Atma preamp, and finding that it dramatically affects the sonics, moreso than w/other tube preamps that I've used. So far a combo of Ken-Rad 6SN7s and Brimar 12au7s has been the best in my room. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank October 17, 2006 09:46

Spencer- Another convert to Atmas. Excellent!!! i only have room for the m-60s, but I believe that in my room, they are way ahead of the Berning in what i wanted in my system. in some ways they are the intermediary between the berning and the joule amps. Congrats.

swampwalker October 15, 2006 23:32

Hi Larry,

The decision on the ZYX was based on conversations w/Mehran, John Bent at Bent Audio and some audio friends here & elsewhere. Basically, I wanted to avoid adding a stepup tranny, and the .48 version allowed me to do that with the preamp/phono combos that I'd been considering. The Atma-Sphere MP3 allows for a Jensen stepup option (recommended w/carts below .3), but for now I'm okay w/o it.
The MA1s are quite remarkable in many respects. Tonality and transparency especially. I still need to do some tweaking on the preamp side(tubes and power cable) before I make too many comments.

Rushton, thanks for your suggestions! I have Lloyd's amp stands on my wishlist, but doubt that I can swing that right now. Currently I am considering something like Timbernation stands and adding Walker Valid Points on the amps themselves.
Perhaps another Silent Source PC for the preamp, too...Cheers,
Spencer

sbank August 10, 2006 20:14

Spencer, glad to hear the balanced cables all the way through the phono eliminated the RFI problem you were having! As to amp stands, the Walker Audio Prologue Reference Amp Stands were a huge improvement here under the Atma-Sphere MA-2s. The full Valid Points treatment made a material difference over trying to scrimp by without.
.

rushton August 10, 2006 17:21

.
Spencer,
.
Glad to hear that you rid your system of the RFI issue.
.
How do you like the ZYX Airy3 cartridge now that you have had some time with it? Why did you decide to get the higher 0.48mv out put in lieu of the lower output ?
.
Is the Atmasphere a large upgrade over the Berning ?
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello August 10, 2006 16:15

System edited: Sticking with the Atma-Sphere MP3; sold the K&K phono stage. Possibly of interest to anyone who's heard my tale of RFI woe, the combination of all balanced cabling and the Atma gear have eliminated the problem. One key was adding the balanced junction box to the VPI. Next moves are new power cable for the preamp, rolling the 12au7 & 6SN7s, and getting some amp stands for the MA1s. Suggestions are welcomed...Cheers, Spencer

sbank August 10, 2006 13:41

System edited: Just added two Silent Source power cables to use w/the MA1s. Still need to decide on what power cable to try with the MP-3.

sbank June 11, 2006 13:36

I hope that you are enjoying your system. What IC's and speaker wire will you be using?

aronsss June 08, 2006 16:39

System edited: Just added some photos. Awaiting arrival of recently purchased amps & preamp. It's quiet here for a change :-(

sbank June 04, 2006 10:38

Ozzy,
That, my friend, is the $64,000 question.
The K&K is very good, and killer at its price point. Any DIYers out there would be crazy not to consider it; the kit option makes it an even better value. Cheers,

Spencer

sbank May 28, 2006 15:22

.
Spencer,
.
Good luck with the major changes. I am be interested to hear how different the Atmaspheres will sound as compared to the Berning with the Merlins.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello May 28, 2006 09:18

>the K&K is the only tube phono stage I've found that can beat the RF.<

But will the performance of the Atma-Sphere beat the K&K? Or have you already heard it?

Oz

ozzy62 May 28, 2006 07:38

System edited: Just made a major change to my system. Sold the Berning amp, Joule pre and Cardas Golden interconnects. Will be moving to Atma-Sphere MA1 monoblocks and MP3 preamp/phono. Will run everything in balanced mode. I've always loved the sound of OTL amps, find them to be a great match with the Merlins, and finally have the room to consider some large monos. Hopefully, the balanced cabling will help with my considerable RFI troubles and allow me to use the internal phono stage. Since moving to this room(which faces a radio tower ~1000ft away), the K&K is the only tube phono stage I've found that can beat the RF.

sbank May 28, 2006 07:19

Cello,
Not that brand, but I have tried other similar products. They didn't do much here. Thanks for the suggestion. Best,
Spencer

sbank May 20, 2006 15:05

Spencer,
.
Have you tried Versalab Red Rollers on your IC's to help lessen the RFI problems ? If not, it is well worth the trouble.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello May 20, 2006 09:39

Thanks, Ozzy.
Your numerous posts on the K&K definitely helped me as I searched for a tube phono stage that would overcome the radio tower 1000ft. from my listening room. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank May 19, 2006 13:07

Spencer,

Keep us posted on your progress with the K&K. I have owned mine for over two years and couldn't be happier. Also, love the look of your room.

Oz

ozzy62 May 19, 2006 11:49

System edited: Trying a K&K phono stage to attempt to conquer amazing RFI problem that has vexed me for months. Only limited listening thus far, but knock-on-wood, this could be the ticket! Cheers, Spencer

sbank May 19, 2006 10:24