Just installed the new pre-amp/ phonostage, also still running in a new Skala. Really hope this is it....!
The aim is just to enjoy my very varied record collection, and not just play l.p's that sound good i.e audiophile pressings. My tastes run from 1950's jazz through to the aphex twin...
Many thanks to all of the replys to my mails and posts.
Musical and quite a looker!! However seldom used.. love my lp's!!
Acoustic Research 100.2
100wpc a lovely amp, solid state with a tube like sound...
Tannoy D-500
I have has these for some years, and imo they can really handle all types of music...
audio Note Sogon
A little over the top in regards to price (considering my other equipment), but imo they impart no sound of their own, what more should an interconnect do?
Cardas Golden reference
looking for jumpers!!
Lyra SKALA
0.6mv plastic body mc, detail with a heart, and so so smooth, replaced my Helikon
SME Model 10
A wonderful player
SME Series IV
Upgraded internal wiring vdh silver, big improvement, also continuous without cartridge fly leads.
quadraspire mdf shelves
..not great...
Elrod esp-2 sig
Feeding my phono stage, wow, what an improvement!!
elrod esp-2
Feeding my TT power supply. Don't understand how it works but it sounds great!!
Finite Elemente Ceraball Ceraball
Used under phonostage, really lifted a veil! Treble much cleaner, soundstage bigger, all round improvement
harmonix studio master power cable
oyaide rhodium plug and socket, feeds oyaide xxx splitter
harmonix studio master
oyaide gold plug and socket feeds power amp
oyaide mtb xxxx
beautifully made and designed splitter box... the best there is?
EAR 868p
Saw off some very stiff competition...
Finite Elemente cerapuc
currently resides beneth my power amp, not the dramatic improvement I had with the ceraballs . But did help with the soundstage.
System edited: Just installed the new pre-amp/ phonostage, also still running in a new Skala. Really hope this is it....! The aim is just to enjoy my very varied record collection, and not just play l.p's that sound good i.e audiophile pressings. My tastes run from 1950's jazz through to the aphex twin... Many thanks to all of the replys to my mails and posts.
Hello Peter, I did enquire into a continuous cable, but was informed it was not an option. I thought that the v arm is wired as standard with silver, is this the case?
These guys maybe able to help you further, they supply kondo wired sme arms.
I'm using the Hovland Music Groove 2. It's an improvement over my old Harmonic Technology copper phono cable. Did you inquire about a continuous wire from the cartridge to the phono amp. I don't know if this is possible with the SME arms or how outrageous the cost would be, but it might be an incredible impovement. Thanks, Peter
Hello, Funny I have an onzo.. i didn't realize it was called that! I sneak it in between the platter and the stylus guard. The wiring upgrade on the tonearm is really a big diffrerence! It really is like pulling back a thick curtain to reveal the record. I can't recomend it enough, the output signal of a cartridge is so small that i think this run of wire is the most important in the chain. Which phono cable are you using from the arm to the phono stage?
Hello James, The Onzo is a jello like substance that you dip the stylus into to clean it. It is easy to do a search on Audiogon. Lately, however, I have been using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser which does a great job. You can also search the archives. It works very well. I use Harmonic Technology Fantacy AC10? power cord for the SME 10 PS. It seems to be an improvement over the stock, but I haven't tried others. Thanks for the tip about the tonearm wiring. I may contact hi-fi-specialists and see what they offer. What improvements did you notice with the wiring upgrade? You can try the Mapleshade setup for the TT and just insert some cardboard shims under the corners of the shelf of your wall-shelf/rack on which the mappleshade cork footers, platform and brass footers sit. That should be plenty of isolation.
Thanks!! I have just added an elrod esp-2 sig to my phono stage.. early days yet but wow!! Inregards to your query, I don't have a onzo to clean my cartridge, should I have? What are the benifits?
My arm does have the standard din plug, but I requested the cartridge fly leads to be omited (I also ordered 501mc silver wire as extra). This was via http://www.hi-fi-specialist.co.uk/ you can contact them to see what they can offer. I am interested in the brass footers, but due to my wall I do need the adjustment on the sme feet to get the TT dead level, I am not sure how I can get around that. But when I can afford it I am ordering mapleshade block. BTW have you ever experimented with mains cables on the power supply? Happy listening James
Hello SME10. That's a wonderful system. I have the same SME 10 with an SME V arm. I dont use the wire loop protecting the cartridge because it gets in the way of the ONZO zero dust there to dip the cartridge into for cleaning. How do you manage that? I also have my TT on Mapleshade brass footers and then the butcher block. It tightens up the sound over the soft SME footers. Have you tried that? I like the idea of a wall shelf. Also, I'm curious about the wiring of your arm. I've always wanted continuous wire from the cartridge to the phono amp. how did you get your arm rewired to exclude the leads and does it have the standard SME DIN termination at the base of the arm? Thanks.
