Isochronism, I received my copy of Carla Bley's "Sextet" a couple of days ago, and as stated, it's excellent. I'm really enjoying it.

Thanks for the recommendation!
Regards,
Dan

islandmandan October 11, 2013 18:10

Brett,

Hop a plane, and I'll do my best to fix you up!

islandmandan October 10, 2013 18:20

Dan, You canNOT blame Art for introducing you to a beautiful 401 machine.
It was all upon you to get addicted to the vinyl and the music.....
I need a fix!!!.... HA

isochronism October 10, 2013 00:28

Thanks Charles,

I feel that I have truly reached my goal of the kind of connection to music that I was looking for, all those years ago. It took SET to make finally it happen, thanks to folks like you, and I have to include Art Dudley here, as he was the first to twist my knickers about tubes.

I also have him to blame for my venture into restoring and using the Garrard 401. Curiosity is a dangerous thing, but it can lead to very good outcomes.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan September 30, 2013 17:38

Dan,
It sure was a good decision to get that 300b amp.You really seem to be having a ball listening to your music.This doesn`t surprise me.
Charles,

charles1dad September 29, 2013 18:50

I'm hearing improvement from the Assemblge SET 300B, due to new caps and resistors settling in. I have trouble describing this, just more emotional connection with the music.

Solo piano, at near concert hall sound levels, with no discernable distortion present. Lovely.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan September 29, 2013 17:30

Thanks, Arj. The more I listen to to it, the more bowled over by it I become.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan September 13, 2013 16:30

Great to hear this Dan. Congratulations on the upgrade ! hearing about the " quietness" has got me interested as well :)

arj September 13, 2013 06:37

Dan, you're welcome. Enjoy it v.much. I moved away only when I heard something significantly better. Loved my time with it.

spiritofmusic September 11, 2013 21:36

System edited: I got my Zu Denon 103R back from ESCCO yesterday, where it had their sapphire cantilever and Paratrace stylus upgrade. After the truama of mounting and setting it up, I found the upgrade makes this venerable cartridge among the best I've had the pleasure of hearing. Much improved inner detail, and it rides much quieter in the groove than I recall it doing before. Very pleased, and impressed. Thanks goes out to Spiritofmusic for his recommendation of this upgrade! Best regards, enjoy, Dan

islandmandan September 11, 2013 18:22

Charles,

Thanks for your comments, I really am in a happy place regarding my system, and listening in general.

As it turns out, both camps are right regarding Tannoy and amplification. At one time, I was using a modified 300 Wpc Aragon on my HPD's, and they sounded quite good.

However, at this time, I prefer the SET 300B. It offers nearly the dynamics of the SS amps, but as you know, the SET 300B is in a class by itself for sheer musicality.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan September 04, 2013 20:40

Dan,
It`s gratifying to read that someone is genuinely happy with their audio system and simply enjoys the music .Reading this and other forums you come to realize this isn`t the case for some. Tannoys seem to generate two camps, SET amps are terrific with them, or Tannoys need more power than a low powered SET provides. Maybe it depends on the specific Tannoy model.Bottom line, I`m glad it worked out so well for you using a lower power SET amplifier.You took the chance and the result speaks for itself.
Charles,

charles1dad September 03, 2013 12:01

Thanks Arj, I'm glad you noticed! I've been in this hobby a long time, but I didn't really get serious until I was getting close to retirement.

I realized in order to have the kind of system I wanted, it had to be done before I retired. So, I sold my Dynaudio Contour 5.4 speakers, and bought my Tannoy drivers on Ebay UK.

I wanted to make them as good as I could possibly make them, as I know from a past DIY effort with 12" MG's, if the enclosures are inadequate, the speakers will never sound as good as they could, but it had to be done on a small budget.

One of the motivating factors was, I wanted speakers that could be driven with low-power SET amplification.

I was lucky enough to get to know a friend of Dr. Arthur Loesch, and he got the good doctor to design my crossovers for me. It has been a great experience in the last few years, and the result of the process is, I get to enjoy the most rewarding listening I've had in forty years.

I finally no longer have the need to upgrade, and it's a good feeling.

Thanks and regards,
Dan

islandmandan September 02, 2013 23:48

System edited: Zu Denon 103R is being shipped back today from ESCCO, where it had their white sapphire/Paratrace stylus upgrade. It should make for a substantial improvement on an already very good cartridge.

islandmandan September 02, 2013 22:57

Hey Dan, the more I read through the system the more impressive it looks !
I see you are using the MintLP. I too have one but have never had the patience to go through fully...just use it like a basic protractor

Also once your Zu comes in, you must try a wooden headshell at some point. would be interested in your opinion on that

Cheers !

arj August 31, 2013 03:15

I had been troubled for some time by a mechanical-sounding hum heard from my speakers, being generated by my Garrard 401, which I took to be motor noise being transferred to the plinth.

After investigating, I discovered it was not motor noise at all, but due to a poor ground connection at the main arm. I disassembeled the arm enough to check the wiring, and the only place I found that could possibly be the problem, was the afore-mentioned main arm ground connection, which is connected to the anti-skate fastening nut on the arm underside.

While not exactly loose, a good connection was not being made due to the arm's paint. After a proper tightening, I am quite pleased to report there is blessed quiet now, especially in those quiet areas of recordings.

Quite a relief to finally eliminate this noise. I had at one time thought I'd have to remove the turntable chassis, and look for an area where the motor was contacting the plinth.

What a blessed relief!

Cheers,
Dan

islandmandan August 18, 2013 18:38

Thanks, Hcalland. Just to clarify, my TT is a vintage Garrard 401 idler-drive turntable I've done a DIY restoration on.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan August 15, 2013 15:21

What cart did you have them do for you?

Hi Dan - My trusty Benz Micro MC3. I had plans on nuding it but SS strongly advised not to do this as it then becomes a beacon for microscopic crap floating in the air. Much of this dust is metallic particles. I found their comments interesting.

Cheers

ct0517 August 14, 2013 14:32

Wow, what a nice system. Love the direct drive TT. I want to get one some day

hcalland August 13, 2013 03:10

Hi Chris,

We've had a beautiful summer here in the Pacific Northwest (sometimes, it seems as if we don't have summer).

The music is sounding it's all-time best (especially analog). I'm really impressed with Soundsmith's retip of the XX2MKII.

What cart did you have them do for you?

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan August 12, 2013 19:33

Hi Dan
I find once I settle into a cartridge I tend to leave it alone for quite some time and listen to record after record. I received a retip back from SS two months ago and still have not listened to it yet. Maybe I am just lazy. But lots of summer travel in there too. As I type this now your post has made me think of switching. :^)

Good to see you enjoying the tunes. Hope you’re enjoying summer

Cheers Chris

ct0517 August 12, 2013 00:24

System edited: The Dynavector Soundsmith-retipped XX2MKII has really settled in nicely, I haven't felt the urge to use another cartridge since it returned from Soundsmith. Still waiting on the ESCCO-modified Zu Denon 103R, which I sent in at the end of May. They say another 2-3 weeks yet, I'll be interested to compare it against the Dynavector.

islandmandan August 11, 2013 22:58

System edited: My Dynavector XX2MKII cartridge just returned from Soundsmith, where it had their top OCL re-tip. After the first few hours, I have concluded it's now my best cartridge, but that may change when my Zu Denon 103R returns from ESCCO with its upgrades.

islandmandan July 29, 2013 04:06

Pradeep,

Thanks for the update, I'm glad you're enjoying your 401 so much.

As I mentioned before, try the platter dampening rings avaiable on Ebay. I do think the copper mat helps dampen ringing on the platter, rather than exacerbate it.

Things like alternative mats are generally rather inexpensive to try, and easy to resort back to the original. Just have fun with it!

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan June 27, 2013 19:36

Hi Dan and Chris
Many thanks for your suggestions and comments.
My 401 is in pretty good shape though the cosmetics could be better. The original rubber mat is usable. I am a bit sceptical about ditching the rubber mat and opting for a metallic mat with a metal on metal contact . This could lead to ringing etc. I intend to get one of those heavy record clamps from TTWeights when my daughter visits from the US in August . I love the look of the almost gold like sheen on Dan's copper mat. Will check the UK site.
The 401 is sounding embarrassingly good. The SPU has less than 10 hrs on it. What do you reckon is the minimum breakin for a new cart ? At least 25 hrs would be my guess.
Will get to mount the Miyajima mono cart today as the Best LP protractor arrived last night.
Cheers and Happy Listening
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 June 27, 2013 05:27