NIce job on the conversion! How does it sound?

shadorne January 22, 2009 15:38

System edited: New pictures added.

islandmandan January 22, 2009 05:59

System edited: Finally, after some trial and error, I completed my comversion to thread drive. Nice improvement. Many deserved thanks to Dave G. for all his help, couldn't have done it without him. Dan

islandmandan January 19, 2009 22:00

System edited: Recently added DIY resistors, ala Grant, and thanks to you, cartridge loading is now perfect. The help is appreciated, as always, simple things can make large differences, and hats off to all that have helped make my modest analog setup sound great, so far from its humble beginnings. Couldn't have done it without all the kindly given support and sharing that is prevalent on this site. Happy New Year! Dan

islandmandan December 27, 2008 00:52

Finally completed surround and center channel installation. Although surround speaker location is not ideal, the results are quite good, the system re-location making a very beneficial change.

My system is now all I ever wanted in an audio system, recent equipment updates to amp, uni-player, and DAC, have made performance in all formats, including vinyl, to be what I always wanted and hoped for. Now all there is to do is enjoy it daily for many years to come.

Thanks for looking, enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan November 16, 2008 22:47

System edited: Finally completed surround and center channel installation. Although surround speaker location is somewhat less than ideal, the result, due to system re-location, actually worked out well. My system is now all I ever wanted in an audio system, and years of audio contentment is what I am looking forward to. Thanks for looking, enjoy Dan

islandmandan November 16, 2008 22:37

System edited: System update. I sent my Musical Fidelity A3/24 dac, Aragon 3002 amp, and Marantz DV8300 back to Michigan to David Schulte of The Upgrade Company for updates. They have been back in my system for just a little over a week, and the results are spectacular. My system now has incredibly fine detail, dynamics, and transparency. Imaging and soundstaging are nearly, or as good, as anything I have heard. Speakers seem to disappear, making each listening session an enjoyable experience. Gone are the days when the angst of feeling "it should be better than this", or "what's missing?". Now there is only great enjoyment of a complete musical experience, leaving for me, nothing to be desired. I wish to thank David Schulte for making this happen. Also, Kudos to all the Audiogon members who have contributed their time and great knowledge to my cause. Couldn't have been done without all your help. Man, am I happy! Thanks to all, and enjoy! Dan

islandmandan October 05, 2008 18:43

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the suggestions, I need to get at least one just to see what this combo can really do. And enjoy some good music. Enjoy you demo!

Regards, Dan

islandmandan July 22, 2008 04:17

Dan, I hear ya .

As for the Bluenotes,
here are two suggestions that I would highly recommend to anyone be it their very first taste of Jazz or to someone like yourself, getting to know the whos who.

Cannon Ball Adderley, title Somethin Else.
Staring Hank and Sam Jones, Miles Davis and Art Blakey.

Absolutely fabulous music, the entire Lp.
This Lp has been played a lot over the years.

Equally great Lp is Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers ,title Moanin. The same goes for this Lp ,absolutely fabulous music

I see your a fan of Kenny Burrel, his Lp Midnight Blue is coming up for release also.

I know $50.00 a pop. Buy a least one, they are a treasure.
These are the type of Lps that go way up in price once sold out.

The Gershmans are a great line of speakers, I may even consider them, Dan, there are so many.
Next week I have a pair of speakers being delivered for in home evaluation.
Gotta go

stiltskin July 21, 2008 09:25

Hi Mark,
I've bought a few reissues and bargain used lps from Better Records, but no Hot Stampers. I got into vinyl partly because of the chance to get used lp's cheaply, and enlarge my collection and choices by having two formats available. I can't quite bring myself to pay $200-$400 and up for one used lp, no matter how good it sounds. Can't afford it anyway. Wish I could. I take my chances with auctions and such, and have found quite a bit of good recordings and music that way. I have been interested in the Blue Note reissues, but don't know which one to try. I'm not that familiar with many of the old jazz musicians in the Music Matters series. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the post. By the way, I'll bet you're loving that new system. Did you buy those new speakers yet? Say, have you ever had a chance to hear Gershman speakers? I heard 'em at RMAF last year, and was really impressed by them. Their newest and lowest in their line was oustanding, extremely good for their $3000 (I think) price tag. Sound quality just went up from there, with their larger, more expensive offerings.

Good to hear from you Mark, stay well,
Dan

islandmandan July 21, 2008 02:01

Right on Dan,

It will be interesting to use this MintLp tractor, the Feikert is precise also.

My niece has a Rega 3 I dialed in for her using the Feikert.
Her father bought a new Ortofon cartridge from a dealer and had them mount the cartridge, the salesman set up was way off.In a hurry I guess.

Heres acouple of web sites for vinyl you may find interest in.

Music matters.com
This run of Blue Notes put out by these people are staggering good reissues.
Could very well be the best on the planet.
I have 4 now with more on preorder.

And for that one or two all time favorite Lps that never did seam to sound right and you wished they were better.

Heres a site I just learned about that offers what they call Hot Stampers. Better Records .com
Read through the site, some interesting stuff about vinyl

The guy is a straight shooter and offers a full refund.Who does that!

Good Listening
Mark

stiltskin July 21, 2008 00:55

More notes after further listening following set-up with Mintlp Tractor. Vinyl sounds more grain-free, smooth yet very lively and dynamic. Placement of instruments in soundstage much more precise than before, and imaging the best it's been with current system.
There aren't likely to be any more upgrades in the analog department, other than inexpensive ones, may try string drive or something along those lines, but right now, vinyl listening has reached such a high plateau, I'm just going to listen and enjoy for a while, and maybe try to increase my lp collection. The Mintlp BestTractor is a great way to go, highly recommended!
Regards, and thanks for looking,
Dan

islandmandan July 20, 2008 19:37

System edited: Just set up my arm/cartridge with the Mintlp Best Tractor, great tool, set-up was easy and precise. Analog front end has reached its zenith, getting all I can now without going nuts and spending a ton of money I don't have. Very happy with the Signature Scout and modded Simaudio LP 5.3 and Dynavector XX2MKII. Enjoy, Dan

islandmandan July 20, 2008 01:34

Good morning, Abe,

It's funny you should ask about that, since I got my HD 600's, they have been my benchmark for how to quantify the progress in sound reproduction through my loudspeaker system. It's been years in the process, but the two have finally reached parity. What can easily be achieved through quality phones is not easily achieved through speakers. The addition of the Cardas made a nice improvement in 'phone listening.
I have not had the pleasure of hearing the Special 25's, but from what I've read, they are very good. The 5.4's have kept me happy ever since I got them, about four years ago now. I don't think about what it might be like with other speakers, since the 5.4's always readily reveal improvements elsewhere in the audio chain, and just satisy in all the ways that count. You shoud hear them, if you can. Also, the new Sapphire speaker from Dynaudio is one to check out.
Thanks for your interest, regards,
Dan

islandmandan July 18, 2008 15:14

Hi Dan,

I have HD600 with Cardas as well. I have Dynaudio Special 25s but have been interested in S5.4 for a long time. I am extremely curious on your take between HD600 and S5.4.

Abe

abe_av July 18, 2008 07:28

That's great, Mark! New set-up all the way around, and all top-drawer stuff, too. Too bad one of us doesn't have a tele-porter, 'cause I'd sure like to hear that new table, not to mention speaks and amp and all the great stuff you've acquired over the last year. Now that it's over, it must have been well worth the wait, right?
Try to get some pictures posted, and a Vitual Systems thread, so we can all drool over it! Congratulations on a great year of audio acquisitions.

Best regards,
Dan

islandmandan July 09, 2008 03:39

Dan, That's too bad about Dave. Maybe you could still post a thread and have interested parties contact you for more info, just a thought.
I'm sure other owners of the Sim phonostage would like to hear about the mod.

I'm happy for you now that things are squared away with your analog.

I have a total of 16 hours on my new table, another 80 to go, at that point the cartridge will be burnt in.
The Phantom and cartridge are set to spec. I need to fool around with damping fluid yet, its cartridge specific apparently. The arm is a dream.

So far so good, one thing , its staggering what it does on vocals.
I have not put the ASR phono exclusive in yet or used the Emitter on the Quads. The Emitter might set them on fire.

They will come into play soon.
I have made arrangments to bring home the Veena Reference 3A speakers the end of this month, if all goes well with the dealer for this time period. Hes getting a second pair in piano black.

Listened to them three times in the store , they are just incredible.

stiltskin July 08, 2008 21:52

Hi Mark, Drubin,

As far as what Dave has done, it's a mystery to me. All I know is that it sounds outstanding, and by any measure I have heard. For some reason the cheeses at A'gon have it in for Dave, so posting a thread on mods by him would never be posted. I have tried before, and they discriminate against him. I don't know if it's all modders, or just Dave, but they won't post anything about him, except here on my personal VS site. Sad, really, as he's a great guy, and does superb work.

Mark, have you been able to fine-tune that new table, arm, and cart yet? That's a dream set-up, you must be in hog heaven now.

Thanks for the posts, guys, enjoy!
Dan

islandmandan July 08, 2008 01:43

Dan
You should consider starting a thread in the discussion area regarding your modded phonostage.

I understand it is quite good.

Good move on the MintLp. Now your going to find out where the bear poops in the woods. Extremely precise and its mirrored.

I bought a small package of erasers to gently wedge under my platter to keep it still when using protractors.

That worked very well and if need be, you can take a knife to the erasers and shape them even more because they need to fit snug, not too snug that it could lift the platter.

Far better then using tape, though some guys use it.
If you had to move the platter a fraction, well you can imagine.

Anyway , Drubin and I will be looking for your thread....

Im using one of the courtesy computers at the hotel. Usually this time of day kids have taken over the room. Today mostly travalers that left their kids at home, good

Take care

Mark

stiltskin July 07, 2008 22:03

Dan, what does David do to the LP5.3, do you know?

drubin July 07, 2008 13:59

Bit of an update, been doing some set-up refinements, and the last one put me over the top. I am now hearing fine detail, clarity, and lack of distortion that I've only heard on very well set-up high-end vinyl rigs. I couldn't be more pleased, I didn't think this Scout would ever sound this good. One major factor is my Simaudio Moon LP 5.3 is on its third week of break-in after a Signature Upgrade by Dave Schulte. I'm telling you owners of the 5.3, you have a gold mine if you just spend a few hundred more bucks on an upgrade. Just wipes out the stock unit all to hell. Scout, and all the tweaks, are here to stay.
Just ordered a custom made Mintlp Tractor for more refinement on set-up, don't know how much better it can be, but I'll enjoy finding out.

Regards, and enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan July 07, 2008 05:24

Hi Mark, good listening indeed. So when will you have the arm and cartridge set up? You must be on pins and needles about now. Hope it arrives and gets set up soon, better than Christmas, right?

Regards, and enjoy,
Dan

islandmandan June 01, 2008 02:45

Dan, By the sound of things , you got it nailed!

I know the little Scout can sing, I've heard one meticulously set up by a vinyl fanatic.

Wait till the Nordost wire in your Signature arm fully burns in....3 to 400 hours for sure.

Next up, down the road, changing the rubber belt drive on your Scout to something other then rubber will be significant....Or the Rim Drive....OOOhh my.

As for me....Perhaps Monday or sometime this week for my TW Raven.

Good listening Dan.

Mark

stiltskin May 31, 2008 22:35

System edited: System edited, installed Simaudio LP 5.3, purchased on Audiogon, replacing home audition JLTi, which sounded great, from Jay at Audio Revalations, (thanks Jay!). Vinyl is sounding absolutely superb now, more in line with what I expected when I first ventured back into analog. It's a learning experience, and there are refinements and upgrades that can and do make major improvements in what even a modest VPI Scout can do. I am very pleased with my analog front end now, and strange as it may seem, I can't think of anything I'd like to change at the moment. That's a good feeling, I better enjoy it, 'cause I don't know how long it may last!

islandmandan May 31, 2008 18:39

I'm running with the large pack of other sick puppies, while you're running in the pack of the sick BIG DOGS!

When I grow up, I want to be a big dog too!

Regards,

Dan

islandmandan May 27, 2008 01:15