Pound for pound the Jolida's are some of the best bets around. I was just kidding around really, it's already a great system. I'm curious to see how the cleaning machine works.

biomimetic July 17, 2006 03:30

I still think you should think about a tube preamp.

biomimetic July 15, 2006 01:42

Actually, I would say my silver Harmonic Tech's were worth the 200 bucks. It kills me to say it, but it's true. The hundred dollar ones were probably worth $80.

biomimetic May 23, 2006 04:04

Actually pictures in frames (an irregular surface is good actually) will readily deflect, although fabric is best. You could put a throw carpet on the floor also - if you are in a larger building your power may actually be better as the step ups for the building are designed to meet much higher demand. I would maybe hunt around on the net for a power socket - partsconnexion or soniccraft have different types. All good choices, I personally would go with rhodium. With a good power cord or set of cords, it will be a much truer sounding system, but it may take going back to something else after a few weeks to really notice it - this was my experience with my first set of interconnects, and then they get hard to live without. Let us all know how it works out after you get everything tuned up. I sense you may be the next Rick Rubens...

biomimetic May 19, 2006 07:06

Good power is always a must - if you are really curious, go to where ever the fuse box is and see how many other appliances, etc., are on the same fuse as your system. Then see if you can get your system onto its own fuse. Tell your parents it's a safety feature, which btw, is true. That will help the most. Buying a rhodium or silver-plated socket for the actual wall terminal would be my next purchase. Then I would worry about "after the wall" power regulation; it's crazy to have a power monitor after the wall if you haven't prepped the house power supply before it exits the wall. But actually, I would go to Radioshack and buy a dB meter and get a couple of wall treatments. A good room should come next (first if possible but you may not be able to do this part since you aren't paying the rent I assume; my parents would never have gone for it) - there's a guy here on 'gon in "All Out Assualt" called "the room is the thing" - there's a link to an article he wrote on building a true listening room. GREAT article: LINK. I would also take a look at some of the little pamphlets, articles, manuals even on Manley Labs website. They do pro stuff as well as geek and it will give you a real sense of what will do you some good from a pro perspective. Basically flat reflective surfaces are your enemy, and a dB meter will tell you how badly the room reflections are damaging your primary imaging. It's a cool toy too for $20.; take it outside and see how noisy your neighborhood is, or which side of the house gets the most noise, figure out where your room should be for the quietest background. If you aren't already in that room, start by hanging protective wall treatments on that noisy side. Plus, if you have ever heard different speakers in an anechoic chamber, you would be surprised by how different they can sound in a natural environment - bad speakers sometimes sound halfway decent in an ok room; but good speakers, good room, then you are talking. And you have good speakers. You could spend two or three hundred bucks this way, assuming your parents don't mind, or will help you, with putting in a different power socket, and hanging the treatments. Otherwise, yes, a powercord would help. But first I would try the other bits.

biomimetic May 18, 2006 03:12

That kind of wear is sort of unusual - I would make sure if you are going to start playing new records that the cart, arm and plinth are in total alignment. There are tools or simple tricks if you read through 'gon. I often buy used records, and have only had the problem that once. If the records were worn on that table, I would be willing to bet it was a low quality cart or a slightly tilting shelf or rack, probably over years, not plays. The Grado shouldn't be a prob - I agree that Bryston's phono is top notch. Buy some new stuff and enjoy. Not anemic sounding or anything? Have you tried the CD v. Vinyl of the same issue recording yet?

biomimetic May 16, 2006 04:33

I bought an old Who record for $2. as a test record recently - and sure enough, grainy, at least with the Grado - does the same thing with some monos. So probably some sort of groove anomaly. I think it's wear on the records. I personally think whoever wrote the article on Wiki (don't believe everything you read on the internet - I've seen some doozys on Wiki) is overstating it a bit. Have you tried out any new vinyl? What's your phonostage? Personally I think isopropyl is fine, but a simple carbon fibre brush works best for me. I also use the Decca.

biomimetic May 13, 2006 20:08

I agree - better to spend the money on records, assuming you like the sound. Then worrying about a nice rig. Grado gold is a good choice for starters - it sounds exciting and smooth.

biomimetic May 08, 2006 06:34

I agree - good vintage tt - I would also recommend putting a couple of racket or tennis balls under it. Some weight in the plinth would probably improve the sound as well.

biomimetic May 07, 2006 06:01

Denon 103, Grado Red, Sumiko Blue Point Special, Ortofon RM20 super.

biomimetic May 06, 2006 06:29

There are definitely plenty of good stores in the Chicago area - after you find out how good it can be, which you will, I would go listen to several different decks and carts, which should give you a flavor. Plus there's plenty of good just window browsing/research to be had on toddthevinyljunkie.com and needledoctor.com besides here on 'gon. Vinyl should not be either fuzzy or laid back when it's really good - it should sound fuller and clearer actually. Like I said buy a vinyl copy of something you like, and bring the CD - my bet is the more diverse the range you listen to at the store - often they only have classic albums be it the tried and true "Dark Side of the Moon", random Mozart or Brubeck's "Take Five" - the more sense of it you will get. If you take some of your parents vinyl, I also might make sure they take a serious brush to it before you make any decisions. The caveats are of course that vinyl can get scratched and worn eventually - but on a nice table it shouldn't, but if your parents just have an old Dual, cart unknown, who knows what shape the collection is in. Plus, turntables really have improved alot in the past 20 years, since the days of the hi-end Linn, when that Dual was considered mid-market.

biomimetic May 03, 2006 20:39

You could build a very nice vinyl rig for the price of an Ayre - I am disappointed to hear a salesperson tell you to get in at the bottom end; I have to wonder if they think they can sell you a top end model in 6 months when you still aren't satisfied, and secretly know you could get more out of your system with vinyl but work in a store where maybe it would be uncool to say it...

Part of the fun of vinyl is unwrapping a new record - for instance I'm listening to the new Yeah Yeah Yeah's on 150g right now, and it's as quiet as a CD. Different gram weights and colors; the special quality of different pressings makes the music more special. Don't start with a Project. It will under-sell the rest of your system - good as I think the Projects are, your system begs for more. Estate sales, Goodwill, etc. are good places if you're into classic rock, folk, classical, and maybe you live somewhere that good vinyl stores aren't as accessible; but there's still all the great indie and underground online shops, plus music direct, etc.

I think you will be surprised by how much more your system is capable of. I have always been a fan of Arcam - and debated for 6 months about getting a used CD23 vs. a CD33 and finally just bit the bullet and went back to vinyl when I got to hear a VPI table/Benz L2 cartridge/Grado preamp, and those two Arcams side by side. I mention VPI because they have a big rocking sound which would go well with the Bryston (they look cool too). Plus, the VPI will kick the crap out of whatever you put next to it that's digital. If you are truly anal, take a digital copy and a vinyl copy of the same thing with you for a listen. I wasn't any more impressed with digital further up the food chain; it's which frequency bandwidths are cut, and how the signal is made to conform to an algorythm. DSD, HD and SACD still aren't analog. As any audio engineer will tell you (I have worked as one) the thing that's great about analog is that the entire signal is present. And I still think a tube pre would add some excitement to that top of the line Bryston amp.

biomimetic April 29, 2006 03:44

I dunno man, you sound ready for vinyl. A cheaper vinyl player would sound alot better than any CD player... plus, you would get to find out about all sorts of new gadgetry, and plan a whole 'nother level for your system. Plus, Pass Xono's and BAT's and all sorts of cool upper tier stuff.

biomimetic April 28, 2006 07:54

What about a Manley Shrimp if you are looking for a tube preamp? Great output, also top notch service like Bryston. Makes pro gear so you get a little extra clout. Definitely worth auditioning. The Bat's are deceptive, but I can imagine it might be a little blah with the Bryston b/c they are both kind authoritative, detail oriented pieces and might have less synergy as a result instead of more. I have heard the FMJ CD's but I prefer the 23 to the later ones - the ringDAC had more of that special something to it.

biomimetic April 22, 2006 08:29

Are those ceramic cones on the Thiels? How's it sound with t he Bryston? What kind of music? Top five albums? If you were going to add a tube preamp what kind would it be?

biomimetic April 17, 2006 03:50