Audio Hobby Thoughts, Philosophy & System Description
Current Room Anchors - Room 1 and 2 active
Room 1 - Matrix 800's anchors - for creating that ..........Maxell Tape Effect.
Room 2 - (Adjacent to Room 1) - Quad 57 + two Dynaudio BM12s subs - Midrange reference
Room 3 - Acoustat Model 3 - Modded - upstairs - For imaging larger than life (literally speaking) - see last picture. Unfortunately is next to my wifes TV room. So it gets limited use.
Stored - B&W Electrostatic DM70c Continental - Wife calls them the washing machines. John Bowers called them his favorite speaker. Very interesting and very rare. Could anchor a room but they need special placement and lots of room. ESL portion needs to be 100% functional and at ear level or they will sound soft.
Room 2 is mostly digital, guests, and used for trialing used unplayed records before they make the queue for room 1. Room 1 has been called by my family as Dads Hole. I prefer panic room as it helped to raise my kids and stay married...so far.
Psychology Part
Music is critical to ones health and well being. I went through a couple stretches in life due to events without it and the results were not good. The goal for me to get lost in the music and have it transport me to that special place. Now whether you get there by a typical 2 channel home stereo with speakers, headphones, or other means is not important. Getting there is the important part.
Audiophile not.....
Have always been the type that if I frequent a room enough, a system usually ends up in there. My wife finally put an end to this, and allows me to do what I want in the full basement of our house.....so..... In this described virtual system, I have had Room A since 1994. Adjacent Room B is in the process of being finished, but I have been using it for listening for a few years now adding in room treatments as needed.
History
Like many others, have been at this audio hobby since I was about 13 when I was consciously aware of the gear versus the actual music relationship. I am now 55 and currently with two adjacent music rooms setup with different gear. Both rooms can do full orchestra symphonies with large dynamic swings. Getting Room B with the Quad 57's to do this was a challenge; but I was able to get it to work with the right amps and powered subs. The Quads require a very different room acoustic setup over the Matrix 800's in Room A.
I am a pure amateur, audiophile, music lover, past trombone player, and have never been part of the Audio Business as a manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or have any special interest relationships with any of these people. I consider myself a full time music lover, and part time audiophile; although I have friends that could argue this point. I have tried to upload pics and information here, that give a flavor of some of my audio journeys, and associated bouts of Audiophilia Nervosa. :^)
"Audio Heaven, is for Music Lovers - Audiophiles are never happy.
With that, in the real, authentic, Heaven; there is room, even for Audiophiles"
8^0
Living in the country
Having moved away from the city core in the 90's, I have found that audiophiles away from the cities, are in general, scare to find and or keep to themselves. Many of my audio friends are now remote, due to the distance between us; so only virtual communications are possible most of the time.
The negative aspects of Isolation aside; one good aspect of living in the country is the clean power and lack of noise and vibrations caused by traffic, trucks, etc...Once experienced and its effect on your listening, you become very aware of the multitude of audiophile products available as band aids, to cover, veil, but never eliminate these artifacts in densely populated areas.
I was born in the 60's so I grew up with Classic Rock, Beatles, etc... But I love all music, new music and Opera hits home with me. I played trombone in Jr and High school so the Bass Clef has a bias with me. Listen more now to the ladies crooning at me, Classical and Jazz with occasional Classical Rock; I think a well recorded full Orchestra Symphony with huge Dynamic swings has the most magic for me.
***** MAIN ROOM aka Panic Room, Dad's Hole, ....*****
I have had Room A since 1994. It has 3 dedicated lines 20, 20 , 15. This room is personal use. Room B is more for entertaining and spending time with friends.
Room A is much better insulated and isolated from my wife. As much as I would like to move the Matrix 800's to the larger Room B space to try them, it would probably just get me that much more trouble.
Room A and B are both located on a concrete poured floor. A has a an underpad and flat carpet on top. Spikes from gear stands and speakers are able to penetrate to the concrete with no problem ensuring a solid mechanical connection. The speakers are located 6 feet from the front wall with the room being 24 ft in length. Putting in the 800's over the 801's meant that some of the room treatments were able to be removed due to the 800's double woofers high and low. This is also one of the reasons I call them very room friendly.
1/4 inch 2 track machine. The three pictures attached. Top Left - known as two turntables. my machine being worked on Middle pic - 807 Top Right Pic. A picture of Roger Ginsley with a 48 track machine he is about to split into two 24 tracks. My Studer 807 is calibrated by him. He is also the one that makes the interconnects I use with it.
JC Verdier La Platine Vintage Granito Original Design
2012
http://www.jcverdier.com/ADSL/platineVintage.html
Just a delight to use. With its presentation, sends the message home that it is all amount the music. Effortless, seamless, but experience is needed is setting up the thread. A real Goldilocks scenario of the thread being too loose, too tight or just right. Different thread tensions alternate how the motor and platter work together and change the speed. The objective is to get the correct speed with as little effect from the motor. ....
Original design. Granito Model My version uses a motor only equipped for thread Granito base and solid aluminum billet armpod. The later newer motors are equipped now for belts too - but no one runs them this way that I know of. This decision was made imo to generate more sales as it is easier to setup. But imo the belt grip would play havoc with the motor / magnets marriage which was designed for thread. I would think that belt stretch and its physical changes with temp and humidity changes would also cause problems, and interfere with the natural braking action of the magnets. This is my opinion as mine is thread only. There is a greater learning curve involved with thread.
This is the only turntable I am aware of whose platter design includes both acceleration (inertia) and braking (natural forces from same pole magnets) to deal with the records behavior - going from soft to heavily modulated grooves. The motor design, like a marriage with the platter. Think of the childhood merry go rounds that once up to speed - even a little girl could keep them going. To understand how the motor and platter are like a marriage, one need only turn the motor off and the platter spins for 30 seconds with the thread attached. However cut the thread while the platter is turning, and the platter stops much quicker as the two magnets demonstrate their braking capability. Impressive to me is just the plain simplicity of design using physics to get the job done with a piece of string and magnets. I found it important in setup to have the thread positioned in a way that is the least intrusive on the platter; so as to allow the platter to not only do its job as designed; but to also provide the needed jolts as required from the motor to maintain speed stability.
In my opinion - you will know when you have set it up properly because you are able to turn the motor off and on and also deflect the thread with your finger - as the records plays - and not affect the music delivery to your ears. I base this when compared directly to 15 IPS Master Tape dubs. In testing for accuracy I run both simultaneously with one lagging 10 seconds behind the other and switch between the two - compensating for gain as tape is a high level signal. When the thread is setup in this fashion there is minimal stress put on it. The current silk thread I am using has recently passed the one year mark. Overall Big Sound from a small piece of thread.
Some facts Magnetic bearing design. Brass colored rings are big shielded permanent magnets; same magnet poles repelling each other. The result is "levitation" the space you see between them. No thrust bearing involved. A central spindle bathed in a special oil keeps them aligned. For me personally I did not know what TT bearing noise sounded like until I heard music on a TT without a physical bearing. The plinth is made of Granito. Granito is not real granite but a non-resonant material that looks and feels like granite. A limited edition model.
"Granito is a material composed by little pieces of marble of very different origin agglomerated inside a mold with cement. Machined and polished. The resonance of the plinth with its suspension is about 5Hz and it is well absorbed by the air cavities."
Mr. JC Verdier Note: Newer Platines are provided with a setup bearing. The manual is very clear on the setup bearing. It is just that - a setup tool only. COUNTERFEIT PLATINES Unfortunately there are non-authentic tables out there worldwide from 20 different counterfeiting makers. These tables are out there with people using them. If anyone is unaware of this, see the Platine Information on the JC Verdier website for more info.
The only advice I can give is when buying a Verdier Platine you should be careful to ensure it is a real Platine, especially if buying privately. If you already have one and have doubts, check with an authorized dealer or J.C. Verdier company in France to ensure it is authentic.
Custom Eminent Technology Model 2.5 for MC Carts
This is a custom build ET 2.5 Tonearm from Bruce Thigpen - A 19 PSI design.I am using the new Long I Beam. Weights are reduced by half and therefore the vertical inertia is higher - a goal of the design. The Aluminum Gooseneck was sourced from NZ. It was through Richard Krebs also an ET2 owner. I am using Single Shot WBT wiring, Aluminum mount plate. Magnesium armtube. Double Leaf Spring and damping trough. If you are an ET2 owner you know what I am talking about :^).... Advantages of the ET2 airbearing linear tracker tonearm - no VTF changes with VTA adjustment, no offset setup, antiskating and immunity to acoustic feedback, as it rides on film of air.
One shot wire. Run at 19 PSI. Damping trough with 1 cc of Oil. Lead weights at the very end of the I Beam.
VTA on the fly while the record plays and it doesn't change any parameters (VTF) like all other tonearms do. This is due to a patented VTA on the fly system. Have you ever noticed how with same thickness records....some can sound brighter, some bloated and some just right? When they press the records the different plants can have different standards. Records are then cut with varying angles.. even same thickness ones.
See ET2 Bass Management Below
Tonearm Wiring Loom - One shot WBT NextGen
2011 One shot wiring loom for the ET 2.5. WBT 0102 CU connectors. The design of the ET2 (2.5) allows for this wiring to be changed out in about 10 minutes. Silver and copper can be experimented with.
The PUMP ET2
Life Support for the ET2's. Timeter 3000 Medical Industrial Pump. The most important part of the ET2 arms setup. Industrial commercial grade medical pump. Its actually a patient respirator.
These have an hours counter and come up for sale cheaply on ebay. If you have space in your basement somewhere they are turnkey once set up.
I have tried large aquarium pumps, smaller medical pumps, compressors.
This Timeter Medical 50 psi pump has been customized to allow me to regulate air pressure coming out and send 19 psi to the ET2 tonearms. Another regulator with gauge at the arm allows me to accurately adjust for the PSI coming into the arm. Located in another room -cannot be heard in sound room when running.
The smoothness of air delivery is excellent. No resonance. The pump dumps/expels moisture like a car's AC. Have never seen a drop in the moisture collector; other than one incident when the pump outlet clogged with minerals from the moisture. I now soak the pump outlet in CLR for 2 hours every two months.
ET2 In Room Air Regulator & Filter
2nd Regulator and Filter on wall near the ET arm. Confirms and controls the 19 psi and also filters out moisture in line. Have never seen any moisture in this filter. This device lets me change the pressure going to the arm by just turning the top mounted knob. This regulator is mobile. It can be placed in my lap while the music is playing and pressure adjusted to hear how it affects the music delivery.
Audio Research DAC8
From a DAC only function perspective identical to the ARC REF DAC except the output stage is tubed on the REF. Interesting read. :^)
Owned many many years. Modded power supply box. Variable Gain for dealing with hot, and compressed source material - Digital and Analog. On the fly cartridge impedance loading. Used in ARC's hotrod mode. Direct output and bypass switch engaged. Amperex Bugle Boys.
Matrix 800
Unique one time all assault effort from B&W at a time when 2 channel was the focus. Smooth, musical yet still detailed. Room Friendly if you can believe it. Imagine 4 subs two high and two low pointed at you for 2 channel music. Each driver 2 woofer, mids, tweeter have their own crossover easily accessible from the back.
They were a 2 1/2 year study from Bowers & Wilkins under John Bowers (RIP). I have looked for a long time for a pair. The only time they become available are through owners going to a smaller condo (retiring or divorce).
All B&W 800 models that followed the Matrix series are the same only in model designation - 800. They are not a replacement or upgrade. They are a different build, design, objectives, sound. Post Matrix 800's are a smaller speaker system (require a sub for full range); they do have better WAF (more easily placed into a shared room with the wife)
800 matrix can be played at low and high levels with the right amp. 93db 2.83 volts/1m, Mine are Quad wired. They can be run on four separate amps if one desires as each driver has its own crossover.
Top and bottom woofers each excite a different set of waves. These waves cancel each other out. Thats the theory. My listening supports this. Smooth tight bass. It is quite something to experience since their size make you think they will over take the room. Also IMO each woofer works only half as much with four versus two for the desired SPL. All of this results in a very flexible listening position. All drivers are physically isolated with separate crossovers and Van Den Hul silver wiring from the factory. I run them with both tubes and Solid State. Krell and the modded Music Reference RM9.
Krell Amplifier Story My research found me talking with Dan D'Agostino who used matrix 800's as his reference speakers when he designed this era of Krell amps. Specifically the FPB series like my FPB600. On a dedicated 20 amp circuit with upgraded 20 amp power cord using Furutech Gold IEC.
RM9 Push Pull Tube Amp. Used to power Acoustat, 801, 800 speakers. WBT 0700 Connectors. KT88 output tubes. Hardwired for 4 ohm tap. Total Overhaul done April 2015
MATRIX 800 INSTALL
Installation
800 Series Bass Alignment Filter / Equalizer.
The graph shows the 801 matrix frequency response with and without the filter.
All 800 series B&W matrix speakers are an active design and are intended to be used with an equalizer by the designer (John Bowers) to achieve the best frequency response.
This attached graph was sent to me by B&W Europe years ago
It is the frequency plot for the 801 matrix "without" using the supplied Bass Alignment Filter. (not sure if it is 801 s2 or s3)
B&W England are the ones that drew the two dotted lines on the graph.
The 801 matrix speakers were designed to be used with the BAF. The speakers with BAF devices were shipped to original owners. But these devices became lost as speakers changed hands. They pop up on their own on ebay.
The two interesting parts.
Part 1
Not only does adding the BAF filter as designed give you a smoother response and allow the speaker to hit 20 hz. The BAF makes the 801 matrix speaker much more efficient. The ohm ratings can be seen on the right 8 - 6 - 4 - 2 ohms. The 801 matrix s2 and s3 are a very easy 6 ohm steady load with the active equalization provided by the BAF. This opens up amp choices.
Part 2
Audiophile opinions on the BAF device are kind of split. Not sure if its an even 50% like it, 50% don't like it, but you have the two camps. Why the difference? The room; its acoustic properties, and how the 801 (aka relationship destroyer) deals with it. There is a reason B&W no longer make the 801. You need a dedicated room. Its makes no business sense.
801 matrix owners today (there are many out there and some reading here), that could NOT make the BAF work with the speaker; or who never used it, or even heard of the BAF before; are taxing their amps way more to make bass with the 801.
************ SECOND ROOM ***********************
A backwards seven with the main section 20 -23. This room is the "top of the Seven". It is separated from the bottom portion of the Number 7 shape (12 x 24) by a heavy curtain. It is also adjacent to my other room of which the door is left open. The back of the room has the stairs that go upstairs. One of the pictures has me standing on the stairs. All this makes for a much bigger room as far as sound volume and space is concerned. An in progress dedicated listening space that accommodates different speaker types.
03/31/2011 Dynamic, ESL, Planar IMO - We listen to our rooms. The speakers in the rooms are like boats. They both represent freedom to me. A 12 foot aluminum boat is perfect for a small lake and your favourite person. But out on the ocean or a big body of water The water/boat analogy in this case is like your room and speakers. Water waves versus sound waves. There is no perfect boat and no perfect speaker. This is because all our rooms are different and the room is the big rock in this audiophile game. Speakers represent the last piece in the audio chain. Their sound represents everything in your audio chain especially the room, before it reaches your ears. Every piece will have an effect on what is heard. This IMO is why it is so important to have a good source. The last few years my speakers have remained intact and I have concentrated on improving the source components. Each time I improved the source my main speakers improved as well. This tells me they are not a bottleneck and I have not yet reached their limits.
Dynaudio Acoustics BM12s - Two of these in my Quad Room B .
Two of these in Room B - 18hz - 60 hz.
4th order Linkwitz- Riley crossovers have a really steep slope past 60 hz.
On paper this made them look like a really good match for the Quad 57's; but how does such a small box make 18 hz. They have class a/b amps are 4 ohms.
I brought them home and demoed them. Very Punchy, Clean and they go really low. A great match with the raised Wayne Picquet Quad 57's. They are placed under the speakers - see pic in my virtual system.
Quad 57 Wayne Picquet rebuild with Music Reference RM10 AMP
Quad ESL-57 - Wayne Picquet Panels Partnered with the amp that was designed for them - Music Reference RM10 by Roger Modjeski.
With certain music magic for me.
8/20/2012 These Quad 57 speakers were designed and put out before I was born. The parts inside which I have replaced like the EHT modules were stamped 1971. Fourteen years after they originally came out. The panels themselves are only a few years old. They were rebuilt by Wayne Piquet in Florida. The normal music presentation for stock Quad 57s is as if listening to music from the first row of a balcony. If using stock feet a 2 or 4 x 4 piece of wood or brick under the rear leg angling the speaker downwards toward you actually raises this image. This may be a more realistic presentation in your room.
Check out my review. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1309018315&&&/Quad-57-
801 Active Monitors - Currently Stored
Currently Stored - "Winnie the Pooh" of speakers. Relationship Destroyer. Owned since 1994. Serious Sound Pressure Speaker can re-create an event in your room when positioned and driven properly. Mothers milk bass. During my time with them have used Solid State and Tube amps (Push Pull and OTL's). In comparison to the DM70 Electrostatic, If the 801 and DM70 were cowboys. The 801s are wearing black hats and the DM70 white ones.
801 Matrix S2 and S3 - Designed by John Bowers to be Active Monitors with use of the BAF and become a sixth-order Butterworth alignment. Without the high pass filter they are a vented fourth-order design, specifically in a Bessel alignment. "Fourth-order" is an engineering term that refers to all vented and passive-radiator speakers; sealed boxes are "second order."
From Stereophile (re: S2) "Higher in frequency, the response trend (averaged across a 30 degrees lateral window on the tweeter axis) is basically flat, but with a slight excess of energy in the presence region and a corresponding lack of energy in the top octave. All things being equal, this will make the speaker both a little too revealing of recorded detail and somewhat fussy when it comes to the quality of source and amplification components, just as LL noted in his auditioning comments."
Some of the changes. S3 used a different crossover than s2 - less component count. Better isolated mid and hf boards. Bass inductors with an iron dust core . Rotating midrange tweeter head assembly was permanently connected. (from 3 to 4 pin delivering separate ground signals to midrange and tweeter) Magnetic fluid cooling of the tweeter (like the 800 matrix) - the reason the apoc protection eliminated (circuits needed for this were also removed)
In nearfield very revealing of room setup, system components - SS and Tube, cabling, TT drive systems, poorly recorded music. They reveal all the flaws of the recording.
Depending on your audio hobby objectives this can be a good thing or a bad thing...
See picture of the Bass Alignment Filter.
B&W Electrostatic DM70 John Bowers / JansZen Hybrid
B&W DM70 Electrostatic Continental Hybrid Speaker Clockwork Orange Movie The late John Bowers (RIP) favorite speakers. JansZen ESL - 500hz and up. B&W Woofer - 500hz and down. Require a large room - elevated to ear level and a good distance from the front wall. Very refined midrange - muscular bass. Non-directional with a large sweetspot.
n]Designed in 1970. No cost or time constraints during the development. From what I can make out they were discontinued due to costs involved. Version One - Power handling 25 watts at all frequencies. Version Two - The later DM70 Improved, which looked identical, is suitable for amplifiers of 25-100w, but seems otherwise identical.
500hz crossover - ESL panel can not be overdriven and is nondirectional.
ESL Panel was provided by JansZen. Sensitivity is 17 watts into nominal impedance required to produce a sound level of 95 dB. at one metre at 400 Hz Double fuse protection C and CA versions.
Modded Acoustat Model 3 - Used In Shared Space Upstairs
Finally hooked up the Model 3's to the OTL's in a temporary fashion.
These are in our living area shared space Custom modded Model 3;s. They have rebuilt interfaces. Unique granite bases with integrated spikes that weigh 80 lbs. Burl Oak Veneer facing and the inside is filled with small sand bags.
Technics SP10 MKII with 2nd ET2 High Pressure Manifold
March 11, 2013 Update
Next version ? will replace the current black base plinth with a more aesthetic one.
Pet Project - Has taught me a lot about resonances and vibrations. SP10MKII Version Five Solid Stainless Steel Legs have threads at both ends and are bolted into the sp10 top plate as well as the solid plinth/platform. The armpod is bolted into the plinth. The plinth is then isolated by the AT-616 Pneumatic footers. 19 lb Solid Brass Pod 1 inch Diameter Solid Stainless Steel.
Previously I had the SP10 MKII in a heavy 7 layer plinth. Birch ply + one mdf layer. This SP10MKII came from a private studio.
This is the second ET2 I own and it is a high pressure manifold
Jean Nantais Custom turntable. Includes: 100 Pounds - Veneered - Two Tonearm Plinth Lenco L75 motor and top plate rebuilt to his standards. Reference model spindle, bearing thrust plate. Bonded Metacrylate mat Bearpaw footers. IEC outlet.
************ SOME NOTABLE MEMORIES **************************
For me some notable equipment. Currently stored or sold-indicated as such.
McAlister OTL 195
OTL195 There is a review contained in my system thread. In comparisons to good Solid State Class A and Push Pull amps they were like driving a 911 but you are limited to 1st gear when pushed. Very fast and punchy. But lack the bass that push pull deliver on. Get the bass right and everything else comes into place. These amps are designed around the needs of Acoustats. My Acoustats are in the shared room upstairs. I no longer own the OTL's.
Fidelity Research FR64s
Gimbal Pivot Arm. I found excellent build quality and a nicely implemented antiskate system. I also found a low frequency resonance that accentuated the bass. A warmer sounding tonearm. It was in my second room with the second ET2 not the ET 2.5. Whenever I started a session with the FR64s it was always nice. But curiosity would always prevail and I would switch over to the ET2. It would always remain there. This happened more times than I can remember. I am not a tonearm collector so it was sold to raise funds for another project. I am in agreement with what Cartridge designer Johnathan Carr had to say about it. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1243274438&openusid&zzJcarr&4&5#Jcarr
Modded VPI's
Thread driven TNT and a JMW 12 using rollerblock jrs. SOLD
Acoustat Spectra 33
Acoustat Spectra 33
Eminent Technology LFT 8a
Set up in midfield - soundstage at both sides of the room. So the speaker shown is the left or the right one depending on side of room you are on. Excellent Magnetic Planar Hybrid Woofer Speaker. Very natural sounding but difficult to drive.
****************AUDIOPHILE FUN + ET 2 TONEARM MODS ************** ****
From here down are some inserts from past audiophile fun.
Also contained here is important information on the ET2, 2.5 tonearms as well as some of the mods I have done to them. If any questions on any of them let me know. No Holds Barred tonearm. User needs to be mechanically inclined and be willing to read ET2 manual instructions for proper setup of this tonearm. If bought on the used market a friend that is familiar with the tonearm for proper inspection of condition is important.
Goldilocks and the Three Turntables . See Sept 20, 2019 post comment below on my virtual system for findings / details.
Belt Drive (converted to thread) VPI TNT Idler - Jean Nantais Custom 100 Lb Direct Drive - SP10MKII When compared in the same room(nearfield), with same gear, tonearm and cartridge, same time, differences are revealed. Out into rooms on their own, this is not as noticeable as our ears deal with different room acoustics. ymmv
OTL VERSUS PUSH PULL Tube Amps
In room comparison.
Thread Drive Comparisons
2010 testing out different threads. Fabricland became a favorite place of mine.
ET 2 Tonearm Proper Bass Management - ATB
According to Bruce
My ears agree
ET 2.0 Manifold Before and After Cleaning
Pictures courtesty of a friend.
ET2 VTA Block Destroyed
Thigpen Genius showing VTA Block rack of teeth and worm gear. This one was abused. If you are buying a used one ensure the rack of teeth seen in the pic are uniform with no wear and baldspots. This is an indicator that the VTA block was misused and rigidly tightened stripping the teeth. The bolt was tightened to a point that shattered the CF.
ET 2.0 2.5 Tonearm VTA Block Torquing Procedure
VTA Block - Ensure each of the four bolts is torqued equally or the patented VTA system will be off. This procedures takes just minutes and should be done off table or you will throw your alignment off. Once bolts are torqued the manifold housing can be mounted to the pillar post and the rest of the setup completed.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Tonearm Magnesium versus Aluminum Armtubes
Mag - MC Cartridges Aluminum - MM Catridges The middle ground is the Carbon Fibre arm tube. MM and MC.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Custom Aluminum Joint - aka GOOSENECK
Black one is the stock one. Sourced from Richard Krebs
ET Tonearm Counterweight Bolt Mod
Get a longer counterweight bolt especially if you like to use heavier cartridges. The stock ET2 bolt is on the right. The longer bolt weighs a bit more, holds more lead weights and allows you to use less lead further out on the I Beam. This provides for the highest vertical mass which is really important with the ET2 as it has medium to high horizontal mass. a 4 - 1 horizontal to vertical ratio. In my system higher vertical mass means cleaner, less resonant, overall better bass. The brass rings are meant for balancing only. I prefer to use Blue Tack for this purpose.
Et2 Leaf Spring Mods Single, Double, Triple
General Cartridge Guideline
Single Leaf Spring - High compliance
Double - Medium Compliance
Triple - Low compliance
ET2 Pedestal Custom 3
Solid Brass Arm Pod
Koaltar Tweak
my pal 6 months, 79 lbs.
Kitty Tweak Bengal
a real sweetheart
RCA Victor Dog
I introduce Lucky. He is a mixed breed Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix breed. He will be acting as the Victor RCA dog,
The original Victor RCA dog.
He was named Nipper and was born in 1884 in Bristol, England, and died in September 1895. He was a mixed-breed dog and probably part Jack Russell Terrier, although some sources suggest that he was a Smooth Fox Terrier, or "part Bull Terrier". He was named Nipper because he would bite the backs of visitors' legs.
Hey Dan you know me...Mr Fun ...heh heh ..being voluntarily retired agrees with me. I used to be the hard ass in the family laying down the law. That role seems to be evolving to my wife. :^0. Well lets call it split duties right now.
You didn't state what the giant piece of wood is for, did I see something about a dock?
Yes tis a new Dock and it reminded me of a couple stories from this summer Id like to share. re: the new dock.
I built our first cottage dock in 1988 6 years before our fraternal twins were born. Over the years I discovered docks are like guys underwear. Guys tend to keep wearing/using both of them and dont replace them as long as they are floating and holding things up? They sort of become a part of you? Is this not true? Anyway this summer my daughter comes up with her b-o-y-f-r-i-e-n-d and says to me. Dad.. that dock is like .....a Ghetto Dock. OK I got it. So some more of their money spent on the new one. We were gone for a week and while gone I noticed a beaver had stuffed branches and leaves into the dock crevices on the shallow side. The beaver seems to really dig this sturdy structure. I also admit less BEER gets spilled on the dock deck.
Cottage Country Music
As is tradition up here and I imagine other places when you boat around the lake in the evening; you see a couple campfires going on from other cottagers. You decide where to shore up and join in on the fun. Stories, stars, loons, wolves, frogs some beverages and some music. Word is on our section of the lake that I am into this audio stuff, and was asked by a cottager to make a music usb stick for them so they can put it in their computer hooked up to a ........Bose Wave Radio.... that he plays from their deck, not too far from the fire pit. Enough music to last from 9pm to the wee hours. I told him no problem. I mean come on we live for this stuff, right ? Imagine a job doing this,
Now the weird part to me was as we were heading home my wife says to me whatever you do not put any Classical music on it. I stood there thinking about what she said but did not reply for some reason. I am still not sure today if this is because she doesnt think classical music gels with a campfire setting with friends; or if she doesnt want to see me start waving my hands around as she has caught me on multiple occasions after a few beverages in my music room listening to Classical music. I like to pretend I am the conductor. Anyone else do this with their hands/arms listening to Classical ?
Led Zep - I normally listen around 70-80 db at home. This is not possible with Led Zeppelin. I need to pick times when I am alone to put on LZ else risk the consequences.
Here is a classic one for the campfire setting around here.
This piece of wood cost me as much as the recent Audio Research DAC8 I acquired. To me watching/hearing all that mass hit the water a few feet away was impressive and not something I see every day, so I thought it would be fun to share it here. The one hour plus it took to tow it to its destination at 2-3 mph was not very impressive. Sorry about the crappy video quality on my old phone. Something a little different.
This 10 x 20 foot piece of wood is likely to last longer than me. Not sure the same can be said about the DAC8 ? Maybe if I stayed off this forum. Right now that piece of wood and the ARC DAC8 are both floating my boat.
Enjoying what is left of summer and hoping for some Indian summer. Some music for gathering round a fire with that special someone? can you say Blue Rodeo
Having a blast learning and this IT guy is in sponge mode right now.
Back in Jan 2014 when I was doing research on which DACs to review and hear, one of the key documents that caught my interest was the ARC short two page white paper on Asynchronous USB 2.0 HS
As a computer guy it made a lot of sense to me. The ARC DAC8 is identical to the current ARC REF DAC except for a tube output stage.
Hello Chris,
The DAC8 uses the same digital chips that are used in the Reference DAC. The REF DAC has a vacuum tube audio output instead of a solid state design.
Please see attached file for more information.
Best Regards,
Kalvin Dahl
Customer Support Manager
I knew I didn't need more tubes in my system. Am very happy where things stand. So a big reason the used DAC8 became a very attractive option for me without having to sell the farm. I have a long way to go to optimize set up but will just be patient and use my ears.
The key part of the ARC USB white paper that stands out to me is that the ARC engineers/designers indicate that the DAC needs to be - the host, the master (Alpha); the Computer part, just the SLAVE. I wonder what percentage of other DAC's follow this approach ?
I read from some (not all) audiophiles on the forum here about their bias against USB, saying it was never meant for music. My take on it is that what is being passed by the computer is not a music signal but just 0's and 1's. They need to arrive safely.
Its the DAC's job once this "data" not music is received, to convert it to analog and send the now music signal on its way. Hence the DAC needs to be the Alpha carrying the load. For the digital audio veterans I hope I have it explained it correctly ? If not pls correct me. I would also welcome comments on the ARC white paper from any technical folks.
Having fun - happy Listening. Vinyl Rules still. :^)
It did indeed. I went, I saw, I heard and more. What I heard was convincing enough that I managed to deplete our bank account and did not come home empty handed. I heard a number of DACs at a couple of dealers as well as all in one CD players with DACs internal - some costing much more than good used cars and smaller new cars. How do I tell you what I heard without sounding repetitive and boring. I may need to brush up on my consulting skills if this kind of behavior continues so here is something that I hope tells the tale.
What ? you guys were expecting to see some shiny gear ? Looking at my slide, imo if you are a music lover and the music tone meets your approval either music presentation works. The agreeable music tone is what allows you to listen to hours and hours of music if allowed. Isn't this the objective here ? Well its one of my objectives. Now if you are also cursed with having being born with any part of this audiophile disease, then I think you will much prefer the bottom presentation - as long as the tone is still good. By tone - for myself I prefer organic sounding, musical, but still extended and full range, very smooth and airy like analog vinyl and tape.
So I added the Audio Research DAC8 to my room. A fairly new (slightly used) piece bought from an ARC authorized dealer on consignment from an actual brick and mortar retail store. Too good a deal to pass up for me as the bulk of depreciation has already happened. I heard it in two different rooms at this dealer site. They needed to move it as the Esoteric CD Player I wanted to compare it with was in another room. The folks who did this were very nice. Vienna Acoustic speakers in one room and Sonus Faber in the other room. fwiw - I really liked the VA speakers. Filled the space beautifully despite their small size.
The actual DAC8 I bought. I was told the previous owner of this DAC was a frequent flyer - if you know what I mean. Kind of like a day trader stock broker with audio gear. All I can say - thank u Mister, whoever you are - for breaking this DAC in for me and keeping it in mint condition. Or did you even break it in? From ARC it requires 600 hours for break in. Guess I will find out. And I thought phono cartridge break in times were bad.
Some preliminary listening at home. The CD's have never sound so good, so for me it was a good move. It has brought me closer to the many Music Cd's I own. Maybe its the synergy with my ARC preamp. Also my ears tell me claims by ARC of it being optimized for use with USB (just as good as S/PDIF) also seem to be hold promise. I am no where near getting this optimized but I do sense some real potential here. It doesn't get any easier than 5 steps to be up and running. 1) Load the ARC software drivers from cd. Connect the DAC with USB so it recognizes it. Set the sampling rate. 2) Insert music cd into your laptop cd tray. 3) When your music player pops up to play it - select RIP cd option instead. In 5 minutes it is loaded onto your hard drive. 4) Hook up a decent USB cable - the same style as printers use (you are probably wireless now) 5) Double click on the album and your listening to your music.
Like i said not optimized just up and running but very impressed so far.
Busy waving around the red and white today. I mean the flag not wine. So Happy Canada Day to everyone and to my American friends too for the upcoming July 4th. Two important days to remember representing both our countries independence. I find it interesting ..... The Americans earned their independence by going to war with the British. We Canadians ...well we took a different route. We had a meeting with them...told them it's been really cool hanging together but we are now ready to go it alone. So they said ok.....
DAC update. Back in town and will be heading to the big smoke (city) as we call it here to listen to at least two DACs this holiday weekend. This time the ARC DAC8 and an ESOTERIC, can't remember the model. I will be lugging my trusty Saturn with me with its favorite power cord under my arm. I will take the new Natalie Merchant CD with me. This new CD of hers has some really strong bass lines and is I believe a good weight test of the transport / DAC harmony. Will be a bigger test of the dealer showroom. Also will take Alison Krauss & Union Station - so long so wrong - cd. I came away unconvinced with the PS Audio PW DAC2 this spring. Just as well I guess with the Direct Stream now out. Even though digital is a secondary source for me as an audiophile; as a music lover I want to now get as close to vinyl and tape as I can get with all the cds I have. I am very leery about using any of my kids inheritance for anything digital - except music ; even though they (kids) are doing their best to make me want to spend the money. Its going to take hearing something significant in the dealer room to make this purchase. The dealer showroom has so far been imo the bottleneck in showing differences. If these rooms that are semi permanent with lots of time for setup can't be sorted out, then what do you really expect from sounds coming from Room 2134 at some hotel ? A home trial is not possible. happy listening.
Latest music pickups including Classical, two Popular ladies and Led Zep Used Classical Lps from two visits to my secret place. Brahams Symphony No. 4 on VOX. Mahler Symphony No. 4 G Minor - (Banquo as you are a fan of Mahler) I am hoping this one works out but it looks kind of rough. Hoping its mostly surface crud and not groove deep. A Mozart 7 lp box set in new condition that I got for next to nothing, a German Telefunken produced JS Bach LP - " Kreuzstab-Kantate Ich habe genung" ?? Regardless the price was right. I like surprises. Schubert Symphony No. 8 Unfinished - Telefunken, and No.9 Deutsche Grammophon. yet another version of ......1812 Overture... this time on London Records. The other lps picked up of various composers are on Decca, Phillips and London labels.
New Music from the ladies. Sarah McLachlan Shine On, in Lp format; Natalie Merchant's new album, self titled only available in Cd. You know I am a biased music fan of both ladies so telling you how much I enjoy both these albums would be pointless ? Anyway the Natalie Merchant album is excellent musically and sonically - so I don't miss an LP version not being available (until you hear it as they say in this hobby - you don't know) The new Sarah Lp - I listened to it in digital first. It took 3 listens before it started getting through to me. If I wasn't a huge fan I would maybe have been turned off of it initially. She's turned a corner and appears looking for a new man in her life.... Sarah's vinyl is in an excellent package, much better than the previous Illusions LP with 11 songs spread over two discs. Verve Music Group UMG recordings, Santa Monica CA. How is it possible for vinyl to sound so good ? You will need to get up off your arse FOUR TIMES to handle two records to get through this regular length album. So now you know the real reason my turntable and preamp are right next to my listening chair within arms reach... well that plus standing bass waves from speakers. There is well over one inch of runout on each disc.
Led Zep The latest good news on the Lep Zep remasters got me curious so I started looking for the Led Zep Lps somewhere in my record wall. To be honest, in my younger days (17?) I found Led Zep just ok; was never a really huge fan. But they were really big in Canada so everyone here knows all their songs just from radio play alone. I was more into the other British super groups, Beatles, PF, Genesis, Supertramp, to name a few. From what I seem to remember, those really into Led Zep back then (when I was in high school) were just a little older than me - born like way back in the 50's. :^))) I am a product of the 60's. 8^) lol....
Well I found, pulled and have been listening to lps 2 to 5, minus 1 & 3 - where did they disappear to ? Find myself really digging these earlier albums much more now than ever before. That raunchy, groovy, bluesy, folk, rock sound is addictive. So much so that the music was pounding out on the matrix 800's. It brought a visit from the Warden with a warning. Then it dawned on me - I didn't even know this Warden lady when I was in high school and this music was first seen on the music charts. I've read some wonder why this music is on the charts again ?
Count me in as one of those that have re-discovered this band and their music. I picked up Led Zep 1 remastered which also includes 2 lps of the France concert (3 lps in total), Will also pick up Led Zep III when its available in store in town. Excellent vinyl packaging, very quiet and flat vinyl - pressed in Germany - Atlantic. Happy listening.
Led Zep 1
"I can't quit you babe I guess I got to put you down for a while. "
Sam - the LA Kings are ahead of the New York Rangers 2 games to 0 in the Stanley Cup final. Do you know how much money the people in the Greater Toronto Area (over 6 million people) each would cough up dollar wise just to see the Maple Leafs make it to the damn final ?
Wife is away for a few days so I decided to spark up the Quads + sub which are in Room Two. this Room 2 is just below her favorite room. Not good. So I took advantage of the opportunity. Its been a long time since listening to music in that room and it has the TV to watch the game. An observation - with humidity hovering around 58 it didn't take long for the Quads to start producing 40 hz again. You can start playing music after 1 - 2- 3 hours and they sound like transistor radios as the panels re-energize and come back to life. During the winter if no humidifier and 35-40 humidity level they can take two days to come to life when left unplugged. Cheers
The TASCAM DA-3000 is an appealing product as it features BNC SDIF-3 inputs and outputs...one can pass native DSD signals if one prefers a different DSD DA converter than what is available on the DA-3000. It is DSD128.
Sam - thx for this info. Very interesting product.
"Tascam is introducing the DA-3000, a high-resolution master recorder that writes files at 192kHz/24-bit or Direct Stream Digital at 2.8MHz or 5.6MHz. The DA-3000 replaces their DV-RA1000HD, which recorded to hard drive or DVD media. The A/D converters are Burr Brown PCM4202 and the D/A is a pair of PCM1795s. A new transformer-based power supply has been created, with separate supplies for the analog and digital components."
I did some research on the weekend. The DA3000 allows you to connect your CD Player to it; and burn your cd's to DSD or WAV format on a flash card. The flash card content can then loaded onto your hard drive or used directly (flashcard - 32gig) with the DA3000 as DSD input into your system. This is important to me as I said earlier I have a fair number of cd's.
I am going to look further into this.
fwiw
The Tascam DA3000 for D/A uses two PCM1795's. The flagship $10,000 Rega Ishis CD Player/DAC uses two PCM1794.
I wonder what the difference is ?
Looks like Rega went away from the Wolfson D/A which my Saturn uses.
REGA SATURN D/A - 2 x Wolfson WM8740 Sanyo SF-P101N
REGA ISIS D/A - 2 x PCM1794 Sanyo SF
For anyone looking to get into turntables and finding the market selections (new or used) a little overwhelming; imagine trying to pick a new or used DAC.
My pleasure. The Lampizator is certainly a topical subject, currently. IIRC, Lukasz regards AN with esteem. The TASCAM DA-3000 is an appealing product as it features BNC SDIF-3 inputs and outputs...one can pass native DSD signals if one prefers a different DSD DA converter than what is available on the DA-3000. It is DSD128.
DSD128 is very good...haven't listened to DSD256, yet. Should you have the opportunity, audition the non-oversampling, i.e., NOS, DACs from Audio Note.
Hi Sam - really appreciate the info. :^) I will look into them. I think its the hunt and research that sometimes can be the most fun part of this ? I know there are a couple of threads of folks doing comparisons with these new DACs. Some have the funds to have secured a few of them in their own room, same time. You really do need to hear the components in your own room. Your comment about the Audio Note is also very interesting, as Lukasz of Lampizator also made a reference to Audio Note's Level 5 same as his Big 6; according to his opinion, sounding closest to Reel to Reel.
Hi Dan
I probably listen to more CD's than vinyl, mainly due to not being in the mood to go through the motions required for vinyl. In other words, I'm lazy.
Imagine if we had to go through all those 010101 motions to type out 6 words to communicate with each other ? Well we are doing it here...hah !! excuse me but I find that funny. That keyboard is starting to look a little more complex now isn't it ? Damn I just spilled some coffee on it.... Quick - turn it upside down
I remember the day I got into digital and bought the Denon DCD 1500 new. It was considered a reference player back then. if you can believe it I still have it - hoarder just like my wife - it sounds a little dark now. But I would probably take dark to bright if I had a choice. My first real job at 17 or 18? years of age involved punching out computer cards on this really big typewriter and reading them into this massive reader. All 0's and 1's. So "the computer" could understand what to calculate. Has anything really changed? I also find it interesting with digital that the players reading the exact same cd with same 0's and 1's, have different tone and presentations? With records and turntable setups - no two are alike - the record source ... or the table/tonearm/cartridge setups.
Chris, I agree that digital equipment can surprise you in that newer isn't necessarily better. A modified McIntosh MVP 871, modded Genesis Digital Time Lens, and modded Musical Fidelity A3 24 DAC gets a lot of use here at home, and compares favorably with my analog front end.
I probably listen to more CD's than vinyl, mainly due to not being in the mood to go through the motions required for vinyl. In other words, I'm lazy.
But, that's okay. When in the right mood, analog satisfies in a way nothing else can. Just more there there.
DSD128 is very good...haven't listened to DSD256, yet. Should you have the opportunity, audition the non-oversampling, i.e., NOS, DACs from Audio Note.
Dan - its two years almost to the day that my previous company shut down the Canadian consulting team that I was part of. And it took 6 months away from work for me to realize what I had been putting up with and how it was affecting me. I have one more step coming. I have been in the weeds with Analog the last 7-8 years. As I do have many cd's there is right now quite the delta between vinyl and digital for me on my main table. Now for the last 5 or 6 years I have been bringing my digital player to high end shops and comparing against leading DACs and transports. The differences have always been subtle - not enough to entice me to make a move. That says alot imo about my 7 year old digital player as it relates to me. Also the presentations in these showrooms has always sounded very digital even with my player inserted. I couldn't tolerate that for 15 minutes in my room. Just more reason imo you really need to hear gear in your own room.
The most recent visit two months ago was to a shop that featured PS Audio PW II and transport, Pass Labs Amp and Preamp and Gershwin speakers. Once more with my player inserted and then the PS Audio the differences were very subtle and the sound was very squeaky clean - not for me. The connection I get with vinyl and tape .....not there. At home I can have all digital listening sessions and they are enjoyable because I am a music lover. But there is a big delta with my main vinyl table in room 1. There is an ease in the music (maybe the ease is with me) but anyway the delta is there and it is quite large.
I am hoping the latest DSD DAC's will make a difference. I will be using the summer to review and study up more on them. Have been in discussions with PS Audio and Lukasz at Lampizator as just a couple of manufacturer examples. Lukacz seems to thinks his Big 6 DAC comes closest to vinyl and tape. With the money I have raised from culling I will probably bringing in a DAC this fall to try to bring all that digital music I have closer to vinyl and tape. Cheers
Chris, I can relate to being retired, be it voluntary or otherwise, and also listening deep into the following morning on pretty much a daily basis.
Your system is obviouly doing just what it should. It should be the means to a happier, healthier life, not a path to neurosis, as is so often reported in the pages of this forum.
I'm glad you are enjoying music so much, and are allowing yourself the time to do so.
You state that on your Technics SP-10 set-up, that the spindle resonates at 5-7hz. Correct me if I'm misquoting you or if I'm totally wrong. How do you come up with this measurement?
Slaw - the numbers are for the resonance on the ET2 spindle on its own and come from Bruce from his testing. These numbers were also posted on the ET2 thread a ways back in a couple of areas. I dug up one of the posts where they are referenced.....here
fwiw and I think you share the opinion on this. I trust the numbers I get from Bruce from his testing. He is imo one of the most unbiased, reliable and consistent sources for all things vinyl. So I am a messenger in this case on this info and a user. I had numbers and a lot of other info listed under the ET 2.5 tag, as well as other areas on my page but I lost most of this data when there was a problem with my virtual page late last year. When I got back access to the page earlier this year, due to the number of views which is at well over 310,000 as of today, I decided to keep my system page public and have been adding to it with relevant info as I go; in the hope it is still interesting and helpful to others.
My two ET tonearm setups.
The ET tonearm that is on the SP10mkII that you referenced is in Room 2, is the ET 2.0 with a MM - its spindle resonates at 5-7 hz as mentioned. I use this setup to mostly test out used records I buy. I think I have at least 250 used records in rows waiting in that room 2. Lets be honest; as we get older time becomes shorter and shorter. I will probably never get to all these records. Once in a while I pull from here and if it sounds ok in Room 2 I bring it to room 1.
The ET tonearm on La Platine in room 1 is an ET 2.5, it has an MC cartridge. The ET 2.5 spindle as you know is wider in diameter and heavier than the ET 2.0. It makes sense therefore that it resonates at 2-3 hz. This is my main table setup. I keep about 200-250 records on the floor in that room 1 in specific rows - these are active play records. The other records are in the wall unit behind my listening chair - maybe another 800 - 1000 or so there not sure. I don't really think about it
fwiw - I also own 1000 or so cd's. There is a lot of music on cd I like that is just not available on vinyl, hard to get, or its cost too high for me. in my current state anyway.
Ct0517: You state that on your Technics SP-10 set-up, that the spindle resonates at 5-7hz. Correct me if I'm misquoting you or if I'm totally wrong. How do you come up with this measurement?
An update. Current status of "voluntarily retired from work" continues.... much to the chagrin of my wife and kids. I am just having too much fun. My main room - circa 1994..... a little audio philosophy. The room objective continues in trying to recreate the band and small venue visceral experiences of my youth. But also play all the music well that I want to hear; especially as I grow older and branch into other genre's more deeply. This room deals with being able to pressurize the room and become one with the performance. This is not about picking out that trumpet or flute and listening for its tone or decay. I am a music lover ..this is about being immersed in the entire music presentation; to become lost .....for a while anyway...at least until the the wife comes a calling. Its not about where they (musicians) are in my room but why they are there .... their overall message to me while I listen to them. Does it motivate and stir emotions in me .......if it does ....their music gets repeated in my room. Sometimes the message (lyrics) are more important than the sonics.....
The impact of the performance as we know can be addictive, therapeutic and this should lead to a "healthy" state. Leading imo to greater Gestalt for each of us individually.
We have all heard the phrase.. Release the hounds. This is about .... Releasing the Endorphins.... thats what this hobby means to me. ok, ok .... enough of my personal audio philosophy.... you are allowed to do this on your own thread ... you Know ?
Matrix 800 What can I say...have had more than enough time with them now. What a stupid (sick) speaker this is. Updated pics posted. Spring has arrived and I can't seem to keep myself out of my main room come afternoon, every day till whatever hour, everyday that I am home. Even as the daylight hours now grow longer with each day. This in itself can't be a healthy habit.
801 matrix versus matrix 800
801 The 801's are like a couple of wild horses...... even though I have nicknamed them Winnie the Pooh for myself. If you have patience and learn from your mistakes the rewards with them I feel can be truly great. They could be anyone's last speaker. But you need to be the stubborn type for which this hobby is a selfish desire for yourself; not concerned about others perceptions, or status based on money. You also need a dedicated space and an accommodating spouse. Don't even consider the 801 if you don't have the these two things in place already.
The matrix 800 in continuing with the horse analogy ? ; are like that seasoned Equestrian horse that just won its 3rd Olympic Gold Medal. They can do no wrong it seems for me. Currently combined with the Krell 600 and Krell BAF I am the closest I have ever been to recreating the atmosphere of the venues in my younger days. is there a fountain of Youth ?
His review, along with a couple of other matrix 800 owners input; helped coax me to make the jump to the matrix 800 after 19 years with the 801 s3 matrix.
I am not selling the 801 s3. To raise needed cash for music or other gear I am selling ....other stuff. My daughter seems the more likely candidate (based on personality type) to get the 801 s3 right now. Very different personalities my son and daughter even though they are separated at birth by only two minutes. She came out first and holds that over my son at every opportunity.
I've put shorting plugs on the amp before (per Roger's advice) and the amp is dead quiet. I've changed everything in my system since the time I first remember hearing the buzzing--except the passive pre. So could be that. It's not audible unless ears are on the tweeters (yes, both), so no big deal. I suspect it's my power line. When my wife turns on her reading light in the bedroom (it has a dimmer) the buzzing through my speakers is intolerable. The weird thing is that that light is not on the same circuit as my gear. And even if I unplug everything in the house, the buzzing persists. It might be the fridge which I haven't unplugged.
n.b.: my dog is a good dog--and so is my wire loom...after a bit of training. As usual, you're right: it took a bit of twisting and turning in order to get the wire to sit right. If I get the silver wire, I'll make sure it's not twisted.
I tried your test and I get no noise except a little buzzing from the tweeter--that's always been there, even when I had shielded cables.
Banquo, I wonder what the buzzing is ..both tweeters ? if you could substitute another amp in, that would help eliminate the amp.
Once u go unshielded there is no return - imo Its a little more work to get them working in a high RF area. But the sound that much closer to what the tape sounds like. Does it sound more alive to you ?
Are your wires separate strands? Mine are twisted together.
An analogy first. Banquo looking at your audiophile dog on your audiogon page - is he trained well when walking ? Meaning - when u walk him does the leash stay limp and relaxed or does he pull on it ? The reason I ask - The ET2 tonearm design is one of a free bird. Its doesn't need the actual wires and/or the air tube to help with damping like other air bearing tonearms. The air tube is separate from the moving air bearing spindle. The wires are needed by the cartridge. So a necessity for the signal - need to be set up in a way so they stay limp and relaxed; like the leash when walking a well trained dog. This way the ET2 can trace "walk" the record groove smoothly. So the wires need to be set up for the least resistance with the ET 2.0 and 2.5 so they stay limp and don't move.
The wires themselves is a catch 22 situation - imo. You want them braided as it helps to inhibit noise but; braiding them causes the wires to become more restrictive and even twist on you. This is how my old VPI JMW tonearm induced ANTISKATE by design. You would actually twist the wires one turn one way or the other depending on how much force you wanted to induce.
My first loom from Gene at Take Five Audio was braided. I learned the hard way and unbraided all of it. Now I braid just the section along the armtube; then the four strands, like hair - go their own way to the common point on the shelf next door where the preamp is. They form a happy face loop in between platforms. (pics can be seen on my audiogon page)
I personally feel if Bruce Thigpen (ET2 tonearm designer/manufacturer) was not so busy building his unique speakers, and enjoying his personal plane...he would have figured out a way to go wireless by now.
Hi Ct0517: I barely get phone reception in my house; I have to go outside most times. Very annoying but now my tt is benefiting. I tried your test and I get no noise except a little buzzing from the tweeter--that's always been there, even when I had shielded cables. Are your wires separate strands? Mine are twisted together.
