Wow some great pics ! Thanks for posting !!

Question, I am considering a new phono stage (for real this time). The Lamm LP2 Sig and the Allnic H3000 are really the two on my list. I am coming from a Nagra VPS with a EAR MC4 SUT. My cartridges are Lyra Atlas and a Allaerts MC2 finish.

Any comments on your Allnic (saw it in one of the pics) vs your Lamm LP2?

Thanks in advance

jfrech February 10, 2013 15:34

Pictures from isolation base comparisons - HRS - Minus-K - Benchmate - Vibraplane

Kuzma XL + HRS

Comparison Kuzma XL / Micro Seiki 5000 in same System, both onto HRS Platforms

Kuzma XL / Micro Seiki 5000 + HRS

Micro Seiki 8000 + Minus-K

Micro Seiki 5000 + Benchmate

Micro Seikis + Minus-K

(On the left corner you see a Rockport Sirius III, it has its own isolation System)

Micro Seiki 5000 / HS-80 + Vibraplane

Micro Seiki 5000 / Basis Debut vacuum + Vibraplane

Micro Seiki 8000 stock + Minus-K

Kuzma Reference + Vibraplane

syntax February 10, 2013 13:45

Holy good God!

b_limo November 14, 2012 02:22

Hi Ofthewal,

I was curious for such a Battery Powered Frontend for a long time. Rowland gear went out of my focus when they introduced the Switch Mode Power Supplies, so I was looking now for a unit from the late 90's. Found one, replaced the Batteries and it works like a Swiss Rolex.
Some months ago before I got it, I had the chance to listen to the latest Spectral gear (Pre 30 & 360 monos) and the Rowland combo (with Model 2 ) is from the musicality so superior, so much more lifelike, no one will believe it unit he can hear it. Indeed, Rowland had some designs which are remarkable (like Model 8 Amp for example). Good Audio Design is timeless.
Btw. yes, Coherence ii.2 + Lamm ML2.1 is really special :-)

syntax November 06, 2012 17:53

Hello Peter,

yes, it is amazing. But on the other side it is simple Physics :-)
Real Knowledge transfer to "High End Units" will give remarkable results.

... I can now close this chapter

Well, the fanatic Audiophile never sleeps but life is much more relaxed now :-)

syntax November 06, 2012 17:41

Hello Syntax,

so, that's an impressive collection of only top equipment.
I love the warm glow that is bin radiated by the Lamm 2.1
And of course the mighty Jeff Rowland equipment in particular the coherence preamp.
This one I heard by myself, and know it is not of this world!!

Regards Ofthewal,

ofthewal November 04, 2012 19:26

Hello Syntax,

I wrote you a while back describing my Vibraplane and steel ballast plate under my unsuspended SME 10 turntable.  I preloaded that with the ballast and finished the steel in a nice smooth black surface.  The improvement was tremendous.  On your suggestion and perhaps on Dertonearm's, I have borrowed two more Vibraplanes for under my SS Pass Labs XA160.5 amplifiers.

All I can say is that you were so right.  They make quite a difference.   I thought they would for tube amps, but I'm surprised by how much they improve the sound of my SS amps.  Noise is lower allowing me to hear more information.  Distortion is lower, so everything sounds clearer.  Images are more three-dimensional.  Bass is more articulate and focused.  But what I noticed most immediately was how much more palpable and present voices are.  They are now in the room with me.

So, I have just found two used active Vibraplane units on Ebay and I plan to buy one new active unit from Sounds of Silence for underneath my new SME 30/12 turntable.  Even though my turntable is now suspended, there still is some improvement.  You probably noticed this with your Basis table.  My current Vibraplane is passive.  I have become tired of checking it for level and height before each listening session.  I generally have to adjust it once every two days.  This is easy, but I don't want to do it for all three units.  I think this is because I use a heavy clear acrylic dust cover for my turntable and that constant change in weight effects the pressure.

I plan to run all three units off of a compressor in the basement.  The two used units from Ebay are surplus lab units.  They are the standard blue with white vinyl tops and cheap trim.  Industrial aesthetic, not for audiophiles.  I am working on one.  I've stripped it, sanded it, removed the plastic top and will paint it black, add dampening to the underside and reassemble it.  I will also have two 100lb steel ballast plates made for them.

I'm really excited by the improvement these make to my system.  And the restoration project will be kind of fun as well as saving me some money because I bought them used for $500 each.

I want to thank you for pointing me in the right direction.  As with my new turntable, as they say, I can now close this chapter.  It's the best isolation/amp stand that I've found.  I'll send photos when it is all complete.

Regards,
Peter

peterayer September 14, 2012 19:19

Part II of Munich High End Show 2012 / Germany

Nice looking speakers

Stahl-Tek Digital Player

Now back to that room which had the most - by far - smiling visitors

Give me more....

Full time job

don't ask... :-)

Price?

Well, like I wrote, most people had this happy smile in their face and it was not the nailed soundstage which fascinated them (not possible with such a design), I think, it was the Tone. The Voicing. So pure and clear. Even for me it was something I never heard in any demo like that.
Some hate it, mainly professional reviewers, some told me, they think it is awful. Who knows...the visitors showed a different reaction (but only in that room) and I discussed that some time later with one of those guys and the answer is indeed a bit interesting.

"The demonstration by Silbatone, of such a WE-system at the HighEnd 2012 in Munich has probably resulted in not only visitors, but also one or the other exhibitor, questioning their believe in the alleged progress made, where music is often shredded into tone-scraps, ignoring the music’s inner cohesion"

Something to think about. Not so wrong when I think about all I saw and heard...
But life goes on .... see you next year :-)

syntax May 11, 2012 12:40

Some impressions from the High End Show 2012 in Munich / Germany

I think, in Germany the Vinyl Playback is very popular. A lot of rooms made Demos with Records, too. There is nearly everything to see (or to listen to), very modern Designs from Magico, NOLA, Wilson, JMLab, Martens....also an amazing number of Tube Amplifiers from all over the world. In a way, progressive Audio to "Retro" Audio with a wide range of Horns, or refurbished Turntables from Thorens ... I never asked for the price (or forgot it) but I think, High End will change more or less to a Life Style Product. Mainly I was not able to say "Yes, I can hear why this System is 100k$ or why this CD Player combination is 40k ...
But I guess, others can...

Some Pics

I think, this is a Klangfilm Design but I forget to ask, is it original or new based on Drawing but I think, it is expensive :-)

Klangfilm

Air Tight electronics with a German von Lange Speaker

Unknown turntable

Horn from Poland

Another Horn Design

NOLA

Form Follows Function

some old Horns from a Collector who shows them on Demos, I think he is from Korea, Western Electric Horns have a strong Fan group in Asia I think
3 Pairs for Demo, small, more or less a regular sized Speaker and the big one is made for 1000 visitors (Cinema)

Most crowded Room

syntax May 08, 2012 11:31

Hi Thomas,
I know your opinion about the MS drives. And you are basically influenced by Dietrich's earlier opinion. But regarding the Air Bearing Micros, e.g. SX 8000 II or SX 8000 you need to listen to them more deeply in a very good environment, also including decoupling. I am pretty sure you might change your assessment. Frankpiet is right on this.

best

thuchan May 02, 2012 09:46

Hi Dover, I agree, most vacuum turntables are totally overrated, destroy or damage themselves over the time (Luxman ...) or have absolutely no sonic advantage, but this is based mainly on weak Design. The Basis had a very advanced Platter with a lot of very good solutions and was - or is - among the rare ones which really give a top sonic Performance. Conti found the solutions for a lot of 'Problems'... I learned a lot with that Design. Interestingly most really good Designs - Amps, Turntables, Arms, and so on - do not get the Hype or 'Support'. Most WPDs (Worst Performance Designs) I ever listened to have a strong Fan group. Real Believers. Love them all :-)

syntax April 07, 2012 15:48

Syntax, I can add to your experiences. The Final Audio Parthenon that I use has a 15kg aluminium platter that is 3 inches thick, solid mass. It has no cavity underneath, unlike the Micros and Melcos. Even with the solid gunmental subplatter that fits into the platter from the underside it rings. It is only when you place the 4.5kg copper mat on top of the solid aluminium platter that the ringing is killed. J Carr uses this bimetallic damping in his cartridge designs.
I do think one of the advantages of these decks is the rigidity of the plinth/platter/arm loop. Having had a vaccuum SOTA many years ago ( low pressure ) I'm still concerned about potential long term record damage with vacuum platters.

dover April 03, 2012 05:43

Hi,
Some lines about the Seiki in general. Each of us has his very unique matrix of experience mixed with preferences, emotions, knowledge and social circumstances and background. Every personal opinion and every personal "sound reception" is based on this very solid ground.
Thus we are highly subjective beings and our opinions do reflect that.
Its not just our taste in music that is different between audiophiles - it is the whole approach to sound and the way each of us does experience it.
Maybe I wasn't precise enough: - I want to draw a clear and present line between the terms "opinion" and "knowledge". lt is possible to gain knowledge from the opinions of others (but this is a most uncertain way and very likely to mislead...), but all too often the opinions become "facts" or "statements" for many listeners/readers.
ALL Micro RX and SX platters are undamped and very sensitive to "ringing". The vacuum-version gives no real option to alter that. Thus one have little to no chance to really get the most performance from a SX-8000 ll unless you are willing to sacrifice the status of original on this expensive TT. I listened to it several times, with records I know very well and also with Arm and cartridges I also owned at that time.
I just KNOW - this is not my "opinion"... - that a Micro 5000 without vacuum suction and with a fixed 1/4' PVC or metacrylat mat on top of its platter will outperform the "stock" SX-8000 ll in terms of low register speed, punch, definition, color and body. lt furthermore would provide much better resolution in the complete band with more weight and 3-dimensionality. Only add a Vibraplane or Minus-K and it is done.
The SX-8000 ll doesn‘t give really good sound, a Basis Turntable with vacuum, Suspension and a Phantom Arm for example (or a FR-64s, I also had an Armboard for that) is a total different, much more serious chapter in analog reproduction. There are some differences in Design, what-is-responsible-for-what and Basis made its homework quite well.
The introduction of vacuum suction in high-end TT's during the very late 1970ies and early 1980ies was an answer to the very thin records common those days. After the 1st oil-shock there were soon no "180 grams" LPs around, but usual the record weight was below 110 grams and already warped when leaving the pressing plant. ln general - pressing down LPs by means of vacuum suction was not invented or introduced because of "better sound' - it was introduced because of poor physical quality by the "software" of the time and to be able to provide "solid" conditions during playback with almost generally warped records.
I for one can NOT stand the sound of a stock RX-5000 without its platter damped by a solid mat. Stock status there is no low register to speak of, no transients, no body, no space - just zing and bang and gone (Same with those overrated vacuum Versions !! Suite Española Decca SXL.6355 Side 1 - Orignal, no Reissue - is a desaster with them compared to a Basis or Oracle Turntable, for example)
I was ready to sell it when I got it. I had much better tables in my room at that time. But those non-vacuum Seikis have enormous potential to get tup the ladder. Especially with those FR-Arms and a working suspension... When you know the stuff. Good sound isn‘t a matter of „Taste“, often is has simple technical reasons...

syntax April 03, 2012 02:11

Impressive system. Congrats. I can second most of your comments on Micro tt´s as I have had several models myself (BL-111, RX-5000 + HS 80, modded SX-777 FV, SX-8000 MK II with the very rare stainless steel main platter and the smaller bronze inner platter + HS 160) using either SME V or Ikeda 345s together with Lyra Delos and Benz LPS and Stealth Hyperphono. The SX-8000 MK II by far outperforms the RX-5000 which is ringing noticeably. Due to its air bearing for the mainplatter AND for the inner secondary platter there is NO ringing at all with the SX-8000 II. Sorry: but I think you have never ever heard a SX-8000 II performing. Nevertheless enjoy your great system !

frankpiet April 01, 2012 16:18

Hello Jeff1225,
yes, you are on the right track.
20 years ago, I owned a Kenwood Stereo with a DD Dual Turntable ... I met a friendly Audiophile, he once saw my System, smiled and invited me to listen at his Place. Rowland Gear, Martin Logans, Oracle Turntable...it was a complete new chapter for me...: "You know, there ARE differences"
His advice guided me all the years...

syntax February 23, 2012 19:41

Thank you. Your system has been an inspiration for me and is indicitive of the best systems i have heard. Tubes, high effeciency speakers and a high mass turntable make for a realistic live sound IMO.

Cheers....

jeff1225 February 20, 2012 17:10

Hello Jeff1225,
the Atma-Sphere are no longer in use. They were a great match with my 99dB Horns I owned for years. But when I got my first Lamm preamp I was impressed from its true, real sound that I went for the ML2.1, the 60W were never needed anyway. But when you think about those, they are reliable and sound very good with high sensitive speakers. Indeed, one of the great OTL Designs.

syntax February 20, 2012 12:17

lovely system. I'm curious, are the Atma-sphere's still in rotation? How do they hold up vs your impressive collection of Lamm gear?

jeff1225 February 19, 2012 23:39

High End has different faces, what works for the one, does not for the next
BUT
like Dover precisely wrote:

Jaw dropping ...

This is interestingly independent from "taste" .

(And in combination with a reproduction which touches the soul probably the magic High End can create).

syntax February 19, 2012 15:41

Hello Syntax,

Thank you for sharing your perceptions with us regarding these alternate transducers paired with your robust amplifiers. Additionally, it was nice of you to share some additional pictures of said speakers. I also enjoyed the view of the mountains peaking in through the curtains. Nice to find a so readily accepted WAF solution...;-).

Kind regards,

unoear February 19, 2012 05:30

Big amps - small speakers.
Years ago I had NYAL Futterman OTL1's ( about 5 feet high, 2x200w monoblock OTL's with 5Kilowatt separate power supplies for each channel ) driving Proac Tablette's.
http://www.meta-gizmo.net/tri/nyal/nyal_art.html
Jaw dropping for visitors both visually and aurally.

dover February 19, 2012 05:15

Syntax, nice story about the amps with the small speakers. I, too, have big amps and small(ish) speakers and love the combination. I drink tea, and the same thing has happened to me.

I was at Sounds of Silence (Vibraplane distributor) yesterday and was treated to a wonderful system with six active Vibraplane units. Steve Klein is a wonderful and knowledgeable man.

peterayer February 19, 2012 03:44

A different Story...about the Lamm M1.2R Amplifiers...
Here is my story with Monitors from Reference 3A( Midi Master II, modified with Hovland Music Caps, Siltech silver wire insidet ---> he full monty at that time)...bought also full Range Speakers in the 90's from them, but my wife liked them so they survived in our Family System...they are 8 ohms, 93dB and can be used with Tube Amps...but never really tried it over all those years...simply too lazy...

Big amps for small Speakers

20 years ago, at my beginning of High End (no money, no idea from anything....) I once made a visit in a High End Store and there was a System which impressed me immensely at that time....2 small speakers on stands, price maybe 300$ each, and I think the most expensive Spectral amp at that time with the also the most expensive Spectral monos...absolutely not matching from price...and then it started to play and I thought...my God, what is THAT?????
Simply fantastic Presentation (from my no-knowledge-about-what-is-all-about), deep soundstage and all of the usual fantasies....I totally forgot that for the next 20 years....until M1.2R arrived.
The fanatic Audiophile never sleeps well and after some modification on M1.2R I saw my wife's speakers and in the last corner of my brain a little light started to shine...20 years and what happened...well...moving the speakers to my main System and connected it with
Lamm LL2.1 (Tubes: Amperex first stage and Telefunken second stage), Lamm LP2 high gain version with 70db, Fr-64s + Lyra Olympos SL + LSC Royal Ballet
1. Side and a mug of fresh coffee...needle into first track.
And?
My coffee went cold.
20 years of High End Running passed my eyes and I was transformed into the theatre where this record was made....toc,toc, toc...needle got the last groove.I was still in my chair and was not able to get up. I simply couldn't believe what these units did with these little speakers.
Time for a new coffee....same record again... Volume from LL2.1 at 09.30...first track again...now back to my coffee....I started to nip....toc...toc...toc reaching the end of the record...coffee mug was still 2/3 full....and cold again.
So, maybe it is some help for readers with such comparable little speakers who look for a serious performance for the full frequency area...when you can do, try these amps (I use them with 6922 Telefunken, new from 1970 and silver connection at the rear)...they can close a chapter.

syntax February 18, 2012 15:36

Hello Aaron,

Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, matching the Olympos cartridges and the Fidelity Research tonearms are a real synergistic match, both the FR-66s and the FR-64s tonearms are a really good fit for these and many other cartridges.

You are going to enjoy the Supreme upgrade on the Graham Phantom tonearm, it is a super solution. We also spent a wonderful time listening to the Graham Phantom Supreme guiding the Lyra Helikon Mono cartridge, another nice musical combination.

The FR-7f and the FR-1 MK3f cartridges are both world class machines. We listened to these cartridges over two days. These are both very musical and approachable solutions. However, they are very LOMC, so they require a phonostage that has a 70 dB great gain solution.

Syntax is a gracious host and diligent in his quest of finding what builds up the framework for workable differences in Audio.

Cheers!
Alan

unoear February 16, 2012 03:43

Hello All, good news!

I have confirmation from a really reliable source that D.-Daniel-Dietrich-Dertonarm, your choice, has finished the Omnigon preamplifier for me and the Omnigon is due to ship tomorrow to my delivery address in Texas. I am looking forward to receiving the shipping confirmation number, so I can track the Omnigon shipment to me.

Alan

unoear February 16, 2012 03:08