A short sound report .... Syntax' set-up in october 2011.
When I visited Syntax 2 weeks ago, I wanted to get a refreshed impression of his set-up and performance.
Since my last listening session w/his system a few small changes had been implemented in his dedicated room.
His speakers were fitted with all silver ribbon wire inside as well as silver coil and WBT Nextgen silver terminals.
His Lamm ML 2.1 was modified with Yamamoto tube sockets, Teflon and silver in oil caps, pure silver RCA jack, WBT Nextgen Ag terminals and more.
We agreed on two cartridges - the Olympos and the FR-7f - and one tonearm, the FR-66s.

What was startling from the very beginning was an immediate apparent increase in minute detail. Not in the way that the details are pointed at, but rather that the music had even more presence, ease and directness. One didn’t had to “look” for any tiny detail. Everything was there with a kind of relaxed ease and supremacy that was just overwhelming.
It was the ease and inner authority that nailed the attention to the music.
Extremely low noise floor - and we were listening to a speaker featuring an efficiency of about 100dB in less than 8 feet listening distance - with an all-tube audio chain.

While we moved on from female singer with special double-bass (J. Warnes on Wassermann “Duets”) to broadway cast musical (“Fiddler on the Roof”), various Blues records, Hawkins’ Today and Now, De Burgos “Suite Espanola”, Dire Straits and finally arriving at my favorite record for dynamic, chorus and live-atmosphere all in one.
The directness, the clear, super-dynamic voice of the finnish singer with the huge dynamic swing of the chorus. Embedded with the multi-sided percussion in a very natural way.
Unlimited dynamics.
Clear super low end - with punch and “air”.
Effortless and natural.
Absolute stable soundstage.
The chorus as one big body - yet every single voice clearly a source of it’s own.
Voices you’d swear they are there - and we were listening at rather low volume.

I just wanted a detailed impression before we’ll install Syntax’ new turntable in a few weeks.
I got my impression and was - once again - impressed.
The sound belies the room’s dimensions in a way and magnitude no one would think possible before experience it.

Time well spent.

dertonarm October 20, 2011 19:12

Where was Eckart? Just kidding ;-)
Looking forward to it D.!

Vbr,
Sam

c1ferrari October 10, 2011 06:17

Just paid a long visit to Syntax' home and listened for 6 hours to his system.
It was well worth the trip.
We listened to 2 cartridges under identical parameters.
I will summarize my impressions in a short sound report.
This will follow shortly.
Stay tuned.
Cheers,
D.

dertonarm October 09, 2011 16:56

Thanks, Syntax :-)

Regards,
Sam

c1ferrari October 05, 2011 06:17

Hello Sam,

it is about 1,5 years ago when I did this modification. I got those parts from Audioquest. They offered them as an upgrade.

syntax October 04, 2011 11:05

Hi Glenfihi,
thank you. Same for you, too.

syntax October 04, 2011 11:03

Hi Syntax,

Appreciate your system thread and observations :-)
I was curious how you were able to achieve 144 DBS from your AudioQuest Sky...I believe there may be only a solitary pigtail emanating from the connector.

Congrats!

Sam

c1ferrari October 02, 2011 19:55

Wow, great system. Enjoyed viewing the pictures and reading your comments. Happy listening.

glenfihi July 30, 2011 14:35

I will have my order in soon.

tzh21y June 26, 2011 19:32

The Delos is a complete sounding cartridge. This is rare, no matter how much money you are able to spend. A lot of cartridges shine in one or the other spectrum, let's say Midrange,or they lack in upper or lower abilities. This "coloration" can be used to tune ( or compensate weakness) a System in one or the other direction. Can be positive or can be wrong. This "shifting" of Frequency Balance can be called "Warmth", "PRaT" ... but honestly, the ability of a cartridge should be seen always in combination of the connected Phonostage. When done right (Accurate, uncolored and precise in tone) the differences between carts can be huge. Most cartridges are not correct in tone (they can deliver information, but tonal truth is something total different), our brain betrays us. When we listen to a Classic Recording and we hear in the background a "saw-toothed Instrument", we think, yes, that is a violin because our brain has stored that (from reading the information about the orchestra for example). But to recognize it as a violin because you really can hear it as a violin or you can separate multiple violins among each other based on their time differences to the microphone, that is something totally different.
The Delos can do that. This impressed me very much, the Koetsu RSP was not able to do that, Kleos also not, the Zyx Omega was simply wrong sounding in comparison.
I think, it is one of the great cartridge Designs, unfortunately it won't get its merits because most audiophiles think, the more money they spend, the better the cartridge is. Here it is the mistake of their life.
Well, each his own, but it makes life easy, easy in adjustment, good tracker, healthy output and I am afraid to say, it can save a lot of money which can be burnt somewhere else. When you understand what you hear.

syntax June 26, 2011 16:48

I see you have used the Delos. How does it compare to some of your other carts? I am thinking about taking the plunge.

tzh21y June 25, 2011 12:57

Do you mean the Dennesen soundtractor?
A very good tool, unfortunately available only used, out of Production for a long time. There are 2 models, metal and synthetic material. I have the metal one.
Very easy to use and excellent when you want an alignment for older records which have the most Dynamic in the last 3 tracks. Btw. Graham uses for the Phantom II the same point.

syntax June 06, 2011 17:52

I noticed the alignment tool you have in one of your pics. What is it? Where can I get it?

tzh21y June 05, 2011 13:33

Really?
*Ahem* But, it has only ONE motor.... :-)

syntax March 31, 2011 12:44

Congrats on your Apolyt. If you find another, let me know!! :^)

t_bone March 30, 2011 13:19

Hello Halcro,

yes, it is a serious unit with a lot of solved Details. The contact area from the Diamond in the groove works in an area with different influences, so Precision is really important to minimize all possible kinds of distortions (part of the suspension).
When we multiply a regular Tonearm by Factor 100, the Arm is about 27.34yd (25m) in Length, the Cartridge System is about 1.09 yd (1m) in Leight with a length of the cantilever in the area of 0.55 yd (0.5m) and finally the Diamond:
Its contact area is only 0.020 in. (0,5mm)! Same is for the Mass in comparison.
A simple example to show what analog reproduction really is ...

All parts will be refurbished first, some modifications will be made and it will run in June, 2011.

syntax March 29, 2011 21:21

Hello Islandmandan,
thank you. Yes, indeed, it was a long way from the Kenwood Hiifi-System I started with in the 90's. In a way, comparable to 'Raiders of the lost Arc' (smile)

syntax March 29, 2011 20:51

Wow....that's a serious turntable by Dertonarm. Congratulations.
And I notice isolated armpods? The best solution IMHO :-)
When is it due to start playing serious music?

halcro March 28, 2011 04:35

You have certainly listed your system in the correct catagory. It seems to be the epitome of an "All Out Assault". It must be an absolute joy to live with such a fine system. Congratulations.

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan March 28, 2011 01:05

My next Project, found the last unit from the German Apolyt Series. 400lbs, Air Bearing (horizontal & vertical), Air Suspension down to 1.9 Hz area, electronically supervised...there are some serious technical solutions realized . It is boxed at the moment, will see...

syntax March 27, 2011 20:42

Hi,
well, my last comparison with Nagra Phono and Lamm LP2 was an eye opener. One of my friends uses a Nagra Preamp with- stock - Lamm LP2 and never looked back. Much more realistic sound.

syntax February 24, 2011 17:43

Wonderfull system.
Question , have you got any idea what i would gain switching from a nagra phono to a lamm(modded)phono ?

andromedaaudio February 22, 2011 22:15

Hi Syntax,

the guy who put all the exquisite stuff into your speakers reported it to me after a hard time of work. Worth the trouble: It must have been amazing effects of performance!

I began to consider myself.

solong January 24, 2011 19:41

The discriminated music lover never sleeps...it was time to check out what parts were available to lift the reproduction to another level....(first it was an idea from what-is-responsible-for-what and it became more and more interesting, unfortunately those parts have their price...but, sometimes there is no way out)

Latest Speaker update for the X-over and the Frequency Filters:

- all pure silver flat ribbon Air coils
- all caps, the big ones from Mundorf - Silver/Gold/Oil
- V-Caps Teflon Elite Reference as shunt
- all pure silver flat ribbon wire inside - connected direct to voice-coil
- Removal of the pure copper terminal connectors
- Replacements with WBT-0710Ag Nextgen speaker posts

After modification I had to turn down my Volume 1-2 steps ..... increased micro-dynamics and transparency .....and another wide step closer to the real thing was done
Standing right behind the conductor, that's ok for now :-)

syntax January 24, 2011 16:45

hi Syntax / Dertonarm,

thanks for all the helpful & practical advice.
the HS-80 adds a nice touch of detail & solidity - particularly noticeable on piano recordings.

11flat6 December 12, 2010 05:09