AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Well Tempered Lab => Topic started by: ghunter on 23 Feb 2010, 04:43 am
-
I recently switched to an Amadeus GTA and feel like it's really starting to get dialed in. It is exactly what I wanted in a turntable - excellent life-like music without the fuss.
Three things that have really made a difference for me are:
- Herbie's Turntable Mat (5mm)
- Herbie's Record Stabilizer (5.8 oz. center weight)
- Gingko Cloud 11 platform
These three vibration dampening components have given massive bass definition, huge reduction in background noise and crackle, and a much wider and deeper soundstage. Funnily enough, the Symposium Svelte shelf did practically nothing to the sound.
Anyone else care to share their experiences with the Amadeus?
-
Hi ghunter,
so how are you using the Gingko?
sounds like a lot of damping going on over there.....sometimes equals deadening...
-
I appreciate the tips, but I sort of feel the damping of the GTA isn't really a weakness. I could be wrong but...
Now, I am a little niggled by the power supply of the unit. Maybe I've been scammed by all these fancy outboard power supplies, but the little WTL wall wart just doesn't scream quality.
I know Red Wine Audio makes a battery power source that is supposed to be universal. I'd love for WTL to make an outboard power supply,
Check out Red Wine Audio's gear: http://www.redwineaudio.com/products/black-lightning
I'd also like to swap out the little squash ball feet. I'd prefer metal spikes to couple to my Symposium shelfs. I'm also considering putting a trio of rollerblocks underneath the table as an alternative. I'll be sure to post my results once I pick out my new cartridge.
-
Sound deadening? Absolutely not! There is an amazing amount of life in my current setup and I would only say that I've added depth to the sonics. If the feet can be replaced I would also use Herbie's balls there too. Are they truly squash balls?
I agree that the power supply could be improved, mine even gives out a low-level hum. The timing seems rock-solid though so it can't be that bad.
-
That's good, then....I'd be up for a listen...Also, I believe the feet can be easily removed. How big are the Herbies?
One tweak I tried with the power supply was to split the wires and keep them 6" apart all the way down to the plug. It appeared to present a clearer sound. I might do a retest with another cord and see if I can now hear a difference.
-
Regarding the AC adaptor.. the motor controller was designed to be used with a simple and small DC source. For grins, last year I wired up an Optima red top auto battery to my 'table to see if there would be any benefit. This was going seriously overboard, as the motor in the Amadeus plays well for a long time off of a little 9V battery. To my surprise (and relief) the big Optima battery did not outperform the AC adaptor. There was almost no difference between the two. In fact, a small panel of three listeners slightly preferred the presentation w/ the adaptor.. truly, either way was fine. I understand that 'audiophile culture' accepts certain things as gospel, but Mr. Firebaugh ignores and is largely unaware of the usual ways of doing things. Thankfully.
Mike
-
Nice To know Mike. I guess we can definitively knock that concern out of the box! Now, about these turntable feet... :wink:
-
Yep, good to know, now I can get back to watching the new episode of Top Gear...
Oh, do those feet screw off easily?
-
What's wrong with the feet? I rather like them and think they do a great job.
John
-
The feet aregreat. It's just the earliest tables had cone shaped feet. The finalized production table has the ball shaped feet. If I'm not mistaken it was so some could go without using the isolation board. In my room I have to use the isolation board, a friend with the same version does not. So I guess it all depends on your room. I've seen a few photos of Brits having the new ball feet and using the isolation board. Crazy Brits....
-
Thought I would revive this thread to see if anyone has found certain tweeks to be particularly effective or ineffective...
-
I tried several types/makes of footers on my WTA such as Mapleshade heavy brass cones, Mapleshade Isoblocks, Vibrapods, and Stillpoints. None sounded as good to me as the stock squash balls.
I also tried a couple of platter mats including a Millennium M-LP. Again, the stock mat was the winner.
I am using a non-stock PS for the motor. My WTA was delivered with 2 different "wall wart" PS, one of which hummed a bit all of the time and one which hummed occasionally. I looked though a box I have of several DC PS and chose a well made 1000mA 12DC PS that is not of the wall wart type. It has a 3 ft. power cord leading to the PS and then the lead to the WTA. The PS itself is situated on a Mapleshade Isoblock with a large Mapleshade brass cone situated on top (flat side down). Not only do I have no mechanical hum, but I'd swear that the sound seems to have more "drive."
Think I'm done with the tweaking ---- well, for a while at least .. :lol:
I'm using the WTA with a London Decca Super Gold cartridge - the "livest" sounding phono cartridge I've ever encountered. I bought the WTA specifically to use with this cart since it puts a substantial amount of energy into the tonearm. The WTA arm damps the resonances wonderfully and lets it sing. It is a near perfect match. :inlove:
Doak
-
Nice post.... My favorite after market mat is the Auditorium mat made by Keith Aschenbrenner of Auditorium fame.. $99. And worth it. Makes the WTL tables even quieter surface wise.... Love it.
-
Hmm... may give it a try,,, eventually.
Not having any particular prob w/surface noise.
What might it do for/to the rest of the sound?
The Millennium M-LP amt lost the "spaciousness" of the soundstage and made the highs peaky -- the kind of "hifi" sound I can't live with for the long term.
Doak
Nice post.... My favorite after market mat is the Auditorium mat made by Keith Aschenbrenner of Auditorium fame.. $99. And worth it. Makes the WTL tables even quieter surface wise.... Love it.
-
Agreed .... We tried a few as well.... Most were just terrible. The auditorium is the only one I've heard that is worth spending money on so far....
So goid luck out there...
-
Can you please describe what you are hearing and why you prefer it to the stock mat?
Are you using the Auditorium on a WTA?
Doak
Agreed .... We tried a few as well.... Most were just terrible. The auditorium is the only one I've heard that is worth spending money on so far....
So goid luck out there...
-
Hi. Yes. In a word , surface noises are reduced , with no change in wonderful sonics..... You do need to adjust the vta for it..
Trust me... Only mat I've heard to date better than stock...
Cheers!
-
I consider myself fairly adept at internet searches, but I am finding nothing on an Auditorium TT platter mat even at the Auditorium 23 home site.
Pointer please?
Doak
Agreed .... We tried a few as well.... Most were just terrible. The auditorium is the only one I've heard that is worth spending money on so far....
So goid luck out there...
-
It's a closely guarded secret, I guess... Lol
Any auditorium dealer can get you one...
-
Have made an inquiry on the mat to Tone Imports - North America Importer/Distributor. Will share any response.
Doak
It's a closely guarded secret, I guess... Lol
Any auditorium dealer can get you one...
-
OK, I bit. 8) Auditorium 23 platter mat on order from Matt Rotunda of Pitch Perfect Audio. Here's what he had to say about it:
"The A23 record mat is $100 plus shipping. It is a fairly thin, dense black material blend designed by Keith Aschenbrenner at Auditorium 23 - the exact nature of the material I am not privy to.
It is absolutely superior to the stock foam mat, without question!"
Will report after listening with it for a while and doing some A/B with stock mat. :smoke:
Doak
Have made an inquiry on the mat to Tone Imports - North America Importer/Distributor. Will share any response.
Doak
-
You done good, son...
The material seems to be like material used for convertible car cloth...
Sort of...
You'll hear it, worth the money.
It does make the record harder to remove for some, less clearance, but I've had no trouble with mine...
-
Matt from Pitch Perfect is certainly one I'd trust. Not only does he carry the WTA, but also gear from companies such as Shindo with great reputations.
-
Brian from Pitch Perfect is certainly one I'd trust. Not only does he carry the WTA, but also gear from companies such as Shindo with great reputations.
Oops. I wrote Perfect Pitch instead of Pitch Perfect. :oops:
Will correct.
Agreed. Their website is a great read - Music Lovers for sure. :thumb:
http://www.pitchperfectaudio.com/ (http://www.pitchperfectaudio.com/)
Doak
-
Slight correction...I think you mean Matt...
-
Yep, meant Matt.
-
Yep, meant Matt.
Got the A23 mat from Matt this afternoon.
Will say that very initial impression is favorable.
Gonna try to stifle myself for at least a week, play around with setup and do A/B before saying more.
Doak
-
Look forward to those impressions.
-
Great to hear... Remember to adjust your vta...
-
How would the new matt affect VTA? Just by virtue of its thickness?
-
Great to hear... Remember to adjust your vta...
Doing that now.
Then VTF.
Also height/depth of damping trough.
Doak
-
Exactly... It's a different thickness... You can't just plop and play...
-
Exactly... It's a different thickness... You can't just plop and play...
Yes, my stock mat measures 4mm (maybe a touch more) thick. The A23 is about 1mm. The 3mm difference must be adjusted for or the comparison is not apples/apples.
Doak
-
Don't mean to be a tease but .....
Remember J. Gordon Holt's "goose bump" test?
It's passing. Wink2
Think setup is right after mat change.
No A/B yet with stock mat.
Not in a hurry to go back at this point.
I do promise to do that and give a full report on what I hear in the not too distant future.
*** caveat: early impressions are not completely reliable.
Advise not to "take this to the bank" - yet.
Doak
-
It's bankable....
I wouldn't bother going back to the stock mat, readjusting, then going A23, then readjusting.... See? I'm already worn out just typing it.
You'll stay with the A23.
Enjoy!
-
Now threadkiller, don't go discouraging doak. Inquiring minds want to know how they compare when A/Bed. I'm very curious to hear where there are the greatest gains, whether anything is lost, etc.
-
Not at all! No discouragement of any kind...
I will just assure you that there will be no losses.
None that my listening panel could hear. If it's better it's better.
Case closed.
-
Not at all! No discouragement of any kind...
I will just assure you that there will be no losses.
None that my listening panel could hear. If it's better it's better.
Case closed.
There may be a surprise or two coming ..... according to what I'm hearing..
Doak
-
Did some A/B/A/C/A today: A23/Millennium/A23/Stock/A23.
Very interesting. The Millennium is out of the running.
This isn't going to be as EZ as I thought it might be.
There certainly are differences tween stock and A23.
Delineating what each is doing comes next.
Will do more this W.E.
Doak
-
Not sure what a millennium is.
No comparison between stock and auditorium....
Quit dragging out the inevitable... :)
-
Not sure what a millennium is.
No comparison between stock and auditorium....
Quit dragging out the inevitable... :)
Millennium Mat:
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3239-millennium-carbon-fiber-record-mat.aspx (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3239-millennium-carbon-fiber-record-mat.aspx)
Now, now ... the stock and A23 are a very interesting study and I wanna do it right. :eyebrows:
Doak
-
Sorry. Enjoy.... For me, like watching paint dry...
-
Sorry. Enjoy.... For me, like watching paint dry...
Spose it's cause you "been there, done that".
Apology accepted and I do regret causing you any angst. :oops:
Doak
-
Lol! I am teasing. Post away.
Yes, I've already been through it. Hopefully you can describe what you hear better than I... For me, it's just better. Plain and simple.
-
Lol! I am teasing. Post away.
Yes, I've already been through it. Hopefully you can describe what you hear better than I... For me, it's just better. Plain and simple.
Yep, I will get into specifics - promise.
Doak
-
OK here it is - the short version first:
Yes, I think the Auditorium A23 turntable platter mat sounds better on the WTA than the stock mat.
For the whole story and what "better" means in this context please keep reading.
System Description:
I've owned my WTA for about 5 months and use a London Decca Super Gold cartridge with it. This feeds a highly modified EAR 834P phono stage. Control unit is a DIY HiFi Django AVC using Silk autoformers. Speakers are Hawthorne Audio Sterling Silver Trios - a high quality custom made open baffle design. Modded Quicksilver Mini-Mite Mono amps power the 15" coaxial main drivers. A passive R/C filter is built into the amp inputs that rolls off below 100Hz. The signal is also fed to a rebuilt Dahlquist DQ-LP1 electronic crossover set for 100Hz turnover and then to an ATI 1502 amplifier which powers the two 15" Augie bass drivers in each channel. Speaker cables and interconnects are made from Clairvoyant Cable wire and are of my own design. AC supplied via two 20 amp dedicated lines.
Methodology:
When I got the A23 mat last Monday (7 days ago) I marked the WTA arm pillar and damping well for their stock settings. I also placed a small tubular level here, put the arm on a standard LP, took a picture, printed it and kept it next to the WTA for reference:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=49975)
This allowed me a second way to visually verify VTA for repeatability. (the level was better centered during the trials).
I listened to the A23 for about 3 days with no changes other than set-up in an effort to "get a handle" on its sonic signature. I then proceeded to do A/B of the stock mat and A23 first with extended sessions of each. For the last 2 days the sessions were for one or two songs from albums I know well and use as references. Changing the mats and the necessary parameters took about 2-3 minutes.
What I heard:
Interestingly these 2 mats sound a lot like they look.
The stock mat sounds very, very good as you WTA owners well know. It does lend an "airiness" to the sound - like the instruments are floating on a pillow of air. Instrument images are a little diffuse and not totally resolved in contrast to the A23. Compared to the A23 it also sounds a bit rounded in its tone. Transients are not as sharply reproduced which is what I feel may cause this "roundness." In all this a quite pleasing sound and makes the stock mat very easy to listen to and a bit forgiving of less than stellar recordings. There is a euphony to the sound of the stock foam mat, though it does not give "the last word" as to all of what is on the record.
The A23 mat is about 1mm thick and as has been previously stated it is constructed of a very dense fabric type material that would be at home as a high quality convertible automobile top. It is flat, smooth and woven looking on one side and lightly textured in a cross-hatch pattern on the other. I would guess that this side is applied in some way to the other and that there are two layers to this mat.
The mat arrived in a too small box (more on this later) which contained only the mat - no instructions, product info etc. So my first job was to decide which way was up, literally! A brief A/B of the two sides told me that textured side up was the way to go. This was confirmed shortly thereafter in via email with the supplier.
The A23 provides a more direct connection of the record to the platter. The first thing I noticed was better transient attack to notes and this improved tracking of transient information may well account for much if not all of the improvements I hear with the A23. Plucked strings of guitar and harp had more of the sharpness of nail on the strings. On other instruments and vocals this was shown as a more true timbre and ultimately a more "real" sound. Images of individual instruments have a solidity that is different than that of the stock mat. There is more dynamic impact with the A23 and I'll even go as far as saying that overall dynamic range is also enhanced. The sound stage expanse is similar to that of the stock mat but the "airiness" is not the same. Still this is a very musical sound. It is not at all dry sounding and I get the sense it is giving more of what is actually on the record.
If I had to use only one word to describe the sound of the A23 mat I would choose VIVID. Recordings have more resolution, definition and apparent dynamics when using the A23 mat. This is why I deem the A23 "better" than the stock mat and for me it is a keeper. :thumb:
My Decca cartridge is the most live and lively sounding cartridge I've yet encountered. With the A23 mat it sometimes walks a fine line between high resolution of a recording and too much of a good thing. Fortunately the vast majority of what I've listened to so far sounds great.
I can imagine that if a system is having problems particularly in the high frequencies the A23 could possibly push things over the edge.
Disclaimer: This review describes my experience with the A23 mat in my system, in my room, with my ears and my preferences. I do think that much of what I've heard and reported is generally transferable to other systems. But,, you know the old YMMV caveat.
*** I spoke with Matt Rotunda of Pitch Perfect Audio about the way the mat was shipped and was informed that it was in the same unopened box as received from the distributor. The mat was in a soft half fold to fit into that box which caused a slight "ripple" to take a set in it which has yet to completely relax. However, the weight of an LP does flatten the mat with no problem noted. I suggested that an LP sleeve/mailer combination would be better suited. Matt said that he'd relay that info to the distributor.
-
I've taken the next logical step in best fitting the A23 mat into my system.
A test condition of my review was to keep VTA the same for both the stock mat and A23 mat. The A23 won out though I did have some minor reservations. That is NO LONGER the CASE.
Experience says that there is no such thing as changing one thing in an audio system. There's a domino effect involved. Of course when changing mats of different thicknesses VTA must be accounted for. What I've done after settling on the A23 mat is optimize playback parameters to best suit what it does in the system -- that's WHY it's called a SYSTEM, right!??! Actually this aspect of incorporating a new component into a system SHOULD BE part of any good review, so here it is.
The VTA setting I ended up with my Decca London Super Gold is different than what I used during testing and prior to testing. Common recommendation for this cart is "arm parallel to platter." Sounded good to me with the stock mat. However, the A23 is significantly more resolving and critical of set-up parameters. Small changes are much easier to hear. I've lowered the arm via arm pillar as well as the damping well - did this this in several small steps to find optimum height. Arm is now slightly "tail down".
I also made small adjustments in speaker placement and crossover settings. This has paid off in a big way. I have no reservations now about the A23 being possibly aggressive sounding. Proper VTA tailored to this mat solved all of that. This has made the improvements allowed by the A23 mat more pronounced than what I described in my review post.
So, I can now give the Auditorium A23 mat an UNQUALIFIED RECOMMENDATION.
One you can "take to the bank." :singing:
The sound I'm getting from the WTA is very natural and pleasant while still being highly resolved/defined. Great all the way around.
Thanks "threadkiller" for bringing the A23 mat to my attention. It has made a significant improvement in my vinyl playback and my enjoyment thereof. :wave:
-
You're welcome.
So now we have two recommendations/reviews for the Auditorium Mat.
One, lofty and eloquent- one, short and to the point.
So we'll close with the latter-- Buy It!
-
Doak,
Could you give us a pic of your level for the VTA that worked best for you? That will help give a better idea of the ideal angle, or at least a good starting point. Many thanks for your A/B and set up details.
-
Would only be useful to you if you had the same cartridge.
-
Will do Rosco, though it may not translate well to carts other than Decca London. They are a different sort of animal. Proper SRA has the stylus leaning back toward the arm pivot. That's the angle at which the stylus is mounted and there is not the usual cantilever.
Doak,
Could you give us a pic of your level for the VTA that worked best for you? That will help give a better idea of the ideal angle, or at least a good starting point. Many thanks for your A/B and set up details.
-
Yes, please send photo. Thanks!
But remember, it's not that it may not translate, it will NOT
translate with another cartridge. Period.
Take care...
-
Hello! I'm new to this forum; be kind to me. He-he! I've been a proud and very happy owner of the WTT Amadeus. I distinctly remember the very first record I played on my Amadeus: A Classic 45 RPM reissue of Stravinsky's Firebird on Mercury SR90226. Dorati's traversal of this masterpiece is second-to-none. The sonics - as most of you may already know - is one of the, if not the finest, ever put on record. Hearing this warhorse on the Amadeus was revelatory! Suddenly, the quiet and silence between the explosive passages are filled with spooky organic wholeness! Like some kind of sonic ether materialized; as if the very essence of the recording venue is also being reproduced - transporting you, the listener, in time to the recording venue! What a surreal, eery and fantastic feeling! Like most of the posters in this thread, I've done just about everything to extract that last iota of performance from my Amadeus. One of the most beneficial sonically is replacement of the stock feet with three Feet of Silence from Solid Tech, a Swedish company. These contraptions are exactly what the Amadeus needed to transform it from an excellent turntable to that of a "world's finest" contender! Every parameter of performance is enhanced and significantly improved. The remaining muck vaporized, images are now more palpable and 3 dimensional. The microdynamics is unbelievable! As a plus, the feet make the turntable look sexier and very high tech! So there's my two cents worth! Has anybody tried the Boston Mat?
-
Hello! I'm new to this forum; be kind to me. He-he! I've been a proud and very happy owner of the WTT Amadeus. I distinctly remember the very first record I played on my Amadeus: A Classic 45 RPM reissue of Stravinsky's Firebird on Mercury SR90226. Dorati's traversal of this masterpiece is second-to-none. The sonics - as most of you may already know - is one of the, if not the finest, ever put on record. Hearing this warhorse on the Amadeus was revelatory! Suddenly, the quiet and silence between the explosive passages are filled with spooky organic wholeness! Like some kind of sonic ether materialized; as if the very essence of the recording venue is also being reproduced - transporting you, the listener, in time to the recording venue! What a surreal, eery and fantastic feeling! Like most of the posters in this thread, I've done just about everything to extract that last iota of performance from my Amadeus. One of the most beneficial sonically is replacement of the stock feet with three Feet of Silence from Solid Tech, a Swedish company. These contraptions are exactly what the Amadeus needed to transform it from an excellent turntable to that of a "world's finest" contender! Every parameter of performance is enhanced and significantly improved. The remaining muck vaporized, images are now more palpable and 3 dimensional. The microdynamics is unbelievable! As a plus, the feet make the turntable look sexier and very high tech! So there's my two cents worth! Has anybody tried the Boston Mat?
HI Aisip,very interested your 'Feet of silence',and want to know you take off the original feet or just put the 'feet of silence' under the table??any photo?thanks
Sam
-
Interesting...
What's a Boston mat?
We're loving the Auditorium mat.
-
Hi,just want to know how much is the Auditorium mat?and where can bought?and can on line bought?thanks
Sam
-
See the first 2 pages of this thread re Auditorium.
-
Hello Sam,
I just placed the three "SOS" feet right next to the stock feet. Will try to remove the stock feet when I have some free time. As far as the mat, the correct brand name is "Boston Audio Design". The Mat 2 is consistently getting rave reviews from all kinds of audio publications. I once used the original Mat on a Nottingham Space Deck and can vouch for its beneficial sonic effects. I will attach a picture of the Amadeus on SOS feet in my next post.
-
Heard the Boston mat today. Couldn't hold a candle to even the stock foam mat, let alone the A23 mat. Whew. Robbed the music of life. I had been listening to a system of Harbeth 5's, ARC VSi 60, ARC PH8, with WTL Dynavector table with Dynavector XV1s cartridge. It wasn't even close.
And the same results are always consistent with whichever WTL table being used... So it will yield the same sound with the Amadeus.
Sorry, if we're talking Boston, I'd rather have the baked beans...or the terrier...
-
Heard the Boston mat today. Couldn't hold a candle to even the stock foam mat, let alone the A23 mat. Whew. Robbed the music of life. I had been listening to a system of Harbeth 5's, ARC VSi 60, ARC PH8, with WTL Dynavector table with Dynavector XV1s cartridge. It wasn't even close.
And the same results are always consistent with whichever WTL table being used... So it will yield the same sound with the Amadeus.
Sorry, if we're talking Boston, I'd rather have the baked beans...or the terrier...
Kinda figured that might be the case. I've used the BA Mat1 on NAS Spacedecks to liven up the sound -- something the WTA does not need.
Doak
-
Well, at least it has a use for something.
It certainly feels great, I kept wanting to throw it like a frisbee...the only thing I could find it useful for...
-
Hi WTs.
Im a proud and happy owner of one of the first Amadeus' produced. It came with a kind of web made of foam, a mat that is used for avoiding carpets from slipping around. Will this also be bettered by the Auditorium 23 mat? Also i have no squash balls as feet. the are conical and i got an isolation board with four elastomere pucks. Should i change to the Auditorium 23 mat and the swedish dampers too?
best regards
bernie
-
Hi Bernie...
I also have a version like yours... early adopters, I think it's called.
If you have no objections to the isolation board, which in my setup I have to use, you won't gain anything sonically. The 4 foot version usually allows one to ditch the board. Usually.
Ditch the mat. The Auditorium rules.
-
Thanks a lot.
Ordered the Auditorium23. Very nice guy Mr. Aschenbrenner. I'll keep you posted when it arrives...
keep spinnin
bernie from vienna
-
Now Bernie,
Is that Vi-enna down in southern Illinois USA? Or is that Vienna with all that history and the great orchestra...
Remember when you get the Auditorium to adjust VTA accordingly.
Let us know how it goes...
-
Got my Auditorium23 mat some days ago. Enjoyed the perfect service and online purchase from Mr. Aschenbrenner himself.
The more i listen to the new setup the more the mat turns out to be a substantial and wholeheartly recommended upgrade. With the rough side downwards it transforms the sound towards the big toys in the five digit league: much higher resolution, deeper and more fluid bass, richer harmonics and even better dynamics than the standard foam mat. Also the background gets darker and retrieval of ambient information is vastly improved.
Thanks a lot for turning my attention to that tweak.
bernie from vienna (with that history and the great orchestras)
-
Bernie,
You are most welcome!
Enjoy!
-
Bernie, you said rough side down... the waffle weave side? We have been putting the waffle weave side up... That's what we were told...
-
Bernie, you said rough side down... the waffle weave side? We have been putting the waffle weave side up... That's what we were told...
I tried both sides up before "asking" and much prefer "waffle side up." Dealer confirmed that's what's recommended. Though, IMO what works for you is the only "right." ;- )
-
That's what we've been told as well....
Bernie, what say you? Or rather Mr A in Germany?
-
Hi,want to bought the Auditorium23 mat from online shop(i cannot find the mat in my country),anybody can send the link to me??thanks :D
-
Where are you?
-
HONG KONG :D
-
You could send an e to Mike Pranka at Toffco in St Louis MO or also reach him at Dynavector USA...
-
Does Mike deal with Auditorium though? I thought he was just the Dynavector and Well Tempered importer. Think Tone Imports does Auditorium. And you have Pitch Perfect Audio in San Fran or Don Better in Cleveland that sell Auditorium. But I don't know of an online site for buying the mats. Think you'd need to send an e-mail to arrange it.
-
A suggestion for anyone trying out the Auditorium Mat:
I ended up with an optimum VTA/SRA quite different than I was using with the stock mat - even after compensating for the differences in mat thickness. What sounds best to me with the Auditorium Mat is more "tail down" than what sounded best with the stock foam mat. Of course YMMV, but may be worth the experimentation. :eyebrows:
Doak
-
One of the things I like about my Amadeus is how easy it is to tweak the setup. That said I haven't changed the vta on mine since I installed a new 103R about 2 months ago....until yesterday. I don't have the Auditorium mat but went from tail up (probably too much) to tail just slightly down and what a difference. More full bodied sound, more bass, a whole different cartridge this 103. Spent my night listening to music and one after another record was transformed. Doak thanks for your "tweak" suggestions.
David
-
You're welcome David.
Amazing how getting the VTA "right" brings it all into focus and lets you hear what the setup is capable of doing.
Enjoy! :wave:
Doak
-
I put the Boston Audio Mat-1 on my Amadeus. Nice improvement over the foam cell mat.
Shakey