[TONEPUB]

Hi all:

A little behind schedule with the holidays, but the new issue
is ready to roll.  You can download it from the site or right here:

http://tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_019.pdf

We have also added a new section to the site.  We have moved our
awards from the DEC issue to the website.

You can access that directly, here:

http://www.tonepublications.com/ToneAudio/Awards.html

As always, we hope you enjoy the issue and appreciate your reading!

[Panelman]

Jeff,
each issue is better than the last, especially enjoy the analog reviews. Found myself grumbling about having to wait for December's issue, then remembered it's free. Getting spoiled I guess.

Sean

[macster]

Jeff

Great issue as usual, I especially like the article about the vintage cartridges and vintage equipment. I didn't agree with the conclusion in the vintage cartridges article, but such is life. I'm going to post some additional comments later. FYI, I bought a Thorens TD-125 with an Ortofon RS-212 arm on it for $100.00. I have a vintage V15IV(with a SAS stylus) and a M97XE splitting the "duty" and it's sounding real good, damn good as a matter of fact.

M~

[ducatirider]

ditto on the analog reviews.  even though the sg-2 is out of reach, it's nice nice to see new designs and development.

[TONEPUB]

Hey guys, sorry about the lateness of the issue, but Dec was a wacky month.
We are in the process of a website overhaul too and Dec is always a terrible thing
to get stuff done with the holidays!

But we are looking forward to next year trying to push our release date closer to the
middle of the month.

As soon as our new site is done, it will be a lot easier for us to upload new articles,
so there will be a lot more for you to read between issues.  More reviews, music
and other goodies.

As for the vintage cartridges, we call it as we heard it.  Those vintage cartridges were
really pretty dreadful.  As always, we try to say as openminded as we can, but it was
a big disappointment. I'd buy a budget Grado for $75 before I'd go down that path.

And we did have a chat with the mfrs about the suspension aging issues, so we did go
right to the source.

Vintage Thorens review coming soon!  And a few other fun things...

As always thanks for reading!

[macster]

Re"Vintage Thorens review coming soon! "

Uhhh, Art is that you?

Jeff, my plans for my TD-125 are as follows:

  1. Fully loaded OL Live motor/controler/transformer assy
  2. Custom made plinth by yours truly (yeah the guy who sucked in shop class)
  3. Clean/treat corrosion on top plate and chassis
  4. Paint the top chassis
  5. Custom arm board
  6. Ortofon AS-212 tonearm

So, I'm really looking forward to that article and thanks again for a wonderful magazine

M~

[TONEPUB]

The TD-165 we have is in nice shape, so it will just be an exploration
of this as another great budget alternative to the SL-1200 or Rega P3.

[jfrech]

Hi Jeff, enjoying issue 19 very much.  So how is the BAT 32SE/55SE sounding for you?

I am at a decision point...I love my Nagra VPS, so I am considering selling my BAT 51SE and one BAT 75SE (currently running BAT VK150SE's) to go with a VPS/PLL/75SE phono/pre/amp.

Any comments you can share from your experiences with BAT so far? 

Thanks

[TONEPUB]

Hi there:

THe 32SE and 55SE are probably the least "BAT-like" gear I've heard so far,
if that makes any sense...  But I do like them very much.  Review will be in
the Feb issue.

Before you sell your 51SE, you might want to consider a good set of
NOS tubes (if you haven't done that already)  The BAT preamps really
respond well to a better quality 6H30 and 6SN7, so you might be surprised!

The problem when it gets to this point is that they all make such good stuff,
it's splitting hairs.

If you like your VPS I think you will love the PLL too.  It's really a sweet
preamp.

[jfrech]

Hi,

So I've had the PLL in my system for 24 hours.

(SME 20/2, SME IV.Vi, Lyra Skala, Purist cabling, Wilson Maxx 3's, BAT 75se/150se amps).

I just LOVE my Nagra VPS.

The PLL delivers loads of tranparency, a nice top end, killer imaging-All a step up from my BAT 51SE.  Seems to miss that "weight" on each of musical notes.  I am not sure I can part with that portion of the BAT sound.  Maybe I am addicted to the "bat sound" at this point.  Your comment about splitting hairs is spot on.  Both the Nagra PLL and BAT51SE are very nice - just different.

Anyway, my dealer also brought the Nagra VFS by.  Oh my gosh were you right there.  I am buying it for my VPS. 

As for the preamp, right now I am inclined to keep my BAT 51SE or try the 52SE/REX next...