[TheChairGuy]

I don't think I've started a NEW topic on The Vinyl Circle in at least a year....so here's my comeback 

We moved into a new place ~ 5 months ago.  We rented to nearly 10 years previously so this new home was hard won (the decision to rent was mostly voluntary).  We had stuff done to the house by contractors and I decided I wanted a go-slow approach to the system and keep audio accumulation to a minimum.  So, for the past 5 months I've been listening to a backup backup's JVC DD deck in a second system with our modest video set up.  It wasn't ideal by any means, but it got me by.  As well, my business has been simply incredible these past 5 months (let's hope this mirrors things in the general economy to come in 2013!) so it took a while to get the system together.

Anyhow, slowly getting the main system up and running in my home office now.  For a couple weeks I had only my CD/DVD/DVD-A/SACD universal player for high quality source and it's been dialed in right nicely.  For a couple weeks it was all I was listening to and I kept remarking how stellar is sounded.  Maybe, just maybe vinyl isn't needed and this is as good as I'm likely to hear in here??

Well, I got a new maple wall mount from Audio Elegance a couple weeks ago and carefully mounted the VPI Classic1 on it recently.

BAZOOM!  Holeee cow - as good as digital sounds now in here....vinyl has that little something that speaks of naturalness that simply never comes out of digital.  The midrange is so haunting - it's easy to follow along lyrics and swing to the melodies with vinyl. 

I mean, I know it's good and have been Facilitator of this circle since 2005 since re-entering vinyl after a 10 year hiatus (that was like audio purgatory as it turned out), but it takes little situations like this for me to realize that vinyl is simply FABULOUS.

Still got some doodling on the system - the Lineaum speakers need to be spread a bit wider, further from the wall (the bi, almost omni directional tweeters love space around them) and a couple other matters like toe-in.....but dang, do I love what it sounds like in here.  Electrician is bringing in dedicated lines in a couple weeks to the home office - something I was loathe to do in prior rentals as it would have had to had been left.

John

[wushuliu]

I got into vinyl for the first time about 3 yrs ago, fell in love with it hard for about 6 months then for various reasons went back to computer-based setup. In the past few days I hit a wall with my PC audio - just got tired of the digititis and all the lengths needed to minimize it. Busted out my Yamaha 801BL, fiddled for a few hours with carts and setup and now am enjoying the beauty of vinyl once again. 

[neatokino]

I sold off most of my LP's about five years ago when my wife and I split up and I downsized pretty radically.  No regrets, and though I held on to one turntable and some records, I mostly listened to digital.  Then about a year ago I impulse-bought a Linn LP-12 and a fairly decent classical record collection from a guy on Craigslist (it was so insanely inexpensive,  I just couldn't resist)... that sparked a renewed interest in vinyl that continues to grow.  Sure there are pops and scratches and surface noise and dust, but those things don't bother me, as the music often just feels more alive.  I like hearing the history of the listening in the scars on the records.

Two weeks ago, I built a Hagerman Bugle and power supply,  and now all I want to listen to is vinyl.  Is it 'better' than digital?  Not really, at least not on my system.  But I like it better, and that's all that matters.

Yep, this vinyl IS great stuff!

[Wayner]

Way to go John. Love the shelf mount. It's a cure for lots of woes.

In the dead of winter, here in Minne5ota, we've been listening to lots of vinyl thru the all tubed system (seconds as a room heater) and I always ask myself how a bunch of squiggles on a black pizza can bring tears to my eyes. For those that don't know what your missing, you don't know what your missing....

Wayner

[Scott F.]

Hey John,


Glad to see you found your happy place again

Gotta love the simplicity of an integrated, in fact I'm debating really hard about simplifying one of my systems and going with an integrated. Right now that system is a tubed pre, separate phono pre, TT, SB3, DAC, big honkin' monoblocks and Tannoy's. I've got a HH Scott 299 that is 90% restored sitting on the shelf. If I'd just get off my duff and finish the power supply, I could put her back in service  I'm even debating getting rid of the Tannoys for a stacked pair of Advents or some Dynacos. 

[TomS]

Great news John and the mount looks nice!

My digital setup went on the fritz, back to the manufacturer, and I don't miss it a bit other than the convenience. My vinyl setup makes me very happy too.

[bside123]

Hi John & Everybodies...

Know how exactly how you feel. Due to an extensive work schedule that often comes with plenty of travel, I can go for long periods without either listening at all or only listening to digital as a convenience. Although, I've got some very good digital equipment, when I finally get the chance to turn on the analog rig, sit down and actually LISTEN to vinyl, I'm still startled... in a very good way.  Ahhhh... Sounds good!

[TheChairGuy]

Hey John,

Glad to see you found your happy place again

Gotta love the simplicity of an integrated, in fact I'm debating really hard about simplifying one of my systems and going with an integrated. Right now that system is a tubed pre, separate phono pre, TT, SB3, DAC, big honkin' monoblocks and Tannoy's. I've got a HH Scott 299 that is 90% restored sitting on the shelf. If I'd just get off my duff and finish the power supply, I could put her back in service  I'm even debating getting rid of the Tannoys for a stacked pair of Advents or some Dynacos. 

I've probably got less invested in this set up than any times since I was in my 20's....but I'm loving it all the same. 

I do miss my Dukane restored mono tube amps (and the heat they generate in the Winter as Wayner remarked) - they add that little beauty and sheen to the midrange that is missed with solid state.  Euphonic - pleasant sounding distortion...beats me; but that are missed.  The dame things are fracking ugly however, and that's not the way we want to run here in the new place.

The integrated goes one better - it's a receiver.  It's a Pioneer Elite SX-A9-J receiver - remote, AM/FM, MM/MC, fully dual mono right back to the indie, low noise toroid trannies.  In this 15 x 18 x 10' room it's 60 watts is sufficient (tho it's preamp functions are it's strong suits and it is bettered by pre-amping out to the Dukane tube amps)

No matter.  Blissfully happy with vinyl.  I can't compare the effect that a wall mount has had - but it seems sturdy and a hard wrap on the underside seems to transmit nothing into the amplified mix while it's spinning....so that seems a big net positive for it.

[TheChairGuy]

Hi John & Everybodies...

Know how exactly how you feel. Due to an extensive work schedule that often comes with plenty of travel, I can go for long periods without either listening at all or only listening to digital as a convenience. Although, I've got some very good digital equipment, when I finally get the chance to turn on the analog rig, sit down and actually LISTEN to vinyl, I'm still startled... in a very good way.  Ahhhh... Sounds good!

Yup - Digital is SOOO GOOD at such attractive price points now - I'm a firm believer in those stupid little DAKIOM Feedback stabilizers and hooking the digital player/gear to an isolation transformer - that it's near uniformly good.  If it doesn't sound at least good then just junk what you have and buy something made in past 5 years...it's made leaps and bounds over yesteryear's offering.

BUT....dialing in all the vinyl pieces and I'm gobsmacked by how natural and vivacious it all sounds.  I just want to reach out and touch the players on the stage (or recording studio).

I've got 35 (interrupted) years of experience and stuff happens.  As the VPI Classic wasn't used for the past ~ year or so, when I first set it up it sounded dreadful.  I was sooooo very disappointed.  I had been using direct drive TT (or alternatively listening to digital) and pitch of instruments had been perfect - and it was sounding dreadful on the VPI.  So, I boiled my belt for 30 seconds in hot water and removed the waning thin film of grease on the main bearing shaft (replaced with Lubro-Moly) and took another spin.

SHA-ZAM....utter bliss....unwaveringly nice pitch for piano and violin (where it's most noticed).  It's those little niggling things that makes vinyl such a pain...but, when you dial it in, it makes it so sweet 

Anyone that loves music and missing this...is REALLY missing out.

John

[bside123]

Yup - Digital is SOOO GOOD at such attractive price points now

I agree... digital has never sounded better and is so great for so many reasons. No need to mention them all and no criticism. Love it.

That being said... vinyl play back on a well setup system is "something else" including the various rituals that accompany it! 

[orthobiz]

A logistical question (I am thinking of a well shelf behind my rig). How far over do you have to reach to play a record (i.e. how close is the equipment to the back wall)?

Also, are you using damping fluid in the tonearm?

Paul

[SteveFord]

Welcome back!

[TheChairGuy]

A logistical question (I am thinking of a well shelf behind my rig). How far over do you have to reach to play a record (i.e. how close is the equipment to the back wall)?

Also, are you using damping fluid in the tonearm?

Paul

BoneDoc,

Not a handyman I - so I had to learn about this from the maker of the wall mount and some doodling on the internet.

Most wall studs are 16" across...so that's where the anchors for any wall mount must go.  You see in the picture where the wall mount is - that's exactly where the wall studs are located.  So, where to put these wall mounts is largely dictated by where the studs in your wall are.

In my case, it was offset to the left of my receiver and digital player are best placed in my room......so I don't reach past them at all....I 'slide' in to their left (as I'm looking at them) and do my vinyl thing.

Even if it was mounted directly above the other gear.....it would prove no hardship.  The wall mount is rather massive - jutting out 22.25" from the wall.  Most mounts I looked at (Music Direct, mostly, who stocks many) were not as deep, however.

Believe me - if I was able to successfully mount one of these - ANYONE of you can   

It's a Denon DL-160vdH on the VPI these days.....it doesn't seem to benefit from damping fluid on prior trails with it.  If it was a Grado, you bet there would be fluid in that pivot 

Cheers, John

[orthobiz]

\

It's a Denon DL-160vdH on the VPI these days.....it doesn't seem to benefit from damping fluid on prior trails with it.  If it was a Grado, you bet there would be fluid in that pivot 

Cheers, John

AND hum in the speakers!

Paul