[I.Greyhound Fan]

I got the cork-rubber mat, 3mm and it is too tall.  I am going to have to adjust the lift to go higher and I am going to have to adjust the VTA.   I bought a VTA and Azimuth scale off amazon yesterday and got it today.  I will mess with it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I put back my Thorens TD-145 with the Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge. The 200 is so much better than the Moonstone by a long shot.  It is more dynamic, has a huge soundstage, better treble and midrange.  It also has more punch and musicality.  I will have to try it with the Classic Evo even though it is not a good match via the resonance calculator on vinyl engine.

[js1955]

Mark Baker of Origin Live believes that if the tonearm is well designed and well built, Resonant Frequency is virtually a non-issue.  Much ado about nothing.

https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/tonearm/

(see bottom of the page, click on "cartridge compatability")

I own 2 Origin Live arms and have used carts that according to the RF calculator, are not a good match.   No problem at all.  So I concur with his view.

I'd say just give it a try.  If it sounds good, it is good!     

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Mark Baker of Origin Live believes that if the tonearm is well designed and well built, Resonant Frequency is virtually a non-issue.  Much ado about nothing.

https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/tonearm/

(see bottom of the page)

I own 2 Origin Live arms and have used carts that according to the RF calculator, are not a good match.   No problem at all.  So I concur with his view.

I'd say just give it a try.  If it sounds good, it is good!     

Thats the plan.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If I am still heavily into vinyl in 1 or 2 years, I will consider upgrading the tone arm.  The table itself is great and it could easily accommodate a better tone arm.  Pro-Ject makes them plug and play with no rewiring.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Well, I finally swapped in the Nagaoka MP-200 for the Sumiko Moonstone.  Wow, it sounded like a veil had been lifted.  The 200 is way more dynamic, has a much larger sound stage, with more air and transparency.  Detail and textures were improved as was treble without being bright.  The Moonstone definitely has rolled off highs in comparison.  Bass is punchy, tight and controlled.  Midrange is fuller. This TT begs for a higher end cartridge.  I am rethinking the Hana ML MK2 and considering the Nagaoka MP-500 or a Clear Audio Concept Virtuoso both MM.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Sounds like your having fun and really enjoying getting back into vinyl Larry. Not sure how I missed this thread earlier, did you find an auto-lifter you like ? I can recommend the Q Up unit, been using one on my TD 160 Mk II for a couple of years now. Inexpensive, easy to install & set up, and when I had a couple of early minor setup issues the support was spot on.  https://www.thequp.com/  A friend subsequently tried one on his Clearaudio unit and has been very happy as well.

Keep us posted, and keep 'em spinning Sir.
JD

Thanks AD.  I am going to buy the Q UP.   Its inexpensive and it works.  Pro-ject recommends it so we will see. If it does not work well then I will try the Audio Technica lift.

I am loving the TT.  I got it all dialed in yesterday after swapping in my Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge which sounds phenomenal by the way.  I added a cork-rubber hybrid 3mm mat and it made a nice difference.  It tightened up the sound a little and it seems a little more focused.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I received the Tributaries 4 series phono cable and installed it.  It sounds better than the stock cable from Pro-Ject.  There is a slight increase in warmth and smoothness in the top end which is what I am looking for.  Is it placebo, possibly and who cares as long as I hear it.   I am very good at picking out subtlety in my system.  It is very revealing and a friend of mine calls it the truth.

I have been listening to straight vinyl for days.  Haven't even looked back at my digital which I will at some point.  I just got done listening to the Linda Ronstadt album from 1977 Prisoner in Disguise and it never sounded better.  I had a huge crush on her back then.  Too bad she had to retire due to Parkinson's disease.

I think that I have decided to get the Shelter 501 MKiii cartridge over the Hana ML MKii.  It has a warmer romantic tone and a lush midrange, and it is supposed to be smooth on top.  That is my preferred sound, and the Shelter is supposed to be a good match with my Gold Note PH-10 phono preamp which is mostly neutral sounding but can be a little bright on certain recordings.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

My final thoughts on the Classic Evo TT until I upgrade to the shelter 501 next November.

I am very happy with the TT.  It offers a great musical sound with good detail.  It is neutral to slightly warmer sounding.  It has excellent PRAT.  This is not a slow and lazy TT.  It is totally  silent.  It pairs well with the Gold Note PH-10 phono preamp which really shows off what this TT has to offer.  Which is tremendous air, transparency, musicality and dynamics. Bass is good, controlled and never sloppy. Treble is smooth and the midrange is lush and full.  I set it up perfectly with VTA and Azimuth adjustments and a digital scale.

It is also very resistant to floor traffic and vibration.  I have floating wood floors which were hard on the Thorens TD-145 the Classic Evo replaces.  It was the reason I bought this model and it does not disappoint.  I wanted a more modern looking TT, not a clone of the Thorens but after hearing it and seeing how vibration resistant it is, I could care less how it looks.  I do not think I could have done better in its price range.

I can't wait to see what a good MC cartridge brings later in the fall.