[gooberdude]

My LP playback has no surface noise, no pops, ticks or hiss.   Ok, a few ticks every LP side of play, but the clarity & openness of having a tweaked out 'table is something else.  using an rcm definitely helps.

I can't get into the hi-end of TT's, but my $2K investment thus far has been worth every penny.   It is funny to think of how LP's used to sound though, so dreary & noisy & lackluster...closed in really.   Now, my LP playbacks sounds incredibly CD like, but obviously w/no harshness and a soundstage the size of a swimming pool.

People just sit amazed that they are listening to my vinyl...     its definitely worth the effort to go big, if you like your LP's!

i'll stick with the At 440MLa mm cartridge for now.  Going from the Grado Gold to this was a revelation unto itself.

if anyone is in chicago & wants to hear a $2K tt sound like a mega-buck TT, holla atcha boy...


execution is everything.

[Marbles]

I'm afraid that in order to get the sound I want I may need to sell my cartridge and get a different one.
I just don't know which one that would be at this point and it's pretty hard to get loaners for this purpose.

I tell you what, Rob.  I got my silent PC (thanks DOS) coming in next week and my time with Wayne's Burson buffer is running out.  I need to do a serious comp between my various PC based digital sources.  While I am busy with all that, I can lend you 3 carts to compare to yours and see if your theory is right:  Benz-Micro Ruby 3 LO, B-M Glider 2 LO, and Koetsu Rosewood Sig.  I have to warn you SME IV arm/Koetsu combination can become addictive.  I have the original boxes and I will ship insured.  I trust you will take good care of them but you let me know if you want to bother with the experiment or not. 

Rim, that is VERY generous of you.  I just came back from running my dog at the farm and on the way back I called Klaus.  He will be sending me a VDH Condor to try.  If it works for me, he will take my RG8 back in trade.  Let me see how it goes with the Condor.  If that doesn't work out I will be VERY happy to take you up on your offer.

[TomS]

I'm afraid that in order to get the sound I want I may need to sell my cartridge and get a different one.
I just don't know which one that would be at this point and it's pretty hard to get loaners for this purpose.

I tell you what, Rob.  I got my silent PC (thanks DOS) coming in next week and my time with Wayne's Burson buffer is running out.  I need to do a serious comp between my various PC based digital sources.  While I am busy with all that, I can lend you 3 carts to compare to yours and see if your theory is right:  Benz-Micro Ruby 3 LO, B-M Glider 2 LO, and Koetsu Rosewood Sig.  I have to warn you SME IV arm/Koetsu combination can become addictive.  I have the original boxes and I will ship insured.  I trust you will take good care of them but you let me know if you want to bother with the experiment or not. 

Rim, that is VERY generous of you.  I just came back from running my dog at the farm and on the way back I called Klaus.  He will be sending me a VDH Condor to try.  If it works for me, he will take my RG8 back in trade.  Let me see how it goes with the Condor.  If that doesn't work out I will be VERY happy to take you up on your offer.

Geez, that should be interesting.   It seems like Klaus is always able to just pull another new surprise out of his pockets.  Will wonders never cease.  You SHOULD really enjoy that one.   

[Marbles]

Thanks Tom, I'll let you know when it's here so you can check out the sound.

[TomS]

Thanks Tom, I'll let you know when it's here so you can check out the sound.

BTW, once this thread got back on track I found your comments on "going too far" really fascinating.  This is so true, but I never really had it in perspective that way.  How you said it really cleared the fog for me.  I've definitely been there on the digital side (with the mega-Wadia) and come back now and am much happier in my listening.  It's some kind of emotional trigger that quits when it gets just too revealing and you need to dial back slightly to the edge.  I suspect my system teeters on that brink now all the time, such that little changes tip it one way or the other.

... oh, and the Mono Extreme SE's ARE that good, causing this little anomaly to be ever so much more obvious.

[Marbles]

It's some kind of emotional trigger that quits when it gets just too revealing and you need to dial back slightly to the edge.  I suspect my system teeters on that brink now all the time, such that little changes tip it one way or the other.

... oh, and the Mono Extreme SE's ARE that good, causing this little anomaly to be ever so much more obvious.

With as nice a system as you have now, I'm sure any change is noticeable.

Glad you like the Extreme SE's.  Klaus, Alex and Rolf know their stuff!!!

Do they make you forget the magic of your previous tube amps?

[TomS]

It's some kind of emotional trigger that quits when it gets just too revealing and you need to dial back slightly to the edge.  I suspect my system teeters on that brink now all the time, such that little changes tip it one way or the other.

... oh, and the Mono Extreme SE's ARE that good, causing this little anomaly to be ever so much more obvious.

Do they make you forget the magic of your previous tube amps?

Thanks -

Being an aged one, I'm already starting to forget a lot of things (that hopefully don't matter), but I won't soon forget those sweethearts.   Everything is indeed a trade-off though, and I'm very happy with the balance of things as they're playing right now.  Like you, that tube pre might be just the "slight dialing back" I need. 

I must say I really do want to resume filling out my music collection more, which is what it's all about.

[Wayner]

I have to go vomit. The entire thread is getting really sad.

[Marbles]

Actually, it's really nice to see the generosity of the guys.  They are willing to help solve problems, give advice, encouragement, and even lend gear.

It's nice to give or get an occasional compliment as well.

 

[mcrespo71]

I have to go vomit. The entire thread is getting really sad.

Why?  Seems like people just reaching out to help someone out and I've found the discussion about getting too high resolution to be an enlightening one.  I'm not sure what your point is.

[TomS]

I have to go vomit.

Please don't get it on the seats.  Roll the window down first.

[eric the red]

BTW, once this thread got back on track I found your comments on "going too far" really fascinating.  This is so true, but I never really had it in perspective that way.  How you said it really cleared the fog for me.  I've definitely been there on the digital side (with the mega-Wadia) and come back now and am much happier in my listening.  It's some kind of emotional trigger that quits when it gets just too revealing and you need to dial back slightly to the edge.  I suspect my system teeters on that brink now all the time, such that little changes tip it one way or the other.

Interesting. I've been there too. You get to a point where you are listening to the way the music was recorded and not the music itself as a whole? A little fuzz in the chain brings everything back together?
Maybe?

[Scott F.]

I have to go vomit. The entire thread is getting really sad.

Well Wayner, maybe you'd be better suited to play with the people over at Audio Asylum. Why don't you take your toys, go over there and leave us alone.

[Marbles]

BTW, once this thread got back on track I found your comments on "going too far" really fascinating.  This is so true, but I never really had it in perspective that way.  How you said it really cleared the fog for me.  I've definitely been there on the digital side (with the mega-Wadia) and come back now and am much happier in my listening.  It's some kind of emotional trigger that quits when it gets just too revealing and you need to dial back slightly to the edge.  I suspect my system teeters on that brink now all the time, such that little changes tip it one way or the other.

Interesting. I've been there too. You get to a point where you are listening to the way the music was recorded and not the music itself as a whole? A little fuzz in the chain brings everything back together?
Maybe?

I'm not sure I would even call it fuzz...sometimes it's a more "full" sound.  It is less analytical.  Sometimes as in the case of my pre-amp tubes, the sound isn't too much different, a little more overhang and decay on notes, but you can feel it involve you more in the music.  It's this less analytical more emotion that is the good distortion...seems counter intuitive.

[macrojack]

Perhaps it's a case of the listener being too analytical. I seem to have a problem with that one at times.
Nowadays I don't even sit down to listen very often. It's like taking Shakespeare apart syllable by syllable. The plot suffers.

[JoshK]

I have to go vomit. The entire thread is getting really sad.

Somehow I imagine you resemble your avatar and that leads to your social disfunction, via insecurity. If so, I feel for you. If I am wrong and you are just a dick, then why don't you heed Scott's advice.

[Marbles]

Perhaps it's a case of the listener being too analytical. I seem to have a problem with that one at times.
Nowadays I don't even sit down to listen very often. It's like taking Shakespeare apart syllable by syllable. The plot suffers.

I would tend to agree, but my digital front end is just the way I want it.  I get emotionally tied to the music..so I know it's not the case that it's me...at least not all the time.

I have recently read many reviews/comparisons and it seems that the VDH carts are known for a certain analyticalness (sterility) to their sound.  With the Grasshopper/Colibri as being the most analytical of all the VDH's.  I have a modified Grasshopper.

I'm sure a different cart will help.

I have to say, the sound I'm getting is great..there is no emotional tie to the music though.

[eric the red]

I have to say, the sound I'm getting is great..there is no emotional tie to the music though.

Thus the rub. By constant analysis over years of being in this hobby, have we sucked the life out of enjoying the music we play through our rigs? I can't help thinking about components that are considered 'musical' or have some kind of their own magic even though they're not high end. Reynaud Twins come to mind. I recently down-sized to a tube integrated and some warmer sounding speakers and a TT and am forcing myself to learn to listen and enjoy music again.

[Marbles]

I have to say, the sound I'm getting is great..there is no emotional tie to the music though.

Thus the rub. By constant analysis over years of being in this hobby, have we sucked the life out of enjoying the music we play through our rigs?

I can only answer for myself..the answer is no.  The proof is that I recognize the problem in my analog...I connect to the music in digital.

I can't help thinking about components that are considered 'musical' or have some kind of their own magic even though they're not high end. Reynaud Twins come to mind. I recently down-sized to a tube integrated and some warmer sounding speakers and a TT and am forcing myself to learn to listen and enjoy music again.

Cool     I think that tubes "CAN" inpart pleasing distortion, not necessarily overtly audible, but noticeable.  I'm much happier with tube gear in my system.

[Nels Ferre]

Cool  Thumbs up   I think that tubes "CAN" inpart pleasing distortion, not necessarily overtly audible, but noticeable.  I'm much happier with tube gear in my system.

It's not that tubes add distortion, it's just different than solid state. Tubes tend to distort in even order harmonics, which is less grating to the ear. Odd order harmonics (solid state) is much more noticeable.

Marbles, I prefer your previous avatar- what happened?