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Update on VPI and classic rock lps

Well, after listening for a few days with further tweaks, I can report the Scoutmaster can play classic rock lps.

I have played quite a few of the lps I previously complained about being overly compressed and lifeless. The improvement with these tweaks is much larger than I would have expected.

Changes:
1. I had my amp on BDR cones, switched to two sets of Aurios Pro Max. Much more air and spaciousness, and at the same time more detail and precision, less smearing.
2. Thread drive on Scoutmaster. More impact, dynamics improved, again more precision, less smearing.
3. Cayin phono came with the metal shrouded tube dampers with springs. Took those tube dampers off, replaced with Herbies. Wow, opened up the sound by a large margin! Those metal cages were obviously damping down the sound something terrible.

Taken together, these three changes have allowed me to enjoy my large collection of classic rock lps again! I'm still looking for a bit more bass impact, and there is a bit of hardness in the mids and lower highs. I suspect a change to Mullard 12ax7's from the present Sovteks will alleviate that bit of dryness. As for bass impact, I'm still trying to figure that one out.

At last I'm hearing at least a bit of that magic I remember from back in the day, when listening to these records on my Dynaco system. I suspect a whole lot more of these recording are going to prove to be satisfying in the future!

I guess I have to eat crow now, I may have mislead some in criticizing these recordings. I now realize they weren't as bad as I believed. Sometimes even an old dog can learn new tricks, and I haven't even listened to my good recordings with the new setup!
sns
sns OP
3,247 posts
 
Islandmandan, the Dynavector XX-2 is at the top of my list for further upgrades. Both you and Tvad mention the MintLP, I will go with this as well, can't hurt to have cartridge setup exact as possible.

As for the springs under the Bright Star, I may go with this, or I might go with Aurios Pro Max. I suspect the benefits are similar, I just think the Pro Max would be more stable, my setup on springs scares me a little bit.

Speaking of Dave, I'm in the process of working with him on building the Superbam SLA battery mod for my Merlins. I expect this will be major upgrade!
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
If you try the big springs, be aware that they bounce all over the place, but in benign LF oscillations. (Of course they settle down after you cue up the record.) The more mass-loading you give the springs, the lower the oscillating frequency. A heavy sandbox on top of the springs is therefore complementary. Since the entire assembly of motor & suspensionless TT plinth are floated together, the geometry between outboard motor and platter remains stable & fixed. This contrasts to a conventionally sprung suspension such as TNT or HRX. With those sprung plinths and outboard motors, the drive geometry and speed keeps changing with transients of vibration generated from earth and forces of stylus drag, motor noise, and platter bearing friction.

The purpose & effect of the big springs is very different from a conventional lightly-sprung TT plinth. What's particularly surprising is that even with the isolation of a wall-mounted shelf or solid cement flooring, the sandbox set-up still benefits from springs. My theory is that the springs are effective not only in decoupling from earth, but also in dissipating as benign mechanical energy, any vibration generated by stylus, motor, and platter bearing, that is not captured in the sand. I have a custom sandbox much deeper than Bright Star, and yet when lightly tapped on the frame, audible vibration passes through sand to stylus. TT-generated vibration that is not absorbed returns to the stylus.

I think where you'll hear improvement most is in treble resolution, purity & smoothness, which seems still to be lacking after your latest round of tweaks.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Sns, one other free tweak I forgot to mention is cutting free from the rest of the top of the Brightstar the section of lid that supports the motor. It completely eliminates motor noise and vibration back to the plinth through the turntable legs. That was Dave G's idea, too. Good man, that Dave.
Best, Dan
sns OP
3,247 posts
 
OK Dave, you've convinced me to go with the springs.

Islandmandan, glad you reminded me of cutting the Bright Star plinth, forgot about that one.
ehaller
98 posts
 
Now that you're "dialed in" put on Bad Company, self titled debut. You should be blown away. If not it's back to the drawing board.
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