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Zephyr won't play nice with Phenomena 2

I've been totally happy with my setup of a VPI Scout,Dynavector 20x2 into a Musical Surroundings Phenomena 2.  But I recently got a good deal on a Soundsmith Zephyr II, and couldn't pass it up.  I've always been curious about moving iron designs.  

Right off off the bat,I could tell this was a detail oriented cart.  The first thing I noticed that the center stage was just locked in place.  But it seemed a little hot on top and sort of flat.  I wasn't getting that "bloom".  I chalked it up to being new and needing break in.   

25 hours in, there were some changes,but not much and definitely not enough.  Still no depth, not as hot on top,but something missing.  By now,bass is great btw.  

A friend wanted to come have a listen,and bring his phono pre just for the heck of it. A modified Jolida jd9. I wasn't very excited about swapping out the phono stages because I knew the Phenomena was a good pre.  It sounded great with the Dyna.  Reluctantly, the swap was made.  

Bam!  There it was. Everything that had been missing.   We both heard it within ten seconds.  Not subtle.   I was shocked.  I know both of these pre's have their fanbases, as they should, but this isn't close.   I know it seems like I had settings fouled or something but I tried loading it every way under the sun.  I guess it could just be that synergy thing...or maybe that Parts Connexion mod really kicks ass.(level 1)

Well I bought the Jolida. And threw in my fave tubes,Tele smooths. And just ordered 6  opamps to get close to the level 3 mod.  I just wanted to share my experience...

bigboltz
theophile's avatar
theophile
256 posts
 
The title of this thread seems to put the onus for your dissatisfaction with the Zephyr. The Jolida seems to show the Zephyr to be a fine cartridge.

I see that the gain options for the Musical Surroundings are as follows:

40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51.5, 52.7, 53.7, 56, 57.5, 58.4, 59.4, 60 dB

 Where did you have the gain setting during the time with the Zephyr? Did you vary the gain just to see whether that made any difference?
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
I have recently aquired the Zephyr mkiii and have about 5 hours on it. I'm trying the load at 200pf on my Manley Chinook (with gain set at 40db). The Zephyr manual says 100-200 although I haven't tried 100 yet. (the Chinook has 100, then 200 and nothing in between).  What load setting did you have the Phenomena at? I'm relatively new to vinyl so I'm just curious.
bigboltz OP
55 posts
 
Theophile, that's pretty much exactly what I was trying to convey.  With the MS pre, I was dissatisfied with the Zephyr.  I actually wondered if I had a dud, or just didn't like the Soundsmith sound.  

I I generally kept the gain at 40, though I tried several settings.  Gain wasn't the issue.  I also settled on the 50k loading, which is closest to the 47k that SS recommends. To me, the jolida just makes the Zephyr sound much better, in my rig.  

Fwiw, I use an all tube setup(AtmaSphere UV-1 pre and M60 monos driving Vandersteen Quatros).  I've generally preferred a solid state phono stage in this rig, until now.  

bigboltz OP
55 posts
 
devilboy, it's my understanding that the capacitive loading mostly affects the top end.  Less pf for more top end energy.  With the Phenom I tried both the 200 and 300 settings.  With the Jolida, I'm using the 220 pf setting and 47kohm loading. 

How does your Zephyr sound with just a few hours on it?  I've been told by Soundsmith to be patient with it for 25 hours or so.   This was my first new cart, so I'd never been thru a break in period.  Frustrating for someone with minimal patience😬
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