I don’t disagree on the greatness of subs. I sold mine when in the process of flipping my entire system to build to roll out my system refit - my current system. I had a couple of Sumiko S.9’s and although not great Subs they were decent and I really appreciated what they added. I loved how the REL Onspeaker hook up was smooth and easy to set up but with Pass amps the Onspeaker hooked to the ground on the speaker wire caused problems. Pass has added an extra ground on back of amps to handle this but mine did not have one so I would have had to have made DIY cable and soldered the negative leg of the Onspeaker sub wire into a Interconnect RCA and grounded though the RCA so I just moved my Subs. I may add a pair in future but Pass amps without the added ground plugs does not play well with REL type SpeakerOn Cables.
HELP PLEASE - VPI Classic Signature 3D Arm or Dr. Feickert Woodpecker Jelco Arm
Need some help guys from the well informed analog folks.
VPI Classic Signature w/3D arm - New Open Box - Soundsmith Carman MKII Cart is brand new
or
Dr. Feickert Woodpecker Jelco arm static demo - Dynavector 20x2 Cart is brand new
Both tables are either static demo’s or open box and mint and from reputable dealers the carts are brand new and will be mounted for me.
Both are around $4,400 price all in.
I’m open to other options but landed on these two for best for the price I thought and these are the carts for this price target that each dealer can offer. Trying to not make things too crazy option wise but I always get great info from you guys so please share any and all thoughts. What one would you get? Either?
Here in my situation:
I just finished up a full system re-fit with some tweaking here and there still to do but I am extremely happy with the sound I’m getting today from my new to me system.
Best I’ve personally ever had. I’m pretty psyched - so psyched I want to add a turntable and a decent / competent but reasonable priced cart to startout and then if needed I can upgrade later.
Will these tables have a legit chance to be at least as good as my Digital do you think?
Could they sound better or no chance? Everyone says vinyl is better when using decent enough equipment so I’ll list the rest of my rig below to get your opinions.
Would love some feedback / ideas / thought recommendations and help. I’m a digital guy and want to give vinyl and honest to goodness try.
For my phonostage I just purchased the dual mono Phono board modules for my
Mark Levinson No.326s linestage so it’s now a full function Preamp with built in phonostage as well which was done at a reasonable cost which is great!
Here is some other info that may be relevant. Thanks so much for the help!
** Back Ground info**
** Room is **
14 x 24 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 16 Foot a peak
** Music likes **
Assorted Music but no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else. I listen just loud enough to sound its best but not a loud listener. I enjoy normal levels.
** Likes / Priorities **
Transparency - Delicacy - Linear - High resolution - microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless -some natural warmth and life to the music is key but love that see through transparency and love precise soundstage - remove as many layers without being clinical - tight bass - hate flab - but don’t need worlds greatest slam but love speed and accurate bass while being musical.
** Perspective **
I’m only a couple months into this new system and I was struggling to get the right Preamp and tried a half dozen or so searching for the right balance and the one that could bring my new system together like only the perfect matching preamp can do. Each system is different so really it must be heard to know it’s what you want. I believe in the Preamp and knew If I could find the right match it would change everything. Well that was the hope.
To make a long story longer the Mark Levinson No.326s preamp did this and more. I was hedging my expectations based on the disappointments of the others I tried and failed but the No. 326s nailed it and honestly it an incredible Preamp and then some. I was so happy I decided to upgrade and add the built in phonostage option and here we are :)
System:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160
- Magico S5 Loudspeakers
- Pass Labs X350.5 Amplifier
- Mark Levinson No.326s Preamp/phonostage
- Bricasti M1 Special Edition DAC
- PS Audio P10 Power Plant
- Kubala-Sosna Emotion SC’s
- Nordost/Cardas IC’s
- Assorted PC's Verastarr/Cardas
- Digital PC based front end that I have been tweaking and evolving:
- Sonore microRendu 1.4
- Full Suite of UpTone Audio Gear
(2) x LPS-1 Ultra Capacitor PS
JS-2 Linear Power Supply
(2) Regens - ISO/Amber
- (8) Canare / Oyide DC cables
- (2) Breeze Audio 12v LPS
- Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB cable
- Curious Regen Link USB Cable.
This Digital Front End beat out: Lumin, Antipodes, Naim and Auralic servers. It needs everything to work so well but man does it work great. My hope is that a turntable can complete and wish some luck I end up liking it better. That’s why I’m asking for help. I want to put my best vinyl foot forward for the budget it listed as I already own the Phonostage so my budget is for table, arm and cart.
Really appreciate any help you can provide! I know this is kind of long but wanted you guys to know where I’m coming from! If you would like more info please let me know - all comments and feedback are most welcome and deeply appreciated :)
VPI Classic Signature w/3D arm - New Open Box - Soundsmith Carman MKII Cart is brand new
or
Dr. Feickert Woodpecker Jelco arm static demo - Dynavector 20x2 Cart is brand new
Both tables are either static demo’s or open box and mint and from reputable dealers the carts are brand new and will be mounted for me.
Both are around $4,400 price all in.
I’m open to other options but landed on these two for best for the price I thought and these are the carts for this price target that each dealer can offer. Trying to not make things too crazy option wise but I always get great info from you guys so please share any and all thoughts. What one would you get? Either?
Here in my situation:
I just finished up a full system re-fit with some tweaking here and there still to do but I am extremely happy with the sound I’m getting today from my new to me system.
Best I’ve personally ever had. I’m pretty psyched - so psyched I want to add a turntable and a decent / competent but reasonable priced cart to startout and then if needed I can upgrade later.
Will these tables have a legit chance to be at least as good as my Digital do you think?
Could they sound better or no chance? Everyone says vinyl is better when using decent enough equipment so I’ll list the rest of my rig below to get your opinions.
Would love some feedback / ideas / thought recommendations and help. I’m a digital guy and want to give vinyl and honest to goodness try.
For my phonostage I just purchased the dual mono Phono board modules for my
Mark Levinson No.326s linestage so it’s now a full function Preamp with built in phonostage as well which was done at a reasonable cost which is great!
Here is some other info that may be relevant. Thanks so much for the help!
** Back Ground info**
** Room is **
14 x 24 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 16 Foot a peak
** Music likes **
Assorted Music but no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else. I listen just loud enough to sound its best but not a loud listener. I enjoy normal levels.
** Likes / Priorities **
Transparency - Delicacy - Linear - High resolution - microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless -some natural warmth and life to the music is key but love that see through transparency and love precise soundstage - remove as many layers without being clinical - tight bass - hate flab - but don’t need worlds greatest slam but love speed and accurate bass while being musical.
** Perspective **
I’m only a couple months into this new system and I was struggling to get the right Preamp and tried a half dozen or so searching for the right balance and the one that could bring my new system together like only the perfect matching preamp can do. Each system is different so really it must be heard to know it’s what you want. I believe in the Preamp and knew If I could find the right match it would change everything. Well that was the hope.
To make a long story longer the Mark Levinson No.326s preamp did this and more. I was hedging my expectations based on the disappointments of the others I tried and failed but the No. 326s nailed it and honestly it an incredible Preamp and then some. I was so happy I decided to upgrade and add the built in phonostage option and here we are :)
System:
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5160
- Magico S5 Loudspeakers
- Pass Labs X350.5 Amplifier
- Mark Levinson No.326s Preamp/phonostage
- Bricasti M1 Special Edition DAC
- PS Audio P10 Power Plant
- Kubala-Sosna Emotion SC’s
- Nordost/Cardas IC’s
- Assorted PC's Verastarr/Cardas
- Digital PC based front end that I have been tweaking and evolving:
- Sonore microRendu 1.4
- Full Suite of UpTone Audio Gear
(2) x LPS-1 Ultra Capacitor PS
JS-2 Linear Power Supply
(2) Regens - ISO/Amber
- (8) Canare / Oyide DC cables
- (2) Breeze Audio 12v LPS
- Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB cable
- Curious Regen Link USB Cable.
This Digital Front End beat out: Lumin, Antipodes, Naim and Auralic servers. It needs everything to work so well but man does it work great. My hope is that a turntable can complete and wish some luck I end up liking it better. That’s why I’m asking for help. I want to put my best vinyl foot forward for the budget it listed as I already own the Phonostage so my budget is for table, arm and cart.
Really appreciate any help you can provide! I know this is kind of long but wanted you guys to know where I’m coming from! If you would like more info please let me know - all comments and feedback are most welcome and deeply appreciated :)
- ...
- 26 posts total
I would go with the VPI Prime with the 10” 3D arm. As for cartridges, you are going to have to do better than the mentioned Ortofon/Soundsmith/Denon to get better sound than your digital setup. Also, when you do move up in cartridges, your phono board will be the weak link. The VPI arm will handle the higher quality carts. If you do get the new 3D arm, get the upgrade multi-pivot option. I just upgraded my Hanss T-60 TT with the new 10” 3D arm with soundsmith cart |
@rauliruegas I get what you’re saying about withdrawal from longstanding listening habits. Judgments in audio should be made across the long term. After several improvements to my digital rig, it dawned on me that perspective might be gained by recording vinyl to hi-res digital and comparing those LP recordings to hi-res digital downloads. Comparing those DSD128 recordings of LPs to digital downloads, for the majority of high-quality LP sources(e.g. MoFi, Analogue Productions), I tended to prefer the DSD128 recordings over hi-res digital downloads. Results varied for hi-res digital downloads of uncertain provenance. This begs the question of whether an LP heard in the all-analog domain "betters" a digital source, but if on average an LP transferred into the hi-res digital domain "betters" native digital, then that pretty much puts the matter to rest for me. In this instance the digital recording must be faithfully capturing something that is "different" and euphonic about vinyl, but that difference-- whether heard as distortion or not-- may be preferable. |
Dear @fsmithjack : Problem is not on the Pass amp, problem is how the Rel has to be connected. What you need is to find out this remarkable active crossover: https://www.passlabs.com/preamplifier/xvr-1 this crossover option is very good too: https://www.ebay.com/itm/9ACCUPHASE-F-25-Electronic-Frequency-Dividing-Network-active-crossover-JBL-... With those options the preamp signal goes to the electronic crossover and then to the Pass amp and from here to the Magico. The subs will takes the signal from the electronic crossover outputs too. For subwoofers there are several manufacture brands to choice. For the stereo experience I prefer subs with sealed design as Velodyne that is out of production but you always can buy second hand HGS-15 that are exceptional for true high end stereo music or DD-15. In this regards no other home audio sub can match it due that the THD of those Velodyne's is only 0.5% ! ! that's truly wonderful and this spec maybe is the more important one in a sub. The " touted " JL audio ones are over 5%-6% on THD. There is no comparation vs Velodyne. With subs first than all we need very low distortion levels but Velodyne is not only about low low distortion levels but has very good quality level performance that can't be out performed by any other I experienced. @dgarretson can gives you more info about. Of course that with the Velodyne's you always can use a passive dedicated frequency ( 80 hz. ) high-filter and from here to the Pass amp and the subs will takes the signal from the preamp´output directly. I insist that you need to test your system in this way. I know you are not " prepared " for what you will listening when you do it ! Regards and enjoyb the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
- 26 posts total