Thanks mijostyn. I like it with all kinds of music. The effect is that I enjoy listening more. I wonder if it actually sounds slightly better than my former Atlas did when new. Possibly the low output version (Atlas SL) is even better, but I can't risk it with the Aesthetix Io phono stage, which likes the 0.56v output of the standard Atlas. 0.25 or thereabouts may be too little for the Aesthetix to sound its "robust" self. At least if using NOS tubes, like I prefer, even if I get a little more background tube noise. Lyra warns that the SL version is not for everyone, the phono stage must be up to it, or you should use a stepup. However, Aesthetix says no to using the Io with a stepup device, don't do it. I think this would destroy the purity of the design and be a waste of money. I tested with a Jensen stepup some years ago, and this confirmed their point. Tubes all the way = best sound, no doubt about it, to my ears. I think the Atlas feeding the Io is a very good match. Some have complained that the Atlas is a bit hard and harsh. Or a bit bright. I don't hear much of that. Rather, the tonal balance is spot on, meaning that the "character" of the cartridge is very hard to identify, since each LP sounds different. I am not saying the Atlas has no faults, but usually, they turn out to be faults of the LP production, or "to the limit" type production (cf Pink Floyd Meddle), or the LP itself (wear), or my turntable setup isn't 100 percent, so whenever I think I have a problem with the cartridge, it disappears on a different type of LP / music / or with setup tuning. In all, the Atlas/Io combo works great. And the Atlas sounds better on the Hanss T30 player than I ever managed with the VPI HW19 (using the same SME V arm).
Why are my woofers pumping?
The other day, with sunlight direct from the side, I noticed that the
woofers in my speakers are pumping in and out, much more than I was aware of,
when the stylus is in the groove, even between tracks (no music). I can see it, even if I don’t hear it. Why
does it happen? The woofers behave normally (no pumping) with digital music, and
when the stylus it lifted from the groove, so it is not the speakers, amps,
preamp or phono stage.
I’ve read that the typical reason for woofer pumping is that the cartridge / arm resonance is too low. I tested, with my Hifi News test record, and yes, the lateral test puts the resonance at 7 hz or so – too low (but I’ve seen some doubts about the results from that test record). It is strange, since the combo I use – Lyra Atlas cartridge and SME V arm (on a Hanss T-30 player) is supposed to work well. I tried to strip my arm of extras, cleaned the damping trough, etc – but it did not help much.
Anyone has an idea, why it happens, or what to do about it?
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- 185 posts total
- 185 posts total