Color me jealous. Haven't done that a lot but every time I do visit someone like that it always amazes me how many different ways there are to achieve quality music, especially where turntables are involved.
Visited a new Audiogon friend today. Elliott Newcomb
Today I traveled a little bit over an hour north to visit Elliott. We had been conversing first by PM and than over the telephone and he extended me an invite. Besides, we had a audio barter to take care of. I'll let him tell you about that. Anyway after business was taken care of we spent some time listening to his setup.
I am in awe of his Victor TT with the TT 81 motor and the two arms. What a absolutely beautiful machine it is. Very high quality with a very fine fit and finish. That Blackbird tonearm is the longest tonearm I've seen on a modern turntable, 12.5"! The rear position was graced with a beautiful Lustre 801, set up with a mono cart. We listened to some Jazz, first in stereo and later in mono. It was the best sounding TT rig I've ever heard. Not to mention total eye candy.
After listening to that rig Elliott fired up the big Teac 2000 R to R to play some music as well. Another simply amazing machine, the music sounds sublime.
After listening to both of his setups I can say that music reproduction has not gotten better over the years, it's just more convenient.
Even his FM tuner sounded great, a McIntosh MX110Z. You have to love the sound of these old tube tuners, much nicer to listen to than the new digital tuners.
My plinth, motor and dustcover will be here this week. After seeing what Elliott has done I'm very excited to be able to start on my project. I'm still looking for a Victor UA-7082 arm for the main position. The rear tonearm will likely be a Audio Technica ATP-12T.
All in all a very nice day and it was a pleasure to visit Elliott.
BillWojo
I am in awe of his Victor TT with the TT 81 motor and the two arms. What a absolutely beautiful machine it is. Very high quality with a very fine fit and finish. That Blackbird tonearm is the longest tonearm I've seen on a modern turntable, 12.5"! The rear position was graced with a beautiful Lustre 801, set up with a mono cart. We listened to some Jazz, first in stereo and later in mono. It was the best sounding TT rig I've ever heard. Not to mention total eye candy.
After listening to that rig Elliott fired up the big Teac 2000 R to R to play some music as well. Another simply amazing machine, the music sounds sublime.
After listening to both of his setups I can say that music reproduction has not gotten better over the years, it's just more convenient.
Even his FM tuner sounded great, a McIntosh MX110Z. You have to love the sound of these old tube tuners, much nicer to listen to than the new digital tuners.
My plinth, motor and dustcover will be here this week. After seeing what Elliott has done I'm very excited to be able to start on my project. I'm still looking for a Victor UA-7082 arm for the main position. The rear tonearm will likely be a Audio Technica ATP-12T.
All in all a very nice day and it was a pleasure to visit Elliott.
BillWojo
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I have made a lot of new friends because of audio forums. I have been to numerous AudioKarma meetups, sometimes at a members house, sometimes at a rented hall and even hosted two events last year with another member and friend. We held that one at a car dealership using the showroom and parking lot. Anywhere from 15 to 25 or more folks show up, some bring food and snacks so we have eats during the day and there is always a swap meet. For the past year I was working with a friend, met him on HiFi Haven, who is an Altec fan like me. We would meet up every couple of weeks and swap drivers, crossovers and horns to fine tune a set of Altec A-7 monsters. Last time I was there we had them sounding really great and than Covid hit grinding it all to a stop. By that time the work sessions would include 4 or 5 of us, all horn fanatics. Horn guys seem to collect a lot of cool stuff, I know I do. LOL So far ALL planned events have been canceled for this year. Maybe in the fall...... BillWojo |
Horn guys do the coolest stuff... I agree. Craziest stuff, HUGE STUFF. yea...... I’ve done a few, DIY Imperial Horns and Subs...I still want to do another pair, all hardwood Exterior this time... 1" green marine ply the last time. 34-6 years ago.. Mcintosh MX110z has a super phono section. Almost as good as the C11/22, but a ways to go to hit a C20 III Something about THAT Preamp, when it's worked.... Just the best to me.. I have a 16" tonearm stashed here somewhere. I've seen 20" cantilever/pulley setups that were almost erector set looking... 50,000.00 USD, Horn guys....400 Sq ft apartment, 300 ft of it it speakers.. Horn guys...LOL Regards |
We listened to some Jazz, first in stereo and later in mono. It was the best sounding TT rig I’ve ever heard. Not to mention total eye candy. You forgot to mention cartridges, because this is what you’ve been listening to. I’m still looking for a Victor UA-7082 arm for the main position. I have one 7082 in mint condition, perfect sample without any problem with original rubber grommet in the counterweight (just like my previous 7045). I would recommend to pay attention to Victor MM cartridges like X-1IIe with titanium pipe cantilever (if the stylus is original) and higher models. For Victor 7082 tonearm MCL10 cartridge is one of the best (i tried them all). Few days ago i gave my spare Victor plinth (for two tonearms) to local carpenter for restoration, it will be refreshed soon (cleaned, oiled and waxed). I remember we recommended Lustre GST-801 to Elliott and he bought it, those 3 is what i really like and Victor has the best value on the market (cheap). Not easy to find in NOS or MINT condition like my samples on the images, but well worth the effort (imo). |
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