Tranfiguration Orpheus description

Doesn't matter for me, Neal, as I don't have a mono switch. I think for those more experienced at this the desire to use a mono recording is not as great. My experience is much like Andrew's, I have more confidence in the adjustments I make when using a mono recording. YMMV.

Andrew,

Glad to hear the ole' trial and error is working for you too! Larry found the Wally buried beneath some old record sleeves and used pads from his cleaning brushes, but now I guess you don't need it. :-)

I'll have to try a mono LP for azimuth adjustment again. Whenever I've felt like fiddling with it I've just used whatever was on the table at the time, which is likely to be stereo (around here anyway). If nothing else I can verify what I've done, and if it's easier I'm all for it!

Nsgarch,
I don't have a mono/stereo switch either, but if I did setting it to mono would make azimuth adjustment impossible. Summing the info from both channels would negate any L/R adjustments made to the stylus. Azimuth is about reducing crosstalk, whereas a mono switch forces 100% crosstalk.

Neil,

I did this in Stereo. If I had a mono switch I would not use it for the reasons Doug mentioned. This should only work if using a mono record in Stereo preamp operation. It may not be perfect but it did get me close.

Thanks all.

Neil
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I wanted to provide some feedback in optimizing my Orpheus set up.

I have tried to further optimize the VTF so far. Recall, I have been running the Orpheus VTF at 1.92g. I suspected this could have been contributing to a slight leaness and brightness. I went up to 1.97 g based on the suggestions of Bc3. This improved things in all ways.

First, the leaness disappeared to a very large extent. The sound became much fuller and smoother without sacrificing detail or upper end extension. In fact, it is more detailed and extended. Most importantly, it has a lot deeper and tighter bass, it now has a very full, smooth and natural mid and treble and has more power and dynamics.

I think this is a lot more what a Tranny is supposed to sound like and I'm enjoying the system even more.

I'll try experimenting with the Boston Mat. I've been told that this tends to brightness. I suspect removing this will make the sound even more natural, romantic but yet detailed and neutral.

Lastly, I'll try some different settings with the VTA. I'm using ~1.3 degrees based on the method proposed by Nsgarch. Before optimizing the VTF, I thought reducing the SRA muddied the bass a bit although it did reduce, but not eliminate, the leaness and brightness. I think the VTF made a much larger difference.

I'm now enjoying a very transparent, detailed, open and clear sound but with very good natural timbre. I think this cartridge really bridges these objectives very well.

Andrew