Tvad, did you get the tonearm rewire? I have a two or three theories about Marc's "persistent darkness" comments that don't match my experience either:
1) I have an M5G, which has factory OFC tonearm wire. Marc is using a Mk2 with stock wire. Maybe it's the tonearm wire that makes it sound dark or not.
2) Marc uses Neuance shelves on his rack. They have a foam core. I read a review of this shelf somewhere where the reviewer considered the shelf somewhat dark sounding. Marc mentioned that he has always gotten good inner detail from the SL1200 with stock feet and mat and no additional isolation platform, so I suspect this shelf has a profound influence on the sound.
3) Marc's preferred signal chain is an LOMC on a Michelle Orbe into a SET signal chain. SETs are usually somewhat rolled off in the treble; perhaps his normal rig offsets this, but a more linear source reveals it.
Just guessing here.
1) I have an M5G, which has factory OFC tonearm wire. Marc is using a Mk2 with stock wire. Maybe it's the tonearm wire that makes it sound dark or not.
2) Marc uses Neuance shelves on his rack. They have a foam core. I read a review of this shelf somewhere where the reviewer considered the shelf somewhat dark sounding. Marc mentioned that he has always gotten good inner detail from the SL1200 with stock feet and mat and no additional isolation platform, so I suspect this shelf has a profound influence on the sound.
3) Marc's preferred signal chain is an LOMC on a Michelle Orbe into a SET signal chain. SETs are usually somewhat rolled off in the treble; perhaps his normal rig offsets this, but a more linear source reveals it.
Just guessing here.
