2. analog
  3. 1065283688

OK, I said it...

Just got the new turntable running this morning. Installed the Kontrapunkt B on the Rega P9; a most nerve wracking job. Well I can't find a crow and I am not yet ready to eat some, but here are my very preliminary findings based on listening to one side of two albums (one brand new, Art Blakey's "Indestructible"), one that's been on hand for a while, (Dire Straits "Communiqué"):

my greatest peeve, surface noise: way less, but still a bother on softer cuts or portions of pieces where the volume is low;
soundstage: quite incredible;
layering of instruments: quite incredible;
natural tone of the instruments: stunning;
treble: well the cymbals are back the way I like them; sharp attack and decay when hit near the centre, sharp attack and shimmering decay when hit nearer the edge;
bass: not the subwoofer-type of bass, but the overtones are more present, that is an acoustic bass has that plummy quality.

Well I am not a "convert", in the sense at looking at the experience as crossing a threshold from where you never go back. I still think that digital is better at doing silence, which is so necessary in music, and, in letting the sound of soft music come out without the anxiety of tick and pops.

So far, I have not listened to enough music to have a real hard opinion about the merits of better analog equipment. Suffice it to say that in answer to the post wondering if any progress has been made in the last twenty years, I would have to say quite a lot. This is based on a very quick, very subjective appreciation at the moment. What is the table's, what is the arm's, what is the cartridge's contribution in all this: very hard to say, and will never be known since I have no intention of playing mix and match.

Am still using the Sumiko Phono Box for the time being. The next move is a new phono section. Is there another level yet to be achieved with that upgrade? I while back I would have been extremely sceptical, now I hope there is. What bugs me, is to have to make another leap of faith.

Well, I will keep you posted. Good day.
pbb
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Pbb, with all your previous skepticism about analogue playback, think of getting originally recorded sources of the music you like that was on the very first place released to vinyls after master tapes. It's only and advantage there despite even even clicks and pops.

enjoy!
jimbo3
304 posts
 
Pbb- Good show! I don't recall from your previous posts if you have a way to clean records. If not, even an inexpensive tool like the Nitty Gritty will help.

Regards
Jim
pbb OP
1,140 posts
 
Always used a Discwasher brush with the Discwasher fluid. Always put the records back in their dust jacket and album jacket. Always tried to keep the stylus in ok shape by changing it regularly. These are the main reasons why I always assumed that my records were as clean as could be and, hence, as silent as could be. I knew one of the suggestions I would get would be to purchase a record cleaning machine. Right now, I went out last week and bought a carbon brush. The only one I could find locally is a Clearaudio. No complaints, except for the price; nearly $43.00 with taxes; this might give you some indication that how we choose to spend our hard earned cash up here requires a significant amount of deliberation. The new brush works fine. My fear was that it would simply push the dust along and leave it in a straight line across the record. I guess I was really influenced by Discwasher advertising way back when! One good thing about the Rega is the felt mat. Why you may ask. Simply because unlike the foam one of my previous tt it doesn't add a charge of static every time you move the record in it's vicinity. David, strangely enough, I have two Japanese pressings of Beatle's albums: Sgt Pepper's and Rubber Soul. Listened to Rubber Soul late last night and the pressing is remarkably quiet, not SACD or CD quiet, but quiet. Strange that Rega in its efforts to simplify vinyl playback seems to downplay the need for cleaning records by saying that the stylus will merely push the junk aside. Right now I will use what I have on hand to clean records, but I will probably be ordering Gruv'Glide. My one concern over this product is whether it is short term gain for long term pain: does it harm the vinyl? My main reason for not using the cleaning and treatment products way back when was that it was said that once you started using these products or playing them wet you had to keep to the same practice or the records would be even noisier. At any rate, I will find a noisy album to treat first and see what the results are. Good day.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Patrick,

Really, honest, please take the advice of cleaning your records. The Diskwasher system is NOT going to do it. You don't necessarily need to buy a RCM but a Nitty Gritty is so cheap I would recommend going that route. The secret to using the Gruv Glide is applying the smallest amount possible. I believe the can says it will treat 150 records. I get over 300 records out of each can I use. I'm no scientist and don't have any inside information on what is in Gruv Glide but I really don't think it is permanent. I've recleaned a treated record due to a click or pop and it's affects were gone. You probably won't believe the next statement but it is true. I almost NEVER have a click or pop unless the record is obviously scratched and scratched badly. Many visible defects are absolutely silent. Proper VTA will seriously reduce what is called surface noise. That is not an issue with my table at all. Search the threads on this subject: Several folks don't use a vacuum system and wash their records like dishes followed by a distilled water rinse. Also, search Google for a DIY record cleaning machine. These are every bit as good as the commercially available units for a fraction of the price and are easy to make. Trust us. We wouldn't mislead you. Enjoy!!!

Patrick
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
OK, I heard it...

I echo the praise others have heaped on you Pbb. Whether you stay with it or not, at least you're giving it a fair chance. You've already heard alot of what we fanatics keep babbling about.

If you don't want to spend for a RCM just yet, at least buy a GroovMaster (available from an ebay seller for about $40). This handy device lets you wash and rinse records in the kitchen sink without ruining the label or touching the vinyl. I've only had mine for a month (thanks to 4yanx for the tip) and can't imagine living without it.

Albert Porter and others say they've eliminated ticks/pops on 90%+ of all records, even used ones. That has been my experience also. It takes a little effort but the results are worth it for me.
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