2. analog
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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
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.
audiobomber
11 posts
 
The Rega tonearm's lack of VTA adjustment is a serious problem when using cartridges other than Rega's own. It takes me a week or two of listening and several iterations to get VTA right. VTA is *crucial* for getting good sound and low noise. It's not impossible to set VTA optimally with a Rega arm, but it takes a hell of a lot of work and commitment to change those washers in and out. If I owned a Rega arm, I'd buy an after-market VTA adjuster.

As you've identified, an MC's low output demands a higher-quality phono stage. A Phono Box is not up to it. I heard a rumour (from UHF magazine) that the new Rega MC phono stage is very good for not much money.

I wondered also if your Ortofon is brand new. Cartridges take 40-100 hours to break in, and some are quite compromised straight out of the box.
rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
Welcome Grasshopper, you are now on the path of enlightenment, as are we all. Origin live makes a VTA adjuster for Rega arms. This path is a lot more work but we all feel (most times anyway) it’s worth the effort for the added fidelity analog provides. Keep asking questions and the analog Gurus here will guide you.

Bass is the hardest for the cartridge to trace, you will need a better arm for that. You will however hear an improvement in this region by upgrading your phonostage.
Good luck
Cheers
Ron
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Pbb. I salute you. A lot of great advise here. Regarding the rega phono stage rumour.... Although it is very inexpensive,It is pathetic and a total waste of money...low resolution,one dimensional sound with zero dynamics. The perfect device to discourage any music lover away from the real beauty of vinyl.Best of luck
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hello Pbb.While I have no experience with the cartridge you are using,every catridge needs some run in time as well as well as a precision set up to extract the best performance.Proper alignment,verical tracking angle and azimuth can have a major impact regarding surface noise.I have an original Denisson protractor that you are more than welcome to borrow for aligning your catridge.Where in Canada are you? I am in the Burlington Ontario area.Shouldn't cost you more than $10.00 return for postage. Cheers.
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