2. analog
  3. 1071980593

I have seen the light.

I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see! Well, after about a 1 year trial and error process, I have finally gotten my TT up and running and kicking some digital ass! Up until now, I had been disappointed in the analog rig I had put together. Benz Glider L2, OL Silver MK1, SOTA Star Sapphire. Comparing it to my digital (EMC1 MK2 SE), and with several phono stages (Benz Lukasheck PP-1, Lehman Black Cube/PWX, ARC SP9 MK2) it just never excited me. I knew I was getting close with the phono in my Supratek Syrah, but now I just added the SOTA Reflex clamp and WOW. My wife and I sat down and listened to one track. She ALWAYS claims she can't hear any difference and immediately picked out the analog as the better sounding, when I played the same track on both and adjusted the volume to match by ear. Although I imagine I will always use lots of CDs due to their convenience (and because I have bought about 600 in the last 5 years), I was blown away by the improvement. Sorry for the ramble (not a rant, since I am a happy camper) but I just had to tell someone.
:-) Color me muddy but happy.
128x128swampwalker
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
Muddy one,

Sometimes I wonder if I'm missing the boat on the new hi-rez formats, but I can't imagine anything sounding much better than my analog front end. Congrats on dialing in your rig, it'll make you rediscover some gems in your music collection and bring the pleasure/joy back into the hobby. Record clamps ought to be considered mandatory, sure makes one helluva difference if I don't use mine that came as standard issue with my Oracle. Sounds like you're going to be really enjoying the holidays! Best, Jeff
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
Nice TT/arm/cartridge combo, very similar to mine. I have been very happy with the combo, but I've always used the reflex clamp. Did you just buy it, or was it sitting idle while you spun your discs?

I have a Sony SCD 777ES which plays SACD, and I still prefer the vinyl. I like the Sony, but the TT just sounds better. If they can keep up with the technology I do think it can sound as good if not better that vinyl,but they still have a ways to go...
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker OP
5,138 posts
 
Nrchy- I had put it away somewheres when I sold my old Sonographe, and could not find it. It galled me to pay big bucks for a clamp I knew I had hidden away, so I was using a cheapy I picked up on ebay. I have not yet even heard let along tried hi-res, but now I am going to have to be looking for LPs. I guess Borders is out!
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Swampwalker, glad to hear you found the key. A clamp does so many necessary things, I can't imaging spinning without one. Too bad about Borders, my local thrift shops have really lousy coffee bars!
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
It's too bad used vinyl is soo over priced on AudiogoN. There are a couple of sources for good used vinyl, and a bunch of collectable stuff here in town. It's fun to hunt for new stuff. Enjoy the table!
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