barolobrain
Responses from barolobrain
| Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble? I've used a number of different SUTs over the years but the one that sounds best with my current carts is an EMIA CU 20:1. I run it unloaded into the MM of my Zesto Andros Deluxe II and it sounds great. The carts I current use with it are a Dyna... | |
| Developing A List Of Tonearm Candidates For A SOTA Turntable I ran various SOTAs since the early 80s up until three years ago when I switched to a Kuzma Ref2 and Kuzma arm. Agreed that not every cart works with the SME V as I had one for nearly 30 years. The Kuzma 4point9 is the only one that works with t... | |
| Looking For Technicans That Would Rewire A SME V I owned an SME V since 1990. I had it rewired by Alfred in 2013 and the work was satisfactory. FWIW I did ask him to do some other work but not sure anything was done. In 2019, prior to selling the arm I had Gregory Metz clean and adjust the ar... | |
| Zesto Andros 1.2 I had an Andros 1.2 for a few years. Liked it so much went to an Andros Deluxe II. It sounds great, reliable and dead quiet. Before that I used a ARC PH3SE and an ARC SP11 MKII, Andros was far better than both for me an my system. | |
| Preamp Gain issues with high efficiency speakers As others have noted, you have too much system gain particularly with your speakers. I have Devores, 93db claimed efficiency and a Zesto Bia 120, 60 watts per ch, 23db of gain and ended up going with a passive, resistor ladder setup so the pre is... | |
| ZYX "House" Sound My main cart for the last few years has been a Dynavector XV-1s. I ran it through an EMIA CU 20:1 SUT but now use the Jensen AT347 SUT built into my phono pre. I also own and use a ZYX Airy3x. Both are less warm than your existing carts but I ... | |
| Dynavector XV-1S I've used Soundsmith, VAS and Joseph Long in the past. Long did the retip on my Dynavector XV-1s last May and I am very satisfied with the result. Dynvector does not retip but will rebuild which involves going through their US distributor and ba... | |
| Looking for a tube phono pre Late to the party but I would recommend a used Zesto 1.2. I used one for a few years and then went up to the Zesto Deluxe II which has balanced I/O and better SUTs but is a lot more expensive. The 1.2 is dead quiet, dynamic, not tubey and just f... | |
| What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V? Like you, I had an early SME V on a SOTA Star III, in use for over 30 years, serviced twice mainly just to clean and check. I replaced it with an AMG 9W2 which I managed to find used. It outperformed the SME in every respect except perhaps the b... | |
| Help recommend a good tube preamp I currently use a Atma-sphere MP-3.2 that I got used. Only using it as a linestage with a Zesto phono pre and and a DAC. Balance in for both sources and out to a Zesto Bia 120. It's quiet, dynamic and not finicky. Bad news for some there is no... | |
| Deciding on which of my cartridges to go on Origin Live and Kuzma arms Here's a thought from a fellow Kuzma Ref 2 owner. Rather than change out the entire setup, instead take out the 313 and replace it with a 4point11. Nothing against the Dr. Feickert TTs and I certainly would have them on my short list if my Kuzma... | |
| Tube preamp recommendations for Pass X260.8 monos I must second ditusa's recommendation of the Atma-sphere MP-3. I have a MP-3.2 and using it strictly as a line stage. It is dead quiet, dynamic and resolving. It is also a fully balanced design. The one PITA is the volume control, purist desig... | |
| Early SOTA vs New Something: Conundrum Hi RW. If you are going to use the Star in any capacity, you need to get an armboard cut specifically for the geometry of the Arm. Otherwise you will never be able to align the cartridge correctly. You can get a SOTA cut armboard and the compos... | |
| Are You Happy With Your Phono Preamp? I had a ARC PH3SE, nice but gain is high for MM and low for LOMC. I got a Zesto Andros 1.2, loved it. Loved it so much I got an Andros Deluxe II. Dead quiet, great sound and not tubey sounding. I also have a Zesto Bia 120 power amp so I do lik... | |
| Any experience with Sound Smith repairing stylus on non-Sound Smith cartridges? SS did work on two cartridges, a Coral 777 which involved a new ruby cantilever and line trace stylus and a Benz Ebony L where only the stylus was replaced. Work on both was done well. The Benz sounded great as the stylus was worn. The bass on ... |