edplaysdrums42 said:What are you on about CJ...? i think we need more than that, well i do anyway :?
DandyCobalt said:Oh yes, yes, yes !!! Here she is...(I got my days wrong - it was fitted this afternoon).
First of all... thanks to Peter from Alternative Audio http://www.alternativeaudio.co.uk/.
He drove up from Somerset to fit it for me (making another visit too I hope, but was really keen to ensure that all was properly set up and rocking). Great to see a real hifi enthusiast who clearly loves his work - we chatted for over an hour before even starting on the cartridge switch.
Next, what a wonderful piece of engineering the Benz is. I hope the picture does it justice.
Secondly, what a great step up in sound...even though it apparently needs about 100 hours run-in.
Much deeper front to back sound stage (not sure what the correct terminology is) but more depth to the sound. Secondly, the bass is fuller and better defined. Much more detail coming through from the tracks.
We used Neil Young's "Harvest" to check all was working well. Stuff came out of it that I'd never heard before - it sounded like a different record, in a much better way.
Peter had also brought up an EAR 834P valve phono stage for me to compare with the Trichord Dino that I already have. Oh boy, what a combination...the sound was incredible.
As time was short (a day job was calling) I haven't had much more chance yet - but a long and enjoyable vinyl evening ahead.
I can see the EAR as an early birthday present to self perhaps. One thing seems to lead to another...in a good way.
DandyCobalt said:Oh yes, yes, yes !!! Here she is...(I got my days wrong - it was fitted this afternoon).
First of all... thanks to Peter from Alternative Audio http://www.alternativeaudio.co.uk/.
He drove up from Somerset to fit it for me (making another visit too I hope, but was really keen to ensure that all was properly set up and rocking). Great to see a real hifi enthusiast who clearly loves his work - we chatted for over an hour before even starting on the cartridge switch.
Next, what a wonderful piece of engineering the Benz is. I hope the picture does it justice.
Secondly, what a great step up in sound...even though it apparently needs about 100 hours run-in.
Much deeper front to back sound stage (not sure what the correct terminology is) but more depth to the sound. Secondly, the bass is fuller and better defined. Much more detail coming through from the tracks.
We used Neil Young's "Harvest" to check all was working well. Stuff came out of it that I'd never heard before - it sounded like a different record, in a much better way.
Peter had also brought up an EAR 834P valve phono stage for me to compare with the Trichord Dino that I already have. Oh boy, what a combination...the sound was incredible.
As time was short (a day job was calling) I haven't had much more chance yet - but a long and enjoyable vinyl evening ahead.
I can see the EAR as an early birthday present to self perhaps. One thing seems to lead to another...in a good way.
DandyCobalt said:All I can say is that the 834P, with the Benz, was sublime.
I've really liked the Trichord Dino, but the 834 just took things to another level - it hadn't even really warmed up.
Perhaps it's to do with matching the kit - with Cyrus and B&W, perhaps they need a little bit of restraining or filling out - but the 834P provided a richness and fullness that the Trichord just couldn't match.
Oh dear .....
CJSF said:I'll tell you what . . . I had my ears syringed this morning . . . what a revelation . . . I do have an on-going problem with my ears . . . 'who said they know' . . . ! 🙂 But this time it was especially revealing, looking forward to Horlicks hour or three :dance:
Makes that acrylic platter mat even better than I thought!
CJSF
CnoEvil said:CJSF said:I'll tell you what . . . I had my ears syringed this morning . . . what a revelation . . . I do have an on-going problem with my ears . . . 'who said they know' . . . ! 🙂 But this time it was especially revealing, looking forward to Horlicks hour or three :dance:
Makes that acrylic platter mat even better than I thought!
CJSF
Is it possible that this is the reason why the TQ Black didn't appear to give an improvement over the Linn s/c? Like I said back on that thread, I always like to understand why something hasn't worked as expected.
CnoEvil said:That's fair enough...and I hope you realize I wasn't being in any way critical or smart; just curious.
DandyCobalt said:Just a note to say that Peter from Alternative Audio is letting me have an 834P for a week from Tuesday to properly audition it. Looking forward to it.
DandyCobalt said:Secondhand, I think I have a good deal at £675 for a black MM/MC one. A new one is approx £1,200, unless you go for the more expensive chrome and gold one (same spec) for £1,700.