How much more has your TT got to give . . .

CJSF

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Life been a little disjointed recently so hi fi has taken a back seat, music listening has been mostly Spotify. I have made changes to the workings of my system but with no follow up, things like moving speakers, re doing the TT support/isolation system. Then I had a mad moment in the middle of all this change, new speaker cable . . . why!!!

So I sat down at the weekend and regrouped, the brain was in a turmoil of things to do, things to be done, pressure from outside sources and the constant concern for Hazels health . . . Other than Hazel, none of the others were major issues.

I put some vinyl on, relaxed . . . sort of . . . it was not sounding as good as it had a few weeks ago, I thought? The sound stage was boxed in, the width and depth had gone?

The most significant thing was a change to some homemade wooden cones, they had improved the information retrieval but the image was defiantly affected. I dont understand why I had not noticed this on Friday when I made the change? . . . Begs the question, is frame of mind important when making changes to the system?

I fiddled with this and that, checked the speakers, they were not set solid! Still no improvement . . . all seemed OK. Then the only thing was the affect the new cones was having, it was positive in retrieval, therefor was the cartridge being held back? had it got more to offer . . .

When I had been playing with cartridges a few months back I could dial in the sound with the tracking weight, when I installed the Sumiko this dialling process was ineffective, 2gs was it as recomended! ??? worth a try, I thought. The tracking weight changes I used were minute, perceived by ear. It did not work before? . . . The cartridge indeed was being held back, three tiny reductions in the tracking weight gradually opened the sound stage and put the air back around the performance.

The point of the thread, how much more has your TT got to give, setting to the recommendations is only the beginning, you have changed alsorts since then? Minor changes elsewhere may offer extra at the source of retrieval?

CJSF
 

Lost Angeles

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Well I could upgrade to an Ortofon Cadenza Black or a 2 and a half grand Benz micro LP S Cartridge, then I would need a Roksan M Series Reference Phono stage. I don’t really know if I want to spend the money. I can’t take it with me though. :twisted:
 

CJSF

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Lost Angeles said:
Well I could upgrade to an Ortofon Cadenza Black or a 2 and a half grand Benz micro LP S Cartridge, then I would need a Roksan M Series Reference Phono stage. I don’t really know if I want to spend the money. I can’t take it with me though. :twisted:

Extending the point of the thread a little more . . . it did not cost anything to extract the extra SQ, just a little sideways thinking and time . . . 8)

CJSF
 
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Anonymous

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Hi CJSF

Intresting subject. I would say it's about what sound you my be looking for. I've seen you refer to pipe and slippers sound.

I have tried a 2M red first one was faulty got a replacement this one also is not aligned perfectly. Anyway got an Ortofon OM20 and it produces the sound I want. How much more can my TT give I'm sure alot more but quite happy with what it's giving now I can hear detail I have not heard before on some tracks so upgrading to an OM 30 or 40 would improve things.

After around 20 hrs play I will adjust the weight but belive adjusting it to 1.8g I will get a better sound even though they suggest 1.75g. For me to get an old school sound you need an old school cartridge. When I want a modern sound I play cd's

Hope I haven't strayed from your subject.

KR

Gtncj.
 

CJSF

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Gtncj said:
Hi CJSF

Intresting subject. I would say it's about what sound you my be looking for. I've seen you refer to pipe and slippers sound.

I have tried a 2M red first one was faulty got a replacement this one also is not aligned perfectly. Anyway got an Ortofon OM20 and it produces the sound I want. How much more can my TT give I'm sure alot more but quite happy with what it's giving now I can hear detail I have not heard before on some tracks so upgrading to an OM 30 or 40 would improve things.

After around 20 hrs play I will adjust the weight but belive adjusting it to 1.8g I will get a better sound even though they suggest 1.75g. For me to get an old school sound you need an old school cartridge. When I want a modern sound I play cd's

Hope I haven't strayed from your subject.

KR

Gtncj.

Not at all, old school sound, old school cartridge?? maybe . . . I would accept the Sumiko cartridge I have now gives that smooth round sound some would call old school? . . . Pipe and slippers to me is relaxed, laid back, I've just been listening to some 'very old (early 50's)' Slim Whitman, defiantly pipe and slipper, modern replay on Spotify.

The tracking weight thing is personal, I have found on my system, the recommended weight is usually a tad high, for instance the M2 Blue, is recommended to track at 2.2gs, I had mine at 1.9gs. 2.2 produced a richer sound but less air and sound stage. My Sumiko, the same 2gs recommended, I'm tracking at 1.8gs, more open sound, these lower figures are estimated by the way, reading off the markings on the tracking force dial, I do start with the correct measured figure. The amount I move the dial at a time is so tiny, it won’t register on my Mitchel balance.

As I say its personal, I'm considered a tweaker, a bit of a nutcase, I suppose am, . . . but when I've paid lots of 'hard earned' for my system, it has to work at 100% . . . 95% is just no good enough.

Coming from the old school of the 80's, my obsession with getting it right is not well received it would appear? To dial in tracking weight was normal in those days, requires a deft touch.

It has to be agreed, two schools of thought, plug and play or tweak, the modern way is 'plug and play, that will do' . . . ?

I pass on my ideas, who follows them??????? CJSF
 
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Anonymous

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Hi CJSF

You are right. (but when I've paid lots of 'hard earned' for my system, it has to work at 100% . . . 95% is just no good enough.)

Just like you I like a relaxed and laid back sound. A sound you can just listern to music comfortably and chill and enjoy musically.

I read your post and learn from them so I don't think your a nutcase, But I would say it's a passion for your HIFI and your music selection you like to listern to and enjoy.

KR

Gtncj.
 

chebby

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CJSF said:
. . . it did not cost anything to extract the extra SQ, just a little sideways thinking and time . . . 8)

I thought you bought a new bearing and a new machined alloy sub-platter and a new acrylic top platter and a new cartridge and a new belt and a set of little segment things for the cavities in the original sub-platter and a new counterweight... etc.

Surely they must have all cost you some money?
 

CJSF

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chebby said:
CJSF said:
. . . it did not cost anything to extract the extra SQ, just a little sideways thinking and time . . . 8)

I thought you bought a new bearing and a new machined alloy sub-platter and a new acrylic top platter and a new cartridge and a new belt and a set of little segment things for the cavities in the original sub-platter and a new counterweight... etc.

Surely they must have all cost you some money?

I'm referring to the present Chebby . . . you are talking about yesterday’s news . . . As you may have noticed, I reached the 'physical changing bits' last year . . . I sat back and enjoyed, turned my attention to computer listening which I enjoy a lot. But in-between I have been fiddling and tweaking the analog to my hearts content, that tad extra is always worth the effort IMHO . . .

Its fun and frustrating, items go in and out of adjustment, bring it back plus a bit sometimes, as I have found with the home made wooden cones, its called progress in my book :cheer:

My pleasure of hifi covers the whole spectrum of music, equipment and relaxing with my Hazel at the Horlicks hour, by the way, Horlicks has been added to with a couple of 'Thorntons chocolates' each session recently, nearly all gone now, special box for Hazel on the 14th . . . 8)

CJSF :cheers:
 

chebby

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CJSF said:
:doh: . . . ?

Well. Suggesting that it's no longer normal for people to 'dial in' a correct tracking force (unlike 'those days') is a bit patronising.

Once familiarised with a turntable, it's as easy as it ever was. (Especially if scales are used to check the accuracy.)

I used to use these...

1247418062_shurelarge_w390_h390.jpg


(And still have them in my little box of old turntable/cartridge accessories.)

It was never 'normal' - for most people using a turntable - (even in the 1980s) to know a blind thing about how to set one up properly. I used to set them up for family and friends and colleagues. More often than not people threw their instructions away with the box and applied 'tracking force' with Blu-tack and a 1p coin!

And forget any understanding of cartridge alignment or even what the bias/anti-skate did. Most people didn't bother. (Even in the 'good old days'.)

I even set up the Dual CS505 in a local classical record shop once. It was sounding horrible through a perfectly good NAD receiver and some AR38s. I offered to have a look and found that the transit locking screws had not been released and re-tightened. Needless to say, the arm needed balancing as well. It sounded great once the suspension was working and the correct tracking force applied.

The biggest reason CD players of that era sounded so great (to most people), was because of the lamentable state of set-up of most turntables people had ever heard up until then. Anything would have sounded better!

So I don't buy into your 'Golden Eras' or 'Good Old Days' where everyone was a proper 'audiophile' (equipped with protractors and scales and spirit levels). In my experience most people back then didn't have a clue and jumped at CD players precisely because they sounded 'good' without any effort.

That started late in 1982. Almost 30 years ago. In the old days. 'Fit and forget' was as applicable then as it is now.
 

CJSF

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chebby said:
CJSF said:
:doh: . . . ?

Well. Suggesting that it's no longer normal for people to 'dial in' a correct tracking force (unlike 'those days') is a bit patronising.

Once familiarised with a turntable, it's as easy as it ever was. (Especially if scales are used to check the accuracy.)

I used to use these...

1247418062_shurelarge_w390_h390.jpg


(And still have them in my little box of old turntable/cartridge accessories.)

It was never 'normal' - for most people using a turntable - (even in the 1980s) to know a blind thing about how to set one up properly. I used to set them up for family and friends and colleagues. More often than not people threw their instructions away with the box and applied 'tracking force' with Blu-tack and a 1p coin!

And forget any understanding of cartridge alignment or even what the bias/anti-skate did. Most people didn't bother. (Even in the 'good old days'.)

I even set up the Dual CS505 in a local classical record shop once. It was sounding horrible through a perfectly good NAD receiver and some AR38s. I offered to have a look and found that the transit locking screws had not been released and re-tightened. Needless to say, the arm needed balancing as well. It sounded great once the suspension was working and the correct tracking force applied.

The biggest reason CD players of that era sounded so great (to most people), was because of the lamentable state of set-up of most turntables people had ever heard up until then. Anything would have sounded better!

So I don't buy into your 'Golden Eras' or 'Good Old Days' where everyone was a proper 'audiophile' (equipped with protractors and scales and spirit levels). In my experience most people back then didn't have a clue and jumped at CD players precisely because they sounded 'good' without any effort.

That started late in 1982. Almost 30 years ago. In the old days. 'Fit and forget' was as applicable then as it is now.

Ah well Chebby . . . I obviousy moved in diferent circles to you . . . ? Although it is true, I set a few systems up for friends in the good old days.

The stylus ballance is essential as a starting point 'recomended down force', but its very rare thats where I end up. I use the Michell unipivit ballance with a spirit level to indicat correct ballance, indicates the minutest change . . . but ones ears are still the best instruments for the job, IMHO

It dont matter realy . . . provided the end result is the way you like it . . .

CJSF
 

CJSF

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chebby said:
Lost Angeles said:
:read: I suggest a truce.

Only if Horlicks, 'Golden age', 'good old days', 'fit & forget'/'plug & play', pipes, slippers, 'gravy-trains', 'bandwagons' and the 1980s are all consigned to the
images
. . . ????

So I have to conform . . . towing the 'Chebby party line' . . . I have a life and a view, I am an individual and I will express it.

. . . Takes me back, reminds me of the 'good old days' . . . we would not take the 'party whip' of the day. I do things my way, which is not wrong, just sometimes different . . . whats wrong with all the nice things that Horlicks, pipe and slippers conjure up? :type:

CJSF
 

Lost Angeles

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CJSF said:
, . . . whats wrong with all the nice things that Horlicks, pipe and slippers conjure up? :type:

CJSF

You are probably younger than me but you sound as if you're off to the retirement home with your box booked.

Get some Led Zep on the TT and open a bottle of Barossa valley.
 

CJSF

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Lost Angeles said:
CJSF said:
, . . . whats wrong with all the nice things that Horlicks, pipe and slippers conjure up? :type:

CJSF

You are probably younger than me but you sound as if you're off to the retirement home with your box booked.

Get some Led Zep on the TT and open a bottle of Barossa valley.

Sorry mate, I dont like 'LZ' not my type of music . . . ???? if it is music???? . . . see, that is an opinion to which I am entitled, but I dont force it down anyones throat! I do like Peter Plant with Alison Krouss and 'Raising Sands' . . .

True, I retire in June . . . anyway, what wrong with enjoying relaxing 'pipe and slippers' music. I'm getting a little bit p**d off with being expected to change 'my way' . . . We all a have our own view and way of doing things . . .

CJSF
 

CJSF

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chebby said:
CJSF said:
I do like Peter Plant with Alison Krouss . . .

Robert Plant. Alison Krauss

My apologies to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for the incorrect spellings of their names . . . dont alter the fact, Raising Sand is a superbly musical and 'laid back', modern 'pipe and slippers' style album :dance:

CJSF
 

Lost Angeles

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I'm not sure Robert Plant would enjoy being classed as "pipe and slippers".

Definitety not "pipe and slippers" when he fronted Zep, a group who you claim " if it is music" but who have managed to be one of the biggest album selling groups of all time.
 

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