Post by sub on Jun 10, 2020 14:04:54 GMT 12
Finally got my new to me stand/rack installed, and my system set up on it, including new Perreaux VP3 phono Pre, and INNUOS ZEN mini Mk3. Can now use two turntables, except have yet to install my Denon DL103R on the Linn LP12. Have only listened to two LPs so far, using my Yamaha YP-D9 and Ortofon 2M Black. Early days yet as I think the VP3 will need time to settle down. Initial impression is of treble being a bit more forward and perhaps a tad brittle compared to my old PureAudio Vinyl, but time will tell. Havent set up the Zen mini yet, as I have to get a wifi extender with Ethernet out, that I can install close by. Internet connection is required for installation and operation. With the zen mini on the shelf, no room for my old CD player, so instead - while waiting to set it up - have played CDs through my Oppo 103. Not sure what the issue is, but cd sound is dull and muffled, whereas before the change the Oppo sounded only slightly not as good as my Rotel RCD990. Could the solid stand have something to do with that, or do I need to clean the laser? Will investigate. The stand is a modified Lovan with heavy hardwood customised shelves. Each shelf weighs in excess of 15kg! It stands on bare floors, and as the spikes seem to be permanently fixed, bought some loudspeaker footers with aperture for spikes on top. Keeps other member of household happy!
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Post by Owen Y on Jun 10, 2020 14:56:49 GMT 12
Looks tidy & elegant - nice & 'woody' Each shelf weighs in excess of 15kg! Wow!
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Post by michaelw on Jun 10, 2020 16:49:42 GMT 12
looks a good blend of metal and wood.
try isolation under the oppo.
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 10, 2020 17:21:25 GMT 12
Hi Sub,
Nice tidy looking set up. RE Cd players. Have you changed about interconnects at all. I have found different i/c to make quite a difference with CD players.
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New set up Jun 10, 2020 17:41:01 GMT 12
- Edited Jun 10, 2020 18:16:22 GMT 12 by sub
Post by sub on Jun 10, 2020 17:41:01 GMT 12
Yes, been thinking about those suggestions re the Oppo. The Oppo interconnect previously was a .5m silver and copper one, forget the brand, and am now using a 1m interconnect previously used on the Rotel CD player. Might try a pair of my MIT Terminator3 interconnects instead. It’s a pain getting in behind everything though!
Re the LP sound, bright treble perhaps a bit splashy, will play with pF settings. Currently set for 220pF, will try 100pF. The 2M Black recommends 150-300pF, but cable capacitance from TTt is not.given in its manual, probably at least 100, so a setting of 220oF + 100 is possibly too high.
Gain is set for 44dB, and will leave that alone.
But, perhaps it is my ears! Suffered a bad radiation 2nd degree burn on neck which became infected (put on antibiotic drip for two days) and ear canal in R ear swelled up. After swelling went down, ENT nurse suctioned both ears two days ago. Hearing restored, but perhaps a bit sensitive at moment!
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Post by Citroen on Jun 10, 2020 19:30:50 GMT 12
Dear me. Those ears of yours have taken a bit of a battering lately haven't they! Hope it all heals quickly.
I'd let the VP3 warm up for a day or so, and then see how it sounds.
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New set up Jun 10, 2020 20:16:05 GMT 12
- Edited Jun 10, 2020 20:16:33 GMT 12 by Owen Y
Post by Owen Y on Jun 10, 2020 20:16:05 GMT 12
Maybe the ears need a bit of soothing Vivaldi for a while But yes, after running-in a good number of hours first, try reducing pF a little. Some reading on MM cartridge loading here at the Elliot Sound Products page.. (The graph tells the story.)
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 10, 2020 20:43:08 GMT 12
Maybe colinf will weigh in here hopefully. He is running a 2M black at the moment too and is used to faffing about with cartridge loadings. Theres no easy way of measuring capacitance is there ?
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Post by sub on Jun 11, 2020 17:43:41 GMT 12
LP playback now perfect! Set capacitance to 100pF - harmony restored. Sort out the CD player later.
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Post by colinf on Jun 11, 2020 20:03:08 GMT 12
Your poor ears, Sub! Yes I’ve been fiddling with cartridge loading on the 2M Black and it seems to sound more harmonically accurate with loading above 75k (not the usual 47k), currently using 100k, and no extra capacitance selected, just the cable capacitance. My tonearm cable has about 40pf capacitance. I’m currently working out a better RF filter for it so these values might change, also working out a measurement strategy for it.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by sub on Jun 11, 2020 20:51:10 GMT 12
Thanks ColinF, the Perreaux VP3 has selectable settings (on MM input) of 47k, 1k, and 10k, but it seems the 1 and 10k settings, if I understand the manual correctly, are cumulative to the 47k. Will have a trial with different settings one day.
Have gain for the 2M Black set at 44dB, which may be a bit high for the Plinius 8150, as effective volume range on the Plinius is between 8.30 and 9.30 at that setting and is too loud at 10.30
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Post by sub on Jun 17, 2020 15:37:39 GMT 12
Took an extra beta blocker to help steady the hands for mounting the DL103R cart on the LP12, still took me best part of the afternoon to get it right! Had to connect up the little wires twice, as after putting the Ittok Lvii back on the tt realised. I had connected the hot wires to earth and vice versa.
Then, horror, no sound. It had been several months since I had disconnected the arm from the tit, and had temporarily forgotten about connecting the cable to the base of the tonearm. All good then. An enormous amount of fiddling to get things just right, then having to take tonearm off again to tighten everything up. Made me appreciate detachable Headshells even more.
First up was Bach, choruses and arias from the Passion according to St Mathew, Vanguard SRV-1265D. Lovely had forgotten the delicate touch the LP12 can impart,.
Disconcertingly there was an earth hum when MC input engaged. Got back behind and dressed the cables, but still the hum there. Louder as volume turned up. MM fine. There is only one earth connecte on the VP3, so both earth wires go to it. Then found if I switched the other TT off at the wall, the hum went away. Hmm?
Thoughts on the VP3 compared to the MM only PureAudio Vinyl? Music is presented accurately, tonally balanced, but not quite the same sounstaging as the PureAudio. Biggest difference was when using the Ortofon 2M Black. With the PureAudio I had become anamoured with the way that cart dug deep into the music and separated out each instrument and voice and spread them across the soundstage. It seems the PureAudio had a lot to do with that, as that is not happening to the same degree on the VP3. Nevertheless the sound is still ok, and with the added convenience of the versatility of the VP3, I am happy.
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Post by Citroen on Jun 17, 2020 18:02:51 GMT 12
Glad you are enjoying the VP3.
The MM PureAudio Vinyl really does have great soundstage and separation of instruments. My problems with bass bloating, smearing, one noteness have been generally alleviated with the PA MM Vinyl.
I do miss the warmth and body of my Sugden Masterclass PA-4 phono.
Swings and roundabouts!
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Post by michaelw on Jun 17, 2020 19:42:38 GMT 12
Took an extra beta blocker to help steady the hands for mounting the DL103R cart on the LP12, still took me best part of the afternoon to get it right! Had to connect up the little wires twice, as after putting the Ittok Lvii back on the tt realised. I had connected the hot wires to earth and vice versa.
there's no need to remove the arm when fitting cartridges unless you have the dexterity of the incredible hulk.
all that does is make cartridge setup an even bigger PIA.
sidebar - i experienced a big dose of the humms last week too.
i unplugged the sp10 to fluxbust the cartridge. plugged in my sl7 for a re-acquaintance listen, it sounded great. sp10 goes back in and hummmmmmmm
checked cables/connectors etc. , all looked fine. sl7 back in, no hum. sp10 back in no hum !
don't know what the heck happened but normal service has resumed.
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Post by Owen Y on Jun 17, 2020 20:55:56 GMT 12
An imperfect IC connection often can cause hum.
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Post by michaelw on Jun 17, 2020 22:44:58 GMT 12
i checked and double checked
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 18, 2020 7:25:14 GMT 12
Apparently removing the arm to install carts is an accepted part of linnology. Yes I didnt know either !
Does your SP10 have a seperate earth wire to the chassis MW ?
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Post by sub on Jun 18, 2020 10:30:57 GMT 12
Yes, Linn set up manuals found on line say the Ittok arm must be removed when installing a cartridge. I believe !innboy here will agree! Another point. There has been discussion elsewhere on this forum about whether nuts on the cartridge mounting screws should be on top or bottom. The consensus was on bottom, but the Linn set up manuals insist on top, which was ok for me, as it was much easier to mount the cart that way given the shape of the DL-103R.
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Post by michaelw on Jun 18, 2020 11:00:38 GMT 12
Easier to tighten top nuts with the arm off too. Did you use decent square nuts or the silly round things supplied with the Denon ? I went top nuts for installation in my old Well Tempered, bottom nuts on the SME.
Cartridgeguy; Used the earth wire in the PAD arm cable, checked that connection too, tight as !
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 20, 2020 13:50:57 GMT 12
No separate earth connection to the chassis ?
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Post by michaelw on Jun 20, 2020 14:00:34 GMT 12
None.
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Post by sub on Jun 26, 2020 13:33:00 GMT 12
Thought I had better finish the story! Put my old 5 shelf Target stand on the back porch, intending to take down to the shed next time I went that way. Next day, found it had been repurposed as a shoe rack! Eight pairs of shoes all neatly stacked instead of being spread out around the porch floor.
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Post by jon on Jun 26, 2020 15:52:10 GMT 12
Thought I had better finish the story! Put my old 5 shelf Target stand on the back porch, intending to take down to the shed next time I went that way. Next day, found it had been repurposed as a shoe rack! Eight pairs of shoes all neatly stacked instead of being spread out around the porch floor.
Recycling is always good! Hope the shoes benefit from the audio support.
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