Pundit
Post by achipo on May 18, 2021 13:12:00 GMT 12
I stumbled onto this forum researching a DIY plinth for a Technics SP-10R turntable. I built a plinth for a Lenco L75 and modified the Lenco with better bearings, stiffness, and vibration management. Recently I've gotten the itch to try a good direct drive 'table, thus the interest in the SP-10. My system consists of the Lenco with a Trans-Fi Terminator tonearm with a SoundSmith Hyperion cartridge, a Pioneer PL70 tonearm with a Miyajima Zero mono cartridge. My phono stage is a Wavestream Kinetics tube phono with two MC and one MM input (I have a Shure V15 MM cartridge mounted on an extra wand for the Terminator, but rarely use it). Digital front end is an Aurender S10 server feeding a Holo Audio May DAC. I also have an Oppo 105 SACD player. Preamp is a Parasound JC2. Interconnects are mostly Darwin Audio Truth IIs, but I have a DH Labs AES cable, a Triode Wire Labs USB, Intona USB (and 3.0 galvanic isolator) Amps are AtmaSphere M60s. Speaker "cables" are Paul Speltz Zero autoformers. Speakers are Kef Reference 207/2. I have two Rythmik 12SE powered sealed subs, and a DIY sealed dual 10" sub with a minDSP 550W plate amp. Power cords are from Triode Wire Labs. Vibration management from Herbies, and most recently AV Room Service EVPs. The room has several DIY bass traps as well as traps by GIK Acoustics.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by jon on May 18, 2021 14:32:41 GMT 12
Welcome!!!
Always liked your deck when you posted about it in Lencoheaven.
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Post by michaelw on May 18, 2021 15:57:02 GMT 12
welcome again, feel free to post some photos (best use a 3rd party image host like imgur) of your system. 
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 18, 2021 16:25:59 GMT 12
Thanks guys.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by Citroen on May 18, 2021 17:09:33 GMT 12
Welcome achipo The Trans-Fi Terminator tonearm is a true enthusiast arm.
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Member
Post by aperfectcircle on May 18, 2021 22:00:56 GMT 12
Very nice system! I’ve never heard those KEF Reference but have heard they’re beautiful. Great choice of subs too 
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 19, 2021 2:29:23 GMT 12
Welcome achipo The Trans-Fi Terminator tonearm is a true enthusiast arm. Citroen, I continue to be impressed with its performance. It definitely punches above its weight class! As for an enthusiast arm, I'm not sure. It is a smaller departure from norms or investment of time and energy than building the Lenco! Evan
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 19, 2021 2:29:41 GMT 12
Very nice system! I’ve never heard those KEF Reference but have heard they’re beautiful. Great choice of subs too Thank you.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 19, 2021 2:53:26 GMT 12
welcome again, feel free to post some photos (best use a 3rd party image host like imgur) of your system. My front end is in a closet at the back of the room. I built a custom rack from curly maple with a 3" slab on top. Dedicated 15A circuit for the front end and 20A circuit for the amps and subs. Both circuits are within 20' of the panel. There is a removable GIK Acoustics panel that hangs behind the sweet spot. 
Here's a view from behind the sweet spot: 
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by michaelw on May 19, 2021 11:36:41 GMT 12
Very nice, especially the wooden rack, sacrificial records for floor covering ? Only possible concerns - the table between you and the speakers and the sunlight hitting those records fading the spines.
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Post by foveaux on May 19, 2021 13:23:38 GMT 12
Greetings and welcome achipo lovely system and listening room (mancave? ...envious) plenty of valve/tube fanboys on our forum, so you're in great company looking forward to your posts etc.
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
848 posts
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 20, 2021 5:40:05 GMT 12
Very nice, especially the wooden rack, sacrificial records for floor covering ? Only possible concerns - the table between you and the speakers and the sunlight hitting those records fading the spines. I lived without a table for the first couple years. I decided to sacrifice the last bit of imaging for creature comforts. I do 90% of my listening off-axis working at my desk which is against the left wall. I don't care at all about faded record spines--that will be my heirs' problem. The records chosen for the "vinyl floor" were unplayable garage sale finds, etc. No worthy records were harmed in the making of the floor.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 20, 2021 5:42:54 GMT 12
Greetings and welcome achipo lovely system and listening room (mancave? ...envious) plenty of valve/tube fanboys on our forum, so you're in great company looking forward to your posts etc. Yes, it is a "man cave". It is also my office, so I spend about 12 hours a day here while working from home. It also houses a coffee/espresso bar that houses the air pump for the Terminator and my Degritter and Spinclean record cleaners.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by foveaux on May 20, 2021 8:53:47 GMT 12
I don't care at all about faded record spines--that will be my heirs' problem. You have just fully qualified as a DL forum matey - many of us have discussed and commented on this inheritance issue previously, and are with you on this solution 
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
848 posts
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Pundit
Post by bruise on May 20, 2021 10:23:55 GMT 12
Welcome Achipo,
I've had my finger hovering over the "buy" button on a Degritter for some time. I'd be interested in your observations about it.
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Post by jon on May 20, 2021 16:48:04 GMT 12
I'm the same. Finger hovering... that is.
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 21, 2021 8:30:50 GMT 12
I'm the same. Finger hovering... that is. and bruise, the Degritter is fantastic. I can't comment on how it compares to the Audiodesk or other ultrasonic cleaners, but I can tell you the Degritter absolutely makes records sound better. Kinda like getting a new record collection.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Pundit
Post by bruise on May 21, 2021 9:45:24 GMT 12
Thanks .. another millimetre closer to the button
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Post by Citroen on May 21, 2021 19:18:37 GMT 12
I'm watching/waiting reviews for this once its actually been released
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on May 22, 2021 12:40:13 GMT 12
A belated welcome along to the forum. Hope you enjoy it here. Are your amps OTL's. Always been interested in hearing a set of those !
Cheers
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 22, 2021 18:00:11 GMT 12
A belated welcome along to the forum. Hope you enjoy it here. Are your amps OTL's. Always been interested in hearing a set of those ! Cheers Cartridgeguy, Yes those are 60W into 8 Ohm OTLs. I am quite fond of them. I built them from a kit back in 1998 or so. In 2012 I sent them back to Ralph Karsten at AtmaSphere for refurb and upgrade. I’m sure there are better amps, but they hit all the right buttons for me! Evan
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by colinf on May 22, 2021 19:29:35 GMT 12
Welcome Achipo! Nice setup. 6AS7s for the OTL amp? Cartridgeguyonline, I should really get that OTL built! It’s in bits in a box and I’ve been looking at it for about 3 years now….
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 23, 2021 2:40:11 GMT 12
Welcome Achipo! Nice setup. 6AS7s for the OTL amp? Cartridgeguyonline, I should really get that OTL built! It’s in bits in a box and I’ve been looking at it for about 3 years now…. Colin, Yes Ralph's design uses 8 6AS7s in two parallel bridges for the output. Four 6SN7s are in the cascode and driver section. My speakers are 91 dB/2.83V/m and nominally 8 Ohms, but their impedance dips below 4 so I run Paul Speltz's Zero autoformers to increase the impedance the speakers see to nominally 24 Ohms which gets the amp power up to about 80 wpc. www.atma-sphere.com/en/m-60.htmlRalph has a new design that uses 12 AS7s and is rated at 120 watts into 8 Ohms. It's gotten my attention, but I've so far avoided upgrade-itis. Which OTL kit do you have? Evan
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on May 23, 2021 10:31:15 GMT 12
Hey Evan,
Colinf builds stuff. He has quite the reputation locally (and as he keeps on moving that locally seems to spread). I have a couple of sets of his: A set of EL34 monoblocks and a valve preamp with MC and MM, and a ss set using opamps. The ss set atre monoblocks as well, 50w/ch which I am currently using with the valve pre to drive my ESL 57's.
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Post by colinf on May 24, 2021 19:35:13 GMT 12
Ah…technically it’s no longer OTL with an output transformer! The more 6AS7s in the output stage the more current it can deliver so you could avoid using an impedance matching transformer. 6AS7s do draw a little more grid current that the average output tube like EL34, KT88 etc though. Which puts a bit more demand on the driver stage. But the benefit of no transformer would be more advantageous than a smaller output stage with one. My OTL in the box is based on the Futterman circuit. I experimented quite a bit with OTL in the 90s and learnt that my friend Roger Modjeski (RIP) actually designed the Counterpoint OTL with 6 6LF6s. The solid state regulators on the PL519 screen used on Harvey Rosenberg’s NYAL implementation added slight graininess in my trials. The tube regulators for the output stage in the Futterman H3 and it’s relatives resulted in superb presence. So my implementation includes those with the power of PL519s.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 25, 2021 1:37:17 GMT 12
Ah…technically it’s no longer OTL with an output transformer! The more 6AS7s in the output stage the more current it can deliver so you could avoid using an impedance matching transformer. 6AS7s do draw a little more grid current that the average output tube like EL34, KT88 etc though. Which puts a bit more demand on the driver stage. But the benefit of no transformer would be more advantageous than a smaller output stage with one. My OTL in the box is based on the Futterman circuit. I experimented quite a bit with OTL in the 90s and learnt that my friend Roger Modjeski (RIP) actually designed the Counterpoint OTL with 6 6LF6s. The solid state regulators on the PL519 screen used on Harvey Rosenberg’s NYAL implementation added slight graininess in my trials. The tube regulators for the output stage in the Futterman H3 and it’s relatives resulted in superb presence. So my implementation includes those with the power of PL519s. I agree I'm skating a fine line, but it is an autoformer--not a transformer--and does not do the "transformer" stuff to the music. At some point I should probably try it without the autoformer--my Kef's are sensitive enough to work ok without it. My previous speakers were only 87 dB efficient, so needed all the help they could get. Of course replacing the autoformers requires finding speaker cables, and that's a whole nother kettle of fish.
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Post by colinf on May 25, 2021 18:44:50 GMT 12
Autoformers are still transformers. They have better frequency response with one winding and the leakage inductance and capacitance is a fraction of a dual winding transformer. But they still require magnetisation current for the core. Add in a bit of hysteresis in the core magnetisation current, especially on toroidals, and you have some added dynamic distortion. But it’s a tradeoff…the lowered distortion from giving the output stage of the OTL a lighter load might win over. Also the rolloff in phase response can attenuate high and ultrasonic distortion components from the amp slightly which could work to its advantage. Nothing like a nice big OTL output stage though, and using efficient speakers is all good!
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by jon on May 27, 2021 9:20:50 GMT 12
I'm the same. Finger hovering... that is. and bruise , the Degritter is fantastic. I can't comment on how it compares to the Audiodesk or other ultrasonic cleaners, but I can tell you the Degritter absolutely makes records sound better. Kinda like getting a new record collection. Done, ordered
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Pundit
Post by achipo on May 27, 2021 9:53:35 GMT 12
jon and bruise , the Degritter is fantastic. I can't comment on how it compares to the Audiodesk or other ultrasonic cleaners, but I can tell you the Degritter absolutely makes records sound better. Kinda like getting a new record collection. Done, ordered Jon, You won't be sorry. I run new records (to me) through a normal cycle in the SpinClean so the grooves get mechanically agitated, then run them through the medium cycle on the Degritter. No idea whether the SpinClean is required or makes the records cleaner, but from the black schmutz in the bottom of the SpinClean it's at least keeping stuff out of the Degritter. I use 1 ml of Degritter's fluid in distilled water as I just want to wet the surface, ultrasonically clean the grooves, rinse, and dry. (Degritter recommends 2 ml for normal cleaning)
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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Pundit
Post by achipo on Jul 22, 2021 15:37:53 GMT 12
Well my system is taking a rather drastic turn. Today I ordered a pair of Sound Lab Majestic 645 speakers and a pair of AtmaSphere MA-1 amps. It’ll be a couple months before I get them, but I am pretty excited!
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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