Hi Art,
I find the Berning sounds much better with an active preamp, be it the CAT or Joule. Direct is still good, with plenty of details, but the sound is much fuller with the preamps. The Joule is a tad warmer than the CAT, but the CAT has dynamic jump that gives me goosebumps regularly. My LA150 was an older one that has left and right volume controls, as opposed to the newer ones that have a volume & a balance control. Mine was a tad noisy(from the chasis--not through the speakers) and would have sounded better if I'd been able to sit farther away than 11' from the preamp. Newer LA150s probably don't suffer from this.
The CAT has an awesome internal phono stage that greatly contributed to my purchase decision, as I listen mainly to vinyl. To me, that makes it a tremendous value. I'm very happy w/the CAT, but if I could afford to get a CAT Ultimate, I probably would.
Sometime in the next few months a few friends & I plan a preamp shootout and will compare these with Supratek Syrah, First Sound Presence, some passive attentuators and whatever else interesting we come up with...we'll post impressions afterwards. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank April 18, 2005 04:47

Would you mind throwing a few words on your experience of how the CAT runs with the Berning? esp compared to running directly from your source, and vs the Joule ELectra (and any other pre's you had in your system). Much appreciated!

artg April 17, 2005 17:46

System edited: Just sold my 12ft. Virtual Dynamics Power 3 cable, as I needed a shorter cable to accomodate recent moving of dedicated circuits. Bought a 6ft. ESP Essence, which was recommended by Ken Stevens for use with the CAT preamps.

sbank April 02, 2005 17:33

Hi Eddie,
My vinyl is in a series of inexpensive cubes that I bought at Target on sale for $9 each. I put a nice metal knob from Lowe's on the door for the enclosed cube. These are stackable and connect with dowels. They are your basic particle board/laminate, but dimensions and flexibility ruled the day for me. They come in a few other finishes(black, white, maple). Don't recall the brand name.
Thanks, Spencer

sbank April 01, 2005 19:45

Hi Spencer... nice setup. I'm very interested in the cabinet that's holding all of your vinyl... can you tell me more about it? Thanks!

theaudioassociation April 01, 2005 09:24

Larry,
Still working on that. If I spend my $$$ on a Universe to mount on it, it's gonna have to be a close-n-play.
Best,
Spencer

sbank March 31, 2005 23:17

.
Spencer,
.
Have you decided what TT you will get to replace the Spacedeck ?
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

cello March 29, 2005 22:26

System edited: Just sold my Nottingham Spacedeck and Shelter 501II, along with the Neuance shelf that supported the Spacedeck. The good news is that I sold all of them to good friends, so I can go visit when I'm feeling sentimental. Time to go to work to fund some upgrades...

sbank March 29, 2005 21:11

Ken,
Thanks for your kind words.
Yes, that is an original pressing of Very Tall. Found it at big garage sale fund raiser. Cost me about $1. Not too many finds like that for me.
Cheers,
Spencer

sbank March 10, 2005 16:54

Hey Spencer..Looks great from here! Your making great strides, especially with the Analog set up and that very cool rack you and Joe worked on is beautiful!
.I think I spot a copy of the Oscar Peterson Trio with Milt Jackson's "Very Tall" on the Verve label! in your system pic? I have the Japanesse pressing 1962 Polygram myself!

Enjoy and good listening! :) ken

kehut March 07, 2005 21:55

System edited: Recently put NOS cryoed output tubes from Allan Bhagan into the Berning amp, and new tubes from Ken Stevens into the CAT. Added Herbie's tube dampers on the appropriate 4 6922s in the CAT. The preamp tubes are a nice improvement. Still awaiting break-in on the NOS tubes for the Berning.

sbank March 07, 2005 17:02

Gotta tell ya Spencer, that rack looks even better on day two. Nice work! great pics too. I really liked the one with Buddy that you had up before.

slipknot1 January 29, 2005 21:25

System edited: Finished construction of new DIY rack, with help of Slipknot1. We used Perfectplank Maple, solid brass rods & hardware, threaded Audiopoints. Routed the boards to 1/4round edges and and radiused the corners. Two coats of tung oil and a little elbow grease...piece of cake. If anyone wants part#s, etc. to give a try, email me. This rack has mass & rigidity and looks better than it photographs. :-)

sbank January 29, 2005 17:53

.
Spencer,
.
Before you crack open the Airy3, reconsider, spend the extra bucks and get a UNIverse. It will be one of the best decisions you have made to date.
.
I have heard the Airy2, Airy3 and UNIverse on my own system for a full weekend on the same arm (Graham 2.2) and a Teres 340. All 3 are great cartridges, but the UNIverse is leagues better than the Airy3. I know the invitations have been mailed out for the wedding on the Airy3, but don't miss out on the UNIverse, it is just staggeringly good.
.
I have yet to meet someone that has heard the UNIverse that thought they had heard a better cartridge. It is that wonderful.
.
Write to me offline and I will be happy to speak with you by phone.
.

cello January 26, 2005 04:00

Listening session at Spencer's in three weeks!

Congratulations Spencer. Should be a good choice for whichever new 'table/arm you end up with.
.

rushton January 25, 2005 23:55

Hi Spencer,
Great set up.Excellent gear.Those Merlins must be singing wonderfully. Wait till you hear the ZYX!! Your in for quite a sonic treat! Joe will also love the Shelter on his Scoutmaster im sure. Great job! :) Ken

kehut January 25, 2005 22:20

System edited: Just ordered a ZYZ Airy3 cartridge to replace the Shelter 501II. A turntable upgrade will hopefully be in the near future. Slipknot1 is going to put my Shelter on his Scoutmaster.

sbank January 25, 2005 19:11

System edited: Heading to CES, what should I be sure to listen to? Thanks, Spencer

sbank January 04, 2005 22:28

Glen,
The door is always open here for you, & for anybody else reading this...Hope the Atma S30 & CJ phono stage are working out well for you. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank November 17, 2004 15:16

Spencer, thanks again for letting me drop by and hear the system. Very educational. The CAT-Berning-Merlin combo is outrageously good. Well done!

sdatch November 17, 2004 03:44

Tvad,
Glad to see you like your Neuance. Mine has been so good that I've brought it to friends' homes to try under their sources, and more than one of them have liked it enough to buy one.
I've experimented with DH Cones under my Spacedeck, per recommendation from none other than Ken Lyon. He told me that if I wanted to try messing with any cones, that would be the one to try(this was over a year ago, when I spoke w/him). Now I have them under my Berning amp on top of a maple butcher block which in turn is atop a stone fireplace hearth. They definitely sound better than the Black Diamond Racing cones that I used to have. Also have read & heard good things from Audiopoints in other rigs, but haven't heard them in my own. Cheers, Spencer

sbank November 16, 2004 16:41

Spencer, I recently added a Neuance to my rig...under my Exemplar player, and I'm very happy with the results. I noticed you're using DH cones. Where?

tvad November 16, 2004 15:55

System edited: Recently added NOS Amperex and Tungsram tubes in the CAT preamp. Made a nice improvement, particularly in the phono stage side.

sbank November 03, 2004 00:33

System edited: Just upgraded from Audience AU24 to Cardas Golden Reference throughout the system. While the AU24 is great in its price range, the Cardas is a bit better in my system. The biggest improvement was from using Cardas in/out of the Merlin battery-BAM, resulting in increased clarity, deeper soundstage, and more body in the imaging of indivudual instruments.

sbank August 23, 2004 20:00

System edited: Added a CAT SL-1 Mark III preamp w/phono. A definite improvement over the Joule Electra LA-150 and Pentagon phono stage. Still learning to appreciate the nuances of this piece, and all listening thus far is with stock tubes. NOS will soon be added. Comments are welcomed...Cheers, Spencer

sbank June 24, 2004 23:14