Audio Hobby Thoughts, Philosophy & System Description
Current Room Anchors - Room 1 and 2 active
Room 1 - Matrix 800's anchors - for creating that ..........Maxell Tape Effect.
Room 2 - (Adjacent to Room 1) - Quad 57 + two Dynaudio BM12s subs - Midrange reference
Room 3 - Acoustat Model 3 - Modded - upstairs - For imaging larger than life (literally speaking) - see last picture. Unfortunately is next to my wifes TV room. So it gets limited use.
Stored - B&W Electrostatic DM70c Continental - Wife calls them the washing machines. John Bowers called them his favorite speaker. Very interesting and very rare. Could anchor a room but they need special placement and lots of room. ESL portion needs to be 100% functional and at ear level or they will sound soft.
Room 2 is mostly digital, guests, and used for trialing used unplayed records before they make the queue for room 1. Room 1 has been called by my family as Dads Hole. I prefer panic room as it helped to raise my kids and stay married...so far.
Psychology Part
Music is critical to ones health and well being. I went through a couple stretches in life due to events without it and the results were not good. The goal for me to get lost in the music and have it transport me to that special place. Now whether you get there by a typical 2 channel home stereo with speakers, headphones, or other means is not important. Getting there is the important part.
Audiophile not.....
Have always been the type that if I frequent a room enough, a system usually ends up in there. My wife finally put an end to this, and allows me to do what I want in the full basement of our house.....so..... In this described virtual system, I have had Room A since 1994. Adjacent Room B is in the process of being finished, but I have been using it for listening for a few years now adding in room treatments as needed.
History
Like many others, have been at this audio hobby since I was about 13 when I was consciously aware of the gear versus the actual music relationship. I am now 55 and currently with two adjacent music rooms setup with different gear. Both rooms can do full orchestra symphonies with large dynamic swings. Getting Room B with the Quad 57's to do this was a challenge; but I was able to get it to work with the right amps and powered subs. The Quads require a very different room acoustic setup over the Matrix 800's in Room A.
I am a pure amateur, audiophile, music lover, past trombone player, and have never been part of the Audio Business as a manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or have any special interest relationships with any of these people. I consider myself a full time music lover, and part time audiophile; although I have friends that could argue this point. I have tried to upload pics and information here, that give a flavor of some of my audio journeys, and associated bouts of Audiophilia Nervosa. :^)
"Audio Heaven, is for Music Lovers - Audiophiles are never happy.
With that, in the real, authentic, Heaven; there is room, even for Audiophiles"
8^0
Living in the country
Having moved away from the city core in the 90's, I have found that audiophiles away from the cities, are in general, scare to find and or keep to themselves. Many of my audio friends are now remote, due to the distance between us; so only virtual communications are possible most of the time.
The negative aspects of Isolation aside; one good aspect of living in the country is the clean power and lack of noise and vibrations caused by traffic, trucks, etc...Once experienced and its effect on your listening, you become very aware of the multitude of audiophile products available as band aids, to cover, veil, but never eliminate these artifacts in densely populated areas.
I was born in the 60's so I grew up with Classic Rock, Beatles, etc... But I love all music, new music and Opera hits home with me. I played trombone in Jr and High school so the Bass Clef has a bias with me. Listen more now to the ladies crooning at me, Classical and Jazz with occasional Classical Rock; I think a well recorded full Orchestra Symphony with huge Dynamic swings has the most magic for me.
***** MAIN ROOM aka Panic Room, Dad's Hole, ....*****
I have had Room A since 1994. It has 3 dedicated lines 20, 20 , 15. This room is personal use. Room B is more for entertaining and spending time with friends.
Room A is much better insulated and isolated from my wife. As much as I would like to move the Matrix 800's to the larger Room B space to try them, it would probably just get me that much more trouble.
Room A and B are both located on a concrete poured floor. A has a an underpad and flat carpet on top. Spikes from gear stands and speakers are able to penetrate to the concrete with no problem ensuring a solid mechanical connection. The speakers are located 6 feet from the front wall with the room being 24 ft in length. Putting in the 800's over the 801's meant that some of the room treatments were able to be removed due to the 800's double woofers high and low. This is also one of the reasons I call them very room friendly.
1/4 inch 2 track machine. The three pictures attached. Top Left - known as two turntables. my machine being worked on Middle pic - 807 Top Right Pic. A picture of Roger Ginsley with a 48 track machine he is about to split into two 24 tracks. My Studer 807 is calibrated by him. He is also the one that makes the interconnects I use with it.
JC Verdier La Platine Vintage Granito Original Design
2012
http://www.jcverdier.com/ADSL/platineVintage.html
Just a delight to use. With its presentation, sends the message home that it is all amount the music. Effortless, seamless, but experience is needed is setting up the thread. A real Goldilocks scenario of the thread being too loose, too tight or just right. Different thread tensions alternate how the motor and platter work together and change the speed. The objective is to get the correct speed with as little effect from the motor. ....
Original design. Granito Model My version uses a motor only equipped for thread Granito base and solid aluminum billet armpod. The later newer motors are equipped now for belts too - but no one runs them this way that I know of. This decision was made imo to generate more sales as it is easier to setup. But imo the belt grip would play havoc with the motor / magnets marriage which was designed for thread. I would think that belt stretch and its physical changes with temp and humidity changes would also cause problems, and interfere with the natural braking action of the magnets. This is my opinion as mine is thread only. There is a greater learning curve involved with thread.
This is the only turntable I am aware of whose platter design includes both acceleration (inertia) and braking (natural forces from same pole magnets) to deal with the records behavior - going from soft to heavily modulated grooves. The motor design, like a marriage with the platter. Think of the childhood merry go rounds that once up to speed - even a little girl could keep them going. To understand how the motor and platter are like a marriage, one need only turn the motor off and the platter spins for 30 seconds with the thread attached. However cut the thread while the platter is turning, and the platter stops much quicker as the two magnets demonstrate their braking capability. Impressive to me is just the plain simplicity of design using physics to get the job done with a piece of string and magnets. I found it important in setup to have the thread positioned in a way that is the least intrusive on the platter; so as to allow the platter to not only do its job as designed; but to also provide the needed jolts as required from the motor to maintain speed stability.
In my opinion - you will know when you have set it up properly because you are able to turn the motor off and on and also deflect the thread with your finger - as the records plays - and not affect the music delivery to your ears. I base this when compared directly to 15 IPS Master Tape dubs. In testing for accuracy I run both simultaneously with one lagging 10 seconds behind the other and switch between the two - compensating for gain as tape is a high level signal. When the thread is setup in this fashion there is minimal stress put on it. The current silk thread I am using has recently passed the one year mark. Overall Big Sound from a small piece of thread.
Some facts Magnetic bearing design. Brass colored rings are big shielded permanent magnets; same magnet poles repelling each other. The result is "levitation" the space you see between them. No thrust bearing involved. A central spindle bathed in a special oil keeps them aligned. For me personally I did not know what TT bearing noise sounded like until I heard music on a TT without a physical bearing. The plinth is made of Granito. Granito is not real granite but a non-resonant material that looks and feels like granite. A limited edition model.
"Granito is a material composed by little pieces of marble of very different origin agglomerated inside a mold with cement. Machined and polished. The resonance of the plinth with its suspension is about 5Hz and it is well absorbed by the air cavities."
Mr. JC Verdier Note: Newer Platines are provided with a setup bearing. The manual is very clear on the setup bearing. It is just that - a setup tool only. COUNTERFEIT PLATINES Unfortunately there are non-authentic tables out there worldwide from 20 different counterfeiting makers. These tables are out there with people using them. If anyone is unaware of this, see the Platine Information on the JC Verdier website for more info.
The only advice I can give is when buying a Verdier Platine you should be careful to ensure it is a real Platine, especially if buying privately. If you already have one and have doubts, check with an authorized dealer or J.C. Verdier company in France to ensure it is authentic.
Custom Eminent Technology Model 2.5 for MC Carts
This is a custom build ET 2.5 Tonearm from Bruce Thigpen - A 19 PSI design.I am using the new Long I Beam. Weights are reduced by half and therefore the vertical inertia is higher - a goal of the design. The Aluminum Gooseneck was sourced from NZ. It was through Richard Krebs also an ET2 owner. I am using Single Shot WBT wiring, Aluminum mount plate. Magnesium armtube. Double Leaf Spring and damping trough. If you are an ET2 owner you know what I am talking about :^).... Advantages of the ET2 airbearing linear tracker tonearm - no VTF changes with VTA adjustment, no offset setup, antiskating and immunity to acoustic feedback, as it rides on film of air.
One shot wire. Run at 19 PSI. Damping trough with 1 cc of Oil. Lead weights at the very end of the I Beam.
VTA on the fly while the record plays and it doesn't change any parameters (VTF) like all other tonearms do. This is due to a patented VTA on the fly system. Have you ever noticed how with same thickness records....some can sound brighter, some bloated and some just right? When they press the records the different plants can have different standards. Records are then cut with varying angles.. even same thickness ones.
See ET2 Bass Management Below
Tonearm Wiring Loom - One shot WBT NextGen
2011 One shot wiring loom for the ET 2.5. WBT 0102 CU connectors. The design of the ET2 (2.5) allows for this wiring to be changed out in about 10 minutes. Silver and copper can be experimented with.
The PUMP ET2
Life Support for the ET2's. Timeter 3000 Medical Industrial Pump. The most important part of the ET2 arms setup. Industrial commercial grade medical pump. Its actually a patient respirator.
These have an hours counter and come up for sale cheaply on ebay. If you have space in your basement somewhere they are turnkey once set up.
I have tried large aquarium pumps, smaller medical pumps, compressors.
This Timeter Medical 50 psi pump has been customized to allow me to regulate air pressure coming out and send 19 psi to the ET2 tonearms. Another regulator with gauge at the arm allows me to accurately adjust for the PSI coming into the arm. Located in another room -cannot be heard in sound room when running.
The smoothness of air delivery is excellent. No resonance. The pump dumps/expels moisture like a car's AC. Have never seen a drop in the moisture collector; other than one incident when the pump outlet clogged with minerals from the moisture. I now soak the pump outlet in CLR for 2 hours every two months.
ET2 In Room Air Regulator & Filter
2nd Regulator and Filter on wall near the ET arm. Confirms and controls the 19 psi and also filters out moisture in line. Have never seen any moisture in this filter. This device lets me change the pressure going to the arm by just turning the top mounted knob. This regulator is mobile. It can be placed in my lap while the music is playing and pressure adjusted to hear how it affects the music delivery.
Audio Research DAC8
From a DAC only function perspective identical to the ARC REF DAC except the output stage is tubed on the REF. Interesting read. :^)
Owned many many years. Modded power supply box. Variable Gain for dealing with hot, and compressed source material - Digital and Analog. On the fly cartridge impedance loading. Used in ARC's hotrod mode. Direct output and bypass switch engaged. Amperex Bugle Boys.
Matrix 800
Unique one time all assault effort from B&W at a time when 2 channel was the focus. Smooth, musical yet still detailed. Room Friendly if you can believe it. Imagine 4 subs two high and two low pointed at you for 2 channel music. Each driver 2 woofer, mids, tweeter have their own crossover easily accessible from the back.
They were a 2 1/2 year study from Bowers & Wilkins under John Bowers (RIP). I have looked for a long time for a pair. The only time they become available are through owners going to a smaller condo (retiring or divorce).
All B&W 800 models that followed the Matrix series are the same only in model designation - 800. They are not a replacement or upgrade. They are a different build, design, objectives, sound. Post Matrix 800's are a smaller speaker system (require a sub for full range); they do have better WAF (more easily placed into a shared room with the wife)
800 matrix can be played at low and high levels with the right amp. 93db 2.83 volts/1m, Mine are Quad wired. They can be run on four separate amps if one desires as each driver has its own crossover.
Top and bottom woofers each excite a different set of waves. These waves cancel each other out. Thats the theory. My listening supports this. Smooth tight bass. It is quite something to experience since their size make you think they will over take the room. Also IMO each woofer works only half as much with four versus two for the desired SPL. All of this results in a very flexible listening position. All drivers are physically isolated with separate crossovers and Van Den Hul silver wiring from the factory. I run them with both tubes and Solid State. Krell and the modded Music Reference RM9.
Krell Amplifier Story My research found me talking with Dan D'Agostino who used matrix 800's as his reference speakers when he designed this era of Krell amps. Specifically the FPB series like my FPB600. On a dedicated 20 amp circuit with upgraded 20 amp power cord using Furutech Gold IEC.
RM9 Push Pull Tube Amp. Used to power Acoustat, 801, 800 speakers. WBT 0700 Connectors. KT88 output tubes. Hardwired for 4 ohm tap. Total Overhaul done April 2015
MATRIX 800 INSTALL
Installation
800 Series Bass Alignment Filter / Equalizer.
The graph shows the 801 matrix frequency response with and without the filter.
All 800 series B&W matrix speakers are an active design and are intended to be used with an equalizer by the designer (John Bowers) to achieve the best frequency response.
This attached graph was sent to me by B&W Europe years ago
It is the frequency plot for the 801 matrix "without" using the supplied Bass Alignment Filter. (not sure if it is 801 s2 or s3)
B&W England are the ones that drew the two dotted lines on the graph.
The 801 matrix speakers were designed to be used with the BAF. The speakers with BAF devices were shipped to original owners. But these devices became lost as speakers changed hands. They pop up on their own on ebay.
The two interesting parts.
Part 1
Not only does adding the BAF filter as designed give you a smoother response and allow the speaker to hit 20 hz. The BAF makes the 801 matrix speaker much more efficient. The ohm ratings can be seen on the right 8 - 6 - 4 - 2 ohms. The 801 matrix s2 and s3 are a very easy 6 ohm steady load with the active equalization provided by the BAF. This opens up amp choices.
Part 2
Audiophile opinions on the BAF device are kind of split. Not sure if its an even 50% like it, 50% don't like it, but you have the two camps. Why the difference? The room; its acoustic properties, and how the 801 (aka relationship destroyer) deals with it. There is a reason B&W no longer make the 801. You need a dedicated room. Its makes no business sense.
801 matrix owners today (there are many out there and some reading here), that could NOT make the BAF work with the speaker; or who never used it, or even heard of the BAF before; are taxing their amps way more to make bass with the 801.
************ SECOND ROOM ***********************
A backwards seven with the main section 20 -23. This room is the "top of the Seven". It is separated from the bottom portion of the Number 7 shape (12 x 24) by a heavy curtain. It is also adjacent to my other room of which the door is left open. The back of the room has the stairs that go upstairs. One of the pictures has me standing on the stairs. All this makes for a much bigger room as far as sound volume and space is concerned. An in progress dedicated listening space that accommodates different speaker types.
03/31/2011 Dynamic, ESL, Planar IMO - We listen to our rooms. The speakers in the rooms are like boats. They both represent freedom to me. A 12 foot aluminum boat is perfect for a small lake and your favourite person. But out on the ocean or a big body of water The water/boat analogy in this case is like your room and speakers. Water waves versus sound waves. There is no perfect boat and no perfect speaker. This is because all our rooms are different and the room is the big rock in this audiophile game. Speakers represent the last piece in the audio chain. Their sound represents everything in your audio chain especially the room, before it reaches your ears. Every piece will have an effect on what is heard. This IMO is why it is so important to have a good source. The last few years my speakers have remained intact and I have concentrated on improving the source components. Each time I improved the source my main speakers improved as well. This tells me they are not a bottleneck and I have not yet reached their limits.
Dynaudio Acoustics BM12s - Two of these in my Quad Room B .
Two of these in Room B - 18hz - 60 hz.
4th order Linkwitz- Riley crossovers have a really steep slope past 60 hz.
On paper this made them look like a really good match for the Quad 57's; but how does such a small box make 18 hz. They have class a/b amps are 4 ohms.
I brought them home and demoed them. Very Punchy, Clean and they go really low. A great match with the raised Wayne Picquet Quad 57's. They are placed under the speakers - see pic in my virtual system.
Quad 57 Wayne Picquet rebuild with Music Reference RM10 AMP
Quad ESL-57 - Wayne Picquet Panels Partnered with the amp that was designed for them - Music Reference RM10 by Roger Modjeski.
With certain music magic for me.
8/20/2012 These Quad 57 speakers were designed and put out before I was born. The parts inside which I have replaced like the EHT modules were stamped 1971. Fourteen years after they originally came out. The panels themselves are only a few years old. They were rebuilt by Wayne Piquet in Florida. The normal music presentation for stock Quad 57s is as if listening to music from the first row of a balcony. If using stock feet a 2 or 4 x 4 piece of wood or brick under the rear leg angling the speaker downwards toward you actually raises this image. This may be a more realistic presentation in your room.
Check out my review. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1309018315&&&/Quad-57-
801 Active Monitors - Currently Stored
Currently Stored - "Winnie the Pooh" of speakers. Relationship Destroyer. Owned since 1994. Serious Sound Pressure Speaker can re-create an event in your room when positioned and driven properly. Mothers milk bass. During my time with them have used Solid State and Tube amps (Push Pull and OTL's). In comparison to the DM70 Electrostatic, If the 801 and DM70 were cowboys. The 801s are wearing black hats and the DM70 white ones.
801 Matrix S2 and S3 - Designed by John Bowers to be Active Monitors with use of the BAF and become a sixth-order Butterworth alignment. Without the high pass filter they are a vented fourth-order design, specifically in a Bessel alignment. "Fourth-order" is an engineering term that refers to all vented and passive-radiator speakers; sealed boxes are "second order."
From Stereophile (re: S2) "Higher in frequency, the response trend (averaged across a 30 degrees lateral window on the tweeter axis) is basically flat, but with a slight excess of energy in the presence region and a corresponding lack of energy in the top octave. All things being equal, this will make the speaker both a little too revealing of recorded detail and somewhat fussy when it comes to the quality of source and amplification components, just as LL noted in his auditioning comments."
Some of the changes. S3 used a different crossover than s2 - less component count. Better isolated mid and hf boards. Bass inductors with an iron dust core . Rotating midrange tweeter head assembly was permanently connected. (from 3 to 4 pin delivering separate ground signals to midrange and tweeter) Magnetic fluid cooling of the tweeter (like the 800 matrix) - the reason the apoc protection eliminated (circuits needed for this were also removed)
In nearfield very revealing of room setup, system components - SS and Tube, cabling, TT drive systems, poorly recorded music. They reveal all the flaws of the recording.
Depending on your audio hobby objectives this can be a good thing or a bad thing...
See picture of the Bass Alignment Filter.
B&W Electrostatic DM70 John Bowers / JansZen Hybrid
B&W DM70 Electrostatic Continental Hybrid Speaker Clockwork Orange Movie The late John Bowers (RIP) favorite speakers. JansZen ESL - 500hz and up. B&W Woofer - 500hz and down. Require a large room - elevated to ear level and a good distance from the front wall. Very refined midrange - muscular bass. Non-directional with a large sweetspot.
n]Designed in 1970. No cost or time constraints during the development. From what I can make out they were discontinued due to costs involved. Version One - Power handling 25 watts at all frequencies. Version Two - The later DM70 Improved, which looked identical, is suitable for amplifiers of 25-100w, but seems otherwise identical.
500hz crossover - ESL panel can not be overdriven and is nondirectional.
ESL Panel was provided by JansZen. Sensitivity is 17 watts into nominal impedance required to produce a sound level of 95 dB. at one metre at 400 Hz Double fuse protection C and CA versions.
Modded Acoustat Model 3 - Used In Shared Space Upstairs
Finally hooked up the Model 3's to the OTL's in a temporary fashion.
These are in our living area shared space Custom modded Model 3;s. They have rebuilt interfaces. Unique granite bases with integrated spikes that weigh 80 lbs. Burl Oak Veneer facing and the inside is filled with small sand bags.
Technics SP10 MKII with 2nd ET2 High Pressure Manifold
March 11, 2013 Update
Next version ? will replace the current black base plinth with a more aesthetic one.
Pet Project - Has taught me a lot about resonances and vibrations. SP10MKII Version Five Solid Stainless Steel Legs have threads at both ends and are bolted into the sp10 top plate as well as the solid plinth/platform. The armpod is bolted into the plinth. The plinth is then isolated by the AT-616 Pneumatic footers. 19 lb Solid Brass Pod 1 inch Diameter Solid Stainless Steel.
Previously I had the SP10 MKII in a heavy 7 layer plinth. Birch ply + one mdf layer. This SP10MKII came from a private studio.
This is the second ET2 I own and it is a high pressure manifold
Jean Nantais Custom turntable. Includes: 100 Pounds - Veneered - Two Tonearm Plinth Lenco L75 motor and top plate rebuilt to his standards. Reference model spindle, bearing thrust plate. Bonded Metacrylate mat Bearpaw footers. IEC outlet.
************ SOME NOTABLE MEMORIES **************************
For me some notable equipment. Currently stored or sold-indicated as such.
McAlister OTL 195
OTL195 There is a review contained in my system thread. In comparisons to good Solid State Class A and Push Pull amps they were like driving a 911 but you are limited to 1st gear when pushed. Very fast and punchy. But lack the bass that push pull deliver on. Get the bass right and everything else comes into place. These amps are designed around the needs of Acoustats. My Acoustats are in the shared room upstairs. I no longer own the OTL's.
Fidelity Research FR64s
Gimbal Pivot Arm. I found excellent build quality and a nicely implemented antiskate system. I also found a low frequency resonance that accentuated the bass. A warmer sounding tonearm. It was in my second room with the second ET2 not the ET 2.5. Whenever I started a session with the FR64s it was always nice. But curiosity would always prevail and I would switch over to the ET2. It would always remain there. This happened more times than I can remember. I am not a tonearm collector so it was sold to raise funds for another project. I am in agreement with what Cartridge designer Johnathan Carr had to say about it. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1243274438&openusid&zzJcarr&4&5#Jcarr
Modded VPI's
Thread driven TNT and a JMW 12 using rollerblock jrs. SOLD
Acoustat Spectra 33
Acoustat Spectra 33
Eminent Technology LFT 8a
Set up in midfield - soundstage at both sides of the room. So the speaker shown is the left or the right one depending on side of room you are on. Excellent Magnetic Planar Hybrid Woofer Speaker. Very natural sounding but difficult to drive.
****************AUDIOPHILE FUN + ET 2 TONEARM MODS ************** ****
From here down are some inserts from past audiophile fun.
Also contained here is important information on the ET2, 2.5 tonearms as well as some of the mods I have done to them. If any questions on any of them let me know. No Holds Barred tonearm. User needs to be mechanically inclined and be willing to read ET2 manual instructions for proper setup of this tonearm. If bought on the used market a friend that is familiar with the tonearm for proper inspection of condition is important.
Goldilocks and the Three Turntables . See Sept 20, 2019 post comment below on my virtual system for findings / details.
Belt Drive (converted to thread) VPI TNT Idler - Jean Nantais Custom 100 Lb Direct Drive - SP10MKII When compared in the same room(nearfield), with same gear, tonearm and cartridge, same time, differences are revealed. Out into rooms on their own, this is not as noticeable as our ears deal with different room acoustics. ymmv
OTL VERSUS PUSH PULL Tube Amps
In room comparison.
Thread Drive Comparisons
2010 testing out different threads. Fabricland became a favorite place of mine.
ET 2 Tonearm Proper Bass Management - ATB
According to Bruce
My ears agree
ET 2.0 Manifold Before and After Cleaning
Pictures courtesty of a friend.
ET2 VTA Block Destroyed
Thigpen Genius showing VTA Block rack of teeth and worm gear. This one was abused. If you are buying a used one ensure the rack of teeth seen in the pic are uniform with no wear and baldspots. This is an indicator that the VTA block was misused and rigidly tightened stripping the teeth. The bolt was tightened to a point that shattered the CF.
ET 2.0 2.5 Tonearm VTA Block Torquing Procedure
VTA Block - Ensure each of the four bolts is torqued equally or the patented VTA system will be off. This procedures takes just minutes and should be done off table or you will throw your alignment off. Once bolts are torqued the manifold housing can be mounted to the pillar post and the rest of the setup completed.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Tonearm Magnesium versus Aluminum Armtubes
Mag - MC Cartridges Aluminum - MM Catridges The middle ground is the Carbon Fibre arm tube. MM and MC.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Custom Aluminum Joint - aka GOOSENECK
Black one is the stock one. Sourced from Richard Krebs
ET Tonearm Counterweight Bolt Mod
Get a longer counterweight bolt especially if you like to use heavier cartridges. The stock ET2 bolt is on the right. The longer bolt weighs a bit more, holds more lead weights and allows you to use less lead further out on the I Beam. This provides for the highest vertical mass which is really important with the ET2 as it has medium to high horizontal mass. a 4 - 1 horizontal to vertical ratio. In my system higher vertical mass means cleaner, less resonant, overall better bass. The brass rings are meant for balancing only. I prefer to use Blue Tack for this purpose.
Et2 Leaf Spring Mods Single, Double, Triple
General Cartridge Guideline
Single Leaf Spring - High compliance
Double - Medium Compliance
Triple - Low compliance
ET2 Pedestal Custom 3
Solid Brass Arm Pod
Koaltar Tweak
my pal 6 months, 79 lbs.
Kitty Tweak Bengal
a real sweetheart
RCA Victor Dog
I introduce Lucky. He is a mixed breed Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix breed. He will be acting as the Victor RCA dog,
The original Victor RCA dog.
He was named Nipper and was born in 1884 in Bristol, England, and died in September 1895. He was a mixed-breed dog and probably part Jack Russell Terrier, although some sources suggest that he was a Smooth Fox Terrier, or "part Bull Terrier". He was named Nipper because he would bite the backs of visitors' legs.
Congrats on the tape deck. I am very positive that you will love it. Now the hunt begins for those elusive tapes, enjoy the journey. Merry Xmas and all the best to you and yours.
I have three different drive type turntables. I have been comparing them for quite a while now with the same tonearm and cartridge. Each of them - Idler, Thread, and Direct Drive bring different strengths and weaknesses. Their nuances can be heard in my nearfield setup. Its made me very curious. Which comes closest to the sound of the actual R2R master tape that the LPs I am using are cut from. After many (many) years of thinking about this I finally bought a R2R machine. I hope to receive it prior to the end of the year. My spare B&W 803 Matrix S2s that I was saving for one of my kids paid the price to bring this machine in.
I have managed to find the actual master tapes used to make lps for Pink Floyd Wishing You Were Here and The Wall , The Beatles Abbey Road and White Album, along with Genesis Duke and Abacab and Supertramp Crime of the Century Ok - I am joking about the master tapes. :^(
The search is on for tapes. I have no idea what to expect with this. I am not looking to replace vinyl just supplement it with the ultimate R2R experience at 15 ips. Life is short. Enjoy it with whatever brings you passion.
Hi Sam fellow Dsmer - haha Yes Thuchan and Dertonearm are very knowledgeable. I sent Thuchan an email showing him a mod for his ET2 I hope he tries it over the holidays. I have also asked D for some Bavarian thread. Regarding your TT/ET2 yes please reach out to me when ready. I have sent you an email about the RTR hope you see it.
Banquo the lady I talked to at thread exchange had a sultry voice and a southern accent. I believe she said North Carolina. The kind of female voice that if she says to you to jump you jump heh heh. You just hope you are not on the edge of a cliff at the time.
When I told the lady what it is being used for she didn't even bat an eye. She must have heard many stories in the past.
She's just practicing the kind of world weariness that New Yorkers are famous for. Tell a New Yorker some story filled with fantastic feats and uncanny occurrences and s/he'll, without batting an eye, one up you.
Fellow DSM-5 member, haha! Apologies for the tardy reply.
I'd be happy to share my experiences, such as they are, with R2R ;-) and glad that you enjoy my feeble attempts at humour :-)
I'm going to work on my tt rig this Winter Recess and give you a shout. Thuchan and Dertonarm are great resources...my spouse and I had the pleasure of dining with Thuchan in Munich, last year :-)
Started with Gutermann silk thread s303. Fabricland only sold this size. Found it stretchy so I needed to double up on the size. While in use the sound was phenomenal until the last track. I noticed note decay problems on last track when the record is spinning the quickest for the cartridge.
Tried 15 lb braided spider fishing line next as recommended by Mike at VPI. I must have got the wrong one - there were only 15 choices to pick from! It didn't work well - tying the knot was hard. Will keep it for summer muskie fishing.
On to Unwaxed dental floss thx for the recommendation Rugyboogie. Pharmacist didn't even know if they sold unwaxed floss when I called over. She had to go look. They did sell it - $1.75. Wow easy to cut and tie. U can never have enough floss anyway. The floss makes a funny noise when I start and stop motor. But its working great. The best so far. 15 records in. So far I like it the best. No apparent note decay on the last track.
I called "Thread Exchange" google it. They are sending me 6 diameter samples of Aramid (kevlar) a few feet of each to try out. For free! Rumor is this is the secret BAVARIAN thread. When I told the lady what it is being used for she didn't even bat an eye. She must have heard many stories in the past.
This is not the old TNT. That SDS is now one of the most valuable components to me. Set at 64.44 with the unwaxed floss.
I have added a thread drive TT to my idler / direct drive comparison. A modified TNT. It has a pneumatic suspension, the original very heavy lead platter and is driven by the VPI SDS.
ergo analog cessationem vinyl (proposed diagnosis to appear in DSM-5, hehe)
You are hilarious Sam and contagious. DSM-5 - lol !
Pls see under my system description section (ET2 for MM )
Personality pre-requisite for this ET arm.
Synergy with your spouse and your hobby. I am envious. But then again I can bring in components without needing a second opinion. Hehe. I just need to bring them in when no one is home. Bad timing on Fedex arrivals can be killers. I dread those calls.
Hello Chris - Honey whats in this package that just came in from California ?
Sounds like you have a team helping you with your ET Please reach out to me if the forest starts getting hard to see because of the trees. I will pm u regarding some RTR questions I have.
I enjoy -- strike that, um...suffer :-) from MLS (Multiple Loudspeaker Syndrome). Fortunately, my spouse also has MLS and we complement one another, exquisitely!
Fabulous elucidation of ET arm application! I had my vinyl rig set up by Bruce at Stereo Unlimited in San Diego. The tt/arm/cart/pump/surge tank were obtained via AudiogoN. It sounded marvelous.
Note the tense of the preceding sentence...I have occlusion in the tank that attenuates air pressure to the ET-2, ergo analog cessationem vinyl (proposed diagnosis to appear in DSM-5, hehe).
Many knowledgable and kind people have furnished solutions...thank you, Ct :-)
Here are my top 6 tips for setting up ET Tonearms after over 8 years of using them. I am still learning about them. They keep teaching me. Bruce Thigpen is a great resource. If someone reads this and can offer me advice to make my set up better please chime in.
I use an ET 2.0 with High Pressure Manifold for MM cartridges. Its spindle resonates at 5-6 hz.
I use an ET 2.5 with Carbon Fibre arm wand and High Pressure Manifold for MC cartridges. The larger diameter 2.5 spindle resonates at 3-4 hz.
I see a number of setups here on system pages that have not been set up for optimum sonics.
1)PROPER I BEAM SETUP - One of the biggest problem areas I see from looking at pictures and in talking with owners. The I beam holds the lead weights and this is the area that is used to adjust VTF and customize the horizontal / vertical ratio of the arm thereby changing the sound. The Brass Rings are NOT counterweights (read P.32 of the Manual). They resonate and can move on the thread when the arm is raised and lowered over time. For ultimate rigidity use lead weights only and order more if needed from Bruce Thigpen or make your own you can also find lead at auto shops wheel rim weights. Cut into similar rectangular squares and drill same diameter holes through them. Keep the I beam parallel with the Arm wand. If you are using a heavier MC you will need to get more lead weights IMO. Dont leave all those lead weights way out on the end of the I Beam to get the proper VTF. Get more of them and bring them closer to the spindle. Have a look at how many owners used the brass rings as counterweights. These owners have not heard the best this arm can do.
2) BASS RESPONSE - The ET2 has a horizontal to vertical mass ratio of 6 1 and flat neutral response down to 5 hz. This has been tested by Eminent Technology. If you want to customize the sound add more bass ? Increase the vertical mass. This can be done by adjusting the location and amount of counterweights and their position on the I Beam. For example. If you use 5 weights in the middle of the I beam to give you the VTF you need. You could add two more weights and move the counterweight holder closer to the spindle. You have increased the vertical ratio by doing this. You will get more bass. This does not refer to the SRA which is a separate control. See manual
3) Do not use the sub base plate this will only introduce resonances with an extra layer - mount the arm on its spikes directly to the surface of the platform.
4) These are AIR bearing tonearms and as such I have found other than proper setup the way to get the most out them is to isolate them from structure feedback vibrations, put them on a rigid platform (NOT SUSPENDED ) and Optimize the AIR System. New owners tend to ignore the pump because they try to figure out how the arm works first and just assume its fine especially when buying used. I did too with my first one. The original pumps work at around 4 psi and a regular ET2 base arm needs at least 3.5 to even work. Source a better pump such as an affordable Medo AC0110 on Ebay, raise the PSI to between 7 and 10 psi on the ET 2 and see how it sounds in your system. For better ET 2.0 sonics upgrade and get the high pressure manifold from Eminent Technology which handles more PSI. The ET 2.5 comes with this manifold as a standard. We are now talking about acquiring pumps that will provide more than 20 psi that can be regulated down to a stable 19 psi at the arm itself. This is the maximum the arm can handle before it starts to resonate. These pumps usually require a separate area for setup due to the noise. Many people do not have this space available. Unfortunate.
5) Incorrect dressing of the wires. The arm when cued but left raised will go across the record if you blow on it - its that sensitive. If your wires are not dressed properly they will tug on the arm and it will not perform properly. Running the wire through the spindle works well and is the original design by Bruce Thigpen. Some modify and run the wire outside of the air bearing spindle. This is fine but the weight of the wire if not done properly will tug on the arm wand so dressing it this way requires extra care. I have seen some really nice solutions from members. I am hoping they chime in here.
6) Leveling - The spindle that holds the arm wand floats on a cushion of air and needs to be level. Instead of using the accessory brass weights to do this, I use blue tac the same weight as the cartridge to make it free float. Its much quicker and also makes cartridge changes very easy. Gravity should then be used to level the arm using the bolts on either side of the arm post. When the arm is level it will not move one way or another. Do not overtighten the bolts and screws. Snug works best. You can deform the parts and possibly crack them by tightening too much .
Hope this helps new and existing owners of the ET2 arm.
Dear Banquo, Well made point touchee ! but looks are deceiving. Let me explain. I would also like to offer up some advice to those other poor souls like me that are inflicted with this multi speaker disease problem. This advice is based on 27 years experience with the same woman . A fine lady my wife but also someone that doesnt like to listen to music at over 70 db. There is a method to my madness I believe. Here is the advice in three very key words.
LOW TRAFFIC AREA.
The idle speakers need to be out of sight and out of mind. That location I mentioned although it appears not appropriate is perfect as it is the former room where we watched movies with our kids. With our crazy schedules and them being 17 now we are never all in there anymore. If your spouse is bumping into the idle speakers you will have problems. If they are blocking her access to somewhere she wants to go in the house, you will have BIGGER problems. The key is not to let her see them everyday. So when she says where did these come from, the automatic reply is oh honey dont worry I just moved them from that other room to do some testing. They will be gone by next week trust me. :^) Devious Sam?
Hi Ct0517 Another Canuck an agon ehh ? Just read your plinthless SP 10 thread an Canuck mart. Very informative and great pictures. Nice story on the Acoustat III's, Have to agree that a good wife is always important. If your out this way, sent me a PM. Take care,
Good story, Ct0517. The first step is to acknowledge one has a problem. The second step is to 'hide' said problem in plain sight to demonstrate to others, e.g. wife, that one is confronting it.
Hi Rugyboogie fellow canuck :^) I was the one that replied back to you the other day on canuckaudiomart - about the timeline. Thx for the post boy u have some really nice toys. I couldnt believe your treasure chest story. I almost lost those Acoustat 3s a few weeks ago. These door like speakers were being stored just outside my sound room (just for a few months ). My wife I guess finally had enough - so I put an ad to sell them on canuckaudio. I stuffed them into my room before the chap showed up. Warmed them up turned them on for him they sounded good. Too good. A sort of panic started inside of me. He liked them but said he needed to get approval from his wife due to their size. I took the ad down, moved them upstairs and now hide them in the corner of that room they are pictured in when not using them. I still havent got over my speaker problem. I have a good wife.
Hi Chris Man have you got some cool tables. Very nice, love the tangent with the nude SP-10. Used to own a pair of Acoustat III that I modded, had them for 10 years. Take care and thanks for sharing.
Thank u Sam I just looked at your system page and a huge déjà vu moment came to me. I will tell you on your system page. Too coincidental.
I call my page Weekend Vinyl but I own more speakers than I do cartridges. Those 801s will be with me till the end. They cant be replaced without spending mucho dinero.
I have had a number of emails about the ET setups I will be posting tips here soon and will open up an ET thread for owners interested ? I hope you will contribute. There are many shortcuts to straightline audio nirvana! Cheers Chris
The only thing that has kept me from using a wall mount is a very bad habit I have of moving speakers around from one end of the room to the other experimenting. Placements did not last more than a couple of months. I would of had to redo the walls for the holes. This analog phase I am going through has changed that so maybe I am ready for a wall unit now. Its current spot is a good one though.
Just to let you know (regarding your Lenco), I used to have my A.S. Mambo and its attachments sat on my wall shelf (pre-SP10) and so you should have no problems with a mere 100 lbs:~)
Between Henry's shouting at the cartridge and Banquo and I jumping around our soundrooms we must paint quite a picture. I don't dare tell you now what I do to get the best bass response from an ESL in a room.
Henry - what excellent info. What value you offer. I feel obligated now to offer you 4 SS legs for your JVC - :^)
I must say though that the building code in Canada is alot like the northern States and much stricter I imagine than further down south. I do have the crushed gravel (hardcore) underneath but -
I live near a river with many underground springs / acquifiers. There is a large lake near me (2 kms) not (Lake Ontario) and we are only 8 feet above its elevation.
I solved my problem in that room so I am ok for now - The SP10 will one day go on the wall. The 100 lb lenco is a beast though.
Hi guys, You must appreciate that without seeing your actual floor and surrounding structure, there is no real way for me to pinpoint your problems. There may be many? However.....I can point to the most common failures of concrete slabs in basement areas which possibly may help you understand why it is that you are experiencing structure-borne feedback issues? I'm assuming that Canadian building practices may be similar to those in the States? Often with basement slabs in north America, the concrete is poured after the house is built rather than when the footings are cast. When pouring a slab-on-ground....it is important to compact the soil/sand very well to avoid future subsidence. This is normally done with a mechanical compactor. It is also important not to pour the slab directly on the sand but on compacted 'hardcore' which is like small bits of gravel. The reason for this is that sand is very porous to water and as the water table raises and lowers around the area....or after a heavy downpour saturates the substrate.....the sand under the slab can be washed away leaving nothing under the concrete slab in many places. The compacted hardcore should not wash away. Now concrete is very good in 'compression' but very weak in 'tension' which means you can pile heaps of weight on it without problems but if you try to make it span a distance...it will crack and fail under its own weight. That's why we introduce steel reinforcing into the concrete to take the tensile forces whilst letting the concrete itself handle the compressive forces. Now it's fairly common in the States....to simply pour a thin unreinforced cement 'topping' onto the sand or clay substrate of the house to make a usable floor surface. This is NOT a concrete slab. A concrete slab....to be effective....needs to be at least 4"(100mm) thick and because of the problems mentioned above.....needs to be reinforced with steel mesh.....NOT chickenwire! So I suspect that both of you may think you have a concrete slab as your basement floor but in fact have a thin cement membrane with many cracks and many pockets of air underneath? This can...in many ways....be worse than a suspended wood floor acoustically and may explain the phenomena you describe? The only safe remedy is wall-mounting the turntable and I would recommend this solution in every similar situation. But as I wrote initially.....there could easily be different and more complex problems with your individual cases?
