On 19/03/2021 at 10:41 PM, qik_shift said:

Sorry I've been unwell post surgery but now back to normal.  

 

@andyr and I experimented with some loading plugs and also experimented with phono stage placement.  There's more to do but more on that later........

 

OK let's get the super easy stuff out of the way.  Moving the phono stage to the top of my entertainment unit was a great idea and a no brainer.  Regardless of loading, the best way I could describe the change was that it was much clearer.  More defined and sure of itself.  Moving on.....

 

Now time to lock the phono stage to 47K loading, and get some of these plugs that have had mentions around SNA for some time .  In my case I had a 3K and 4k to try.  My instant reaction when I put the plugs in is a solid 'no'.  It sounds just a touch quieter and almost could be described as slightly more timid in the way the sound presents itself to me.  Settling into the 4K plug for a minute, and turn the volume up slightly but I'm still not convinced as the music has become less holographic and flatter.

 

Moving back to the old standard 620 ohms, and then to the 3K plug.  Again, some reluctance sets in until my ears adjust in a very short place of time.  Turned up the volume slightly, and I'm pleasantly surprised.  The plugs seemed to widen the sound stage both horizontally and vertically if that makes any sense!  The wider sound stage allows for further separation and has a very holographic vibe to it.  The separation allows for more instrument detail to shine through.

 

Reverting to 620ohms, and the sound stage instantly narrows, and almost becomes more 'in my face'.  Now for some select tracks, this can work well.  Genres like rock seem to suit the older loading where you really want the music to slam, but almost everything else favours the simple yet effective plugs.

 

My verdict?  For 8 out of 10 records, I prefer the 3K plug by quite a margin.  For the 2 out of ten records, I prefer my original loading by a little margin.  Yep the 3K plug is a winner here.

 

Now to try a 2K plug to experiment a little more .  

 

@andyr also cited some issues with bass which I'm keen to work through.  Listening to other systems may allow me to detect what Andy is picking up on, and any opportunity to learn and improve is a good one!  Theories range from room nodes to the phono stage (although we both agree it's likely the earlier). Some of the bass issues may be undetectable by me because I don't mind music with a decent bass line.  Maybe my old days blasting subwoofers in the boot of the car has had at least some influence on my lust for bass hahahaha!

 

All in all to give you an overall impression on how I feel about my setup, I'm very happy with it.  I have a really annoying tonearm cable noise that's slowly driving me mad which I think is due to an inherent phono stage design - really do need to work on that one sooner rather than later.  Oh yes and of course buying a house so I can have a dedicated room to suit better sound would be ideal but I think I'll tackle that issue last .

 

I truly do think it sounds pleasant to my ear and I think it compares well against the little I've been able to hear out there (bar a hyper-priced deeply analytical system that blew me away).  It puts a smile on my face frequently and i'm often involuntarily tapping my feet.

Interesting experiences with the loading for the Kiseki Purple Heart. I use a SUT ( into MM phono) so only have the 1:10 option (470 Ohm). Have tried up to 1k Ohm with my VTL Ultimate Pre, but preferred the 400-500 Ohm levels.

 

Have you got any thoughts as to why shifting the PS Audio Stellar to top of cabinet made an improvement?

On 22/03/2021 at 12:37 PM, vivianbl said:

Interesting experiences with the loading for the Kiseki Purple Heart. I use a SUT ( into MM phono) so only have the 1:10 option (470 Ohm). Have tried up to 1k Ohm with my VTL Ultimate Pre, but preferred the 400-500 Ohm levels.

 

Have you got any thoughts as to why shifting the PS Audio Stellar to top of cabinet made an improvement?

Interestingly I have a PS Audio Stellar phono stage and can also go up to 1000ohms.  I found the best loading 620 - going to 1000 seemed thinner.  But 3K worked.  Keen to try 2K - stay tuned for more........

 

I think having the phono stage sitting either above or below (tried both ways) the PowerPlant must have adversely affected the phono stage.  Perhaps some sort of field outside of the PowerPlant is creating interference?  I guess a phono stage is very sensitive piece of equipment so perhaps that's not surprising. 

Hi Chris

Wondering where have you got to now with your system development. I recall you were exploring options for the phono stage. Think one of your posts you also detailed your Linn Klimax project. 
Would be great to see/ hear what your system is like now!

Vivian

Nice set up! 
I had the 2M Bronze and one of the best upgrades I have done is going to a MC cart - VDH DDH after the bronze, huge difference to my whole set up.

On 04/01/2022 at 2:39 PM, vivianbl said:

Hi Chris

Wondering where have you got to now with your system development. I recall you were exploring options for the phono stage. Think one of your posts you also detailed your Linn Klimax project. 
Would be great to see/ hear what your system is like now!

Vivian

Hey Vivian,

 

Long time no speak!  Hope you are well.

 

A bit has happened since these posts .  I often have components coming in to review so I purchased a rack to house review equipment which now resides in the corner of the room.

 

 

 

The biggest purchase I've made is the Sutherland Big Loco phono stage.  This is an exceptional trans-impedance unit which I shared early views with on SNA.  I have typed a review so I hope to publish it some time in the future .

 

I also had the LP12 go in for a Radikal power supply upgrade just before Christmas.  This meant a new control board within the Machined Radikal case and a new motor replaced the existing unit.  Honestly, I expected the improvement to be very minor, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could hear (or not hear more importantly!) the difference and levels of micro-detail have stepped up a few notches. 

 

 

I have since listened to over 1,500 hours on the Kiseki P.H (a saviour during lockdown). so it's time to start thinking of a retip.  I've convinced myself now is the time to think of a new cart to add to the collection so I currently have a My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum cartridge on loan which I am thoroughly enjoying. @metal beat was right that a higher-end cart would be able to exploit the new phono stage much better.  It has taken my vinyl listening experience to a completely different level. 

 

 

One of my review units is a Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier.  While it's not mine, I have begged to hold onto it for as long as I can, because after the cartridge, this was the most significant item which improved SQ.

14 minutes ago, qik_shift said:

Hey Vivian,

 

Long time no speak!  Hope you are well.

 

A bit has happened since these posts .  I often have components coming in to review so I purchased a rack to house review equipment which now resides in the corner of the room.

 

 

 

The biggest purchase I've made is the Sutherland Big Loco phono stage.  This is an exceptional trans-impedance unit which I shared early views with on SNA.  I have typed a review so I hope to publish it some time in the future .

 

I also had the LP12 go in for a Radikal power supply upgrade just before Christmas.  This meant a new control board within the Machined Radikal case and a new motor replaced the existing unit.  Honestly, I expected the improvement to be very minor, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could hear (or not hear more importantly!) the difference and levels of micro-detail have stepped up a few notches. 

 

 

I have since listened to over 1,500 hours on the Kiseki P.H (a saviour during lockdown). so it's time to start thinking of a retip.  I've convinced myself now is the time to think of a new cart to add to the collection so I currently have a My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum cartridge on loan which I am thoroughly enjoying. @metal beat was right that a higher-end cart would be able to exploit the new phono stage much better.  It has taken my vinyl listening experience to a completely different level. 

 

 

One of my review units is a Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier.  While it's not mine, I have begged to hold onto it for as long as I can, because after the cartridge, this was the most significant item which improved SQ.

 

Haha.  The slippery slope of high end.    Yes, the Air Tight would be a brilliant addition. 

  I used to own the XP20, excellent preamp.

  If I sell my previous reference pre amp, you will be in for a larger surprise in sound quality improvement. 

 

  Enjoy.

1 hour ago, metal beat said:

 

Haha.  The slippery slope of high end.    Yes, the Air Tight would be a brilliant addition. 

  I used to own the XP20, excellent preamp.

  If I sell my previous reference pre amp, you will be in for a larger surprise in sound quality improvement. 

 

  Enjoy.

The Xp-22 was meant to be quite an improvement over the XP-20 too.  Makes me eye out the XP-32 and Xs.  Best I think I've heard though is the Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE.  Preamp will be my next purchase.  What was your previous and new reference pre?

3 hours ago, qik_shift said:

The Xp-22 was meant to be quite an improvement over the XP-20 too.  Makes me eye out the XP-32 and Xs.  Best I think I've heard though is the Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE.  Preamp will be my next purchase.  What was your previous and new reference pre?

 

XP-20 imo was better than the 30. The 30 was trying to hard to be a tube preamp.

   Conrad Johnson GAT and D'Agostino HD Momentum.  The GAT can drive anything to it'soptimum,  tube or ss.

Edited January 6, 20224 yr by metal beat

On 06/01/2022 at 12:10 PM, qik_shift said:

Hey Vivian,

 

Long time no speak!  Hope you are well.

 

A bit has happened since these posts .  I often have components coming in to review so I purchased a rack to house review equipment which now resides in the corner of the room.

 

 

 

The biggest purchase I've made is the Sutherland Big Loco phono stage.  This is an exceptional trans-impedance unit which I shared early views with on SNA.  I have typed a review so I hope to publish it some time in the future .

 

I also had the LP12 go in for a Radikal power supply upgrade just before Christmas.  This meant a new control board within the Machined Radikal case and a new motor replaced the existing unit.  Honestly, I expected the improvement to be very minor, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could hear (or not hear more importantly!) the difference and levels of micro-detail have stepped up a few notches. 

 

 

I have since listened to over 1,500 hours on the Kiseki P.H (a saviour during lockdown). so it's time to start thinking of a retip.  I've convinced myself now is the time to think of a new cart to add to the collection so I currently have a My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum cartridge on loan which I am thoroughly enjoying. @metal beat was right that a higher-end cart would be able to exploit the new phono stage much better.  It has taken my vinyl listening experience to a completely different level. 

 

 

One of my review units is a Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier.  While it's not mine, I have begged to hold onto it for as long as I can, because after the cartridge, this was the most significant item which improved SQ.

Wow, lots of changes to the front end. Must be sounding superb! Great idea to have a seperate review rack within reach of same cables to main system. What cables are you using?

 

You were quick with the Radikal 2 upgrade. Was wondering about the level of SQ improvement over the Radikal1. Good to know the improvements are noticeable.

 

I’m in the same position with regard to to the Kiseki PH this year. Replacement with new one or change😱. Will probably go  retipping and assess result, before deciding next steps. Really like the PH presentation and if that is preserved, will stick with it. RCM’ed records have a sparkling quality, great ambient detail and presence. The timbre of instruments are astounding.

 

Interested in your experience with preamplifiers. Is the Pass Lab SS or valve? What is your current preamp? 
 

Enjoy your exploration!

Edited January 7, 20224 yr by vivianbl
Typos

2 hours ago, vivianbl said:

Wow, lots of changes to the front end. Must be sounding superb! Great idea to have a seperate review rack within reach of same cables to main system. What cables are you using?

I currently have a mixture of EGM Black and $2 cables for power (I'll build them up over time), Kharma Elegance for speaker and mostly Atlas Hyper II for interconnects.

 

I don't want to invest too much in cabling as I have plans to have a new music room built in the next few years if finances permit and therefore cabling requirements will be very different.

2 hours ago, vivianbl said:

You were quick with the Radikal 2 upgrade. Was wondering about the level of SQ improvement over the Radikal1. Good to know the improvements are noticeable

Yep, Geoff knows me well enough and called to let me know about the upgrade, and I jumped on it straight away. I'm glad I did!

 

2 hours ago, vivianbl said:

I’m in the same position with regard to to the Kiseki PH this year. Replacement with new one or change😱. Will probably go  retipping and assess result, before deciding next steps. Really like the PH presentation and if that is preserved, will stick with it. RCM’ed records have a sparkling quality, great ambient detail and presence. The timbre of instruments are astounding.

I will be certainly keeping mine and well re-tip once i land a new job (my role was made redundant just before Christmas).  My understanding is you cannot get your hands on a new one even if you wanted to - there's no supply out there!

 

And yes RCM does make a difference.  I'm still absolutely loving my Degritter.

 

2 hours ago, vivianbl said:

Interested in your experience with preamplifiers. Is the Pass Lab SS or valve? What is your current preamp? 

The XP-22 is SS.  My current preamp is the integrated NAD C658 (hence why a pre is my next big purchase).  I love both, so long as the valve based units don't sound too warm and detract from micro detail.

 

21 hours ago, metal beat said:

Conrad Johnson GAT and D'Agostino HD Momentum.  The GAT can drive anything to it'soptimum,  tube or ss.

Awesome thanks.  Lots for me to think about I think.  Are you implying the D'Agostino is not as versatile in terms of matching?  I've always pondered the notion of whether I should hold off on buying the pre until I purchase amps, which I should also hold off until I purchase speakers.  Then that just makes one huge change all at once, where I prefer to change components one at a time to understand how they alter the sound.

9 minutes ago, qik_shift said:

 

 

Awesome thanks.  Lots for me to think about I think.  Are you implying the D'Agostino is not as versatile in terms of matching?  I've always pondered the notion of whether I should hold off on buying the pre until I purchase amps, which I should also hold off until I purchase speakers.  Then that just makes one huge change all at once, where I prefer to change components one at a time to understand how they alter the sound.

 

Not at all.  I have owned the GAT for quite few years and personally driven tube and ss to equal success and still sota .

 

  D'agostino only had for a short time, so have not tried it with other amps.   I bought it used specifically for the dag amp. I will eventually try it with my cj tube monoblocks.

It's also more used than the GAT is new 🤔🙂

What a great couple of months it has been for me.  My poor old Kiseki Purple Heart just started to distort after 1500-1800 hours of use, so I've had the luxury of sampling some new cartridges and want to share my thoughts with you.

 

First I tried the MSL Signature Platinum.  I was so impressed by this cart.  Output levels are really healthy with a super low internal impedance which suits my Big Loco really well.  What surprised me was the extension of lows and highs, the linearity from low through to high frequencies, and the sheer level of detail that was coming through without sounding cold and analytical.  What a pretty thing too!  I can easily understand why this is a reference cartridge for so many people out there.  I was so happy with what I was hearing I was ready to put my heard earned on the MSL

 

 

 

I also had the opportunity to listen to a Koetsu Onyx.  This cart was enjoyable, with the sound of strings and brass having such a delicate sweetness to them, it really drew emotion from these instruments perfectly.  But the cart could not compete with the MSL on detail, speed, response and slam.  Make no mistake, the Onyx was a noticeable overall improvement to the Kiseki Purple Heart in my opinion - it's just that the standard of the carts on review was so high.

 

A couple of weeks later I then had an opportunity to listen to a Koetsu Coralstone Platinum.  After my solid experience with the MSL Signature Platinum, the dearer Coralstone would have do do something quite magic to impress me...........Magic then happened.  Notes sustained into oblivion, and yet it had speed when required.  Frequency range was similar to the MSL, but I was quite shocked to hear the levels of detail I did.  There was stuff going on in tracks I couldn't hear before, even with the MSL.  The best of part of this cart was it still managed to retain the best characters of the Onyx too with strings and brass in particular having an almost eery organic sound to them that just enchanted me.

 

The cart looks much better in real life than my photo can show.  It has a lovely lacquer to it and the coralstone looks quite impressive too.  Oh and a big bonus is that Koetsu re-tip in-house so the cart can always remain a pure Koetsu over a long period of time.  Yay!

 

You can guess what I ended up buying .  

Wow, really pleased for you. You describe the qualities of the cartridges so well, but can’t even imagine what it sounds like in your system! Probably best I don’t hear it!😂

Interested in the retipping done by Koetsu. Many audiophiles are not in favour of retipping, but replacement of cartridges every few years is such a waste, let alone costly. Do you have to send It back to Japan and what sort of cost would that entail?

 

My latest update was a Keel, installed by Mark Dohrmann a couple of weeks ago. Really pleased with the SQ improvement with that.

Anyway, enjoy your new addition and keep us updated on your next steps.

22 hours ago, vivianbl said:

Wow, really pleased for you. You describe the qualities of the cartridges so well, but can’t even imagine what it sounds like in your system! Probably best I don’t hear it!😂

Interested in the retipping done by Koetsu. Many audiophiles are not in favour of retipping, but replacement of cartridges every few years is such a waste, let alone costly. Do you have to send It back to Japan and what sort of cost would that entail?

 

My latest update was a Keel, installed by Mark Dohrmann a couple of weeks ago. Really pleased with the SQ improvement with that.

Anyway, enjoy your new addition and keep us updated on your next steps.

Thank you!  LOL.  Agree many audiophiles aren't fans of retipping because some of the authenticity is lost, but I believe cantilever and diamond are only part of a series of components that affect sound character, and agree would almost be a waste if thrown away. I have no idea what Koetsu charge, but yes they have to be sent back to Japan for the work to be done.

 

The keel is known to make a very noticeable improvement in sound - glad you're enjoying it