TT Hunting

13

Comments

  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited July 2014
    Thank you. I thought about that one as I noticed that the U-Turn tables can be bundled with this pre.

    BTW, the rest of the gear is Yaqin Ms 30L, SDA SRS 2's. The only mods so far are Larry's Rings.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited July 2014
    I just wanted to share a couple of pics of the new toy!
    This is temporary until I get a phono pre.

    Full System.jpg
    Closeup.jpg
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited July 2014
    NICE!! Your going to Enjoy it :)

    When I bought my Debut Carbom, it was to see if I wanted to really get back into vinyl, I thought if I really got into it I may upgrade to a different TT later. But the TT sounds so good I just have not felt any need to upgrade to another one.

    Later I did buy a acrylic platter & better mat & a record clamp. but you don't have to do all of this to enjoy this TT.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited July 2014
    Yes. It sounds VERY good right away. The issue I'm having now is that the stylus is bowing me how dirty my records are. Haha
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited July 2014
    i have a music hall mmf 5.1 and it is a very nice machine combined with a musical surroundings phonomena pre.
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    **UPDATE**

    So I finally got my Art DJ Pre II and put my Debut Carbon in my big rig. To say I'm absolutely disappointed is an understatement! This thing sounds like shiit! I'm hoping that it's a break-in thing. I can't stand to listen to more than one side of an album. The soundstage is collapsed, there's no bass and the highs sound rolled off. I'm going to give this a few hundred hours but right now, I'm not impressed!
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited August 2014
    hopefully some burn in will help, that can be a heart breaker sometimes finding the new equipment doesn't work in ones set up.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited August 2014
    Something has to be wrong. I'd start by verifying that the table is perfectly level, and that your tracking force did not get messed up. If those two things are right, try swapping out the pre-amp to verify it's not defective.
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    It was the pre built into the yamaha vs. the Art. On the yammie, this table sounds great. Through the Art, not so much.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Obsession18
    Obsession18 Posts: 191
    edited August 2014
    One thing to look out for when using the ART is to make sure the unit is not clipping, you do not want to see the light on the front of the unit blinking red, make sure it stays yellow/green.

    Another thing you can try is running it off a 12V battery, I did and it provided an improvement.

    In the end, I did upgrade to my current Pro-ject Tubebox DS which took my rig to a whole different level.
    2-Channel System
    Analog: VPI Traveler TT, Audio Technica 150MLX, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS
    CD Player: Jolida JD-100 Preamp: Cambridge 840E Amp: Odyssey Kismet Stereo
    Spkrs: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Systems
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2014
    What input were you using on the receiver when using the ART preamp? You want to make certain that you are not running it into the phono input.

    This would make it sound bad as you are getting RIAA EQ twice, once through the preamp and once through the receiver, and that will just kill the sound.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    I didn't use the Art with the Yamaha. I only used the Art when I moved the table to the Yaqin. On the Yamaha, the table was plugged directly into the receiver's phono input. It's been running for 48hrs continuously. I'm going to let it go another couple of days and see how it sounds. Plus I have a lead on ProJect Phono Box. I'll keep you guys posted.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2014
    You should get better sound out of the ART than you are getting. It may be a faulty piece. Either way, don't give up. Good sound is always trial and error, regardless of the chain of gear involved.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Yeah, I figured as much. The Carbon sounded so good right out of the box on the Yamaha and then to go to the better gear and get this just kind of befuddled me.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • pumpkinman
    pumpkinman Posts: 9,820
    edited August 2014
    xsmi wrote: »
    I've bookmarked U-Turn. In the meantime, I've cancelled my order for the Denon.

    I think that's a good move on your part. I've only ever purchased one new TT. Great deals on used HiFi gear are out there. Keep looking Obi Wan !!!
    lmivdewpnb28.jpg


    Because I am The Pumpkinking


    A Kind Word Is An Easy Gift To Give
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    pumpkinman wrote: »
    I think that's a good move on your part. I've only ever purchased one new TT. Great deals on used HiFi gear are out there. Keep looking Obi Wan !!!

    I ended up with a Pro-Ject Carbon.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2014
    xsmi wrote: »
    **UPDATE**

    So I finally got my Art DJ Pre II ...... The soundstage is collapsed, there's no bass and the highs sound rolled off.

    IIRC it does have a subsonic rumble filter you can't turn off but that shouldn't result in no bass. I've read that the soundstage doesn't compare as well with other stages like a Hagerman Bugle, but it should be decent. Highs rolling off can be a loading or capacitance issue.

    I have a friend that lusted over a nice turntable I owned. I wouldn't let him buy it just cause it looked cool. We put it in his system and I installed his cartridge on it. He had an inexpensive phono stage, a Music Hall PA1.2. It did allow the improvements in the turntable to be heard. We installed a better cartridge and it sounded way better so it shows you don't need to spend a fortune on a phono stage to get good sound. I agree with others, you have something wrong based on the results you are getting.

    I may have missed it but what cables are you using between phono pre and pre amp?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • pumpkinman
    pumpkinman Posts: 9,820
    edited August 2014
    xsmi wrote: »
    I ended up with a Pro-Ject Carbon.

    Sorry didn't read far enough
    lmivdewpnb28.jpg


    Because I am The Pumpkinking


    A Kind Word Is An Easy Gift To Give
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    SCompRacer wrote: »

    I may have missed it but what cables are you using between phono pre and pre amp?

    Monster THX 100i Cables
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    I'm back home so I'm going to play with some of the settings here for a little bit.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Moved the gain knob from -4 to zero and the sound stage is back but right now it sounds VERY forward. I'm hoping that more break-in will settle this down a bit.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Obsession18
    Obsession18 Posts: 191
    edited August 2014
    Also try the 100pf cap setting by pushing the button in, this may help with the brightness.
    2-Channel System
    Analog: VPI Traveler TT, Audio Technica 150MLX, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS
    CD Player: Jolida JD-100 Preamp: Cambridge 840E Amp: Odyssey Kismet Stereo
    Spkrs: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Systems
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Ok. I tried that tonight and didn't notice anything on the recording I was listening to.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited August 2014
    I remembered wrong, your rumble filter is switchable so you can try that too. I don't know what the capacitance per foot specs are for that Monster cable, but if it were high, try a lower capacitance per foot cable to see what happens.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited August 2014
    xsmi

    the phono amp is on its way, and your box is full cou8ldn't send you a pm :)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Thanks Voltz! I've cleared out some room. Again, Thank you so much for your generosity.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Couple of things. First I'd like to give a shout out to Voltz. He so generously sent me a Pro-ject phono MM to replace the Art DJ Phono II that I currently have. It should be waiting on me when I get home tonight. The tracking number said out for delivery this morning when I checked it. This is the reason I love this forum! Everyone is so good to one another.

    Second, I changed the cables over the weekend to premium (cheap) Monoprice cables over the weekend and that took some of the brightness off of the Art. I just think this piece has a little brighter signature than I was expecting. It's not fatiguing like it was but still not quite my cup of tea. I won't get home until about 9 tonight so I can't listen tonight. However, I have a date tomorrow night with a woman who is actually into audio so we've planned a little time so listen to some music. So, I should get some time in tomorrow. I'll keep you guys posted.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited August 2014
    You Welcome! just got home as their working us 10 hours a day & 6 days a week....But that phono amp can wait & she is more important -> Good luck with both :)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited August 2014
    Thank you sir, but it was her idea. :)
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited August 2014
    My Project Tube box S is also a little bright for my taste...Will be rolling tubes once I get my amp situation figured out...Taking it to a guy in Jersey tomorrow...

    Also I applaud the generosity of Voltz...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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