The LP Lover's thread...

pumpkinman

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I (finally) cleaned (some) of the dust off...

DSC_8876 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

Beautiful table

schwarcw

I have the Denon DL-103R, nuded, aluminum pot with the Soundsmith mods. He added the ruby cantilever and a contour diamond stylus. My table is a Denon DP-59L and it's a great match!

SCompRacer

schwarcw wrote: »

I have the Denon DL-103R, nuded, aluminum pot with the Soundsmith mods. He added the ruby cantilever and a contour diamond stylus. My table is a Denon DP-59L and it's a great match!

Now that's a beauty! Thanks for the kind words, what's your paypal address? lol

Didn't I drive to Ohio to meet you and pick up a Krell KSA-250 amp? I drove my work car at the time, that Dodge Neon. That car wasn't made for an 11 hour round trip....

My DL-103R has the Midas touch....

mikeyb128

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The observant might notice something somewhat unusual (at least for the last few decades) about the tonearm. Anyone? Bueller?



(not a great photo but it's what I've got handy, you know?)

Tonearm has Adjustable length? Or is that to change the mass? What is that thing?!

[Deleted User]

I got the CD set as a birthday gift (to myself)
All I kept thinking was finally! So should I buy
the LP version as well? Anyone compare on a
mid-fi system?

Inscrutabl0915 wrote: »

motorhead43026 wrote: »

^^Tom, treat yourself to the 50 anniversary remastered Sgt Peppers's on vinyl. It is fabulous, being almost a religious experience. Well, to these old ears it is.

So I take it you prefer the new stereo mix to the original mono mix? Giles (and his Dad) did such a great job with 'Love' that I am interested to hear what he did with this.

I have the original vinyl, and/but thinking of getting both the box set with CD versions of both and bluray 'making of', and also the double-disc vinyl (as my early ones probably got too much play on too feeble equipment). Wish they included a fresh vinyl pressing with the original mono mix.

[Deleted User]

This might be a good place to mention again that if you are in to blues and
jazz, Waxtime DMM vinyl is excellent for the $$$. (at least on my mid-fi system)

mhardy6647

mikeyb128 wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The observant might notice something somewhat unusual (at least for the last few decades) about the tonearm. Anyone? Bueller?



(not a great photo but it's what I've got handy, you know?)

Tonearm has Adjustable length? Or is that to change the mass? What is that thing?!

That's a sliding weight to set the VTF, like the old Philips GA-212. It's calibrated, but checked it with a dope scale, too, when we set it up.

Nope, that's not it.

Actually, with respect to "modern" expectations, that arm as installed is lacking two things

[Deleted User]

Cuing and anti-skate compensation.

muncybob

I don't have nearly the experience as many here do with carts, but that head shell looks long to me?

mhardy6647

KennethSwauger wrote: »

Cuing and anti-skate compensation.

This man is good

I have to be sure not to have too much coffee before operating it -- real men don't need no sissy damped cueing!

I've always been kind of skeptical of anti-skate anyway (although it may be an ugly necessity with "hyper" stylus profiles).

mhardy6647

muncybob wrote: »

I don't have nearly the experience as many here do with carts, but that head shell looks long to me?

Standard headshell (just ported over from the SL-Q2) but you're almost certainly correct that the cartridge is further forward than it "should" be. My friend Alan & I endeavored to align it to a probably wacky alignment (Vacuum State "Guru" protractor) and it really probably should be realigned. Fortunately, the conical stylus on a DL-103 is pretty forgiving.

I actually would like to get another headshell for the A-T arm and put the Technics headshell back on the SL-Q2. Did I ask you all about your preferences in terms of affordable, readily available "universal" headshells?

[Deleted User]

Cuing levers are for children and winos, if you've started with an AR XA you don't need no stinking cuing.
Smiley face, smiley face.

soundfreak1

Gotta have auto lift. GettING slow in my old age.

motorhead43026

Won't be long I will need an auto lift for my chair.

soundfreak1

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Won't be long I will need an auto lift for my chair.

Damn I'm close to that myself. Crap thanks for reminding me!

mhardy6647

I thought (???) that the AR-XA had a viscous-damped drop feature, though -- doesn't it?

treitz3

motorhead43026 wrote: »

^^Tom, treat yourself to the 50 anniversary remastered Sgt Peppers's on vinyl. It is fabulous, being almost a religious experience. Well, to these old ears it is.

I just ordered it in 180g vinyl. Thanks for the suggestion.

Tom

txcoastal1

treitz3 wrote: »

motorhead43026 wrote: »

^^Tom, treat yourself to the 50 anniversary remastered Sgt Peppers's on vinyl. It is fabulous, being almost a religious experience. Well, to these old ears it is.

I just ordered it in 180g vinyl. Thanks for the suggestion.

Tom

Well motor, you know you put your a$$ on the line with one of the pickiest sumbutch out there

So if you wake up in the middle of the night with a smashed SP record on your porch, you'll know where it came from

mikeyb128

Turns out I don't know $&it about vintage gear. But I do know I've been spinning some Van Morrison while breaking in this chunky little denon. Things have changed a lot with about 6 hours on this guy. It has smoothed out considerably, I really like it, and look forward to what it brings fully broken in.

After spending a little time with it, I am realizing the Carmen is in another league. And I'm looking forward to getting my lighter head shell, so I can get her up and running again. Thw denon will be one heck of a back up. I've ordered a UWE wood body for it, for another time.

[Deleted User]

I guess the AR was a damped descent, then again the phono cartridges of that era were a little more robust than today's.

halo

I reinstalled the ADC cart on my Pioneer PL-7 and, while I had it off, I took a few photos.

Supposedly, the ADC carts are an ideal match to the polymer graphite linear tonearm on these Pioneer 'tables. I was having tracking issues and I set the VTF to the max suggested for an ADC Series III @2g.

The thing is, I got the cart with the PL-7 but t was missing the needle. The stylus body says ADC Series II. However, the top of the cartridge says "Tech Series."

I don't know which stylus is compatible/best for the Tech Series cart from ADC. I looked into this over at AK and I didn't find any definitive answers.

If anyone here has any info, please let me know.

Mike Reeter

SCompRacer wrote: »

schwarcw wrote: »

I have the Denon DL-103R, nuded, aluminum pot with the Soundsmith mods. He added the ruby cantilever and a contour diamond stylus. My table is a Denon DP-59L and it's a great match!

Now that's a beauty! Thanks for the kind words, what's your paypal address? lol

Didn't I drive to Ohio to meet you and pick up a Krell KSA-250 amp? I drove my work car at the time, that Dodge Neon. That car wasn't made for an 11 hour round trip....

My DL-103R has the Midas touch....

Rich, did you and Carl perform the the new body mods on your 103R's? Are the Aluminum bodies preferred over the Wood bodies?

I just setup a new "stock" 103R, and like most everyone else, I'm taken aback by its performance as is. But, I'm also looking at taking it to the next level.

inscrutable

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Won't be long I will need an auto lift for my chair.

That's too good.
I resemble that remark ... Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk ...

SCompRacer

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Rich, did you and Carl perform the the new body mods on your 103R's? Are the Aluminum bodies preferred over the Wood bodies?

I just setup a new "stock" 103R, and like most everyone else, I'm taken aback by its performance as is. But, I'm also looking at taking it to the next level.

I think Carl sent his 103R in to SoundSmith for the body/cantilever mod. I just added the aluminum body. I purchased the Midas aluminum body from a Lenco turntable forum member who had them made.

The goal of the aluminum or wood body on the 103R is for broad band resonance control and improve the low compliance nature of the cartridge. Either body material tightens up the bass and seems to extend the low frequencies.

Aluminum will add more weight than the wood and increase compliance. IIRC ZU chose aluminum as most arms and head shells are made of aluminum. The reasoning, matching materials are less likely to reflect resonances as dissimilar materials do. Wood bodies allows choice of different types of exotic woods.

IMO the Midas aluminum body I am using offers better neutrality, clarity and high frequency air and extension than a wood body. I do not consider it bright at all. Regarding wood or aluminum depends on the presentation that you like and perhaps the arm that you use it on. SoundSmith ruby cantilever and stylus upgrades will elevate the performance even more. Once I wear my 103R out, I’ll send it there for an upgrade. I still prefer my AT33PTG/II over the aluminum bodied Denon for sound quality, so unsure when I'll wear it out...lol.

If you proceed, watch the videos on you tube for nuding the cartridge. A steady confident hand is needed. Also purchase your body from a reputable supplier. One where the cartridge will drop in without having to carve out material or force the nuded cartridge in.

Mike Reeter

SCompRacer wrote: »

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Rich, did you and Carl perform the the new body mods on your 103R's? Are the Aluminum bodies preferred over the Wood bodies?

I just setup a new "stock" 103R, and like most everyone else, I'm taken aback by its performance as is. But, I'm also looking at taking it to the next level.

I think Carl sent his 103R in to SoundSmith for the body/cantilever mod. I just added the aluminum body. I purchased the Midas aluminum body from a Lenco turntable forum member who had them made.

The goal of the aluminum or wood body on the 103R is for broad band resonance control and improve the low compliance nature of the cartridge. Either body material tightens up the bass and seems to extend the low frequencies.

Aluminum will add more weight than the wood and increase compliance. IIRC ZU chose aluminum as most arms and head shells are made of aluminum. The reasoning, matching materials are less likely to reflect resonances as dissimilar materials do. Wood bodies allows choice of different types of exotic woods.

IMO the Midas aluminum body I am using offers better neutrality, clarity and high frequency air and extension than a wood body. I do not consider it bright at all. Regarding wood or aluminum depends on the presentation that you like and perhaps the arm that you use it on. SoundSmith ruby cantilever and stylus upgrades will elevate the performance even more. Once I wear my 103R out, I’ll send it there for an upgrade. I still prefer my AT33PTG/II over the aluminum bodied Denon for sound quality, so unsure when I'll wear it out...lol.

If you proceed, watch the videos on you tube for nuding the cartridge. A steady confident hand is needed. Also purchase your body from a reputable supplier. One where the cartridge will drop in without havingr the insight to carve out material or force the nuded cartridge in.

Thanks for the insightful explanation Rich. I'll check out the videos and maybe try my hand at this delicate surgery.

mikeyb128

Best video I have found here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3022v1
And the body I will use from here:
http://calamightysound.com/uwe-and-midas-bodies-for-denon-dl-103/

Same body used in the video posted above.

soundfreak1

Scompracer I have the simular opinion regarding the AT cartridges as well. The OC9ML I currently use has replaced the denons for me but I'm curious if you are familiar with the oc9 sound? and how it compairs with the 33ptg??? Thanks

SCompRacer

mikeyb128 wrote: »

And the body I will use from here:
http://calamightysound.com/uwe-and-midas-bodies-for-denon-dl-103/

Kewl, Daiwok, who is mentioned on that site, is the Lenco turntable forum member I purchased the Midas body from.

The Midas body came with a stylus guard since the original guard won't work on the wood or aluminum bodies.

SCompRacer

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Scompracer I have the simular opinion regarding the AT cartridges as well. The OC9ML I currently use has replaced the denons for me but I'm curious if you are familiar with the oc9 sound? and how it compairs with the 33ptg??? Thanks

I've never owned or tried the oc9 but from what I read, the AT33PTG/II does everything a little better due to some design improvements. The major differences are the AT33PTG/II's compliance, it is resin potted for better damping, has a gold plated tapered boron cantilever and a MicroLinear stylus.

The oc9 performs very well. I've read in forums some folks tend to mismatch arm compliance with it and end up with less favorable results, thus the mixed reviews.

schwarcw

. . . .