New Turntable in the house!

audioluvr
audioluvr Posts: 5,582
edited August 2021 in 2 Channel Audio
Well I broke down and picked up a turntable. Found a Harman Kardon T65c in great condition locally. Couldn't wait for my new phono pre to arrive so I pulled the Belles pre and stuck in the Rotel RC-1070 because it has an internal phono pre. The nice gentleman who sold it to me gave me a couple records to get me started. One was The Manhattan Transfer "Extensions" so I put it on and thought I'd give'r a spin. Wasn't really expecting a lot but...

WOW! The dynamics and clarity was amazing! Had to switch over to Tidal digital just to see if there was any difference and had to shut it off. Voices were grainy, there were details that I couldn't hear any more even when played louder than vinyl.

Well I'm screwed. :D

wmh6dq3qi1b0.jpg
Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
Post edited by audioluvr on
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,027
    edited August 2021
    4u96ddh9lj5c.png

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    audioluvr wrote: »

    Well I'm screwed. :D

    wmh6dq3qi1b0.jpg

    Yes, yes you are ;)

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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    So I picked up a Record Doctor 6 record cleaner from a local guy I sold my Klipsch Forte's to and ordered a zero dust stylus cleaner. Also ordered a Rolls Bellari VP549 phono pre. What else do I need?
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited August 2021
    What led you to pick the Bellari?
    [EDITED -- I had second thoughts about my commentary, but still curious enough to leave the question posted!]
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    audioluvr wrote: »
    What else do I need?

    Unlimited funds for all the records you will want! :smile:

    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    tratliff wrote: »
    audioluvr wrote: »
    What else do I need?

    Unlimited funds for all the records you will want! :smile:

    Especially as you scratch, drop, and otherwise damage records. :)

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited August 2021
    tratliff wrote: »
    audioluvr wrote: »
    What else do I need?

    Unlimited funds for all the records you will want! :smile:

    naaah... he just needs one copy of this.
    ;)

    mhjcrgyd6zuc.png

    That'll let 'im test how good of a match the compliance of that Grado is in the low-mass arm of that h/k. :)

    gz70p11o1re4.jpg



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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    What led you to pick the Bellari?

    It was pretty? Had a cool name and seems to have a lot of features. Spur of the moment purchase. Help me out here guy! Geez...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    naaah... he just needs one copy of this.
    ;)

    mhjcrgyd6zuc.png

    That'll let 'im test how good of a match the compliance of that Grado is in the low-mass arm of that h/k. :)

    gz70p11o1re4.jpg

    Heard it. Bang! BFD. Not that great of a music score IMHO. :#
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    I have a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp that I was gonna put up for sale. PM me if interested
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    audioluvr wrote: »
    What else do I need?

    9qbuhfo660da.jpg
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Nightfall wrote: »
    audioluvr wrote: »
    What else do I need?

    9qbuhfo660da.jpg

    Oooh! I like that!
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    Also, even with records that have been cleaned, you need a carbon fiber brush to use before each play.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Pictures or it'll never happen. :p
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited August 2021
    audioluvr wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    naaah... he just needs one copy of this.
    ;)

    mhjcrgyd6zuc.png

    That'll let 'im test how good of a match the compliance of that Grado is in the low-mass arm of that h/k. :)

    gz70p11o1re4.jpg

    Heard it. Bang! BFD. Not that great of a music score IMHO. :#

    Yeah -- but can you track it?
    Actually, it's pretty impressive when properly reproduced (vinyl or on a digital disc thingy).

    vniimdbacdoh.png
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    edited August 2021
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Yeah -- but can you track it?

    I don't know Doc. Send me a copy and I'll test it out. Wait, is this one of those "My turntable is bigger than yours" things?
    Post edited by audioluvr on
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    audioluvr wrote: »
    Pictures or it'll never happen. :p
    Here are some cheaper ones.
    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carbon+fiber+brush+vinyl&crid=1OW06LQL16QTJ&sprefix=carbon+fiber+brush&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_18
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Thanks Jody. I think the Record Doctor 6 I bought has one already but if not I'll get one.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    dromunds wrote: »
    I have a PS Audio GCPH phono preamp that I was gonna put up for sale. PM me if interested

    Going for the jugular right off the bat!
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Surprised you went for the Bellari over the iFi ZEN Phono.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    Get some new sleeves to use after you clean your records. Mo Fi are my faves.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Cool. Ordered some.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Surprised you went for the Bellari over the iFi ZEN Phono.

    I like supporting US made products if I can
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Well in that case you should've bought this one: https://boulderamp.com/products/2108-phono-preamplifier/
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Ha Ha. I was considering that one, I was just short $19,850
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited September 2021
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Well in that case you should've bought this one: https://boulderamp.com/products/2108-phono-preamplifier/

    Or this one.
    https://www.loungeaudio.com/lcr-series

    ojgabuuir8wg.png

    I was, FWIW, quite impressed with one, given the pretty modest price, that visited here on a round-robin a coupla years ago. This one was tarted up a little bit from the bone-stock/entry level, though, in full disclosure.

    ranf90o2abfh.jpg


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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited September 2021
    audioluvr wrote: »
    Cool. Ordered some.

    I need to get some more of those, myself.


    FWIW: The "best practice" for storage (at least for some of the folks I know) also includes an outer sleeve for the album. I like these, have these... and should really use more of these. Just sayin' :)
    https://www.bagsunlimited.com/category/90/lp-record-poly-sleeves

    hgxwvemjbld1.jpg
    (not sure how visible the album storage paradigm is in this cropped, enlarged photo :p )
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,440
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    ranf90o2abfh.jpg


    OH MY GOD !! You have some of the same CD's I do.....

    You have HORRIBLE taste's Sir !!

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    muncybob wrote: »
    Get some new sleeves to use after you clean your records. Mo Fi are my faves.
    These were actually kind of hard to come by for a while during the pandemic, but seem to be back in stock now.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    ranf90o2abfh.jpg


    OH MY GOD !! You have some of the same CD's I do.....

    You have HORRIBLE taste's Sir !!
    But, but...they're not alphabetized. Well, some of them sorta are??? I can't look!
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter