Got some new toys today

stangman67
stangman67 Posts: 2,289
edited September 2022 in 2 Channel Audio
This is a big one and checks off one of my sources in the “done” list.

Got a VPI prime signature with the JMW 10 Unipivot and ADS. Only problem is I have no idea where to put the ADS. Might have to add a 5th shelf to my rack. These are all very very much first world problems considering I was gifted this whole setup, I am most certainly a very lucky man.

Picked up a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC cartridge and Nordost Blue Heaven phono cable to round out the package. Need to figure out the rack situation and hope to have the turntable assembled in some fashion this Sunday

2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
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Comments

  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    edited September 2022
    9eqglaoktl3s.jpeg

    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,700
    You are going to love it. I have had a Prime for about 4 years. And it also has a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC. Its a great setup. Which Phono pre will you be using?

    Congrats!

    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
  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,700
    Also, that Uni-pivot can be tricky to setup. Give me a shout if you have any troubles. VPI has a good setup video on YouTube.
    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
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,931
    Very nice, Zach! You are about to have some serious fun.

    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. ~
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    tratliff wrote: »
    You are going to love it. I have had a Prime for about 4 years. And it also has a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC. Its a great setup. Which Phono pre will you be using?

    Congrats!

    I have a Modwright PH9.0x which just meets the minimum 470ohms of loading. I think it will be a great setup. Everything in the vinyl path is now what I consider end game stuff (I’ve said that before though lol)

    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    tratliff wrote: »
    Also, that Uni-pivot can be tricky to setup. Give me a shout if you have any troubles. VPI has a good setup video on YouTube.

    Thanks, I will watch some serious YouTube videos, I picked up the VPI dual pivot and Soundsmith counter intuitive to help me out as well. I will certainly reach out if I feel lost
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    Phil Collins vinyl is about to dominate Ghent.
    I disabled signatures.
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    I like when you change your mind about endgame stuff, Zach, 'cause then we get your sloppy seconds. I ain't proud.
    I disabled signatures.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,538
    Beautiful!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    Wowwww, Zach, truly... that is end game. I BowDownToYou.
    I disabled signatures.
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    Didn't you pick up a Wayne's Audio piece, too? If you don't have a ring clamp yet, that's your final accessory. Or pair, if do don't have his large center weight/clamp and edge. Totally worth it. I have done recordings for sonic waveforms, but it's raised my vinyl enjoyment 10x even with my SL1200mk5. So fun, so clean. No warps, just tight.
    I disabled signatures.
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    msg wrote: »
    Didn't you pick up a Wayne's Audio piece, too? If you don't have a ring clamp yet, that's your final accessory. Or pair, if do don't have his large center weight/clamp and edge. Totally worth it. I have done recordings for sonic waveforms, but it's raised my vinyl enjoyment 10x even with my SL1200mk5. So fun, so clean. No warps, just tight.

    I do indeed have a Wayne’s ring clamp that I will use with this VPI. The donator of this equipment didn’t want to give up his periphery clamp as he is gonna use it with his new VPI Avenger Direct Drive table.
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Isn't this @Joey_V's old setup?
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    Haha no not at all. This was my fathers setup
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Oh ok, got it. I think he went with a very similar setup from VPI if I am remembering correctly.
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    msg wrote: »
    I have done recordings for sonic waveforms, but it's raised my vinyl enjoyment 10x even with my SL1200mk5. So fun, so clean. No warps, just tight.
    That was supposed to be *haven't
    I disabled signatures.
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    Scott- I’ll have to have you over at some point for some feedback. At this point I haven’t had anyone else really knowledgeable other than my dad listen to my stuff and would love to hear some feedback from someone with good ears.

    My setup due to the room it is in will never be perfect but I think I have it dialed in fairly decently
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    stangman67 wrote: »
    Damn straight it is!

    Got it mocked up to verify it will even fit on my table. It’s so gorgeous, I can’t look away
    5rb0tzbsppcz.jpeg
    reav46pavjpa.jpeg

    Looks like some contraption I'd build.
    If I had a vinyl collection, I'd want one of these Tables for looks alone.
    Very nice indeed.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,957
    Great looking setup, congrats!
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    Cartridge is on, but not aligned. Installed the dual pivot and Soundsmith counter intuitive as well 0dpxv2kgw6mv.jpeg
    yfd0iza2ghx4.jpeg
    iabfo2gvzg70.jpeg
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    edited September 2022
    Got up early to finish the setup. Up and playing now, have some hum now with the phono turned on so will have to try to sort that later.

    First couple songs sound good, nothing glaringly wrong at the outset. This is my first time setting up a cart so I am expecting a few growing pains

    9mro86fkf8mz.jpeg
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,798
    Awesome kit!
    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,931
    Would you care to offer your initial thoughts on sound with the VPI/SS cart versus the Rega/Ania? I have been eying this table/cart combo for a while and would be moving along from a MH MMF-5 w/ a Goldring cart.

    Might want to experiment with a wire from the TT chassis/ground to the screw that holds the wall plate on at the outlet or the phono pre. Or maybe a ground wire from the Phono pre to your pre. Should (in theory) be pretty simple, just need to experiment a bit. Once you find it, find a way to permanently mount said wire.

    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. ~
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,974
    stangman67 wrote: »
    Scott- I’ll have to have you over at some point for some feedback. At this point I haven’t had anyone else really knowledgeable other than my dad listen to my stuff and would love to hear some feedback from someone with good ears.

    My setup due to the room it is in will never be perfect but I think I have it dialed in fairly decently
    Hey Zach - making great progress there!
    Yeah, that'd be great. I'll pick out a couple of records good for stereo presentation to try out (clean, of course!) Might need to fly in @jdjohn for a consultation :D

    re: cart alignment, I ordrered one of these alignment protractors to try out. Haven't used it yet, but I remember when I was looking, I happened across Legendary Audio and these discs. Pretty nice kit of the disc and detailed instructions. Apparently customized for various turntables.

    Here's the link to the Ebay store with all protractors listed. You can refine your search for a particular table, e.g., Technics, etc.

    Here are the VPI protractors. The JMW-10 is listed.
    ly5l7k4o5525.png

    I disabled signatures.
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,465
    I second awesome kit! I start touching things while grounding myself to see if hum changes/goes away. Scary stuff if you have a short...lol, so use wire like Tom suggested.

    Years ago, after my last TT upgrade, I was selling my Nottingham Space 294 with Moerch DP-6 arm. I took it to an interested party who wanted to buy the table more for looks than function. He had a Music Hall, maybe entry level or a little better with I forget which cartridge, maybe a 2M Blue. I said let's put your cartridge on the 294 and listen to my table with your system before you commit.

    We were amazed at the difference in presentation. Quieter background, deeper bass, improved mids and highs. The table alone was a big upgrade. Reinstalled the Karat 17D3 and it sounded even better. It is time consuming doing cartridge swaps, but it provides setup experience, and it is the best way to hear what a new table brings before you install the better cartridge.









    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 *
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    It’s hard for me to go into detail comparing the P6 and the VPI. I haven’t spun a record on the P6 in many many months so it’s hard to really give you specific feedback. The VPI is certainly the better player, as it should be for 3-4 times the cost. The vpi is quieter for sure( except for the hum), that is one thing I can say for sure.

    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,289
    As far as the hum goes, it’s a transformers sound, and is variable with volume. When i touch the grounding terminal on the turntable it disappears. I have a ground wire present from the turntable to phono pre. I tried to run another from the tt to wall plate and preamp as suggested to no avail. Since the hum disappears when I touch the turntable ground lug, I’d have to imagine I need to ground it to something. I just don’t know where.

    I also tried to plug the turntable directly into the wall vice the power conditioner, same symptoms. Any other suggestions on how to chase this?

    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • If the hum persists, make sure the the TT Interconnects are not lying over a power cord. Also try and separate the the power supply from the Phono Preamp.
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,465
    Low and slow or angry wasp hum?
    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 *