What did you do to your stereo rig today?

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2025
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    This content has been removed.
  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 845
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    You guys are lucky! I haven't been home long enough over the last 3 months to do much with my rig. I swapped out some Pangea AC9 power cords with the @VR3 prototypes, but haven't spent enough time with the system to evaluate any changes. Monday, I am flying to Kansas for two weeks for work, so my system will be collecting dust for a while.

    @SeleniumFalcon I always enjoy following your builds! I'd love to see and hear your analog collection! Always impressive!
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 4,390
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    @newbie308 This has been a fun project, at least once I found a suitable BAT phono stage to adapt. The designer for BAT is Victor Khomenko who is a serious tape head. He has done some YouTube videos on how to improve the sound of tape playback using an external playback preamp. In the early days of audio many components came with an input designed for direct tape playback. You could switch between RIAA and NAB from the front panel, much like people switch between tuner and CD as sources. Companies such as Fisher, Dynaco, Sony, Marantz and Knight all had tape head inputs. In fact, a true tape "deck" meant that it didn't have any electronics included, just the transport.
    So, the idea is to revert to that earlier time and build an external preamp that would allow better fidelity from a tape source. If you look at the EQ for RIAA and NAB there isn't much difference, just an elimination of the 500Hz "0" or flattening of the curve and a different high frequency "pole". The bass pole is pretty similar (the European IEC curve has a different bass pole arrangement, but NAB is close enough).
    So, Victor has offered two approaches. One is to modify either his VK-P5 or P10 phono preamps the second is based upon a clone of the famous Marantz 7C preamp. Since I was having no luck finding a BAT (not many come up for sale) I started working on the 7C project. Then, as I was just about ready to start putting the 7C together a P5 shows up (timing is everything, right?). So, I bought that one, Victor has helped me get a new faceplate and I've made the parts substitute to change from RIAA to NAB and it was ready.
    I'm still going ahead with the 7C project since I've got all the parts and built the board.
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 4,390
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    Here's a photo of the completed circuit board and the power transformer I placed in a steel box to minimize induced noise.

    o3xhh9j3a1bg.jpg
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
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    So, it’s been awhile since I’ve done anything to the rig…..about a year ago I moved the Carver Plats in living room and put the L800’s in the cave.

    I picked up a MF Kw phono stage that is pretty stellar….and now am awaiting the Kw550 that’s going to replace the A1008….

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 3,136
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    Not a DAMN thing!
    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"
    Harry / Marietta GA
    m9iutt1ly1yd.png
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,401
    edited January 2025
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    "SeleniumFalcon wrote: »
    In the early days of audio many components came with an input designed for direct tape playback. You could switch between RIAA and NAB from the front panel, much like people switch between tuner and CD as sources.

    I remember those days. The Scott 399 showed tape as "NARTB" while the 340 had it as NAB.

    Nice projects you have going!

    k7434p44rrxn.jpg
    pargzlo7khk3.jpg




    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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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,401
    edited January 2025
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    Is that a Ferrograph back there?
    SeleniumFalcon wrote: »

    6cr2e0jr5ko3.jpg

    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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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 4,390
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    I can see how similar a Magnecord looks to a Crown. Here is a photo of one from a local Facebook seller:

    yw2lbk5x7nxn.png


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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
    edited January 2025
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    Listened to it for the first time in 4 days. It's been rather cold here lately and my HVAC ignitor was on the fritz. So, I installed a new one and got an unexpected pressure sensor error after install. So, I checked the hose, which was clear. So, it was something else.

    Turned out the blower motor was shot, creating the error. It took two days to source the daggum thing and today, the wife picked it up, as I was out of town all day.

    She arrived shortly after I got home and within 10 minutes, the heat was on again. I had to wait about 2 hours for the temp in the house to get up to somewhat normal (was 61 degrees inside when I got home).

    After 4 days and starting cold? Oh, dear lawd....did it sound like crap. Wow, did it sound bad. Almost unlistenable. After 15 minutes, it improved but was still severely lacking. 3 hours later, oh yeah!!!

    I know full well that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this sounds better than I remember. Such good sound!

    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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
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    I could have brought the 33s over to keep you guys warm, gotta tell me!

    Glad the heat is on and tunes are flowing!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 1,136
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    The back story is a week before new years eve I disconnected the LRSs and the living room surround speakers (bookies on stands). I stored them in my bedroom closet. This was because I had company coming over to celebrate bringing in 2025. This was my brother, his girl friend and my nephews (ages 3 and 5). Its just easier to do than be worried the whole time if they were going to get knocked over etc.

    Then I had company this past weekend and I think we were rowdier than the kids :D . So I was really glad the speaker were put up.

    So yesterday once they left and I had cleaned the house I set both pairs of speakers back up.

    I cant wait to get a good listening session in!
    2ch rig: Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods Preamplifier: Parasound P5 DAC: Fiio K13 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)

    Standby: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    I ordered a Mutec clock cable....don't know when it will arrive (special order) but we shall see if a clock cable makes any change whatsoever. Time will tell...

    John Swinson/Alex recommended my current cable, so I am not expecting to be blown away or anything. I just ordered it to satisfy my curiosity.

    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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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,446
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    It was actually during the holiday break, but I ripped a dozen or so SACD discs to DSD files. The 'burner' I used was a Sony BDP-S6500 Blu-ray player. The process wasn't too bad, once I downloaded and installed the necessary files, and, after I got the first one done.

    I'm happy to rip discs for other forum members. Just give me a shout.

    Btw, I recently noticed that online vendor ImportCDs offers a large selection of SACD discs. Has anyone here tried those? I've purchased new vinyl from those cats before, and been pleased. I mean, are all SACD discs the same?
    "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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  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Unknown
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  • Wardsweb
    Wardsweb Posts: 944
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    Trying several different amps with a pair of Sonor Claro 6.2 speakers.

    cuwy6zgg75wm.jpg
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,812
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    So last October, my son was driving his car out of his apartment complex when it caught on fire. In his trunk was my Belles preamp. He was taking it to repair it for me because my solding game is nonexistant. Well, his insurance company was not willing to replace it, so I found an inexpensive Yaqin to replace it for the time being. It sounds ok, but the soundstage hasn't opened up yet like the Belles. It's been in the system since December.
    2-channel Yaqin B2-T Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Denon DP-59L Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,163
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    ^ Oh man, sorry to hear that. Hope all works out well.
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 4,390
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    Repaired a selector switch on my Tandberg TD20a:

    olnnf75cjf3a.png
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  • Wardsweb
    Wardsweb Posts: 944
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    Replaced the the passive preamp with a Parasound P3 and the 845 mono blocks with a DIY stereo 2A3.

    83tcurysigph.jpg
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    Why is it, that starting about 4 days ago ?when the, "Awesome" feature came back....

    That I get an e-mail saying that my question has been answered? The past 6 or 7 people have, "answered my question".

    The question was not a Vanilla type question and I don't need to recieve an email about it everytime someone responds to this thread.

    Vanilla...get yo' chit straight man! Damn!

    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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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,434
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    Awesome Tom.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,434
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    u7isnsanvba6.jpg

    SDAs are gone on to visit VR3, so I put the budget monitors in the mix...
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    treitz3 wrote: »
    I ordered a Mutec clock cable....don't know when it will arrive (special order) but we shall see if a clock cable makes any change whatsoever. Time will tell...

    John Swinson/Alex recommended my current cable, so I am not expecting to be blown away or anything. I just ordered it to satisfy my curiosity.

    So, to follow up on this. I have had the cable for a short stint, but with no real yearning to change anything within the rig itself? I have been a complete champion of procrastination. Anyhoo, I finally got around to installing the 50Ω clock cable itself. I went from a Times Microwave LMR-400 to the new Mutec PSC 50 clock cable. Both cables are the same length and ohm rating (50Ω) and both are for a 10 MHz signal. The cable location for this went from the Mutec Master clock to the Esoteric transport.

    I didn't get into a long, drawn out A/B comparison but right out of the gate, I can confirm that there is definitely a difference between the two cables. It may be that one is well broken in and one is new (not sure).

    Main differences right off the bat....and none of this is night and day, just subtle....

    Upper frequencies seem to be ever so slightly more pronounced/accentuated
    Lower registers are more articulate and further defined
    Improvement on visceral impact
    More relaxed and, shall I say, calm background
    Background sounds more pronounced/noticeable but not in your face

    Price between the two? Well, the original suggested cable was $23, plus whatever shipping was, and can be found here >>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/254156563755 The second cables from Mutec was $215, plus shipping (which ended up being $11) and that link is >>> https://www.mutec-net.com/product_psc_50.php I special ordered the Mutec through Alex (UpTone Audio) and it took way less than the anticipated 3 or 4 weeks for Alex to get it from Germany.

    Looks wise, the Mutec looks to be kind of chincy and it is much thinner than the LMR-400, which honestly looks to be the size of an RG6 cable (the type that connects cable to one's house), only with BNC connectors on both ends. The Mutec cable is definitely waaay more flexible than the LMR-400, which is a very stiff cable - so if bend radius is a concern, please keep that in mind.

    I'll post any impressions, if there is any change, as the Mutec cable breaks in. Once it is fully broken in, I'll do a direct A/B of both cables.

    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
    edited October 20
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    Deleted User wrote: »
    There’s a noticeable improvement in the separation of instruments and, especially, lead vs. background vocals that just wasn’t there before.

    This is one of the wonderful aspects of our hobby. Being able to discover something that did not happen before. I personally love it when you can extract more....out of the same recording that you have heard many times before.

    Worsening audio tracks do tend to sound worse, until you surpass a certain point though. Just keep chugging. Some folks stop there. Others have discovered a point beyond....to where everything sounds, maybe not stellar, but definitely enjoyable on any level.

    No more of having a secondary rig or going to the car to enjoy a certain tune.

    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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
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    I can agree there is a stage where everything sounds respectable but it's hard to find it
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    Extremely. IMO/IME.

    But when you are there? Oh, man....

    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
    edited February 2025
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    Here is my point. There is actually a thread about it here on CP.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/125574/poor-quality-music/p1

    Jesse said it best (IMO) within this quote from years ago.
    F1nut wrote: »
    Many times over the years I had the same thought about getting a boom box and calling it a day. Eventually I managed to put together a rig that excels with great recordings yet makes bad ones sound pretty damn good. Don't give up, you'll get there one day.

    Been there, done that and got the T-shirt or 3 along the way. Don't get me wrong. There is no "level" that you have to spend to get there. Everyone is on their own audio journey and what level they stop at....or whatever level they keep pushing. That's up to that particular person.

    It took me a LONG time to go through the phase of "Wow". I echoed the thoughts of not only yourself, but many, many others. Including the thoughts of the OP of said link. It's like....Why in the H would I keep chugging, only to get my most favorite selections that now sound like absolute chit?!!!??!!!?

    I get it. What I am trying to relay is that there is another plateau beyond the horizon of what you think there is....or what you may think may be the end of audiophilia/Hi-Fi. That being that whatever you listen to? It is surprising and pleasurable. It does not matter if you are listening to Bob Marley, Neil Diamond, a 50's recording of Jazz, a compilation, compressed music, or otherwise.

    Now, do you prefer to listen to some selections over others? Absolutely and without a doubt. But do you change the selection, without adjusting the volume to match that of the era/recording? Nope. You enjoy what you previously passed upon (as your audio journey advanced).

    It's so nice to listen to selections that you forgot....as the resolution and performance of your system advanced....like they were new recordings. This time, you notice so much more to the music than you had ever experienced prior to that....and you get so lost into the music, that you forget that at one time along your audio journey? That it sounded like chit.

    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    A perfect example, as I continue to listen to physical music tonight...

    Tim McGraw. Greatest hits album. A ho-hum song in the past. "Please remember me". Nothing special, nothing that one would pay attention to (ever). That song, as I currently listen to it, is an audiophile track...with sounds that envelope you and every instrument is distinct. The lower registers are pure and not exaggerated (precise, if you will).

    The harmony between the singers are great and everything between the percussion ensemble and the rest of the band is equalized, without anything sticking out. The more you turn it up? The more into the music (and subtle sounds) you hear.

    This, in turn , makes you enjoy a previously ho-hum song like you have never heard it before. This is a horrible example, but it is also the example I want to portray.

    A seemingly ho-hum song that now sounds spectacular and very enjoyable. Repeat, rinse upon multiple genres/generations of music?

    You have now arrived at bliss. Enjoy.

    In no way in H am I saying anything other than what I just relayed here. There is just something about pushing that envelope that pays off. In more ways than you know. You just keep listening....

    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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