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  1. #1
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    Wink what is your favorite vinyl rig?

    Just what the Caption says!

    What is your favorite vynil rig?

    For me i only have 2 tt's. And the one we or i use the most(like 99.99999999999999% percent of the time) is a Pioneer PL-540 connected to a Sansui QRX-7500A.
    Speakers are a set of Coral BX40 or bx-60 and the other pair a set of sansui SP-30(very near mint condition). These speakers arent the greatest for bass but they have an effortless mid range presence.

    What i like about the rig?

    The tt is mid-line but of descent build quality. MDF plinth covered with some grey(not sure what it is) it also has RCA jacks in the rear. Which makes swapping cables a snap. It has auto return.

    The current receiver in use is the sansui stated above. Near top of the line goodness. But its a huge receiver(quad) It has a good sound but im sure it would sound better if i would clean out the switches. Surprisingly there is no static on the knobs potentiometers. signal level VU meters which helps in calibration or tuning of the sound with out over driving or under driving the receiver.

    Before this setup we used a HK PM 655 for the rig. Which is a fine Integrated in its own right. Way under the radar. It has an mm/mc amp and sensitivity switch.

    The speakers are nothing special. Just that they have an effortless midrange. And seem to be unforgiving of poorly recorded music. But they are good for back ground music. Which i do when im using the rig.

    Usually i liste to cable musi, because of greater selection and genres available.

    And this wont be the last iteration of the rig we have. and i would like to hear or read of your favorite rig or your only rig you like to use.

    the bass out of our rig doesnt go as deep as id like. But that is ok. We get enough bass from our main rig. But that is awhole nother story. no time for it here.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    I currently own a Rega Planar 2 that is about 11 years old. In those 11 years I have rewired the tonearm, replaced the counterweight, replaced the subplatter and bearing, replaced the felt mat with the Ringmat and using a combination of Rega feet and cones.

    I am interested in the VPI Classic table and the Nottingham tables.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  3. #3
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    Johnmichael, Considering the work you have done to the TT, How well does the table deal with outside vibrations?


    Initially when i had the Table on top of my integrated, smaller than the Sansui, It transfered more vibrations to the needle.

    Since ive started to use the sansui 7500a, which by the way sits on top of a Sansui QRX 6500 and the table sits on a CD/DVD player on top of the receivers. I noticed that floor vibrations hardly transfer to the needle....Equating to, More mass the table sits on the less vibration transfers to the needle...and this goes along with what ive read in this and other forums.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  4. #4
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
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    BA: From what I see, the Sansui is a beautiful receiver and looks like it would power up a small city with little effort. I too, like the older stuff and can hardly wait until the turntable is plugged in. Space constraints make this a pipe-dream, but reading y'alls' posts is makin' me itchy!

    JM: That Rega was a swell TT when it came out, and I am sure it is very pleasurable even by today's standards. Those Brit tables are especially fine, and it sounds like you know where you're headed. Personally, I get gooey remembering some of those Micro Seiki TT's with the two-ton brass platters and and outboard motors....Ah....Sh....This is no good....

  5. #5
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    auricauricle, The 7500a is pretty much a 30 wpc at 8 ohms. I think its the same in the quad mode. It is a huge receiver but it could be classified as a flea power unit.

    little clarification on the TT, I looked behind there a few minutes ago and found that the table has a built in wires on it(RCA), Seems like i was thinking of the Technics i have when i posted originally. its a sl qd3 , there is a bit of hum with it. so it sits on the side lines.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  6. #6
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
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    Don't underestimate the ability of even 30 watts to be prodigious. If the power is cleaned and you can listen to your music at pleasing volumes with enough headroom left over to take care of the transient peaks, you're good to go. I think this is where many folks are misled: thinking that quality is measured in watts. This is a facile thing to say, but it seems that the Watt War overshadows the more important issues of presentation, image, "pacing" (Mr. P's term), clarity, etc. So, even fleas can be pretty formidiable, huh?

  7. #7
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    Case in point would be the 2000x. That little receivers got balls to it.

    Its got all of 39 wpc into 8 ohms.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  8. #8
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    The stereo separation of this is very good. Even sitting at the listening position for the main rig. and the vynil rig on the left side. Out side of optimal seating position. I can hear both sides of the speakers. Which amazes me because both speakers are to the left and ahead of the seat i occupy.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by budgetaudio76
    Johnmichael, Considering the work you have done to the TT, How well does the table deal with outside vibrations?



    Turntables can be affected by both external and internal vibrations. My turntable is on a sturdy stand on a sturdy floor. I have never had foot fall problems with the Planar 2. My speakers do not reproduce the lower octaves of bass so there is no acoustical feedback. My combination of Rega feet and cones help reduce internal vibrations. I have a cone in the rear by the motor to drain any motor vibrations. This has helped along with the machined metal subplatter and the ruby bearing. Since the subplatter is spinning more accurately there is again a reduction in internal vibrations. Yes it is sounding good.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  10. #10
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    Thanks for the clarification on the vibration affecting the TT. I never considered the internal vibrations affecting the sound amplification...

    After buying my Pioneer, i had to fashion some feet out of some foam tubes, the water proof type. After a bit of brainstorming (which wasnt much) i screwed on the foam, but after spray painting them to match the table. Black undercoat with a shadow of grey , which is barely noticable but can be seen upon closer inspection. Cant tell for certain how the feet perform in regards to micro vibration transfer.
    Last edited by budgetaudio76; 06-21-2009 at 10:23 PM.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  11. #11
    RGA
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    The best deck I have heard - which is also my favorite deck is the original Audio Note TT3. The TT3 is a remake of the Voyd Reference which was arguably one of the best turntables in existence with three separate motors. The TT3 rig I auditioned rand about $20,000US but the company has since moved on to a new in house TT3 that with arm and cart would run over $80,000.

    So yeah I'll never be able to afford one unless all you generous audiophiles would like to donate to the RGA needs a top vinyl rig fund. I have purchased a TT2 which is not in the same class but I am going to be picking it up next month and am quite excited to listen to this reworked and turbocharged Systemdek II

    The new TT3 I really would love to audition http://www.audionote.co.uk/articles/...s/HFC10_AN.pdf

  12. #12
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    that sounds like a very nice table...Too bad my PS3 cant read the pdf file. Ill have to wait until i have access toa bonafide computer.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  13. #13
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    RGA---That is a very nice table, I just remembered that i have access to google. And i went ahead and googled it. like a good surfer would i guess
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  14. #14
    Music Junkie E-Stat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by budgetaudio76
    What is your favorite vynil rig?
    My favorite to experience, not own is the Clearaudio Reference. I gave a short review of this a while back here

    I also have two (far more modest) turntables. One is a newer VPI Scout with a Souther TQ-1 linear arm with a Dynavector DV-20. My old friend in the vintage system is an Ariston RD-11s with a SME 3009 II Improved arm using a Shure M97. I've had that table since I was in high school in the 70s. It continues to serve me well and has been quite reliable, if not provide the ultimate performance of the VPI/Souther/Dynavector combo.

    rw

  15. #15
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    That is an impressive Statement peice there e-stat. Must exhibit tremendous torque, And not to mention the stability all the weight provides.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  16. #16
    RGA
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    Yeah why don't we see a top end turntable shootout in those What Hi-fi Shootouts LOL.

    It is really interesting to see the completely different design philosophy of the Clearaudio table which is clearly all about mass and the AN turntable which is all about the reverse in a sense being a suspended design.

    It is also interesting that both companies have improved upon older designs in tone arms etc. And I like that both companies have their "wow" look at the neat design and parts history.

    There are numerous other big expensive turntables out there and that is why I admire audiofederation because this dealer distributor has auditioned most if not all of them. You could audition a few of them if you're ever in Colorado and I know I would love to listen to some of their systems. They may be one of the biggest and deepest high end dealers in North America - they're now actually carrying the AN super table and the Walker and a few others... http://www.audiofederation.com/catalog/turntables/

    Something interesting from Stereophile is a note that something to look for in a turntable that often goes overlooked is the issue around torque. I can comment on this only between the TT1 TT2 and TT3 - the TT1 and TT2 are Systemdeks the latter being a two motor version offering better torque stability - and a lot better sound. The Voyd is in a lot of ways similar to the Systemdek and Thorens 124 but has three motors more torque and even greater stability. None of them are all that big and heavy and I don't think it's all that necessary. I think Art might be onto something. I just like the look of the old Voyd/TT3 http://www.stereophile.com/artdudley..._75/index.html (not two pages)
    Last edited by RGA; 06-22-2009 at 11:59 PM.

  17. #17
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    alot of good rigs on those sites.


    What about the rig that some of you use. What receiver do yu use, or do you use a outboard phono preamp. Real world applications are applicable...esoteric is nice to look at....but i dont have enough drool rags readily available.

    Does your rig have good synergy?
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  18. #18
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by budgetaudio76
    alot of good rigs on those sites.


    What about the rig that some of you use. What receiver do yu use, or do you use a outboard phono preamp. Real world applications are applicable...esoteric is nice to look at....but i dont have enough drool rags readily available.

    Does your rig have good synergy?

    I have yet to buy a truly good phono preamp. I currently own two outbaord phono pre's the Rotel RQ 970BX and Cambridge Audio 640P. I also have a MM phono pre in the Onkyo integrated amp. My Ortofon OM20 sounds the best through the Onkyo's built in phono stage. I own a Benz MC Gold low output moving coil cartridge that is in it's box waiting for a good phono preamp. I am so happy with the sound of the Ortofon through the Onkyo that I am in no hurry to shop for another pnono preamp.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  19. #19
    RGA
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    Budgetaudio76

    My TT2/arm3/IQ3 came in last month. I order it around May or June 2008 but being built to order and being heavily backlogged as they are it took about 10 months. I am in China but back in Canada in July ready to plop down the money and pick it up. This is the most I've spent on any audio component but the upgrade over my Nad (Rega 2) and some of the other turntables I auditioned (a couple of LP 12s, Clearaudio Emotion, Roksan, some projects) I felt it was very much worth the money.

    You can check out the table, arm and cart on this site http://www.responseaudio.com/audio_note_turntables.htm - my only wish is that it were as sexy as some of the other tables in its price class because it just looks plain.

  20. #20
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    I feel like such an ignoramus, Alot of what im reading sounds like a foreign language, Some of the nomenclature i can readily understand

    Like mm/mc cartridges, tone arm...hmm, come to think of it i understand more than i think, So much to know though...

    I gots alot to learn. Some day ill be able to afford some outside of the vintage arena.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  21. #21
    RGA
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    Man if you think that's hard buy a modern receiver - they have about 10 different surround sound modes and keeping up with it all is nuts.

    For most turntable users with normal budgets moving magnet (MM) cartridges is what we have (inexpensive Moving coil cartridges are not very good and not better than MM - which is the main reason AN's least expensive MC cartridge is over $3,000.

    One thing that I like about my new turntable is that the company is pretty friendly to people with not a lot of money. Because it is based off of Systemdek turntables which you may remember from the 70's and 80s, anyone who wants to buy an old model for a $100 at a garage sale or used record shop is pretty much buying a TT1. You can then buy the current platter for under $100 and have someone do some of the upgrades for cheap. Nice way to get a current $2k rig for far less money. Lots of upgradeability is possible.

    Never knock the vintage stuff - I am not as knowledgable about tables as some but there are gold mines out there if you have the time and inclination to look. Systemdek, certain Thorens, Linn, Voyd, Haybrook (sp? which the Linn and Systemdeks were based on), etc.

    There's always the Rega P3 which is one of the most popular and affordable turntables around.

  22. #22
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    hey thanks for the info on the system decks. and their upgradeability.

    I like my old pioneer as well. It is on the heavy side. Not a lite weight unit.


    Oh by the way i did a minor tweek to the system.
    I added a thin sheet of rubber foam non slip material between the 7500a and the 6500. I put it under the black sheet of mdf that is in between the units. Not sure just how it will benefit the system. Maybe the benefit would be just that the receiver wont slip off the bottom unit in a large earth quake.
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  23. #23
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    My phono pre. VTL TP-2.5.
    Though it is prone to RFI in my environment, but it truly does the job right, when setup correctly.
    It doesn't mean I won't be upgrading/changing it.

    Has anyone here shown interest in K&K Maxxed Out phono stage with upgrades? It looks very similar to Art Audio Vinyl Reference....

    what is your favorite vinyl rig?-aa-vinyl-reference-inside.jpg

    what is your favorite vinyl rig?-phono.maxxed.out.board.jpg

    what is your favorite vinyl rig?-phono.maxxed.out.inside.jpg

    JRA

  24. #24
    Forum Regular budgetaudio76's Avatar
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    Talking

    That sure is sweet. Is it a Phono preamp?

    One day ill aspire to an outboard preamp....With tubes even...Just how does it sound?




    BTW---I figured out how to run my Vynil rig thru my main rig...Im using my tape out from the 7500a into tape one of my C70...Sweet sounds. I like the sound out of it better than the cable music....Much smoother sound!
    Audio exploits of the past year
    :D
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/budgetaudio6/

    even more here!
    http://s574.photobucket.com/home/budgetaudio6/index
    and yes its been a slow but full 3 or 4 years yet!

  25. #25
    Dr. Ronnie Fever Ron Pilgrim's Avatar
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    My all time favorite TT as to what I can afford is a Dual 505-2 with an Ortofon LM30 cart. Running a close second is a Technics SL 1401 with an Audio Technica AT125LC cart. The Dual has very good acoustic isolation and is mounted on a heavy wall shelf to minimize mechanical vibration. The Ortofon has very neutral sound with amazing clarity. The stylus tip is quite small which makes for quieter ticks and pops on older LP's. The Technics was a gift from my dad and offers rock steady performance and the AT125LC is a deadly tracker and is well suited to livelier recordings. Unless I move into a higher income bracket, I doubt that I will replace either of them.

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