It's here.........

[Bernd]

My new cartridge (Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua) arrived today all the way from Japan. :) Mounting it was a heart-stopping exercise, as there is no stylus guard. One slip and good bye. I thank the allmighty that all went well. And I just had a little time for a quick listen. Words fail me right now. Absolutely wonderful straight out of the box.
So here is a little Analogue porn for you.



Peace and keep 'm spinning

Bernd:16:

[Feanor]

My new cartridge (Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua) arrived today all the way from Japan. :) Mounting it was a heart-stopping exercise, as there is no stylus guard. One slip and good bye. I thank the allmighty that all went well. And I just had a little time for a quick listen. Words fail me right now. Absolutely wonderful straight out of the box.
...
Bernd

In fact one of the reasons I pretty much gave up on vinyl was when, (sometime in the late '80's), I managed to smash a new stylus in the first week I had it. The stylus was perhaps Cdn$200 at the time, (maybe $500 today) -- that was and is a lot of money to me.

To spend thousands on a phono cartridge seems crazy to me, given their fairly short live and vulnerability. (No offence, Bernd; I don't know what those Dynavectors run.)

[Bernd]

In fact one of the reasons I pretty much gave up on vinyl was when, (sometime in the late '80's), I managed to smash a new stylus in the first week I had it. The stylus was perhaps Cdn$200 at the time, (maybe $500 today) -- that was and is a lot of money to me.

To spend thousands on a phono cartridge seems crazy to me, given their fairly short live and vulnerability. (No offence, Bernd; I don't know what those Dynavectors run.)

Luckily enough I have never smashed one. That is the reason why I don't drink and spin.
You are right they are expensive, but man, once you hear the music they make, there is no way back.
Hope all is well with you.

Peace

Bernd:16:

[basite]

I also know what you mean, I felt kinda the same when installing my denon dl-103...
and it even had a stylus guard...

I can only imagine how it sounds, Have fun, and get them spinning,


Greetings,
Bert.

[JohnMichael]

If it sounds as pretty as it looks you have a winner. Congrats on the new cartridge. Vinyl is worth the effort and I am glad the installation went smoothly.

[jrhymeammo]

Jayra says "Holly Ammo."

I was wondering if you'll ever get your nerves calm enough to mount that DV.

I'm surprised no one has asked.
what was the first record you played with your newcomer?

[squeegy200]

Wow! that's pretty.

I hope it sounds as good as it looks.

[royphil345]

Wow...

What I'm trying to say is... Wow...

Congrats!!! That thing has to sound nice!!!

[Dusty Chalk]

Bond: "What do you expect me to do, talk?"
Goldfinger: "No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die."

[Bernd]

Jayra says "Holly Ammo."

I was wondering if you'll ever get your nerves calm enough to mount that DV.

I'm surprised no one has asked.
what was the first record you played with your newcomer?

Thanks Guys,

Well the first one on was...Neil Young and The Bluenotes - This Note's for you.
A superb analogue recording that has got everything. Dynamics, soundstage, etc.:)

And on and on it went till the early hours. Records I thought I knew inside out revealed some details other cartridges I had either only hinted at or missed completely.
The new cartridge replaced a Transfiguration Temper V. Another very nice cartridge, but more in your face and it missed some subtle details from the groove. The Dynavector has a fine line stylus that digs so deep that nothing is missed.
I will give it 40 or 50 hours and then dial the VTA and VTF in again, and that should be it for a long time.

Peace and keep'm spinning

Bernd:16:

[Bernd]

Well the Dynavector has 50+ hours on the clock and I have re-dialled it in. It sounds absolutly glorious.
But, there had to be a but. I think that my ART Audio Vinyl One does not do it justice. So I bit the bullet and ordered my (hopefully) last Phono amp yesterday.
I will have to wait two weeks for it.:( Man do I hate waiting.

Peace

Bernd:16:

[JohnMichael]

Well the Dynavector has 50+ hours on the clock and I have re-dialled it in. It sounds absolutly glorious.
But, there had to be a but. I think that my ART Audio Vinyl One does not do it justice. So I bit the bullet and ordered my (hopefully) last Phono amp yesterday.
I will have to wait two weeks for it.:( Man do I hate waiting.

Peace

Bernd:16:


I am glad it is bringing you pleasure. I like when good cartridges happen to good people. I am curious about which phono preamp you have chosen.

[Dusty Chalk]

Whadja get?

[Bernd]

Thanks John.

But I am not telling. That would be toooooo "Fishy".

[GMichael]

Thanks John.

But I am not telling. That would be toooooo "Fishy".

It's a S-E-C-R-E-T?

Enjoy the new toys. May you play with them for many thousands of hours.

But, could you send some B.O.T. when you get a chance.

[Bernd]

It's a S-E-C-R-E-T?

Enjoy the new toys. May you play with them for many thousands of hours.

But, could you send some B.O.T. when you get a chance.

Hey GM- Thanks and How are you?

No it's no secret, just a little tease to let friday go by faster.

The B.O.T. it's on it's way, but I would like it back in the morning. Or else.....:sad:

Have a great weekend.

Peace

Bernd:16:

[GMichael]

Hey GM- Thanks and How are you?

No it's no secret, just a little tease to let friday go by faster.

The B.O.T. it's on it's way, but I would like it back in the morning. Or else.....:sad:

Have a great weekend.

Peace

Bernd:16:

We could use it. They're telling us 12 inches of snow today & tomorrow.
Half of my staff has already skipped out on me. Geez, you'd think they never saw snow before.

Anyway, have a great weekend. Keep'em spinnin'

[Bernd]

We could use it. They're telling us 12 inches of snow today & tomorrow.
Half of my staff has already skipped out on me. Geez, you'd think they never saw snow before.

Anyway, have a great weekend. Keep'em spinnin'

Yeah, you too.

We are forcast snow for sunday and monday. So you're not alone. I want spring and I want it now!

Hang loose.

[JohnMichael]

Manley Steelhead perhaps?

[Bernd]

Manley Steelhead perhaps?
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

That obvious was it?:idea:

[Death2Jrhymeammo]

Way to go Crazy Bernd.

Back on the boat again ay? Sounds like a great choice. Never had an oppotunity to audition the 'Head. I wanna get a new phono pre by this Christmas but havent decided whether to go with battery powered or valved unit. But until then, lets get back to your new toy. Did you get the updated version? Hope it'll glow to your likings.

D2JRA

[emorphien]

everything else has been said so I'll just say nice photo :)

[BRANDONH]

That is the reason why I don't drink and spin.

Peace

Bernd:16:
And thats when I like to spin the most. lol

[Bernd]

Well the Manley Steelhead has arrived this morning. Good job the packaging was that well thought out and sturdy as the box showed real signs of distress.
Anyway I unpacked the two boxes and wasn't prepared for the size or the beauty in a Frankenstein Laboratory kind of way. Appeals to me.
Anyway I changed the stock tubes for 1950s Tungsol 5687 and the russian 6922s for 1960sNOS, NIB Siemens and Halske CCAs (Feanor, I have found a source for these).
The Steelhead is now thoroughly warming up, and I had a small listen and developed a perma grin. It is a most musical and wonderous piece of equipment.I can only guess at what musical magic is yet to come. Yes it is an expensive piece of equipment, but to me and my record collection well worth the cost, even if my wife doesn't think so.
Wishing you all a peaceful Easter.

Peace

:16:

[basite]

congrats Bernd, and may there come alot of fine listening hours :)

Get them spinning,
Bert.

[Bernd]

Thank you Bert,
Really looking forward to the Easter break to get to know the Manley inside and out.

A little snapshot of the thing.....:)

[JohnMichael]

Congratulations on the safe arrival. Glad to hear it is as wonderful as you thought it would be. If it makes you grin money well spent. I also like the looks. I like my equipment to look like equipment.

[Resident Loser]

Thank you Bert,
Really looking forward to the Easter break to get to know the Manley inside and out.

A little snapshot of the thing.....:)

...and good listening...Visited their site and I love their solution to software piracy...

The chassis' crinkle finish is a nice touch...only one thing...and it really bugs the bejeebus outa' me...you would think that for that kinda' bread they could at least line up the logo in the face-plate opening of the control unit...things like that really irritate me...

jimHJJ(...but then again it's the sound that counts...)

[Bernd]

Gentlemen, thank you for your kind words. Managed to listen some more last night and the Steelhead just gets better and better. I quite like the off-centre logo, it goes with the Manley attitude.
I should have really taken a picture of the box. How this thing survived I still don't know, it looked like as if it was dropped out of the plane on to my porch. It seems that the more "Fragile" stickers are on the harder the boys in uniform try.:incazzato:

Peace

:16:

[Feanor]

Thank you Bert,
Really looking forward to the Easter break to get to know the Manley inside and out.

A little snapshot of the thing.....:)

By all accounts the 'Steelhead' is a great performer. Now that I've got at least one piece of tube equipment, I dig the 'CCa' tubes too.

Lookswise I don't dig the Manley's quite so much. I don't care much for that Flash Gordon, Fifties sci-fi look. (Maybe it's because I remember the Fifties :( )

[Bernd]

By all accounts the 'Steelhead' is a great performer. Now that I've got at least one piece of tube equipment, I dig the 'CCa' tubes too.

Lookswise I don't dig the Manley's quite so much. I don't care much for that Flash Gordon, Fifties sci-fi look. (Maybe it's because I remember the Fifties :( )

Thanks Bill,

I don't remember the fifties!!!!!:cornut: So it's all new to me!!!:)

Was very fortunate to secure 4 matched pairs of Siemens and Halske CCa. Three pairs from the late 60s with silver shield and one from the early 60 with the grey shield.

Is your sick puppy fixed yet? I hope so. And if so how do you find the Siemens E88CC ?

Peace

:16:

[Feanor]

...
Was very fortunate to secure 4 matched pairs of Siemens and Halske CCa. Three pairs from the late 60s with silver shield and one from the early 60 with the grey shield.

Is your sick puppy fixed yet? I hope so. And if so how do you find the Siemens E88CC ?

Peace


My wife called my here at the office a few minutes ago to say that my Sonic Frontiers LINE 1 was back from the shop, (Parts ConneXion), so I haven't had the chance yet to try it. I bought a matched pair of Reflektor 6H23P-EB from them too, so now I have pairs of Sovtek, Siemens, and Reflektor, for the cathode follower, gain, and input stages respectively. (None of them in the CCa bracket, of course.)

[basite]

I'm glad to hear you like it, any money spend on things you like is money well spent :)
I hope to own some nice tube gear once, but that's still far far away :)

And I actually quite like the look of the steelhead (together with all the other manley gear)...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.