Post your turntable setup...can't get enough of those spinners!

Hahaha, I've been quiet about my TT lately since I haven't even had speakers hooked up to that rig (until @sphinxvc brought my LS50s back yesterday). The cart is a Zephyr MIMC Star that I got recently and I'm really happy with it. I think I'm pretty much done with new TT equipment at this point, but I'm planning on a preamp & power amp upgrade (probably Freya/Vidar) once my new speakers come in.

 

Shh, you give away all our secrets.

Then there is the getting a mint copy of the best sounding pressings, which is a even more valiant pursuit. I do love that part of the hobby too, and while discogs has inflated prices a little, so did Goldmine. At least you can bid on some of them with Discogs.

 

Manley Chinook loaner tour? Anyone? Bueler... ;-) j/k

Sounds like a very high performing system! Congrats!

 

If a Chinook loaner gets traction, I would definitely recommend getting a few different matched pairs of good (but not extravagantly priced) 6922s or 7308s to move along with it. I think any well matched NOS tubes would be an upgrade from the ElectroHarmonix tubes that it comes with stock (especially in the gain stage).

The one thing I may change at some distant point in the future is switching back to an SS phono stage. When I was comparing the RSA Nighthawk to the Chinook I thought they were similarly resolving, but I had a bit more flexibility to tune the sound of the Chinook to get along with my Ragnarok and impart some tubey goodness. If I end up getting a Freya as a preamp, not sure if I really need/want tubes for the phono if I'll have the flexibility to choose the tube buffer in the Freya. From recollection I feel like the macro dynamics and slam were better in the Nighthawk, but the slight bass/treble rolloff from the Amperex 7308's in my Chinook played really well with the Rag and LS50s at the time.

Once I get my setup 100% with my upcoming speakers I'll post some new pics befitting of this thread

 

I'm a big fan of having tubes along the whole pathway myself

 

G factor increases exponentially as a function of signal path tube count.

 

I'm afraid of toobz. It's tricky enough to find a good synergy with one tube device in a chain, I can only imagine I would pull all of my hair out trying to find good tube pairings that play well across an entire system.

I rely on solid state gear to keep me from turning into a tube rolling psychopath.

 

i usually just use tubes on the preamp. Though I had an tubed integrated that was to die for with the LS50s. And Totems.

 

That would be a great combo, I think. Then match the phono preamp, I think. Worry about the tubes downstream later.

This where endgame loses its meaning, due to myriad options available.

 

Funny you wrote that. I grew up on Lencos, and will actually hear them again in a few weeks. I look forward to your Tavish Addagio impressions, if you ever get them. I always thought 10 - 1 was the starting point to compare, as the Hageman page indicates, but I havent done it in a while.

http://www.hagtech.com/loading.html

 

Funny you mention that

I just got my own Schick tonearm and am going to play with the SPU's on that arm now (compared to the Ikeda IT-407 CR1, SME 3009R and SME 3012 Series II Early Version). Typically I load them through the 3 or 4 Ohm transformer loadings on my EAR phono stages. Still need to try the Altec Peerless 4722 Step ups with the SPU's, but that is doing a dedicated stint with my Denon DL-103 (LOVING IT THERE!) on a Helius Silver Ruby tonearm. I can also try it with the Bobs Devices Sky 30 and see how it does.

Frankly speaking, the best way is to listen and see if it sounds good. If it sounds good, it IS good! I enjoy tuning the sound more than sticking to well regarded pairings of SPU carts and step up ratios. I'll post more about it as I get on with the SPU journey I'm taking.

Right now I am running an Ortofon SPU Spirit, Ortofon SPU Classic GM II E, and a vintage Ortofon SPU GTE. Probably will do a mono SPU next.

 

I think I am not going to use any anti skating on mine. Just run it and see how it does....I might experiment later.

 

We're not worthy.

 

I would think the SDS/Eagle/Falcon will have a bigger impact on the sound, but I don't know what amp you are using now.

 

I'm using a Fleawatt amp, 15 watts I think.

 

And really efficient speakers?

 

Oh, this came in this week. This is what happens when you ship a cart without properly strapping it down. A Koetsu Rosewood under 20 hrs bites the dust. I get all the odd ones.

 

Yes, the Blumenstein Orcas. Rated at 89 dB but that's a conservative rating.

 

Hmm, if they match really well already, you would go for a 2a3 5 watt amp to do better?

 

What a waste - and a PITA for you.