luckybaer
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luckybaer

Friend, Male, from Missouri

Pyrate Contributor

Anyone big into Baldur's Gate 3? Mar 1, 2024

    1. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Older pressing of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Fire Of Unknown Origin” arrives today. Graded as NM-, but priced at VG+. I am hoping for VG+.
      1. Case likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Wilson "Lifeless" is the best adjective I've heard of to describe that CD. I think Cultosaurus Erectus is similarly "lifeless." Spectres is just weird sounding on CD.
        Feb 17, 2023
        Case likes this.
      4. YMO
        YMO
        Yeah Fire of Unknown Origin was flat on the original Columbia 80s CDs. Still like it for what it is, must be more 80s Sci-Fi fun on LP.
        Feb 18, 2023
        luckybaer likes this.
      5. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Wilson @YMO The highs are cleaner on the CD, but the mids are somewhat sterile. The mids on the LP seem to have more texture. The upper bass and lower mids add a bit more meat. The CD is ok, but on speakers, I prefer the LP.
        Feb 18, 2023
        YMO likes this.
    2. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Started a spreadsheet keeping track of each record I play with side, length, Puffin grade, cart, turntable, date played, title, artist.
      1. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        WHY?

        And do you have a column for "Went to sleep with the stylus going click..click..click... Y/N"
        Feb 16, 2023
        Boops and RKML0007 like this.
      2. luckybaer
        Feb 16, 2023
        Boops, RKML0007 and Thad E Ginathom like this.
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Thad E Ginathom Missed the “WHY?” Started to track the grade, then realized more practical use - cart/stylus hours.
        Feb 18, 2023
        Thad E Ginathom likes this.
    3. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Kinda trite, but I'm listening to my "The Dark Side Of The Moon" LP on the SL-1210GR with a Super OM40 cart/stylus.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        I love the Super OM40 cartridge on the Dual 701. It’s a wonderfully balanced cartridge. It can retrieve a lot of detail, but it’s never shouty. The bass can also dig deep, but it’s not overblown or bleeding into the midrange.
        Feb 15, 2023
        Biodegraded and luckybaer like this.
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @luckybaer do you use any alignment tools when installing cartridges on your Technics turntable? Eventually, I want to get one of the new Technics models. I’m just curious if you’ve found a tool that works well.
        Feb 16, 2023
      4. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @MellowVelo I have an Accutrak - it has a variety of alignment grids. I also printed one from VinylEngine. I use the overhang jig from Technics to start, then I usually align to Technics' standard per Accutrak.
        Feb 16, 2023
        MellowVelo likes this.
    4. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Grading vinyl: Vinyl looks brand new, but plays with sibilence and/or crackles. How to grade?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        Rumor has been you should purchase multiples of the same album than sell the bad ones on discogs
        Feb 12, 2023
      3. wbass
        wbass
        Visually mint, plays like VG-... joys of vinyl collecting. Sometimes a few plays or a few passes through an ultrasonic cleaner can help.

        But, yeah, if it's crackles, I'd say VG minus.
        Feb 12, 2023
      4. joch
        joch
        Just when I'm thinking of dipping my toes back into vinyl....
        Feb 12, 2023
    5. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Using 2M Red just to grade LPs on the Puffin. No sense using a better cart. Reminds me how much better it can be with a better cart.
      1. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        Not sure how much longer I can take the 2M Red.
        Feb 12, 2023
    6. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Swapped out JICO SAS/R for SAS/B and grading my LPs with my Parks Audio Puffin. I’m a data freak.
      1. MellowVelo likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. shotgunshane
        shotgunshane
        Perhaps the brightness or airiness is not an improvement but rather coloration. I would expect boron to be the more truthful material for a cantilever. It is stiffer with less mass.
        Feb 11, 2023
      4. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        Feb 11, 2023
        Merrick likes this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        The only time I’d opt for a ruby or sapphire cantilever is if the original cantilever was also ruby or sapphire, to best preserve the original sound.
        Feb 11, 2023
    7. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Degritter looks fantastic. Not sure if it makes sense to have a RCM that costs almost 2x as much as any component in my system. Lol…
      1. View previous comments...
      2. brencho
        brencho
        Degritter has worked great, and their support is also top notch fwiw. But yeah it’s a lot for a dishwasher… love the automation, means I can listen more and wash records less.
        Feb 10, 2023
        MellowVelo likes this.
      3. wbass
        wbass
        I have one Humminguru (in storage with the rest of my stuff for a while), and I plan on adding a second for a rinse and dry cycle. Still way cheaper than the Degritter (which does look awesome).
        Feb 10, 2023
      4. wbass
        wbass
        I also have, insanely, two Spin Cleans and a Pro-Ject VCS vacuum cleaner. I've found that it's useful to have multiple ways of cleaning records that have ground-in crud in the grooves. And that some of them really improve with multiple/many cleans. New records are much quicker.

        In other words, for me LP cleaning is sometimes a process for me, so the Degritter automation wouldn't be super helpful.
        Feb 10, 2023
    8. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Pretty stoked... my early pressing of The Smiths' "Louder Than Bombs" passed my ear test and my Parks Audio Puffin Test ("A" on all 4 sides)
      1. Inoculator, joch, Biodegraded and 2 others like this.
    9. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      FWIW, the HE-4XX pairs nicely with the Quicksilver Audio headphone amp. Listening to some LPs.
      1. caute and Qildail like this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I really need to hear that amp at some point, seems to make lots of cans really sing. A steal at the price by most accounts.
        Feb 3, 2023
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Inoculator I use it with all but my sensitive IEMs. Which are all of them except for the Oracle MkII. Only the Oracle is OK w/ big mean tube amp.
        Feb 3, 2023
        Inoculator likes this.
    10. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      So far so good with used vinyl purchases. One LP has a bit of sibilence, but swapping carts minimized. Makes me want to recheck alignment!
      1. Qildail likes this.
      2. wbass
        wbass
        That might lessen with cleaning, too.
        Jan 25, 2023
        Biodegraded likes this.
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        Tergikleen solution scrub + distilled water rinse. Using Okki Nokki. @wbass
        Jan 25, 2023
        wbass likes this.
    11. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      PSB Alpha 1 speakers crapped out after almost a decade. Ordered Audioengine A2+ as replacement (had some points at Crutchfield).
      1. joch and Mithrandir41 like this.
    12. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Some Van Halen and Echo And The Bunnymen early (original?) pressings arriving in the next week or so. Some today!
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        The 'Ballyhoo' comp CD (1997) is a good collection of highlights of their earlier stuff, but is hella compressed and bright - all tracks sound much better to me on the original vinyl.
        Jan 21, 2023
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Biodegraded I can't handle overly-compressed, bright, loud pressings - CD or vinyl. Although vinyl doesn't usually get LOUD, it can sound like shit if compressed or the EQ is off to my ears.
        Jan 21, 2023
        Biodegraded likes this.
      4. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        Oh, and @Biodegraded We've been waiting with our best suits on...
        Jan 21, 2023
        Biodegraded likes this.
    13. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Ultrasonic stylus cleaner arrives today. Was hoping to show before/after shots, but my styli are spotless. Lol…
      1. zottel, joch, Biodegraded and 2 others like this.
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        .
        <<- Laughing Cat says...

        How about an electric toothbrush?
        Jan 19, 2023
        Cryptowolf and luckybaer like this.
    14. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Swapped cartridges. SL-1210GR loses the Super OM40 for the Otello; KD-2070 drops the V-15 Type III (JICO SAS Ruby) for VM750SH. Fun stuff.
      1. gaspasser, Biodegraded and Qildail like this.
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        How did you do decide on switching the V-15 for a VM750SH? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on how they compare.
        Jan 16, 2023
      3. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Merrick I bounce between carts every 6 months when I get bored. I’ll see if I notice any changes.
        Jan 17, 2023
        Merrick likes this.
      4. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @Merrick In my system, nothing jumps out at me V15 Type III vs. VM750SH. I think the Shure is a little flatter and the VM750SH might have fuller mids. Hard to do A/B testing with carts! They are both good. Will buy replacement stylus for VM750SH when time comes.
        Jan 18, 2023
        Merrick likes this.
    15. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Ordered an ultrasonic stylus cleaner. Did some research, found nary a negative - even on SHF, where they are quite anal about carts, etc.
      1. shotgunshane and yotacowboy like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        Peter Ledermann from Soundsmith recommends blu-tack, even for his most expensive cartridges. @luckybaer keep us posted on the ultrasonic cleaner.
        Jan 16, 2023
        luckybaer, Gazny and Merrick like this.
      4. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        @MellowVelo I use Onzow ZeroDust, which is pretty good. Important to wash it from time to time. It is quite resilient. We'll see how the ultrasonic cleaner works!
        Jan 16, 2023
        MellowVelo likes this.
      5. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        Mr Clean Magic Eraser.
        Jan 16, 2023
    16. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Thanks to a short attention span and a need to move, I'm still going through my 12" singles instead of firing up an LP. Both decks spinning
      1. Qildail likes this.
    17. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Listening to a bunch of 12" singles from New Order. Original pressings. Holy crap. Even on headphones... this is why I love records!
      1. caute, Merrick, crazychile and 3 others like this.
      2. luckybaer
        luckybaer
        Clean records make great needle drops!
        Jan 10, 2023
        JK47 likes this.
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        12” 45 RPM singles have just about the best sound quality one can ever get.
        Jan 11, 2023
        caute likes this.
    18. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Black SYS looks sinister...
      1. Qildail and rhythmdevils like this.
    19. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      Taking my mom for pedicure. I couldn’t understand half of what the ladies were telling me. Good thing I guessed right.
      1. Qildail likes this.
    20. luckybaer
      luckybaer
      I wanna make my own RCA interconnects. No soldering experience. Am I nuts?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Yep. Not nuts: do it.

        I'm not much cop at electrical soldering, but I've done cables, and it is so much easier than stuff on boards where fine traces can just burn away!

        (hey, re-soldered a fine cable inside my mouse the other day: quite proud of that!)
        Jan 4, 2023
      3. DigMe
        DigMe
        I’ve used the screw connecters in the past when making my own. Seemed like a good solution and sounded good but not sure if it’s considered inferior.
        Jan 4, 2023
        Joshvar likes this.
      4. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        I’m pretty sure they have crimp RCA connectors. I agree with @Vansen too, it’s probably the hardest thing to solder as all that extra copper sucks up the heat.
        Jan 4, 2023
        Vansen likes this.
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Missouri
    Gear List:
    DAC: Schiit Gungnir MB Gen 5, HeadRoom Micro DAC, Schiit Modi MB
    DDC: Singxer SU-6, Douk Audio U2 Pro, Schiit Eitr
    Head Amp: AURALiC Taurus MkII, Quicksilver HA, Vali 2 [assorted tubes], Magni 3, HeadRoom Micro
    Headphones: Elex, HD650, DT880, D2000, K601, TX-X00, HE-4XX, SR-80e, M220
    CD/SACD/Data Disc Hi-Res: Denon DCD-1600NE, Marantz CD5003
    Cassette: Nakamichi DR-2
    Pre-Amp: Schiit Freya OG [mothballed], Khozmo Passive Preamp (x2)
    Integrated Amp: Onkyo TX-8555 [mothballed]
    Amplifier: Rotel RB-1582 MkII, Parasound NewClassic 2125v2
    Turntable: Technics SL-1210GR, Kenwood KD-2070
    Cartridges: Ortofon 2M Red, Shure V15 Type III [JICO SAS/R], Audio-Technica VM750SH, Soundsmith Otello, Reloop Concorde w/STY10, Super OM-40
    Phonostage: PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter (also ADC), Parks Audio Puffin
    Speakers: Polk Audio RT25i [mothballed], Dynaudio Evoke 10, Polk Audio Legend L100
    I'm pretty happy

    Signature

    SL-1210GR, KD-2070 | SU-6 + Gungnir MB | DCD-1600NE, CD5003 | DR-2 | NPC, Puffin | Khozmo, Khozmo |
    RB-1582 MkII, 2125v2 | Taurus MkII, Quicksilver | Evoke 10, L100 | SB-1000, SB-1000