Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    saṃsāra
    Posts
    1,047

    found the analog on-ramp …finally

    after a recent amplification upgrade i felt quite bad that my beloved almarro a318b integrated was now just sitting on a self and presumably relegated to being a display item. so, i had the idea to set up a second rig in the upstairs study. along with the almarro, i moved a pair of jmLabs speakers and on old salamander designs a/v cabinet up from basement storage and into the study. as a source, i was using the audio-out on an apple airport express as a roon endpoint just to get things set up. however, instead of just replacing that with another DAC i realized in a moment of inspired clarity that this presented the ideal opportunity to finally add analog …something i have been agonizing / obsessing over for the better part of 3 years.

    the opportunity here was to get involved at a quite modest level yet still have a high-quality vinyl experience. after some research, i ended up getting an entry level turntable that came with a tonearm and cartridge pre-installed and set-up:

    clearaudio concept with the satisfy tonearm and concept v2 MM cartridge. i did go for the panzerholtz wood plinth upgrade which adds to the minimalist elegance of the turntable — if not to the SQ.

    so after 30 minutes [placing and leveling the TT; checking the cartridge set-up; and connecting the (integrated) tonearm cable] i am up and running.

    and just to maximize the nostalgia of the moment the first album played was abbey road, the very first LP i bought over 50 years ago.

    impressions after 4 LPs …i think i am liking this new technology !!

    ______________________________________
    note: until the schiit mani phono-pre that i ordered arrives, i am using the equalizer-out on my ATC-5 pre-amp as a phono-pre into the almarro — which might be a high bar to meet and, therefore, lead to the first upgrade …and so the cycle begins
    Attached Images Attached Images
    viking acoustics berlin r mk2 | air tight atc-5 + atm-300r | clearaudio concept + virtuoso v2 MM | t+a dac8 dsd + kanjiroba diy transport + roon rock
    alp-tone audio analog cables | core audio designs plyKraft 3L | hifi racks ltd podium t5-iii

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    St. Louis, MO, USA
    Posts
    3,041

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    Good choice of table if I say so myself.

    Seriously though, Clear Audio tables have super low distortion which gives them a bit of a unique analog sound compared to other brands. The Concept delivers a lot for the money as well, IMO.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    saṃsāra
    Posts
    1,047

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    Good choice of table if I say so myself.

    Seriously though, Clear Audio tables have super low distortion which gives them a bit of a unique analog sound compared to other brands. The Concept delivers a lot for the money as well, IMO.
    based on my experience here, clearaudio certainly delivers value for money ...i am truly amazed at both the the build-quality and sound-quality of the modestly priced concept. in terms of the SQ, i was not expecting anything near this level of performance. extremely happy with how it has turned out.

    just getting started but after 8 LPs my initial thoughts are that for well recorded, mastered and pressed LPs, this analog setup matches or even exceeds the digital on my main rig for the same title from the same mastering ... or at least i am really liking the difference.

    cannot stop listening !
    viking acoustics berlin r mk2 | air tight atc-5 + atm-300r | clearaudio concept + virtuoso v2 MM | t+a dac8 dsd + kanjiroba diy transport + roon rock
    alp-tone audio analog cables | core audio designs plyKraft 3L | hifi racks ltd podium t5-iii

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    5,948

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    Oh noooo.... I made that move a couple years ago... I am addicted... I still love my digital but find I enjoy listening to vinyl!

    WARNING... get ready for the addiction to exploded and coming home with records at least once a week...
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  5. #5
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,027

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    Great to hear! Enjoy.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Hyderabad India
    Posts
    951

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    Congratulations! That looks like a great place to listen to some tunes.




    .
    2 Channel Stereo :
    Custom Win10 Transport | Mutec MC-3+ USB | Lampizator Amber | Acoustic Portrait Thiyaga | ATC SCM20PSL + JL Audio E-Sub e110

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    saṃsāra
    Posts
    1,047

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    in keeping with the modestly-priced-but-quality-analog-listening-experience prime directive for the secondary rig, i got this record cleaning machine ...well, the "machine" part is actually me but notwithstanding it works quite well.

    i practiced and listen-tested on a defective LP (that will be returned) in order to get the process, technique and work flow ironed out. the one process detail i would point out is that using only half the prescribed cleaning solution is preferable.

    working carefully, deliberately and methodically LPs come out quite clean with a noticeable uptick in SQ and an almost total absence of pops and clicks.

    i suppose it would be nice to have a degritter RCM -- but that is for down the road when i get serious about vinyl

    Attached Images Attached Images
    viking acoustics berlin r mk2 | air tight atc-5 + atm-300r | clearaudio concept + virtuoso v2 MM | t+a dac8 dsd + kanjiroba diy transport + roon rock
    alp-tone audio analog cables | core audio designs plyKraft 3L | hifi racks ltd podium t5-iii

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    5,948

    Re: found the analog on-ramp …finally

    A vacuum machine is a huge benefit. Record Doctor makes a pretty nice inexpensive RCM that you manually spin but uses a vacuum (I have owned both the V and the VI). I current have a Project which does even a better job.
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •