AMG v12 TURNTABLES

No Regrets said:
Thanks Dpod4 for sharing your thoughts with me on this. I understand that the table and arm are still important pieces of the puzzle, but with the cartridge actually being the only transducer of this 3 piece puzzle, it would make sense that it may impart the most influence on the sound. Also, I continually hear similar sonic reports of each cartridge from others, to sound the same as what you have heard from your experiments.

Although I do not have the LPS, I do have the Benz Ruby Zebra Wood which is S-Class, priced $4,000 and it also has similar characteristics/house sound of the LPS (I'm not saying quite as nice as the LPS though, but similar). I'm still trying to decide which table will be my "last" table. I have no plans on getting rid of my Benz cartridge, and with your experience of these great tables with a similar cartridge to that of mine, I thought it might be logical to ask for your thoughts.

Thanks again for sharing!
Click to expand...
i agree with his assessment. great cartridge that makes you smile when you hear it. top quality tonearm and wires is huge. the table itself doesnt necessarily make a huge difference after that as long as it is stable, solid and quiet. i been messing with different tables for years, and im now smartening up, my next upgrade is the triplanar arm. instead of the whole table. good luck!!
 
No Regrets said:
Thanks Dpod4 for sharing your thoughts with me on this. I understand that the table and arm are still important pieces of the puzzle, but with the cartridge actually being the only transducer of this 3 piece puzzle, it would make sense that it may impart the most influence on the sound. Also, I continually hear similar sonic reports of each cartridge from others, to sound the same as what you have heard from your experiments.

Although I do not have the LPS, I do have the Benz Ruby Zebra Wood which is S-Class, priced $4,000 and it also has similar characteristics/house sound of the LPS (I'm not saying quite as nice as the LPS though, but similar). I'm still trying to decide which table will be my "last" table. I have no plans on getting rid of my Benz cartridge, and with your experience of these great tables with a similar cartridge to that of mine, I thought it might be logical to ask for your thoughts.

Thanks again for sharing!
Click to expand...

You are welcome. Yesterday I went back and forth between the Goldfinger and Benz LP-S. The Goldfinger throws a bigger wall of sound and is more dynamic and extended. But....there is something sweet and perfectly musically right and romantic (without too much coloration) about the Benz. Soooo easy to listen to. Draws me in. I love the Benz. Will never part with it.
 
Mike said:
The Benz LP-S is definitely on my radar. I wonder how it compares to something like an MC Anna.
Click to expand...

I received my MC Anna. It is going on the Graham Phantom Supreme II/Innovation Wood. I will be able to compare to the Benz LP-S and Goldfinger and report back. I still think the best bang for the buck cartridge I have heard or bought is the Miyajima Zero mono cartridge.
 
Mike said:
Looking forward to your impressions Darrin.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have a local analogue guru who sets up my cartridges so will report back once he mounts and aligns the cartridge for me
 
Dpod4 said:
You are welcome. Yesterday I went back and forth between the Goldfinger and Benz LP-S. The Goldfinger throws a bigger wall of sound and is more dynamic and extended. But....there is something sweet and perfectly musically right and romantic (without too much coloration) about the Benz. Soooo easy to listen to. Draws me in. I love the Benz. Will never part with it.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about the Benz. When I listen through the Benz, I hear the music…it draws me in and engages my emotions. Sometimes with other cartridges, they can be thrilling to listen too, but it's seems like they are more about the hi-fi then the musical message….so it seems with me at least.

So, with you being blessed with a trifecta of three top of the line tables….do you ultimately have a favorite and if so, for what reasons? Do you notice if any of the three are any better at speed and pitch stability than the others?

Thanks,
No Regrets
 
Adding my 2c to the thread, we are very fortunate. IMHO, there are more great cartridges now than ever before. To top it off, you don't have to spend a fortune to get great sound. In addition to the cartridges discussed earlier, I have also heard great sound from Transfiguration Proteus (still own) Soundsmith The Voice, and ZYX Universe II.

I have made a major system change (Big Focals) so its very difficult to make sound comparisons to things I had before. I can only say my current favorite is the Anna.

Dpod, how is the Ypsilon SUT treating you? I'm currently demoing a Thoress phono, so far VERY impressed.....
 
annapolis Raider said:
Adding my 2c to the thread, we are very fortunate. IMHO, there are more great cartridges now than ever before. To top it off, you don't have to spend a fortune to get great sound. In addition to the cartridges discussed earlier, I have also heard great sound from Transfiguration Proteus (still own) Soundsmith The Voice, and ZYX Universe II.

I have made a major system change (Big Focals) so its very difficult to make sound comparisons to things I had before. I can only say my current favorite is the Anna.

Dpod, how is the Ypsilon SUT treating you? I'm currently demoing a Thoress phono, so far VERY impressed.....
Click to expand...


When I am able to position everything just so in order to make hum go down I like what the Ypsilon does - it brings a solidity to the sound. Anchors it and adds weight to the foundation. Slightly more coherent too. The trade off is the noise/hum (arc ref 2se is dead quiet) and a slight deadening or numbing effect. More relaxed and "centered" but slightly less vibrant and open than without SUT. I can't even use it with my air right atc-2 & ATE-1. Hum completely takes over.
 
No Regrets said:
I know what you mean about the Benz. When I listen through the Benz, I hear the music…it draws me in and engages my emotions. Sometimes with other cartridges, they can be thrilling to listen too, but it's seems like they are more about the hi-fi then the musical message….so it seems with me at least.

So, with you being blessed with a trifecta of three top of the line tables….do you ultimately have a favorite and if so, for what reasons? Do you notice if any of the three are any better at speed and pitch stability than the others?

Thanks,
No Regrets
Click to expand...


If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the Innovation since it takes two arms!! It also has incredible pitch stability ... I have the external power supply. I think the highest performing table is the spiral groove and centroid. The most smartly engineered and user friendly and future collectors item artwork is the AMG. When I want vibrant and thrilling and hear everything on a really good recording I go to spiral groove. When I want relaxing musical appreciation especially with brighter recordings I go to AMG and LP-S. When I want meaty fun mono I go to innovation and Miyajima zero. I had Kurt Doslu who owns echo audio over. He had golden ears. He thought the spiral groove and Goldfinger was about as good as analogue gets. Michael Fremer was kind enough to give me advice that the Goldfinger on the AMG sounds amazing. Haven't tried that combo yet. I like the Benz on there as I think the table was designed with that cartridge in mind. I think the AMG and Benz bring some magic to the music much like people hear when describing shindo gear etc.
 
A turntable lazy Susan? I love it! Darrin - you have some incredible tables/carts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dpod4 said:
If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the Innovation since it takes two arms!! It also has incredible pitch stability ... I have the external power supply. I think the highest performing table is the spiral groove and centroid. The most smartly engineered and user friendly and future collectors item artwork is the AMG. When I want vibrant and thrilling and hear everything on a really good recording I go to spiral groove. When I want relaxing musical appreciation especially with brighter recordings I go to AMG and LP-S. When I want meaty fun mono I go to innovation and Miyajima zero. I had Kurt Doslu who owns echo audio over. He had golden ears. He thought the spiral groove and Goldfinger was about as good as analogue gets. Michael Fremer was kind enough to give me advice that the Goldfinger on the AMG sounds amazing. Haven't tried that combo yet. I like the Benz on there as I think the table was designed with that cartridge in mind. I think the AMG and Benz bring some magic to the music much like people hear when describing shindo gear etc.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your synopsis on the various analog rigs you are using.

Did you notice much improvement in the pitch stability of the Innovation when you added the external power supply, or was it more geared to improving the black background/noise reduction/improvement of dynamics kind of thing?

Do you feel the pitch stability of the innovation is ahead of the AMG and Spiral Groove as well?

You've got three great rigs…I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks again for sharing your thought with us all. It's incredibly hard for anyone to be able to visit a dealer that would even have all three tables in their store to demo. Being able to read about your experiences of all three in the same system and room is invaluable! Kudos to you!

Happy listening,
No Regrets
 
Nice collection of tables Darrin!
I agree that the zero is a great mono cart. I bought one after listening to it at the montreal show in 2013. Just a note that there is a twin armboard option for the AMG now available.
Chris
 
tunes said:
Nice collection of tables Darrin!
I agree that the zero is a great mono cart. I bought one after listening to it at the montreal show in 2013. Just a note that there is a twin armboard option for the AMG now available.
Chris
Click to expand...

+1 on the Zero, I own one too
 
No Regrets said:
Thank you for your synopsis on the various analog rigs you are using.

Did you notice much improvement in the pitch stability of the Innovation when you added the external power supply, or was it more geared to improving the black background/noise reduction/improvement of dynamics kind of thing?

Do you feel the pitch stability of the innovation is ahead of the AMG and Spiral Groove as well?

You've got three great rigs…I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of them.

Thanks again for sharing your thought with us all. It's incredibly hard for anyone to be able to visit a dealer that would even have all three tables in their store to demo. Being able to read about your experiences of all three in the same system and room is invaluable! Kudos to you!

Happy listening,
No Regrets
Click to expand...

Great question. Pitch stability was already pretty flawless. Only thing I noticed with power supply was lowered noise floor. More settled and at ease. Crazy. Spiral groove and AMG also no issues and my ear is sensitive to this. I had a basis TT that I could hear speed/pitch stability issues.
 
tunes said:
Nice collection of tables Darrin!
I agree that the zero is a great mono cart. I bought one after listening to it at the montreal show in 2013. Just a note that there is a twin armboard option for the AMG now available.
Chris
Click to expand...

Awesome. It looks so good tho with just one arm. So sleek.
 
I am listening to amg v12 with Benz lp-s and right now it is my favorite. Rich and musical. If tables were women the sound of the spiral groove and goldfinger statement would be striking and undeniable - the AMG and LP-S would be sultry and beautiful.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Dpod4 said:
I am listening to amg v12 with Benz lp-s and right now it is my favorite. Rich and musical. If tables were women the sound of the spiral groove and goldfinger statement would be striking and undeniable - the AMG and LP-S would be sultry and beautiful.
Click to expand...
That's a great analogy, Darrin! It really helps me understand the difference in the sound between your two setups.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top