Myles B. Astor
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- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
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- #1
What are the three best audio accessories currently being used in your system? Caveat. One must be under $100.
Here's my picks!
1. HiFi Tuning Record Clamp--Every time I try a clamp in my system, always find myself returning to the HFT record clamp. This wood and quartz based record clamp doesn't have the mechanical sound of the stock VPI (or other metal) clamp and an uncanny ability to layer and separate images within the soundstage as well as producing a realistic, palpable, wrap your hands around, three-dimensional image. This clamps also really brings out the midrange and harmonic envelope of different instruments and singers.
2. SRA Ohio Class XL+2/3.0 VR Series Isobase-Haven't tried all the contenders but the SRA base worked wonders under all the equipment, in particular, miracles under the GAT preamplifier and turntable. Under the GAT for instance, the VR Series base elevated the preamplifier to another level and added a 1/2 to whole star to its performance. The SRA base revealed dynamics never thought the GAT was capable of as well as precipitously reducing the noise floor of the preamplifier. And remember we're only talking about two tubes here. Under the turntable, the Ohio Class again reduces that noise floor, increases dynamics and in the case of the table, brings the low frequencies a large step toward what is experienced on the tape. (Someday would like to do an comparison between the SRA base and an active, air isolation base like a Herzan or even a passive isolation like the Minus-K!)
3. Kontak--Probably the least colored of the contact cleaners though could do without the preservative. Another product that just reduces the system's overall noise floor as well as--especially with power cords--especially that edge that tends to build over time (works even better with precleaning connectors with Flitz or solid Gorham silver polish paste). In fact, cleaning those AC connections should be at the top of everyone's regular system monthly or bimonthly tuneups!
Here's my picks!
1. HiFi Tuning Record Clamp--Every time I try a clamp in my system, always find myself returning to the HFT record clamp. This wood and quartz based record clamp doesn't have the mechanical sound of the stock VPI (or other metal) clamp and an uncanny ability to layer and separate images within the soundstage as well as producing a realistic, palpable, wrap your hands around, three-dimensional image. This clamps also really brings out the midrange and harmonic envelope of different instruments and singers.
2. SRA Ohio Class XL+2/3.0 VR Series Isobase-Haven't tried all the contenders but the SRA base worked wonders under all the equipment, in particular, miracles under the GAT preamplifier and turntable. Under the GAT for instance, the VR Series base elevated the preamplifier to another level and added a 1/2 to whole star to its performance. The SRA base revealed dynamics never thought the GAT was capable of as well as precipitously reducing the noise floor of the preamplifier. And remember we're only talking about two tubes here. Under the turntable, the Ohio Class again reduces that noise floor, increases dynamics and in the case of the table, brings the low frequencies a large step toward what is experienced on the tape. (Someday would like to do an comparison between the SRA base and an active, air isolation base like a Herzan or even a passive isolation like the Minus-K!)
3. Kontak--Probably the least colored of the contact cleaners though could do without the preservative. Another product that just reduces the system's overall noise floor as well as--especially with power cords--especially that edge that tends to build over time (works even better with precleaning connectors with Flitz or solid Gorham silver polish paste). In fact, cleaning those AC connections should be at the top of everyone's regular system monthly or bimonthly tuneups!
![IMG_3578.jpg](http://[URL="http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/Hyfi61/media/IMG_3578.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh507/Hyfi61/IMG_3578.jpg)
