The analog thread.

[Torpedo]

You're welcome mate, glad to help. It's a pity NA discontinued the Interspace, it was a very good sounding deck even with an affordable Rega 250 arm. I'm jealous the load of fun it must be visiting that Analog Room. We have nothing like that over here. I wish you find something you love

[blessingx]

Fun it was. I think in an hour we discussed tables (he pretty much points to Rega and Nottingham in sub $2K, though has favorable comments on arms and carts from others), motor philosophy, British speaker price/performance, his dust cover designs, clamps versus weights, real names versus online titles, history of the store, analog trends of last decade, Tower Records, the Hoffman 45rpm reissues, electrostatic speakers versus headphones, the 'real' Tommy pressing, his favorite The Band release, Texas, how he keeps loosing his cell, early versus late Fleetwood Mac, Luxman history, Accuphase history, how 'it's all about jazz,' future tube projects, how the Japanese wonderfully treat his wife, Colorado, how the light switch got broken, and a summary of the local Apple store employees. This was all while plowing through cigars, giving a (new?) associate directions and helping other customers too.

Edited September 4, 2011 by blessingx

[guzziguy]

Brian is definitely a character. I bought my Joseph Audio RM7si Signatures from him way back in 1996. I also eventually obtained a used Anthem Int-1 to go with them because everything I tried didn't come close to sounding as good as Brian's setup at the Analog Room. He definitely knows his stuff.

[postjack]

damn, Brian sounds like the perfect audio salesman. Wish I had a shop like that in my area, I'd probably never leave.

[CarlSeibert]

Speaking of Regas.... anybody got any thoughts on re-wiring the arm? I was thinking about using the 33 ga Cardas multi conductor cable and doing an unbroken run from cart to SUT.

I snagged an RB-250 with the stainless steel RB-300 end stub for cheaps on eBay. I'm building a wide/heavy counterweight with a micro adjustor. When that's done, next up is rewiring it, then it will go on the more modded of my two Planar 3s.

Which, by the way, is part of the fun of Regas. You can buy/make all sorts of stuff and try it. It it works, great. If not, it usually super-easy to return the table to stock condition.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Speaking of Regas.... anybody got any thoughts on re-wiring the arm? I was thinking about using the 33 ga Cardas multi conductor cable and doing an unbroken run from cart to SUT. I snagged an RB-250 with the stainless steel RB-300 end stub for cheaps on eBay. I'm building a wide/heavy counterweight with a micro adjustor. When that's done, next up is rewiring it, then it will go on the more modded of my two Planar 3s. Which, by the way, is part of the fun of Regas. You can buy/make all sorts of stuff and try it. It it works, great. If not, it usually super-easy to return the table to stock condition.

I would love to re-wire my RB-250 but have no idea how to do it and would have to farm it out. I have a set of IEM cables made from Cardas 33 ga silver wire and it's great wire, very transparent and detailed (but for Livewires unfortunately, which I don't use anymore). If you figure this out, I would love to know if you used someone and who.

[postjack]

oh, you mean it's electrically conductive. neat.

I'm rewiring my whole rig with a high density plastic cabling. No conduction = no EMF = just me and the music.

[blessingx]

Modern, retro collage...

[Torpedo]

This could interest you. Amazing deck with upgraded platter and tonearm.

[HeadphoneAddict]

oh, you mean it's electrically conductive. neat.

No, I mean it's literally see-through.

[deepak]

No, I mean it's literally see-through.

rofl he got you there Reks

[HeadphoneAddict]

rofl he got you there Reks

It wont last. Wait for it...

[blessingx]

This could interest you. Amazing deck with upgraded platter and tonearm.

Thanks. US strangely not one of 100 countries he's listed as shipping, but I've asked.

[Torpedo]

Cool, good luck mate

[blessingx]

Well, instead I went with a used Ace Space shattering the budget...

I was very excited... until the stylus (on a non-stylus replaceable cart - ClearAudio Aurem Alpha) just fell off on the second LP. Grrr. Yeah. Boo.

EDIT: Hours and Manhattans later... still it's a fu*king good looking table. Just wish I could listen to it.

Edited September 8, 2011 by blessingx

[ironbut]

Ouch!

Hopefully you can get that corrected by the seller!

It is a beauty though.

[Torpedo]

Damn Clearaudio, stay away from them. Congratulations for the purchase, that's a fantastic deck, it's almost an hyperspace and I'm not really sure the ultra-heavy platter is that important to final sound. BTW, get an affordable DL103 if your phono preamp allows it, on that deck will sound very very good for the price. Meanwhile you may save for a badass cart which that deck deserves. I can see in your horizon a ZYX, Dynavector, Shelter... Edited September 8, 2011 by Torpedo

[blessingx]

Ah well the Clearaudio was the recommendation (in price and/or at least stock for traits discussed) of a certain cigar smokin' seller of the used table. He lent me a Grado cart (which sounds closer to the Bias 2, than the Aurem Alpha) as the other goes back to be repaired. Did pick up a couple mono 33s (Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster) to make the trip worthwhile. Nice to have sound again.

Thanks again for everyones help and once my bank account has money again I may consider a cart upgrade based on your suggestions Torpedo.

[Voltron]

You have some luck, Ric, and none of it is good! Was the cigar smoking guy located in the Analog Room? Best of luck going forward...

[blessingx]

Yeah, it's been a recent string of bad luck, but I hoping this one turns it around. And how did you know which cigar aficionado I was speaking of?

And it's pretty shocking how much lower the surface noise is compared to the RP1/Bias 2.

[postjack]

man that is a sweet looking deck! really when you think about it it's the next natural step after the RP-1.

[deepak]

Has anyone here heard the Ayre P-5xe? I think it's new phono stage time here and I need ideas

commercial only. Spent a week trying to get Partridge SUTs to play without hum and just gave up :/

[Torpedo]

Good luck with that cart change

[Augsburger]

Ah well the Clearaudio was the recommendation (in price and/or at least stock for traits discussed) of a certain cigar smokin' seller of the used table. He lent me a Grado cart (which sounds closer to the Bias 2, than the Aurem Alpha) as the other goes back to be repaired. Did pick up a couple mono 33s (Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster) to make the trip worthwhile. Nice to have sound again.

Thanks again for everyones help and once my bank account has money again I may consider a cart upgrade based on your suggestions Torpedo.

Ric, how do you handle the mono signal wiring from the TT to your pre? Do you use a Y female splitter? Needless to say that is one sexy TT, nice score!

Edited September 9, 2011 by Augsburger

[blessingx]

Thanks. I haven't actually thought it out yet (besides eliminating a mono cart purchase). Will probably experiment. Is there a problem running dual mono?