The analog thread.

[ironbut]

Seeing that Cinemag is discontiuing the "Blue" series, it's probably wise to give it a try while you can.

Anyway, if you don't like the way it sounds with your Zyx, you shouldn't have a tough time selling it.

[tom_hankins]

Got a Lyra Delos from TTVJ to use while my Dynavector heads off for a rebuild. On my way to the cave to mount it now. I'll post some thoughts on it after a weekend of listening.

[jp11801]

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Lyra

[tom_hankins]

Around 11 hours on the cartridge and its sounding good. Very good dynamics, maybe better than the Dynavector XV-1s. Great extention in both directions, lots of detail. Brighter, but not more detailed than the XV-1s. technically right up there, musicly not on par with the XV-1s. At the least, in the class of the Dynavector XX2 MKII, for a few hundred bucks less. Its super quiet, balanced from top to bottom, huge soundstage, and tracks like a champ. Makes me wonder how good the Kleos is? If I had not been using the Koetsu Rosewood sig. platinum, and Dyna XV-1s over the last few years i wouldnt be noticing some of the shortcomings of this cartridge. It will get lots of play time, but the XV-1s will go back on when it gets home.

Anyone looking for an under $2K cartridge should check one of these out. If makes any major changes from here on in I will post them.

[tom_hankins]

I think the Lyra is where its going to stay in far as any burn in change. The midrange has gotten a little more forward and fleshed out some. I've been pulling out a bunch of records since I got home from work last night. I'm off today, and cant break away from the music. This has evolved into a killer good cartridge. The way its sounding now it is very close to the XV-1s, I think its better than the Rosewood signature Platinum and the XX2 MKII cartridges were.

I'm going to go for the Kleos and when the Dyna gets back have fun comparing.

[Grahame]

Feel Old?

http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2012/01/23/video-13-year-old-girl-holds-a-record-for-the-first-time/

[jp11801]

Seeing that Cinemag is discontiuing the "Blue" series, it's probably wise to give it a try while you can.

Anyway, if you don't like the way it sounds with your Zyx, you shouldn't have a tough time selling it.

the Cinemag Blue 1131 was nothing short of a major improvement over the red can 3440

The detail lack of grain and soundstage depth are all areas I though were greatly improved. The standard one is no slouch but once you put the blue can in you can't go back. I picked the wrong ratio version and Bob is cool enough to exchange it for the lower gain version.

[swt61]

Marc- curious how your Lenco project is going

It's on his list, but it's a long list. Getting shorter quick these days though.

He needs to get his Brazilian Soapstone cut to correct outside dimensions.

[Torpedo]

You may try with lead from lead shot or for fishing. Since it's pretty soft and malleable, you may work it with just a knife. Or using the soldering iron and adding some tin.

[swt61]

I was going to suggest a hollow wood weight, so you could add or subtract shot. Maybe Kevin could make it, as it's too small for me to lathe for you.

[luvdunhill]

If I recall, there should be more than 1 weight included? It's been a while..

[deepak]

Have to say I'm damn impressed with the Spacedeck. This is a lot better than the Scout.

[DigiPete]

Any thoughts on high end SUTs?

I am stuck between these three

Choir Audio hashimoto 7 ($1500)

Bobs blue cinemag 1131 ($1150)

Silvercore mc ($1350)

Any thoughts on these three

I'll be using a zyx Atmos or Miyajima mono be

JP,

I've got the Choir SUT H-7 and its fabulous. Using it with my Airy 3x, on the lower gain setting and it works just fine.

Playing it through my Conrad Johnson Premier15 MkII phono with teflon caps upgrade.

I had the standard bobs cinemag before that, this SUT clearly outclasses it, and the rig sounds much better (dynamic , resolving, 3d) and quieter than when I was using the CJ phono stage alone.

A chap in England (Martin Taylor, whose review of this unit is linked to from the Choir website) bought the Choir Audio H-7 based on my review over at Art of Sound forum, and he is very happy with it too.

http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/01/07/2011/the-choir-audiohashimoto-sut-h7-moving-coil-step-up-transformer/

Edited January 30, 2012 by DigiPete

[CarlSeibert]

I made some inoffensive-looking weights for the weighty part of a Rega counterweight from egg-shaped fishing sinkers. They were pretty easy to work with (hacksaw, file, sandpaper and paint)

[swt61]

Fimo clay. You can buy it in any color, shape it and bake it. Again, you could could make it hollow, with a lip to accept shot.

[blessingx]

Kinda interesting...

Scratch Markup Language (.sml)

http://fffff.at/scratch-markup-language-sml/

[deepak]

Fimo clay. You can buy it in any color, shape it and bake it. Again, you could could make it hollow, with a lip to accept shot.

Oooh very pretty I can even add sparkles to it. I think I will give this a shot

[nikongod]

Oooh very pretty I can even add sparkles to it. I think I will give this a shot

Thats signature material right there.

[Augsburger]

Fimo clay. You can buy it in any color, shape it and bake it. Again, you could could make it hollow, with a lip to accept shot.

Maybe you could borrow some lab instruments and sculpt one to look like a Mayan calendar or your avatar.

[tom_hankins]

Anyone here used or spent time with the Zyx Omega-s. (I believe he said its a 4D ?) A guy offered one in trade for my Dynavector XV-1s. I have not heard a single Zyx cartridge so have no idea of there sonic signature.

thanks

[jp11801]

The Atmos and the 4D are the same cart, the omega has the same nude body style but I do not think it is strictly the same cart.

That said I have not heard the Omega but have heard the bloom, yatra and atmos and love/d them all. The S designation on the cart means it has silver wire for the coils. The Zyx carts seem to sound best in the standard copper version with the silver sounding less immediate/veiled and the gold being the worst and most expensive option.

I'd likely pass if it is a silver coil version but YMMV

Edited February 4, 2012 by jp11801

[tom_hankins]

Thanks, I've been searching, but seems like a ton of different options on each cartridge.

[deepak]

I have a Partridge SUT on the way from a Diy Audio member. 3061/SB model, we'll see how it works with the Zyx, there are some nice things said about these transformers which makes me curious. My own tamperings with the 977 didn't go so well.

[jp11801]

please let me know how you like it compared to the cinemag 3440 (I think you had one of those) I am enjoying my Cinemag blue 1131 but it may be slightly bass shy

[deepak]

please let me know how you like it compared to the cinemag 3440 (I think you had one of those) I am enjoying my Cinemag blue 1131 but it may be slightly bass shy

No problem will report back. I did own the 3440A red, good transformer for the money but I preferred straight in the Pass phono. A lot of people that tried the Partridge 3061 said there was too little bass, but I guess it might have been a cartridge mis-match issue? The internal impedance of the Zyx is very low so I'm hoping it sounds good.