To those with multiple tables/arms/cartridges
I am not sure I got your email at all. I did have an email from Nikola in the last few months, and perhaps he can remind me if he asked me about selling my Denon DP80 in that exchange. Somehow I don't think that was the subject. But I have not changed my email address in forever. Oddly enough, my Denon DP80 is up for sale on Audiogon, unless the ad expired already. |
Nandric, Yeah, I get that. In fact, one of my other tables has a replaceable headshell for that very purpose, and I have about 10 cartridges premounted on headshells that I change out once in a while just for giggles. that is certainly easier than going through a full install, and I dont think there is any huge loss in quality from a fixed headshell arm. |
Dear Nandric and Don (sounds like a 70s rock duo), I owe you guys an apology. Last night I saw that each of you did send an email to my little used gmail account. I rarely even look over there, because I do not give that address out, ever. In fact, I don't know how you guys found it, unless it is linked via Audiogon. But to my knowledge, Audiogon is linked to my regular Yahoo account, which I look at every day. Anyway, I now will respond, but based on what I wrote yesterday, you would have an inkling of my intent. Perhaps Don and I missed the boat, as it were. |
Nandric, Finally I picked up my Beveridge amplifiers from Bill Thalmann the other day. Soon I will be able to report. I need some very long interconnects first. Bill had them for 8 months, so it is not all my fault that I have no listening results so far. I am going to mate them to my transmission line woofers that I myself built 40 years ago!!! Crossover from Bev speaker to woofer is 80Hz. |
I have 4 tables, 4 additional arm wands and various headshells. The 4 tables are ready to be played at any time with my 3 input tube or 2 input ss phono stages, with front dial loading and gain adjustments which is extremely handy for playing different cartridges. All tied together with Dertonarms wonderful 4 input switcher each with ground post. Cheers |
I guess my intentions for using multiple tonearms (SME V) and cartridges, (Benz LPS and Benz Ruby-Z) are to split playing pristine vinyl on the better cartridge and the somewhat scratched flea market finds on the lesser cartridge,granted, the separation of quality is not that great between these two MC's, I guess I just feel better knowing that I am not trashing a top tier MC when I play the scratched records. I all honesty, I have been contemplating getting an SME 12 inch arm to experiment on the turntable, a Transrotor Apollon TMD. This particular turntable has a three tonearm option, I opted for two. It is great knowing that I have the ability to experiment and tinker with other tonearm/MC combinations. Being a tinkerer, I guess it would make sense to have options that support the adventurous side of this hobby. Ciao, Audqioquest4life |
So Nandric, Would say this Einstein is "no Einstein"? Today I went to Bill Thalmann's shop to see for myself that my new baby TT101 is indeed working nearly perfectly. In fact, I never saw my KAB strobe hold speed so solidly. The only remaining defect is that the pitch control will not allow "Fast" adjustments. Bill says it's just the push-push switch needs cleaning or replacement. We are going ahead to replace all electrolytic capacitors in any case. Soooo, here I went to sell my DP80 and found no takers. I was trying to cut back from four TTs to three. In the midst of that, I found the QL10 on eBay and could not resist its orphan status, because the seller described it as "broken". Had it been described as "working", the price would have been high, and I would have resisted. In any event, I ended up winning the auction with a low bid, bought the TT101, thereby not only increasing my TT count to five but also adding the Victor 7045 tonearm in the same bargain. No need to tell me this is ridiculous, but it's cheap fun compared to a mistress or a Ferrari. Altho it turns out I do not need one, I will soon have several NOS spare clock chips for the TT81 and TT101, for anyone out there who needs one. Coming from China, or so they say. I would like more info on Dertonearm's TT switcher. Does he have a balanced tonearm input version? |
Lewm/Nandric Sure buying a separate phono stage for each table is the ultimate, but expensive option. This is about the best other option. Transparency is excellent however I would be lying that there is no difference. But the differences are less than changing an interconnect. Just get the chassis off the small rubber feet as that does soften the sound a bit. Daniel uses his fav Ikeda silver wire with, wbt connectors and I had him put a captive output on it. Not sure if Daniel makes these anymore now that he has his tonearm and headshell. Syntax would probably know more as I originally got the idea from him. Lewm, I believe Daniel has made balanced before. here is a couple of pics uniselector1 uniselector2 |
Dear Lew, to chose the name 'Einstein' for amps is typical German 'modesty'. But ,uh, the reviews were 'fantastic', while the producer is near the Dutch border. So I thought what a chance to see how those are made. But alas: just one connector for my 12 tonearms ??? (thanks Henry). Well while I am primary interested in your Beveridge I may be willing to part from my Kuzma Stabi Reference and, as you know, only your Kenwood will fulfil all my wishes. The poor thing can at last get the second tonearm on its back side in this 'futuristic scenario'. Not to mention your own dilemma regarding your sanity in connection with the number of the TT's you own. BTW If I counted them correctly you own 6 TT's, not 'only' 5. |
Downunder, sometimes I am responsible for clearing the ground for some new small product ideas :-) In case of the UNIswitcher I asked Dertoneam some years ago if he could build such a switcher for my many tables and phono pres. The aim was not loosing any quality. So the UNIswitcher was born. I am using one with three inputs and I still have another unit for also three units which I don't use anymore (cause I sold two tables). my units have a very nice wooden box around it which I ordered at my High End carpenter. The wiring is fully silver which makes it not cheap. I am not sure whether I will need it in the future or not. It makes Audio-life easier. |
Last winter, I had a local entrepreneur visit my home. He is Douglas Hurlburt, founder and designer of DSA phono stages (models I and II). He brought both for a try-out in my system, even though I warned him in advance that I was unlikely to pay the high prices for his units. Doug turned out to be a fine gentleman, and I must say I have rarely if ever seen such quality of construction, which stems from the fact that he over-builds his units himself, and he is obviously an obsessive person. In any case, his phono II has provision for three separate tonearms, balanced and unbalanced inputs for each, individual R and C adjustments for each, and individual gain selection for each. All selections can be made from the front panel. No flashlights or mirrors needed. (Each tonearm is in fact feeding a completely separate RIAA stage, one from the others.) In short, he's thought of everything our little hearts could desire in a phono stage. And I might add that the sound was superb, good enough for me to consider putting aside my bias for tubes. At the time, the Phono II was going to market at around $15,000, which alas was too much for me. I think now he has slightly reduced the price. Highly recommended if you've got the financial capital. |
Nandric, I did not know that Einstein made a phono stage with more than one phono circuit inside. That's a bit more difficult to achieve with tubes than with solid state. (The DSA units are solid state.) I have never seen that particular model of Einstein phono stage for sale or mentioned on the internet. The one we usually see is cylindrical in shape and accommodates exactly one tonearm/cartridge. But I guess you can double up on those cylinders and thereby gain additional inputs. Yes, I think you can run two cylinders off of one Einstein power supply module. This could be done to achieve balanced inputs for a single tonearm or to accommodate two tonearm/cartridges in SE mode. Am I correct (even though I also am no Einstein)? Halcro, I agree that I too am unlikely to want to use the pitch controls, but the obsessive/compulsive part of me wants my TT101 to be working perfectly on all functions. Perhaps after I re-cap it, the pitch control will repair itself. Or Bill may have to replace the "Fast" switch, which he says he can do. I've got a total of ten SC3042 chips on order, 5 from each of two different vendors in China. These are "clocks" for the servo, formally known as "624 MHz sine wave differential clock". I ordered from two sources to be more certain of getting the right part from at least one source. Assuming I end up with ten correct pieces, I will want to keep one for myself, but any and all Victor TT81 and 101 users are welcome to the remainder. It's probably best to contact me privately at my Yahoo email address. By the way, anyone can do what I did to find this part; I just Googled the part number "SC3042". You have to be willing to do business with a Chinese person whose command of English is limited (but then again, my command of Chinese is limited to zero). |
Dear Lew, Some time ago I was shoping with my dad on those street markets in Serbia. My dad was always haggling. 'What do you ask for those tomadoes' he asked the farmer. The farmer: '50 cent per kilo sir'. My dad: 'you probably think that I am Rockefeller'. Have you any idea what only two of those Einstein 'cilinders' cost? You probably think that I am Rockefeller able to buy 4 of them. |
OK, I am no Einstein, and neither of us is a Rockefeller. So is there some other model made by Einstein that supports two phono inputs without buying 2 or 4 cylinders? (Do you need four cylinders to do two tonearms in SE mode? Four cylinders could do two tonearms in balanced mode, unless indeed each cylinder can only do one channel in SE mode. Perhaps that is the point I am missing.) |
Dear Lew, It may help when we know what we are talking about. I have no pretention whatever to explain anything about 'input connections' of any kind. I was wondering about this 'wonderful 4 input switcher' because this was somehow contradictory to what 'Einstein who is not Einstein' told me when I asked for only one more on those 'cylinders', which btw cost about $10000 together. Your advice to buy two more and solve this way my problem caused my association with Rockefeller as well with my dad's peculiar way to haggle with farmers on the market. BTW those '50 cent per kilo' are not invented but the were the true price of tomadoes then. Why my dad thought tha for such a price one need to belong to the Rockefeller family is an anigma for me and probably for others. But, as Henry olready noticed, this Nandric like to tell stories. |
Dear Lew, It may help when we know what we are talking about. I have no pretention whatever to explain anything about 'input connections' of any kind. I was wondering about this 'wonderful 4 input switcher' because this was somehow contradictory to what 'Einstein who is not Einstein' told me when I asked for only one more on those 'cylinders', which btw cost about $10000 together. Your advice to buy two more and solve this way my problem caused my association with Rockefeller as well with my dad's peculiar way to haggle with farmers on the market. BTW those '50 cent per kilo' are not invented but were the true price of tomadoes then. Why my dad thought that for such a price one need to belong to the Rockefeller family is an anigma for me and probably for others. But, as Henry already noticed, this Nandric like to tell stories. |
Well you're all spoilt little 'girls'......... I have 6 arms on 2 turntables with all their phono-cables (colour-coded) lying behind my phono-stage. To unplug the cables from one arm and plug in those of another takes all of 15 seconds. Flick a switch for MM/MC.....another switch for 3 stages of gain.....adjust loading and capacitance for MM only.......and I'm set in less than 30 seconds :-) |
Halcro, I can see you as part of a pit crew in a Grand Prix race, changing a tire in "less than 30 seconds". So far, I do the same; I plug and unplug, altho I do have two phono stages, one inside the Atma MP1 for LOMC (and also for LOMM, the Stanton 980LZS) and one in the form of a modified Silvaweld SWH550, for MM/MI. Usually, I have 3 tonearms in play at any given moment. But one can dream of a multi-input, infinitely switchable phono stage, can't one? The DSA Phono II and the others mentioned here do exist. I've gotta say I have a silly bias against the Manley Steelhead, only because it uses 12AX7s and I think also 12AU7s, of which I am not very fond. I just thought of another such candidate, the EAR 324. Does anyone have experience with that? |
Dear Henry, That is exactly what the 'Einstein who is not Einstein' suggested to me as 'solution' to my problem: plug in one cable in the (same)inpunt, then unplug this one and plug the other one instead. My idea was that an single switch for the other input would solve the problem. Not so according to the designer of the (balanced) Einstein phono stage. This switch will cause the worsening of the performance according to the designer. I have no idea about the truth in this situation but I solved my problem by purchasing the Basis Exclusive with two separate phono-pres and consequently two separate inputs for my two tonearms. |
Dear Henry, That is exactly what the 'Einstein who is not Einstein' suggested to me as 'solution' to my problem: plug in one cable in the (same)inpunt, then unplug this one and plug the other one instead. My idea was that an single switch for the other input would solve the problem. Not so according to the designer of the (balanced) Einstein phono stage. This switch will cause the worsening of the performance according to the designer. I have no idea about the truth in this situation but I solved my problem by purchasing the Basis Exclusive with two separate phono-pres and consequently two separate inputs for my two tonearms. |
Dear Nandric, I have to agree with Einstein who is in this case at least an "A" student. Putting a simple switch at the output of the tonearms will inevitably degrade the sound of both cartridges, because the signal voltage is so low in magnitude at that juncture, and because even very good switches have some micro-reactance. However, it may be possible to achieve switching by the clever use of relays such that the switch is not in the signal path, maybe. But that's why the multi-phono-input phono stages we've been discussing do have separate discrete RIAA stages for each pair of inputs. Once the cartridge output is amplified and equalized, it is less damaging to switch it. But I confess, I installed a switch in my MP1, so I can change the cartridge load resistance from 100R to 1000R to 47K. I choose to believe I can hear no problem from that. |
Dear Lew, Thanks for your explantion . I at last understand what the problem with the 'simple switch' is. I thought that those 3-4 cm extra wire for a second input would cause no problem of any kind. But I am glad that I noticed this 'peculiarity' of the Einstein pre and asked about. An error of $10000 is different from one of, say, $1000. However I don't understand what you mean with 'A' student. Except of course if you mean the 'A' of A ndric. |
Dear Lewm, i tried both ways, a switch with relais (Manley switch) and the silverswitch of Dertonearm. While the Manley is a really good design I stayed with the UNIswitch. Of course you always have a degrading when putting units in between the lines but this unit keeps the qality in a very satisfactoy way. Another option is going for the EMT JPA-66 with four tonearm connections (one MM, three with inbuild SUTs) and two line connections. This is in my eyes the most versatile and best sounding tube phono pre, also and especially regarding MMs. |
Dear Henry, the most important fact in our hobby is what one self believes. The other may believe, for example, that those thin gold platings on the connectors wear off even from looking at them. But the theory that they get better by each put in /put out exertion is remarcable. How often do you need to change all the connectors involved? |
Although I tend to take a purist approach to audio. (No tone controls, minimal switches and connectors, etc, etc.) I have lately come to believe that some of these gospel truths can be occasionally violated with no important negative consequences. Nandric, In the US, students are typically graded on a scale of A to F, where F = Failure. An "A" student would be in the very top category. Case in point re violating gospel: The other night I set up my pair of Beveridge 2SW speakers, which I have owned for more than a year but which I had never heard, because I sent the direct-drive amplifiers off for check-up and upgrades the minute I uncrated them. Just got them back after 8 months. All I had on hand in my basement as a signal source was an old tuner, the preamp section of an old solid state NAD integrated amplifier, and some ancient "give-away"-quality RCA interconnects. Also, no woofer to complement the Bevs below 80Hz. (The 2SW has a built in 12db/octave x-over at 80Hz; you need a woofer/subwoofer.) Nevertheless, I hooked the tuner up to the NAD preamp and the preamp to the Bev direct-drive amplifiers which sit in the bases of the speakers, set the tuner for a local FM high quality classical music station, and fired up the Bevs for the first time. After about 15 minutes of warm-up, the sound was absolutely glorious. I was riveted to the spot for two hours, or until 1 AM, when I finally had to get some sleep. This to me was a demonstration of the primacy of the transducer. All the other gear is merely seasoning on top of what the speaker can do. If the speaker is second rate, no amount of audio jewelry or switch avoidance can overcome that. If the speaker is of high quality, you almost cannot miss. |
Henry, The particular FM station I tuned into plays classical music only. At that time of night, they have a female disc jockey who has been doing the late shows for decades. I have heard her voice on many many different speakers and in many different systems. When she came on the air in between musical pieces to announce the time, the news, or what music was coming next, it was almost eerie; she seemed to be sitting no more than 6 feet away from me. (I know this is a tired audio cliche', but it does apply.) I could sense the resonance of her body as she spoke. That Beveridge guy was clearly a genius of sorts (maybe not an "Einstein" but a genius nevertheless); there is much about the speakers that is totally unique, even including the way the ESL panels work, which is fundamentally different from all the other successful commercial ones. The diaphragms do not carry a high DC bias voltage, which may be why my speakers still work so well after 34 years. (Built in 1979.) |
To my understanding and hopefully I have learned my lessons we do concentrate very much on the front end while the basics behind the system (power supplies - oh yes it can make a difference, power distribution, fuses, matching parameters between preamp/amp/ speakers) are of some importance in a good system. How much difference does it make when changing a tonearm to the better, or a cartridge, while the back end misses a good standard. I know some might argue that isolation platforms, speed control, matching of tonearm and cart (compliance) are even more important. of course this is also a crucial workplace. Nevertheless how often did I experience in my High End life that people are not aware what they are missing or just have no idea what it could change in their system. Usually the first reaction is blocking all advisory or consulting hints. Maybe it will also lead to aggression or other kind of lousy behaviour just trying to solve their cognitive dissonance. This is understandable and a certain kind of protection, also not investing too much money in some kind of voodoo toys they might think. Oh yes, sometimes I start thinking that we were born to reach a level and then defending it for all the time. Are these good perspectives...? |
Thuchan is a very special 'collector' of all things 'audio'.....but particularly analogue and specifically tonearms and cartridges. He has acquired a full series of Toho armtubes and has had a special Axiom tonearm made to accommodate these arm-tubes. This is really a one-off design which no other person in the world will be able to replicate. So no-one will be able to argue with Thuchan that he doesn't have the very best? But then again......on-one will be able to say very much at all? :-) Except that.....he is one very lucky audiophile! |
I have always used an active MM and MC stage (all built-in) with my separate preamps and have read in the Forums and magazines about the Pros and Cons of using SUTs for LOMC cartridges instead. Usually......there are just so many varying results and opinions and it all seemed to be specific-cartridge dependent.....so my impressions were that SUTs were generally not worth the effort unless you really knew what you were doing? Recently......a friend (who had heard my system)....lent me the Kondo KSL SF-Z SUT for a try-out. The results were truly astonishing with my 3 LOMCs (Dynavector XV-1s, Fidelity Research FR-7f/Lc and ZYX UNIverse) all sounding purer, richer, more transparent and ultimately more enjoyable than directly through the Halcro DM10 Active LOMC Input. It's no secret that I have preferred the sounds of high-compliance MM cartridges in my system over the last few years.......but this will now force some new 'play-offs' over the coming weeks. Oh......and I bought the Kondo from my friend. He has 'golden' ears :-) |
Dear Lew, The modesty may hinder Thuchan to answer your question. 'ToXion' is a product of collaboration between Dertonarm and Thuchan. Thuchan bought in Japan 6 beautiful wooden (arm) wands and needed a special tonearm to accomodate them. Dertonarm just finished his Axiom tonearm and was obviously willing to accomodate Thuchan. Those wooden wands are called 'Toho' so both names together make a toxic (?)combo. |
Japan in my opinion produces the world's finest toilets: Toto is the brand. I guess there is no relationship between Toto and Toho. Nandric, This is way OT, but I am enthralled with the Beveridges. And they are set up in my basement where my wife says she cannot even hear the music whilst she is trying to get to sleep on the second floor of our home. (My musical curfew is typically around 11:30 PM in the upstairs system, which is just one floor below our bedroom.) This means I can listen to music all night long. I bought a cheap preamplifier with a phono stage so I can have vinyl in the Bev system. When I get the woofers up and running, it should be even better. |
Dear Lew, Toho, Toto and Beveridge are obviously all unique. So who would be not interested to hear more about them? But I am wondering when the Beveridge will move upstairs? To be honest I am skeptical about those woofers you made 40 years ago with Kef B 139. You can get them 'up and running' but I would prefer modern subs with fast (25cm) bass drivers and fast amps. It is not easy to keep up with those 'stats'. |
Ah, thanks Nandy for confirming that Dertoneless, Syntax, and Thuchan are all together in business, a collaboration, ummmm. So, which one of these fellows is in charge of the tens of thousands of refunds that are due from their misdeeds? Hah, I believe that there is humor with this new thing is called TOXIC. Yes, fellow audiophiles, watch out for their self-promoting...yes, please send us your cash...what, our product is defective...what, even our product is nonexistent...what, all of you paid for a book, thank you, but, I am not going to publish....super, no refunds, we will keep your money and just make new products to promote...yes, please send your money...Syntax and Thuchan loves to promote this Dertoneless and his ongoing charade. Audiophiles, beware... Cheers! |
Unoear, I made up the whole story about 'associtation' for you but you obviouly missed the clue. I associate the handkerchif with the womens behind because I always think about those. You obviously always think about Dertonarm. That is why you ovelooked the fact that I am the malicious leader of the German group with 3 bank accounts in Swizerland.Because of Onasis I never trusted the Greek... but I always loved those cuckoo clocks. |
Lewm, Toto is also a gambling platform in Germany where you can vote on soccer games. While I was in Japan I learned that Toto is not only producing toilets but a variety of sanitair products, also High End...A really interesting company but maybe not as fascinating as Toho and Micro Seiki. So better go for Tohos. The Toho stand for armboards I can recommend very much, but it is not easy to find; very massive, coming with different hole inlays for different arm sockets. |
Agree, Toho is really nice, especially when two advanced technologies come together in the ToXiom arrangement, old and modern. I had some time playing around with the many options and versatility the Axiom design offers. Because of the different weights of my Toho tubes and the special geometry of the headshell design I needed more and some different lateral weights made of aluminum, steel, brass and wolfram. It looks to me quite sophisticated. Now I have to learn about the magnets' support of the vertical balance - seems to me a new feature which I have not seen so far. Testing goes on... |
Dear Thuchan, I see the usual Arche headshell on your ToXiom ( why not ToHiom?) and assume consequently the so called SME standard headshell. But because of different wands weight as well the peculiar angle for the headshell(s)the lateral balance can be different for different wands. This is usual by the the 'J' shape tonearms. The 'magnet support' for the 'vertical balance' may mean the dynamic balance. As far as I know Dertonarm was always supporter of the dynamic balanced tonearms. |
