Lewn
I think that over the years, like many, I was lead to believe that I always needed to change my turntable/arm/cartridge and leave the phonostage alone as I was told that 'these are all pretty much the same'. How wrong was I, how wrong was the dealer.... I now look at the phonostage as the first thing to change before arm and cartridge.
I just read a short review (Norweigian) where the chap compares the ASR Basis Exclusive to the Special Edition. He came to the same conclusion and sold his ASR 2 days later. I compared the 2 units and would have sold the ASR within 30 secs on that comparison :)
It does take a while to get there but like you I 'needed' to hear for myself.
My funds are not so limited so If I had 3 tonearms I would buy 3 stages. I'm not the type to disconnect cables etc... I much prefer to spend that time listening to music.
I've attached the copy below. It has been translated through google but corrected by my good daughter.
THE REVIEW BELOW IS DIRECTLY FROM A NORWEIGIAN HIGH-END FORUM
EP:
No, not a "duel" or test this here, just a small comment about a personal experience of two very good RiAA steps namely
ASR basis Exclusive vs Whest PS 30RDT Special Edition.
Why? Both are transitor RIAA and is arguably in the top division at least until prices begin to take off. Whest is well for the sake of order a few hundred Euro more expensive in relation to the latest version ASR.
Has not the habit of posting something on the forum and therefore a little info card:
Personally, I grew up in a time when vinyl was the medium you bought your music. In a home with lots of music and a father as a professional jazz musician, there were many "plates" in the home. Most jazz, of course, but for my part, also other things. At that time there was much "easier" course, and not a lot of talk about adjusting Pick up ... Oh no buy "new pin" screw it in the head inclined in a flash to play music. In the 80s, a time where the CD album came, I could something so brilliant as to go to a thrift store selling all vinyl. Today I regret of course, like a dog, but I must admit that many of the plates were of very poor quality and a lot of cozy fireplace even though we of course had many releases that I would like to have today.
Although vinyl again is relatively new board for me this time, I have worked with it for the past 25 to 30. It has been 2 years since I was thus again able to buy a good turntable and was actually now completely sold. I realized quickly that this was something I wanted to keep on with forward and purchased the equipment fairly quickly that I was to be happy with for a long time. Vinyl consists of Avid acutus, Dyna Vector 507 mk2 arm, Benz LP and thus Whest PS 30RDT Special Edition that came in favor of the ASR Basis Exclusive or 300B and Verity Audio speakers.
I'm no technical genius so I'm saving you from a more detailed description. This will find yourself on the internet. Visually, however, they are very different. ASR of separate power supply (battery) has a total weight of the impressive 32 kg. Whest just a simple box of 6 kg. The size of the ASR, I got confirmation when I had sold it and went to the post office to send STOCK TRUCK! In contrast, Whest simply done purely aesthetic, simple design, a small red light in the lower right corner. To be honest .. refreshingly simple.
First I must say that ASR has performed impressively at me. The few times I have tried other RIAA preamps both tube and transistor, it has been shown to be completely looked over. It is quiet, dynamic, well-defined bass and extremely dissolved and open up. Many I have spoken with and who have had the ASR has been and is very happy owners. Tests around the world indicates indeed that there is a reference product. The only objections I have had, is really that it can occasionally seem a little sterile in the midrange. Voices and instruments lacking a little body and I have the feeling that it is lacking a bit in the organic and thus the "analog" feel. I have been the case relied on careful matching of cables (copper) for the best tuning even if I never came right exactly at this point.
I must admit I was pretty excited when I picked up and packed up Whest. Setting the impedance and the gain made from the underside. Whest however, had promised to pre-set at 65db and 470 ohms. I checked the course before I put it in and so it has been since I got it. Have not even been curious about the other settings but think of course to try some soon. However, I've been more concerned with the signature and what happens during the recording before I can have any opinion about the settings.
Right out of the box, cold, and yet a little smell of paint from the cabinet, played it simply compelling and matched ASR at all. Realized quickly that this was something special. The next day, early in the morning, I sat down with quiet piano music and a cup of coffee before the house was awake .. Fyttirakkern for a resolution and a sound for a serenity, a listing and then amazingly dissolved upwards. On all these parameters was better than the ASR in my system. The backgrounds seemed blacker than the piano and is still more clearly. Speakers disappear in a different way and it radiates almost the sound round speaker. In retrospect, it has only gotten better and better and now a piano I have not been near the ASR. In addition, the voices and instruments obtained with natural body and sound. The difference of ASR is difficult to describe, but ASR works dynamically a little worse. Whest provides a way of feeling that the instruments get more energy from the inside out. ASR is a little flatter with less colors. Upwards is it, as I said yet airier and more liberated than ASR. Soundstage is overall better defined holography, focus, width, height and depth is without doubt the best I've had in my system. Today, about 2 weeks old, is getting better and I'm very happy. The sound is dynamic, coal-black background, analog and "right" midrange, extremely airy upward. The bass goes no deeper than the ASR but it still resonant and seamlessly integrated into the whole.
The fact is that I sold my ASR 2 days after that I switched Whest and never need to double check the other way. I'm not the type who checks back and forth or a song here and a song there. The sound I hear, over time it means something to me. Sometimes I'm insecure and sometimes, as here, no way back.
This post was not meant as an attempt to denigrate anything, anyone who has an ASR can rest well. It's not any worse from what I have written. I KNOW that this is also incredibly good and that it had stood still here if I had not tried Whest. This was in fact was a little fun .. for you who may have interest in such:)
EP
