2. analog
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A battle between two turntable generations. Which one is the winner?

Being an electronic and acoustic enginner, I've worked for well renowned Companies in Germany, that led me to listen to all kind of analog equipments, from turntables to tonearms, cartridges... I love the analog sound!

While I've had the EMT 927 and 930, the SP-10 of all versions, VPI's, Thorens, etc... I ended with my reliable Garrard 301, that I bought brand new in London, England. Believe me, a well engineered plinth for the Garrard 301 transforms the 301 in an outstanding turntable.

Time passed and my beloved Fidelity Research FR-66 SS tonearm was substitued for the magnificent (and a bargain!) Trans-Fi Terminator (best linear tracking tonearm I've experienced). When I felt that it was time to change the Garrard 301 for a new one and based on the positive reviews, I emailed Bruce McDougall, the designer and owner of ANVIL turntables to quote a turntable that could suit the Terminator Tonearm. (Linear tracking tonearms need a VERY stable plinth to perform at best) because I would like to compare the Garrard with a contemporary turntable without breaking the bank.

The ANVIL comes complete (you can name it "turbinated") with adjustable motor board (adjustable string tension), adjustable arm board, the new bearing model and the proprietary magnetic levitated footers.

To make real comparisions, the only thing that I changed was the Garrard 301. Victor Patacchiola's tonearm (Terminator), Audio-Technica AT50ANV Limited Edition (the most natural cartridge ever!) and Steven Huang's Audio Sensibility Impact SE phono cable remained the same.

The main LP that I used (and accostumed with it, too) is a fabulous recording of Switzerland's vocal jazz "BRIGITTE BADER MEETS JOHNNY GRIFFIN", very very rare limited edition by ARS of Germany. Many japanese audiophiles that I know use this recording to "tune" their systems. If you come across this LP, please buy it! This is an all analogue recording made with purist techniques and direct recorded on a Studer B67 recorder.

Although the Garrard + Terminator show their positive potential on track 3, "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON", (oh) boy!... the Anvil + Terminator is in a different league: it transformed the already perfect soundstage in an outstanding presentation. All the authoritative bass present in the Garrard (probably due to idler wheel drive??) stay there, but with tonal nuances never heard before. The Anvil is unbelievable quiet with perfect speed stability . Certainly the new bearing and a massive platter contributes for a clarity on complex passages that I have not ever experienced before. At $3700.00 (the price that I paid for the Anvil "turbinated with accessories") is a bargain if compared with some turntables that uses plastic, MDF (oh my God!) and other "fancy" materials. The Anvil is of all metal construction and is HEAVY (about 60lbs) and certainly this contributes for the supreme results.

I'm not affiliate with ANY companies mentioned in this review. I'm just a passionate audiophile searching for the best and this combination made my ears smiling!

Would you like to share with me, fellow Audiogon members, your impressions and thoughs about your phono system? Cheers!, Jose.
ultima700
terry9
931 posts
 
@bdp24 

Glad to see that your experience of Vic mirrored my own - very positive.

Low pressure compressors are available from Pets&Ponds. I have dealt there three times, three positives. Vic recommends just sufficient pressure to float the wand, a little less than 0.2 psi, but I prefer more pressure, 0.3 to 0.6 psi, which increases clarity. As you see, I use pressure as a tone control.

Enjoy!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Terry, Vic has experience with his arm and my cartridge, the London Reference, so I’ll be asking him for recommendations and advice. His system’s speakers are an OB design, as are mine, partly---OB/dipole subs, planar speakers. You have the Transfi table too, don’t you? A rim drive, which I haven’t looked into yet. I’ve wanted to try a straight tracker for years, but they (primarily the ET) always seemed too complicated and fiddly for me. The Terminator’s simplicity and low price seduced me! I bought a new (to me) table just for the arm.
harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
Terry, what is the pressure meter you are using and where can I found one to try. I´m also interested to know what the actual pressure is and its effect on sound.
terry9
931 posts
 
I use a blood pressure monitor, calibrated in mm of Hg, also known as a sphygmomanometer. They are available on Amazon - try to get one that is marked down to 10 mm. If you can't find one on-line, I may be able to help with one that is locally sourced.

One psi is about 50 mm Hg, so I run at the bottom of the scale, between 9 mm and 35 mm; mostly 15-30 mm. I also use a precision regulator from Fairchild, model 10224; mine came from Telematic Controls in Alberta.

Surge suppression is a two stage effort downstream. The first is a one gallon jar filled with cotton balls, fed by a plastic tube reaching down from the lid. There are holes in the plastic tube - much like a glass-pack muffler. The second surge tank is just a 5 gallon plastic water jug.

BDP, I don't have the Salvation TT, although I expect they are wonderful. I have a Nottingham Mentor with modern bearing, motor and controller, and a massive aluminum-plywood-aluminum sandwich for a plinth, as a second TT. My primary TT is a DIY air bearing unit with 45 kg cast-iron/graphite platter.
harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
Terry, there are too many on eBay and Amazon so I really can´t choose the appropriate ones. If you could help me with one, I much appreciate.
As for surge supression, I can experiment that later.

Unfortunately the Salvation deck is no longer available, sure it would be a very special TT.

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