john_tracy

Responses from john_tracy

Need help with finding a new phono stage.
If you are comfortable soldering and doing some assembly the K&K Audio phono preamp from Kevin Carter is outstanding. It is very similar to the Art Audio Vinyl Reference that Kevin designed.www.kandkaudio.com 
How to improve AC power
Nice DIY article in the current issue of AudioXpress. 
What's a "Voltage Divider Linear Network"
Try sending an email to: gregg@caryaudio.com. Sometimes Kirk the tech has so many incoming emails it takes awhile to receive an answer. 
How do I set anti skate on Nottingham Anna arm????
I can ditto that! I have a custom Neuance shelf for my Hyperspace. The charchol color of the shelf is almost an exact match with the carbon platter of the TT. Very cool looking. It replaces the top shelf of my rack. 
new vs. used vinyl, pops and clicks.
During the first oil crisis in the 1970's, many record companies upped the recycled vinyl content of their records. To add insult to injury, they didn't even bother to remove or punch out the paper labels. I remember that at the time someone I kne... 
How do I set anti skate on Nottingham Anna arm????
If you notice that your cart. is mistracking in one channel only, that is an indication that the anti-skating needs adjustment. If I remember correctly (and I sure if I am wrong someone will correct me) the inner groove wall is the right channel a... 
preamp isolation
Check out the K&K Audio forum over on the Asylum. Also, read Lynn Olson's articles in VTV magazine and check out his web site: www.nutshellhifi.com/ The Jensen transformer site has some good info to: http://www.jensen-transformers.com/apps_wp.... 
preamp isolation
IMHO a better why to "isolate" a preamp is through transformer coupling. Electrical isolation IMO is more important than mechanical isolation. Ground currents in your ICs will generate noise, it's Ohm's Law. Even balanced ICs can have issues. Typi... 
best mid price dac for Sonic frontiers CD3
If you are handy with w soldering iron, check out the RAKK DAC kit over at K&K Audio (kandkaudio.com). I just finished putting mine together (passive output stage, Tent Labs XO board) and it sounds awesome! Blew away my MF Trivista 21. If my b... 
Stereophile review- Fisher 500 C
Larry, I also own a Cary SLI-80. I spent big bucks rolling NOS tubes in it. Final compliment: Amperex USA 'pinched waist' 6922s; Syl. USN issue 6SN7WGTAs (selected for tight triode matching); GEC KT-88s and Mullard 5AS4s. The Eico HF-89 that I rec... 
TriPlanar Tips
Tip #6 sounds like just the ticket for fine adjusting the VTF on my OL Illustrious. Now that summer and warmer temps. are coming I may have to trim my setting. BTW, the technical term for slop in the threads is 'backlash'. I did some machining as ... 
Tube Biasing: do I have to?
Uppermidfi - find out! The info is out there on the net somewhere. If you are going to use this arcane technology, it behooves you to learn its ways. There are some very good discussions of biasing output tubes on the FAQ sections of this and othe... 
Best Phono Pre for Teres
Raul, this statement is pure bullshit on your part. "it is only that is imposible to have a good all tube phono preamplifier because the physics laws do that the tube devices unfit for". It is obvious to me that you know absolutely nothing about t... 
looking for tube recommedations for Cary SLI-80
Larry, I would check the specks before subbing in 5AR4s as these are not a direct substitute for the 5U4s. In my experience with the SLI-80 I would stay away from 5U4GTBs (note the 'B'). These are the straight sided tubes with the higher rating, 2... 
looking for tube recommedations for Cary SLI-80
Don't neglect the rectifier tubes. They can have a big influence on the sound of the SLI-80. My current favorites are NOS Mullard 5AS4s.