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...Keep up your good work on your site! Paul Rozario
I read with great interest your review on the Clearaudio Ambient turntable with the Stradivari cartridge. I am also the proud owner of an identical setup except that I am using their Concerto cartridge. I am interested to know how you found installing the cartridge and whether you used a test LP at all. When using the HiFi News test record, I have found that I cannot eradicate a certain amount of distortion on the right channel as we move closer to the centre of the LP (not the mental torture track, but one before). In effect, I can't seem to apply enough bias (anti-skate). As the bias mechanism is magnetic, I can apply additional force by holding a steel bolt close by, but not practical really. I have aligned the cartridge using Clearaudio's own alignment gauge and assorted other protractors. I have worked the VTF between the 2.6 - 3.0 grams and VTA is set visually (arm parallel to LP surface). Azimuth of the cantilever is as perpendicular as I can tell. Whilst I know that vinyl pressings are often sub-standard (plenty of mine are getting to sound cloudy after so many years of play with rough styli), I am trying to do my best to minimize inner groove distortion. I do find it hard to believe that Clearaudio's own bias + plus cartridge engineering is flawed. They are German after all. Would you recommend tweaking the cartridge alignment slightly and to try things by ear (there's parallel and there's parallel after all!) or am I simply trying too hard? Many thanks from a hi-fi novice! James Baker
James, Ahhh, the desire for perfection. Like you, i doubt your cartridge is a bit off as the distortion would probably be at all times and not just in the innermost grooves. So.... i used the Enjoy the Music.com protractor and the Clearaudio EXACT stylus gauge. Also have a bubble level for the headshell to ensure it is level. If the distortion you hear is relatively minor and, frankly, not audible during normal music replay i'd leave well enough alone. My Van den Hul Grasshopper (review coming in the September 2007 issue) came with a bubble level you mount to the headshell instead of a cartridge to ensure it is level. Forget where i got my original one, maybe VDH sells this device separately? Anywho, all things being equal, when using a normal (not parallel/linear tracking) tonearm, you will get distortion of some sort at some point of the vinyl. It comes from the minute difference in angle of the cartridge to the vinyl. Using a 12-inch long tonearm would help a bit versus the shorter one that comes with the Ambient. But if you really ant a solution, then get a parallel/linear tracking tonearm. If you really want to see what might be happening, download the Excel spreadsheet from this link. Once you load the file you can see the default setting is the Enjoy the Music.com cartridge alignment tool. You can change parameters to better understand exactly where and how much tracking error and distortion there is. Frankly, if the music sounds great and you really do not hear the distortion then leave it alone. If you desire perfection to the Nth degree, the road to parallel/linear tonearm is just a Visa/MasterCard away. Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin
I am looking to put together a stereo system-- bookshelf speakers, CD or CD/SACD player and integrated amp. Since I am not near any large city I cannot audition easily, so I'm trying to research via the net before I audition a couple of the most highly recommended systems. One such highly recommended system from the TAS forums by J.Valin is: Speakers Magico Mini II The Tara Labs would be too much so I would probably lower to maybe AudioQuest Sky/Kilimanjaro or Nordost Valhalla combo. I have been reading the SA EQUIPMENT reviews and have enjoyed them very much. I am pretty much "sold" on the Magico Mini II speakers (assuming they audition as well as they are reviewed). My goal was to have an SACD player so after reading your review on the Emm Labs CDSA-SE player I researched it more and it sounds amazing (plus it's Canadian). I have read the following four reviews of other integrated amps from SA GamuT DI 150 And I am hoping that you might recommend one that would mate best (most accurate??) with the Magico Mini II and Emm Labs CDSA-SE. Of course, if you have further recommendations or advice please let me know. Looking forward to hearing from you. Brian Robertson
Hi Brian, I suspect if you ask 20 different reviewers you'd get 20 different opinions. The only one that matters is yours. The recommendation from Jonathan Valin is certainly interesting, if you can afford it. The Valhallas are superb cables and I'm sure they would work well. I have not had the Magico's in house so I cannot tell you how well they would mate with any of the amps listed. I think you will need a high power amp to drive the Magico's to their best advantage. The EMM CDSA SE will work well with any of the amps, since at its low output setting it complies with industry standards, and it also offers a higher level output which some amps (not the Perreaux) can handle. Take your time and find a dealer who will let you try the equipment in your own home. Good luck, and please let me know how your search goes. Enjoy the music, Phil
I just read your review of the Penaudio's Chara-Charisma: Is compromise a good thing? Your review is truly informative and accessible to the uninitiated music enthusiast that I am. It is also compelling. I have subsequently heard these speakers: sensational indeed. But the room and all the equipment etc make it almost impossible to judge objectively. My system: Musical Fidelity X-ray v8; Musical Fidelity X-T100 (integrated tube pre-amp, solid state power, c60 or 70wpc - I'm sure you know all that). QED silver spiral interconnect and speaker cables, with JM-Lab Focal Electra 906 speakers. Heart of the matter: Would the Chara-Charisma fit with my sytem (esp Amp and Cables)? Are they generous in room placement? Are they an observable improvement over the Electras? (particularly for the music we listen to) I'm sure you can tell from my questions I'm uninitiated, but I do love listening to music. My wife and I love classical, particularly chamber or solo strings, soft jazz (like Diana Krall) and soft lounge music, but with a good volume at times. Are there any changes to my system you would recommend? Especially any to fit with the Chara-Charismas? Wrong cables? (What about affordable Audiosonics?) Wrong Amp? (what about Naim entry level - would that be a better fit for the Penaudios?) Or are the Penaudios just too good for any of stuff I've mentioned? I don't have loads of cash - current system stretched the budget, but I am keen to consider these Penaudios and you obviously understand them. Even if you could answer a couple of my questions I'd really appreciate it - so would the guy who's keen to sell the Penaudios. Cheers, Darren
Darren, You have a fine system indeed. I heard the 906s only once at a show and so cannot really comment, but I do know the 905s and others in the Electra line. I am hesitant to tell you to spend more money because I do like the sound of JM Labs / Focal and it seems also to fit what you like in music. That said, the Charisma/Chara combo is very good. You will get a lot more bottom end, and the upper ranges are sweet but neutral and extended. It also fits nicely into a living space. They have a wide dispersion and don't need to be dialed in to a two-inch space to sound good. (I was just at the Penaudio distributor's house this past week and can reaffirm that that is true.) I don't really know the sound of the QED cables so can't tell you if they are optimal for you. The MF equipment is very good and would pair just fine with the Penaudios, as I am sure it does with the 906s. What I don't understand is what you feel you are missing. Yes, it is certainly likely that you will have better sound with the Chara/Charisma but you have limited funds, and I haven't heard that you are lacking a lot right now. I do like my Goertz cables with the Penaudios. They are just the tiniest bit sweet. And the Penaudios are just so neutral that if you have a cable that is too cool, you may miss some of the emotion of the music. I am not saying that Goertz is the answer (though even their copper cables are very fine) but a cable that is not too clinical would be a better match with the Penaudios. I have Kimber Selects also -- you could try the 8TC, which always sounds very fine, not too hot and not too cool. Again, I don't want to tell you to spend thousands more unless you are really lacking in something. (Of course if you are getting them used at a good price, then that makes it a little easier). If it is just that there is something better out there, it is often better to chill and not spend money. But if you have a good reason, then you'll have to be precise about what you are seeking to gain. I see you're in Hong Kong? I am writing to you from Shanghai today... Rick
Thank you for the test. Some month ago my chain was fully cabeled by Valhalla power cords (2 active studio monitors plus Accuphase DP800-transport). Now I use the better sounding Supra (3 x 2,5qmm) feeding the monitors and an Audience feeding the transport. Not only in this chain, in different high quality chains in former years it was always absolutely clear: the power cords were the most important ones. And the power cord for the different players were the most important ones of the whole power cord stuff. A power cord for the front end can destroy all the quality a component like a DP800 is able to serve. Your result in this topic is a little bit astonishing and does not match the experience of nameless music lovers. The Valhallas sound rather dry and give a very dry bass. BUT it makes short notes without the natural flow music contents. Music do not sound so as will be served by Valhallas. Sorry for my bad English. Regards, Wolfgang Zöllner
Hi Wolfgang, Very nice to hear from you. I’m pleased to hear and to publish your findings. Please note that I am not saying the power cables are less important than others in the chain. In fact I think I described the big differences they make. But I am saying the Crystal Cables Ultras sound quite close to the Valhallas and unlike the other cables I have around, and if you do not like one you may not like the other. In my system they are both stunningly good – no hint o dry bass or lack of natural flow. What you may be hearing is the inherent limitations of the Redbook CD. You say that my experience “is a little bit astonishing and does not match the experience of nameless music lovers”. I can’t comment on anyone’s ears except my own, and I do that based on a great deal of experience with live music, classical folk and jazz. That doesn’t mean I’m right of course. Enjoy The Music, Phil
Just a quick question about the Ongaku, I know it has been years Thanks, Matt Roszkowski
Matt, The original Japanese Ongaku is indeed amazing, yet over time some very high value contenders have come to the forefront including the Consonance Cyber 211. Also of note is Audio Note UK has their own new version of the Ongaku that is different from the original Japanese version. In any case, you'll need to buy the GE VT4C output tubes for the Consonance, yet for $5k you get so very close to the Japanese mega-dollar Ongaku that it might be hard to justify spending more. Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin
Do you still feel about the Hyperion 938's the way you did when you wrote their review back in Dec 2004? I'm kind of in a dilemma. Purchased the Onix Ref 3's (including center & surrounds Ref 1's) for both H/T and classical music listening and wonder if I made a mistake and jumped on the Ref 3's too soon. (60 days ago). I got in touch Albert and he's willing to send me a pair to audition in my home. Mesa, AZ. No dealer here. Sounds like the piano finish is the same on both and I know from my end quite striking but something is missing with the Ref 3's. Maybe they are not broken but kind of harsh in the upper end when the volume is turned up. I have a set of Maggies IIIa's now for 20 years and that's my preference hooked up to Audio Research and Audible Illusions (remember them?), that vertical soundstage and sound swallowing you up is what the Maggies do (see you're familiar based on your list there! funny!) I'm trying to find the correct "fit" balance between music and H/T. Anyway, your opinion 2.5 yrs later on the 938's? Thanks, John Krstich
John, Wow, you are right in that i am familiar with virtually all those units you mentioned and yes, the Maggies do throw a wonderful soundscape. So you are going from sizeable Maggies to normal dynamic driver speakers and find things a bit lacking it appears. Well, wish there was a magic bullet other than to say if you want the scale of the Maggie III in a dynamic driver setup you may want to investigate loudspeakers with size like the Dunlavys and Duntechs. Of course these are not inexpensive items, yet the used marketplace might be your 'friend.' If all else fails, perhaps it is time to get another pair of Maggies for the HT system? Magnepan now makes HT speakers for center and side/surround, so you have options on that levels for timber-matching. Sometimes a horn loudspeaker guy is always a horn guy, a panel guy always a panel guy, and a dynamic driver guy... you get the idea. Besides, having a complete Maggie surround sound system is a very nice way to go, you certainly could do much worse in the scheme of life. Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin
I really enjoy your review on the Maggies (Magnepan 3.6). Recently purchased a pair used and realized that they don't come with external crossover and have three questions. Do I have to have the external crossovers for the 3.6r and do you know how much each would cost? Further do you know any upgraded crossovers that would work or work better? Your response will be truly appreciated, Thach
Thach, Thanks for your e-mail and your best bet is to contact the good folks at Maggie, include the serial number as well so they can see what version you have as am not sure if they made any changes during production. As for an aftermarket external crossover, of course you could always go with an electronic crossover that provide many variables/customizations to suit your needs. prices of these units vary depending on features and quality. Our review Bill Gaw uses the tubed version by Marchand with good results. Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin
I've got a few questions for you if you have the time... I would appreciate a brief input. I'm going to get a Ray Samuels XR-10B based on hearing the unit at Todd the Vinyl Junkies system. I have a Bluenote Baldinotti and plan on getting a Lyra Titan in a few months The Ray Samuels XR-10B can be custom made, with different input cap and input resistance. Since I am only using MC low output cartridges can you give what resistance values I should use? Example, add 20k and 10K, or 10 and 5 Ohms and remove the 100ohm and the 1K. I realize the the XR-10B is setup for both MM and MC but if I'm only using MC should I set it up a bit different? Your time and help are appreciated, Scott Reeder
Scott, Each cartridge and system is different. Find out what the cartridge manufacturer suggests and shoot for that value plus a value or two below and above it. Am sure you will love the unit, it is truly a great piece of equipment! Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin
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Hi Steven,
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