Post your turntable setup...can't get enough of those spinners!

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by shaizada, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    I also own this exact Steve Dobbins Garrard 301 so can offer some insight. You basically heard why this idler drive is considered at the top of the idler food chain. That PRaT and textural detail is the hallmark of this design.

    Now, the somewhat forward presentation you heard from the analog playback can VERY LIKELY be in due to the clear, neutral and somewhat forward sound of the Ortofon A90 cartridge. I've owned this cartridge before and it is notorious for having a short life, especially due to the unique stylus profile. The cartridge was the very first one made using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process. The whole cartridge is really advanced in design (now there is the A95 and MC Anna based on the same principles).

    That cartridge coupled with the very neutral Reed 2A tonearm would be the combination to catapult the turntable presentation the way you heard it. Too many good things working together in a somewhat non-synergistic way in context of the rest of the system. All about balance in the end and synergy...

    I love the Steve Dobbins Garrard 301. A very very fine turntable.
     
  2. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Heard very similar things about the Ortofon A90 as well. Wasn't thinking the forward sound was due the Dyns or the DarTZeel.
     
  3. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    The table itself was clearly influencing the presentation as well, evidenced by the effect of the platter swap on soundstage depth. But of course I can't nail down all the variables, and if A90 has this tendency also, then that helps to further explain it.

    The idlers do certain things very well. In comparison, most belt drives will sound a bit smeared and flat. It's actually difficult to describe. You just have to hear it, I think. My own personal feeling would be Garrard 301 makes an excellent addition to those who keep a stable of turntables. But to those looking for one single endgame table, I'd only caution that they listen a fair bit before buying and be sure the idler sound fits their day-in / day-out listening preferences.
     
  4. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    Continuing the slight tangent via hifi co-incidence: I heard a pair of Dynaudio Evidence at the home of Louis Dejardins (Kronos CEO) last weekend. I thought they were excellent. Neutral and very very clean/transparent sounding. Definitely not bright/forward. Rest of the chain was Kronos Pro w/SCPS, Zyx, Kronos phono, a cool custom passive pre/volume control and Absolare monoblock amps.
     
  5. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Sounds like Dynaudios to me....they have this ability, due principally, I think, to the superb Esotar 2 tweeter, of being neutral, very, very clean and transparent as you say, but very natural-sounding and musical, even though this may sound like a contradiction in terms to some folks. Most importantly, they will never induce hearing fatigue nor ever drive you out of the room, like some Focals and Wilsons I've heard, some models of which I cannot listen to for more than 5 minutes. Rather, than you can listen to them all evening long and be fully engaged.

    Okay, back on-topic...turntables!
     
  6. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Me gusta this setup a lot. Not a huge Dyns fan, but the potential is surely there.
     
  7. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    I got the heavy kit upgrade for my Spacedeck this week. Sounds wicked - quieter, deeper bass, easier to hear subtle details, and more of a disappearing act. After some initial hesitation, I just love this table. The heavy kit is a 25mm graphite disc, a very serious platter mat upgrade essentially, and a spacer to raise the Ace Space arm.

    upload_2017-10-8_11-34-2.png
     

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  8. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Nice, man. I like the Nottinghams quite a bit. And you can find great deals on these used. Having compared it to the usual suspects at similar pricing (and even a bit above), I'd go with this table especially with this upgrade. And there are still performance upgrades to be had in the future, should you desire. A Kuzma Stogi S12 VTA with Transfiguration Axia or Dynavector XX2 could be killer. I've seen that arm pop up used once or twice over the summer.

    Enjoy!
     
  9. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    That's fantastic.
     
  10. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Sweet. Your conscience should know I took those names straight to Hifishark. A distraction drew me away before it was too late, thankfully.
     
  11. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    It is a beautiful disease, my analog brethren :punk:
     
  12. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    got a sweet EAR 192 DAC in the mail today. ironically, it's a dac (wrong thread i know) but it's the most analog-like dac i've heard. had a few goose-bump experiences with it already, even though I typically have those with vinyl (or live music haha). i suppose the other change since my last post here is the EAR 88pb phono stage, which was a total game changer for me. here's what it looks like without much reoganizing.

    MVIMG_20171020_225434.jpg
     
  13. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    What is that cylindrical thing under the platter bearing bolt on your TT Brencho?
     
  14. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Believe it is a big weight for moar mass
     
  15. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    When i had a C3, mine didn't have that weight. It must be a newer feature add on. My guess was it just adds some mass to sink some of the AC motor vibration. I.e. mass load the spindle essentially.
     
  16. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    my serial number is 3359 if that's of any use
     
  17. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    Big day for me yesterday.... upgraded from my Kronos Sparta to a Kronos Pro with the super capacitor based power supply (SCPS).

    IMG_0038.jpg

    I also moved all my hifi into the living room so I can listen to my speakers more often. Have a few planned improvements (oriental rug for the floor, wood platform under the rack, second adjacent rack to house 1200GR/ADC/other stuff etc...) for the room but so far so good!
     
  18. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    Hot damn @Chris F !!! Tell us about it! The dual platters rotate in opposite directions. What effect does this have? How is it sounding?!
     
  19. EeePee

    EeePee Acquaintance

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    Fork yeah, that's awesome.
     
  20. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Super tables rarely look as stunning... Congrats!!!
     

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