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Vinyl opinions
#437051 06/04/20 05:56 PM
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brendo Offline OP
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So I've had a modest table for a couple years. Recently have decided to upgrade my cartridge to a DJ version{AT XP5}. It is supposed to have a higher output level 5.5 mv the stylus is bonded elliptical. Though compatible with all newer AT styli. of their newer VM lineup Conical through to Shibata.
Paired with a Project Box USBV.

Have any of you guys tried DJ or Pro cartridges. I'm hoping the next upgrade of stylus for coming cart to make biggest difference. As I think an Elliptical/Nude or higher would be the lowest level I would go to next.

Also knowing these are mere kids toys compared to 2x6,Slim, and Andrew type set ups. So far these are the best level I have ever purchased myself.
If you guys were starting your table upgrades from this level more entry. Where would you go?

Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437052 06/04/20 07:16 PM
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Hello Mr. Brendo

I've never tried a DJ cartridge. I figure they're made to take a lot of abuse.

For a starter system, I'd go with an Ortofon 2M Red (deals can be found, $100 with head shell) and a TC753LC phono stage, decent, bare bones for around $50.

I see that Amazon no longer sells the excellent Yaqin MS23B tube phono state. I've used one and liked it a lot. It has 2 x 12ax7 tubes and is a great candidate for tube rolling. They used to go for around $200, can probably still be found on ebay.

Music Hall has a budget phono stage which I'm using on a beautiful Denon DP45F table with a Grado gold cartridge. Sounds very good.

Not sure this helped much, but good luck to you!

PS
So, why am I not using the Yaqin? The Yaqin has a metal canopy over the two tubes. I wanted to upgrade the tubes to a pair of Mullards (worth much more than the Yaqin). I unscrewed it but did not realize there was a spring under the canopy. Well, the spring sprung, the canopy bounced off the ceiling and I could never find the spring again. After that it had a hum I could not get rid of. Miss that little guy, When it was good, it was very good.

Last edited by 2x6spds; 06/04/20 07:19 PM.

Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437053 06/04/20 07:35 PM
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Philip, I would try disconnecting the RCA inputs (that are on the unit's chassis) from the board and connecting your RCA cables directly to the board connectors.


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Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437054 06/04/20 08:41 PM
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At the risk of Philips wrath, Not to mention the disdain of probably all the high-end guru's ....
I'd like to recommend a much less expensive phono amp alternative ...

A Pyle Audio PP999 phono preamp which can be had for about $15

This device has a single TI NE5532 low noise dual op-amp in it. IMO you don't need more for this application. I would not be surprised if a very similar circuit was in my 8805 preprocessor. That said I have not done any measurements on it mainly because it sounded fine to my ears (even with it's inexpensive wall wart power supply). I used it for years before buying the 8805.

Maybe Andrew can chime in and set me straight on why anyone would need something more as I'm always interested in learning a thing or two (especially when it comes to audio circuits)

Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437055 06/04/20 09:20 PM
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Rich, do you not understand that if it doesn't have Shashimi resistors, it can't possibly be good? That's what makes the Airs so special.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: Vinyl opinions
rrlev #437057 06/04/20 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rrlev
At the risk of Philips wrath, Not to mention the disdain of probably all the high-end guru's ....
I'd like to recommend a much less expensive phono amp alternative ...

A Pyle Audio PP999 phono preamp which can be had for about $15

This device has a single TI NE5532 low noise dual op-amp in it. IMO you don't need more for this application. I would not be surprised if a very similar circuit was in my 8805 preprocessor. That said I have not done any measurements on it mainly because it sounded fine to my ears (even with it's inexpensive wall wart power supply). I used it for years before buying the 8805.

Maybe Andrew can chime in and set me straight on why anyone would need something more as I'm always interested in learning a thing or two (especially when it comes to audio circuits)


Wrath free here! Inexpensive that works well is great. The TC753LC is a full preamp with a phono input and 3 or 4 other inputs. I have one in a giant tupperware holding many of my budget gadgets.

I have 7 sonic impact T-Amps which I was going to make into an inexpensive home theater 7 channel amplifier, a gaggle of Radio Shack super tweeters with Solen caps which I swapped for their 2 cent caps, etc., etc. Always looked for cheap giant killers. Gave up on that and crossed over to the dark side.

Oh, and speaking of sashimi resistors, when I received my pallet of the last of the Michaura M55s, M66s and M665s, I swapped the sand resistors for Vishays and Mills, and the caps with Duelands, Jupiters, Auricaps and Solens. They all sound great (they are Axiom made after all) but the pair with Duelands sound the best.

Last edited by 2x6spds; 06/04/20 11:02 PM.

Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437058 06/04/20 10:40 PM
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Philip, if you connect Shashimi resistors to the T amps, they'll sound like a million bucks. Their zero Ohm resistors sound very open and transparent.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437059 06/04/20 11:23 PM
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OK, please send me a few!


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437060 06/04/20 11:31 PM
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Andrew is hoarding them for the Axiom electronics.

BTW, when I place a thin sheet of flattened cotton ball over my glorious v4 tweeters, they sound like v2. No air, no shimmer.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: Vinyl opinions
brendo #437062 06/05/20 12:08 AM
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Another vote for "phone pre-amps can be pretty simple and still work well" as long as they have the basics like ground wires and decent PCB layout. I mention PCB layout because that only has to be done once and doesn't add to build cost except to the extent that additional layers are required.

I'm currently running a Pro-ject Carbon turntable with acrylic platter plus the Pro-ject MM/MC phono box. I was using an HK receiver with a built-in phono pre-amp but the new DAC/pre-amp didn't have phono input.

I'm probably going to go back to the HK for ripping vinyl to digital but that won't work until I get around to moving my office down to the basement (long story) but current setup is working well for now. Ortofon Red cartridge, and another "don't know much about DJ cartridges and figured they just had stronger shanks or something" opinion.


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