Sublime Sound

[morricab]

There is no "relevant comparison" - we are really trying to compare different rooms, cartridges, settings, music, and recording devices on the internet in 128kb form? And numerous members are using iPads, $10 computer speakers, etc to "evaluate" this presumed comparison?

I mean, seriously guys. This is "whatsbestforum" not "crappyiphonesoundforum"

Vids are fun, you can hear some things sometimes. But they are hardly any kind of comparative mechanism especially at some of our member's system level. And frankly, I would never submit my own relatively modest by WBF standards system to such failed by start comparison.

As far as I could tell it was the same room and same system. The only difference was the cartridge. So for a relative comparison it was pretty fair and also pretty clear to hear the differences.
Most are listening to these with good headphones, possibly with an expensive headphone amp, and not cheap computer speakers or built in iPad speakers.
Bottom line is that one could hear quite a bit despite the low res of the file.

 

[morricab]

Hi Peter,

Sorry you have read too much into my statement. I presume nothing of you
I should have written “it would be a judicious choice imho” rather than “Peter you made a judicious choice.”
I haven’t mentioned “your” toe before but it is a good idea in your system imho.

I have played around with the vintage conductors for circa 5 years now. I have built so many cables using vintage wire from usb to din phono using all manner of them including higher gauge ones and ones with different insulation’s. I think I have a relatively good feel for their sound now.

Enjoy.

How old is this wire Bill? How do you know it is not all oxidized inside the insulation?

 

[bazelio]

Let me put it another way - I think it was a very judicious choice of cabling for a cart with a rising frequency response profile (literally inverted B&K) coupled to a “modern” sounding flat speaker with lots of metal in the build

Funny you mention B&K as I was playing with the curve this morning to visually describe my experience with VdH. It's probably best described by a mirror about the 200 Hz mark of the curve. Roughly this:

Someone has mentioned that they wouldn't describe VdH carts as higher resolution vs others, and I agree. The thinner and brighter character does however play tricks on the mind.

 

[bazelio]

How old is this wire Bill? How do you know it is not all oxidized inside the insulation?

In many cases, it is in fact oxidized. This may (or may not) contribute to the tenebrous sound it produces.

 

[Bobvin]

I am only sad that my audio buddies in Boston can not visit me during COVID to experience how nice these two outstanding cartridges sound in my system.

If nobody has the dreaded vi-ri, getting together shouldn’t be a problem. We entertained last night with some vi-ri free friends and a good time was had by all. Then again, they’re the kind of friends where the wife says “y’all should stop by and bring your guns, we can do some shooting” as they have property and a safe place to shoot. No surprise they’d be on the liberty side of lockdowns and quarantine.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

How old is this wire Bill? How do you know it is not all oxidized inside the insulation?

Hi Brad,

Been messing around with loads of the vintage WE wires and indeed the modern remakes from Dueland for ages. Some samples are more “aged” than others - I found a guy who gets me really immaculate stuff now.

 

[bazelio]

Hi Brad,

Been messing around with loads of the vintage WE wires and indeed the modern remakes from Dueland for ages. Some samples are more “aged” than others - I found a guy who gets me really immaculate stuff now.

Bill, how do the the visually aged samples differ in sound from the "pristine" samples?

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Bill, how do the the visually aged samples differ in sound from the "pristine" samples?

I have never had the exact cable matched unfortunately to compare like that - they have different either in GA or insulation or both. My preference is the multi-strand tinned copper with cotton cloth jacket/sheath and no plastic insulator if you can find them.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Someone has mentioned that they wouldn't describe VdH carts as higher resolution vs others, and I agree. The thinner and brighter character does however play tricks on the mind.

Do you have a frequency response chart of an actual vdH Colibri cartridge?

 

[Al M.]

If nobody has the dreaded vi-ri, getting together shouldn’t be a problem. We entertained last night with some vi-ri free friends and a good time was had by all. Then again, they’re the kind of friends where the wife says “y’all should stop by and bring your guns, we can do some shooting” as they have property and a safe place to shoot. No surprise they’d be on the liberty side of lockdowns and quarantine.

This has absolutely nothing to with being on the "liberty side", but with risk assessment, not just for myself but others who I currently have to see in my life and whom I am responsible for. This especially in light of the vaccine being just around the corner.

Peter and I visited each other again regularly from late spring/early summer to just a month or two ago. The daily case load in Massachusetts was much lower back then, and we took the usual precautions like outdoor dining. Peter was one of the few persons that I saw outside my usual "personal bubble" that I have maintained during the pandemic.

I am all for the liberty side, and I refuse to follow guidelines that don't make rational sense, like currently having to wear a mask any time I am outdoors. When on my daily 20 minute walk through empty streets I see maybe two or three people from at least 15 feet distance, why should I wear a mask? Going downtown is an entirely different story. I do wear a mask wherever it makes logical sense and is sensibly required (lots of times, and always at work) or where I sense I might trample on the feelings of others if I don't.

 

[Bobvin]

Al, Peter, (everyone else) I completely respect your personal choices wrt the vi-ri. Many of us are in the age class of higher vulnerability, and many live where their lives put them in closer proximity to others. Its been a hundred years since a “pandemic” like this, and for the most part individuals are doing what they consider their fair part. Sadly, the lockdowns and such haven’t had all that much effect and hopefully some new ideas will emerge—’cause when the zombie apocalypse comes round we better have a real plan.

 

[PeterA]

Thank you for those opinions about the pandemic, But could we please get back on topic? Thank you.

 

[Bobvin]

Thank you for those opinions about the pandemic, But could we please get back on topic? Thank you.

Yep. I’d love for you to have an Etsuro Gold to put into your evaluations, simply because I am gobsmacked by what I am hearing but don’t have ability to play with some others, and don’t have multiple arms either. VdH carts intrigued me based in all the comments, but I never heard one. I appreciate you writing what you have been hearing, and for taking the time to do the whole video thing as it does take some time and effort.

Also, you mention running your cart wide open, did you do the same with the Opus?

 

[jeff1225]

I just got the impression Tang was writing hastily, never gave a thought to any disrespect implied.

With what the Japanese did to Asia in WW2 and their refusal to take accountability for it, Tang can call them whatever the hell he wants.

 

[PeterA]

Also, you mention running your cart wide open, did you do the same with the Opus?

Yes it is loaded at 47K ohms. It sounds best that way in my system.

 

[Tango]

“Our” culture is not Tang’s.
I agree that No one in the USA should use the term Jap. The term has been seen as racist in the USA well before the current environment of hyper PC attitudes.

Sorry for my wrong choice of word in this forum. We have no history with Japanese like Americans do and I did not think of anything in a racist nature. I live with Japanese friends all my life. It was just an abbreviation for me. Purely educational purpose, isn't saying Jap(anese) the same as saying Brit(ish). I have seen many people regularly use the term Brit in this forum. Or does it depend on what national said it? Anyway it is best going back to my post and re-write a full word.

 

[Kingsrule]

Al, Peter, (everyone else) I completely respect your personal choices wrt the vi-ri. Many of us are in the age class of higher vulnerability, and many live where their lives put them in closer proximity to others. Its been a hundred years since a “pandemic” like this, and for the most part individuals are doing what they consider their fair part. Sadly, the lockdowns and such haven’t had all that much effect and hopefully some new ideas will emerge—’cause when the zombie apocalypse comes round we better have a real plan.

Stupid post as well as the one with the wine picture (are we supposed to be impressed by them?)...really arrogant and nothing to do with this thread

 

[Al M.]

Sorry for my wrong choice of word in this forum. We have no history with Japanese like Americans do and I did not think of anything in a racist nature. I live with Japanese friends all my life. It was just an abbreviation for me. Purely educational purpose, isn't saying Jap(anese) the same as saying Brit(ish). I have seen many people regularly use the term Brit in this forum. Or does it depend on what national said it? Anyway it is best going back to my post and re-write a full word.

Don't worry, as you already imply, it's culture dependent. From Wikipedia:

Jap-Fest is an annual Japanese car show in Ireland.[13] In 1970, the Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada opened the "Jungle Jap" boutique in Paris.[14]

In Singapore[15] and Hong Kong,[16] the term is used freely as a contraction of the adjective "Japanese" rather than as a derogatory term. The Australian news service Asia Pulse has also used the term in 2008.[17]

Link:

Jap - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[bazelio]

Do you have a frequency response chart of an actual vdH Colibri cartridge?

No. Van Den Hul don't even acknowledge the existence of a "Grand Cru" on their website, let alone publish specs. I haven't seen this info for any of their carts. Heck, I had a "spirited" discussion around tonearm screw hole pitch specs with one of their distributors at one point, which hardly seemed as though it should be mysterious.

 

[jeff1225]

No. Van Den Hul don't even acknowledge the existence of a "Grand Cru" on their website, let alone publish specs. I haven't seen this info for any of their carts. Heck, I had a "spirited" discussion around tonearm screw hole pitch specs with one of their distributors at one point, which hardly seemed as though it should be mysterious.

But....isn't that the magic of VDH? One off science projects that can sound absolutely amazing but look like a collection of parts. IMO the AirTight carts and the VDH carts are the perfect example of form follows function. The AirTight carts are neat and tidy like their construction. They make no errors but also take no chances. The VDH carts however.....