I havent invested heavily on a streamer, and have a couple of decent DACs.
Doing tests, Ive found a significant difference between coax and USB inputs. I upgraded from a Node 2i to a Node (N130) streamer after testing a loaner. DACs are a humble Denafrips Venus II and Holoaudio Spring 3 KTE...
I received a used Denafrips Venus II today. It was to replace a new Gustard R26. Both are R2R ladder DACs. I warmed it and the system up for 4 hours.
Sat on the listening couch around 8pm. Played songs from The Police, David Bowie, Drake, etc... Oh, yeah! This thing is glorious. Its the sonic...
I'd bought the Gustard R26 during the Black Friday sale on Amazon.com.
I was initially quite impressed. After being consistently on since I got the DAC on November 28, I think the unit finally broke in. Total of about 350 hours.
It was a phased break-in process. The low end started blossoming...
She’s here. 1964 Thorens TD-124 idler drive turntable restoration.
6 months with a professional restorer. It took that long to pool together 30 turntables to have the main bearings and spindles custom machined by an aerospace machine shop.
Ultrasonically cleaned, reassembled with modern...
Pardon me if this has been done before. Not in my wildest dreams did I think this would work.
The house next door to me has been vacant for some 10 years. The house itself is from 1932. It recently got sold, and my old neighbor came by to take the last of his stuff he wanted to keep. Ive been...
Im waiting on the final bill, but the resto and standard parts is around 1200. The Upper Platter and replacement speed knob is more.
Its a lot of money, but I can make it back elsewhere. I can do the resto myself but likely not as good (I suck with refinishing) and with a lot of trail, error...
I bought a Thorens TD-124 mk I last September.
Bought it on impulse with full intention of restoring it myself. I wanted to hear it and was hoping to find a keeper. When I got it, I took it apart and took measurements of the main bearing. Its was off. The idler wheel was cracked, belts toast...
Im in the process of doing a restoration on a Thorens TD-124. The main bearing and spindle has been blue printed, new bushings everywhere else, professional paint restoration, a deep cleaning, lubrication, new wire harness, PCB board, new electronic components, and tuned to spec.
Below is an...
based on the feedback here, reviews of the Zephyr Mk III, its high output, the ability to bypass my onboard SUTs, use the Allnic tube gain stage direct, and a positive review of the TD-124 combo with a 12” arm and the Zephyr, I went ahead and bought that cartridge.
btw, I have a Dynavector...