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  1. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    The comparison between the 2 TTs should justify a full review. I try to put it as simple as possible. My Kuzma XLDC is enhanced with the air float kit therefore it is about 40kg heavier than the normal XLDC. I also bought the anti-vibration board (platis 65), which I believe is a must for all...
  2. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    I didn’t have the chance to use the Outer Ring Clamp, which seems to be a good way to press down the curved records. Nowadays, even new issued records can be sometimes curved while the 180g vinyls are not easy to handle once curved.
  3. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    It is a Harmonix TU-812MX clamp and it is not a screw-down. It is a better clamp than the screw-down bronze clamp comes along with the turntable. I’ve also tried the black-wood clamp from Kuzma. A friend brought to my home for a try. That was an interesting clamp. Putting on that black-wood...
  4. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    It is an Etsuro Gold.
  5. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    Finally my Safir 9 arrived yesterday. I replaced my 4P11 with Safir 9. I’m giving it a few days to break in, especially the 1.5m arm cable attached. I mounted the Lyra Etna SL onto the Safir in order to have a “side by side” comparison with Lyra Atlas SL on an Kuzma 4P9, though different...
  6. ShawnZH

    New Arrival.... Phasemation PP-5000 MC Reference Cartridge

    My SFz is the latest version with only 2 inputs: 1.5ohm and 30 ohm, which gives 34db (50x) and 20db (10x) step-up ratio respectively. Even with 30x (30db), the MSL Gold will be stepped-up to about 15mv, which looks pretty high. Though in real listening, it might be very different than what the...
  7. ShawnZH

    New Arrival.... Phasemation PP-5000 MC Reference Cartridge

    MSL Gold is with an output of more than 0.5mv. SFz at 3ohm is with a boost ratio of 50 times. Wouldn’t this ratio produce a too high amplification? I’d try the MSL platinum with SFz+Allnic H-8000 anyway.
  8. ShawnZH

    New Arrival.... Phasemation PP-5000 MC Reference Cartridge

    Thanks Shakti. I’ll find a way to at least try out the T-2000. Meanwhile, frankly, I don’t find a good match to the SFZ on my system. I use Kondo GE-10i and Allnic HDT-8000 as the MM stage. In most of the case, the 50x ratio of SFZ sounds too much amplification to me. My 2 Lyra carts at...
  9. ShawnZH

    New Arrival.... Phasemation PP-5000 MC Reference Cartridge

    Congratulations for the new cartridge. I’m also looking at this new flagship from Phasemation. I quite like PP-2000. To me, it gives a healthy and ”correct” sound, a reference kind of sound. Now with PP-5000, the price increases significantly. Do you hear a significant improvement on the sound...
  10. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    Thanks Mik. I fully agree with your comments on the 2 arms. The differences are said very well. I pair my 4P11 with Ortofon Anna D. This combo sounds pretty good. I could have the details and scale from the acclaimed Anna D easily and you’re right about the “darker and calm” sound. Very...
  11. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    While expecting the arrival of Safir 9, I borrowed a 4P 9“ from a friend and mounted it on my AF1, to pair with Lyra Atlas SL. I’ve tried this combo at my friend’s house and it sounds great. At home, I have also the 4P 11”. To my surprise, the 4P 9” seems to be a better companion than the 11”...
  12. ShawnZH

    Ikeda 407 alignment

    Thanks Johan. I have a Wally protractor. However, there’s no 307mm alignment curve. Would you share how you align the cart with Wally? Do you increase/decrease the mounting distance and use 308.8/305.6 to achieve the 12mm overhang? Thanks.
  13. ShawnZH

    Ikeda 407 alignment

    Ikeda-407 is a very fine high mass arm. The manual specifies the eff. length at 307mm and mounting distance at 295mm, thus 12mm overhang. However it is not easy to find a protractor with a 307mm eff. Length tracking scheme, be it Lofgren or Baerwald. Either you can ask someone to customize a...
  14. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    Thanks a lot for your reply and insights. I guess there’re not many mounting SAT and SAFIR side by side. From what you described, SAT LM09 and SAFIR 9 seem to be in the same league in terms of their performance, while SAFIR suits better the lower compliance cartridges and SAT suits better the...
  15. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    I held an SAT LM 9 on my hand and tried to gauge the mass of the arm tube and i felt it pretty heavy, compared to my other arms, such as SME V12, Graham Elite 12, and even Kuzma 4P 11. It is not precise but it gives me an idea of the range of the mass.
  16. ShawnZH

    Kuzma SAFIR 9

    I’m very interested in the Safir 9. The picture on the Kuzma website looks quite unattractive while the real tonearm seems to be better looking with the tube not entirely white but ivory. A friend of mine recently bought one and he’s very happy with it. I’m currently looking at 2 arms: Safir 9...
  17. ShawnZH

    Which BNC 50-ohm cable for NHB-108 and NHB-18NS interconnection

    I finally got the cable 2 weeks ago. I’ve been playing with the cable since then. It needs pretty much burn-in. When I connected the pre/amp with the new 10mm BNC, it was not ideal, while thin-sounded and bass was poor. But it improves along the using. After almost 2-3 weeks, the sound opens up...
  18. ShawnZH

    Which BNC 50-ohm cable for NHB-108 and NHB-18NS interconnection

    Hi Mike, I haven’t received my new DTZ BNC yet, a lot of delays happened for various reasons. Do you have a chance to compare the new DTZ BNC cable with the old one, very slim/light brown BNC cables which I found not that good. I’m now using a Nordost Odin XLR, expecting the new DTZ BNC. I...
  19. ShawnZH

    Aesthetix IO 47k setting

    I have Etna SL at .25mv and Koetsu Blue Onyx at .3mv, both work fine with IO, straight in. Actually the .2mv Anna D works well at 80db setting too but the noise ground is a bit loud, yet still a very bearable level of noise. If at 74db, it is still fine And quieter. I just want to see how an SUT...
  20. ShawnZH

    Aesthetix IO 47k setting

    Thanks both for the reply. Then I’ll try without the load jumpers and an SUT. @Lagonda, I don’t have a volume control model. Yes, if pairing an SUT, i have to set the IO to 50db, the lowest and according to the manual, the No. 5 and No, 6 need to be removed. I’ll give it a try. I’m using an...
  21. ShawnZH

    Aesthetix IO 47k setting

    I have a 3-piece Aesthetix IO phono stage. I plan to use it as an MM stage loaded at 47k ohms. On the manual, it says, the 47k load setting is the factory configure. Is there anyone that can give me an idea of what it means by “factory configure”? At the back the IO, there’re 2 separate...
  22. ShawnZH

    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Is the XDMS already available?
  23. ShawnZH

    M12 Gold Switch

    Thanks CK. I have a Melco S100 but didn’t try to connect to M12 via its 100M jack. You solve the riddle of the LED color. Normally green is faster :-)
  24. ShawnZH

    M12 Gold Switch

    Thanks for the feedbacks. I can self-answer part of what I was asking. The sound quality improved along with the “burn-in”, after almost 3 days powered up, the switch sounds more natural, clear, less muddy, going to the right direction. But I did 2 additional efforts which also brought...
  25. ShawnZH

    M12 Gold Switch

    I bought a Telegartner M12 switch and it arrived today. Out of box, it sounds reasonably fine but I found it a bit muddy though the bass sound clearly more than my Melco S100 while it has a smooth sound, quite warm. I hope it can provide more resolution. It is a bit weird to describe the sound...
  26. ShawnZH

    Sitting Taiko SGM extreme with Wadax Atlantis Server

    Hi Roberto, Aries G2.1 has all popular outputs: AES, SPDIF, USB, i2S to connect to a DAC, some supports higher format music (DSD 512 for example), some lower. So matching M1se should be fine. As for the level of SQ, principally you get more out of more expensive gears. Since I used to use...
  27. ShawnZH

    Sitting Taiko SGM extreme with Wadax Atlantis Server

    Sorry, I only looked at the yellowish icon background. It was H inside instead of S. Apologies. I have M5 too, indeed it is a good gear. I like it a lot.
  28. ShawnZH

    Sitting Taiko SGM extreme with Wadax Atlantis Server

    Thanks Emile. It is always reassuring to see that Taiko provides such good level of customer support. Top notch server with top notch service, bravo.
  29. ShawnZH

    Sitting Taiko SGM extreme with Wadax Atlantis Server

    Thanks skids, I do realize it is a pity not trying TAS. My ignorance. Later on, I used an Aries G2.1 from Auralic and found it working pretty good when using the DS software, much better than using it as a Roon bridge. From there, I would believe TAS must win over Roon with Taiko. Hope one...
  30. ShawnZH

    Sitting Taiko SGM extreme with Wadax Atlantis Server

    Hi Emile (I guess), Roon recognize my DAC as Amanero Technology USB Driver 1.0.62. It is a WASAPI driver. Guess this is not the best driver?

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