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  1. Barry

    Introducing the All-new Center Stage Ultra TT Feet for Turntables and Center Stage Ultra TD Feet for Tape Decks

    So do the new Ultra TCs replace the older 2Ms? Can the TDs be used on any electronic equipment like say a CDP, and sound better on them than the TCs?
  2. Barry

    Vishay Z-Foil vs Audio Note Non-Magnetic Resistors

    I recently tried the Audio Note Niobium 1W resistors in my preamp. I put them in the inputs of the signal path, before the gain stage, in place of TX 2575 (naked Vishay Z-foils). I'm a big fan of the Z-foils, but using too many is a little bit too much of a good thing. Over time, I noticed the...
  3. Barry

    Luxman's new D-10X flagship sacd player

    I bought a D-10X and it's burned in now for 350 hours or so. It's a really special component, almost magical at times. The purity of tone and its rendering of a sense of presence are it's 2 outstanding qualities. Yes, there are oodles of leading edge details that support the feeling of "being...
  4. Barry

    Vacuum Record Cleaning

    tima: I just wanted to thank you again for all the countless hours of research and experimentation work you've done, and shared, on cleaning records. This information has been a wonderful gift to me and to anyone who cares about great sound, and preserving their record collection!
  5. Barry

    Best capacitors for power amps...

    Good choice. Like others have suggested, I'd stick with original replacements. As Marty says, ratings of +/- 20% are typical. I'm not sure I'd replace the cabling if you liked how it sounded originally. I have an hybrid amp with a 160,000 uF BG power supply - it's sublime. However, even if...
  6. Barry

    The Greatest Rachmaninoff 3rd of all time?

    Thank you , Marty. I haven't listened to much classical music lately, but this brought me to tears. I watched it because I'll be seeing Yuja Wang this week in Philadelphia and wanted to hear Rachmaninoff. This will be interesting.
  7. Barry

    Any cyclists here?

    I am very glad you are well again. Count your blessings and be happy you missed that one. A fasciotomy is NOT fun. Thanks for the beautiful pics!
  8. Barry

    Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3.0 turntable

    I was talking about speed variation in general terms, but it was a hard left turn to be sure. Back to our regularly scheduled program!
  9. Barry

    Vishay Z-Foil vs Audio Note Non-Magnetic Resistors

    Having a large channel volume difference will have an obvious fix if you have patience and diagnose systematically. It's worth learning these skills. Take the advice already offered and then go to the tech. Find out what gets fixed and what may have caused it so you can deal with it if it...
  10. Barry

    Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3.0 turntable

    I'll say! For example, with a room temperature ranging in low 70s, and a warm-up of about an hour, my TW Acustic Raven Anniversary with 3-motor pod has a typical speed variation of +/- .003 revolutions at 33.333 over 30 seconds as measured by the Phoenix Engineering Road Runner tach. I think...
  11. Barry

    Lamm LL1 Signature - how good?

    Part of the difference in sound between the two is also due to the REF40s SED Winged "C" versus the Ref 10s Sovtek 6550WE power supply tubes.
  12. Barry

    SA-9 Transformer Replacement

    Here is the PDF specification documentation from Plitron on the 120V Toroidal transformer for the NP220.
  13. Barry

    IsoAcoustic Speaker Isolators Vs Speaker Spikes / Component Isolators Vs Premium Products Like Critical Mass Systems

    May have to try these. After more than 5 months, my dealer has had no luck getting Center Stage loudspeaker feet from distributor.
  14. Barry

    Pass XP-20 DB-25 Umbilical upgrade: Has anyone any suggestions on how much of a difference and what brand?

    The XP-20 I owned had the lowest noise of any preamp I ever heard by a wide margin - really great listening at low volumes. I'll be interested in what you learn, Steve!
  15. Barry

    Pass XP-20 DB-25 Umbilical upgrade: Has anyone any suggestions on how much of a difference and what brand?

    Add my name to your list of those that find the Tabulus Argentus DB-25 cables a great upgrade. I bought a pair of the 2 meter cables for my Pass Labs XVR-1 3way active crossover (2 power supplies). The XO has been powered up continuously for 6 weeks, and I have maybe 75 hours of active...
  16. Barry

    Pass XP-20 DB-25 Umbilical upgrade: Has anyone any suggestions on how much of a difference and what brand?

    I ordered a pair of the Tabulus DB-25s based on this thread for my very heavily modified Pass Labs XVR-1 3way crossover with 2 power supplies and will let you know how it goes. Stay tuned....
  17. Barry

    Modding my ARC Ref Anniversary

    Thanks ayreman for sharing your journey! Few are likely to undertake your trip, but if they want a little more magic from their REF40, REF10 Pre, or REF10 Phono with just a few parts changes, they might try swapping in the the Vishay Z-foil/TX 2575s for some of the stock resistors. Start with...
  18. Barry

    SA-9 Transformer Replacement

    There is something vaguely resembling an SA-4 schematic over at diyAudio in the thread here: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/279078-counterpoint-sa4-otl.html I also see a service manual for the SA-4 on WorthPoint.com but don't know what they're charging for it. You might also try...
  19. Barry

    Modding my ARC Ref Anniversary

    Interesting thread. Everyone seems to have their own experience and opinions, as expected. I've been modifying equipment for 50 years and have spent way, way more on parts than what a REF 40 retailed for, $8K on one recent project alone. I can really relate most to everything that Marty says...
  20. Barry

    Metal Mats

    I really like this mat on my solid copper platter TW Acoustic Anniversary! Very balanced sound, doesn't ring and is not overdamped. I believe it's coated aluminum.
  21. Barry

    Tube Testers

    You can't use an emissions tester to match tubes. There are also a few reasons why a mutual conductance tester may not be very good at it either including calibration issues, accuracy, and test voltage limitations to name a few. To understand the difference between an emissions, dynamic...
  22. Barry

    Any cyclists here?

    Pretty amazing story. I am very happy you got your bike back Ralph. I know what it must mean to you! A little off topic, but thanks for the reference on bikeindex.org for bike registrations. My Richard Sachs was built by one of the all-time great steel frame builders, and is not replaceable...
  23. Barry

    Brinkmann Balance/ Kuzma 4P

    That's great speed stability. I have a TW Acustic Raven Anniversary (belt drive) with the 3 DC motor (single unit) hooked up to a Roadrunner speed tachometer. It's a somewhat higher mass design than the BB. I do notice more speed variability until the turntable runs for a half hour or so. The...
  24. Barry

    Counterpoint tubes

    Jazzer: For Rectifier tubes in both the SA_5000 and SA-220 the best by far is the RFT EZ80 from Germany. They're about $20 each. I don't have any recommendations for the other tubes as my NP220 takes a different input tube than the 6DJ8/ 6992 tubes yours uses.
  25. Barry

    SA-9 Transformer Replacement

    This is a shot in the dark since Alta Vista Audio (Counterpoint) has been out of business for over 8 years, but you may want to try contacting Plitron directly as they may still have the part numbers somewhere. They would begin with AVA (Alta Vista Audio). Try: Anna Perruccio CSR Ext. 234...
  26. Barry

    Confessions of an Audiophile Junky-I Got Center Stage With Pitch Perfect Sound

    Recently put a set of CS2 .8 footers under my Sansui TU717 modified tuner. It came alive!
  27. Barry

    Best Sounding FM Tuner?

    The Tuner Information Center (TIC) has the most comprehensive information on vintage FM tuners of any site on the web. The panel of experts has some of the best technical people in the business and includes people who've owned, repaired, and modified hundreds of tuners. It even has a review...
  28. Barry

    tima's DIY RCM

    The other day I saw .2 micron filters somewhere, on Amazon maybe? They cost a little more.
  29. Barry

    Vishay Z-Foil vs Audio Note Non-Magnetic Resistors

    No experience with Mundorfs. They get some good reviews over on diyAudio which is where I'd research. I used the AN Kaisei in the signal path, in a low voltage application, NOT in a power supply. There, I found them warm, liquid, a little "oily" sounding, and somewhat bass-shy. It's possible...
  30. Barry

    Vishay Z-Foil vs Audio Note Non-Magnetic Resistors

    Texas Components, the US manufacturer of Z-foil resistors, shows values of 10 to 100K ohms. The voltage rating is 200V and .4watt. They will make custom values for you and you can inquire about that on their US website. Despite having ordered and used a few hundred (they actually emailed me...

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