Ron, with the connection that you have to Jim White, he could probably set you up with a switch between single ende and balanced input on one of input boards. You would just have to use cartridges with similar loading needs on that input
Yes. I purposefully want it like that, for now. I just don’t like the idea of opening the unit anytime I swapped cartridge. In my operating experience for output settings, leaving it at 64 db sounds okay with .30-.45 mv cart output ranges.
I have been most rewarded over more then a decade of rolling in my Aesthetix Rhea Signature, first gain stage, with a couple of excellent quads of Amperex Harleen Bugle Boys. The smooth plate Telefunkens are wonderful, so damn linear beyond anything made today or yesterday, though they work with Aesthetix circuits , sometimes in other gear they sound a tad dry. But the BB’s never fail to add just a bit of a emphasis to the midrange warmth and smoothness, with a bit of atmospheric sparkle which, though possibly not as text book perfect, and possibly an added sonic effect, I absolutely fall in love with what they do to portray music more musically. If that makes any sense. There is no current production valves that even come close! None(.) Let your ears be the judge.
I love our friend Raul and his exploratory nature in analogue but don’t always agree with him either. I feel your pain. Sometimes he becomes very limiting in his scope and tolerance.
Who cares ! He is the guy that insisted MM cartridges where much better than MC for years, not the best judge of anything
David nailed it when it comes to Raul, its just not worth the effort, the guy has unlimited time, and uses google translateDogma , does not go far in the art of learning. Raul is entertaining and knowledgeable, but not knowledgeable in all.
Best not respond for fear of getting caught in the vortex.
Another choice for 12AX7 types might be the 6681 although its price is creeping up as well. I have invested heavily in Telefunkens and I think I have enough for a few more years of total replacement. After that it might have to be new production or maybe a total change from the Io. Good for now
Now I have found for instance with Ralph of Atma-Sphere being dead right that it makes absolutely no diff if you put say a 1m XLR 10k magic stuff wire vs 50 ft of decently shielded Mogami XLR between his MA1 preamp and his mono block OTLs. To my ears, I can’t hear anything diff. Now everywhere else with this rig, IC’s, mains cables, and speaker lanyards count and give character. So, my point here is in this hobby it is all about execution and there are many exceptions to the commonly held rules...
In general I agree. Though I believe the situation that I described with Atma-Sphere exists because of their relatively high output and the fact that the preamp is of a dual differential balanced architecture. Unlike perhaps many or most preamplifiers. As I meant to convey, this is a somewhat unique condition and it kind of breaks the traditional rules many hold as norms. I would want to mislead you into believing I recommend Mogami over other choices in any different situation or that I was suggesting the balanced cables have no audible differences, so why anything beyond a studio level cable. But yeah, why not? I’d give them a try.
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