Now the Ikeda 407 (actual chrome version) is fitted with an original Micro Seiki Gunmetal Tonearmbase,
as long, as the TechDAS Base is on shipment, this should work.
Actually changing some carts on the tonearms, looks like, that I will go with the following combination:
- SME 3012r with vdh Colibri xgw agw Stradivarius Master Signature (o,9mv version)
using the Yamamoto ebony headshell, thick copper headshell wire, titanium screws, SME tonerarmwire with XLR connectors to Boulder 2008, 400ohm impedance MC input (in my set up more fluent than 200ohm)
- Ikeda 407 with Ortofon SPU GM-E MKII, Fidelity Research AGC-1 silver tonearm cable to FR xf-1 low step up to MM of Boulder 2008
- Fidelity Research FR64s silver wire version, final cartridge tbd (actual various Audio Technica), Yamamoto titanium Headshell, silver headshell wire, HMS Sestetto Tonearm Cable to Boulder 2008 200ohm impedance MC input
The Tonearm /Cartridge combinations I tried on AF3P are well known to me, I heard them on different turntables.
I cannot judge, of the gunmetal Micro Seiki tonearm bases do have a specific sonic signature to the AF3P, in November Im will receive the TechDAS base for the Ikeda 407 and I will know the sonic difference.
The first impression over all different Arm/Cart combinations is the high resolution of the AF3P.
I have to say, that I was expecting a little more colored presentation , a little more on the warm side, after having read the first impressions of AF3P. (But I cannot compare to the former standard AF3)
But instead is feel, that the music comes very neutral and natural. The differences of the different Arm/Cart combinations are easy to follow, they are all enjoyable. For whatever reason specially the Ikeda 407 is benefitting from AF3P. On my different Micro Seiki tables, the actual Ikeda 407 was always a little bit on the dark side, close to a more muddy sound, compared with the old Ikeda 407 version or the FR64s.
The music on all combinations is much more "clear" with a relative lean bass. A Micro Seiki RX 5000 has in relation "more" bass, but not so defined and structured and extended to the deep end.
The color and tone of the bass is very much depended on the platform performance. Every change on the TopPlatter of my Accurion i4 is immediately audible. I can imagine, that the Taiko Version of Herzan or the Starcore pneumatic base will work very good as well.
Seeing the pneumatic feets on AF2 Premium, I like to believe, that any sonic difference between the two will be driven by them. So the quality of placement might bring the AF3P very close to AF2 premium.
Power to my AF3P comes through Vibex Granada & Alhambra (AC & DC Filter) and a high resolution powerchord. I have not compared, if this makes a difference, as this is my standard set up for my "Master" turntable.
An clear difference can be heard as well on different Platter weights, I tried the original gunmetal Version of Micro Seiki, the ST-10, which give the music a little bit of a focus to the higher tones. The 2 different HRS were nice, but loosing in comparison some of the precision in the bass. The Transrotor and the Clearaudio weights have not worked in a good way. The older Version of the Harmonix Disc stabilizer (to be seen on the pictures) is a nice blend and improves versus now disc stabilizer.
The J Sikora disc stabilizer is out of two solid steel parts and can be very heavy, of the 2 parts are used, like the 1,2kg TechDAS Tungsten platter weight. Using a high weight disc stabilizer is changing the character of the AF3P, as mid bass and bass are increasing in tonal balance. With the heavy J Sikora weight it is too much of bass energy, like I have seen as feedback to the techDAS Tungsten stabilizer.
Currently I prefer the J Sikora Disc stabilizer without the upper on top weight .
http://www.jsikora.pl/en/products.html
Important for me is, the differences of the platter weights are different, than "normal" as the vacuum will be different by weight. Some close the system and vacuum increase, some let the air flow better (and can be exchanged while "suction" is on.
So at least an interesting area to fine-tune the AF3P, I would assume, that the choosen Arm/Cart combination will make different choices for the disc stabilizer possible.
as long, as the TechDAS Base is on shipment, this should work.
Actually changing some carts on the tonearms, looks like, that I will go with the following combination:
- SME 3012r with vdh Colibri xgw agw Stradivarius Master Signature (o,9mv version)
using the Yamamoto ebony headshell, thick copper headshell wire, titanium screws, SME tonerarmwire with XLR connectors to Boulder 2008, 400ohm impedance MC input (in my set up more fluent than 200ohm)
- Ikeda 407 with Ortofon SPU GM-E MKII, Fidelity Research AGC-1 silver tonearm cable to FR xf-1 low step up to MM of Boulder 2008
- Fidelity Research FR64s silver wire version, final cartridge tbd (actual various Audio Technica), Yamamoto titanium Headshell, silver headshell wire, HMS Sestetto Tonearm Cable to Boulder 2008 200ohm impedance MC input
The Tonearm /Cartridge combinations I tried on AF3P are well known to me, I heard them on different turntables.
I cannot judge, of the gunmetal Micro Seiki tonearm bases do have a specific sonic signature to the AF3P, in November Im will receive the TechDAS base for the Ikeda 407 and I will know the sonic difference.
The first impression over all different Arm/Cart combinations is the high resolution of the AF3P.
I have to say, that I was expecting a little more colored presentation , a little more on the warm side, after having read the first impressions of AF3P. (But I cannot compare to the former standard AF3)
But instead is feel, that the music comes very neutral and natural. The differences of the different Arm/Cart combinations are easy to follow, they are all enjoyable. For whatever reason specially the Ikeda 407 is benefitting from AF3P. On my different Micro Seiki tables, the actual Ikeda 407 was always a little bit on the dark side, close to a more muddy sound, compared with the old Ikeda 407 version or the FR64s.
The music on all combinations is much more "clear" with a relative lean bass. A Micro Seiki RX 5000 has in relation "more" bass, but not so defined and structured and extended to the deep end.
The color and tone of the bass is very much depended on the platform performance. Every change on the TopPlatter of my Accurion i4 is immediately audible. I can imagine, that the Taiko Version of Herzan or the Starcore pneumatic base will work very good as well.
Seeing the pneumatic feets on AF2 Premium, I like to believe, that any sonic difference between the two will be driven by them. So the quality of placement might bring the AF3P very close to AF2 premium.
Power to my AF3P comes through Vibex Granada & Alhambra (AC & DC Filter) and a high resolution powerchord. I have not compared, if this makes a difference, as this is my standard set up for my "Master" turntable.
An clear difference can be heard as well on different Platter weights, I tried the original gunmetal Version of Micro Seiki, the ST-10, which give the music a little bit of a focus to the higher tones. The 2 different HRS were nice, but loosing in comparison some of the precision in the bass. The Transrotor and the Clearaudio weights have not worked in a good way. The older Version of the Harmonix Disc stabilizer (to be seen on the pictures) is a nice blend and improves versus now disc stabilizer.
The J Sikora disc stabilizer is out of two solid steel parts and can be very heavy, of the 2 parts are used, like the 1,2kg TechDAS Tungsten platter weight. Using a high weight disc stabilizer is changing the character of the AF3P, as mid bass and bass are increasing in tonal balance. With the heavy J Sikora weight it is too much of bass energy, like I have seen as feedback to the techDAS Tungsten stabilizer.
Currently I prefer the J Sikora Disc stabilizer without the upper on top weight .
http://www.jsikora.pl/en/products.html
Important for me is, the differences of the platter weights are different, than "normal" as the vacuum will be different by weight. Some close the system and vacuum increase, some let the air flow better (and can be exchanged while "suction" is on.
So at least an interesting area to fine-tune the AF3P, I would assume, that the choosen Arm/Cart combination will make different choices for the disc stabilizer possible.
