Living Presence

[Syntax]

Probably, I don't know. The Pics from you show the new Titanium Arm, which is a limited one (I think).

 

[Syntax]

The Omni Gon
(The Final Preamplifier)



After all those years (8?) the pics from this_done_right_unit are gone and what amazed me so much, the first tube set is still without any wear.
But time for a try... got NOS Military tubes from Submarine for the first and second stage ... soundstage is a bit different now ... before it was like being the recording microphone above the front row orchestra ...now it is like sitting front row ...




Nowhere in the whole chain is the loss of detail so huge, nowhere in the chain the signal is so low...
So a custom made unit was made with the goal to avoid all compromises and cheap parts (they degrade sound). I decided some years ago to listen to low output MC, max 0.3mV and most Phonostages failed. Gain only is not the solution, the mosaic has to be rebuilt step by step to get a sonic picture which is not pale and smeared.



Excerpts ...



Ultimate Phono preamplifier w/optional line stage. All triode tube design. Full symmetrical.
Unique passive phono EQ. Each tube with its own independent heater supply.
Unique double mono PS with bridge-type tube rectification (8 single-wave rectifiers - 4 each channel) and pure foil CLC-PS.
100 lbs - dual chassis, my 5 Phono inputs (50dB, 63dB, 68dB, 72dB, 77dB pure Phono gain), Output AES Studio specification, (600 ?, digital 110 ?) No- loss-of-Signal-Parts, the best out there (TKD, Silver plugs, Tubes from US Army rocket defensive stations, Silver soldered, Tantal, Caddock, all Parts internal decoupled via Electron microscope devices...)
Result: Superior Detail, accurate specs, no coloration and lifelike Reproduction.The sound ?
Well, it is no longer about sound.
Dynamics, colors, soundstage, 3-dimensionality - yes, all that and much more. But it goes a few significant steps beyond that. Imagine opening the windows of your room on a clear early summer morning. A breeze of fresh air comes in.
Then go further in your imagination and tear down the walls of your listening room. All a sudden there is fresh air, the warmth of sun rays on your skin, a world of ?????????????color, beauty and a flood of details around you.
Touching your senses - with brute directness, unfiltered, unaltered. Involving, dramatic, breathtaking and demanding.
Nothing between you and the nature.
You can no longer move your attention away from the music. VERY different from anything else I have ever heard - anywhere.
Quality inspection from Science Lab for every single piece incl. Tubes, final quality report Engineering Lab.

Still running strong for the next 10 years ....

 

[Syntax]

Fiddling time ....​

The cantilever less Ikeda still is the sonic benchmark today ... a disaster for the majority of Tonearms because it will show clearly their limitations (... Phantom, SME 3012R, Kuzma, Triplanar or any carbon fibre Arms ...dull, smeared background, boring sound) ...only Arms with superior bearing and energy transfer are able to show the superiority of it (outstanding speed, clear detail, 3-dimensional picture with physical force the whole frequency area)...the tracking vibrations are guided directly into the Arm







and to make it even more complicated ...it is a real task in adjustment...only a few tools can do it....

But...when it is done .... phhh, I know why some use the term of Golden Era of High End ...my favorite

 

[XV-1]

The Axiom Anniversary 12“ Tonearm arrived


It is a true Tool for the serious audiophile who wants the best tonal reproduction in combination with EVERY Cartridge available.
The unit shows 3 micrometers for repeatable, unmatched adjustments during playing. VTA is obvious, but here you make your first alignment,
remember the scale data from Arm height and now you can try whatever you want without getting lost. You can always come back to your first setting.
Super for different originals (Decca, Mercury, RCA …)

View attachment 58963

Same for VTF
You do your first alignment with a given Cartridge, for example 1,80gr, remember the scale for it, leave your cart onto the gauge and you see exactly what number on
the adjuster will do with the VTF (1,803…1,792…1,834 and so on). You write a notice for that turn how much a half turn up or down will do and then you play
the record while changing VTF until it sounds best to you
Same for Anti-Skate
You need a test record for it (for first alignment), later while playing you can change AS a bit and you will hear the difference (when your System is on par for that)

View attachment 58964

The Arm itself throws a huge Soundstage, a very good Imaging in combination with holographic details.
My comparison with the regular Axiom and the Anniversary showed some interesting results. The Anniversary is a bit a faster and shows a different kind of physical presence.
I don’t know why, maybe the manufacturer did something and does not tell or the - better - adjustment showed that.
It shows details from my Cartridge and Records I did not hear before so clearly.

A Game Changer in analog reproduction.

View attachment 58965

Some Specs
Dynamic anti-skating non touch adjustment: on the fly during play
VTF (vertical tracking force) non touch adjustment: on the fly during play
VTA (vertical tracking angle) non touch adjustment: on the fly during play
Nano ceramic hardened titanium/carbon – composite armwand with internal liquid dampening on whole inner surface
Exchangeable inserts in counterweight tuned to cartridge’s compliance. Thus eliminating low frequency resonance peak.
Full radial/axial cardan shaft double gimbal bearing, using custom made to order German nano instrumental ball bearings of
aerospace grade with the lowest move friction possible today.
The arm wand is an unique composite of Titanium and Carbon with surface liquid dampening.
The mounting board, bearing houses, external and internal VTA tower and fixed headshell mounting are made from triple-tempered German AP70XX dural air frame grade aluminium and stress-relieved V2a stainless steel.
...and so on ...and on ... and on

How does this compare to your beloved FR-66s ?

 

[ddk]

Fiddling time ....​

View attachment 64920

The cantilever less Ikeda still is the sonic benchmark today ... a disaster for the majority of Tonearms because it will show clearly their limitations (... Phantom, SME 3012R, Kuzma, Triplanar or any carbon fibre Arms ...dull, smeared background, boring sound) ...only Arms with superior bearing and energy transfer are able to show the superiority of it (outstanding speed, clear detail, 3-dimensional picture with physical force the whole frequency area)...the tracking vibrations are guided directly into the Arm

View attachment 64921


View attachment 64922


and to make it even more complicated ...it is a real task in adjustment...only a few tools can do it....

But...when it is done .... phhh, I know why some use the term of Golden Era of High End ...my favorite

View attachment 64923

I find Ikeda 9's and it's headshell'd siblings sing beautifully in other arms if you know what you're doing. I instal them in 3012-R, Dynavector 505/507, FR64/66s and Ikeda tonearms and they sing beautifully, not at all dull and boring as you describe it. The challenge has always been tracking the inner grooves but otherwise a very special sounding cartridge.

david

 

[Syntax]

How does this compare to your beloved FR-66s ?

Ahem, beloved ... I have to say, I love NOTHING in my Audio System and I never bought something because I love it.. For me, all are technical units, done from someone, more or less clever and I check its abilities. Superior made units I'll keep and the losers go out (or went out).
It is normal after all these years that a few units survive ( brain done right)....

Others think different, they want 6 Arms, 20 carts...and so on...rolling is the part of the hobby. Had that too, I decided not to go the _flavor_of_the_month direction. This ...I add this to that to get the headroom/bass/air...... I prefer ... not my cup of tea.

So, I am the wrong one for this "Syntax does like/loves it" ...

 

[PeterA]

Syntax, how would you answer the question about how the two tonearms compare to each other like?

 

[Syntax]

Hm....the naked truth...

can't say because FR-66s is linked with the Ikeda Kiwame cart and the Axiom with Koetsu Blue Lace Mono

At the moment I clean records

 

[Syntax]

Preparing the next sonic Adventure....

Mono Records (RIAA) ......

Alignment for Koetsu Blue Lace MONO
















Very interesting .....

 

[ALF]

Hey T...it looks as if you upgraded the tonearm to the FR-66s for the KBL mono, sweet!!

Best,
-a

 

[Syntax]

Back to Black ....

 

[tima]

What happened to the Tizio?

 

[Syntax]

Tizio is a survivor

 

[Syntax]

My Apolyt Turntable ready to go ....



















matching Arm No. also

 

[Ron Resnick]

That's amazing, syntax! Congratulations!

I think you are the very first WBF member to order an Apolyt?

 

[jeff1225]

Congratulations @Syntax, looking forward to your pictures of the full installation. Will you Micro Seiki be up for sale?

 

[ALF]

Hey Thomas...congratulations!

vbw,
a

 

[Syntax]

Will need some time for delivery .... corona

Found a listening report from a few years back

Apolyt Turntable ——> The Revelation

Mine is the first black one, special order

 

[ALF]

Hey Thomas, regarding the Apolyt, does corona mean, “who knows when” in Bavarian...?

vbw,
a

 

[Syntax]

Koetsu Coralstone Mono