Further notes on sound quality from the Caliburn after an extended listening session tonight. I finally had time to take in the changes to the system, most notably the Caliburn and (finally) a decent number of hours on the Ref Phono 3SE (326).
> Perhaps the best thing this table does is present a wide and deep soundstage. It’s just astonishing. It’s rearranging what I thought was possible from analog.
> There is a feeling of solidity in where the instruments are and the note decays go on as long as the recording permits.
> i listened to the demo quality LP “The Wonderful Sounds of Quality Record Pressings”. This $95 three record, six side set has reference sound quality (for some reason the classical music on Side 2 was noisy, maybe got a bad pressing). There is an immersive quality to the mastering of these tracks…no surprise since this lineup was selected by Chad Kassem himself, originally for the Throens 125 set. The music just comes alive. I think the word here is Presence. Spectacular realism!
> Guitar sound, acoustic or electric, just comes alive. Listening to the Mofi 45 of Industrial Disease and it just jumps! There is a lot going here and I feel like the instruments get separated from each other in a way that doesn’t destroy the layering. It creates more and more musical engagement. It’s addictive. It’s the best I have heard this song.
> Instrument purity. Piano, violin, cello, acoustic guitar, trumpet...timbres are spot on.
> Dynamics are incredible. Soft to loud passages just feel natural. It really comes across on the QRP set with Hugh Masekela’s Stimela.
I think I am done with analog for a while but we will be adding the Minus K platform next year If things go well. This is a really special table even in 2023. If you can find one used for an acceptable price, snag it. You won’t be disappointed.