I have several other head shells by Audiotecnica, Yamamoto (wood and carbon fiber) and I own an Arche headhsell. All different sounding, although I really can’t really say one sounds better than the other.
Best headshell for the SME tonearms was and still is the SME headshell. You’ll know it if you mounted the same cartridge in the SME headshell and then compared it back to back with of the other ones. Of course proper setup and specially accurate VTA is key to this comparison.
I do love the installation, the precise work, also the tonearms. But please do me a favor. Those SME headshells need a better substitution for really good sound!
Why? I find the unmodified SME headshells better than anything else I tried over the years in the SME tonearms. The SME 30xx is a complete system designed ground up including its phono cable and headshell, obviously you can change things substituting other components but all you get is a change and always worse IME.
I have added the Long Dog Audio Quartz Turntable Power Supply to my Garrard build and I have to say I'm very pleased. Using the RPM app on my iPhone (also highly recommended) my speed would vary between 32.5 and 33.9 while the platter was spinning. With the LDA engaged the platter is spinning EXACTLY at 33.3, its rock solid.
With the improved speed control the table sounds even better and more alive. I had several people over for father's day that are music lovers and they absolutely flipped over the sound of my system. They've heard it with the Ascona for many years and all said it sounded much closer to live music than ever before.
The LDA is highly recommended for anyone with an idler turntable.
The LDA Quartz Regenerator will allow you to get the best sound possible from your turntable. It’s that simple. The unit is supplied with a mains power lead to suit your country (UK-EU-AUS-USA) and a cable from the power supply to your chosen turntable. Available to suit voltage in any country...
I bought one of these for my Commonwealth and really like it. I have been using another company's PS on my Garrard's, but haven't swapped in the LDA for some reason to compare.... For my milage, adding a good PS was one of the best additions I ever made to any of my idlers - that's including some serious re-plinthing, custom platter and bearings, and other crazy mods.
For what it's worth, I feel that my Garrard's tend to sound better with all of the eddy brake apparatus removed. I adjust speed by varying the current through the PS. I use the European 50hz pulley and adjust for USA voltage.
Best headshell for the SME tonearms was and still is the SME headshell. You’ll know it if you mounted the same cartridge in the SME headshell and then compared it back to back with of the other ones. Of course proper setup and specially accurate VTA is key to this comparison.
Why? I find the unmodified SME headshells better than anything else I tried over the years in the SME tonearms. The SME 30xx is a complete system designed ground up including its phono cable and headshell, obviously you can change things substituting other components but all you get is a change and always worse IME.
I bought one of these for my Commonwealth and really like it. I have been using another company's PS on my Garrard's, but haven't swapped in the LDA for some reason to compare.... For my milage, adding a good PS was one of the best additions I ever made to any of my idlers - that's including some serious re-plinthing, custom platter and bearings, and other crazy mods.
For what it's worth, I feel that my Garrard's tend to sound better with all of the eddy brake apparatus removed. I adjust speed by varying the current through the PS. I use the European 50hz pulley and adjust for USA voltage.
I read several opinions regarding removing vs keeping the eddy break. One day I will try the table without the braking system, but right now I'm just enjoying this amazing table.
I have about 12 carts. The back arm is being used with vintage MM’s and the front arm is being used with MC’s. I ordered a new step up from DDK so I can run two MC’s through the Lamm phono stage.
The final configuration will probably be Ortofon SPU’s 85/95 on the back arm and VDH Stradivarius on the front.
I have about 12 carts. The back arm is being used with vintage MM’s and the front arm is being used with MC’s. I ordered a new step up from DDK so I can run two MC’s through the Lamm phono stage.
The final configuration will probably be Ortofon SPU’s 85/95 on the back arm and VDH Stradivarius on the front.
Super nice! I really like the aesthetic of your turntable. It has a classic mid-century modern vibe that’s quite nice…. You might need to get an Eames lounge chair for your listening seat now …..
No need to completely remove the eddy brake assembly - at least to start. Just disengage it using the adjustment knob and then set the speed through the voltage adjustment on your PS. This will give you a good idea of the difference between the two methods for setting TT speed. See what you like and go from there. Like I mentioned earlier, the TT was designed to run on European voltage, using the 50hz pulley also makes a difference
Super nice! I really like the aesthetic of your turntable. It has a classic mid-century modern vibe that’s quite nice…. You might need to get an Eames lounge chair for your listening seat now …..
No need to completely remove the eddy brake assembly - at least to start. Just disengage it using the adjustment knob and then set the speed through the voltage adjustment on your PS. This will give you a good idea of the difference between the two methods for setting TT speed. See what you like and go from there. Like I mentioned earlier, the TT was designed to run on European voltage, using the 50hz pulley also makes a difference
I have been using the Jensens with my phono stage and with the EMT TSD 15 cart and find them to compare favorably with some that were much more expensive. I have a Jensen MC-2RR-L and the JT-346-AX on the 1:12 tap. I would like to try the JT-347-AXT on the 1:24 tap with my EMT. Odd thing is the Jensens seem to be one of the few transformers that will behave with my EMT turntable without hum.
I have been using the Jensens with my phono stage and with the EMT TSD 15 cart and find them to compare favorably with some that were much more expensive. I have a Jensen MC-2RR-L and the JT-346-AX on the 1:12 tap. I would like to try the JT-347-AXT on the 1:24 tap with my EMT. Odd thing is the Jensens seem to be one of the few transformers that will behave with my EMT turntable without hum.
I've noticed Lamm getting some flack for using Jensen sut's. Oddly enough I have not used Jensen MC sut's but I have used Jensen studio tranformers lots. Imho if you can't get good sound using a good pro transformer ( Jensen and Lundahl come to mind ) then there are other problems afoot. Sure some of the 'cost is little object' MC sut's may and likely will be better ( Slagle and Consolidated come to mind ) but that is for those that want to play harder ( and pay lots more )...
Big boy 927. Physically it was in good shape when I got it a couple of years ago, but I did send it to Dusch in Germany for a tune up. I really don't miss any of the tables I used to own. This thing has a quality with the way it presents music and sound that makes all others sound so anemic.
Big boy 927. Physically it was in good shape when I got it a couple of years ago, but I did send it to Dusch in Germany for a tune up. I really don't miss any of the tables I used to own. This thing has a quality with the way it presents music and sound that makes all others sound so anemic.
I would like to try the JT-347-AXT on the 1:24 tap with my EMT. Odd thing is the Jensens seem to be one of the few transformers that will behave with my EMT turntable without hum.
24X voltage amplification might be too much for EMT TSD 15 considering it’s 1mV output. You may overdrive your MM phono stage. Additionally you will be loading your cartridge with 80ohms which is not bad but not ideal either. I think 12X is a better choice.
24X voltage amplification might be too much for EMT TSD 15 considering it’s 1mV output. You may overdrive your MM phono stage. Additionally you will be loading your cartridge with 80ohms which is not bad but not ideal either. I think 12X is a better choice.
I believe you're right about the 12x being the better ratio for the TSD, but...
I borrowed a step-up from a friend and tried out the 40 ohm tap and it was pretty much the same as what I was using in the Jensen at 1:10. The step-up I borrowed was a vintage The Head from Tim de Paravinci. It has three taps so out of curiosity I tried the middle tap labeled 15 ohms. That became my preferred loading, gain didn't change much, and my tube phono could handle it. It certainly didn't sound overloaded.
Does anyone know what the ratio may be for a 15 ohm tap on a step-up transformer?
Usually 40ohms tap gives you 1:10 ratio (20dB) and 470ohms on cartridge. To be more specific secondary impedance of the SUT is needed. That’s why you get the same level with Jensen.
It may change due to transformer design and again SUT’s secondary impedance is needed to make a proper calculation but probably from 15ohms tap you get around 1:16 (24dB) ratio. It may be totally different due to SUT design.
It has three taps so out of curiosity I tried the middle tap labeled 15 ohms. That became my preferred loading, gain didn't change much, and my tube phono could handle it. It certainly didn't sound overloaded.
It may be because of loading 24ohms coils with a lower impedance than they need and eventually you get a lowered output. Your cartridge probably sees 150-180ohms which is just a little bit lower but ok for EMT TSD15 cause a SUT is more forgiving for inexact loading. As a result it’s impossible to speak certain when there is not enough information about the SUT you’re using. On the other hand if it sounds good to your ears don’t bother with these technical details and go on using it on whichever tap you like.
Usually 40ohms tap gives you 1:10 ratio (20dB) and 470ohms on cartridge. To be more specific secondary impedance of the SUT is needed. That’s why you get the same level with Jensen.
It may change due to transformer design and again SUT’s secondary impedance is needed to make a proper calculation but probably from 15ohms tap you get around 1:16 (24dB) ratio. It may be totally different due to SUT design.
It may be because of loading 24ohms coils with a lower impedance than they need and eventually you get a lowered output. Your cartridge probably sees 150-180ohms which is just a little bit lower but ok for EMT TSD15 cause a SUT is more forgiving for inexact loading. As a result it’s impossible to speak certain when there is not enough information about the SUT you’re using. On the other hand if it sounds good to your ears don’t bother with these technical details and go on using it on whichever tap you like.
Since that other SUT belongs to a friend, I gave it back. I have been using the built-in EMT 139stb phono in the 927 and just leave well enough alone, I don't feel as I am missing anything.
