Ron's Speaker, Turntable, Power and Room Treatment Upgrades

[bonzo75]

Unless I am limited to only one vehicle, I like different cars to have different capabilities and for different purposes.

But you want only one turntable? And only now have changed to two arms and carts.

 

[audioquattr]

BREAKING NEWS:

After a very nice correspondence with Johnnie Bergmann of Bergmann Audio, in Denmark, and a discussion with Alex of Alma Music & Audio, I am very excited that I will be adding the Bergmann Odin tonearm as the second tonearm on the Vintage Audio American Sound AS-2000 turntable!

Johnnie is a life-long audiophile and engineer, and he is an absolute delight! I look forward to being one of his first clients to purchase a Bergmann tonearm for a non-Bergmann turntable.

The anvil-like, zero compliance solidity of the AS-2000 turntable should make a perfect platform for the air-bearing Odin tonearm. Since the source components will be in an adjacent room I have no concern about two air pumps pumping away.

An interesting factoid is that when I auditioned the Pendragon loudspeakers at Gryphon Audio Designs Flemming happened to be using a Bergmann Audio turntable and tonearm.

Congrats Ron!
Can you adjust the VTA under fly with this tonearm ?

 

[bonzo75]

Congrats Ron!
Can you adjust the VTA under fly with this tonearm ?

VTA will be done on the fly. DDK will fly over to adjust the VTA

 

[audioquattr]

VTA will be done on the fly. DDK will fly over to adjust the VTA

even better, so than also VTF=OTF

 

[Kcin]

BREAKING NEWS:

After a very nice correspondence with Johnnie Bergmann of Bergmann Audio, in Denmark, and a discussion with Alex of Alma Music & Audio, I am very excited that I will be adding the Bergmann Odin tonearm as the second tonearm on the Vintage Audio American Sound AS-2000 turntable!

Johnnie is a life-long audiophile and engineer, and he is an absolute delight! I look forward to being one of his first clients to purchase a Bergmann tonearm for a non-Bergmann turntable.

The anvil-like, zero compliance solidity of the AS-2000 turntable should make a perfect platform for the air-bearing Odin tonearm. Since the source components will be in an adjacent room I have no concern about two air pumps pumping away.

An interesting factoid is that when I auditioned the Pendragon loudspeakers at Gryphon Audio Designs Flemming happened to be using a Bergmann Audio turntable and tonearm.

Congratulations Ron,

I have heard the Bergmann tables and arms several times. One of the local Canadian distributors , I believe, was the sole distributor for NA for a time. I think that relationship is over - none the less- the quality of the Bergmann is really phenomenal and I agree the industrial design is very clean and purposeful.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[bonzo75]

Congratulations Ron,

I have heard the Bergmann tables and arms several times. One of the local Canadian distributors , I believe, was the sole distributor for NA for a time. I think that relationship is over - none the less- the quality of the Bergmann is really phenomenal and I agree the industrial design is very clean and purposeful.

Let us know how you get on.

Hi did you hear the Sindre or the galder?

 

[Kcin]

Both

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thank you, audioquattr and Kcin!

 

[Ron Resnick]

 

[PeterA]

Exciting, Ron. Can't wait to see the final room. I'm glad to see photos of the progress being made.

 

[audioquattr]

That’s good progress Ron!

 

[Folsom]

This has to mean it is getting somewhat close! Better get it done now since contractors are about to the most popular people in CA.

 

[Kcin]

Very cool.. you have a neat electrician... I like that. BTW is that overspray on the floor.. Not soot!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thank you, Peter, audioquattr! It is drywall dust.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Musings on cartridges:

A member wrote to me:

I was reading some of your posts and noticed that you have owned Benz Micro cartridges in the past. I own a Glider SM on a VPI Classic 2 table/arm. I want to upgrade. I think the Benz has a very natural sound. so I am thinking of staying in the line or would consider recommendations. I like a relaxed sound, not lean sounding like the Lyra : ). I find them too sterile for my liking. I like warmth with detail. What should I consider, wood? LPS?


I replied:

I would consider the Benz-Micro LP S-MR and the ZYX UNIverse Premium. I think they are both on the warmer side. (I own the ZYX.)

One shade more neutral (but still on the warmer side) is the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme. I could live happily forever with any of these three cartridges.

The Koetsus are more complicated and more polarizing among audiophiles and a little less certain of getting optimized sound, but I have liked the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum and every Koetsu stone body cartridge every time I have ever heard them. Still, after a lot of thought and research, I personally decided not to get involved with a Koetsu. Rockitman’s extensive experience notwithstanding I have the feeling and the impression (but not the direct, personal experience to support it) that it may take a high effective mass vintage tonearm, or the Acoustical Signature Axiom tonearm, to be certain of getting the best sound out of a Koetsu cartridge.

 

[PeterA]

I had the ZYX Uni Prem II or something in my system for a week or so. My AirTight Supreme was quite a few shades more neutral than the ZYX. I think both are considerably more expensive than is the Benz LP S-MR, though I don't know exact pricing. I don't know the other member's price range.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Fair enough!

 

[DaveyF]

Unfortunately, the Benz's are no more. Once again, the Benz's are unobatanium--according to the US distributor, Musical Surroundings. There is a grey market vendor in China who apparently still has a stock of these, but maybe ask Rockitman what he thinks of that avenue before going that route.

 

[marty]

I bought a ZYX 2 months ago but haven't installed it yet because my Benz LPS just sings. I guess the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" resonates with me.

 

[Tango]

Musings on cartridges:

A member wrote to me:

I was reading some of your posts and noticed that you have owned Benz Micro cartridges in the past. I own a Glider SM on a VPI Classic 2 table/arm. I want to upgrade. I think the Benz has a very natural sound. so I am thinking of staying in the line or would consider recommendations. I like a relaxed sound, not lean sounding like the Lyra : ). I find them too sterile for my liking. I like warmth with detail. What should I consider, wood? LPS?


I replied:

I would consider the Benz-Micro LP S-MR and the ZYX UNIverse Premium. I think they are both on the warmer side. (I own the ZYX.) .........

.............or the Acoustical Signature Axiom tonearm, to be certain of getting the best sound out of a Koetsu cartridge.

When you are done setting up your mega system with the AS2000/SME. The ZYX will not sound on a warm side. If you still find it warm, look elsewhere down the chain.

A Coralstone on Axiom on AF1 in my system is still in a different league from the four carts I have on the AS2000. I doubt it moves up a league even if play on the AS. But I dont have a diamond cantilever like Christian and Gian.

Tang