GregWormald

My local Banner has quite a reasonable selection of alu extrusions.

MOON gear is generally applauded for its ability to sound the same no matter what the output volume is, and the I66s can certainly play loud with no diminishment. So my guess is either the 240 output isn't enough or, and I think more likely, the hard room reflections are adding up as the volume increases and muddying the overall sound. A cheap trial would be to temporarily modify the acoustics of the room with cushions, mattresses, wall hangings, more furniture, etc. and then turn it up and listen. The 240 puts out 50w into 8 ohms and 85 into 4 and a phone call to VAF should get you some info about their recommendations, or PM @mikizee. Good luck.

That appears to be an original Linn lid—the same as on my first LP12. I can confirm @Full Range's statement. My strip eventually fell off as the tape perished. I guess it wasn't made to last 45 years. My guess is that a Linn replacement would be pricey. I'd just go to a hardware store and buy a strip of aluminium and some tape or contact cement. You could try a strip of coloured acrylic, or paint the aluminium for a bit of 'flash'.

I'd tried a number (>4) of different regimes and equipment until I bought an ultrasonic cleaner. Even my cleanest records improved markedly. (BTW, this machine only washes—drying is manually using a special nozzle on a shop vacuum.)

I did a film course at Uni wherein we had to make a film on 16mm film. That was 1968.

I haven't used a steel in decades. It's just too easy for me to micro-chip really hard Japanese steel. Now I use a denim strop loaded with polishing compound first; when that's not enough, a very fine diamond hone for one or two strokes; and when that doesn't work any more (after at least a year or two) out comes the full sharpening gear.

I bought a set of BrainWavz pads for my Meze phones and I think they are better than the original pads. They had MANY options. I've used replacement Sennheiser 414 pads on Sennheiser 'phones and am now on the 4th set of Sennheiser pads on my Grados 80s that are a huge quality jump up from their original hard and uncomfortable pads. My dealings with Sennheiser have been excellent. On browsing their site I found this: https://au.sennheiser-hearing.com/search?q=HD450+II+AND+accessories&type=product%2Cpage&options[unavailable_products]=last&options[prefix]=last so you might have to contact their customer support team to get updates. Good hunting.

I have no experience that is relevant, except that Dr Rod Crawford of Legend Acoustics may be prepared to help with information and suggestions. He designed the Kan II and many other Linn speakers and I found him extremely helpful with my Kabers.

It could serve for the classic "blunt object" in a murder.

Be thankful, cushions can absorb unwanted excesses and provide a nice varied reflection scattering. They can also be easily moved for maximum utility in solo/intensive listening sessions. Just imagine if she had wanted all hard stone and glass!

My last pre upgrade was a Simaudio MOON 740p. It got great reviews everywhere, sounded good on audition, and I have not been disappointed at all.

The tracking is controlled by one pixel on a viewed page. If you can find that pixel on the page, then deleting it will work.

Buy a plain cover, or use one from a throw-away LP from a junk shop. Then print one from the internet.

@Batty has experience of Copeland amps. Hopefully he will comment.

Yes, I read that, but I phoned their help line (twice!) and they assured me that if no overload was present then either input would work. I had to reduce the output of the phono stage to avoid overload even on the TRS input and the input levels appeared fine on the app but the two inputs sure sounded different. There must be something else going on.

The MSDS for the Bunnings spray says >99% IPA so that should be fine. Just don't use too much. A firm brush dampened is enough. I also think that van den Hul has a point. After cleaning my LPs with an ultrasonic cleaner I have never seen (or heard) anything sticking to my stylus—but I still do a brief clean every 4 or 5 records.

I think those 'musts' should come come under 'musts for hardcore ignorant pretenders' rather than 'audiophiles'.

Outcome— I bit the bullet and I went ahead and did a comparison despite the hassle of doing so. After two back and forth listens there was no doubt in my mind (and ears) that the conversion and using the 60K input gave superior, smoother, and less fatiguing sound. It was obvious. So despite the very high quality XLR plugs and the definitely standard quality converters the conversion to the TRS input is the way to go. <shrug>

I now have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface that I'm using between my Simaudio MOON 310LP phono stage and my computer to enable me to have access to DRC with my LP playing. I have the choice of two inputs into the Scarlett—one with an input impedance of 3K and one with 60K. The output impedance of the phono stage is 50 ohms. I'd really like to use the 3K input due to its better specifications and the fact that I can use the XLR input plug directly without the XLR to balanced TRS converter needed for the 60K input. The less than ideal TRS connection may also be a factor. Would there be any issue using the 3K input with respect to the low impedance? Would I be able to hear any difference? (So far it sounds OK but a real comparison is difficult because I have to get behind the unit and spend some time changing things to swap inputs.) Thanks for any help with this.

The advantages to integrated gear (including powered or active speakers) is a savings on the cabinets, duplicated circuits, and (hopefully) an integrated design philosophy. The disadvantage is lack of flexibility for upgrades, lack of specific gear choices, and (possibly) the savings aren't passed on to you. As far as the TV goes, if you want to take advantage of surround or immersive sound then the quality of each channel will be less than a good two-channel set-up with a basic optical or hdmi connection to the hi-fi. There is lots of good gear in the UK and Europe so the best bit is to spend some time listening in order to clarify your 'sound' preferences. Enjoy the trip.

I've been an RP fan for quite a few years now, and a regular contributor as well, so I'll keep doing it myself. The Mellow Mix gets recorded and played in the car. Thanks to Marc and all contributors for keeping RP on the air. OT—for jazz fans Jazz24 is also on my list of regular listens and contributions.