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Everything posted by qik_shift
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REVIEW - andyr's Solid State Tube Buffer
qik_shift replied to qik_shift's topic in Stereo Amplifiers & Pre-Amps
I should have made myself clearer. The unit had been running 24*7 for over three weeks and was processing sound for just over 200 hours. 15 hours of time is active listening time - which I believe is enough to give the audience an idea what to expect. I am already quite familiar with Art Dudley's work. I also have a great deal of respect for other writers such as Michael Fremer. As much as I respect them, my writing style is not focused on brand history, discussions about technical componentry or life stories. It's focused on 1. how it sounds in the most simple to comprehend way, 2. aesthetics and 3. practical issues (if any). While I know this style will grind hard against experienced audiophiles, I think the majority of consumers out there just want to cut to the chase about how the device will impact them. This is my past post in this thread as I believe it has become a critique on my writing style and review approach as opposed to the device under review and is derailing. I hope some people have found it useful. -
REVIEW - andyr's Solid State Tube Buffer
qik_shift replied to qik_shift's topic in Stereo Amplifiers & Pre-Amps
Just to let people understand what my journalistic aspirations are, I have decided to approach reviews a particular way. I personally try to steer away from technology architecture driving decisions and thoughts and simply just listen to equipment for a period of time to make a judgement call on what I’m actually hearing. I wouldn’t say 15 hours is just a casual listen, but each to their own. -
REVIEW - andyr's Solid State Tube Buffer
qik_shift replied to qik_shift's topic in Stereo Amplifiers & Pre-Amps
I have heard systems with tubes that does follow the assumption and some that didn't. Frankly in my opinion there are solid state systems that can sound 'tubey' and tube systems that sound like a solid state system. I can only describe what I heard in this case and went into the review as open-minded as I could possibly be. -
Firstly I’d like to thank @andyr for the opportunity to review a Solid State Tube Buffer built by him here in Melbourne. I write this off off the back of a glowing review of his phono stage which I think people would be mad not to try if they are looking at buying a phono stage in the $2k - $5k region (link here). I won’t take time to explain what a tube buffer is, but will simply say its job is to enhance the sound. I placed the unit between the signal running from the preamp to the amplifiers by connecting RCAs from the preamp into the unit, and then running RCAs from the unit to the power amplifiers. In full disclosure, I normally run my system using XLR cables from the preamp to the power amplifiers, so the different cables being used would have also had an impact on the sound. I connected the 24v power supply to the unit, switched it on and allowed 15 minutes for the device to warm up before playing. Given the low power consumption of this unit, I left it permanently on so I don’t have to think about warm up time for each listening session. Before I share what I heard, there wasn’t something specific in terms of the sound signature I was looking for - in fact I’m in quite a happy place right now with the way things sound in my setup. I was however curious to hear what a tube buffer could do to the sound as this is the first tube buffer I’d ever heard. Playing multiple genres of music, the impact on sound was quite clear to me. Perhaps the easiest way I can describe what I heard was that a thin layer of velvet was placed over the top of the instruments being played. An additional softness also seemed to make the music lean slightly more to the warm side too. Voices over smoother vocals were enveloped with this velvet and came across as if maybe this is the way it should be played. Playing genres such as rock however felt almost slightly muted as some of the initial attack and general energy was lost and the warmth didn’t feel quite as the artist intended. Some of the micro-detail I was hearing without the tube buffer was also lost, which I personally enjoy. I know of many people who find this level of detail almost fatiguing so each to their own as there’s no right or wrong as far as I’m concerned. Sound stage remained largely intact (this could influenced by using different RCA cables), and the while I did have some noise issues to contend with which improved once I attached an earth point, the unit performed flawlessly over the fortnight I tested the unit and listened for approximately 15 hours. I think this unit would suit people who have invested in a setup that comes across as a little harsh to them, and are looking for more of a softer sound signature that isn’t so fatiguing. This unit could save you a lot of money as you may not need to replace expensive equipment to get the sound you want. Best of all, @andyr is right here on the forum and possibly willing to lend a unit for you to try before you buy. How could you go wrong by giving it a go and see if you like what you hear?
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Completely agree it's nice to see some clear signs of complete honesty in product reviews - and I can rely on them perhaps a little more than I previously have. I find the following quote fascinating: "My dominant left hemisphere says that the Pre90 is more literal and therefore more honest; it argues that the XP-32 is adding something. My right hemisphere maintains that the XP-32 simply sounds better, whatever that means, and the resulting enjoyment is what this is really all about" Personally, enjoyment is what I'm ultimately aiming to achieve. Pinpoint accuracy may be great, but it shouldn't come at the cost of it being less fun to hear. So with this in mind, I would buy the XP-32 if money was no object. Having said this I know what pre to shortlist if I'm on a budget for sure! Appreciate this being bought to my attention
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On the trail of great sounding albums - Moving to the QRG pressing of Jaco Pastorious (self titled). Some tricky bass lines being played here!
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An Interesting Writeup on Stylus Wearout
qik_shift replied to MKSOUND_HT's topic in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
I have no idea! If that's an option then yes that's what I'll be doing. -
Trentemoller - The Last Resort Another great sounding album, especially if you like ambient ticking and clicks sounding like they're all over the place.
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An Interesting Writeup on Stylus Wearout
qik_shift replied to MKSOUND_HT's topic in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
My Kiseki Purple Heart had just started to show signs of distortion somewhere around the 1500 hour mark. Very subtle but noticeable to my ear. I put it under a microscope and confirmed the shape of the diamond wasn't quite right. I will be retipping this cart when I secure employment again as I really liked it. -
It all started in isolation......
qik_shift replied to qik_shift's topic in Showcase Your System & Build Threads
Thank you! LOL. Agree many audiophiles aren't fans of retipping because some of the authenticity is lost, but I believe cantilever and diamond are only part of a series of components that affect sound character, and agree would almost be a waste if thrown away. I have no idea what Koetsu charge, but yes they have to be sent back to Japan for the work to be done. The keel is known to make a very noticeable improvement in sound - glad you're enjoying it -
Ultrasonic Vinyl Cleaner
qik_shift replied to Sub Sonic's topic in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
I agree that too cold is also not good. What I have observed (based solely on the experience with my Degritter) is that the water gets to reasonable temps (25C to 35C) within 1-2 heavy cleaning cycles depending on ambient temperature. Yes you're 100% right in that if there is nothing built into the machine to monitor temperatures and you do back-to-back washing cycles, find a probe or something that will allow you to check and make sure the water doesn't exceed 35 degrees. What concerned me when I saw the photo is that the heater dial goes up to 80C!!! Hope children don't get to it. -
It all started in isolation......
qik_shift replied to qik_shift's topic in Showcase Your System & Build Threads
What a great couple of months it has been for me. My poor old Kiseki Purple Heart just started to distort after 1500-1800 hours of use, so I've had the luxury of sampling some new cartridges and want to share my thoughts with you. First I tried the MSL Signature Platinum. I was so impressed by this cart. Output levels are really healthy with a super low internal impedance which suits my Big Loco really well. What surprised me was the extension of lows and highs, the linearity from low through to high frequencies, and the sheer level of detail that was coming through without sounding cold and analytical. What a pretty thing too! I can easily understand why this is a reference cartridge for so many people out there. I was so happy with what I was hearing I was ready to put my heard earned on the MSL I also had the opportunity to listen to a Koetsu Onyx. This cart was enjoyable, with the sound of strings and brass having such a delicate sweetness to them, it really drew emotion from these instruments perfectly. But the cart could not compete with the MSL on detail, speed, response and slam. Make no mistake, the Onyx was a noticeable overall improvement to the Kiseki Purple Heart in my opinion - it's just that the standard of the carts on review was so high. A couple of weeks later I then had an opportunity to listen to a Koetsu Coralstone Platinum. After my solid experience with the MSL Signature Platinum, the dearer Coralstone would have do do something quite magic to impress me...........Magic then happened. Notes sustained into oblivion, and yet it had speed when required. Frequency range was similar to the MSL, but I was quite shocked to hear the levels of detail I did. There was stuff going on in tracks I couldn't hear before, even with the MSL. The best of part of this cart was it still managed to retain the best characters of the Onyx too with strings and brass in particular having an almost eery organic sound to them that just enchanted me. The cart looks much better in real life than my photo can show. It has a lovely lacquer to it and the coralstone looks quite impressive too. Oh and a big bonus is that Koetsu re-tip in-house so the cart can always remain a pure Koetsu over a long period of time. Yay! You can guess what I ended up buying . -
Ultrasonic Vinyl Cleaner
qik_shift replied to Sub Sonic's topic in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
Please people whatever you do, ensure the water doesn't get too hot. A water heater is not a useful feature, as the ultrasonic cleaning action itself already generates heat, and too much heat can warp your vinyl. To give you an idea the Degritter starts cooling cycles around the 35C mark, as the warping process can kick in as early as 45C! -
Electronic currently spinning
qik_shift replied to houdinifangs's topic in Currently Spinning Threads
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Coloured Vinyl Currently Spinning
qik_shift replied to KRSDarwin's topic in Currently Spinning Threads
Hahahaha! Yep it's the new off-road test tracking LP. -
Coloured Vinyl Currently Spinning
qik_shift replied to KRSDarwin's topic in Currently Spinning Threads
Finally received my copy of the Best of 007. It's a limited edition numbered gold version, and looks quite nice under light. -
I'm back after a cable breakdown. So happy. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue UHQR. Crackly between tracks (much more so than a MOFI one step), but sounds very good.
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Linn's new Radikal and Ekstatik Cartridge.
qik_shift replied to Tasebass's topic in Turntables, Record Players & Vinyl
The time it takes for a platter to spin up does determine motor power/torque, but is no reflection of speed stability. You can't hear the record slowing as the needle is dropped, but sensors that are designed to keep speed to 0.0000001 rpm will pick that sort of thing up and adjust accordingly. FYI many high-end TTs are measuring and adjusting speed on an ongoing basis - it's simply kept invisible from the end-user. @Tasebass interesting you had some motor noise at first, I managed to not get that but glad it went away for you anyway. Glad you also agree there was a very noticeable improvement in sound too - makes me feel more sane! Amazing what speed stability and even more quietness can achieve - especially since I never really thought I had a noise issue to begin with!!