Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

VMPKJ said:
I'm not sure. Probably recoup some cash on sale. I can't imagine things sounding better than they do as I'm sitting here listening to "I Will Sing You Songs" by My Morning Jacket though. This thing is great with some time.

The thing is even if the Manleys were even exchange on sound, they would fit better. The Prima is literally turned sideways on the shelf right now with wires visible from the front. The Mahi's will fit on the shelves no problem, and hopefully sound better.

I also broke down and tried the 9XI and will be selling a couple Zephyr Star ES with 100 hours on one and 300 hours on the other. I just like the ART's better (if you couldn't comp them one after the other you'd probably never know the difference). The XI is even better than the 9MC. It adds a touch of the air like that on the SS cart, but not quite as much, and the bass is a tad tighter an deeper than the MC - a smidge. The effect is the same profile as the MC with a little more resolution and a tad bigger stage You can also use EZ screws with the XI not the MC's.

It's been a good year and I can do this... but I really have to stop now LOL. Plus I think I'm at the point were significant improvement would start costing 1/3 or half my total set up per piece.

EDIT: I will definately be selling a PS Audio Stellar strata as well, which I have to say held up well. If I hadn't gone full tubes I would recommend it to anyone. The headamp in it is right there with the Magni Heresy and the the wifi/controllable DAC/streamer is pretty great though it's waisted on me. It's a very nice Integrated.
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Tempt me not with that backup Soundsmith.
 
VMPKJ said:
I'm not sure. Probably recoup some cash on sale. I can't imagine things sounding better than they do as I'm sitting here listening to "I Will Sing You Songs" by My Morning Jacket though. This thing is great with some time.

The thing is even if the Manleys were even exchange on sound, they would fit better. The Prima is literally turned sideways on the shelf right now with wires visible from the front. The Mahi's will fit on the shelves no problem, and hopefully sound better.

I also broke down and tried the 9XI and will be selling a couple Zephyr Star ES with 100 hours on one and 300 hours on the other. I just like the ART's better (if you couldn't comp them one after the other you'd probably never know the difference). The XI is even better than the 9MC. It adds a touch of the air like that on the SS cart, but not quite as much, and the bass is a tad tighter an deeper than the MC - a smidge. The effect is the same profile as the MC with a little more resolution and a tad bigger stage You can also use EZ screws with the XI not the MC's.

It's been a good year and I can do this... but I really have to stop now LOL. Plus I think I'm at the point were significant improvement would start costing 1/3 or half my total set up per piece.

EDIT: I will definately be selling a PS Audio Stellar strata as well, which I have to say held up well. If I hadn't gone full tubes I would recommend it to anyone. The headamp in it is right there with the Magni Heresy and the the wifi/controllable DAC/streamer is pretty great though it's waisted on me. It's a very nice Integrated.
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The Mahis are end game amps for sure. Not high power, but more than you need given your speakers. And unlike the PrimaLunas that have switchable triode mode, the difference is pretty big between the two. Not switchable on the fly though: you’ll power them down before flipping the switches. No biggie, but thought you’d want to know.

@kvetcha apparently it’s going to be tempt you yes with a backup Soundsmith. 😎
 
HiFi Guy said:
And unlike the PrimaLunas that have switchable triode mode, the difference is pretty big between the two. Not switchable on the fly though: you’ll power them down before flipping the switches. No biggie, but thought you’d want to know.

@kvetcha apparently it’s going to be tempt you yes with a backup Soundsmith. 😎
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Good to know. The Absolute has this feature too. Self powers down for several seconds and the switches if you hit the button while playing though. I prefer Push Pull for every genre so far.
 
SMeekWoodworks said:
My Darlington Labs MM-6 arrived today. I'm in love!
I wish I could easily do a A/B test to really hear the difference, but it just sounds more detailed than the Schiit Mani. I don't have the words to describe it beyond that.

I see lots of reviews saying that it just gets better after a few hours of listening. Can someone explain how that works? I get how a new cartridge breaks in, with the cantilever and all that. But how does a box with sound signals going through sound better over time?
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I'm strongly considering a jump to the MM-6 from the Mani and hearing your thoughts is helpful! Thanks and keep us posted.
 
Hey y'all, AT Art9 question. Thinking this is going to be my next cart after my 2M Black. Do I need shims or anything on my Pro Ject 2Xperience SB? Or is this a simple swap? I'm debating taking my whole TT somewhere and getting them to install and line up the cart. I don't have a good protractor yet so I'm not confident I'm going to be able to get it dialed in on my own...
 
I
Mather said:
Hey y'all, AT Art9 question. Thinking this is going to be my next cart after my 2M Black. Do I need shims or anything on my Pro Ject 2Xperience SB? Or is this a simple swap? I'm debating taking my whole TT somewhere and getting them to install and line up the cart. I don't have a good protractor yet so I'm not confident I'm going to be able to get it dialed in on my own...
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I can't speak to the shims issue. I'm using the Geodisc so things are pretty simple protractor-wise. Basically my arm is flat when I measure it with a little plastic grid that I set on the deck. The rest is geo steps. I WILL say EZ screws are the jam if you get a protractor and dive in yourself... as long as you are getting the XI. Makes making tweeks super eazy. I usually tighten one up and leave the other barely snug then you can move them around until you're set and tighten them both.
 
Mather said:
Hey y'all, AT Art9 question. Thinking this is going to be my next cart after my 2M Black. Do I need shims or anything on my Pro Ject 2Xperience SB? Or is this a simple swap? I'm debating taking my whole TT somewhere and getting them to install and line up the cart. I don't have a good protractor yet so I'm not confident I'm going to be able to get it dialed in on my own...
Click to expand...
You shouldn’t need shims. There is .7 mm height difference between the two. The Ortofon measures 18 mm tall, the A/T comes in at 17.3.

@VMPKJ is right. Setting up a cartridge is something you can do yourself. No need to pay a dealer. And you shouldn’t- I used to do it for free as a customer service.
 
VMPKJ said:
I can't speak to the shims issue. I'm using the Geodisc so things are pretty simple protractor-wise. Basically my arm is flat when I measure it with a little plastic grid that I set on the deck. The rest is geo steps. I WILL say EZ screws are the jam if you get a protractor and dive in yourself... as long as you are getting the XI. Makes making tweeks super eazy. I usually tighten one up and leave the other barely snug then you can move them around until you're set and tighten them both.
Click to expand...

HiFi Guy said:
You shouldn’t need shims. There is .7 mm height difference between the two. The Ortofon measures 18 mm tall, the A/T comes in at 17.3.

@VMPKJ is right. Setting up a cartridge is something you can do yourself. No need to pay a dealer. And you shouldn’t- I used to do it for free as a customer service.
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Thanks guys, maybe the geodisc is the safe play. It's not too expensive here and looks pretty simple all told....
 
Mather said:
Thanks guys, maybe the geodisc is the safe play. It's not too expensive here and looks pretty simple all told....
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You have a 9” arm so the Geodisc may work. You should have also received an a alignment template with your turntable.

I’d stick to what Pro-ject supplies: the alignment slots on their arms are quite short compared to most. You may not be able to get the cartridge far enough forward to align with the Geo Disc.

Maybe @Joe Mac has some insight?
 
HiFi Guy said:
You have a 9” arm so the Geodisc may work. You should have also received an a alignment template with your turntable.

I’d stick to what Pro-ject supplies: the alignment slots on their arms are quite short compared to most. You may not be able to get the cartridge far enough forward to align with the Geo Disc.

Maybe @Joe Mac has some insight?
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Music Direct indicates that it works on Pro Ject tables. I mean, I don't necessarily trust that as it's the only place I've found that so far but... It's something...
 
Mather said:
Music Direct indicates that it works on Pro Ject tables. I mean, I don't necessarily trust that as it's the only place I've found that so far but... It's something...
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It should work then. Music Direct is MoFi after all. It will definitely work with their $$$$ turntables, I was unsure about their more down to earth models.
 
HiFi Guy said:
You have a 9” arm so the Geodisc may work. You should have also received an a alignment template with your turntable.

I’d stick to what Pro-ject supplies: the alignment slots on their arms are quite short compared to most. You may not be able to get the cartridge far enough forward to align with the Geo Disc.

Maybe @Joe Mac has some insight?
Click to expand...

My arm is only 8.6 so I stick to the Stephenson on the supplied printed protractor, I’d just assumed that the other alignment methods were out of the equation.

What I will say is that with the cart lined up with the front of the headshell the screws are right at the back of the slots so there is still a fair bit of play if it was needed to be pushed forward.
 
Was originally looking at a substantial turntable upgrade this summer but now im leaning more towards a PLX-1000 and a system upgrade across the board. Would like more educated peoples thoughts on the matter.

Current------------> Upgrade

U-Turn w/U-Turn Blue-> Pioneer PLX-1000 (Really liking this table the more I look into it, cartridge suggestions would be appreciated)

Just upgraded the preamp to a MM6. Love it.

Sony STRDH590->??? Bought this when I knew less about equipment...and it's served it's purpose well for what it is. But I know something without all the digital components would undoubtedly be a better option in this chain, only necessity is a headphone jack. Recommendations appreciated. Would like to stay around the $500 range.

Pioneer BS41-> ELAC Debut 2.0's. Was originally looking at Klipsh options but the praise for these has me interested. If there is a better long term solution let me know, but at the moment these are looking like the way to go. Would be willing to spend up to ~$400-$500 is there's something that really stands out.
 
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