Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Angsty said:
At US $600 for the Goldring 1042, it looks like a face off with the $750 Hana SH is warranted.

But it also sounds as if you might have a slight preference of the Goldring to the Hana EL at $450, @AnthonyI ? Of course, the EH would be the better match for @Ghost.
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While the EL is stellar on its own, when comparing all 3, the 1042 definitely bridges the gap between EL and SL in my opinion. It would seem what you're seeing here, or hearing, is the stylus forte, Eliptical to Geiger S to Shibata. Of course having a user replaceable stylus on the 1042 has to be a consideration as well when comparing.
 
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AnthonyI said:
While the EL is stellar on its own, when comparing all 3, the 1042 definitely bridges the gap between EL and SL in my opinion. It would seem what you're seeing here, or hearing, is the stylus forte, Eliptical to Geiger S to Shibata. Of course having a user replaceable stylus on the 1042 has to be a consideration as well when comparing.
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I wonder has anyone tried the Goldring 2000 series moving iron cartridges. I’d be interested to hear views on them 🤔
 
Ghost said:
I find IGD to be absolutely insufferable!

Any immediate opinions towards what would get me closer to my goal of having a system with "bite"?
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I know this might sound crazy, but you came from an RT85/2M Blue prior, yeah? I feel like one of the Blue’s strongest traits is how it tracks the inner grooves. It’s really smooth up top.

Interestingly enough, I feel the Opus 3 tracks significantly better than any other Grado I’ve had in my system, and I’ve had a few in the Prestige line. I should also note that I have the low output version, which I feel really does sound a bit better overall than the high output, having been able to try both.
 
Mather said:
Well mine are of the in ceiling variety, I have a pair of the Revel C383 in my livingroom and another pair in my basement. They've got directionally adjustable tweeters and 8 inch woofers for some pretty good low end coverage. I've got them housed in acoustic in ceiling boxes called the Dynamat "Dynabox" to help with the sound. I have no other experience with in wall stuff. So I honestly don't know how they compare to other mid range stuff. Obviously you can see from the Revel speaker line that it covers a pretty wide price range. I'm not sure what your friend wants to spend but I'm happy with mine and install was pretty easy, they've gotta really solid mounting system and the magnetic grill covers are really clean and hold tight.

I'm sure there are others here (@displayname?) Who may have further suggestions?
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I actually don't have a lot of knowledge around installed offerings. I'm a big believer that two well designed and well placed speakers will always out perform installed speakers - they just take up a lot more space and visual impact in a room.
 
I have a glass platter and hadn't played around with options other than a felt slipmat on it. It seemed strange to put an acrylic mat on a glass platter, but after reading some positive reviews of that combo I decided to try it. Instantly a noticeable improvement. Although it's a bit thicker than the felt so I assumed it would throw off my tracking force. I bought a digital scale to measure it, which just arrived, and it's now at 1.74 g, whereas I'd tried using the manual one to set it previously with the felt at 1.5. My stylus says it's range is 1.25-1.75, so I'm on the high end now but it really does sound a lot better and more detailed to me with these little tweaks.

And I'm really happy with the @Mnpctech feet I recently put on there. So with these two small changes I feel like I've made some noticable improvements in the sound without spending much since my desired system upgrades are now on hold untill I move.
 
i dunno if there is much an upgrade path from my turn until i reach like.. 1000 dollars (with the ortofon its a 500 dollar table) so i might have to wait until I'm at full mofi deck and custom cartridge
 
Ghost said:
Currently eyeing upgrading my Grado Opus 3 to a Hana SL and as a result eyeing upgrade paths in my system as a whole right now. I feel the Opus hasn't had the bite my ears desire. Everything sounds good with the Opus coming out of the Lintons but not much sounds glistening, life like, and sharp. Also find the Opus 3 does a sub par job on the inner grooves on my rig, even after many realignments. If the Hana SL doesn't do the trick as far as sonic profile goes I'll probably ditch the Lintons for KLH Model 5's, Dali's or Buchardt S400 Mk2s. I know a lot of people have mentioned the Lintons lack clarity so I wonder if thats ultimately what I'm experiencing. If that Hana SL doesn't eliminate the majority of inner groove issues that I've experienced with the Opus I'll probably just say this hobby isn't for me and sell everything and get a nice fancy DAC lmfao. I find IGD to be absolutely insufferable!

Anyways, curious what I should eye upgrading first. My phone stage (Musical Fidelity LX-LPS) or my amp (NAD C 316BEE). Any immediate opinions towards what would get me closer to my goal of having a system with "bite"?
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A couple of observations-

The Hana low output models are not a match to your phono stage. Hanas want to see a minimum of 470 ohms load. The MF only loads at 100 ohms which will result in a rolled off top end.

An A/T should give you what you are looking for and you can get a better MIcroLine stylus for much less than the Hana. You’ll definitely not have IGD issues. An A/T will work great with your phono stage.

Another alternative would be to have a third party upgrade the stylus and cantilever on your Opus. I’ve just had this done on my Gold3- check the Grado thread. I’ll give listening impressions when I get it back.

I initially thought the Lintons were a bit rolled off on the top end when I was using the PrimaLuna amp. Switching to NAD separates really woke them up. I think your issue lies with the cartridge, but if not, check B&W speakers. Generally too bright for me but may be just what you are looking for.
 
My personal opinion is sending the Grado to someone else for rework is for someone more experienced like @HiFi Guy tbh. It also makes the Opus not eligible for the Grado Trade In program of course and I'm sure quite frowned upon by the Grado family.

In my demo time with the Linton's I found them a bit too laid back. More detailed and powerful electronics could very well be the better match for them if those are indeed your listening tastes. BUT, you never know until you try them.

Something @Ghost will need to realize is many of us have spent a lifetime coming up with systems for our own tastes, plug and play rarely works 1st or second time for everyone and there are pluses and minues in every system. That's the hobby.
 
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JohnnyCashFan said:
My personal opinion is sending the Grado to someone else is for rework is for someone more experienced like @HiFi Guy tbh. It also makes the Opus not eligible for the Grado Trade In program of course and I'm sure quite frowned upon by the Grado family.

In my demo time with the Linton's I found them a bit too laid back. More detailed and powerful electronics could very well be the better match for them if those are indeed your listening tastes. BUT, you never know until you try them.
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I was just throwing it out there as an option. It’s not like @Ghost is likely to upgrade in the Grado line with not liking the Opus. Plus it’d take a wheelbarrow full of money to get a useful upgrade from Grado- a better stylus or cantilever.

A third party rebuilder is a viable cost effective option.
 
Mather said:
This is not for me, but any opinions on the Parasound ZPhono XRM?
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www.analogplanet.com

Parasound Z Phono XRM MM/MC Phono Preamp Offers A lot For $595

Parasound’s $595 ZPhono XRM is a compact, versatile MM/MC phono preamplifier that offers flexibility and features not usually found at this price point including gold-plated balanced XLR outputs (and gold-plated single-ended RCA outputs), a mono switch, an 18dB/octave rumble filter and for its...
www.analogplanet.com www.analogplanet.com
 
Mather said:
This is not for me, but any opinions on the Parasound ZPhono XRM?
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ps Have they looked at the mofi studiophono for $350 usd ? MM/MC, gain/loading settings, mono/rumble switches, well reviewed, designed by the late legend Tim De Paravicini etc
 
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JohnnyCashFan said:
ps Have they looked at the mofi studiophono for $350 usd ? MM/MC, gain/loading settings, mono/rumble switches, well reviewed, designed by the late Tim Tim De Paravicini etc
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It's... complicated. Friend with limited cash, can buy a stage using points through somewhere like Amazon, obviously not ideal but they do have some stock of various types. Or can get almost half off the Parasound with cash.
 
Mather said:
It's... complicated. Friend with limited cash, can buy a stage using points through somewhere like Amazon, obviously not ideal but they do have some stock of various types. Or can get almost half off the Parasound with cash.
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Honestly if you’re looking at half the price of the Parasound you’re likely to struggle to get anything better than it, especially as it reviews well. I’d likely take that as a great price and run.
 
So my beloved Klipsch x7i ear buds finally bit it earlier this week. I don't know if I'll ever find another pair that had the sound these things did, it was just perfect for my tastes. But I grabbed these yesterday in the hopes of getting close... They were actually reviewed by @Ed Selley a while back, I'm not sure they're going to fill the void entirely but they're definitely fun to listen to. Campfire Audio IOIO-Backs-for-Web-1400x1400.png1-Main-Pic-4.jpg
 
Mather said:
So my beloved Klipsch x7i ear buds finally bit it earlier this week. I don't know if I'll ever find another pair that had the sound these things did, it was just perfect for my tastes. But I grabbed these yesterday in the hopes of getting close... They were actually reviewed by @Ed Selley a while back, I'm not sure they're going to fill the void entirely but they're definitely fun to listen to. Campfire Audio IOView attachment 148296View attachment 148299
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Didn't realize Tony Stark made earbuds.
 
Mather said:
So my beloved Klipsch x7i ear buds finally bit it earlier this week. I don't know if I'll ever find another pair that had the sound these things did, it was just perfect for my tastes. But I grabbed these yesterday in the hopes of getting close... They were actually reviewed by @Ed Selley a while back, I'm not sure they're going to fill the void entirely but they're definitely fun to listen to. Campfire Audio IOView attachment 148296View attachment 148299
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I got the Meze's when my Skull Candy's conked out after 10 years a few months back.
mezeaudio.com

12 Classics V2

Telling the Classics story of timeless design and natural sound, the 12 Classics V2 brings out the familiarity of its predecessor, draped in new, earthy colors for an earpiece that is practical, yet daring.
mezeaudio.com mezeaudio.com
 
Mather said:
So my beloved Klipsch x7i ear buds finally bit it earlier this week. I don't know if I'll ever find another pair that had the sound these things did, it was just perfect for my tastes. But I grabbed these yesterday in the hopes of getting close... They were actually reviewed by @Ed Selley a while back, I'm not sure they're going to fill the void entirely but they're definitely fun to listen to. Campfire Audio IOView attachment 148296View attachment 148299
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MikeH said:
Didn't realize Tony Stark made earbuds.
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TONY STARK WAS ABLE TO BUILD THESE IN A MURDER DUNGEON
WITH A BOX OF WARPED VINYL RECORDS
 
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