Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Mather said:
Yeah I'm a little concerned about the lack of gain options when it comes to this cart. My AVR already has step down db limiters on the inputs due to it being real sensitive to being over driven (I really need to get a new amp) I'm worried that running it at 64 db may present the same problem (although I suppose I could just go to higher limiters).
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You're not going to run into problems overdriving with the Zephyr. Even at 64db gain it's like...634mV output, which is half of what your 2M Black is generating at 48db. I'm assuming your AVR is equipped for at least 750mV or 1V input sensitivity.
 
Joe Mac said:
The specs state user adjustable at 1V, 2V or 4V.
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Yeah I'm not entirely sure what was happening but at 1, 2 and 4 I was getting digital popping on certain notes without the 10db step down RCA adaptors. Once I popped them on its been fine for both the Rega Aria and and the JC3+. However I pulled them off when I got the JC3+ and it was just constant distortion without them, unlike the Aria which only happened on really strong notes.
 
Mather said:
Yeah I'm not entirely sure what was happening but at 1, 2 and 4 I was getting digital popping on certain notes without the 10db step down RCA adaptors. Once I popped them on its been fine for both the Rega Aria and and the JC3+. However I pulled them off when I got the JC3+ and it was just constant distortion without them, unlike the Aria which only happened on really strong notes.
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I’d still put money on the Zepher at 64dB being less problematic than the Black at 48dB. The 2M series are the hottest cartridges that I’ve come across. They’re definitely outputting more than what ortofon quote.
 
Joe Mac said:
I’d still put money on the Zepher at 64dB being less problematic than the Black at 48dB. The 2M series are the hottest cartridges that I’ve come across. They’re definitely outputting more than what ortofon quote.
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Yeah that makes sense. I didn't have an issue with either of the prior 2 carts (both ort) before I got to the black, I think it's just screaming. The poor Arcams tender digital circuits can't handle it at full force. But the funny thing is the stage actually got better when I installed the step downs.
 
Despite trying tons of different gadgets and solves, I still have a small annoying hum on my home office system. It’s noticeable with headphones on (which I use a lot more now with the little kiddo around).

The hum is there no matter the source. Will test again but think it’s still there when no sources are plugged in. The hum goes up in volume when I turn the volume up a lot. Not super noticeable with music playing but still bothering me…

I just got an Emotiva CMX-2 that my NAD and my DAC is plugged into. Also have an audioquest PQ2 power conditioner and had a Furman…does this just mean my power/wiring in my house is fucked? My office does have lots of things plugged in…including my modem and various smart hubs for smart lights, etc.
 
MikeH said:
Despite trying tons of different gadgets and solves, I still have a small annoying hum on my home office system. It’s noticeable with headphones on (which I use a lot more now with the little kiddo around).

The hum is there no matter the source. Will test again but think it’s still there when no sources are plugged in. The hum goes up in volume when I turn the volume up a lot. Not super noticeable with music playing but still bothering me…

I just got an Emotiva CMX-2 that my NAD and my DAC is plugged into. Also have an audioquest PQ2 power conditioner and had a Furman…does this just mean my power/wiring in my house is fucked? My office does have lots of things plugged in…including my modem and various smart hubs for smart lights, etc.
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It really sounds like a ground loop. If it’s on all sources I’d say the NAD is to blame. I’d be trying some safe way to lift the ground like one of the ifi intelligent ground things I’m using. A ground trick plug could work too but I’m not convinced of the safety of them.
 
Mather said:
Okay guys I have a dumb MC cart loading question because it's all so confusing and I know nothing.

My stage, Parasound Halo JC3+, it appears to have locked gain settings for MM and MC. 48db and 64db. I think. And then for the ohms I'm looking at either 47k ohms locked or variable 50-500k. I think. So if if was to get a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star ES I would simply set my variable ohm setting to about 100k or less and and away we go? (They seem to suggest above 47 but below 100 on the soundsmith website.
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For the record, running the Zephyr at 65dB and a load of 800 ohms run super clean. I've run other MC's that tend to fall apart a bit at higher gains, especially when the highs roll into the album, along with some feedback pops. Didn't have any issues with the Zephyr.
 
Joe Mac said:
It really sounds like a ground loop. If it’s on all sources I’d say the NAD is to blame. I’d be trying some safe way to lift the ground like one of the ifi intelligent ground things I’m using. A ground trick plug could work too but I’m not convinced of the safety of them.
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you have one of these?
ifi-audio.com

GND Defender by iFi audio - Eliminates ground loops that often cause audible speaker hum.

GND Control The GND Defender (Ground) eliminates ground loops in your audio set-up that often cause audible speaker hum.
ifi-audio.com ifi-audio.com

annoyingly, the NAD has a built in power cable, so can't use that...maybe its time to sell the NAD and buy a new amp....
 
MikeH said:
you have one of these?
ifi-audio.com

GND Defender by iFi audio - Eliminates ground loops that often cause audible speaker hum.

GND Control The GND Defender (Ground) eliminates ground loops in your audio set-up that often cause audible speaker hum.
ifi-audio.com ifi-audio.com

annoyingly, the NAD has a built in power cable, so can't use that...maybe its time to sell the NAD and buy a new amp....
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That’s exactly what I have.

I mean you can cut the power chord and wire in a IEC plug for less than $10. It’s an easy job if you can wire a plug. Something everyone should know how to do. Then you can plug this and a new power chord in. Could even keep using the existing chord by wiring the opposite IEC plug into it.
 
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Joe Mac said:
It really sounds like a ground loop. If it’s on all sources I’d say the NAD is to blame. I’d be trying some safe way to lift the ground like one of the ifi intelligent ground things I’m using. A ground trick plug could work too but I’m not convinced of the safety of them.
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MikeH said:
Despite trying tons of different gadgets and solves, I still have a small annoying hum on my home office system. It’s noticeable with headphones on (which I use a lot more now with the little kiddo around).

The hum is there no matter the source. Will test again but think it’s still there when no sources are plugged in. The hum goes up in volume when I turn the volume up a lot. Not super noticeable with music playing but still bothering me…

I just got an Emotiva CMX-2 that my NAD and my DAC is plugged into. Also have an audioquest PQ2 power conditioner and had a Furman…does this just mean my power/wiring in my house is fucked? My office does have lots of things plugged in…including my modem and various smart hubs for smart lights, etc.
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Joe makes a good point it could be a ground loop. Another thing you might play around with is the location of your DAC and Phono Stage. I had this issue with NAD in my office. I had them sitting too close to the toroidal power transformer in the amp. As soon as I moved them the other direction the hum went away.
 
snoops said:
Joe makes a good point it could be a ground loop. Another thing you might play around with is the location of your DAC and Phono Stage. I had this issue with NAD in my office. I had them sitting too close to the toroidal power transformer in the amp. As soon as I moved them the other direction the hum went away.
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Yeah I had a big ground loop issue with my ps audio power amp and prima Luna pre amp. It turns out with both being from outside of the uk/ire where plugs often don’t ground, whereas ours always do, there was an issue with them both being connected to ground. By using the ifi to lift the ground, in a much safer way than a cheater plug, on the prima luna it left the ps audio to ground the system and the hum went!
 
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snoops said:
Joe makes a good point it could be a ground loop. Another thing you might play around with is the location of your DAC and Phono Stage. I had this issue with NAD in my office. I had them sitting too close to the toroidal power transformer in the amp. As soon as I moved them the other direction the hum went away.
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Thanks will try this. I’ve got a line phono stand for my gear at the moment and the amp is in the shelf underneath the top, then Sutherland and turntable is on top of that. I’ll try to see if I can figure out a place to put the phono stage instead… I kinda have limited space there. The DAC is on my desk next to it and quite far away. I also just have loads of cables going every which way at the moment on account of it being next to my computer setup.
 
MikeH said:
View attachment 183155
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All joking aside it’s DIY 101. My dad taught me and I learned it within 10 minutes because I can do it and that’s our threshold for working together without an argument…

Watch a few YouTube videos and you an even practice on an old piece of kettle/lamp chord if you want!

MikeH said:
Thanks will try this. I’ve got a line phono stand for my gear at the moment and the amp is in the shelf underneath the top, then Sutherland and turntable is on top of that. I’ll try to see if I can figure out a place to put the phono stage instead… I kinda have limited space there. The DAC is on my desk next to it and quite far away. I also just have loads of cables going every which way at the moment on account of it being next to my computer setup.
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But. Another random thought. Do you have power chords crossing RCA’s and if so are they at 90 degrees? If they aren’t and can’t be can you tie them up with Velcro ties to keep them well apart from one another?
 
Joe Mac said:
All joking aside it’s DIY 101. My dad taught me and I learned it within 10 minutes because I can do it and that’s our threshold for working together without an argument…

Watch a few YouTube videos and you an even practice on an old piece of kettle/lamp chord if you want!



But. Another random thought. Do you have power chords crossing RCA’s and if so are they at 90 degrees? If they aren’t and can’t be can you tie them up with Velcro ties to keep them well apart from one another?
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Yea zip tying or Velcroing is a good first try. I need to do some serious cable management.
 
Joe Mac said:
I think you should chat with @hifiguy if he’s back around anytime soon. I’m pretty sure he has, or has recently used, a standalone fozzy thing that does the same job as what’s built into that phono stage.
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I’m still here, just quiet. Been so busy I seem to be only home to sleep. Tonight was the first time I’ve switched on the system in 4 or 5 days.

I had the stand alone Black Ice thing for a while. It does the same thing my Fozgometer does mechanically. Unless your setup is horribly off, the difference is minor. It can correct for internal crosstalk issues which the Fozgometer can’t. The F159 looks like a nice piece though. Black Ice is basically renamed JoLida. I’ve owned a few JoLida pieces over the years and can recommend without reservation.
 
HiFi Guy said:
I’m still here, just quiet. Been so busy I seem to be only home to sleep. Tonight was the first time I’ve switched on the system in 4 or 5 days.

I had the stand alone Black Ice thing for a while. It does the same thing my Fozgometer does mechanically. Unless your setup is horribly off, the difference is minor. It can correct for internal crosstalk issues which the Fozgometer can’t. The F159 looks like a nice piece though. Black Ice is basically renamed JoLida. I’ve owned a few JoLida pieces over the years and can recommend without reservation.
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Cool. If I were pulling the trigger today, which I'm not. I would add the Leak CDT10 transport, the Black Ice F159, The Vertere DG-1S and Klipsch Forte IVs. Table will probably be the last upgrade. After that, I may or may not buy speakers for digital/classical listening and a preamp to run the phono through. We'll see what happens after I do all of this.
 
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