Playground for practical listening exercises

[V.A.MKD]

My take is that the Rega, good as it is, comes in third as it just doesn't move as well, is less intelligible and not as dynamic. The Valhalla LP12 is good, and interesting as it sounds all of a piece. A nice table and more musical than the P10. The Radikal LP12 is the one I find most musical overall. It isn't quite as balanced in some ways as the Valhalla table, like everything isn't pulling the same way, but I still prefer it overall.

+1 ...

[Defender]

thank you for all your feedback - the loudspeakers are back to normal ground without skeets again

[Tendaberry]

With your latest clips markiteight I enjoy them more and more the lower you go. 0.6+4 is my pick.

0,6 + 4 is the one, that made me want to listen to the whole song.

[Defender]

0.6 +4 has the flow and the rhythm

[lejonklou]

I still prefer .8 out of the four new clips although sonically it is a bit bright. I'd still try .8 -1 and +1 but I'd also be interested to hear how something like .6+4 sounds.

Here 'ya go:
0.8 -1: https://youtu.be/76chEfYo318
0.8: https://youtu.be/E1DfgcGBngs
0.8 +1: https://youtu.be/5GiEatULPVM
0.6 +4: https://youtu.be/WMRLzhDjwFw

Before I made these recordings I back-and-forthed between 1.2 and 0.8. We are in agreement, unfortunately, 0.8 is definitely better. However, a couple weeks ago I did a mini service on the LP12, rebuilding the suspension and adjusting some torques. Last night it dawned on me that I didn't finish the job after reassembly and initial test. I guess I got sidetracked and forgot. This afternoon I finished where I left off and replaced the belt, checked orientation on the new belt and re-clocked/centered the platter. This seems to have alleviated some of the brightness as well as elevating the music to a new level. The above recordings were made post belt replacement.

Interesting clips!

I find that the guitarist is most skilled at 0.6+4. But it seems a tad low when the bass guitar enters. 0.8-1 on the other hand sounds a little truncated.

My bet is that the optimal torque for these fasteners is somewhere in between 0.6+4 and 0.8-1. That shouldn't be too many steps to try.

[markiteight]

A clear majority for the lower toque, which is interesting. I struggled with this one more than the previous ones because I heard things I liked on both 0.8 -1 and 0.6 +4.

0.6 +4 has the flow and the rhythm

That it does, but there's something not getting through on the clips that I hear in room at the higher torque. The musicians take on a confident swagger that is quite alluring. Like Charlie1 has asked in the past, can we have a bit of both?

Interesting clips!

I find that the guitarist is most skilled at 0.6+4. But it seems a tad low when the bass guitar enters. 0.8-1 on the other hand sounds a little truncated.

My bet is that the optimal torque for these fasteners is somewhere in between 0.6+4 and 0.8-1. That shouldn't be too many steps to try.

I began to think the same thing once I realized I wanted a bit of both. I'm working my way up in 1 notch increments right now, but this time with your power cables in situ. I couldn't wait any longer! I just have one thing to say:

wow

[ThomasOK]

I still prefer .8 out of the four new clips although sonically it is a bit bright. I'd still try .8 -1 and +1 but I'd also be interested to hear how something like .6+4 sounds.

Here 'ya go:
0.8 -1: https://youtu.be/76chEfYo318
0.8: https://youtu.be/E1DfgcGBngs
0.8 +1: https://youtu.be/5GiEatULPVM
0.6 +4: https://youtu.be/WMRLzhDjwFw

Before I made these recordings I back-and-forthed between 1.2 and 0.8. We are in agreement, unfortunately, 0.8 is definitely better. However, a couple weeks ago I did a mini service on the LP12, rebuilding the suspension and adjusting some torques. Last night it dawned on me that I didn't finish the job after reassembly and initial test. I guess I got sidetracked and forgot. This afternoon I finished where I left off and replaced the belt, checked orientation on the new belt and re-clocked/centered the platter. This seems to have alleviated some of the brightness as well as elevating the music to a new level. The above recordings were made post belt replacement.

Interesting clips!

I find that the guitarist is most skilled at 0.6+4. But it seems a tad low when the bass guitar enters. 0.8-1 on the other hand sounds a little truncated.

My bet is that the optimal torque for these fasteners is somewhere in between 0.6+4 and 0.8-1. That shouldn't be too many steps to try.

I'm totally with Fredrik on this. 0.6+4 and 0.8-1 are easily the two best with 0.8 and 0.8+1 getting progressively worse and more jumbled. I felt there was more bass energy at 0.6+4 but it sounds a bit sluggish to me, a usual sign of a low torque. The 0.8-1 actually seemed to me to move better, probably because I don't hear that sluggishness, but the instruments weren't quite as tuneful as they are at the lower torque. Since there are only 6 notches between 0.6+4 and 0.8-1 I would indeed test them all. My hunch is that it will end up closer to the lower figure, maybe 0.6+6, but I could be wrong. It is true that there can be several peaks and the trick is to find the highest one. generally that does indeed give you the best of both worlds.

[Defender]

keep it comming markiteight we want to go over the finishing line

[markiteight]

I'm totally with Fredrik on this. 0.6+4 and 0.8-1 are easily the two best with 0.8 and 0.8+1 getting progressively worse and more jumbled. I felt there was more bass energy at 0.6+4 but it sounds a bit sluggish to me, a usual sign of a low torque. The 0.8-1 actually seemed to me to move better, probably because I don't hear that sluggishness, but the instruments weren't quite as tuneful as they are at the lower torque. Since there are only 6 notches between 0.6+4 and 0.8-1 I would indeed test them all. My hunch is that it will end up closer to the lower figure, maybe 0.6+6, but I could be wrong. It is true that there can be several peaks and the trick is to find the highest one. generally that does indeed give you the best of both worlds.

We're definitely getting close! The differences are becoming much more apparent, hopefully indicating that we're on the steep side of a peak.

keep it comming markiteight we want to go over the finishing line

By all means!

0.6 +5: https://youtu.be/288AF2-CvHs
0.6+6: https://youtu.be/KNTh5RZD5sI

[beck]

For me 0.6+5 is a good place to be. The new power cables are easily heard! :-)

[Charlie1]

I'm struggling. Not helped by this laptop cutting out the video every second or so. Will try again later on another device.

[beck]

It would be great to hear your old 0.6+4 clip versus 0.6+4 with new power cables.....

[V.A.MKD]

From last two clips I'm for 0.6 +6

[Tendaberry]

It would be great to hear your old 0.6+4 clip versus 0.6+4 with new power cables.....

Yeah, I would be interested to hear 0,6 + 4 with the new power cords against 0,6 + 5

[Charlie1]

From last two clips I'm for 0.6 +6

+1

I think the opening few seconds sound better with +5 (or something seemed better) but once the song gets going I also prefer +6 as it seems easier to follow and more enjoyable.

[tokenbrit]

+1 for +6 (& the new power cords ;)

[lejonklou]

0.6+5 1/2

[Defender]

its difficult for me to make my mind up between +5 and +6
in my memory I liked +4 really much
since than power cords have changed and the song is a different one
however it makes me feel its neither +5 nor +6 and to set the baseline again I would like to hear either +5 or +6 against the +4 with the new power cords ... there was a swing and engagement in +4 which I am kind of missing now

[ThomasOK]

I've gone back and forth several times between the two clips and I actually prefer .6+5. I find it moves better and has more emotion. A little easier to follow. But I do think there is a fair chance Fredrik is right and the best torque will be .6+5 1/2. We have occasionally found 1/2 notches to be the best place and one I had like that was a subwoofer, so it's not unprecedented.

[Charlie1]

P10 has be returned. Musically enjoyable and great sound but not as coherent and enjoyable as either LP12.

It did highlight that the 110 sounds too speeded up much of the time, but I've come up with two nicely balanced systems with the kit I've got:

1.) Radikal LP12 > 32.5/SNAPS/250 > https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybbtdq5qcsg1t ... D.MOV?dl=0

2.) Valhalla LP12 > 12/160 > Kans: https://www.dropbox.com/s/61sk7h9dxyiit ... D.MOV?dl=0 (2 tracks)

Plan is to remove the Urika very soon as I'm still not happy overall with the main deck compared to the Valhalla one. I’m hoping that getting them on similar Naim phono boards will help me understand where I’m at, and take it from there.

[markiteight]

It would be great to hear your old 0.6+4 clip versus 0.6+4 with new power cables.....

Yeah, I would be interested to hear 0,6 + 4 with the new power cords against 0,6 + 5

Oops! I missed a step. Sorry 'bout that.
https://youtu.be/RmHUeyZwFAk
https://youtu.be/Hot22t5XrzE

I hasten to note that these clips should not be compared with the two I posted last night. There were changes made elsewhere in the system between recording the two sets so despite being the same song, any comparison made between the two pairs will not be valid.

[Charlie1]

Much prefer 0.6 +4

[markiteight]

P10 has be returned. Musically enjoyable and great sound but not as coherent and enjoyable as either LP12.

It did highlight that the 110 sounds too speeded up much of the time, but I've come up with two nicely balanced systems with the kit I've got:

1.) Radikal LP12 > 32.5/SNAPS/250 > Briks: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xn8o4prjy07st ... D.MOV?dl=0

Luvleh. Only in this forum would you expect to hear disco and not bat an eye. Once a musical system, always a musical system.

2.) Valhalla LP12 > 12/160 > Kans: https://www.dropbox.com/s/61sk7h9dxyiit ... D.MOV?dl=0 (2 tracks)

This rekindles my occasional desire to pick up a pair of early Kans. I've never heard them in person and I'm missing out.

Plan is to remove the Urika very soon as I'm still not happy overall with the main deck compared to the Valhalla one. I’m hoping that getting them on similar Naim phono boards will help me understand where I’m at, and take it from there.

Before you do that have you considered trying Boazu? LP12/Radikal/Urika/Boazu/Briks oughta be fantastic.

[Charlie1]

First time I heard Kans I just knew they were for me. I spent about 15 years with them and moved house a couple of times and never had the system setup right which lead to me looking for improvement and then cocking it all up.

I’d like to hear the Boazu but I think my issue is more fundamental than the amp. For sure, the 32.5/snaps/250 can be bettered (probably by 32.5/CB 160 as well) but not my priority right now. More likely to look at Entity once I’m happy with the deck.

[Defender]

It would be great to hear your old 0.6+4 clip versus 0.6+4 with new power cables.....

Yeah, I would be interested to hear 0,6 + 4 with the new power cords against 0,6 + 5

Oops! I missed a step. Sorry 'bout that.
https://youtu.be/RmHUeyZwFAk
https://youtu.be/Hot22t5XrzE

I hasten to note that these clips should not be compared with the two I posted last night. There were changes made elsewhere in the system between recording the two sets so despite being the same song, any comparison made between the two pairs will not be valid.

here we go again ... with +4 its back what I missed
I prefer that more than +5 and assume also to a +6

but there is still the slight feeling that this is only 95% and its either slightly up or slightly down