Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

0,6 +4 would also be my pick.

Me too

[Defender]

Two more, but not necessarily in the same order:

Clip 1
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v0igpdg25ore7 ... m.mov?dl=0

Clip 2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nh8vfq2sf7znh ... m.mov?dl=0

clip 1 for me because her voice seems more in tune and the piano more engaged

[tokenbrit]

Preferring B|2, but easier to choose between A|B than 1|2

[V.A.MKD]

Preferring B|2, but easier to choose between A|B than 1|2

+1, Much easier ... :-)

[Charlie1]

Yes, I struggled with 1/2 as well.

[beck]

I find ThomasOK’s latest A/B and 1/2 clips difficult to get my head around.

The way I listen makes me believe that A/2 are the same setup and B/1 the same setup.

I hear A/2 as a more “loose” sounding version compared to B/1 where everything is more well structured and together.

I prefer B/1.....and then again the loose and less uptight sound from A/2 is charming too....

so maybe better for long term listening!? :-)

[ThomasOK]

OK, there is enough feedback here for me to spill the beans. Now that Axpona has been put off to August (theoretically) I have more time to just play. There are a few things I have wanted to do on the system once I had it pretty well dialed in and now that the Lejonklou power cables are pretty well burned in and throughout the system and all the gear besides the LP12>SINGularity>SM>TM>Quads has been disconnected it is close to as pure magic as it will get (but I might be able to squeak out a bit more yet-certainly when the Karousel arrives).

The question of 33.3RPM vs. 45RPM has come up before I and I gave my opinion that 33.3RPM was more tuneful/musical. This is normally hard to demonstrate because of all the other differences that can occur in mastering a record. However, these two sets of clips allow for the most honest evaluation possible. Both of these records were made by Classic Records using their Clarity Vinyl process. This process can make excellent recordings as is proven by the recording of St. James Infirmary by Satchmo that I blew Fredrik away with (and many others who have heard it), although one excellent recording isn't a guarantee all others will be. That said, these records I made the clips from were designed to demonstrate the superiority of 45RPM pressing over 33.3RPM. They are both records with the same track on both sides, one side at 45RPM and the other at 33.3. They were mastered at the same time, by the same people, on the same equipment and from the same original master tape. They were made in very limited numbers so I expect there was only one set of lacquers. There could still be some slight variability in the vinyl but they are certainly as close as you can reasonably get.

I was expecting there to be some differing of opinions but I do find the majority came up with the same preferences. So the order of the clips are:

Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
Clip A 45RPM
Clip B 33.3RPM

The Look of Love, Dusty Springfield from the Casino Royale soundtrack
Clip 1 33.3RPM
Clip 2 45RPM

In room and on the clips I am in full agreement with most that the 33.3RPM versions are more musical - Clips B and 1. I will note that Simon had a hard time with 1 and 2 until I went back to 1 and then he clearly heard that it was more musical. I do think A/B is pretty obvious and I don't think anybody picked A.

It is still my system Vlado, but also remember these are "audiophile" recordings so I can't say how they would compare with original first pressings. But there you have 33/3RPM vs. 45RPM. Somehow the records don't seem to demonstrate what they were supposed to. Hmmm!

[V.A.MKD]

It is still my system Vlado, but also remember these are "audiophile" recordings so I can't say how they would compare with original first pressings. But there you have 33/3RPM vs. 45RPM. Somehow the records don't seem to demonstrate what they were supposed to. Hmmm!

I'm wrong ... I don't know ... maybe my laptop & headphones are ...

[Charlie1]

Interesting. In addition, I've found several 7" more musical than the 12" but not more musical than the LP.

I really like the 33RPM Roy Orbison. Wasn't so keen on the Dusty ones - perhaps an original press or even re-issue would be better - but it's always hard to tell at this end.

[beck]

My use of the AT33PTG/II has to my mind shed some light on the 33/45 issue.

Using a cart like the AT that only touch the groove in small areas gives less feedback (drag) into the turntable system (platter, belt, motor).

This made the timing heard from the records come closer together almost sounding alike (33/45).

When I used the Klyde that digs more out of the groove by “reading” a bigger area there was more feedback into the turntable system making it harder for the turntable to keep the timing “clean”. The higher speed (45 rpm) made it all less musical.


My 2c only.....

[beck]

The above “problems” are not mine at the moment as I still try to improve my cd playback:

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nuzuzh3ul3ei6 ... 3.mov?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg4i00tyiz2s6 ... 5.mov?dl=0

Only a small change to the support of the cd players power cable. Nothing more....

[Charlie1]

Yeah nice. Piano notes flow better and everything else after that too.

I don't know how you get these improvements. When I played around with my lp12 and amp cabling I hardly noticed much difference.

Nice song too. I don't have that one.

[beck]

Me and my system are one of a kind: weird! :-)

That comes with always trying to do things differently.

I still think that when using a normal preamp (like most people do) ones system is largely immune to big changes in sound with my kind of setup changes.


There is still something about “before” I like though I do find “after” an improvement.

[Spannko]

I agree with charlie1. How you get these improvements is baffling!

What, exactly, did you do?

[markiteight]

The above “problems” are not mine at the moment as I still try to improve my cd playback:

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nuzuzh3ul3ei6 ... 3.mov?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg4i00tyiz2s6 ... 5.mov?dl=0

Only a small change to the support of the cd players power cable. Nothing more....

After sounds a bit more hi-fi but it's also easier to follow and I get drawn in more so it's still my choice. Great song!

[markiteight]

After bouncing around with half steps I've arrived on 0.6 +4 as the most musical setting. A sincere thank you for everyone who contributed, you were all a huge help! The last round didn't get much response...I guess y'all don't like country. ;-) Fear not, I'll put KD in the penalty box along with Postal Service.

Now for the big decision that all this torque-ishness has been leading up to. Once the decision is made it'll pretty much be permanent so I want to make sure I get it right. However as I sit here listening to the change, I don't think this will be very difficult. Here's a variety of music from which to to pick 'n choose:

Option A:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/5qDufQW2gtY
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/ZJNo5cWT4jw
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/AoZzmbFDGaE
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/Gl2tgfYde0s

Option B:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/XbVDLz9yb2A
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/YfFZOCIvqOs
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/ytBs7EyuHCQ
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/EKUEn0xl1Qw

[beck]

I prefer option B. It has it’s dance shoes on. Maybe less precise? but the music becomes my focus instantly.

Option A is to me a little more matter of fact in it’s presentation.

[Defender]

The above “problems” are not mine at the moment as I still try to improve my cd playback:

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nuzuzh3ul3ei6 ... 3.mov?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg4i00tyiz2s6 ... 5.mov?dl=0

Only a small change to the support of the cd players power cable. Nothing more....

I like after also more - I think piano music helps a lot as I think you can get a piano easily out of flow/tune.

[Defender]

when I heard option A I hoped option B is better ... and it is. what is the difference? did you tried the other torques as recommended?

[V.A.MKD]

The above “problems” are not mine at the moment as I still try to improve my cd playback:

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nuzuzh3ul3ei6 ... 3.mov?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg4i00tyiz2s6 ... 5.mov?dl=0

Only a small change to the support of the cd players power cable. Nothing more....

For me After, it is not comparable with Before ... quiet big difference ...

[V.A.MKD]

After bouncing around with half steps I've arrived on 0.6 +4 as the most musical setting. A sincere thank you for everyone who contributed, you were all a huge help! The last round didn't get much response...I guess y'all don't like country. ;-) Fear not, I'll put KD in the penalty box along with Postal Service.

Now for the big decision that all this torque-ishness has been leading up to. Once the decision is made it'll pretty much be permanent so I want to make sure I get it right. However as I sit here listening to the change, I don't think this will be very difficult. Here's a variety of music from which to to pick 'n choose:

Option A:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/5qDufQW2gtY
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/ZJNo5cWT4jw
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/AoZzmbFDGaE
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/Gl2tgfYde0s

Option B:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/XbVDLz9yb2A
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/YfFZOCIvqOs
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/ytBs7EyuHCQ
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/EKUEn0xl1Qw

For me Option B, music and only music ...
DS, PG are goooood, but on Mendelssohn it's simply music ...

[Spannko]

After bouncing around with half steps I've arrived on 0.6 +4 as the most musical setting. A sincere thank you for everyone who contributed, you were all a huge help! The last round didn't get much response...I guess y'all don't like country. ;-) Fear not, I'll put KD in the penalty box along with Postal Service.

Now for the big decision that all this torque-ishness has been leading up to. Once the decision is made it'll pretty much be permanent so I want to make sure I get it right. However as I sit here listening to the change, I don't think this will be very difficult. Here's a variety of music from which to to pick 'n choose:

Option A:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/5qDufQW2gtY
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/ZJNo5cWT4jw
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/AoZzmbFDGaE
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/Gl2tgfYde0s

Option B:
Dire Straits: https://youtu.be/XbVDLz9yb2A
Peter Gabriel: https://youtu.be/YfFZOCIvqOs
Mendelssohn: https://youtu.be/ytBs7EyuHCQ
The New Pornographers: https://youtu.be/EKUEn0xl1Qw

I very much prefer option B

[beck]

I agree with charlie1. How you get these improvements is baffling!

What, exactly, did you do?

And already now I can hear it is going to get better with my newly bought lejonklou volex power cord. The recordings are made using an old linn volex power cord on my lk100.

My useless hifi stand that can be described as a “heavy” stand has been with me since the start. Instead of buying a proper stand I have kept it and improved the setup over the years just trying anything and everything possible.

Anything I do makes a difference. I have to isolate the hifi equipment from the metal stand using rubber and mdf among other things.

Any little change to what the cd players power cable touches change the sound. In this case a rubber contact point has been changed to a carbon brush fibers contact point! :-)

[Spannko]

I agree with charlie1. How you get these improvements is baffling!

What, exactly, did you do?

In this case a rubber contact point has been changed to a carbon brush fibers contact point! :-)

Whaaat??? That’s crazy!!! There’s so much about getting the best out of our systems we just don’t understand. Well done for being curious and trying stuff out 😊

[Charlie1]

B for me too Mi8.