System problem
System problem
Afternoon chaps
Recently i decided to have a Hi Fi change around as i listen to Headphones exclusively these days. Out with the Amplifier & Loudspeakers.
The system stands as below but it sounds dreadful. Lifeless/Dull un dynamic!
Can anyone see straight away to problem!
STD '305' Turntable
Mayware 'Formula 4' Pick Up arm
ADC Block: '550XE' Cartridge
Schiit 'Mani' Phonostage
Hi-Fi News 'Headcase' Headphone amp
AKG 'K240 MK.2 Headphones.
Ive tried the Gain & load settings on the Phono stage but still nothing listenable!
Recently i decided to have a Hi Fi change around as i listen to Headphones exclusively these days. Out with the Amplifier & Loudspeakers.
The system stands as below but it sounds dreadful. Lifeless/Dull un dynamic!
Can anyone see straight away to problem!
STD '305' Turntable
Mayware 'Formula 4' Pick Up arm
ADC Block: '550XE' Cartridge
Schiit 'Mani' Phonostage
Hi-Fi News 'Headcase' Headphone amp
AKG 'K240 MK.2 Headphones.
Ive tried the Gain & load settings on the Phono stage but still nothing listenable!
- Ithilstone
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Re: System problem
Did it sounded better before ??
When you had amp and speakers did you tried HPs with it?
When you had amp and speakers did you tried HPs with it?
Nothing to see here...
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/
- Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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- guydarryl
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Re: System problem
Try some Grado SR80, if it still sounds dull and lifeless then it's something else in your system
I hesitated to suggest, but to hell with it - then try an LP12 for some boogie factor
I hesitated to suggest, but to hell with it - then try an LP12 for some boogie factor
LP12, Ittok, DV10X5, Phono2(twin supply), P50SA , Art Audio Quintet, LS5, SSC, Rega Ela mk1
Sony cdp xb930, Alessandro ms1
Sony cdp xb930, Alessandro ms1
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Re: System problem
Guy, I'm going to find out where you live (before we move) and I'm going to wash your ears out!!!!!!!!! Andr'e's been there and done it decades ago and moved on - from the conversations we've had over ten years or so...
Well Andr'e,
First, welcome back and PLEASE don't rise to it all and get yerself evicted again? Just take a holiday as I do
Please take my following suggestion in the genuine way it's intended and not me shilling NVA...
MOST headphone amps use low powered chips to try to give enough signal. Modern headphones need somewhat more than this and I remember slagging off my HD600's when all they really needed to reduce blandness and distortion was a proper power amp to drive them - I didn't realise this until some years after I got rid of them and heard them properly driven. I'm 'assuming' the AKG's are much the same. Also, do you still have a CD player? If so, how does that sound in comparison to the vinyl you have? I don't remember the STD being a disaster, but with the Mayware, it may not be the ultimate in dynamic expression for vinyl, but it's thirty five years since my old now deceased friend changed hers (the electronic one with Hadcock) for a Manticore Mantra...
My favourite 'headphone amps' are the geriatric pro amp I have (which needs a line buffer preamp to keep hum down used this way - it sounds ok otherwise, the headphones straight off the output stage - ouch...) and best of all for simplicity, an NVA amp - and this is as quiet as a mouse and with loads of drive/gain, together with all the goodly musical things NVA amps do so effortlessly.
So, my answer in the first instance would be to buy an AP10P if only for the thirty days, to compare with the head-case, which is probably getting on a bit now - see the following - Q&A with the designer of the thing who's as notorious to those of a certain age in this industry as The Doc is :D
http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/ ... estoration
Well Andr'e,
First, welcome back and PLEASE don't rise to it all and get yerself evicted again? Just take a holiday as I do
Please take my following suggestion in the genuine way it's intended and not me shilling NVA...
MOST headphone amps use low powered chips to try to give enough signal. Modern headphones need somewhat more than this and I remember slagging off my HD600's when all they really needed to reduce blandness and distortion was a proper power amp to drive them - I didn't realise this until some years after I got rid of them and heard them properly driven. I'm 'assuming' the AKG's are much the same. Also, do you still have a CD player? If so, how does that sound in comparison to the vinyl you have? I don't remember the STD being a disaster, but with the Mayware, it may not be the ultimate in dynamic expression for vinyl, but it's thirty five years since my old now deceased friend changed hers (the electronic one with Hadcock) for a Manticore Mantra...
My favourite 'headphone amps' are the geriatric pro amp I have (which needs a line buffer preamp to keep hum down used this way - it sounds ok otherwise, the headphones straight off the output stage - ouch...) and best of all for simplicity, an NVA amp - and this is as quiet as a mouse and with loads of drive/gain, together with all the goodly musical things NVA amps do so effortlessly.
So, my answer in the first instance would be to buy an AP10P if only for the thirty days, to compare with the head-case, which is probably getting on a bit now - see the following - Q&A with the designer of the thing who's as notorious to those of a certain age in this industry as The Doc is :D
http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/ ... estoration
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way...The time has gone, The song is over, Thought I'd something more to say...
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Re: System problem
Before trying to spend your way out of it you could try tweaking the mayware first. Try setting the tracking weight on the mayware by using the counterweight instead of the cursor if you haven't already. Just set the cursor weight as close to the bearing as poss then balance up with the counterweight as normal
That adc has a compliance of 35x10-6dyne so fairly high.
Should make it more lively by effectively lowering the arm mass
That adc has a compliance of 35x10-6dyne so fairly high.
Should make it more lively by effectively lowering the arm mass
Analogue: oracle delphi sme 309, jbe series 3 cx unipivot dv20x2l, roksan xerxes tabriz vm750, jvc ql-y5f rigb at440, jvc ql-y3f vm750, lenco 75, technics sl150
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead
Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+
Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5
Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes
Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7
Re: System problem
Cheers Dave
Well its nothing to do with the front end because that was fine with the old Amp. The AKG Headphones are fine because im using them straight from a laptop at the moment which are clearly easy to drive.. the Head phone amp sounds fine with the CD player with a selection of other AKG phones. so really has to be an issue with the Phono stage way i see it but why. These are suppose to sound superb but is far from doing it for me in an un listenable way.
Well its nothing to do with the front end because that was fine with the old Amp. The AKG Headphones are fine because im using them straight from a laptop at the moment which are clearly easy to drive.. the Head phone amp sounds fine with the CD player with a selection of other AKG phones. so really has to be an issue with the Phono stage way i see it but why. These are suppose to sound superb but is far from doing it for me in an un listenable way.
Re: System problem
Ant
Ive used Mayware & ADC Blocs for years. The mass ring is always back to the stop. Like i say its not the front end.
Ive used Mayware & ADC Blocs for years. The mass ring is always back to the stop. Like i say its not the front end.
- southall-1998
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- Ithilstone
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Re: System problem
Well I am not big fan of AKG HPs with an exception of K1000 ;]
But if HPs sounds OK from laptop and head amp works ok with other HPs then
you might be right that it is something to do with phono or tt and I know nothing about that ;]
But if HPs sounds OK from laptop and head amp works ok with other HPs then
you might be right that it is something to do with phono or tt and I know nothing about that ;]
Nothing to see here...
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/