Finding my way home (The 20 - 21 Analog upgrade plan)
- Thread starter S0und Dragon
- Start date
Thanks guys. Still have some outstanding issues to work through. I have lost the damn mounting screws for the arm. And somehow, the arm is a bit out of alignment. Ugh.... Not to mention that mounting this arm is a massive pain in the ass. But it is beautiful, hope it sounds good.
My Cart hunt has netted me 2 decent options so far. But the one I really want is not yet secured. I am really jonesing for either a Dynavector XV-1S or Te Kaitora Rua. It will happen in due time I am sure. I have a line out and we shall see. I have pulled the trigger on a Spectral Signature MCR and a Lyra Lydian Beta. So I get to play with Scan-Tech carts for a bit. While flushing out my Dynavector. Fun times....
My Cart hunt has netted me 2 decent options so far. But the one I really want is not yet secured. I am really jonesing for either a Dynavector XV-1S or Te Kaitora Rua. It will happen in due time I am sure. I have a line out and we shall see. I have pulled the trigger on a Spectral Signature MCR and a Lyra Lydian Beta. So I get to play with Scan-Tech carts for a bit. While flushing out my Dynavector. Fun times....
That's an exciting lineup. I don't have experience with those specific models, but I do often use what I understand to be a Scan-Tech made Audioquest LOMC. It came to me on a turntable I bought many turntables ago, a little busted. After a rebuild and a few years later, I'm still using it. One of my favorites.
I am really excited to be at this point. Will be shopping for some 3 MM allen screws or bolts this weekend. May hook up my old trusty Acutex to get some sound out of it. My final items to bring this to a close are really just punch list items and can be stretched out over the course of the remainder of the year. For anyone that wants to know what they are.
1 - Optional(?) External Power Supply for Cyrus Phono Pre
2 - Dynavector XV-1S or Te Kaitora Rua
3 - Micro Seiki CU-180 Platter
4 - Additional Arm Wand for Graham Phantom
For now though, I will be happy once the Arm is secured and the Tunes are once again playing.
1 - Optional(?) External Power Supply for Cyrus Phono Pre
2 - Dynavector XV-1S or Te Kaitora Rua
3 - Micro Seiki CU-180 Platter
4 - Additional Arm Wand for Graham Phantom
For now though, I will be happy once the Arm is secured and the Tunes are once again playing.
Tunes are playing....finally......
set up is rough and not dialed in. Using a Lyra Lydian B. Dead silent in the groove but needs a little tweaking. At this point, I am not gonna over analyze it.
set up is rough and not dialed in. Using a Lyra Lydian B. Dead silent in the groove but needs a little tweaking. At this point, I am not gonna over analyze it.
Damn. That looks fantastic.
I’ve used JMK as well. Great guy, great work, fast turn-around and reasonably priced. He built the cover for my Denon DP80. I’ll use him again for the Palmer, plus it’s a nice ride and I’ll use it as an excuse to swing over to Buffalo. I know this great little Indian restaurant there...
Got the Spectral in yesterday. Feeling a little bit lazy however to set it up. If the dam wands for my Arm didn’t cost so much, I would love to just set it up on another arm..... high end is expensive.....
It has been documented that the Spectral likes to shed its clothes and trapeze along the record in the buff. Not sure if I wanna get so fresh on the first date.....heheh...
It has been documented that the Spectral likes to shed its clothes and trapeze along the record in the buff. Not sure if I wanna get so fresh on the first date.....heheh...
The Lydian B. While the entry level Lyra Cart from two generations ago has truly been very good so far. I am going to have to admit that I like it more than I thought I would. I have had a long held love of AT33ptg II’s and Dynavector Karats. And while it is not fair to make any comparisons due to the quality of the rest of the system, I do wonder if this is good enough. I need to get off this upgrade train before I burn out.
That being said, and having elevated the vinyl playback to this level. I have discovered that it has made my streaming rig unlistenable. I can barely stand it. Is it really bad? Not necessarily. But both my highly modified CD player and Turntable are just So much better over all than the Bluesound node on its own. It is not fair at all.
I am thinking about something drastic. I am thinking about abandoning my higher level cart search and living with the Lyra and Spectral for a while. And pivoting to address the streaming situation. Not sure yet. But it is what I am thinking.
That being said, and having elevated the vinyl playback to this level. I have discovered that it has made my streaming rig unlistenable. I can barely stand it. Is it really bad? Not necessarily. But both my highly modified CD player and Turntable are just So much better over all than the Bluesound node on its own. It is not fair at all.
I am thinking about something drastic. I am thinking about abandoning my higher level cart search and living with the Lyra and Spectral for a while. And pivoting to address the streaming situation. Not sure yet. But it is what I am thinking.
Doesn’t sound drastic at all. Sounds very reasonable to me.
And congrats! That’s a great place to be.
And congrats! That’s a great place to be.
Next Generation?
Have not had to use it yet.
So.....I have to redo the Arm board. I am going to order a few spares and will have to hunt down some pro assistance as I do not know what I am doing. I knew that before I started and really tried to line up someone with more know how than me to help out. Apparently, most pros are not interested and only want easy set ups.
The Graham is not positioned correctly and it is becoming apparent that I need to redo the whole arm alignment. Ugh..... I was hoping to farm this out as I just did not want the stress of dealing with these issues. Setbacks make me jaded and takes away from the whole experience for me. But it is what it is. Part of me also wonders if the Graham arm is the right arm for this table. I had originally wanted an Arm with a removable headshell and I am questioning myself as to why I did not heed that wish.
When it is playing though, it is absolute heaven. If I can get this arm alignment issue sorted, I will be in a great place.
The Graham is not positioned correctly and it is becoming apparent that I need to redo the whole arm alignment. Ugh..... I was hoping to farm this out as I just did not want the stress of dealing with these issues. Setbacks make me jaded and takes away from the whole experience for me. But it is what it is. Part of me also wonders if the Graham arm is the right arm for this table. I had originally wanted an Arm with a removable headshell and I am questioning myself as to why I did not heed that wish.
When it is playing though, it is absolute heaven. If I can get this arm alignment issue sorted, I will be in a great place.
I may do that. I really hoped this would just have been done..... My fault for not going the easy route.
So, some more stuff is afoot around here but I am not fully prepared to discuss it just yet. Why mention it then? Because one thing that I am wanting to document is that I am at my wits end with the Graham and it’s improper alignment. It is still the finest piece of engineering here. But the the instructions are in engineering speak and the lack of definitive information is frustrating. I need to step away from it for a bit. So another option will be on its way here shortly. The Graham will be mothballed until further notice. I will re-measure and tinker over the summer. Also have some news on the phono stage front as well. I will have this setup to my satisfaction.
Can we help you untangle the hairball in re: the Graham? Maybe a thread posting the setup instructions? Some of us have been de-scrambling intractable technical writing across various disciplines for years. Should I fly out there with a caliper, router, protractor and optivisor? 🤓
Similar threads
