Member
Seems like a few HUG members are using the DV XX-2 MKII cartridge.
A wonderful sounding cartridge IMO.
Off topic, but just wondering what tracking force others have set theirs to?
For me, with a VPI unipivot arm I settled for something slightly on the heavier side, that is, 2.1 grams. I initially started with 1.8g, however I found more musicality with a heavier tracking force.
Hi there,
I am using a Thorens TD 126 MK3 in custom mahogany plinth (massive, made from very old wood) with factory mounted SME 3009/3 and Shure V15III with Jico SAS stylus.
Cheers
Oliver
Senior Member
I realize that I never answer that thread. Here it is: I'm using a Rega P3 turntable with a RB300 tonearm and a Dynavector DV20XH cartridge. Everything is support by a Rega wall-rack directly screw in a brick wall. My phono stage is a PS Audio GCPH.
Actually, I'm dreaming on a Rega P9 or a SME 10. One day...
Sebastien
Member
I' ve sold my Dual CS-503 II, and now use the ProJect Debut III with ProJect 8.6D tonearm and the Ortofon OM 5e.
If you don't want much from your turntable, it is very good looking, very cheap and comes in one piece in the box.
Advanced Member
Just an update, I now have my Oracle and my Rega Plannar 3 up and running - Oracle now has an old Nagaoka MP 20 and the Rega has a Dynavector Karat 17D3. Currently running through a pair of North Audio tube monoblocks (North Audio is a boutique manufacturer out of the Ottawa/Gatineau area - Chelsie for the Canadians, les Canadiens in the crowd). Noticeable change in the soundstage, which I did not really expect...much better than the Cayin, and it was nice!
George
Last edited by Macjager; 04-03-2011 at 03:03 AM. Reason: Spelling
Senior Member
Hi Mac,Originally Posted by Macjager
How do you compare the Oracle and the Rega?
S
It an excellent cartridge for it's price. I set the tracking force of mine at 2.05g.
Advanced Member
Hi Sebastien
They are very different turntables, the Oracle is a much more sophisticated design, and with a better arm and cartridge it will probably outshine the Rega. I like having two turntables hooked to the same pre-amp, listen to one while changing over the other. The Rega has a Hadcock arm which is a unipivot, and the Dynavector cartridge due to the fact that the mission arm only accepts screws from underneath and the Dynavector only takes screws from the top...
The other issue with the Rega is that to mount an arm, you have to drill the mounting hole, thus you are kind of stuck with arms that work to that particular configuration.
All that being said, I have not been able to really discern a massive sound quality difference beween the two of them, the Oracle is easier to use. I will probably upgrade the Oracle arm to a SME 345 (?) in the near future.
George
Member
Greetings
I use a CA Performance SE/Satisfy/Maestro ➔ Luxman 550A II ➔ SHL5's.
Table is neutral I think. Maestro is dynamic and retrieves good detail. Not the last word in finesse.
Regards
C
Member
Analog end gone. Payed down some bills with proceeds. At my age downsizing isn't so bad.
The C7's aren't going anywhere though!
Senior Member
Sme 10
Is there anyone who combine a SME 10 (or other of SME line) with a nice pair of Harbeth? If so, I'd like to get some impressions.
On the web, some define the SME 10 like a neutral, balanced and musical turn-table. Other say that it is analytical, sterile and lack emotion.
I'm curious to know how do SME-Harbeth match.
Sébastien
Member
Uploaded June 6, 2011 by BSD 2000 with blog comments
Watch in 1080p for the best audio and visual quality
Audio recorded at 96K / 24 BIT
VPI Scoutmaster plays Holle Cole Trio - I Can See Clearly Now
Featuring:
VPI Scoutmaster turntable
Dynavector DV-20XH moving coil cartridge
Musical Fidelity X-LP phono preamp
Canon HV10HD camcorder
http://www.youtube.com/user/BSD2000#p/u/0/WfQD3aUfHsw
VPI Scoutmaster plays - To Know You is to Love You
Featuring:
VPI Scoutmaster turntable
Zyx R100H moving coil cartridge
Audio Research PH5 tube phono preamp
Canon HV10HD camcorder
http://www.youtube.com/user/BSD2000#p/u/1/LGOh8j4KFDc
Also included are several videos featuring his Rega P25 turntable
Member
Vpi Scout Benz Ace L + Ray Samuels F117 Nighthawk phono stage.
I used to have a Kuzma Stabi S, nice piece of kit.
Member
VPI Classic 1 with Zu DL-103 Prime.
Senior Member
A friend of mine just got his new VPI Classic and really like it. Before he had the Scout and he says that the difference is incredible. He told me that the designer of the Classic said that it was the best turntable he designed in his life.
On my side, I'm more and more interested by the SME product. Still waiting to get feed-back from HUGers who pair them with Harbeth. Hard to find... Surprisingly, both are UK made products of exceptionnal reputation.
Sébastien
Senior Member
Yes, I've used SME turntables and arms with Harbeth speakers and they work well. Why not ?
Incidentally, I wouldn't describe any of them as 'analytical and sterile', if anything they are on the warm side.
Senior Member
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your feed-back. You know, it's interesting to read posts on forum, review, talk to specialists, etc... But it's always funny and surprising that for a same product, some of them evaluated their sound in a totaly different way. In that case, the stereotype "cold vs. warm" sounding.
Back with the SME tables with Harbeth. The "Why not?" that you asked make me think of the synergy that a combination might have or not. As a dealer, and reflected by some of your posts, I know that you had experienced this many times. This kind of synergy between components interest me.
Sébastien
Member
Been thru several highly regarded t/t's since eighties, finally settled down with an Amadeus / XXmkII. The most natural turntable so far - and amazing value.
SHL5
Harbeth UK
The beauty of analogue engineering ....
You just cannot but be amazed at the human effort that has been - and continues to be - invested in analogue engineering. Whatever the technical limitation of the analogue medium nothing digital beats the hands-on satisfaction of a turntable or reel-to-reel tape recorder.
One of my end-of-year tasks has been to load dozens of recent CDs containing professionally taken photos in and about Harbeth UK onto the server, and I've just rediscovered these beauties. My Thorens TD125 turntable, SM3009 S2 and fantastic Shure V15/111 cartridge. Basically the same system I had in the 70s, but originally using the Connoissuer BD2 turntable (kit) - remember that? - then the Thorens TD160. I bought the TD125 several years ago - it was my dream t/t when I was young.
Sheer pleasure of ownership. I cannot believe anything beats the V15/111 for neutrality and tracking ability.
Incidentally, I have not used the Studer 807 for at least a year. I turned it on this week to take use for the next part of the Anomolies of Analogue video talk. Unfortunately it does not seem to record although it plays OK. My two Studer 810s seem to have power supply problems and I'm just not sure who can service these and at a sensible price. This is one of the hidden problems with analogue: when it goes wrong it is very expensive to repair, assuming that you can find an expert.
Oh well, time to dust down my beautiful Telefunken M21. I hope that still works: I can barely lift it.
>>
Alan A. Shaw
Designer, owner
Harbeth Audio UK
Member
Alan: That Studer 807 is beautiful. For good advice on where/how to have it serviced, I would send an email to Dan Schmalle, who is one of the Managing Directors of the Tape Project here in the Pacific Northwest.
You can reach him at docb@bottlehead.com. (Ordinarily I wouldn't put an email address in a port, but Dan publishes his email on his website (bottlehead.com) as well as on the Tape Project.)
I'd be surprised if Dan didn't know someone in your area who could help.
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