I said I would never buy another Turntable...Argh !!!

[bonzo75]

Very interesting! *

And the LP S comparison awaits!


* With so many options how will you decide what turntable/tonearm/cartridge combination to listen to when you just want sit down for a listening session?

(I know that even if I have two set-ups on the AS-2000, like Steve, once I decide which combination I prefer I am sure I will use that one virtually all of the time (unless, for some reason, I feel that one set-up is consistently better for complex classical music and the other set-up is consistently better for vocals).)

The latter will probably happen. Some will work on certain LPs better than others. Also Christian might change gear downstream then it will vary. A guy with two FRs today told me that he prefers the copper wire on vocals and silver on strings.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

it will be interesting to see how I navigate these same choices. obviously I have a greater 'uber' digital focus than any you guys, so will that satisfy my wandering heart? or will I need multiple arms and carts for my explorations?

I guess I can see three arms, one for mono, and two different approaches to stereo. I guess the 3012r for vintage too.....maybe. or that might be my second stereo arm.

whatever it takes to serve and connect to the musical flow. it's all good.

 

[spiritofmusic]

But Mike, you’ve got nowhere else to go with your digital (and tape), save for additional Tanas/grounding.
AS is a whole new blank canvas for you to add yr multiple arms/carts onto.
I can’t see you resisting.
(Episode 53 of “Others Spending Mike Lavigne’s Hard Earned”).

 

[Ron Resnick]

It is a problem...but a good one to have. My setup is basically a dedicated 3012R/SPU arm, 3012R/Modern stereo cart arm, Graham for Coralstone diamond and Lyra Olympos mono. Once I get the other 3012R, I will put the Olympos mono on it and use the 12" Graham for Coralstone diamond mainly.

That seems like a good plan!

But, wait, where does the LP S go?

 

[Ron Resnick]

It's not just a matter of better or worse Ron but various flavors, there really are many wonderful cartridges out there which are also different from each other, that's the beauty of multiple arms.

david

I understand . . . I really do. I just don't think that way. I do not feel a need for that flexibility and those options.

I just personally do not want to engage in a discrete stage of mental process thinking about the pros and cons of different combinations before I sit down and play some music. The only thing I want to have to think about is what music am I going to play?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Hey Ron, I get you. Maybe just 2 arms, one stereo cart, one mono?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

But Mike, you’ve got nowhere else to go with your digital (and tape), save for additional Tanas/grounding.
AS is a whole new blank canvas for you to add yr multiple arms/carts onto.
I can’t see you resisting.
(Episode 53 of “Others Spending Mike Lavigne’s Hard Earned”).

sure I do. music.

i'm not starting out here, and it's not a race. the idea is to enjoy it. my idea is what do I need to fully enjoy the music. for the music's sake.

not that any direction and satisfaction from playing around with toys might not be fun. each to their own.

my mind is always on system advancement mostly (high tide raising all ships), i'm at the end of source advancement.

given a choice between 2-3 more arms and 2-3 more carts, or whole system advances, likely whole system stuff is more my deal if that is a choice.

 

[jazdoc]

sure I do. music.

i'm not starting out here, and it's not a race. the idea is to enjoy it. my idea is what do I need to fully enjoy the music. for the music's sake.

not that any direction and satisfaction from playing around with toys might not be fun. each to their own.

my mind is always on system advancement mostly (high tide raising all ships), i'm at the end of source advancement.

given a choice between 2-3 more arms and 2-3 more carts, or whole system advances, likely whole system stuff is more my deal if that is a choice.

Hmmm

 

[spiritofmusic]

No argument from me Mike re spending on the system, music, and not individual components.
From that I take it you want to concentrate on listening more, and major spends will go on optimising everything, ie Tana, Troy etc.
Or am I wrong on that?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

No argument from me Mike re spending on the system, music, and not individual components.
From that I take it you want to concentrate on listening more, and major spends will go on optimising everything, ie Tana, Troy etc.
Or am I wrong on that?

i'd say we get deep into a direction, then we come up for air and try to get our bearings and perspective. it's a different reality for everyone. right now for me gravity is pulling me toward some things, but I don't want it to become a black hole where my overall direction is sacrificed. and i'm close to my end game and don't want all my assets too much in one spot. these are things going through my mind. and I have to make choices, I cannot do everything. stay tuned. it has got to be fun and free flow.

 

[spiritofmusic]

For me Mike, my direction got focussed when after a decade of straightforward, safe options, I bought the Hovland HP200 tube pre in 2006. This introduced tube texture and airiness into my life. And I’ve never looked back. I then purchased Zus in 2008 which introduced a more compelling tone dense type sound, which by way of being 101dB eff meant I could go the whole hog w SETs in 2012. And that was that, 2 variations of SETs and my second pair of Zus (plus major mods to recent ones), and its where I am today.
Now my emphasis is on absolutely maxxing my performance envelope with the new room, balanced power, dedicated lines, my chosen cables, and going a little crazy w vibration isolation to each component.
The only thing I’m toying with as a radical departure, and what would be a final big spend in this hobby, is a pair of horns, it’s a logical final direction based on where I’ve been heading since that Hovland tube pre choice.
But those horns will have to be nigh on perfect for me to truly consider them.
Mainly because despite loving what the Zus do, their essential USP is also their Achilles’ Heel.

 

[ddk]

You guys are over thinking it to frustration. Think of it as a bowl of nuts, cheese platter, plate of fruits and some M&Ms laid out on the table and you binge as you please and when you're done a snack you can replace with another or back off for a while. You're only thinking of Wagyu steaks comparing fat/tenderness balance of different regions, at times the Burger or Indian is what hits the spot, dig in!

Chris got it, he's sitting back and enjoying the variety without analysis paralysis.

david

 

[Tango]

I am living my days like I am having a cancer.

Tang

 

[bonzo75]

i'd say we get deep into a direction, then we come up for air and try to get our bearings and perspective. it's a different reality for everyone. right now for me gravity is pulling me toward some things, but I don't want it to become a black hole where my overall direction is sacrificed. and i'm close to my end game and don't want all my assets too much in one spot. these are things going through my mind. and I have to make choices, I cannot do everything. stay tuned. it has got to be fun and free flow.

Personally I would like to see you sell off your system and start again just to see if you stumbled on the right path by luck or can you do it again by a different route.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Variety is good.
Let’s have some variety in arms.
Multiple 3012R’s doesn’t fit my definition of variety.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

You guys are over thinking it to frustration. Think of it as a bowl of nuts, cheese platter, plate of fruits and some M&Ms laid out on the table and you binge as you please and when you're done a snack you can replace with another or back off for a while. You're only thinking of Wagyu steaks when at times the Burger or Indian is what hits the spot. Chris got it, sitting back and enjoying the variety without analysis paralysis.

david

says the guy selling the tt with spots for 4 tonearms, seemingly infinite tonearm and cartridge collection, with a 6 month lead time. this 'over-thinking' is of mostly your making. allow us to enjoy it as we will. you cannot turn the flow of random related thoughts on and off. they have their own energy force. Chris is following his own muse, as we all will.

today for me is all vinyl; i'm pulling out old vinyl I had avoided previously and am re-visiting it. lot's of wows. been a great listening day. so far 7 straight hours of vinyl.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Personally I would like to see you sell off your system and start again just to see if you stumbled on the right path by luck or can you do it again by a different route.

to explore that thought needs a separate thread. too deep for here.

 

[ddk]

says the guy selling the tt with spots for 4 tonearms, seemingly infinite tonearm and cartridge collection, with a 6 month lead time. this 'over-thinking' is of mostly your making. allow us to enjoy it as we will. you cannot turn the flow of random related thoughts on and off. they have their own energy force. Chris is following his own muse, as we all will.

today for me is all vinyl; i'm pulling out old vinyl I had avoided previously and am re-visiting it. lot's of wows. been a great listening day.

david

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I am living my days like I am having a cancer.

Tang

assume you mean enjoying each day to it's fullest as if your last. wonderful idea and one we should all aspire to.

got to be good to be Tang.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

david

'soul train' David!