Recently upgraded my TW Acustic Raven GT (to the Techdas AF3) and sold it as a set with the Raven 10.5.
Leaving me, at the moment, with the Ikeda 407.
I listen mostly to classical music (specifically piano music) which is very demanding for an analog setup.
With the Raven 10.5 and the ZYX Ultimate Omega, using the SMARTracto, I've achieved excellent results (on my TW Acustic Raven GT).
Unfortunately, with the Ikeda, whether with my Koetsu Urushi Blue Sky or the ZYX Ultimate Omega, I cannot achieve a satisfactory setup.
I get distortion on the Feickert Adujst anti-skating tracks, from the 2nd track on and this clearly shows on complex piano recordings.
I set the P2S length to 295mm on the spot, cartridge is set 51mm from the headshell connection. Also tried a bit to set it to Baerwald IEC alignment, which makes the cartridge to be unaligned with the headshell (read that it’s fine) - but still with no luck.
Thought of purchasing a dedicated MintLP, but I don’t really know what more can it improve on my SMARTractor.
Please help... currently my thoughts are to sell the Ikeda...
Leaving me, at the moment, with the Ikeda 407.
I listen mostly to classical music (specifically piano music) which is very demanding for an analog setup.
With the Raven 10.5 and the ZYX Ultimate Omega, using the SMARTracto, I've achieved excellent results (on my TW Acustic Raven GT).
Unfortunately, with the Ikeda, whether with my Koetsu Urushi Blue Sky or the ZYX Ultimate Omega, I cannot achieve a satisfactory setup.
I get distortion on the Feickert Adujst anti-skating tracks, from the 2nd track on and this clearly shows on complex piano recordings.
I set the P2S length to 295mm on the spot, cartridge is set 51mm from the headshell connection. Also tried a bit to set it to Baerwald IEC alignment, which makes the cartridge to be unaligned with the headshell (read that it’s fine) - but still with no luck.
Thought of purchasing a dedicated MintLP, but I don’t really know what more can it improve on my SMARTractor.
Please help... currently my thoughts are to sell the Ikeda...