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

[rockitman]

One thing you'll find Chris is that with the SME there's no shortage of options . The headshell game is another one of those near endless options my only caution here is using non metal ones, not all but they can and often do color the sound the other is to avoid cheap off brand low end products you find on ebay.

david

Good advice. I did order a CF Yamamoto....still need to figure out the best lead wires for it. Tang is lending me another one and I have a total of 7 SME S2-R headshells. My first display case of 10 is almost full when SPU 90 arrives . I'm keeping the Coralstone Diamond on arm 1 (SME) for the near future...still dialing it in. I have to use the body for overhang alignment as the cantilever is all but obstructed by how low the cart rides and its practically invisible..lol

 

[rockitman]

View attachment 38283
View attachment 38284
View attachment 38285

I have never seen so much color in the coral. Beautiful ! I'm inclined to mount mine in that headshell when it arrives.

 

[MRJAZZ]

I HAVE tried many and I agree.....the Yamamoto HS-4 carbon fiber headshell brings out the best in every cartridge I have.....MM,MI and LOMC.
The construction appears identical to the headshell on the SAT arm and I suspect this contributes heavily to the universal acclaim for that tonearm...

Which head shell leads do you like with Yamamoto CF?

Cheers.....

 

[microstrip]

View attachment 38283

I see that Koetsu shells evolved a lot ... My old vintage shells look slender compared to current ones.

 

[Halcro]

Which head shell leads do you like with Yamamoto CF?

Cheers.....

Of the many I've tried, I prefer these



They are copper and not expensive, but are easy to manipulate and fit to the largest variety of cartridge pins and sizes.
I buy them from
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-7N-...467598?hash=item5b35f7f94e:g:QLwAAOxy87tSD5Z7

 

[rockitman]

Added a Benz-Micro LP-S micro ridge to the stable. Always wanted to try one and the price was right ! Looks like I will have to order another 10 count bayonet mount cart display case. I plan on adding another SME 3012-R on the AS2000. The third SME arm on this table. A Graham Elite 12” goes in the 4th spot.

 

[dminches]

Added a Benz-Micro LP-S micro ridge to the stable. Always wanted to try one and the price was right ! Looks like I will have to order another 10 count bayonet mount cart display case. I plan on adding another SME 3012-R on the AS2000. The third SME arm on this table. A Graham Elite 12” goes in the 4th spot.

I think you may like the sound of the LP-S with some female vocalists if the recording is a little hot. I have found that some cartridges that are very detailed can tend to exaggerate the vocals a bit. The LP-S can tame it since it is a lush sound.

I am curious what your impressions are once you get a chance to mount and listen to it.

 

[Ron Resnick]

The LP-S MR may actually be my single favorite cartridge. (I don't know because I've never directly compared it to the ZYX UNIverse Premium.)

If the ZYX UNIverse Premium is too low in output for the Io, I would switch to the LP-S MR without hesitation.

I will be very curious to read your impressions comparing your current cartridges to the Benz Micro.

 

[rockitman]

The LP-S MR may actually be my single favorite cartridge. .

well that is good to know...

 

[miniguy]

The LP-S MR may actually be my single favorite cartridge. (I don't know because I've never directly compared it to the ZYX UNIverse Premium.)If the ZYX UNIverse Premium is too low in output for the Io, I would switch to the LP-S MR without hesitation.

I will be very curious to read your impressions comparing your current cartridges to the Benz Micro.

If you like the Benz LPS you might like Holger Stein’s Aventurin 6 cartridge even more, based on the Benz motor. Distributed by Walter Swanbon at FidelisAV.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0714/stein_music_aventurin_6_mc_artridge.htm

http://www.fidelisav.com/stein-music-aventurin-6-mc-cartridge/

 

[miniguy]

I see that Koetsu shells evolved a lot ... My old vintage shells look slender compared to current ones.

That headshell was made for Koetsu by JELCO. It’s their HS-30 Rosewood model.

http://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/products/headshell.html

 

[miniguy]

I use the Yamamoto carbon fiber in one of my systems and it’s easily the best head shell I have tried, however haven’t really tried that many ......
Cheers....

For carbon fiber headshell I prefer the Oyaide. More finely layered construction than the Yamamoto and includes 5N silver leads, though a little more expensive.

 

[rockitman]

Picked up a new outboard tranny. Bob's Devices. Really sounds good and quiet/immune from hum. The ground lift switch makes a difference.
I'm running my Lyra Olympos SL Mono (.15mV) through it, into the Lamm LP1 MM input. Switchable for 1:20 (26 dB gain) or 1:40 (32 dB gain). Excellent match.

 

[jeff1225]

I also just purchased a Bob's Devices 1:20 to use with my LAMM preamp. I have a high gain step up in my LAMM so I needed something for higher gain MC's. I think Bob's are a phenomenal value.

 

[spiritofmusic]

After such a big build up, I was expecting more breathless reporting back from Christian. But other than a handful of posts re great early experience, nothing.
Either the AS is getting him one step closer to God, and this conversation can’t be interrupted, or something else.
C’mon Christian, we need to hear more on the outcome, not just the big tease of the build up.

 

[Uk Paul]

For carbon fiber headshell I prefer the Oyaide. More finely layered construction than the Yamamoto and includes 5N silver leads, though a little more expensive.

That's a very good headshell..

 

[rockitman]

After such a big build up, I was expecting more breathless reporting back from Christian. But other than a handful of posts re great early experience, nothing.
Either the AS is getting him one step closer to God, and this conversation can’t be interrupted, or something else.
.

I’ve been spending so much time learning and listening that I haven’t had the time nor the motivation to collect my thoughts and write an AS2000 daily diary .

I’m very happy I purchased this turntable. It is my new reference without a doubt. I intend to keep the TechDas...which is also a fine performer.

There really isn’t much more to be said other than I think it’s the best turntable to have ever graced the planet. Based on its internal air bearingless design that one cannot see and only imagine from the outside, I’m am confident this beast will not be surpassed by anyone, ever. Sorry I can’t share more detail.

PS: being provocative as I have not heard many of the great turntables of yore. David did his homework on this one.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Why keep the Tec Das and play any lps on it, if the AS is the best by a margin?

 

[Davidmag]

 

[rockitman]

Why keep the Tec Das and play any lps on it, if the AS is the best by a margin?

why have 4 different cars/trucks ? While I prefer the sound, performance, ergonomics of one over the other, that doesn't mean I'm suffering listening to the AF1.