Phase Tech EA-1

[shakti]

If you go for the SPU, tonearm pairing needs to be carefully looked into as this kind of cartridges generally require a high mass arm to make them sing

100% agree!
The Groovemaster tonearms were originally designed to host SPU, very much similar approach to Glanz.

 

[Kingrex]

ELM,
do you have any information about possibility to rewire EA-1 from 100V into 115/120V or 220/230VAC? I see on the pictures you posted and various pictures available online that there are additional windings available (covered with shrink tube), but I am not able to find any precise info which colour lead is responsible for which voltage. This is easy to check, but If you have any info - that would help.

I can get a Torus TOT step down isolation transformer that makes any 100 volt 50 hert device usable in the US. And it may well improve upon the sound as your adding a very high quality filter to the power from the street. I power all my equipment with a Torus.

 

[mtemur]

I can get a Torus TOT step down isolation transformer that makes any 100 volt 50 hert device usable in the US. And it may well improve upon the sound as your adding a very high quality filter to the power from the street. I power all my equipment with a Torus.

There is no way a Torus or any other isolation transformer can improve over a direct connection. An isolation transformer always imposes its own character, smearing the sound and killing dynamics. Whatever you may think or say, there is no way around this—period. The best approach is a direct connection to the meter, with as few interruptions as possible and the minimum number of circuit breakers. If you want to add anything, use only parallel filters.

 

[Kingrex]

There is no way a Torus or any other isolation transformer can improve over a direct connection. An isolation transformer always imposes its own character, smearing the sound and killing dynamics. Whatever you may think or say, there is no way around this—period. The best approach is a direct connection to the meter, with as few interruptions as possible and the minimum number of circuit breakers. If you want to add anything, use only parallel filters.

I disagree. People use filters of all.sorts. If your utility power is noisy, a filter will help. It will add clarity. It will allow dynamics to emerge. It will improve the sound all around. You just haven't found the right filter. Or you live in the forest, away from any manufacturering or commercial buildings and you have no cell or TV reception and all wifi and blue tooth is truned off in your home. Luck for you. Nice place you have.
The beauty of Torus over other filter, and Torus is not the only transformer that does this, but the beauty is the windings can be adjusted to step up or down the voltage. A P20 or a Stromtank can also do this. Battery/inverter also.

Its old school to think straight to the wall is best, period. It might be, in the right environment. But I have rarely heard a system that did not improve when a Torus was put on the amplifiers and some filter, Torus or other was put on the sources.

 

[mtemur]

I disagree. People use filters of all.sorts. If your utility power is noisy, a filter will help. It will add clarity. It will allow dynamics to emerge. It will improve the sound all around. You just haven't found the right filter. Or you live in the forest, away from any manufacturering or commercial buildings and you have no cell or TV reception and all wifi and blue tooth is truned off in your home. Luck for you. Nice place you have.
The beauty of Torus over other filter, and Torus is not the only transformer that does this, but the beauty is the windings can be adjusted to step up or down the voltage. A P20 or a Stromtank can also do this. Battery/inverter also.

That’s a very common and general response without any insight. I repeat my prior comment again: Direct electrical connection to the meter without interruptions and using parallel filters is the way to go. No isolation transformer (including Torus) will/can improve the sound period. Yes, I heard Torus several times and yes I heard Stromtank too.

 

[pr1nce]

I can get a Torus TOT step down isolation transformer that makes any 100 volt 50 hert device usable in the US. And it may well improve upon the sound as your adding a very high quality filter to the power from the street. I power all my equipment with a Torus.

Well, this is not directly an answer to what you talking about, but personally I have found what I was searching for in regards to AC Power distributors/re-generators/strips etc. in KECES BP5000 which is in fact 5kV balanced isolation transformer. I simply adore this device.
It gives me what I was seeking for: amazing dynamics, black background, less noise, full bodied, 3D sound.
If this TORUS TOT is a high quality isolation transformer (preferably balanced on the output) and oversized (big core, thick wire, a lot of inductance) then I believe its high chance it can be considered also as an upgrade over direct connection.

 

[pr1nce]

The Ikeda 9TS would be my recommendation from the above shown carts.
but Groovemaster ist great with SPU.

Go for the SPU Century

Thanks @shakti , well noted! I have added SPU Century to my shortlist

 

[pr1nce]

Hi Pr1nce,

I may not have much to chip in as my listening leans towards orchestral music/ mainstream jazz and high resolution is something I look upon favourably, hence the cartridge choice. And I wish I played with the legendary DL103 before.

From my limited experiences with a few major Japanese cartridge brands over the years, Shelter and My Sonic Lab may not fit in the sonic flavour as you aspire to. Shelter tend to go for the musicality whereas MSL highlight resolution and dynamics. Phasemation can be a nice fit between the former two since sonically they are close to what you are looking for from my recollection. It is probably a good idea to start with PP-500 moving up the ladder over time.

Ikeda is a good contender in your tonearm quest, along with others like ortofon, glanz or even some newer models of SAEC all within similar price range. If you go for the SPU, tonearm pairing needs to be carefully looked into as this kind of cartridges generally require a high mass arm to make them sing, typically the Glanz upper series arms.

Hope my two cents help.

ELM

Hi ELM, thank you for advice, it sure helps! I will make an update till end of the year, here in the topic, both regarding the cartridge selection as well as more detailed experience with EA1ii and some tube rolling.

all the best Guys!

 

[Kingrex]

I high quality transformer can do wonders for playback. And they can make equipment from Japan that is 100 volt like Accuphase, Soulnote and others usable in the US. And it has a good chance of sounding better. If you have a phono preamp that needs 100 volt, its a way to continue to use it.

What it wont do is change the frequency from 60 to 50. The frequency passes through. But dropping the voltage is usally enough to keep from burning up your gear. Some say the higher frequency actually improves the dynamics and sense of power.