re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.

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What is your budget?

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Like $120? I dunno. What's the best value cartridge to install into a $50 table?

Sweet. I ordered the Grado. Going to pick up the turntable today.

The counter weight. When you mount the new cartridge, you have to balance the arm. Turn the counter weight in or out until the arm is level with the the turntable plith (base). Then you set the dial to zero. The cartridge will come with a sheet with suggested tracking (counterweight) force, usually something like 1.5-2.5 gram. So now you rotate the dial to the mid point of the suggested range (this is usually a good starting point).

FYI - correctly installing the cartridge is not just plug and play. You have to get everything aligned correctly. Did you perhaps get a cartridge alignment jig with the turntable? Also, the manual which will explain cartridge alignment. If not you can maybe find the manual online somewhere. Without the jig, you'll need an alignment protractor.

There are simple ones that you can download and print in heavy paper stock.

There are several Sansui manuals on that site, but I couldn't find the one for my model (Classique 250t).

So, there are two things that I need to adjust when installing the new cartridge: (1) Vertical Tracking Force (which is done by adjusting the counter-weight or by using the stylus force gauge) AND (2) Cartridge Alignment (which is done by using an alignment protractor). Is this accurate?

Yeah—I’ve been eyeing the one on AGon...

I have heard great things about the S1 (actually all of the Lumin servers).

My only issue with it is the lack of ability to stream 4K video and the implementation of a browser (built into the server)—so I can use it to stream live concerts and send audio to my D1100 DAC, and video through the Anthem pre-pro (in audio bypass mode) to the projector.

This has me leaning to the Lampizator Komputer (made in Poland)—it can do audio and video and is a tube based piece.


If you can sit tight for a couple weeks, I will find out more about all streamers as I am headed to Rocky Mountain Audio Fest Sept. 6-9. This has become the premier high end audio show in the US. I can let you know what is on the horizon for streamers.

Haven’t listened to any of the higher end models, but I’ve been using the D2 for the past few months and I really enjoy it. Definitely a step up over the Node 2, even though I really liked the Node as well.

Primarily just use it for Tidal, but I also have it setup to access the 50-60 albums stored on a local computer. It hasn’t had any issues accessing any of the files.

My only real complaint with Lumin is that I’m not a huge fan of their app. Everything works as it should, but it’s just not as intuitive as the Bluesound UI. I should say that I pretty much only use the app on my iPhone though, and it’s probably a better experience on the IPad. I just can’t be bothered to get my iPad out as I never use it, and it’s always low on battery.

Line Magnetic is one of the Chinese built amps that is SOLID!...my friend that does all the metal plated posters in my room had one for a couple years. He sold it only because he started down the 16 ohm single driver speaker rabbit hole, and went to Atma-Sphere amps—they are OTL amps (Output TransformerLess), and are a better match for such drivers.

Primal Luna is good stuff too...they will operate on a plethora of tubes. I will see Kevin Deal, the importer for Prima Luna and owner of Upscale Audio, next weekend at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. If you want, hit me up...I’ll mention you to Kevin—he will give all my referrals a pretty good discount.

Rogue Audio—well built USA gear and has been around a long time. It probably doesn’t have the refinement of Line Magnetic or Prima Luna, but it isn’t far off. It is very well built and there is a plus to having a manufacturer stateside.

Zu are efficient, as you know. Their sound is not like that of a conventional speaker though...but not in a bad way...just different. It takes some getting used to if you are accustomed to conventional. I am having dinner with Sean, owner of Zu, on Friday evening in Denver, and will find out more about upcoming updates.

I’m not a big fan of Tannoy or Spendor—they have that drab Sterling LS3/5 sound. I compare it to British food—it will give you sustenance, but that’s about it. Same for Harbeth. But that is just my opinion.

French speakers sound like their food as well—rich, but not so heavy as to leave you not wanting a dessert to top it off.

German speaker’s tend to be, well, German—-clinical, exact, over engineered, over the top—but if you can afford them, they are for the most part, the real deal.

Sonus Faber—Italian—I liken their mid to upper end lines to Italian cars—they blend mechanics and precision with art. You may also want to check out Zengali speakers as well—horn drivers that are stunningly beautiful. See Pathos and Unison Research audio gear for more Italian examples of this.

I haven’t heard Dynaudio in a long time, so I really can’t give input on them.


You got rid of the c50 and MC275?...McIntosh released a new hybrid integrated yesterday...a bigger, more featured version of the MC252...$6500.

hey right now I'm running a JVC JL-F30 Turntable to a Sansui 2000x receiver. I'm listening through cheap Sony headphones right now. It really is amazing how it sounds through headphones even with the cheap ones. I would like to bring this to the next level.

Which headphones do you think would pair best with my setup in the $100 range?