SMAC October 2007
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jmathers
Super Member
We had 5 phono stages at the meet, including the built-in stage of Scott's AI M3A pre which used a simple Denon AU300LC step-up to power the Linn Klyde cartridge. The second was Kegger's EAR 834p. The third was my Jolida JD9, and the fourth was a Linn Linto. I forgot what the last one was: it was pretty cool looking and very small; I did not hear this fifth one.
I definitely liked Kegger's EAR - always have, always will. And I'm biased, but I also liked mine, the Jolida. There was some questions about whether the Denon stepup was really loading the Klyde correctly, and I suspect that this may have been the case since I believe the AIM3A stage is pretty good - definitely better than what I was hearing.
There was also some controversy over whether the Linto was perhaps malfunctioning since another member had one for years and used it with that same cartridge and remembered it as being much better. I wasn't impressed by the Linto at all.
I'll let someone else who heard 'em all weigh in with their opinion. If I had a choice I'd get the Jolida.....wait, I already did
Definitely a fun time...if you like swapping gear and not listening to music
I say we sit down and listen to more tunes next time:yes:
Jeff
I definitely liked Kegger's EAR - always have, always will. And I'm biased, but I also liked mine, the Jolida. There was some questions about whether the Denon stepup was really loading the Klyde correctly, and I suspect that this may have been the case since I believe the AIM3A stage is pretty good - definitely better than what I was hearing.
There was also some controversy over whether the Linto was perhaps malfunctioning since another member had one for years and used it with that same cartridge and remembered it as being much better. I wasn't impressed by the Linto at all.
I'll let someone else who heard 'em all weigh in with their opinion. If I had a choice I'd get the Jolida.....wait, I already did
Definitely a fun time...if you like swapping gear and not listening to music
I say we sit down and listen to more tunes next time:yes:Jeff
VinylRob
Vinylphile
Jeff, the fifth phono stage was the Swiss-made Ensemble. I think we agree, it was a bit noisy, but sounded nice, balanced, and was a beautiful piece of engineering. It was about the size and weight of a Rolex, just kidding, about the size anyway. The phono was as big as a pack of lucky strikes and the power supply was about twice that. Beautiful polished stainless casework.
I personally have always liked the sound of the Ear stock, lush, warm, and full, and love the Kegger(ized) mod version. Hats off again to our friend Paul!
Jeff's Jolida was so clean and smooth and detailed to my ear (with a small 'e').
The Denon AU300LC step-up was, well a step up…
But not bad!
The Linn Linto was disappointing as I had owned one for about a dozen years and it was by far the quietest phono I have ever heard AND very musical and all the PRAT stuff that Linn is known for. I had hopes of our group being fondly impressed by it... but it was not to be. Mark (who was kind enough to bring it and the Ensemble needs to have that thing checked out at the Linn dealer. If mine had sounded that clipped in the upper ranges it would not of lasted twelve minutes let alone twelve years. Do I hear an Amen?
As much as I too would care to hear more music than anything else at these events, (for I am a record collector at heart) this is just one of the great opportunities of a diverse group like SMAC and we have all evolved and enjoyed what each member and event has brought to it. Equipment and Hifi talk are part of the community and I guess the listening for the sake of listening is still something we have to aspire to as a group and for now will remain a more private experience.
Happy...well ah, Listening!
I personally have always liked the sound of the Ear stock, lush, warm, and full, and love the Kegger(ized) mod version. Hats off again to our friend Paul!
Jeff's Jolida was so clean and smooth and detailed to my ear (with a small 'e').
The Denon AU300LC step-up was, well a step up…
But not bad!
The Linn Linto was disappointing as I had owned one for about a dozen years and it was by far the quietest phono I have ever heard AND very musical and all the PRAT stuff that Linn is known for. I had hopes of our group being fondly impressed by it... but it was not to be. Mark (who was kind enough to bring it and the Ensemble needs to have that thing checked out at the Linn dealer. If mine had sounded that clipped in the upper ranges it would not of lasted twelve minutes let alone twelve years. Do I hear an Amen?
As much as I too would care to hear more music than anything else at these events, (for I am a record collector at heart) this is just one of the great opportunities of a diverse group like SMAC and we have all evolved and enjoyed what each member and event has brought to it. Equipment and Hifi talk are part of the community and I guess the listening for the sake of listening is still something we have to aspire to as a group and for now will remain a more private experience.
Happy...well ah, Listening!
dlwask
SMAC member
thoughts...
Phono stage shoot out aside, Scott's system was well put together (I forgot how large Vandy 3s are!) and a joy to listen to.
But since there is all this talk on phono stages
...did you guys try different loading on the phono stages that were adjustable?
And if Kegger ever sees this, what tubes are in your EAR?
Phono stage shoot out aside, Scott's system was well put together (I forgot how large Vandy 3s are!) and a joy to listen to.
But since there is all this talk on phono stages
...did you guys try different loading on the phono stages that were adjustable? And if Kegger ever sees this, what tubes are in your EAR?
jmathers
Super Member
dlwask:
The loading on the Denon stepup is I believe 470 ohms (not adjustable). The Jolida was set at 100 ohms - we did not play with settings. The Linto is 150 ohms, I think (not adjustable). The EAR I'm not sure (but you probably are?). I'm in the dark on the Ensemble....
If we had the appropriate resistors and some RCA plugs we could have played more.
The Klyde likes to see >50ohms, with most folks saying somewhere between 100-150 ohms for best performance. This may explain the lackluster performance on the stepup with the AI pre.
Jeff
The loading on the Denon stepup is I believe 470 ohms (not adjustable). The Jolida was set at 100 ohms - we did not play with settings. The Linto is 150 ohms, I think (not adjustable). The EAR I'm not sure (but you probably are?). I'm in the dark on the Ensemble....
If we had the appropriate resistors and some RCA plugs we could have played more.
The Klyde likes to see >50ohms, with most folks saying somewhere between 100-150 ohms for best performance. This may explain the lackluster performance on the stepup with the AI pre.
Jeff
