What was the the last audio-related item you purchased?
- Thread starter Romeo Wolf
- Start date
It will be interesting to hear how you like the VM95E compared to the AT91 with elliptical stylus upgrade you've been using. I'm still loving the sound of my AT91 with the heavier-tracking ATN3600LC conical.
I had one of those CXC transports but it "stuttered" on 1/4 of my older CD's (no built in error correction) so I sold it and bought their regular ACX35 player which sounds very good (used in the kitchen/family room system).
Really nice set!!
I enjoyed the upgrade for a long time. The VM95E is better in every way. For lack of better words it sounds more lively and engaging. I'm wondering how far I should go with an entry level turntable. What are the limiting factors?
Different turntable at the time, but I used a VM95E a bit last year. It was bolder, brighter, and more detailed than my AT3600L, but I preferred the latter. Something about the sound of the AT3600/AT91 family just seems more natural and satisfying to my ears.
In an older thread you mentioned one limiting factor, your arm's 28.2 gram effective mass. Since then, have you come across any additional information as to just how limiting that might or might not be? Another turntable I had considered is U-Turn; their arm goes the other direction with an 8 gram effective mass, which might be limiting, too.
Another possible limiting factor is simply the quality of the arm on budget turntables such as we have. I haven't asked Fluance, but I know that when I asked Rega about suitable cartridge upgrades for a friend's entry-level P1, they suggested not going any higher up than their low end Bias 2; they said the arm quality just wasn't sufficient to get your money's worth out of anything farther up their line.
Fluance told me the 2M Red was good but the deck doesn't get along with the Blue. Did say the VM95E was a good choice too. No details just said they found it didn't work well. Actually the Fluance RT-80 has turned out a good choice for a $200 deck. My personal experience is somewhat limited. Only other turntable I've owned was a Sanyo TP-600SA I wish I still owned. I had upgraded to a Shure M95ED. A really wish I still had that.
My off board phono stage is on it's way. Genuinely curious on that result.
My off board phono stage is on it's way. Genuinely curious on that result.
That is a bit surprising with both the 2M Red and 2M Blue having the same vtf, output, and compliance specifications. I did see in Stereophile's Technics SL-50C review that the reviewer, who owns both a 2M Blue and 2M Bronze, wrote, "Perhaps the best thing about a bonded-stylus cartridge like the 2M Red is that it can forgive a rough record, bringing out more music than surface noise; more refined styli tend to need cleaner, quieter vinyl." For whatever reason, sounds like Fluance likes the Red over the Blue for the RT80.
I've only had it for a few months, but I'm loving my RT80. It sounds better than the LP60X I bought in 2022, and my ears are fully satisfied with the stock AT91 body. Your past comments about the Fluance, as well as those from a few other owners, convinced me to give it a try. One of them, DavidTT (who no longer seems to be active here), has had several interesting, and positive, comments about the AT91. The post linked to below is something I can well relate to, including his last comment of, "Maybe part of what I experience is simply pleasure at getting such good results for such little money in a hobby that IMO has become wildly expensive in the last few years."
I'm currently using the RT80's built-in phono stage. The one in my Rotel A11 Tribute is good, but for now I like the idea of just using what's already in the Fluance. I'm not disappointed with what I'm hearing.
The upgrades aren't from dissatisfaction. Just the typical "more bigger better." If I wasn't happy with it I' purchase another deck. Which I may soon, same reason. Probably just move the RT-80 into the bedroom system.That is a bit surprising with both the 2M Red and 2M Blue having the same vtf, output, and compliance specifications. I did see in Stereophile's Technics SL-50C review that the reviewer, who owns both a 2M Blue and 2M Bronze, wrote, "Perhaps the best thing about a bonded-stylus cartridge like the 2M Red is that it can forgive a rough record, bringing out more music than surface noise; more refined styli tend to need cleaner, quieter vinyl." For whatever reason, sounds like Fluance likes the Red over the Blue for the RT80.
I've only had it for a few months, but I'm loving my RT80. It sounds better than the LP60X I bought in 2022, and my ears are fully satisfied with the stock AT91 body. Your past comments about the Fluance, as well as those from a few other owners, convinced me to give it a try. One of them, DavidTT (who no longer seems to be active here), has had several interesting, and positive, comments about the AT91. The post linked to below is something I can well relate to, including his last comment of, "Maybe part of what I experience is simply pleasure at getting such good results for such little money in a hobby that IMO has become wildly expensive in the last few years."
I'm currently using the RT80's built-in phono stage. The one in my Rotel A11 Tribute is good, but for now I like the idea of just using what's already in the Fluance. I'm not disappointed with what I'm hearing.
N0rt0n
Super Member
Just received a Furman Power Conditioner / Surge Protector for my second system. Had a wild electrical storm a few weeks ago that took out an old Panamax unit. The interesting thing is, after the power came back, it was cleaner and made my main system sound like new gear. All kinds of micro detail, controlled bass and more to the point when I put on a very familiar disk my wife kept asking me if it was the same disk we usually play. I kept second guessing myself until I spun a few more disks and albums. Hoping my second system has the same aftermath of that storm once I get the Furman swapped in.
Clean power can make a difference... I had an old Hitachi flat screen that had a not so great picture until I plugged it in to my Furman Elite 15 DMi power filter and "presto" it had a crystal clear picture.
Surprised to see power conditioners being discussed! My 20-year-old Monster HTS-3500 mark-iii is still going strong, but the power-delay relay for the 12v trigger is now starting to take a few clicks before it powers on the amp (I use it for a trigger to turn on an amplifier that has a proprietary 5v trigger), so I decided to replace it.
After some research, Furman seemed to be the way to go (non-sacrificial, doesn't restrain the amp like sacrificial conditioners can), so I bought a used Furman Elite 15 DMi used a days ago. I've unpacked it, but haven't had time to replace the Monster yet. The old Monster conditioners are pretty well made, but Furman is reportedly a superior design. Panamax actually bought Furman many years ago, but the products remain different in design I think (I think Panamax are sacraficial like the Monster).
Last edited:
N0rt0n
Super Member
The older Panamax came with other gear I bought and was an older model. It was just humming loudly when I cane downstairs the morning after the storm. Since this is a second system with not a lot of use the Furman unit I got is kinda low end and has a rack mount front. I really did not want to spend $400 plus for this system but just wanted some protection and a single on/off button. Once I got it all swapped in place, my amp appeared to be dead. Being an electrical dummy, I opened it up and checked all the internal fuses which were good. Thinking maybe the on off switch got fried I started googling to find out about the hidden fuse contained in the IEC socket. Yep it was fried. It cleverly had a spare contained in the pull out holder. Also unit came with a few spares that I had. Once the fuse was replaced everything is back in working order. I use an APC H-15 in my main system but they have been discontinued so if that ever goes a more expensive Furman may be in the running.
