Turntables, Phono Stages and Cartridge Owners Roll Call

[malvai]

My rpm TT lets you replace the stock interconnect. Are there any recommendations for a replacement interconnect ? i tried using another i/c but looks like its picking up interferances since there was a loud hum inspite the ground wire being hooked up

Why are you unhappy with the stock interconnect?
The one that came with my 2Xperience is quite good...

Why don't you 'break-in' the TT for about 50-100 hours. This will break in the tone arm, cart, interconnects and reveal its true sound.

I think you'll be able to take a better call on all aspects of tweaking at that point in time.

 

[Asit]

Hi Bottle,
You said the ground wire was properly hooked up between your TT and the phono pre. However, you did not say in your post if the hum increases as the volume is turned up. This information may be helpful.

I'd exclude an earth-loop situation since the only thing you changed was the interconnect and everything else including power cords, CDp etc stayed the same and geographically in the same location. Then it seems to me there is a high probability that the shielding/screening of your new Interconnect is very poor. It is actually acting like an antenna for all the electrical signals around in neighbouring power cords etc. It perhaps could be used between a high output source and your amp (the hum there may be small and buried under the resolution of your system), but not between the TT and the phono pre. There is also a small possibility that at least one of the connectors in your interconnect is not connected properly, you can open up the connectors and check.

Regards.

 

[bottle]

Why are you unhappy with the stock interconnect?
The one that came with my 2Xperience is quite good...
.

Just had some interconnects lying around and thought I'd give it a shot to see if it made any difference. I did read somewhere that the bundled interconnect that comes with Pro-Jects are made by some high end audio company but they couldn't say which but not sure if the RPM1.3 has the same one.

If you tell me your price range, I can try and give some good suggestions that I feel would work well for you.

Also, are you looking for more warmth or more detail from your setup right now? The choice of cable can easily influence this factor. I almost always prefer to use extremely high purity copper. It does best to my ears

Looking for more warmth, what would be my options ? Not looking to cross 4-5k INR

Hi Bottle,
You said the ground wire was properly hooked up between your TT and the phono pre. However, you did not say in your post if the hum increases as the volume is turned up. This information may be helpful.

Then it seems to me there is a high probability that the shielding/screening of your new Interconnect is very poor. It is actually acting like an antenna for all the electrical signals around in neighbouring power cords etc. It perhaps could be used between a high output source and your amp (the hum there may be small and buried under the resolution of your system), but not between the TT and the phono pre.

Regards.

Looks like the problem was with the interconnect alright. Tried a different cable and there is no hum at all . With this there is a horibble hum and crackling sound that goes to a shriek at high volume. So looks like its more susceptible to interferance somewhere. Its ok hooked up to the CDP

 

[malvai]

Dude, stick with the stock interconnect for now. Take a snap of it and post and mebbe I can compare it to the one I got with my erstwhile TT...

If its the same, I can assure you that it's great and need not be changed!

 

[bottle]

Dude, stick with the stock interconnect for now. Take a snap of it and post and mebbe I can compare it to the one I got with my erstwhile TT...

If its the same, I can assure you that it's great and need not be changed!

Yeah I know was just experimenting. pic attached too

 

[malvai]

Yeah I know was just experimenting. pic attached too

Buddy! This is the one that I have. Its a very good one. You'll have to spend upwards of 7k (+ shiiping) to better this. And the results still won't be more than 2-5% better than what you have at the momnet (and that is considering that you have a great phono stage, a super amp and a mind blowing set of speakers... If not, you won't even notice the 2-5% change!)

So, IMHO, DON'T DO A THING! Invest the surplus money on getting some great LP's + some beer (or any other slow poison of choice), then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!

 

[bottle]

HAHA ok

 

[pradeep_gg]

Hello all,

This is my equipment
1) Rega P3-24 Turntable,
2) Nad pp2 phono stage
3) Audioquest cables
4) Rega Elys MM cartridge
5) Custom built power supply

 

[shaizada]

Nice Pradeep!

How do you like your Rega combination of the table and cartridge?
I have a Rega P2 with the Rega Super Elyss that I listen to as well. I've been thinking of changing cartridges on that setup.

And welcome to Hifivision! Fantastic first post

 

[anm]

Hi Pradeep - what speakers and amp?

Hello all,

This is my equipment
1) Rega P3-24 Turntable,
2) Nad pp2 phono stage
3) Audioquest cables
4) Rega Elys MM cartridge
5) Custom built power supply

 

[pradeep_gg]

Hello All,

The Elys goes very well with the Rega P3-24 table...For the rega table...I would suggest sticking with Rega cartridges...because of the 3 point mounting...

Also the phonostage that you will be using should match your cartridge...Before my NAD PP2, I was using a Audio Research PH3...the sound was awesome - very natural and transparent...but the gain in the phono stage was too much for the high output MM Elys cartridge, it would have suited a MC cartridge much better.

I also used a Bellari VP29, the hybrid tube phono stage...which was awesome...but the gain was too less that I had to pump up the volume dial to 11 O'clock position, for normal listening levels...

So now settled with the NAD PP2 phono stage...which suits the Elys nicely....though I liked the sound form the Bellari better....

As for my other equipments...I have a NAD C352 Intgrated and Monitor Audio RS6 Floorstander, with NAD T515 CD/DVD player...I have a separate acoustically treated listening room...so the net result is pretty good.

Cheers
-Pradeep

 

[shaizada]

Any pictures of please? Would love to see.

 

[pradeep_gg]

Will upload one soon....

 

[pradeep_gg]

Tried to post an img...it did not work...

 

[pradeep_gg]

I have attached an image of my old set up....hope this works.
I will upload a new img soon...

cheers
Pradeep

 

[Asit]

Hi Pradeep,

Welcome to the forum.

Nice set-up, although your picture has not turned up too good. I can't see very much into the rack. Also, aren't the speakers too close to each other? What is the distance between them? Well, I realize it's your older set-up. Please put up a picture of your current set-up with close-ups of the TT and the phono pre.

Where have you bought your Rega TT from? In India? If yes, who sells Rega TT's in India?

Regards.

 

[pradeep_gg]

Hello Asit,

Yeah...just uploaded the pic I had in hand...will upload a new one soon...
The speakers were not optimally positioned...that was a pic I took as soon as I connected the system together in my new apartment....before even listening to it.

I got the Rega from US...to my knowledge there is no authorized dealer in India.

Pradeep

 

[bottle]

Welcome Pradeep, great setup there. do post pics of the turntable

 

[pradeep_gg]

Hello ,

Here I have attached a new set of photographs. My system consists of,

1) NAD T515 CD/DVD/MP3 Player
2) Rega P3-24 TT with Elys Cartridge
3) Cambridge Audio Azur 340T AM/FM tuner.
4) 8Gb ipod touch
5) NAD C352 Integrated Amplifier
6) NAD PP3 Phono stage
7) Monitor Audio RS6 Speakers
8) 11ft x 12ft room with,
8 bass traps (4" x 2ft x 4ft, Owens Corning 703) and
3 high frequency traps (2" x 2ft x 4ft, Owens Corning 703) for first reflection.
9) Custom Built power supply for TT. ( The black box at the right end in the last pic)

This combination is best for low to moderate level listening of music with minimum instruments be it Jazz, classical or Rock. Not good at pumpin' stuff like metal or large orchestras. So these days my taste for music in inclined towards what sounds good in my system.

Now I have my system in a small room 12ft x 11ft, with reasonable amount of acoustic treatment. I wish I had a better room. But to count the blessing at least I have a separate listening room.

Looking forward for your questions, comments and insights.

PS: My camera almost ran out of battery while taking these snaps. I wish I could make batter pics...any input for this will be appreciated.

Cheers
Pradeep

 

[bottle]

Wow nice setup! how much did the bass traps cost ?