TEAC X2000M Master Recorder

 Another GREAT performer knocks on the door...

 

Pimp Up your Thorens TD 124

If you can't choose wisely, choose randomly ;)

IKEDA SOUND LABS IT 407 tonearm

Designed and built by the old Isamu Ikeda. Way back in 1967, Ikeda-san founded Fidelity Research, a celebrated Japanese firm that left its mark on the analog world with its tonearms (FR series), cartridges (FR-1 and MC-202) and step up. By 1986 he had founded Ikeda Sound Labs, specializing in low-compliance moving-coil cartridges and high-mass, transcription-length tonearms.

The Ikeda 407 is GREAT with the high mass, low compliance cartridges, like Ortofon SPU and the EMT TSD15SFL; with this combination you can obtain a magical sound, emotionally involving and very tactile. A FUN way to listen to music with a GREAT performer.

Specifications

Ikeda IT-407CR1 (Long Arm)

Type: Dynamic balance

Overall length: 388mm

Effective length: 307mm

Overhang: 12mm

Tracking error: +2°～　- 0°35'

Stylus force range: 0g ～ 5g (in 0.5g step)

Mounting hole diameter: 31mm

Arm height adjustment range: 25mm - 60mm

Max. arm board thickness: 35mm

Cartridge/Headshell balance range: 6g - 38.5g

Headshell weight: 17.2g

 

 

TELEFUNKEN RN 100 CX phono equalizer preamplifier

 Another GREAT perfomer...

Very rare Telefunken CX Decoder RN 100 CX.

RN 100 CX is same as phono equalizer preamplifier.

Type: CX noise reduction system same as phono equalizer amplifier
Input impedance: 47k ohm
Input level adjust from: 1.25~15mV
Input: RCA x2 or DIN
Equalization: DIN 45 547
Suitable for pick-up systems with a transmission factor of: 0.25mV~3mV per cm/s (1kHz)
Output level adjust from: 300mV~1.9V
Output impedance: <9k br="" ohm="">Output: RCA x2 or DIN
S/N ratio, weighted: >85dB with CX
Line up: 10 Transistors, 7 IC's, 3 LED's, 7 Diodes
Dimensions: W25x H6.0x D12.5cm
Net weight: 1.1kg
AC voltage: AC-220V 50Hz

Pimp up your Thorens TD124

Some pics of the amagnetic platter for my beloved 124!

MAG-LEV Audio Levitating Turntable

It's a Kickstarter project...

Behold, the first “levitating” turntable is here. More precisely, it’s the platter of the new MAG-LEV Audio that hovers for a new, and supposedly enhanced, way of experiencing vinyl records.

“We were searching for a way to give people a better, newer way to experience vinyl records,” reads the concept design. “By pushing the frontier of audio technology, we were able to integrate the uplifting experience of music into the turntable design itself, bringing the feeling of zero gravity into your living room.”

Ehmmm...Marty where are you?
I can see the Emmett Brown's hand in this new toy ;)

The cheapest way...

;)

I want them all!

HiFi Meeting at Vipolze Villa

The listening sessions took place on the 1st of October 2016, in the main hall of the beautifull Vipolze Villa, a castle form the 12 century, rebuild in 17 century to the Venetian, renaissance villa, in Brda region, most famous wine area in Slovenia.

Audio products from FM Acoustics (Switzerland), Audio Tekne (Japan), Natural sound loudspeakers (Slovenia), Vertere Acoustics (UK), Ubiq Audio (Slovenia), MSB (USA), Taoc (Japan), Faber’s Cable (Italy), My Sonic Lab (Japan) and Phasemation (Japan).

MICRO SEIKI RX 2000 & RY3300

A perfect example of Japanese craftsmanship when it is at its best. This Micro Seiki RX-2000 has a gun metal platter that weighs over 10 kg. The platter can also be connected to the vacuum pump RP-1090. When the pump is on it "glues" the record to the platter. The turntable is driven by the motor unit RY-3300...

All I can say is WOW!

Something wrong...

;)

ALLNIC H-1500 II SE Plus LCR Phono Stage

After my falling in love with the H3000, it’s time to listen a new LCR phono stage from ALLNIC.

It is two chassis phonostage with tube rectification, tube regulation, LCR 600R filters, own Allnic step up transformer for MC needles.

“Packed full, Nickel Permalloy custom wound transformers, 5 individual resistive loads per each of the 4 transformer gain selections, LCR phono equalization, 2 MM inputs, 2 MC inputs, tube regulation, Gel Damper tube isolation sockets and an outboard tube power supply makes for one lethally excellent phono stage.

The H‐1500 II PLUS has the following features:

LCR TYPE RIAA EQUALIZATION - RIAA equalization is a specification for the correct playback of vinyl records, established by the Recording Industry Association of America. The purpose of the equalization is to permit longer playback times and improve sound quality.

RIAA equalization is a form of establishing a flat frequency response for the playback of recorded music. The necessity for this equalization process arises from mechanical difficulties inherent in record production. In order to prevent the cutting needle from over‐cutting into the next record groove in the bass, as a record is cut, some bass frequencies are attenuated. In the treble region, in order for high frequency sounds not to be masked by the noise inherent in moving a stylus over and through a modulated vinyl surface, some treble frequencies are boosted. With the application of the correct filtering techniques on playback, the result is a flat frequency response with better signal to noise ratios.

For superior signal to noise ratios, the H‐1500 II PLUS is equipped with pure vacuum tube, high voltage regulation for each channel and a power supply unit separate from the phono stage itself.

High quality MC Step‐up Transformers with Permalloy cores are used for the H‐1500 II PLUS’s dual MC inputs.

New vacuum tube damping technology – Allnic Audio’s patented "Absorb GEL tube damper" technology prevents harmful vibrations from reaching the signal / gain tubes and, therefore, prevents micro‐phonic noise propagation in the tubes.

Pure Class A operation”

Ok but…how does it sound respect the other phono stages I heard? quieter, dynamic, nuanced, bigger sound stage with that sense of flow and saturated tone that seems to be the specialty of the transformer coupled device.
Low noise for tube phono, nice tone, dynamic and refined airy top end.

Transformers seem to hold and release energy in a manner that is most compatible with a variable music signal. The H1500 reveals extreme detail without fraying the threads out of the musical tapestry. Everything is perceived, but nothing is sharp or edgy, just a brew of tones beginning and tapering where they should. High frequencies and upper midrange are wonderful. Transients are molten nuggets of tone, not mosquito bites. It reveals stunning nuance and transitions that open up previously closed or fused harmonics. Lower midrange and bass are a rich and sweet, deep and tuneful, without being overblown. They make me feel the music as much as hear it.

In conclusion the H1500 - like the H3000 as well – for its range price is a world class phono stage. I know it has its limitations (what product doesn’t) but the phenomenal sound quality, very high build quality, make the H1500 a very impressive piece of audio equipment.

One sentence summary: I liked it. :-)

 

 

 

 

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FIDELITY RESEARCH FR 54

Another piece of analog story...a lighter version of FR-64 with an effective mass of 16 grams.