Flyski,
I agree. Best tonearm/cartridge match that you can find. The Mambo (and you) deserves it.
Cheers
Dgob |
Stringreen,
Too true. Sadly, the Mambo might just be the best turn table in the world (I have tried many!) but if it's not playing, it's just a lump of extravagent metal.
I'm now in hope of having this resolved and will keep all informed.
Cheers and more experiences welcomed |
Todd,
Thanks. I have had two incidents when my Alpha power supply has gone down and am again experiencing major issues in gaining assistance following the second failure. I am hopeful that this is a unique situation.
I will therefore wait to garner a fuller picture from other owners before going into greater details, so please keep the responses coming. |
2002ss335, Blueranger, Heradot,
Thanks for your kind feedback. I should say that my problems relate to the UK (particularly the importer and retailer with whom I have dealings. However, your accounts give me some faith.
Please could you forward the contact details of the people that helped you in Germany or elsewhere as I am still seeking any assistance with my Alpha power supply?
Thanksagain |
Isanchez,
Many thanks but I had dealt with Gunther at some length following the first failure of the Alpha power supply. Sadly, his personal problems at the time meant that this discourse was particularly unhelpful. I have now had the actual UK retailer (as opposed to the not-so-helpful UK importer/distributer)sort this out by using a technician from England. My lack of faith in the AS customer service (at least for buyers in the UK market) remains very low. Thankfully, I have however (or, 'consequently') now bought a Technics SP10 MK2 and will transfer to this if/when the Acoustic Signature goes down again.
Despite all this sorry tale, I must stress that when the Mambo is set up correctly (in my case that means using a home made birch wall shelf - see http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/vinyl/vinyl.html, a Symposium Ultra platform, Boston Audio Mat 1 and an Aluminium record clamp/stabilizer) the quality and realism of its performances is sublime.
I hope this helps others and remain open to dialogue on the related topics |
Isanchez,
Wholly agree and am pleased to see that we find ourselves to the nearly same place just by trial and error and our own listening. I've been doing a bit of research myself about clamps etc. I contrasted my mat and clamp option with some notable options (all of which I still own). Key coparitors were the Audio Technica AT666 pneumatic mat and the SAEC SS300 metal mat. All three mats (including the Mat1) were tested in combination with three different clamps (Basis Reflex clamp, Jeweltone Crystal stablizer and Acousitic Signature Grip clamp).
The two best combinations were the Mat1/AS Grip and Mat1/Basis. That led me to do a little research, given the ridiculously lower cost of the first option than of all the combinations that tested.
It seems that the fact that the Mambo is made of aluminium favours the resonance matching of an aluminium clamp or stablizer. Both the Basis and AS Grip share this characteristic. However, the lack of any rubber in the AS gives it the edge in my set-up. You do need to use it as a stabilizer rather than a clamp though. This has led me to experiment with one more stabilizer that is designed to just drop on the spindle and is made of aluminium. I've order the Bren1 stabilizer as this meets these criteria and offers additional weight coming in at 368g. I'm hoping that this will be the final piece of the jigsaw with the additional weight and convenience it should bring.
However, this all depends on the use of a wall shelf. Until I recently set my turntable up on this I was compensating for floor-borne vibrations by adding the threat of airborne vibrations in my isolation. The shelf gives one the platform (pun intended) to find the best set up for the Mambo and, maybe, any other know turntable.
Kindest |
Isanchez,
Fantastic. The testing of mats is a rewarding pastime when you notice the differences they offer. I remember my time with several of those illustriate mats. I do wonder though (technically naively) if the aluminium stabilizer (as opposed to gunmetal, cork/natural fabrics, alloys or steel)has that something extra due to its and the Mambo's material and sound propogation obviously being matched in speed and density. At least that seems to partially explain what I get when it comes to producing a vivid and vital performance with the Mat1/AS Grip - and hopefully more so with the Mat1/Bren1 (just sounds right!:~). Fingers crossed!
Have you tried any of the pneumatic mats? The Audio Technica AT666 has had a major impact on other audiophiles. It works well with the Jeweltone Crystal stabilizer and I might have missed a trick here. However, when I say I am trying to reproduce 'live music' I have certain performances in certain venues in mind (particularly, The Birmingham Symphonic Hall, The Barbican and Royal Albert Hall) and the Mat1/aluminium clamp or stabilizer really gets me there on so many levels. I would recommend them as a great combination.
I use Dr. Feikert's protractor and it really works wonders for me. I've never used a Pro 3600 but would be fascinated to. How much would this set me back and how notable a difference would you say you hear when set up using this compared to the likes of the DB Protractor, Geodisc etc? What are the strengths and how important do you find it? |
Isanchez,
Excellent, the Pro 3600 cetainly seems a worthy addition and - assuming I can find some way to try it out first - I will pursue this in the future. I might be able to locate a spare AT666 (with automatic pump) and Jeweltone Crystal Stabilizer. If you're interested please contact me offline.
For now, back to more sound |
Auditor,
Excellent news and thanks for this vital information. It probably explains a lot of the hassle that I have had in correcting faults with the Alpha.
Now we can hopefully all get back to enjoying the detailed bliss that the AS turntable can offer!
Isanchez,
If you get a chance, run the Mambo with the Mat1 on it and look at the horisontal profile of the platter, Mat1 and record both with the AS Grip and then the Basis clamp on it. When I do this the contact between the AS Grip combination gives far better area contact (ie, no gap between Mat1 and platter nor record and Mat1. I also think that the different diametres of the two clamps affects this. I'm still experimenting but the AS Grip/Mat1 is currently holding its own. |
Isanchez,
Have you included one of the 1.9mm o-rings in the package. It sounds interesting and I'll definitely give it a go.
As always |
Just another brief update but the Bren1 did not perform as well as the other options in my particular set-up and for my particular tastes. However, it does come with a 30 days money back guarantee and might obviously still be worth trying in other systems. |
Klinerm,
Sadly, your tale is not unfamiliar to me. I have no end of trouble sorting out my third and, spare, fourth armboards from Gunther. Story is that he has had serious personal problems, including a divorce to contend with.
On the bright side, the rumour is that he has been bought out and so the business side should now hopefully run as well as the engineering side. If anyone (Audotor) knows anything new, please share. |
Hi Otto,
And many thanks for this very useful update. I am sure that more minds than mine alone have been set to rest and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with all at Acoustic Signature.
Wishing you every success in the coming years |
Jeff_ss,
I am truly pleased to hear it. As we've all said, they make fantastic turntables and with this added care over customer service, can only go from strength t strength.
Well done AS, well done Otto!
Enjoy |
Thom mackris,
I am a little lost. Where does the quote come from and how does it relate?
Many thanks |
Isanchez,
Many thanks for clarifying and other things.
Thom,
Sorry and point taken. |
Isanchez,
How's it going with the Mat2?
Cheers
Dgob |
Hi Isanchez,
Many thanks for your very helpful review. On the issue of frequency response, I believe that the Mat1 raises the pitch: meaning that a contralto might sound like a mezzo or even a soprano. Similar tonal shifts seem to occur with bass notes.
Have you noticed this feature and how does the Mat2 perform in this regard?
Cheers
Dgob |
Hi Isanchez,
I will wait to hear your final verdict before making any purchase then.
All the best and I look forward to hearing back when you're 100% sure.
All the best
Dgob |
Hi Isanchez,
Sorry to hear about the fault. I look forward to hearing your feedback after you've received the new one and had time to audition it fully.
Cheers
Dgob |
Hi Isanchez,
Excellent news. I was blown away (after all the money I have spent on the numerous mats) to find what the naked Silencer platter of the Mambo can do. I'll be really keen to see how it holds up against the Mat2. Look forward to hearing your review.
Cheers
Dgob |
Hi Isanchez,
Great stuff and I know what you mean about the greater presence: almost an etched quality at times. Funny to think that on AS turntables (with Silencer platters), the best mat might be a 1.9mm or 2.0mm vitton O-ring!:~)
Just a thought but if you can find the Jeweltone Crystal Stabilzer it might be worth comparing that with the Grip in the same set up. I think the slight differences that I hear most here relate to 'staging' and 'midrange' and I think this gives the Jeweltone set up that teeny bit more concerning presence and "actually being t/here".
Cheers
Dgob |
Thanks Isanchez,
That is excellent news and I hope others experience the same level of support.
Cheers
Dgob
. |
Blueranger,
Did you ever get a useful response about upgrading the belt on your Final Tool? From Otto's comments, it seems that the pully might need alteration!?
Dgob |
Hi Otto,
Many thanks for this information. I've had my motorpulley since 2005, would that be the same as the 'new nearly vibration free model'?
Dgob |
Jeff,
Did you seek to contact Otto? My experience was similar to yours with the Alpha but once I got a new one I have not had any problems and it is performing like an angel (touch wood).
Maybe Aramis2007 can give you another positive perspective following his above complaint!?
All the best and do let us know how it works out |
Jeff,
Financial issues apart, it seems to me that the property remains yours and Gunther is obliged to return it (as you say, repaired or unrepaired). I would continue to press as I know that Gunther is often tied up in the actual production and technical aspects of operations. That sadly meant that he was slow to respond on several occassions with myself. I had thought/hoped that this had been addressed with Otto taking over key responsibilities!? Maybe you can contact them and/or press your case through your local AS representative/importer?
Regarding the armboard, I must admit that I wanted a spare armboard but ran into too many issues with the official UK importer to continue pursuing this. I hope you have better luck.
All of this shoddy customer support seems to me to be damaging what should be a blue chip company, with phenomenal products. Keep us posted and good luck |
Acman3,
I'm sad to hear that but do understand your decision. I ended up selling my AS!
As always... |
