Frank,at one time I had a 150 gal,75 gal,50 gal,and two 20 gal "marine" set ups going,all at once!!I truly know the meaning of "pain in the tush" hobby.-:)Even had to hand feed certain species.
BTw,I still like to look at the aquarium mags,but am running out of patience,in my late middle age.Hence,the hope to just spin some damn vinyl,and forget all else.
Best. |
Well,since I got my new Phantom yesterday(it is still in the sealed box)if there actually is a new bearing cap,I'm a happy fellow....Truthfully I am so happy to obtain the arm that I would have been happy with the original cap my friend has,on his arm.
BTW,I re-checked the fluid levels on my friend's Phantom,yesterday,at his request.He has made some system changes,and wanted me to re-voice his sound,using vta/vtf/fluid.We found that as of now,the fluid is at the bottom of the squared off bearing part.This is on "his" system,so it should vary.
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Frank,it is going to be cartridge dependent,AND requiring careful listening at different fluid settings.No getting around it!
Yes... start with minimum amount(at bottom of squared off area)is the way to go,but you must add VERY small amounts at a time.Then replay your reference LP's and listen for detail retrieval,bass impact(not soggy,or too much fluid),and high freq extension.
When I say add small amounts at a time,I mean REALLY tiny amounts.Here the Phantom does not need to have actual "pinhead" amounts added slowly(like the 2.2),but you MUST go slow,and with small enough additions to not even see much more fluid height,on the bearing square portion.
Good luck.
BTW,I'l be doing the EXACT same thing this week,as my own Phantom has just come in to my dealer.I used to have a Graham 2.2.Another fine performer,yet more sensitive to fluid than the Phantom. |
Frank/Jeb....I have a dear friend who's Phantom I helped to set up,so I am pretty familiar with it already.I,m going over there tomorrow,btw,to pick up my new Phantom.
The fluid does not take that long to settle.A couple of sides of an LP maybe.Unless it is a "new" installation.Then maybe an hour,I guess.Not a huge concern.
DO NOT use a Q-tip.Firstly it takes off too much fluid,at a time.Secondly,there exists the possibility of "cotton fibers" getting into the fluid.I don't think "they" pose a big problem,but who needs it?
I would use a tooth pick.It allows for definitive amounts of fluid to be added or subtracted.SMALL amounts at a time!!
Also,I would hope one knows where the best VTF and VTA are(for their particular cartridge),when voicing the fluid!!This impacts the amount of fluid to be used.The VTF,and VTA are somewhat of a moving target when playing around with the fluid.
It is best to re-check those parameters after taking out,or adding fluid.I'd start at the lower recommended VTF range,and go from there.From experience,I cannot see where the fluid amount would be much more than half way up,the squared portion of the bearing.I don't think it really needs to be more than 1/3,at most,but I can only speak from Transfigurations Temper-V,and Orpheus.Yet,last month Bob Graham told me to go very low fluid with the Phantom.There is NEW fluid,but not a bearing cap,from my info.
Once you are in the fluid amount ballpark...DON'T STOP THERE!!!...To many "relatively new to vinyl" are happy with "good sound",but one can get GREAT sound with a little more "hands on" playing around!......Overshoot,AND undershoot the fluid parameters(regarding musical performance)so you know the exact spot where the fluid should be.But remember to re-check VTF and VTA(experiment a little too)after setting this.It is really NOT a big deal,so don't be intimidated!
This arm(AT MY FRIEND,who has the Transfiguration Orpheus)exhibits tremendous bass dynamics,while retaining superb/delicate high freq performance."IT" truly has NO sonic signature,once gotten "right".One reason why I sold my "still superb" 2.2."That" arm DID seem to have a subtle resonant quality,which rides along with "some" music.I still loved it though.
BTW,the dialing in of the arm,is NOT going to take one listening session,because different LP's exhibit different musical characteristics.So you might be pleased for some discs,but may need to refine the tuning to voice for a wide range of LP's.NOT hard,and actually fun,if you don't let yourself get intimidated.
Good luck |
For anyone interested...just finished my own two day Phantom install,and calibrating.More enjoyable than I had thought,but very tedious.Thank goodness my family left me alone for a few hours!
The entire installation took me 6 hrs on Saturday,with two more on Sunday(today)to get to an acceptable level of performance.As of now,definitely beating my previous 2.2,but not killing it!
Yet,there is more to get,as my set up jig,had some play in it,and I think my armboard was drilled slightly off.No problem,and I'll soon have it all scoped out!But,in all honesty....SHEEEEEEEEESH!!!!!.....What a delicious pain in the tush!!!I am NOW a bit tipsy on my celebratory Amorrone!Been saving it for this exact moment!!
I hope to NOT look into too many new things to do,in the near future!!!
Really fine performing arm!Still more of my reference LP's to "voice to"!!...I can't wait for the end game!!!!!
Best. |
Frank,currently I have the fluid level just touching the very bottom of the squared bearing block.Just overlapping it,by a tiny margin.I only have "one" lengthly listening session with the arm,so I may very well add a touch more fluid this week.I have the (old?)blue fluid,which seems to be quite good.One thing different from my friend's Phantom.....the bearing on my arm is much pointier,and it does NOT slip out of alignment,like my pal's does.Not a big deal,but a better modification.
Fortunately I have a very good idea how my specific ref set-up LP's should sound,and this dramatically cuts down on the "voicing" time.The set up time was a pain,though kinda fun,but because I want to max out my Orpheus,I am being fanatical about all parameters.I spent about 6-7 hrs on overall set-up,and am literally exhausted.
Also,because of the general excellent feedback, from all other posters here,and their comittment to exactitude,I am attempting to go a bit beyond what I normally think is very good sound!....I have a Wally set-up tool on the way,to verify what I have done with the acceptable(not perfect)Graham jig!
Best. |
Hmm,Frank I don't see/feel that particular wand problem.My jig has more play in it than my friend's,who lives 40 minutes away.I'm willing to bet that I am almost spot on,but want to be sure,hence the WAlly.
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Yes,I am calling SOTA tomorrow(I have a new Cosmos),just to confirm.I am not too worried as I am tracing quite cleanly.
The armboard,as I can see,is going to be extremely difficult to drill "spot on"(my friend has a very similar situation with VPI,as of now),since the little peg(yes, I always check everything)must be absolutely perfectly aligned.
The way I view it......there is no adjustability in the Phantom's standard base/mount(unlike the SME mount,which can move,and is not such a bad idea).So with the screws drilled for the Phantom arm mount, which fits into the armboard,AND the holes drilled into the armboard,which screws into the table sub assembly,the amount of slight "play"(in the holes,and alignment)will always allow for a slight "off" position.I am about "maybe" 1/10 inch off,but I have compensated for this with the positioning of the cartridge,in the arm wand.What can I say!!!I don't want to drive myself crazier than I am,already!!!!
Of course I will recheck everything very carefully.
The bottom line is that in my first listening session,I am very close to being in the ball park.This,without playing around with the fluid,which definitely can aid,in voicing the arm.
What I did,this week,in anticipation of setting up my arm,was to go to two of my friends' homes(both have absolutely superb set-ups)and play my ref LP's!Then,I set up my new Phantom,and go from there.
As of now,with the Wally on the way,for re-checking,I hope to be in good shape.-:)
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Those ticks are just registration marks."Very helpful",but you will do better to use your ears,with some reference LP's.Clearly audible.
Best. |
Frank,as to fluid level....As you know I am still in the set-up phase of my own arm.Probably for another two weeks,or so.
My friend has a Phantom/Orpheus combination,like me.I had re-set it up for him,at his request,and am continually playing around with it,as he likes me to set for certain characteristics,of his liking.I know it well!!
The fluid should be on the low side.Near the bottom of the squared off bearing.It will/should vary based on cartridge,but Bob Graham told me(about two months ago),to shoot for the lower settings here.Some go "dry",but I cannot possibly see this with an Orpheus. My 2.2 wound up about half way up,but it was much more sensitive to fluid.It was still a fabulous arm!!!
The Phantom is still very fluid sensitive(not nearly like the 2.2),based upon how crazy(like me)one wants to get.It still MATTERS!!!
Like you had stated about "sibilence" if the pivot to spindle distance is not perfect,the same basic sonic character occurs,when the fluid is not very well adjusted.The only way to do so is to have a standardized set of particular reference discs,which "speak to you" when all is optimal.
That's the main reason I am NOT keeping my current armboard,even though the slightly "off" positioning sounds good.I now realize "it could be better",so I will now break down the set-up("argh"),and start from scratch,with a new board,AND the Wallytractor(it should be on it's way,from dealer).
My Graham jig is useable(based on my previous experience)but it has play in it.More than my friend's jig.I am not about to complain as I feel lucky to have gotten the Phantom,what with the personal problems Bob is currently facing.I wish him the best,and am sure time will aid all.
A year ago I would definitely not be so insistive of this level of adjustment/fine tuning,but a 4300 dollar arm,and a 5,000 dollar cartridge demands it,I guess.Otherwise I'd always be thinking "what if"!!
Hmmm,I need to get an easier hobby.-:)...Tropical fish???? |
The Magnetic damping is one reason for less fluid needed,than the 2.2.Yes,get it set right,and you can forget about it!!Unless you like to constantly adjust for each LP,which some folks do,and some don't.
I won't,I hope-:) |
Bob Graham DID mantion to me,that the magnaglide feature adds a degree of damping.It would not have much to do with azimuth,as Frank points out.It aids in damping the pivot.A darn good pivot,at that!!!
Best |
Frank,you are right about the magnaglide stabilizing azimuth,but it does add a degree of damping.
BTW,you are in for a treat!! |
Bofh,I'm still playing with antiskate.I have a few more sessions before I really know it,in my set-up.Right now,I have "two" notches showing,on the "bar".Will be making more adjustments,for sure.BTW,the fluid,on the bottom of the squared off point,is "set in stone" for me,with my own Orpheus.....Nice cartridge,heh?
Best |
Bofh,with tail up too much I don't like the tonal quality I get.Down gives me a slightly deadened sound.I am "about" parallel to the LP(cartridge body),with an itty bitty tail up position.BTW,the azimuth is "incredibly" important with this cartridge.Absolutely SPOT on is mandatory!!Remember,my cartridge is not close to being broken in,so things will change....An amazing little device though!!
Best |
Frank,no secret method!I was loaned a Wallytractor,which looks to be supremely good at this,BUT what I do personally,is use my own set of reference LP's which I know "extremely well"!!This trumps any device,for me.I started out assuming the Wally would be required,but wound up using my ears,and my own set of set-up LP's!
Best. |
I have found(even on the Phantom)that whenever I adjust fluid level,the VTA AND VTF should be atended to as well.It's a sort of Rubics Cube combo,but not really hard to do.You MUST become very hands on,and play around alot!
Best. |
Hevac,some test records(I own the Telarc Omni-disc)may not allow for the distortion to "totally" go away.I know my Phantom,using my Omni-disc still exhibits a certain degree of distortion in one channel.I believe we want to shoot for least amount heard,if it cannot be totally eliminated.
What I do,is get familiar with the actual "volume" of the distortion,as well as how long the distortion lasts,timewise.I play the track over,quite a bit,to become familiar.
I voice my arm for lowest volume,and shortest duration of this distortion,but one can always go from "that" point using one's ear,as well as watching the cantilever trace a groove,when viewed from straight ahead(front of cartridge/arm).It should be as vertical as possible,from a frontal view,as a disc spins.
Good luck. |
Dr Steve,thanks for the thoughtful words. |
Hevac,I live on east coast,not Mass.I do love that state,though as I have fond memories of being a tennis instructor at a camp,years ago.Great Barrington.Gorgeous area back then.
Best. |
