1) no the Doshi behaves very well at the top end
2) getting close to wanting to, it is usually just enough for my louder listening, but I have to use a hi watt amp (Van Alstine 600r)
it was great volume synergy before dropping to lower efficiency speakers
think we have the answer
the move to the .48mV is too high a drop in performance
deal with the volume issues another way |
thanks guys for the insights
here is what happened and why I was questioning my options
Do I choose more volume (but less resolution in the zyx) or higher output stage?
How much less of a cartridge is the .48? thanks for your comments and experiences
I didn't know just how big of a difference the .24 and .48 would be musically and really appreciate your insight. I love the resolving power of the .24, can't give that up
the more volume part of the equation is that the Salk Soundscape 10s are 84db efficient and I have to have my Doshi in the top several clicks to get sufficient driving volume where you really separate out things. It wasn't a problem till I switched to the lower efficiency speakers. The Doshi is a step down attenuator so it isn't clipping being near the top end of it's range.
In addition woofer pumping takes a lot of wattage away from the music and makes a hard load to drive
The cartridge is on a triplaner arm - I was fighting woofer pumping for a while. With help from Richard Gray locally, Doug Deacon, Mehran and Thom Mackris of Galibier we were able to isolate this with a feather test. A feather should be able to lift a properly functioning arm. The arm bearing wasn't working and so the cantilever was doing all the up down motion and causing subsonic woofer pumping and damage to the suspension.
Tri totally reworked my arm and all was well the last year. The pumping has returned but the arm is tracking correctly vertically.
I believe the cartridge issue is one of two things
The suspension has finally given way from all the arm rigidity abuse or I was not properly using my magic eraser, just barely lightly rubbing slowly from back to front (Richard Gray freaked out). He showed my how to dip the cartridge in the eraser a few times instead.
Universe II - tis tempting - ouch on the price. I've read all your reviews on it Doug and I listen to a broad range of music from the period piece chamber ensembles we both love so well, symphonies, acoustic jazz, rock, folk, everything really. Especially acoustic instruments in space. I play upright bass and my son is in several symphonic groups
Tell me more about Andy Kim. Does he work on ZYX?
Maybe the cartridge can be salvaged.
Perhaps sending this back to Mehran is in the cards |
I didn't know the thread was going to weave off into the amplifier end but should have anticipated it
1) I really wanted to go Atmasphere when I heard a friend's M60s - absolutely no grain
2) I found a deal on M1s and bought a pair with Zero Speltz
I should have realized this was a bad match
3) I tried to run the M1s with the Salks and it was clipping but sounded lush on warm acoustic music (think Norah Jones).
4) I bought a volume adjustable QSC 1,500 watt amp to bi-amp the bass freq by ear. Still too much load on the mid and high drivers
5) I bought a Van Alstine 600r 300 watt / 600 into 4 ohm
lots of authority with the Salks (Jim and Frank work together at shows). Robust bass sounds good, but not the Atmaphere musicality.
6)I am looking at Daedalus Ulysses
High efficiency cones not horn
96 db and very natural sounding
Many pair them with Atmaspheres
My Salk's are a museum piece - just beautiful craftsmanship
They are an engaging totally moving speaker and Jim is one of the most stand up guys in audio. I just really like what the Atmas can do
This is an example of thinking through every steep of upgrading and thankfully (if able to) not selling any pieces until you find the right synergy. Buying gear used at good prices and being willing to flip it at a slight loss |
Well the Ulysses are getting the V2 upgrade right now
I cant wait to hear this synergy
We swapped in another cartridge today and no woofer pumping, arm is tracking vertically just fine
Looks like I will need a repair or step up to Universe II
Thanks for all the insght
Tom |
Al - I'm having the V2 upgrades being done by Lou at the moment (I found a great deal on a used pair)
I will definitely look into the jumpers
I've been so enamored by the original Universe I can't imagine what a ii will do.
I recently did Thom Mackris' Galibier upgrades - armboard and new motor pod. Thom really nailed it with both of those, low level detail, tight focus, dead solid |
I will second that on Doug, Almarg and everyone in this thread
This is what I love about the online audio community
I heard what I needed to hear, the .46 mv isn't going to cut it and my course is moving in the high efficiency speaker / tube amp domain
choosing highly desireable pieces of gear can be an issue if they are not in a symbiotic synergy. Lesson learned.
thanks everyone
I plan to touch base with Mehran, we have been down this road before
All the best
Tom |
Swampwalker- i bought my Atmas 8 months ago and held onto them
because i heard what a pair of M60s did in my friend's system
Even tried to biamp the top with the Atmas
Doug - talked to Mehran, always a pleasure
generous exchange policy - I am upgrading to the ii. !!! |
swampwalker
I have Daedalus Ulysses on the way which are right getting Lou's V2 upgrade
I never get much sleep with all my hobbies
usually it's live music |
Al
love your room - that wood looks gorgeous with the Ulysses
I first heard the Daedalus in 2011 at RMAF
I went into that room to finally meet Thom. What a pleasure. We were chatting quietly in the back corner and I was amazed at how wonderfully the Ulysses filled the room and had a great tonal balance. As an upright player I was taken, as Esperanza Spaulding sounded like she was in the room |
Doug wrote
If you feel like taking the time, it would be instructive to hear how the UNI2 behaves with your Salk speakers. My guess (only that) is that it would slightly improve the perceived lack of dynamic headroom.
Doug will do
maybe I mislead everyone somewhat, I have headroom with the Van Alstine, just wanted to see if it was worth getting more as I was on the upper range of my Doshi volume knob. Hence the .24 vs .48 mv question
The Atmasphere will not work with low efficiency speakers
I will add in one piece at a time, most likely the ZYX will arrive first
perfect indoor fun for the hot summer that hasn't quite hit New Orleans yet
I cleaned 30 lps with my Kl Audio ultra sonic yesterday evening in preparation for the anointing
yes Mehran is the best! |
Hi everyone
Sorry for the delay, i had the cartridge setup done last week but had a system issue where I couldn't listen
The ZYX Universe ii is a significant step up which I wouldn't have thought of from the original Universe. Thanks Doug for moving me in that direction and Mehran as always for making things happen
The Uii has even more resolving body around instruments. The soundstage I have is even deeper. Highly resolving cartridges can take separate what appear to be congested elements of a recording and bring them out of the mix sometimes the detail actually is more distractive. With the Universe ii those parts are fully resolved but actually sound fully fleshed out and musical.
The woofer pumping is gone, as Doug Deacon suggested, the added ump from the low end impact is enhancing the volume and making that a non issue. Cant wait to have the cartridge fully broke in
A review with my latest two Galibier Thom Mackris upgrades and Universe ii jump is in order
Thanks everyone
The Daedalus Ulysses V2 are two weeks out and I will be bringing the Atmaphere MA1s back into the equation
Wow. My system is really coming together |
Okay
here is the really big update
I went with Daedalus Ulysses speakers, Thom Mackris' new motor pod, cloth belt and tone arm mount - scary what those added.
I recently lucked into a pair of Doshi Jhor monoblocks and the synergy between amp and speaker is finally there
thanks all for your help |
Doug - I lucked into the Daedalus used, made all my other interem purchases a little easier to take.
That HT setup sounds quite dominant and the 803s must sound great with the doshi / universe ii combo
I am so enjoying the pairing
The cloth belt makes the table movement practically zero.
With everything in harmony my deck is perfect
I dont have any volume issues from the .24mz and the detail and prat is there in spades |
I love it
Bat eared resolution |
precisely Robin, shall we up the RTA?
Alfred? |
