spelly

Responses from spelly

Dynavector XX-2 MkII, riding too low?
I just took cart off the arm and measured it with my calipers.  Best I can tell, diamond is about 2mm below cartridge body.   Once tracking force is applied, that distance is less.  So yeah.....less than 2mm clearance when record is playing.1/8 in... 
Is a jelco sa750e low mass or high mass ?
Using Jelco 750E + Denon 103R w/ Soundsmith level 2 retip.  Sounds fantastic! 
Thoughts on best budget phono pre-amp under $400?
In the lower price arena I have owned the Nighthawk, Parks Audio Budgie, and Vista Audio.  I prefer the Parks and Vista to the Nighthawk.   More musical, less analytical.  Both are right at your budget, and IMO both perform way beyond their price ... 
THE LITTLE BLACK BOX, 399.00 ABSOLUTLY NUTS
Why not just use a decent quality adapter, female RCA to male XLR ?Saves you the cost (and sonic degradation?) of another IC from junction box to phono preamp.Here's a pair by Cardas, shipped for under $120:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cardas-Audio-Fe... 
Benz Refs stripped screw hole
IIRC, the Benz is a wood body.......(1)   Make a paste w/ some sawdust + wood glue(2)   fill in the stripped hole(3)   when it dries, drill a hole with drill bit that is SLIGHTLY SMALLER DIAMETER THAN SCREW!!The hole will kindof self-tap when you ... 
Next step up from the Dynavector 20x2 for more bass?
I've used both the HO and LO versions of the 20X on my several arms -- Kuzma Stogi ’s’, Kuzma Stogi Reference, Linn Ittok, OL Encounter, Rega RB300 -- and the bass response was excellent in all cases. Tables are Townshend Rock 3 and Eurolab Premie... 
Looking for a new cartridge- Dynavector Karat 17D3 or Sumiko Blackbird
@krelldog .......Unless their websites are wrong, the following vendors all sell the LO Blackbird: Music Direct, Audio Advisor, Needle Doctor. 
Best cart. for a Origin Conqueror MK3C arm?
Cartridge Man Music Maker 3 (w/ Soundsmith ruby / LC retip) sounds fantastic on my OL Encounter Mk3c. Prefer it to my Dynavector xx2-mk2. Dunno that it’s an overall better cart, just better synergy with the Encounter (or with my JuicyMusic Tercel ... 
Grado cartridges still worth the money?
Not exactly a Grado, but my Cartridge Man Music Maker 3 (with Soundsmith ruby/contact line retip) is incredible in my OL Encounter mk3C / Townshend Rock 3 setup. It beat a Dynavector xx2 Mk2 in this setup. Not claiming the MM is a "better" cart ov... 
Help with Rega tonearm
Pics and description of various Rega models here:https://www.vinylengine.com/a-guide-rega-tonearms.shtml 
Turntable help
Lewm -- I read it to mean he's changing his cartridge as a completely separate issue, and while there, he'll ask his tech about the locking problem.   Not that he expects the cartridge change to solve the problem. But I could be wrong...... 
Turntable help
Sounds like maybe there is a misalignment between arm tube and arm rest? If so, adjusting the height of the arm rest, or the height of the arm lift,  should fix it. Hard to visualize without pics, or knowing the arm model (at a minimum). 
New Ikea storage unit great for LP's!
@bdp24 .......where do you get a 25 cube unit (5x5) for $199?! 
Help with MC Cartridge Recommendation to Swap from Ortofon 2M Black MM
If it’s a Level 2 SS retip in great shape that’s a really nice price. If it mates well with your setup, you are in for a treat! I use the re-tipped 20XH on my Townshend Rock 3 / Ittok setup (into a Juicy Music phono stage) and it is spectacular --... 
New Townshend Rock 7 owner
smctigue1......not sure what you mean by "leach". If you mean that the trough leaks, definitely not! If you mean the goop kindof "evaporates" -- as in the level seems to get lower over time -- maybe. But the process is VERY slow. I need to top off...