bjorn

I don't think there's anything weak in your system. But I don't miss my AT-440mla cart; I like the Denon DL-110/160 and Nagaoka MP-200 quite a bit more since they were smoother and more neutral in sound, but that's just based on my experience with my components. My AT cart was prone to hum and really wasn't as great a tracker as it was made out to be.

Grabbed a used iFi iPhono off Canuck Audio Mart. $260 shipped. The exchange rate definitely helped. So far I can hear a subtle bump in sound quality over the internal preamp in my Rotel, but I've only messed with it for a bit. If nothing else, I love that I can make adjustments to better match my cart.

Because my copy of the last Bon Iver record was bad to the point that the MP3's sounded significantly better (and this is a common complaint for that record). They are going to press a zillion of these in a hurry, which tends to mean getting a clean-sounding copy might be a challenge. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

I want to be excited, but I have a feeling the pressing quality will be a disaster, in which case we'd all be better off buying the CD. I hope I'm wrong.

^Nice. Thoughts on the Budgie? Have you compared it to any other preamps?

I've got something for you Intronaut fans! Leftover poster from their show last night are up in my shop now: Available here!

Nirvana and REM sold! Marriages pending.

I had a Dual with a similar issue. The problem was with a terminal inside the case where the tonearm wires connect with the RCA cords. There was grease oozing into it. That could be your problem. Open it up and clean those connections and you should be able to fix it.

bump

Thanks! Nada Surf - Stars... is sold.

Everything is in nice shape, please ask if you have questions about anything in particular. $4 shipping in the US. Feel free to make offers, especially if you want multiple records. Thanks! Across Tundras - Sage (brownish mix) $15 Anathema - Distant Satellites $18 Anne - Pulling Chain (blue/black/white burst) $10 Birthmark - Antibodies (white) $10 Blueneck - Repetitions $18 Caspian - You Are The Conductor / The Four Trees (silver) $60 Cloakroom - Infinity (white) $15 Cloakroom - Further Out $15 Cult of Luna - Somewhere Along The Highway (original pressing) $50 Cult of Luna / The Old Wind - Raangest (black/clear) $30 Deafheaven - Roads to Judah (red) $15 East of the Wall - The Apologist (black/gold) $20 False - Untitled (2xLP / maroon) $25 Gifts From Enola - A Healthy Fear (yellow with blue haze) $18 Graves at Sea - Documents of Grief $15 Helmet - Strap it On $10 Her Name Is Calla - The Long Grass $14 Infinite Light Ldt. - self titled (clear) $16 Iron And Wine - Kiss Eachother Clean $40 Jeniferever - Nangijala (blue) $20 Katatonia - Dethroned and Uncrowned $25 Mares of Thrace - The Pilgrimage (red) $12 Marriages - Salome $16 Morne - Shadows (grey) $12 Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift $20 Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy $15 The National - High Violet (sealed) $20 Nirvana - Nervemind: The Singles 4x10" $45 Oozing Wound - Earth Suck $14 Pinkish Black - Razed to the Ground $12 REM - Chronic Town $12 Secrets of the Sky - Pathway $14 TW Walsh - Songs of Pain and Leisure (record club / blue with milky clear) $20 Terminal Sound System - A Sun Spinning Backwards $25 Twigs and Yarn - The Language of Flowers (white) $15 Whirr - Around (clear/black) $15 Whirr - Pipe Dreams $12 Wovenhand - the Laughing Stalk $15 Olafur Arnalds - ...and they have escaped the wight of darkness $20 Posters These are all 18"x24" screen prints on nice card stock, signed and numbered. Drawn and printed by me. Normally I sell these for $20 each plus $6 shipping but I'll make you a deal. Prices include US shipping. 1 for $20, 2 for $35, 3 for $45, 4 for $55

First, I'm jealous of your MP-500, I loved my 200 when I had it, it just seems to have a perfect tonal balance. Secondly, can you describe how your bass traps improved your sound? I have wood floors and a bunch of wooden doors in my room and I think I can improve my bass with some treatment, but I'm not even sure what I'm listening for.

Not technically a purchase since it was given to me, though I did splurge on a new stylus for it. This will stay next to my drafting table in my studio.

Exactly! I'm making my own brush handle with some scrap wood. Easy, I'll post some pics when I'm done sanding it.

Got mine yesterday. I wanted it to blow my face off when I turned it up but, eh... Not a fan of the production sadly. I'll try again now.

I ordered the deluxe without even hearing any of it. A couple listens in and I'm stunned by how beautiful it is. This may very well top In Rainbows for me. I love more ambient, orchestral approach.

Thank you!

I helped a student set up an LP120 once. I didn't get a chance to hear it but it seemed like a thoroughly capable turntable. For the price I think it's worth considering, though I'd probably lean toward a Uturn. That article is whack though.

Anyone interested in a Kurt Vile poster? I drew and screen printed these for his show at Cain's Ballroom last night. This poster features three colors (including two split fountains), measures 18"x24", and is printed on French DuroTone Butcher 100# cover stock. The edition is split into two variants, 45 on blue and 30 in gold tones. They're on sale for $20, or $35 for both colors: http://bjornbauerart.storenvy.com/collections/257704-gigposters/products/16511346-kurt-vile-w-purling-hiss-solo

Cool. Can you elaborate on "not subtle"? I'm using the pre in my amp as well and keep going back and forth on whether to upgrade to something else. Are there some specific sound characteristics that are improved?

I snagged a lightly used Denon DL-160 off ebay today. I overpaid a little but they have been going for more. I have fond memories of a DL-110 I used to have and I've been wanting to try a 160 ever since. I'm curious how it will compare to the Ortofon Mojo I'm using now.

Though my white copy is less than perfect it's still enjoyable for the most part, certainly nothing out of the ordinary or a deal breaker. I cleaned my copy on an RCM and played it on a Music Hall mmf 7.1 through nice headphones/speakers.

The first time I heard that Phantom Bride solo I was pretty shocked, I'd forgotten the whole Cantrell guest spot, but once I remembered it made sense. I like it, and the closing bit with the heavier riff, oh man...

I kind of wish I had gone for the black but I cheaped out. My white copy is OK overall but there is obvious distortion in the first chorus of Prayers/Triangles and keeps popping up throughout the album, though not bad enough to ruin it. I ran it through my RCM but it seems to be permanent. Like every record they've done since White Pony, there are a handful of tracks I think are just OK. On this one it's pretty much the whole C side. I don't hate it but that's where it would have been more interesting to throw in something weird, maybe something slower and trippier. My favorite moment on KNY is Rosemary, I just love the slow, grinding pace of that song, would have loved to see them build on that idea. I also think the production is a missed opportunity to do something more unique. That being said, I think there are a ton of great ideas on this record. I love Acid Hologram. And yeah, Phantom Bride is amazing.

I got my white and gold Salvation and Highway records today, they are beautiful! Highway especially, the gold foil makes total sense with the theme and the booklet is really nicely done. I'm bummed that Salvation doesn't have a booklet, just a basic insert. Maybe they didn't have anything from that period but it would have been cool to see some additional photography.