biodigitaljazz Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Probably, I wanted to try it because I'd never tried any Emotiva product and its not a brand that gets much coverage in the UK but on balance I much prefer the Cambridge 651, the Emotiva is a bit flat in comparison. I'm glad I tried it though otherwise it would have been a question I'd have never been able to answer. Hey, sounds good to me. Holding it in my hand I thought it was a fantastic little piece of equipment and it worked well for my first pre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freki Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Curious if anyone else has had this problem... A record will be spinning and everything will be sounding great, and then all of a sudden I'll get an instantaneous and dramatic drop in sound quality – static, noise, volume drop – something is obviously very wrong. However, all I need to do then is lift the tonearm and drop it again, and then things are back to normal. I can go for hours of listening without this happening, and then bam, out of nowhere. Same fix every time, although the length between occurrences can be minutes or hours. The table is a brand new RP1 w/ Rega Bias cart. Bias selector is set to about 1.5 (tough to find definitive info if this is correct). Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliminator Jr. Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Have you been checking for dust on the needle? Would be the most reasonable explanation to me, since it can cause the drop in sound quality you described, easily flips off by lifting the tone arm and heavily depends on how dusty your records are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freki Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Have you been checking for dust on the needle? Would be the most reasonable explanation to me, since it can cause the drop in sound quality you described, easily flips off by lifting the tone arm and heavily depends on how dusty your records are. That could be it, but I never had this with my previous TT. I typically run an anti-static brush over the record before playing, but maybe the Rega stylus is more sensitive. Will look into this. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Does anyone have a Music Hall A15.3 amp? I'm looking to upgrade and this caught my eye. Like/hate, look for something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 That could be it, but I never had this with my previous TT. I typically run an anti-static brush over the record before playing, but maybe the Rega stylus is more sensitive. Will look into this. Thanks. If the Rega stylus is elliptical and your previous was conical then it will be going into the groove differently and bringing out the crap your previous one couldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raye Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Has anyone here upgraded an Ortofon 2m Red stylus with the 2m Blue? If so, how easy/hard was the switchover (I have zero experience replacing cartridges and/or styli), and how would you describe the difference in sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arem Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 It takes 30 seconds to switch them, the old stylus slides out and the new one slides right into place, no need to re-align or anything like that. The biggest difference is that the Blue has none of the sibilance problems that seem to plague the Red. It also has sweeter high end and better soundstage IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raye Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Awesome, thanks. Does the Blue sound any brighter than the Red? I'm hoping not, as the Red can be entirely too bright at times. I'm really looking for a more dynamic, responsive cart with low sibilance and good lower end snap. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Narrowing my search for a new integrated amp down to a Music Hall A15.3 and a Yamaha A-S500BL. The Music Hall has some great reviews, but lacks the ability to change the bass and tremble (not a huge deal) but it $150 more. I've always liked Yamaha's stuff a lot, have a cheaper receiver of theirs now that sounds decent. Anyone have either? Which would you pick? I don't really need the phono stages in either, since I have a Schitt Mani that supports MM/MC while both those only seem to support MM (debating upgrading to a Denon 110 in the near future). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I'd buy the cheaper amp and put that $150 toward the Denon DL-110. Just my opinion as I like Yamaha amps and Denon cartridges. I have never heard the Music Hall, and I used to own an A-S700 so take it for what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 That does seem the most logical, and as I said, I like the cheap receiver I have of theirs. It looks like I'll go that route. Thanks! Did you like the A-S700? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 I did, but as I upgraded the parts around it, it started to show where it belonged in the pecking order, so I moved on. I sold it to a friend who is still enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsilence Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 I had an A-S500 and the sound was pretty good for the price, but the preamp was pretty lackluster. It didn't take me long until I bought a Cambridge 651p to pair with it and made a huge improvement. How much are you looking to spend on it? I was able to find a great condition Brio-R for only $150 more than I sold my used A-S500 for, and then sold my 651p for enough that I made money stepping up to the Brio - and holy shit was it was an incredible step up. Can't speak on the A-S700 but I'd suggest keeping your eyes open for a good deal on a used integrated that's a step up (like the Rega Brio, or I almost pulled the trigger on a Cambridge 651a and Creek 50 for reasonable prices too until I finally found a Brio). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 $500-600 is the maximum I can spend on a new integrated right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsilence Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Does it need to be integrated since you have the Schiit or are you looking to sell that after? A bit confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Does not need to be integrated, meant to just say amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsilence Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 A few to consider http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649210176-cambridge-audio-azur-840a-v2-integrated-amp/ http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649204614-creek-evolution-50a-integrated-line-amplifier-50-wpc/ http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649110844-music_hall_a153_remote_integrated_amp_with_phono_stageb/ And I prefer canuck audio Mart if the seller will ship to you; usually a better selection of UK brands and right now the exchange rate is very favorable. http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649211387-cambridge-a-640-amp-amp-t-340-tuner/ http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649195360-audiolab-integrated-amplifier-8200a-demo-silv http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649200367-rega-brior-black-demo/ The demo Brio for $610 USD is a pretty good deal if they will ship to US, I really do love mine. Granted, I have a Rega P3 ao I'm a bit biased in the pairing I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsilence Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 And don't count out you may love the integrated pre enough that you could sell the Schiit like I did with my 651p to make it even more affordable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 I always forget that site exists, I'll look into them. I'm always a little apprehensive about buying used stuff and spending that much on it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsilence Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 See it's the opposite for me, I'm more comfortable buying expensive stuff used than I am cheap stuff. Someone who can afford a $1k piece of audio equipment and taking the time to sell on an audio-exclusive website tend to take great care of their stuff, and selling because they bought something better. My experience with audiomart and audiogon are generally helpful people that are excited to see their beloved equipment go to someone else who is excited to upgrade to it, just as they once were. And think of it this way, as long as you pay with PayPal you're pretty damn protected if something is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney Crosley Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 See it's the opposite for me, I'm more comfortable buying expensive stuff used than I am cheap stuff. Someone who can afford a $1k piece of audio equipment and taking the time to sell on an audio-exclusive website tend to take great care of their stuff, and selling because they bought something better. My experience with audiomart and audiogon are generally helpful people that are excited to see their beloved equipment go to someone else who is excited to upgrade to it, just as they once were. And think of it this way, as long as you pay with PayPal you're pretty damn protected if something is wrong. I would have to agree with you - I've bought expensive and cheap stuff, and I found especially with the more expensive stuff, it's ridiculously well taken care of - not that the cheap stuff is poorly managed, but I bought a 5-6 year old amp that was already with it's second owner, and when I got it it was in pristine condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 All fair points, and I'll certainly look into it. I'm down for the discount on second hand stuff for sure. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 See it's the opposite for me, I'm more comfortable buying expensive stuff used than I am cheap stuff. Someone who can afford a $1k piece of audio equipment and taking the time to sell on an audio-exclusive website tend to take great care of their stuff, and selling because they bought something better. This has generally been my experience but it doesn't always hold true, things like turntables becasue they are still perceived by many as superseded can be treated very badly no matter how expensive. for instance I found an Ariston RD11 turntable with an SME309 arm on a rubbish tip once, that's a very expensive and high end combination to just throw away, it had obviously been kept somewhere damp as the veneer was lifting and the base board was warped but with a little cleaning and minor servicing it still functions perfectly and sounds superb, I'm not sure which is most impressive, the build quality that allowed this thing to survive or the stupidity that got it there in the first place. There is also the Linn LP12 I was offered that had followed a divorcing man out of his house only the turntable had left the house via an upstairs window, suffice to say that didn't look well cared for. But yes in general a pretty safe rule and generally easy to spot a bad piece of high end equipment or seller and you can soon tell when you listen to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 The demo Brio for $610 USD is a pretty good deal if they will ship to US, I really do love mine. Granted, I have a Rega P3 ao I'm a bit biased in the pairing I'm sure. All Rega equipment is very musical sounding and always a good bet against pretty much anything with Asian origins, and it's a Brio with a built in phono stage which I'll wager will give your off-board one a run for it's money as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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