scott0527

Thanks Scott. I set the tracking force with a digital gage, pretty cut and dry, and yes I have the extra rider weight. I was a aware about the Right Angle positioning, but not about the location of the bias weight. System still sounds killer, but I'm getting ready kill the power. Will be doing some heavy duty extended listening tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. Will post a couple of pic's tomorrow. Didn't know you were into vinyl too. Cheers, I'm finishing up a little wine, then it's nighty night. Gilbert, I've got lots of vintage turntables. Listening to the 124 SME/3009, Blueberry/pCAT combo right now as a matter of fact. I'vegot the lowly Denon 103 cartridge. It's darn good for what it costs. One of these days, I'm going to get an SPU to try out. Have a great weekend of listening.

My name isn't Allan but I can tell you that each groove represents 1/2 gram with the groove closest to the pivot point being the starting point. So if you're tracking at 4 grams, you should be out on the 8th groove out from the pivot point. Also, when the tonearm is in the runout groove, the little wire hanger should be at a right angle to the tonearm. How are you setting the tracking weight? That can be confusing. I assume you have the extra rider weight to be able to hit 4 grams.

Greg, Do those woofers have the orange(or is it red) surrounds? I have a pair of H700's(Heresy 1) where the owner put newer Klipsch woofers in them and I always wanted to restore them back to original. I could be up for a trade if they do. They're stored for the moment but I can see exactly what I have in them later tonight.

I think Bill has nailed it. If it were Judy Klipsch, I buy them. She's kind of hot.

Sounds like my kind of movie.... "Follow an aimless college grad who pursues his dream girl at a wild Labor Day weekend party. He, his twin sister and their best friend struggle with their burgeoning adulthood over the course of the night."

Your's might not have included a cartridge? His quote included a $400 Dynavector.

What movie? I missed that conversation.

I don't think the Linn Axis is all that hard to set up. It was a more basic version of Linn LP12. I think it had a more solid, rubber suspension, not adjustable like the LP12. In fact other than setting up the tonearm, I don't think there is any further tweakery needed. Allan used to have one, if he sees this I'm sure he'll post more definitive answer. Edit: I was right. Here's a review.... http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/linnaxistt.html

Barry, Is that old Linn sitting on a VPI box? How are you liking the VPI? I had an early Scout for a few months that never quite grabbed me. Sounded like my CD player.

Yea Duke, a nice set of rack handles, in lieu of a wood cabinet, would look about right on this Blueberry.

Mark, Most metal chassis'ed preamps I have seen, the metal top,sides and bottom mate up flush with the front panel in some form or fashion. Look at a Krell website or other hi-fi preamplifier or cd player for that matter. Now these preamps aren't meant to ever be put into a wood cabinet so their outer enclosures meet close to flush with their front panels. Your design looks more like a McIntosh preamp or old Marantz 7. Those preamps were meant to slide into a case or console. I also think a Marantz 7 or a McIntosh preamp look unfinished when not sitting in a cabinet even though some people display them that way. Looking good though. I'll be anxious to see the new cabinets.

I think Mark should design a wood case ala the old Marantz or McIntosh units, so those that want a wood case, can buy the optional case and slide this piece in through the front. Then he could do away with the "classic" version and produce just one type of Blueberry. Just thinking out loud. I like the unit from the front, however I don't think it looks "finished", the way the face plate extends beyond the cabinet dimensions. Maybe that's in the works already. I know Mark also mentioned and all silver faceplate was in the works, which could be sharp.

It's always best to keep turntable cable runs as short as possible. If you do find moving the turntable solves your problem, then think about how to keep that turntable closer that 6 feet or so to your preamp.

The Klipsch Owners Manual for Reference Series Speakers says "some speakers are equipped with two pairs of terminals for bi-wire connections and enhanced performance". I know if I were making speakers, I'd make them with bi-wre connections. Why lose half of your potential market? A lot of speaker buyers believe in that stuff.

"They look better than the Mk.III's, and if you believe the marketing, they have the output trans stacked with some magical steel laminations that miraculously transforms the A431's into a high-end output." Believe the marketing? Craig has marketing?

Wow almost three inches taller.... I would have lost that bet! Did they use thicker MDF as well? I think, like Craig said, the HIII now comes with the riser as standard. Whereas before it was optional. This might be what's accounting for the extra 3" in hieght.

Given your description, I think $600 was a really fair offer. Maybe more than fair.

That first kid is like a hobby. The second becomes a job.

I did mention that they were rather large[]

Must be deep pocketed Dukes of Hazzard fans in the world. $2,300,000 and counting for the old General Lee. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Charger-Charger-R-T-The-General-Lee-by-Bo-Duke-himself-John-Schneider_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6199QQihZ015QQitemZ250108256198QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQtcZphoto

Cool turntable but all wrapped up in the "oh so 1980ish" woodwork. I'll take the little Benny Miracord you picked up for me Thebes(or and EMT 927).

What about 'em?

Cream or No Cream?

Sme 3009 cables are often very "buggered" up so with out some pictures, it might be hard to tell what you have going on. Typically, there is a 8 to 12" ground cable coming off the harness ground terminal that is supposed to be attached to the turntable chassis. Did you try NOT hooking this ground cable to the chassis? Just let it lay loose. This is the first and easiest thing to try. I've had other SME 3009 harnesses that required sliding the rca connectors in and out of the preamp just a bit to get it just right. The best thing I ever did was buy the RCA upgrade kit for all my vintage 3009 tonearms. Seller on Ebay has them for around $50. Eliminated all hum and cable hassles for me.

Are you using thethe stock, 3009 cables and connectors? Those things are horrible, they almost always go bad. You might try remoiving the chassis ground all together. Just run the ground from tonearm to the BBX. Wish I had more time to think about it but I've gotta run to a birthday party!