TheEvan

Gilbert, whacha going to do to it? Do you mean "go through" as in replace caps, clean the controls and contacts and such? I'd like to do the same with mine. If you have success, I'd like to ride your coattails, if you don't mind sharing the tech with me. If you find one...

Quite right. You want the Ravel orchestration. It is what you think of when you think of this piece. If you heard the Stokowski you'd be thinking 'hey that sounds a bit like Picture...I wonder what it is?' Then again, Mussorgsky's original work, as written for piano, is wonderful as is. Strangely, I've heard a reduction of the Ravel orchestration for two pianos. [8-)]

"Original"?? LOL! Another, slightly less weird & bombastic version, is Kazuhito Yamashita's amazing arrangement for guitar. For "big" sonics, the old Telarc issue is fun and the interpretation is at least livable.

There's DD and there's DD. The power switch on my Technics SP10 finally crapped out. While it's out for repair I did the same...went ebaying for something to spin vinly in its absence. I ended up with a very pretty Technics MA1...near their top of the line for consumer decks. Nice, but the sound is a bit flat and "diffuse" compared to lively and rock solid sound out of the Beast (SP10). I can't figure the difference, though some of it doubtless is the arm. But I've tried 3 carts in the MA1 and it produces the same family of sound regardless. I didn't have much comparison to the SP10, but I owned both it and a Rega p3 for many years. The SP10 always walked all over the Rega, if that gives you an idea.

Oh, the 555 is safe, but I agree that it's not the best combo with K-horns. It'll do until you change up. As others have suggested, you can do better for fairly cheap. Year? Any. Any but recent examples will need some upgrading in the crossover. Abused examples may need a bit more (diaphrams, etc). After that, you're pretty much as good as new. A nice sized room like yours will come alive with Khorns. I don't think you quite realize how great it will be. What is your listening preference? Music style.

The center speaker is needed to fill the hole in the stereo image on a wide array like is being discussed here. Mine are 20' apart. I can still get a solid stereo image, but the sweet spot seems small at that distance. The center speaker setup I heard moved the musicians toward the center, made them far more palpable, while not collapsing the stereo image. It made the sweet spot very wide.

No expert here, but won't matching levels between Cornwalls & 901s be something of a feat considering the huge difference in their sensitivities? The 901s appreciate all the grunt you can throw at them whereas the Cornies like a quality amp but can do with far less power. Different amps for each would seem to make some sense...

Ooooh-ooooh, get the Sophia! You'll need to get a phono preamp to run your TT, but there are several nice sub-$200 options out there.

I'm parousing the Saturday site. That Arcam D75A+ looks like a sweetie and would work great. a nice step up in sound from the Sony, I'd wager.

I listen mostly to classical music. Wait till you hear a good recording of the Mahler 3 on Klipschorns!

The sumiko p-mount turned out to be pretty good. Marvel already has the AT that was on this table, and all parties are happy in one way or another. I'm going to drop my SP10 at a place in Dallas for repair on my way though to Kansas later this summer. After it's repaired I might even keep the M1. Or at least pass it on to my son...

I've been searching for a new Mahler 3rd on CD to go with my CSO/Levine on vinyl. I've heard both acclaim and controversy about Zander's approach...which involves a more literal approach to the score, which produces wilder contrasts and greater dynamic range. I rolled the dice on the 1st & 3rd. Each one has a bonus CD with Zander lecturing at length on the respective symphony. In short, I love 'em, especially the 3rd. The 1st is a gas, but the recording sounds a bit muddled. The 3rd is an absolute knockout performance and the sonics are wonderful. My only quibble is with the overly tight and emphasized orchestral bass drum that is a Telarc signature. I dunno...I've never heard it like that in a hall. That aside, the recording is glorious and has what I think must be the greatest dynamic range ever recorded. Recommended. Anybody else try any Zander Mahler?

Marvel, when I come up with a good replacement for the Audio Technica currently on this rig, you're welcome to it, free of course. I'll ressurrect this thread when I'm ready & we'll set up the deal.

There's a NOS Sumiko Andante p-mount on the 'bay I'll try to snap up at a decent price. If it's blah I'll probably try a Grado or the X1-MC. Thanks, you two.

Did a search and there is no adapter for the 440. Not much available in the P-mount sector. Some good choices seem to be Ortofon X1-MC, Grado Prestige Blue or Red. Any opinions y'all?

Picked up one of these off of the 'Bay so I'd have a plug-&-play whist my SP10 is off for repairs. It is surprisingly nice and sound surprisingly nice.. It's got an AT model "V" p-mount on it. I suspect I'd get a nicer sound if I copped the 440mla off of my SP10, but I think I'll need an adapter to do the p-mount thing. Anybody seen-heard? Here's the auction. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190226739611&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

I've got a copy. Nice recording & performance. Typical in-your-face Mercury sound but with good tonality.

Say Bill, I'm trying to get up to Wichita & Greensburg this summer to visit my sis, friends & the old family farm. If you're around and our schedules mesh, could I impose on your hospitality and hear your Jube setup?

I did a Youtube search. He is certainly quite a player, mostly (but not exclusively) in a blues vein. Very enjoyable. I'm scratching my head over the Segovia/classical connection, though. (I'm a classical guitarist)

You'll also need an armed guard.

How can I find them, zuzu? I tried Google but could come up with nothing.

Plug/unplug was my first try. Nope. Thanks for the link. I'll report back...

Daggummit, my bulletproof SP10 must've just taken a silver bullet. It's been running for a week or two and I didn't notice it. So sue me. Obviously, it needs a new switch. Unfortunately, it's a push-on, push-off type and probably not sitting in a stanard parts bin. Does anybody know where old Technics parts can be obtained?

I just tuck the extra cord in my clothes. Sometimes you'll be glad to have the extra length. I, like you, haven't used an IEM, but this suits me very well. It's mah-velous for travel...

A decent and attractive TT. I'd guess 2-400 on value. The arm, though, is worth that and more.