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I moved about a year ago and my system set idle for about 10 months (until I moved into my new house). I spent the first month (in my new house) tweaking the speaker placement and subwoofer(s) integration. During this process I noticed some very light grain in the top end.
I used to have my Amp(s) on platforms, which I didn't keep. That said, I went to Home Depot and bought two 18x18" granite floor tiles and stacked them and placed them on the carpet floor (concrete under the carpet) and placed my VS-110 amp on it. Major improvement, grain gone, clarity and imaging improved.
I also ordered a quad of Herbie's Tenderfoots for my CD Player as it has been a bit finicky. I will report back once I've auditioned them.
Thanks,
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
Follow Ups:
Buy some FAT MAT or HUSH MAT on Amazon and dampen the covers of you gear and more if you are proficient in such things like that. If not just the cover will make a difference.
Edits: 02/11/15 02/11/15
I've put two inch sidewalk blocks under my amp and cd player and that tightened up the sound and stabilized the images.
I also have my speaker cables six inches off the floor. I bought a maple board from a lumber yard. $25 for cuts and all.
I used Herbies Tenderfeet and I like them a lot. They do the job. You can put them wherever you like and they look good, in the bargain.
Thanks for your post. I'm a believer in eliminating vibrations, especially where tubes are involved. I couldn't find sidewalk blocks that were big enough, so a couple of 1/8th inch thick solid granite 18x18" floor tiles was the solution for me. I just might do the same for the CD Player and Pre and use tenderfeet in addition (if the Herbie's) help the CD Player.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
If you like to eliminate vibrations completely dampen the chassis I did so to my Rogue Audio Ares phono my Rogue Audio 99 Super Magnum and both power supply's the difference was instantly noticeably. I used HUSH MAT to dampen the chassis check it out. I bought it a my local Car Stereo store, Hush Mat is better than dynamat because it is thicker.
You'd see a marked improvement in the sound of your Ah! by opening it up and applying a bit of blue tac to caps, ICs, the bottom of the tray, replace the stock power cord with a decent one, damp the inside of the cheesy sheet metal the case is made from, and replace the line fuse with HiFi Tuning fuse (or other similar quality). Herbie feet are also recommended. Not sure if you have a 99 or a 4000, but either one will sound WAY better by killing all the resonances inside the snare drum-like case.
To my chagrin, my Ah! Tjoeb wasn't damped on the inside. That being the case, I bought a sheet of Stinger Audio "Roadkill" to do so. It is nice and weighty, yet thin. I will do it on one of my days off. I have enough to also treat my Bottlehead Pre.
I will hold off on the tender feet (Herbie's) to allow an audition before and after of both.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
While you're in there give serious thought to replacing that dime-store power cord with something better. In the meantime, have a look at the link attached. I have a buddy that bought a '99 about the same time I got mine, and he's been having some issues with the CD not reading properly. So I was hacking the net a few weeks ago looking for some info to help him with his issue and found that the old AH! sites were still up. The link next to the bottom of the page that says "AH! Tjoeb '99 further technical info" might be of particular interest. It's basically a set of repair instructions for practically anything that might go wrong with the unit. If you have interest in it I'd suggest you print a copy, as no telling how much longer it will exist. I suspect that my buddy's problem is gummed-up rails that the lens assmbly slides in and out on, but he's too lazy to actually take the thing apart and find out. Anyway, I still have my '99 as a backup. Still works perfectly and sounds way better than it should.Mike
Edits: 01/26/15
Before and after pictures...I used Stinger Audio Roadkill. It sure added heft/weight to the unit.
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
After
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
The lid/cover:
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
The tubes:
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
I just listened to Donald Fagen's Nitefly and then Steely Dan's Katy Lied. The first thing that I noted was how tight and proper the bass was. The more I listened the more obvious it was that everything was better and fuller sounding. The noise floor also seemed to have improved, i.e., blacker.
Why did I wait so long to do this? Because I truly thought it was treated already. I will listen some more tomorrow with the Herbie's.
Next up will be treating the Bottlehead.
Still am amazed at the difference. The AH Tjoeb sounded great before, now it's in a new league.
Thank you Mike for the great link and suggestions. At some point I will set it up with a proper IEC power cord receptacle and upgraded cord.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
I never bothered getting that fancy with mine. No real point I could see putting an IEC inlet on it. Bare-end connection to those spring-loaded connectors on the board works fine. In fact, it probably works better since you have fewer connections. I used one of Chris VenHaus's power cord recipe's. His Flavor #3 as I recall. I did spring for an Oyaide C-079 connector on the wall end though.
Okay, it's been enough time and listening sessions to unequivocally say the project was a complete success. The clarity, fullness, soundstage is amazing. As noted before, the bass is so much faster, not mentioned is how well female vocals are now, be it Ella, Fiona, Billy, not a hint of sibilance when pushed hard.
Classical music instrument placement is scary accurate, I can feel/hear the air (again). Kind of hard to explain.
Bottom line, for less than $100.00 it turned an excellent Tube CDP into a world class unit.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
It started (CDP) skipping ever so slightly yesterday, I had some dampening material left over and placed two sheets under the CDP and so far no issues. Part of my problem is the proximity of one of my subwoofers to it. That being the case, I will next work on the subwoofer isolation by making a subdude for it (if I get anymore skipping).
I still am amazed how well treating the inside of the AH! Tjoeb improved its clarity and sound, more so than the Herbie's.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
Mike:
I call it good Karma, fate, divine intervention on my end as I have good clean power, had skipping and tracking issues. I would have left well enough alone sans the aforementioned issues. The results sonically are impressive and I don't mind going through a bit of Hedonistic Adaptation as the bar was raised.
One of the listed "experiments" on the AH! Link was to dampen the chassis and case.
Thanks,
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
Hi Mike:
Thanks for the info and link. I wasn't daunted by the prospect of opening her up, now a little. Never having looked at the screws holding it together, I assumed they would be Phillips, not torx type. I will need to get the proper torx screwdriver. In the meantime, I will use the Herbie's to see how well they do.
I already have it upgraded to Siemens e288cc's, digital out (I don't use), and some other things that Kevin Deal ordered for it.
Thanks,
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
Thanks for the suggestions. It is a 99 with mods, NOS E188CC's, upgraded caps and beefed up power supply. I also believe some dynamat used to damp it on the inside. It is a fine unit. I agree, the cabinet is a bit cheesy, otherwise a nice sounding player.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
Bang for buck as the measure, the 99 was a tremendous bargain. Once I tamed its resonance issues and fitted it with a better PC, it kept me a happy camper for over 12 years. So happy with it, that when time to upgrade I bought Herman's latest design, the Primaluna CD. The Primaluna is another huge bargain on the bang for buck scale.
I will definitely check out the Primaluna. Yes, the 99 is a great value especially with some already noted modifications.
Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II Preamp
Magnepan 2.5R's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Troeb Tube CD player
MaggieMate X/O's from subs to 2.5R's
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