Vinyl Asylum

Begs a Bigger Question...

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Ray-o-Stat

(A)

In Reply to: I, umm, tried one around 15 to 20 years ago ... posted by Jack Seaton on July 9, 2006 at 13:51:57:

How does one have a liking for the Koetsu Rosewood
AND the VdH Grasshopper?
I can't think of any other two cartridges that can possibly be any more different in sonic character!
I sense there may be a story?

cheers,
Close to the Edge, down by the river....
-Ray

Follow Ups:

Re: Begs a Bigger Question... - Jack Seaton 16:54:05 07/09/06 (6)
Yeah, I got into the Grasshopper at an incredible deal. Paul Weitzel of Tube Research Labs placed his order of a dozen specially made 'hoppers using 99.9999% pure Nippon copper coil wire and a different suspension compound, with a shorter cantilever, on a custom polymer frame. (He had homes for 11 units, but not 12, which was the minimum order) This particular Grasshopper was much different than the typical sterile, analytical Grasshopper.
These went on to become the "Copper Hopper", which probably because it did not have the traditional vdH sound, was discontinued.
Jack
- Re: Begs a Bigger Question... - Ray-o-Stat 19:30:46 07/09/06 (5)
  Jack,
  Very cool!
  I never heard of the copper hopper, but I'll bet it was sweet since it didn't have that torturous analytical sound that characterizes the VdH house cartridges.
  By the way, by chance are Paul Weitzel of Tube Research Labs (TRL) and Brian Weitzel of Record Research Labs (RRL) related?
  It sure would be a spooky coincidence if they weren't! :-)
  cheers,
  
  Close to the Edge, down by the river....
  
  -Ray
  - Yes, they are related. - Jack Seaton 20:07:20 07/09/06 (4)
    And they work together building amps, pre-amps and doing digital player mods. In 19 months, they did over 800 modified players, DAC's, or amp/pre-amp mods.
    I sure like their "house sound" and cleaners/components. Photo shown is their mammoth 4 chassis, (each 235 pounds each) GT-800 with seperate tube regulated supplies and 20 output tubes per channel, 96 tubes total. DAMN!
    Best wishes,
    Jack
    P.S. Keep an eye out for great news about RRL. I'm sworn to secrecy right now, but it is huge, and a good thing.
    - Re: Yes, they are related. - Ray-o-Stat 21:43:18 07/09/06 (3)
      Holy crap!
      That's a beauty of an amp.
      It is the coolest looking box 'o glass since the Carver Silver Seven!
      I'll keep a sharp eye out, or maybe I'll cheat and give Brian a call ;-)
      cheers,
      
      Close to the Edge, down by the river....
      
      -Ray
      - That photo is from a 1989 photo shoot for an audio magazine over in Japan - Jack Seaton 06:43:15 07/10/06 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Yes, they are related. posted by Ray-o-Stat on July 9, 2006 at 21:43:18:
        
        Here's the little GT-400, with 10 output tubes/chassis. I had the GT-200's ($19K), but sold them after hearing their new solid state line, that sounds like tubes.
        
        Re: ....new solid state line, that sounds like tubes. Sounds really interesting... - Ray-o-Stat 08:36:17 07/10/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: That photo is from a 1989 photo shoot for an audio magazine over in Japan posted by Jack Seaton on July 10, 2006 at 06:43:15:
        
        This is exactly the trait that has had me time and time again choose a Bob Carver design over any other for my Electrostats.
        Are these things stable and clean to 1 ohm?
        
        Close to the Edge, down by the river....
        
        -Ray
        
        Yes, they are. - Jack Seaton 09:22:56 07/10/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: ....new solid state line, that sounds like tubes. Sounds really interesting... posted by Ray-o-Stat on July 10, 2006 at 08:36:17:
        
        I think that they've sold some 550 watt amps to a Sound Lab owner. You may want to call Paul and ask him.
        TRL contact info (Open in New Window)

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