Vinyl Asylum

• May not be the source of the problem but ... - Garth 00:05:03 09/09/06 (3)
  In Reply to: Wrong phonostage loading and distortions posted by livemusic on September 8, 2006 at 13:47:13:

  90ohm load impedance seems very high for a SPU which range from 1.2-6ohm source impedance.

  Change that 9K resistor to 1K.
  
  

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  • Agreed, and... - Doug Deacon 07:40:36 09/09/06 (2)
    In Reply to: May not be the source of the problem but ... posted by Garth on September 9, 2006 at 00:05:03:

    While changing to a more suitable input impedance may help, I'm also doubtful that's at the heart of the problem.

    Assuming this distortion doesn't happen on digital sources, I'd suspect some shortcoming in the phono stage. (The S&B's are not the culprit.) In particular, inadequate power supplies sound exactly as you describe.

    I found this comment in Bill Gaw's brief writeup on the Lancelot Camelot Pro,

    The unit is beautifully constructed, and compact, and, weighing only a few ounces, light enough to place right next to or on your turntable.

    A phono stage that weighs only a few ounces may lack the power supply reserves to avoid signal modulation on peak amplitudes.

    
    
    __________
    "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT
    
    

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    • Re: Agreed, and... - livemusic 10:57:37 09/09/06 (1)
      In Reply to: Agreed, and... posted by Doug Deacon on September 9, 2006 at 07:40:36:

      Thanks, Doug
      I'm afraid you're right and the weak power source (2 rechargeable batteries) may be the rout course and I have to start saving money for new phono stage. Recently I made some upgrades (SPU, better amplifier, arm upgrades), yielding among other much better dynamic. So may be the source does not have adequate peak power to comply with growinig demand... Otherwise, it is very nice sounding little unit, mounted directly on my TT back together with step-up, with the arm wires plugged directly into it.
      Can you recommend any replacement?
      
      

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      • "Can you recommend any replacement?" - Doug Deacon 15:31:26 09/09/06 (0)
        In Reply to: Re: Agreed, and... posted by livemusic on September 9, 2006 at 10:57:37:

        I don't know your budget, but check my system for the best phono/line preamp I've yet heard, at any price.

        I've A/B'd my $5K Alaap against:
        - Aesthetix Rhea/Calypso
        - c-j PV-11 + S&B TX-103's
        - Marc Levinson (forget model)
        - Lamm LP2 + LL2
        - Supratek Cortese (old style)
        - Supratek Grange (latest mods)
        - VAC Renaissance
        The VAC came pretty close and it's a nice unit, but it's double the price. The Grange has problems but it sounded reasonable. The others were out of their league compared to an Alaap, even though they all cost much more (except for the PV11/TX103).

        Other Alaap owners have switched from Klyne, Aesthetix Io/Callisto Signature, Vendetta Research and others.

        If a custom-built, reference caliber phono/line preamp for around $5-6K is what you're after, I can recommend this one. The builder makes each one to order and he's booked until early 2007. It's worth the wait.
        
        If that's more money than your system or budget can stand, I'd suggest posting a new thread. I jumped from the PV-11/TX-103's straight to the Alaap with no stops in between, so my experience in the $1-5K zone is nearly non-existent.
        
        
        __________
        "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT
        
        

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