Analog – Concordia Mastering

SG Hifi Show : Tien Audio

Giussani Research Delta Butterfly One

Guissani Research’s Delta Butterfly One. An ultra full range speakers in a large book shelf format. With the bass drivers firing from the sides and easy to drive, it’s effortless power protection of utmost musical coherence

I would liken it to a very intricate speakers where it can pick up the secondary and third layer of mix easily. With ample bass representation and unique design of the Butterfly, coupled with firing power of the Jeff Rowland Model 10 and Mark Levinson Pre 320s, it makes very comfortable listening experience. This is a big book shelf speakers that does not have a bookshelf sound! Immediately, i was drawn into the music.

Available in Singapore and the region via Audiosound.biz !!!

Forbidden Fruit – The Records

Spinning the records, listen to analog recordings, ahhhhh heavenly.

Changing Phono Cartridge

The mere thought of changing phono cartridge brings shudder to my mind. It’s like changing guitar strings and possibly more delicate. You need to be in the mood to change cartridge, the stars and the moon must align as well as in an air-conditioned room. You might be sweating over the entire process.

One thing i do not like about Rega is the fragile soldering and clipwire of the leads. It is literally like preparing for a critical operations. You need the right tools (i.e noose pliers, toothpicks, bright light and steady hand)

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Yes, you need to do the difficult while it is easy. And the reward is great sound with utmost concentration during the entire period.

Wilson Benesch Turntable

Quite an underrated turntable and quite hard to find now. First and foremost I was drawn by its wooden photo frame design before understanding the “technology” behind it. In fact, it’s has suspended carbon fibre sub-chassis but more maintenance friendly than LP12 (oops). Seven springs are involved in the suspension which is capable of being finely adjusted in order to control precisely each degree of movement. The one that I own is made in 2003 (i.e 13 years old) and it is now my second table, along side the heavily modded Rega RP6.

The Wilson Benesch Turntable was developed in 1990 at a time when other companies were abandoning the vinyl medium. In fact it’s the company first product. Carbon fibre was used ahead of its time and it is a remarkable material that is ideal for audio structures as it can attain a modulus of stiffness five times that of steel, yet is half the weight of aluminium.

Very little info of the table and below are some material from the archived site. The three main parameters that determine a structure’s acoustic behaviour; mass, stiffness and damping, can be specified as required even to the point of promoting energy flow in certain directions within the chassis and conversely inhibiting it in others. Although the sub chassis is a considerable component it weighs a mere 280g.

The drive train, also of critical importance is treated with the same attention to detail. The quartz referenced power supply for instance features an electronic clutch mechanism which operates on switch on and during the speed change cycle to minimise loading on the suspension system and belt. The motor used is a high quality hysteresis type chosen for it’s performance rather than price and is fitted to the plinth via it’s own complex suspension system designed to minimise the transmission of spurious energy either from the motor or from the environment to the platter.

The plinths are crafted from a variety of solid hard woods which form an attractive contrast to the black anodised aluminium top plate, back plate and power supply. Arm boards and platters are similarly anodised to provide a scratch resistant life long product. It is for this reason that glass was chosen as the most suitable material for the lid which is of 5mm laminated construction.

LampizatOr Big 7

Lampizator Big 7 DAC in Can Jam Singapore! A beautiful organic sound DAC par excellence! Retail at S$14,000 for this baby!

Groovetracer Delrin Platter & Reference Subplatter

Tweaks for my Rega RP6 !!! Speedy communication with Frank of Groovetracer makes the transaction a breeze. Most importantly, these are outstanding products for the turntable. Sorry, Roy, i gotta hot modded my table. The 5 minutes installation is painless and please read the instructions!

The Reference version of the subplatter features

i) low coefficient of friction between bearing surfaces minimized vibrations for a lower noise floor. this is physic at it’s best and quality that can be heard.

ii) record spindle is decoupled from the bearing axle to further reduce vibration transfer to the record playing surface. in other word, Frank did not skimp on quality . he goes all the way !!!

iii) 3 point Delrin contact (non resonant) between the subplatter and platter ensure positive interface and also minimizes vibration transfer.

iv) 0.0005″ – 0.001″ concentricity between the axle and hub greatly improves pitch control

v) extended length record spindle permits the use of my favorite tuning Acouslik Labor clamp.

The only Delrin Rega platter from 3rd party vendor. It carries more mass than the original glass platter, 83 ounces compared to 70 ounces. This increases its ability to maintain constant rotational speed and extra mass will not damage the bearing.

Also the construction of the Delrin platter has such precision to match Rega’s distance from the top of the plinth to the top of the playing surface. Finally i do not need a record mat when spinning the vinyl.

Sonus Faber Toy Tower

My first floor-standing speakers and it’s the Sonus Faber Toy Tower! Got this 3 years old baby from the previous owner due to upgrading (what’s new?) and he keeps it in very good condition. No visible scratch, dents and it’s show room quality. I am pairing it with DH Labs Q-10 Silver Sonic speakers cable to complete my current configuration. Am a happy camper.

Turntable Hum

The Ortofon 2M Bronze is definitely a good cartridge replacement from my 2 years old Rega Exact2 stylus. One problem i noticed was a regular hum during playback with it. I tried to ground the phono amp but to no avail. After reading up on how to eliminate turntable hum, one of the article mention to troubleshoot against the cartridge itself as it might be picking up magnetic interference. This lightbulb moment immediately prompt me to remove the Rega PSU underneath the plinth. Lo and behold, the hum is gone !

And the my friend is audio for the win.

Ortofon 2M Bronze

Finally took the guts (or overcome laziness) to change the Rega Exact2 cartridge to Ortofon 2M Bronze. The Exact stylus starts to loose the brightness – sheen after 2 years of play. William recommend Sumiko Blue Point Evo III as my replacement. Due to consideration like no stylus cover and the fragility of the 4 bare wires connectors, i opt for Ortofon 2M Bronze instead.

Thankfully, no solders gave way from the dislodge and insert to new pin connectors. This is a huge sigh of relief !!! Right now, it’s the running it stage for the next 50 hours or so for the new stylus.

Sound wise so far is its a high resolving stylus, i can hear layers of the mid-high range, like shimmering cymbals, percussions. I hear less intrusive noise although i can pick up some hum signal (which i need to earth the phono preamp possibly).