Another great sounding Turrentine SHM-CD



Followed by
Something very different

Alison Krauss & Union Station ‎– So Long So Wrong

Well Lon, I'm stumped.  This morning I've unpacked and setup the CSP3 and ZP3.  I am starting by getting the CSP3 hookup to my Monoblocks figured out.  I did as you had outlined and none of the connections to the Monoblocks functions as we thought a bypass of the volume would.  With the volume knob on the monoblocks all the way down, none of the connections give volume with the CSP3 alone.  So what I've done is use the same connection I had going directly to the CD player to the CSP3 and the CDP to the CSP3.  This works just like the connections to the Torii MK IV do...ie riding the gain and all that...:).  My Turntable has a ground wire so I'm going to read the user Manual before attempting ZP3 and TT use.  Mark.

PS...Luckily my Audio Springs "Haley" Power Conditioner has six outlets...just enough for the addition of the CSP3, ZP3 and TT.

Anyway, another from the Jackie McLean Box...CD #1...

Lon, now I'm playing CD #3 of this Jarrett box with which I'm very familiar.  I decided to use the tubes Martin, the seller, sent in the CSP3 to start...three of the Russian input and output tubes Steve sends as stock but I did switch the rectifier to a 50's RCA 5U4G-ST that was laying on the table...I just couldn't bear to put in the straight, short Russian rectifier that was sent...not sure what it is.  It's in the photo in the classified I bought from.

So the sound...very good, as has been described in the past, it adds weight and for me that's a good thing.  By giving up a little transparency and maybe a little detail, I gain a warmer, weightier sound with a bigger bottom.  I'll leave things as is for now and maybe try out the ZP3 soon...or maybe tomorrow.  Mark.  

PS...I actually like this setup.  The Monoblocks are closer and more convenient to me so using their volume controls to fine tune volume works well for me.  

OK, figured out how to use the ground.  On the ZP3 I bought the Bannana-like plug that secures the ground wire was missing.  Since the Rega RP6 has an internal ground, it's not needed in the main system...so I took it out of my 1st ZP3.  Now spinning LPs.  Sounds good but not near as good as in the main system. Lots to change.  First I'll re-tube the ZP3 with my Main system complement.  I don't think I have another RCA 5Y3 or another RCA OA3 so those will have to stay.  Lon, have you used a Sylvania OA3 in the past?  That's what I have in this ZP3.  And of course, this is a late 70's Pioneer TT with an Audio Technica Cart of unknown age or model number.

Anyway, don't have but a few hours, so for now I'll spin LPs until I have to leave. Mark.

PS...forgot to mention...no hum issues like others sometimes have...dead quiet using CDP or ZP3/TT.  Unlike the main system where I do have some hum, that I assume is transformer Hum from the Torii...but not bad enough to worry about.

Yes, and I have a ton of 12AX7 and 12AU7 type tubes to roll.  I've decided I won't spin any of the expensive new reissues I have with this old Cart but I have thousands of LPs bought in the 70's and 80's to play as well as plenty of original used LPs bought since then. This is a 1987 reissue...

PS...thinking about it, I seem to remember buying 6 or 8 spare 50's RCA OA3's as well as some Tung-Sol OA3s...looks like I'll have to go digging in the boxes in the Hi Fi closet  :)

Mixed bag of talent.

You got me there on the flickering. . . odd.

Interesting. I haven't seen flickering except when turning off the ZP3.

I have replaced the 6n1p input tube in the CSP3 with a Beckman labeled 1964 Amperex 6922 that tests great but went super cheap...I was the only bidder  :)

I'm going to roll a pair of Raytheon Black Plate 12AX7s and a 12AU7 into the ZP3 later after the Sunday news programs.  Should be a big improvement over tubes sent with the ZP3.

I played a Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note CD then this one that's almost done...sounds fantastic.  

Lon, I've been looking for another RCA coke bottle type 5Y3G.  None are that cheap but I think I need one for the new ZP3.  I had to move my Taboo into the bedroom.  Absolutely no room in the den.  I have room in the Cave so I guess I could put it there.  In the Taboo, I've only rolled the input tube and rectifier leaving the Russian Military SV83 type outputs in place.  Mark.

PS...I still haven't looked in the closet to see if I have a spare.

Yes I keep trying other rectifiers whenever I roll other tubes in the set and coming back to these. They just are the most accurate sounding, especially when I used tapes I recorded myself of bands I was in and in my then garage apartment rehearsal space or a few club gigs, and when I use material I've listened to for years, analog or digital. Those 5Y3 are the gold standard for me in the CSP and Taboo and ZP3.

You've got some good systems to use amigo! I bet you're having fun with the new purchases!

Starting where I left off on LPs with the Monoblocks yesterday.  Side two of this one...

Lon, you don't have a vinyl copy of the Basie Roulette Studio set, just CDs...right?  And just one set?

That's what I thought, Lon.  I just looked and a set went for $125.57 in an auction out of Canada.  I usually don't look at anything except USA auctions.  I think I need to add Canada to my watch list. The going price seems to be between $200 and $300 max for a CD copy.  In the completed sales there was one Vinyl copy that went for best offer which wasn't given but the ask was $450.

I'd be willing to trade you the Complete Basie Roulette Live Recordings Vinyl Box set I just bought for a pair of your Mile Long Ultralinear Voodoo interconnects. The records were graded by the seller as mint but I'd say NM/M-...some of them have been played but are in amazing condition.  The Box is in NM- condition...very sweet copy. I haven't played them. No hurry.

I just picked up a second Vinyl copy for a song that was hidden in a 5 lot of box sets.  The others were all "Readers Digest" Vinyl  Collections. LOL.  I was the only Bidder. The only one I might try is a collection of Boston Pops with Arthur Friedler directing.

This LP now...and again warped but playable...

This LP is only minimally warped.  The Box I'm getting the recent albums from was not tightly packed as it should have been so I expect more to be warped.  A shame since it had a lot of jazz I like.  Only 30 minutes to listen, then I have to get ready to go to a Concert with an Army Band. They are always entertaining and FREE.

The way I have looked at it is: yes, interconnects can be expensive, but you just spent nearly that on LP sets from Mosaic, the interconnects are a purchase that benefits every use and every bit of music etc. I really really value the sound I get from the Stradivarius Cremonas, more than any other cables I ever bought, considerably, and I get to enjoy that sound every day. And I've spent far more for music that has just sat on a shelf a long time.

Just back from 5 day vacation....feeling relaxed and mellow so spun these two LP's last nite.

Doin' taxes with a nice background.

This isn't my original copy...Lord knows where it is..I don't.  This is an original copy from Half Price Books and Records...And the OA3s are putting on  a light show...flickering...

I guess pulsing is a better description...

A recent ebay purchase...a Japanese reissue...

These concerts are really good. I'm enjoying them.

I've never had reason enough to have my taxes done by someone else. I can do them myself well enough, and this year I'm filing jointly with Lucy and hers are even more simple than mine. I did the Feds, will do the State taxes tomorrow. I miss not having to do and pay state taxes . . . you have it good in Texas.

Lon, you know they do collect taxes/fees...just not State Individual Income Tax.  

This LP isn't warped...