Input

speakerman1 · Oct 28, 2011

I think your input has a lot to do with the end resuld of a recording. I know what Jerry is running and I know what I used for input. On my LPs I run a Berelli tube stage. This was recorded with the Shanling; but on my other I use the GF CDP and the PT 1 & 3.

So what do you guys think? Nando have you tried the ICs? I think every thing in the path makes a difference.

Larry

stuwee · Oct 28, 2011

I have to say I miss the Marantz 2270 phono section, old caps and all, it was a really sweet piece of kit. Of course, at the new place I get to play mix and match again with the 'new room', that's always fun

There's a pair of EPI M90 speakers on CL for $100, I might have Mom swing by for a listen, I heard they're a great speaker. I have to build a system around something, since the AR's no worky now...I'm speakerless :evil:

, I suppose I could use the Celestion orphan with the AR with the working tweeter till Nando sends me his orphan, Hmmmmm

Elite-ist · Oct 29, 2011

stuwee said:

Stuwee: Sorry about making you wait for so long for the Celestion DL6 speaker I promised to send you. Please PM your mailing/shipping address to me and I'll box it up this weekend and send it to you. It's not considered a stereo when you, only, have one working speaker.

Those EPI M-90s look similar to my EPI 100Vs. I bought the kit to refoam the woofers because they had deteriorated, so I can't comment on how they well the EPI 100Vs would sound.

Nando.

stuwee · Oct 29, 2011

Nando, I understand what it means to be busy now, so no prob, I'll PM you my addy. I think the M-90 and the 100V are the same speaker, the 100V is the newer version with a slightly different tweeter, the M-90 was vinyl covered, the 100 was wood veneer, then the 100V was a slightly upgraded version, or something like that

Either way they are pretty highly regarded although I don't know if they're nicer than the Celestion's (hard act to follow).

Back to Larry's topic

, I'm gonna have fun with playing with the preamps and amps in the new room. And hearing what the 'new to me' upgraded Onix will sound like in the mix :reindeer:

, it's nice to get excited again with this illness :twisted:

we all have :rabbit:

Elite-ist · Oct 29, 2011

Yes, back on track to Larry's topic and question. The source components have as much to do with making a tape recording step up from good one into becoming a memorable one. But, there are some other inexpensive techniques which the user/recording person can utilize before making that step up to refining the front end of their system. With all the variants of blank tape out there, once you discover the one brand and type of tape, whether it is NOS, old tape worth recording over, or brand new tape, which your deck is set up for, that should be your starting point. If you don't have any external user biasing adjustments on your cassette deck that could limit the type of tapes you find that work well with your deck. With decks that have bias, eq, and level adjustments the user can tailor and dial in the tape correctly. You have more tapes to choose from, then. There are other advantages in knowing how to cheat on your deck. You could underbias a tape to change the output sound or recording to your liking. You could record as a Normal, while using a Type II tape to change the biasing, too. I won't go into the other essentials needed in recording (demagnetizing, tape path cleaning, setting input levels, ensuring the deck is in a good mechanical and electrical state) as that's already covered in the operating manual.

After all that, then you can tread into the waters of upgrading your source components or ICs. Good ICs should be a given, and although I haven't yet tested the Tara Lab cables, Larry, I don't doubt they would make a difference over basic RCA cables. Once I do test them, I'll post my findings.

Nando.

Elite-ist · Nov 13, 2011

speakerman1 said:

Yesterday, I tried out the pair of Tara Lab cables Larry had sent me some time ago to test. Then this morning, I had Geri listen to the Tara Lab cables, as well.

I used the cables to connect from my newly acquired Sony X7ESD CDP and the Pioneer C-72 Control Amplifier. I alternated between my current cables and the Tara Lab ICs. For a test CD I played Neil Young's acoustic live album "Live At Massey Hall 1971." I chose two songs from this album: Track 2 "Tell Me Why" and Track 8 "Cowgirl In The Sand" for the comparison. I felt this acoustic album would better reveal any differences I would hear between both sets of cable. I even recorded the cuts with a newer Sony UX-Pro tape on my Pioneer CT-F1000 to replay for listening.

The cables I presently use with my CDP are Acoustic Research Pro Series Directional Balanced Line Audios. They measure 37.5" in overall length as compared to the 42" length of the Tara Labs. Both cables are directional and have tight fitting RCA connectors. The Tara Labs take less effort to connect and disconnect to my equipment terminals than the ARs.

I used my AKG K-240 headphones to monitor during recording, but for the true comparison I played it through my speakers - that's how I like to do it. And there was no need to use too much volume.

The differences between both pairs of cables were subtle, but there was a benefit to using the Tara Lab ICs. There were times I could hear applause, a hand clap which was more pronounced and the acoustic guitar playing by Neil showed off the strength of the Tara Labs. There is a reverberation of the guitar strings, and his hand back slapping on the guitar body which was better defined. There is a slight echo to Neil's recorded voice which was more pleasing, too.

It will be tough to send them back, Larry. Depending on the price, I would rather pay for them by postal money order than mail them back. If that's agreeable we could do that, or I'll mail them back this week.

Thanks for your patience, and for giving me the opportunity to try out the Tara Lab cables.

Nando.

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

OKEY DOKEY

I'll send you a price. These are the ones I run with the audio magic. Lee needs to try the Bi-wire speaker wires I sent him. So you will have a PM.

Larry

Elite-ist · Nov 13, 2011

speakerman1 said:

Thank you Larry. This is my first set of high performance wires I've ever purchased. That's why it's daunting to look at all the ICS patched in the back of stereo stand and to decide where to start in wire upgrades. I think I'll begin with source components first.

Nando.

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

They are good ICs for the price. These are almost the bottom of Tara Labs food chain. Not quite but close. Those are the ones I use. I hope I can get more. You now have an email. LOL

Larry

laatsch55 · Nov 13, 2011

For being at the bottom of the food chain they kicked ass on everything I had.

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

What can I say. Best bang for your buck. Nice little tweak they are.

Larry

laatsch55 · Nov 13, 2011

YEP!!

Elite-ist · Nov 13, 2011

laatsch55 said:

Lee,

Had you tested the Tara Lab cables between your Pioneer Spec series amplifier and preamplifier? If so, was there anything you gained by doing so, compared to your previous cabling?

Nando.

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

HMMMMM Sitting here wondering who told me wires can't make a difference? Do you have any of the blue ones?

Larry

laatsch55 · Nov 13, 2011

Elite-ist said:

Yes Nando. I first tried it from the Onix to the Spec 2 with nothing inbetween. That was an eyeopener, I then ran them between the sources and the Spec, and with my latest order between everything else, yes the PLWO 1000's benefit greatly also.

laatsch55 · Nov 13, 2011

speakerman1 said:

I, for one said that.

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Not you. LMBO I did this wire thing many years ago. I even had people bring their own and I would show them. I was changing internal speaker wiring about every 2 months. Taking it step by step. Finally stopped with Goertz wires. Sounded pretty good. Don't ask why. I do know the more conductors you have the more surface area you have for those pesky electrons. The direction. I haven't a clue and never noticed a difference. LOL

Larry

speakerman1 · Nov 13, 2011

I would send around a pair of my audio magics; but I think it is best if I didn't. LOL Now they are a little spendy. He burns them in before you get them.

Larry

Elite-ist · Nov 13, 2011

laatsch55 said:

Good to hear, Lee. I knew for sure the Tara Lab Spectrum 3s would be better than some of my generic cables. For me, if I can hear a subtle improvement it's difficult to go back to the old cables. Because I like to do alot of recording from vinyl, CD, and even pre-recorded open reel I'm looking forward to any sonic improvements which enable me to create a better quality recording. I'm sure I have more than 30 ICs to upgrade, and you have more ICs than I do.

It will be early next year before I get around to doing a complete IC swap because I'll be rejigging my present system.

Nando.

laatsch55 · Nov 13, 2011

Your system seems to be constantly in flux.

Input

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