John Curl's Blowtorch preamplifier part II

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Now let me show everyone the sort of difference between a MM and a MC cartridge. This test was done in 1978, when I worked at HK. Thanks HK for loaning me the test equipment to make these measurements.
 

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My experiences in the early days of digital audio were generally the reverse of this. My initial reaction was positive, indeed I was wondering what so many of the complaints were about. However, I noticed that the system was now being used more and more as a demonstration rather than for music listening. And fatigue began to set in earlier and earlier. I was accused by one housemate who was ecstatic about the sound that I was prejudiced against it beforehand, despite my enthusiasm at the outset being expressed quite openly and honestly. Oddly, this same person couldn't stand listening to a Mackintosh MC240 in lieu of the solid state amp, after I'd repaired one for my brother and pressed it into service for a little while.

Another savant <jk> insisted that I simply needed a much higher-power amplifier, despite it being easy to show that I wasn't clipping the existing one. He contrasted this with vinyl playback, and was so often the case, was dead wrong.

Better players and software of course were forthcoming, and I can listen happily nowadays. But it took a while.

I've understand what you're saying, it can take time to learn a new sound. You had aversion to the sound of that CD player. When you have aversion to a sound it limits the loudness and length of time you can listen to it. And the more negative experiences you have with the sound the stronger the aversion (i.e. "fatigue setting in earlier and earlier").

I agree, CD has come along way. You probably didn't do CBT - cognitive behavior therapy (face your disaffections and think good thoughts), though this doesn't always work. But if you were stuck in a room listening to this CD player and couldn't avoid it, you wouldn't die and you would have to face the discomfort and in time you'd likely habituate.

According to some experts the ear can habituate to any sound. But, there is no objective proof of that. I've gotten good at CBT as I've had to in order to overcome a sound sensitivity condition I've been dealing with for some time.

John
 
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I know that, and I'm not going there. My dad want's the new Stax headphones though, someday.

Ah, the 009's? Have a few friends with those. Never been terribly comfortable with electrostats though. It was probably the electroshock therapy scene from One Few Over The Cuckoo's Next that did it for me. 😀

And I've heard tell that a certain member here once caught his hair on fire from a set of homemade electrostats.

Don't think there's any risk of seizures or flaming hair with my Audez'e LCD-2's. 😀

se
 
Although not that much of a cartridge connoisseur I would heartily agree.

I used V15s for years because of the great trackability, kindness to records, and natural tonal balance. I tried all sorts of other MMs and MCs (including lots of expensive and highly rated ones), but the V15s always sounded more like live music to me. Then the Technics MMs came along and I never looked back. Lower tip masses and inertia than any of the MCs, and higher dynamic range. When my last EPC100C mk4 stylus went to meet Jesus, I got a Linn Troika, but it was a clear step down. A Technics MC (courtesy of Planet 10) was its replacement, and probably about as good as the Troika.

Mirable dictu, a former reviewer for Stereophile had a mint Technics MM stashed away, had given up vinyl, and generously donated it to me a few months ago. Sometimes life works out well. 😀
 
That would be Morgan Jones (EC8010), but he has considerably less hair than you.

Yes, that's who it would be alright. I was attempting to be a little discrete is all.

And obviously you haven't seen my hair since your last visit here. Unless Morgan has shorn his locks since this 2008 photo, I think he's actually got a bit more hair than I do. In terms of length of course. No male pattern baldness has set in with me yet.

se
 

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I used V15s for years because of the great trackability, kindness to records, and natural tonal balance. I tried all sorts of other MMs and MCs (including lots of expensive and highly rated ones), but the V15s always sounded more like live music to me. Then the Technics MMs came along and I never looked back. Lower tip masses and inertia than any of the MCs, and higher dynamic range. When my last EPC100C mk4 stylus went to meet Jesus, I got a Linn Troika, but it was a clear step down. A Technics MC (courtesy of Planet 10) was its replacement, and probably about as good as the Troika.

Mirable dictu, a former reviewer for Stereophile had a mint Technics MM stashed away, had given up vinyl, and generously donated it to me a few months ago. Sometimes life works out well. 😀

I had an AT14sa for years - also very good (now I am talking late 70's and 80's.)
 
I think that it is a matter of ENGINEERING for the most part. Autos, telescopes, phono cartridges. You can get similar 'specs' at different price points, but not necessarily the same 'refinement' or resolution. If you can find true breakthroughs, that depart from this, please submit your findings for the rest of us to enjoy, as well.
The LAST thing for me, being partially employed, and semi-retired for the last 20 years or more, is to pay BIG BUCKS for anything, including audio equipment. My turntable, arm and cartridge are all USED. Headphones and main speakers too! I can't afford to pay new prices any more than most people, so I bought my Porsche used too. I could have purchased a cheap compact for about the same price, but then would I find that it really performed as well? I doubt it, in fact, I'm pretty sure of my opinion.
 
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