More Phaser TT
It is now the boss TT. I have not assembled the new stereo stand as I need to figure out what to do with this desk and the surprising amount of stuff it has accumulated. BUT I moved the HK ST5 out of the way and the Phaser just fits in the same area with millimeters to spare.
More backstory. The Pioneer TT (PL-L1000s) was never sold in North America. It was flogged everywhere else. The models you see on this continent are all from US servicemen buying them overseas. The manuals specifically call them US military models with switches to change the voltage.
Phase linear ordered some with their name printed on it and flogged them on this side of the water as their own. It is well known the Phaser is IDENTICAL to the respective Pioneers.
The version I have is the second generation. The motherboard is simpler with a lower part count. Mechanically the same but the tonearm is carbon fiber! Hey that was bleeding edge in 1982. One feature I just noticed is there is a metal weight (ballast) in one corner of the chassis. That is so the feet all carry the same load. The HK is definitely heavy on the left side. So right and SO basic.
Seriously someone should re-engineer the HK ST5 and fix all the chassis flaws. It is otherwise a damn good machine. Just not as good as the Pioneer / Phaser.
I listened to more stuff last night. I may swap the AT7 and the 440Mla just to compare. The AT7 may be breaking in still, I only have a couple hours on it. So am I comparing the TT or the Cartridges. Yes both to my confusion. It is fun though. I have never had a TT with a swappable head shell. Way better for playing with stuff. I need more head shells.
I listened to Paul Simon Graceland. Brilliant album on 180 gram vinyl. Multi-tracked to hell, but there is gold in there. There is a new texture to Mr Simon’s voice. Ladysmith Black Mamboza is real and big and clear. The language they sing in has vocal clicks which feel and sound like they are coming from a human’s mouth. It was like there was a person in front of me clicking their tongue.
I had to interrupt my fun to help the wife with Itunes digital rat’s maze of a user interface. Once back I spun up the old Dark Side of the Moon Chestnut. I have two copies. One is original 1970s version. The second is high end 180 gram boutique vinyl. I played side one of the old one. Starting with the heartbeat. clocks, woman’s scream and background talking all through to Great Gig in the Sky. It sounded different. I think this was the cartridge here. A lot more detail and depth, but I think it was from a small difference in frequency response. Also the mix felt different with things I recall being more forward now being recessed. That is something I heard in the new pressing so I should check that one out tonight.
If I swap the cartridges I can see if the carbon fiber arm makes a difference. I know they suppress vibration. That may be where the detail is coming from.
I am well aware that there is no such thing as best in this hobby. Everything is better or worse compared to your favorites and prejudices. I like the way this machine works hands off the delicate bits. I like it shuts down an puts itself away at the end of a side or lets you repeat the side. I am fully enamored with Straight line tracking. Simpler shorter arms more accurate tracking of the disk just the way it was cut and all that.
So do I sell the Sony? Do I sell the HK at a loss? Do I do an extended loan to my son-in-law?
I have to get rid of that desk.
