My LP12, original early 70's plinth housing a Cirkus/Kore/Trampoline 2/Lingo 3 configuration. Absolutely love this table!
Oh man, the Rosewood version of the VPI. I fell in love with the look of that table when it was first announced and was headed toward buying one. I did a last minute u-turn when a great local bargain came up for a Transrotor Fat Bob and Benz Micro cartridge came up. I'm very happy with both the aesthetics and sound of my turntable, but that VPI is still gorgeous. I've heard the VPI signature in action (not rosewood) at a pal's house and it's great.
Thank you very much. It really is the best I have heard as well. I feel very lucky to have one in this condition. They are getting nearly impossible to find anymore.
My new RP8 (with iQ3) doing it's thing with the my DIY Elekit and AN E AlNiCo's. Not shown is the AN R Zero II phono pre (hidden on top of the Marantz as wife hasn't heard about that purchase yet - although she's loving the sound).
That's a nice looking setup, though I would caution you that the turntable is likely picking up some power transformer vibration from the amp. I had a similar setup at one time and had to isolate the amp to (mostly) get rid of it. You can easily test if it is a problem, just compare the hum level when volume is cranked with the arm floating (no tracking force) versus down on the record (with correct tracking force and without motor on). If they are the same, or nearly so, no problem. Just a thought, it may not be an issue at all in your setup.
Nah, from these puny transformers... Seriously though, thanks for the pointer. I'm not noticing any hum issues, but I will definitely test it out when I get a chance.
I affectionately call them my garage speakers given I got too impatient to finish them before giving them a tryout. They are DIY and still cost more than what my trusty 2002 Subaru Outback is likely worth, but neither will ever be sold. Just bi-wired them for the first time and they somehow went up another level...Might be time to fill the stands and get them spiked on some coasters, but don't want to mess with something that ain't broke. Okay, back to turntable porn!
Got this Dual 1219 up and running a few weeks ago as a 2nd table and loving it! Been playing 70's classic rock on it and sounding great. Nice compliment to my much more refined VPI Classic Signature. But now I have the vintage TT bug and thinking of a Thorens TD160.
I have a 1219 and a Vinyl Nirvana td-160. There is no doubt that the thorens is better, but I was pleasantly surprised how close they were. Especially considering the price difference. What phono stage do you run with the Dual?
Hi. I took it to a guy named Russ Barbone in NJ. Saved me the cost/hassle of shipping it to fixmydual. He did a great job. There was still a little idler noise when I got it back from him (which he warned me about). It wasn't bad, but I did ended up grabbing an idler off ebay and installing it to make it much quieter. There's also a guy in Brooklyn that I've heard does a great job. Let me know and I can pm you Russ's contact info .
Thanks, I'm torn about the Thorens. Its undoubtedly a step up, but I enjoy having the 3 speeds on the Dual for the handful of 78's I have and the auto feature is nice when I'm feeling lazy. I was also thinking about some direct drive like a Denon DP-60L. But still thinking it all through. I did see some great deals on the Thorens 165 which I understand is a slight step down with the tonearm from the 160 according to some. I'm using the Tavish Audio Adagio phone stage for both my VPI/Soundsmith Paua deck and the Dual/Shure V15 Type II. I can run the MC cartridge and the MM cartridge and just flip the switch on the front of the Tavish to change.
