Set up the Stella phono together with a new Technics 1200G. Very nice sound!!
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Just read it. Good result again for the Stellar. The review had a quite different focus in my perception, describing it positively as transparent, cool, clear, precise, detailed, little of euphoric warmth, reminiscent of digital sources with information retrieval, speed and transparency as priority.
The reviewer used an Audio Technical OC9 cart, which I last time heard of in the 90s…but it seemingly still exists. At the time I matched it to, it sounded as he described the Stellar, but in a worse sense. Strange review as the others had a different focus.
Interesting that the Stellar products seem to get the alloy casework replaced with steel casework (as the Phono) for shielding reasons. I always thought alloy is used frequently because it’s not influencing magnetic fields as steel does, but I may be wrong.
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Can anyone offer a comparison against the Lehmann Audio Decade? I’m considering the stellar phono but not sure if its an upgrade or a lateral move. Any thoughts?
Made the same move, from the Chinook to the Stellar phono. Awaiting it’s arrival tomorrow!
Hi I haven’t had much of a chance to spend a lot of time with the SPP. I have a Kiseki blue cartridge which on the Stella I found I had to set the cartridge loading completely different then on to Manley Chinook it’s taking me some time to dial that in .on the stellar the soundstage is extremely large and a lot more detailed than the chinook, however my initial impression is I’m missing a little bit of the tube glory both phono pre-‘s Are in my main system and I have no intention on parting with either one. One will end up in my second system the only way I will part with them is if Darren finds a way of fitting some tubes in the stellar hint .
Thanks for that description! The SPP needs some break in time to lose some midrange congestion. After 20 hours or so of playtime it becomes more open and fleshed out. I’m curious what you will think after a bit more time on it.
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Thank you Darren, I only have 3 hours on it and there’s a very noticeable improvement in what you have explained. The soundstage is absolutely amazing compared to the chinook. The build quality is hands-down much better than the chinook I don’t wanna beat up the Chinook too much because I am very happy with it it is an amazing piece. I am just looking for that little bit more which at this point with only three hours I feel the Stella will provide thanks again Darren and I am just a tube guy. I know you’re putting together an amp with tubes, maybe someday a phono to lol .
Darren, is there a good source for information about why and how cartridge loading aside of the theoretically optimal impedance (10 times cart impedance?) affects sound and frequency response?
They’re attached to the sides of your head.
Just giving you a hard time, man. In the midst of listening to a new cart🤠
Valid point
What I meant is rather how it affects sound technically. In which range different frequency response or other deviations, why more or less dynamic sounding etc.
I thought, someone might have explained what we hear technically more than the very short descriptions do that occur immediately with google.
What cart?
I think it is not entirely worth ManSplaining Technicalities beyond a certain point. My “problem” - if you can call it that, is that my Pre has jumped over/ahead of the TT and cart, much as other bits in the system recently jumped over what was there before.
This is the difficulty with Audiophilia, as I’m sure you’re aware - you have Synergy happening at a certain level, then get a new piece that compels you to wonder/upgrade everything connected to it, as it reveals what you have.
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Know what you mean…damn upwards spiral… but fun at the end! Take care that the cartridge/arm resonance matching is near perfect (also with your next favorite arm )
Feel the Resonance/compliance thing, as with the Soundsmith I had the mass knobs which could be screwed on top of the headshell, altering the compliance, and which completely altered things sonically. Fortunately, specs are similar-ish with this cart in terms of resonance.
But at this point, just eyeballing stuff in, and enjoying. This is allegedly a cart that is quite sensitive to setup.
Ah yes, if more mass is the thing, then that’s easy. If it sounds good already and is sensitive, then it will sound even better later
Your tonearm looks parallel…try the mostly + 4-8mm for finding the correct SRA. I ordered the microscope recently and can report later how the finally correct angle feels
And correct azimuth if you can. Both helps a lot for tracking and sound. But I probably preach to the pope.
No Pope here Yeezus, but I’m a Belieber : )
Mass and ass-height (hikes elbow up into the air) - in different directions - on the arm are short-term fixes when you don’t want to bother with proper setup. Mikey is pretty big on cranking the back up. You certainly gain detail and top end, but it is not a be-all/end-all fix for getting it dialed in. And he also is an advocate of a microscope on the actual stylus/cantilever on the effin’ rekkid. Sorta no replacement for that.
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Zero can be right…or 8mm, you never know without the scope. The old van den Hul said since decades to lift 7-8mm up for his carts…may be valid for all his carts.
I guess if you hit the point it’s more about tracking and soundstage than highs. It’s just simple mechanic why it makes sense. Everything with a turntable is about mechanic
I think he is an advocate of getting the SRA correctly set (92 degrees?) despite how the tonearm is orientated relative to the record surface. I have yet to buy a microscope myself instead of adjusting it by ear…
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There is some good information on this subject here:
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