EAR 324 in my system.

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Just did a back to back comparison of the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Stadium Arcadium" CD vs LP. No comparison, besides the fact that the LP exhibits no dynamic range compression like the CD does, the soundstage is both wider and deeper, the dynamics are bolder and uncompressed on the LP, drums have greater body and impact, guitar distortion is actually part of music instead of torture on the ears like they are on the CD. The LP wins hands down for musicality, harmonic texture and overall PRAT. This is what music really supposed to sound like, makes you want to turn it up, up and up as you rock out. The CD is just disappointing and makes you want to turn the volume down, down and shut it off...

The EAR phono stage has excellent bass in terms of texture and slam and an addicting level of PRAT with an impressive level of naturalness and "ease of sound" on the ears. I'd never guess I was listening to just a solid state phono stage with an MM cartridge. Most impressive.

I've noted something similar as well. The 324 makes my LP's sound scary close to my digital playback setup, and that's with my LP12 using only a MM pickup. I can only imagine what it will sound like with the Argo i.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gregswaim

Nice pixxx Serge! You'll be sure to notice the part in the owner's manual that talks about after market power cords- they don't recommend them.
I'm glad to hear that you found the 324 to be first rate. For me, it's the best phono stage that I've ever encountered.
Once you decide to upgrade to a better TT, you may want to consider one that will allow for up to 3 tonearms so you can have 3 different pickups. One for mono( consider Lyra), your Clear Audio Maestro MM, and a MC pickup. Talk about variety and top quality all in one box! The 324 delivers in spades.
In my opinion this phono stage ranks among the finest in the world right now.

I'm ordering the Lyra Argo i MC(stereo) for my LP12 on Tuesday, my dealer is closed on Mondays.

Greg, have you ran the calculations on the compatibility of your tonearm with that cartridge to be sure? Tonearm effective mass, cart compliance and the resulting resonant frequency? I'm not familiar with Linn but I can point you to the right calculators if you have that info and want to double check.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gregswaim

I've noted something similar as well. The 324 makes my LP's sound scary close to my digital playback setup, and that's with my LP12 using only a MM pickup. I can only imagine what it will sound like with the Argo i.

For the most part, assuming the quality of recording is similar, my analog rig is starting to show a clear advantage over CDs in more areas than one. I'm comparing to the sound I used to get with the MDA/MCD combo and Ayre CDP. I've put some work into this rig in terms of optimal tonearm/cart setup, vibration isolation, leveling the table precisely, cleaning each record and stylus. The system simply breathes with palpable, 3 dimensional images now. The CD playback is still cardboard like and 2 dimensional by comparison. I don't think I'll ever find a CD player that would trounce my not so expensive setup in all the parameters. I can only imagine a vinyl rig consisting of even better components.

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Greg, have you ran the calculations on the compatibility of your tonearm with that cartridge to be sure? Tonearm effective mass, cart compliance and the resulting resonant frequency? I'm not familiar with Linn but I can point you to the right calculators if you have that info and want to double check.

I use the vendor's specs as a starting point. One thing to note: even though the specs for tonearm/pickup maybe a certain value, they're not necessarily the correct values. The owner's manual + reviews note that's one of the great advantages of owning the 324 - you can correct the sound yourself, as some reviewers have done and they've noted so in their reviews. The point: There's no right or wrong way regarding the settings. The Argo i MC is very compatible with the Pro-Ject 9cc tonearm. If I want to move up in the Lyra line then I'll need the Linn Ekos SE + Keel Plate for better tracking,ect. The costs for those 2 additions will be $8200.00 and will in effect make my LP12 a reference grade TT at that point.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gregswaim

I use the vendor's specs as a starting point. One thing to note: even though the specs for tonearm/pickup maybe a certain value, they're not necessarily the correct values. The owner's manual + reviews note that's one of the great advantages of owning the 324 - you can correct the sound yourself, as some reviewers have done and they've noted so in their reviews. The point: There's no right or wrong way regarding the settings. The Argo i MC is very compatible with the Pro-Ject 9cc tonearm. If I want to move up in the Lyra line then I'll need the Linn Ekos SE + Keel Plate for better tracking,ect. The costs for those 2 additions will be $8200.00 and will in effect make my LP12 a reference grade TT at that point.

Greg, it doesn't work like that, you can't rely on the EAR phono stage to overcome gross errors in tonearm/cart compatibility. You want the phono stage to amplify the proper and optimal signal that is a combination of those 2 objects, not the incompatibility there of. You don't want to mix a high mass arm with a high compliance cart or low mass arm with a low compliance cart.

I looked up and ran some numbers for you, you should be borderline fine with that combo of Pro-ject 9CC low mass arm and Lyra Argo i low compliance cart, expect the resulting resonant frequency to be 11.4Hz which is also fine.

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Greg, it doesn't work like that, you can't rely on the EAR phono stage to overcome gross errors in tonearm/cart compatibility. You want the phono stage to amplify the proper and optimal signal that is a combination of those 2 objects, not the incompatibility there of. You don't want to mix a high mass arm with a high compliance cart or low mass arm with a low compliance cart.

I looked up and ran some numbers for you, you should be borderline fine with that combo of Pro-ject 9CC low mass arm and Lyra Argo i low compliance cart, expect the resulting resonant frequency to be 11.4Hz which is also fine.

You can now see why I have to get a better arm with a better Lyra.
I did those calcs over a month ago.

[gregswaim]

Serge: We're both on the same page as far as tonearm/pickup compatibility is concerned- we both know that's it's critical. I was only suggesting to try out the different variations with the 324. It's one of the most flexible phono stages around so might as well take advantage of that, the owner's manual suggests the same.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gregswaim

Serge: We're both on the same page as far as tonearm/pickup compatibility is concerned- we both know that's it's critical. I was only suggesting to try out the different variations with the 324. It's one of the most flexible phono stages around so might as well take advantage of that, the owner's manual suggests the same.

Agreed there, every cart will react a little different with the different loading.

I am a bit surprised you found joy with such a high capacitance/impedance loading for you Linn Adikt. Did you read the stereophile review of the 324? The guy used a an Adikt as one of the few carts he tried with it and found an optimal setting of 22k ohms and 100pF loading.

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Agreed there, every cart will react a little different with the different loading.

I am a bit surprised you found joy with such a high capacitance/impedance loading for you Linn Adikt. Did you read the stereophile review of the 324? The guy used a an Adikt as one of the few carts he tried with it and found an optimal setting of 22k ohms and 100pF loading.

Yes I read that article- you know I don't like mag reviews too!
That guy should get his ears checked or take those ear plugs out or something. :confused-37: Your own electronics/IC's/speakers/speaker cables all play role in the big picture too. That same reviewer also noted discrepancies quoted by some pickup vendors as being wrong in the past,and in some cases way off of the mark form the specs quoted. These facts almost always get revealed when they do their reviews and test these pickups against their own test equipment to reveal the truth. Nothing is in "concrete or considered as the gold standard" as far as those settings are concerned.
Everyone hears things a bit differently too. How accurate is that?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gregswaim

Yes I read that article- you know I don't like mag reviews too!
That guy should get his ears checked or take those ear plugs out or something. :confused-37: Your own electronics/IC's/speakers/speaker cables all play role in the big picture too. That same reviewer also noted discrepancies quoted by some pickup vendors as being wrong in the past,and in some cases way off of the mark form the specs quoted. These facts almost always get revealed when they do their reviews and test these pickups against their own test equipment to reveal the truth. Nothing is in "concrete or considered as the gold standard" as far as those settings are concerned.
Everyone hears things a bit differently too. How accurate is that?

Well, if it sounds good to you, roll with it.