Ed’s System

[For The Love of Music]

I reentered High Fi believing I would start out with analog, but began with Digital for the last 4 years - an incredible journey, and at my current level tough to beat.

Now finally on to Analog. I made a decision to go Kuzma ordering the entry level S, a turntable that has not changed since its beginning many years ago, then while waiting for it to be built, I paid the difference and secured the Stabi R, this may cost me a few weeks, and is guaranteed to be shipped and installed mid November 2019. Here is what it will look like:

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Over the past 5 weeks, I have received the phono, cables, record cleaner, accessories and the start of my record collection. It occurred to me why not buy an entry level table to have something for a few weeks and this would allow some burn in on the phono and cables.

I recently came across UTurn, who are building these $400 tables in Woburn, MA. Their web-site is friendly, simple and refreshing. Understanding the table and company better, and a quick search on the web and I was able to order from Amazon, and delivered the next morning - I was wanting this for the weekend, and Amazon makes it just too easy. Side note: I also just got the new TAS Buyers Guide and see the table is on page 170 - I do like seeing my various parts of my system in the magazines as kinda of a qualifier knowing I was not too far out of mind building my Hi Fi rig without their influence.

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I’m am so happy with what I have done to my digital and excited to really compare the two. I'll listen more critically over the next few days, but already I can tell they are two very different playbacks.

Digital is sharp, quick and dynamic, and

Analog is slow, steady and the feeling of nostalgia from growing up listening to my Dads Marantz system.

The U Turn is sitting on a HRS M3X platform and is getting a lot of cable and downstream support it most likely would not normally have in its targeted settings.

A din and balanced Nordost tonearm cable is in place but the adapter needed to feed its RCA inputs would not fit, so back it goes to Amazon. I was able to use an Audioquest Cinnamon RCA cable with Boulder balanced adapters to feed the Balanced only Boulder 508, into the balanced only D’Agostino Momentum PreAmp.

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I have about 3 hours playing, and must say I am hearing change, it’s getting better, I really like this. I know things will break in even nicer over the next few days.

I gotta admit, writing and other distractions passes time quickly as pointed out when the last song ends on side 2 and you have to keep getting up.

Stay tuned!

[Antonmb]

Great start Ed. You’re going to love this journey, and once the Kuzma shows up you’ll have to revise that statement about analog being “slow.”[emoji6]

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Great start Ed. You’re going to love this journey, and once the Kuzma shows up you’ll have to revise that statement about analog being “slow.”[emoji6]

Thanks Tony!

5 minutes out of the box and playing albums, too easy. Mind you I realize it’s a three figure turntable in a multiple 6 figure system, but that’s ok, every bird has its place.

Slow in this case to me is smooth and relaxed, I can only imagine what the Kuzma will do, and that’s why I want this Phono well on its way of being burnt in and settled.

I am thinking the star of the show is the Boulder 508, as you fully know. With is fully balanced connections, it is a true rock star and I have it fed with quality power and interconnects out, however “in” to a much lesser extent but just ordered two more adapters that come tomorrow.

One thing or maybe a few, it is simply mesmerizing to watch the platter spin from the listening position aside from holding the albums in my hand and the fun to look at the pictures and books that come along with many of the fine albums available.

I’ll be firing up the digital later today and going back and forth, may not be a fair fight, but it’ll be interesting.

In the interim;

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[jdandy]

Ed.......Congratulations on embracing the analog side of our audio obsession. I don't spin a lot of vinyl, but when I do I always enjoy what I hear. It's always a good thing to have multiple sources. Have fun.

[For The Love of Music]

As I’m listening between the U-Turn and the Aurender makes me wonder if I’m hearing the attributes of the MM cartridge.

I’m liking being able to try this and then into the MC cartridge in a few weeks.

I’m enjoying having the options of both Analog and Digital through day 2. There’s no real contest here, but it’s something fun to play with, you know really get into what’s going on here. And not turning on the DAC and loading the Server took some adjusting, simpler.

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ed.......Congratulations on embracing the analog side of our audio obsession. I don't spin a lot of vinyl, but when I do I always enjoy what I hear. It's always a good thing to have multiple sources. Have fun.

Thank you, I’m gonna have some fun here, and stay cool with your new Lexus!

[2fastdriving]

Ed, I'm glad you are having fun with the U-Turn. Do you need any help setting up the Kuzma when it arrives? Are you doing yourself or is your local buddy you've mentioned going to help you?

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Ed, I'm glad you are having fun with the U-Turn. Do you need any help setting up the Kuzma when it arrives? Are you doing yourself or is your local buddy you've mentioned going to help you?

Thanks Marc, to be blunt, this is one step down from sex.

Love for people to hear to hear the before and after, I think it’s part of the fun.

The Kuzma will be in delivered in a semi ready state, and everyone is welcome, it’s an event for me, and want as many to share in it!

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by For The Love of Music

Thanks Marc, to be blunt, this is one step down from sex.

Love for people to hear to hear the before and after, I think it’s part of the fun.

The Kuzma will be in delivered in a semi ready state, and everyone is welcome, it’s an event for me, and want as many to share in it!

Count me in!

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Count me in!

Tony, there is a limit of2 lbs of King Crab per person