GALE3030 - Further listening impressions

The Gale was set up in another system consisting of a Technics SU-V7K (80W RMS per channel) amplifier. Source are lossless files played by a PC and digitally decoded by an external DIY DAC, PCM58.

Compared to the Monitor Audio R252 that was in the same position, the sound is much much more neutral with well controlled and defined and extended bass. No subwoofer was used as the earlier setup was using one. Details were excellent albeit a little laid back sound stage! With louder volume, the overall sound does not 'shriek/shout'like the R252.. Then again, its no comparo.. the R252 is a bookshelf!
The 3030 is just like a well behaved 'gentlemen'.. That much I can say. It takes the pounding without much resistance and hesitations. Honestly will NOT induce 'fatigue' with long hours of listening pleasure...

Picture shows the size comparisons between the two floorstanders.. BTW, I got the 3030 at almost half price I paid for the RTL3! In terms of overall performance, if the RTL3 is a BMW M5, the 3030 would be the 3 series equivalent..

The Gale is currently being evaluated by Junior.. wait for the final conclusions!

Technics SL-2000 - Current Status

Just a quick status update.
The SL-2000 is now in my main system,as the only analogue source for playing the vinyls. The VSPS (beside the tt) has been a great performer.. Overall sound is beyond expectations for a turntable that has not been played for more than 2 decades! The Ortofon OM10 Super is a great performer, and when partnered with a great DIY phono amp like the VSPS, it's one heck of a system!

Technics SL-2000- Finally, YES!

A picture tells a thousand words they say, and what does the above picture tells you? Yep, I got the SL-2000 spinning and singing again, yeay!

Replaced the blown fuse with an 850mA one in liew of the original 400mA. Some repositioning of loose wiring and voila! It spins! I couldn't believe my eyes (and my luck!!)
To make the Tt useable and for testing purposes, I had to 'borrow' the headshell from my Pioneer DirectDrive Tt with the Ortofon OM10 Super cartridge... after realignment of the cartridge carried out and balance weight adjusted at about 1.5 g, lo and behold... I swear it sounded better than my Pioneer DD Tt! Stereo separation and staging, depth and most of all the PRaT is very apparent!
More listening sessions to do... In the mean time, I got a 'new' toy to play... ;)

Technics SL-2000 : A wee bit progress; PSU

The suspicious 400mA fuse removed for closer inpection.

Checked out the power supply board. Generally everything looks pretty good. No shorts or burnt marks.. No leaking or bloated caps.. resistors still visually acceptable...

One of the quickblow fuse (400mA) looks suspicious. Supposed to be clear and the glass casing looks cloudy.. closer inspection after removal revealed that it's blown. I have a 315mA spare, put it in and rotated the rotary power switch to ON, it did worked for a short while (the motor spindle spins!) then it blew! Aaarghhh! sux!

2 things came to mind:

1. fuse rating too low

2. fearing the worst: something seriously wrong with circuits downstream of the fuse.

Need to get 400mA fuse or higher rating...

stay tune...

Technics SL-2000- Progress

Did this very late last night..more like close to midnight!

I had a 'brain wave' on how to troubleshoot the platter/motor not running/turning.

Removing the lower panel is no big deal... here's what the innards looked like..

Firstly had to look at the power supply. Not that it is not working, but the neon strobe was ON even the rotary power/speed select switch is in OFF...

Managed to download the service manual from vinylengine, thank God! The Tt came with the original User Manual, which is of no help in this case...

Will update with the development soon..

Now looking for a headshell for this Tt... Definitely need one when this beauty spins! ;)

The new Tt:Technics SL-2000

Yup. The 'new' Tt that I just acquired is the very first Direct-Drive turntable made by Technics.. circa 1974/75! This was given to me by a senior forumer.. According to him, this Tt has not been operated for about 30 years! OMG!

True enough, when I got home seeing the condition is pretty good, in fact it's excellent!

I plugged it in, it lighted up but it would not spin... well it least, there is power! ;)

Need more time to look inside, esp. the electronic board.. hopefully it is still 'salvageable'... otherwise.. may need to 'mod' it...

Note: The pic is not the actual Tt.. Will take some later.. :P

Sitting and sounding pretty- The STK amp

Here's where the STK amp find itself among my AV setup.

On top of the Technics amp! Above it is the Technics tuner. When I got bored with the TT and the CDs.. refreshing music off the air! ;) Oh yeah.. the audio from the DVD player and the LCD TV also plays through the STK amp!

2009 UPDATE!

Happy New Year 2009! :D
It is not too late I hope as It's still january!
Yeah I know.. I have been busy and not updating the blog as frequent and as much as I want to..
excuses, excuses.. hehehe..

Anyway,the T-Amp has been completed and I have moved on to other projects..
An STK hybrid amp, VSPS project and GainClone. Only the GainClone is yet to be completed.. waiting for some parts and time to finish it proper but I am taking my sweet time as I am currently enjoying the STK amp, with my newly completed VSPS phono preamp and my Technics SL-5 with a spanking new stylus that I bought from Singapore. LP/vinyl playing is much much more satisfying than CDs... Ooops I also did make a CD transport from a CDROM mechanism.. ;) More on this later..

Have fun guys! I know I am! :D

PCM58 DAC- a quickie (part 2)

Second day (night actually coz its after midnight!) of auditioning.I'll make this short.. tired and sleepy already!
Configuration changes: Using the BOMB in place of the Technics integrated amplifier, the SU-A900MK2.
Findings: The apparent 'narrowed' soundstage has been restored. mid especially the highs now is a little bit more polished. The lows.. this is where the BOMB really shines.. well articulated and controlled. This is the icing on the cake..

Final configuration: a Yamaha Natural Sound DSP introduced to the setup to be used as a preamp.. was using the DVD/CDP digital volume control as system volume/preamp.
Final verdict: The Yamaha DSP pre-amp is that red cherry sitting on a top of the great cake. This IS the sound setup that had me amazed at 2.15 in the morning. Oh I almost forgot.. closing my eyes and 'viewing' the soundstage.. I can't locate my speakers!
Goodnight...