Helo there  , I was reading a old post of yours about the Pass Labs XA100.5 I see you moved to XA 160.5 was it a big improvement over XA100.5,  I ask because I own a Xa100.5 it seems to do fine driving my Sonus Faber Amati Homage Speakers I use a very Nice Modwright ls 36.5DM tubed line stage a two box design, with a Oppo/Modwright 205 as a Dac/player,  by the way very Nice system you have thanks for any information best regards

goofy January 06, 2020 02:43

Thanks for the reply.  I wonder if I had a 4'' maple platform built instead if that would have any positive or negative affects on sound vs. steel plate you had built...thoughts?

robforst1 December 14, 2016 15:22

It is a steel ballast plate which weighs 136 lbs and loads the Vibraplane to it designed load for max. efficiency.  It was built by Kinetic Systems to match their Vibraplanes and is very effective at increasing isolation and improving overall sound.

peterayer May 24, 2016 21:41

What did you put on top of the Vibraplane to make the turntable fit?

robforst1 May 17, 2016 15:32

Thanks for the kind words, Tzh21y. Every now and then, there are some pretty good deals here on Audiogon.

There was a 30/12 with V-12 arm recently for about $16K.

peterayer November 03, 2015 20:33

I've heard Peter's table. And owned a SME 20/2 + SME IV.Vi arm. SME makes a great table. Others do things differently, hard to say better...Also heard a SME V-20 before...they make good stuff.

I'm pretty happy with my current arm and table...but if I ever got a 2nd table...it'd likely be a SME...

jfrech November 03, 2015 00:00

You have my dream table. I am saving and hope to get at least a SME 20 in the near future. It must sound great

tzh21y November 01, 2015 23:19

I've just posted my impressions of the My Sonic Labs Signature Gold and my AirTight Supreme in the review section. I've decided to add the MSL to my cartridge collection. Click on the review section below to read about the comparison.

peterayer August 03, 2014 01:12

Funny, I refer to it as the "cartridge wars." It is coming along nicely. The My Sonic Labs Signature Gold now has about 40 hours on it and I'm becoming familiar with its sound. After another week or so, I will switch back to my AirTight Supreme.

I don't want to make any pronouncements until I am more confident about how to describe their differences. But I will say that the MSL is a superb cartridge, as is the Supreme.

peterayer July 13, 2014 23:13

Hi Peter, how is the cartridge shoot out (couldn't think of a better word) coming along...

jfrech July 13, 2014 12:48

No, not any time soon. I would love to hear the .8 in my system to really understand the differences, but as an existing owner of the XA160.5, the cost to switch over to the XA160.8 is just too much for me. If I didn't already have a Pass amp, and wanted to switch, that would be a different story.

peterayer July 02, 2014 13:08

Peter,
Are are contemplating changing to the .8 Pass amps? When I spoke to Wayne from Pass he said that the .8 wasn't exactly an "upgrade" from the .5 but a different sound altogether. When I described my system (horns with compression tweeter) he said that the .5's might be better as they are warmer. I still would like to hear the 30.8 in my system.....

jeff1225 July 01, 2014 12:49

Great to hear Peter. Thanks. Happy listenings :-)

number_95 May 07, 2014 05:17

I did not mean to suggest that the AirTight Supreme came as part of a package with the SME 30/12 and V-12 arm, just that the table and arm were a package.

For what it is worth, the SME 30/12 review in HiFi+ (I think) describes very well what I heard when I inserted the SME into my system. So I agree with that review. I'm pretty sure that Albert compared a 12" Graham arm to the V-12.

peterayer May 06, 2014 22:02

Thanks for the feedback Peter. I think of adding SME 30/12 with SME V-12 tonearm in addition to my current analog rig (Acoustic Solid Royal, Ikeda IT-407, Graham Elite), so was brainstorming how good V-12 was. Yes I used to read Albert's posts on both SME tonearms.

number_95 May 06, 2014 08:10

Thanks Number_95. No, I have only heard the V-12 on the 30/12 and only my Air Tight Supreme cartridge. They came as a package. Albert Porter has compared the SME 312S and V-12 to a fair number of other arms on his Technics SP10 mk3.

peterayer May 02, 2014 10:59

A very well thought system. Congratulations. Did you compare some other tonearms with your Sme 30/12 to compare to V-12 ? Just being curious.

number_95 May 01, 2014 18:25

Thank you for the suggestion, Thekong. I do have a friend who has an XP25. I will ask him what he thinks. Interesting idea.

peterayer April 03, 2014 20:19

Hi Peterayer, very impressive system! I have always wanted to audition the SME Model 30/12 with V12, but still haven't had the chance.

Seeing that you are using a full Pass Labs amplification system, and the Xono till recently, I would like to share with you some interesting experience.

Have you ever tried a Dual Xono setup, as in having 2 sets of Xonos and using only 1 channel per set? We tried that a few months ago, and got considerable improvements in every area, especially in the effortless presentation!

Now, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably “double up power supplies”. However, I think there is something more than that going on!

I was using a 1 module, 1 ps, Pass Lab active Xover for 2 ways Xover. Since I planned to go 3 ways, I got another module with no extra ps. While I didn’t see any reason in doing so, one of my friends insisted that I tried the dual mono set up, using only half of each module (one module for hi-pass, another for low-pass), and sharing 1 single ps. To my surprise, there was considerable improvement! Actually, that was what prompted us to try the Dual Xono setup!

So, I think there has nothing to do with the ps in this case, but the 2 channels’ amplification stages having some interference with each other when sharing a single chassis!

If you could borrow another XP-25 from your dealer, I would be very interested to know what you think!

Here is a photo of a recent phono shootout among our group

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff64/evp1312/P1040150sunset_zps6b3d6ca7.jpg

thekong April 03, 2014 02:47

I had a couple of audio buddies over last night to listen to some music. One had not heard the system for a couple of years so it was interesting to learn what he thought of the recent changes and how they effected the overall sound. I find that over time it becomes difficult to appreciate the cumulative effects of system changes. With his consent, I post the two emails he sent me this morning:

Peter:
Just a note to thank you for a wonderful (and ear-opening) evening. It was a pleasure to see you both again and share a few hours.
If we accept that there are many paths to Nirvana, and that we’re all pilgrims along the way, you would seem to be in the vanguard; if not already knocking at the gate. I’ve heard Magico speakers only a few times but, honestly, I wondered what all the fuss was about. They always sounded good; but not spectacular. Last night I learned just how exceptional they can be given copacetic ancillaries and attention to detail.
I don’t know how much you adjusted the VTA during the Mendelssohn but the sonic and musical consequence, as VTA adjustments go, was large and unequivocal. I do not recall ever hearing that stark a contrast due to VTA adjustment alone. Resolution of the system seems high enough to reveal the slightest change anywhere along the chain.
More to the point: The MUSIC comes through.
Well done Peter!
Best regards,
John.

Peter:
I have NEVER heard that Drum Track record sound good since it was released.
Last night it was goose-bumpy, hair-raising, awesome.
John.

These comments come from a tube/horn/analog aficionado, so I appreciate the idea of "many paths to Nirvana". It's also interesting that a 1mm lowering of VTA on the 12" arm resulted in such a dramatic improvement in sound. This represents less than a quarter of a degree in SRA. Finally, it was fun to share the dynamic capabilities of the sealed, two-way Magico Mini2 by playing the Sheffield Drum Record. The explosive dynamics and impact are in part a direct result of Jim Smith's voicing of these speakers to my room.

peterayer March 26, 2014 21:10

Peter great to see your system looking fantastic. I moved back to the magico mini 2 today. System is warming up. Individual bought a pair of Q1 and I could not help myself I gladly took his minis off him. You were very right now that I have these speakers back in my system. The minis are such a classic that will never go out of style. Gunna take me a few days to get them set up just right. Thanks for the motivation....

documentroom February 04, 2014 00:55

Thanks Kmccarty. For some comments comparing the XOno to the XP-25, you can read my post from 12/28 above to Jfrech.

Regarding the TimeLine test, it was quite simple. I borrowed Albert Porter's TimeLine and familiarized myself with how it works. I then placed a tripod about two feet in front of my turntable. I placed the album cover behind the turntable to indicate the music. The black album cover helped show the laser dash. I lined up the dash so that it fell 13.5" away from the spindle. I then placed my iPhone on the tripod with the microphone aimed towards the speakers and hit play. It took a few tries to line everything up so that the video was stable and the dash was clearly seen.

The SME is commendable for its speed accuracy, (and other attributes) but it is effected my stylus drag, so I had to adjust the speed on the motor controller while music is playing. A DD table with higher torque can maintain constant speed under varying loads better which is evident in Halcro's video of his Victor T101.

If you do make a couple of videos showing the Technics tables, please post them on YouTube. I've attempted to start a database on turntables over on a new thread on WhatsBestForum. Just let me know if and when they are on YouTube, and I will gladly post links on my WBF database thread. I'm sure your tables will show excellent results.

peterayer December 29, 2013 22:04

Hi Peter, as always, your careful listening notes really help to understand what you are hearing...and since I've heard your system, helps me to grasp the differences.

I'd like to encourage you to stay with Transparent..I think sticking with one brand has its benefits that manifest itself over time-over the long haul...I do understand how you feel about Transparent's XLR pricing...it can give one pause...

jfrech December 29, 2013 15:16

Peter,
I agree regarding the music, there is always something new to discover and enjoy. Same as you, I experience much pleasure just sitting back and listening to wonderful music/musicians in an ever expanding library.
Charles,

charles1dad December 29, 2013 15:03

Thank you Charles. It has been a most enjoyable process and one in which I have learned much, both about system building and the music. Though I could not have predicted it, perhaps the best part of it all is having met some of the people with whom I now spend time listening.

peterayer December 29, 2013 14:17