System Update! Featuring Basis, Rega, Modwright, Cayin, System Audio
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Today I have a system update video showing you what I listen on and why I chose each product. You'll see products from Basis Audio, Rega, Hana, Modwright, Cayin and the newest addition, The System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeaker from Denmark.
Its important for viewers to know what my system consists of as they watch my reviews, to understand where my priorities lie, and how I've assembled a system that meets my objectives.
I hope you enjoy this video, and if you have any questions about anything here, feel free to mention it in the comments.
A big thank you must go to Oswaldo Martinez of Let There Be Sound, who has guided me and provided a level of service that is above and beyond.
Thanks also go to my friend John Deuble for his wisdom and guidance during this journey.
Products featured in this video:
Basis Audio 1400 Turntable
Rega RB 300 Tonearm
Hana ML Moving Coil Cartridge
Audio Technica AT33EV Evolution Moving Coil Cartridge
Modwright PH 9.0 Tube MM/MC Phono Stage
Cayin A50T Integrated Tube Amplifier
System Audio Pandion Loudspeaker
Regarding the development of the Pandion 30:
"Our loudspeakers in our pandion family are the first in the world that has been developed in an open forum. The goal has been to create world-class loudspeakers and SA's R/D team team invited through more than two years various specialists to contribute to the development work.
The results were regularly shared on a blog and thousands have followed the unusual project.
SA's pandion speakers are the only in the world that has been tested and approved by 25 sound engineers and musicians and nearly 100 sound enthusiasts before production was started. And the special design process has created other impressive results."
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Wow, a lot of system changes here! I always enjoy your vids, Scott. They're always considered, thoughtful and free of all the irritating attempts at being some sort of TV presenter as per so many other channels!
Thank you! Glad that you took the time to watch this. It's an exciting time because finally I'm getting the sound I've been searching for.
I think a down to earth approach is best too. No 'Breaking News' reports here lol.
Having just scrolled through your earlier videos……., might I add great taste in music by the way.
Thank you! I appreciate you're taking the time to view some other content on the channel!
Hi Scott, thanks for your video/s, always so well thought out and fair. Appreciate also your candid comments regarding affordability of all these decisions. On your recommendations, i recently picked up Tone Poet CB Sings (awesome, i have several of his non-singing recordings). In addition, i also picked up a Modwright 9.0XT, on the used market. I am considering tube-rolling and interested to hear your current considerations on the two updates available to your 9.0. Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your kind words! Good to hear feedback on the Chet Baker Sings record. It's pretty special!
So happy to hear from another Modwright owner. I haven't done any tube rolling yet, but I'm so curious about the upgrades. I can't really afford them yet, but perhaps I can talk to Dan about it and give him a well deserved exclusive review. I'd love to have him as a guest (would be my first) as I've heard he's a great guy. It would be nice to hear all the details from the man himself, and possibly through my own unit as well.
Scott I have had my turntable for 30 years and still love it , I have added a better arm , cartridge , clamp and power supply .
I love when a product is continually refined and you can add upgrades. This type of component and company are the best choice. Glad you are enjoying your set up!
Nice video, good to hear your Journey. I was also interested in the modwright, but my budget would not allow it. Settled on the gold note ph-10 plus separate power supply at a very good price. I'm awaiting delivery. Thank scott
@@chrisgrillo579 The Goldnote was another choice. I couldn't afford a new one, unfortunately. Both are great, I'm sure you'll love it. My friend has one and raves about it.
Fabulous looking turntable, Scott.
I don't even thing the pictures do it justice! It could sit in the Museum of Modern Art!
Pretty good integrated ! Cayin surprised me ; fabulous build quality and great sound ! The Cayin 845 is really good ! Never heard those speakers but they have a great reputation. 10k is an interesting price point ; there are quite a few that would work nicely with that amp!
Yeah, the little Cayin isn't bad at all! It really is a nice build, very substancial feel and great sound for me. 10,000 isn't my budget, let me be clear about that! I'm looking to spend under 4,000 so used is one thing and new under that price is another. Any ideas would be welcome!
4K can get you real nice used speakers! It all depends on your listening tastes , room etc. The Cayin wil require fairly sensitive speakers so keep that in mind!
Awesome system Scott! Thanks for sharing👍🏻👍🏻
My pleasure! Glad you got to see the system in some detail. Thanks for watching!
Thanks. I'll do more along this line in the future, and start looking at the equipment side of this hobby.
really nice system!! I am envious
It took a while, and as I said in the video, used is the way to go. Home audition is key. Glad you liked the video!
Great vid, I love gear haha 🤓
I just added a new turntable to my collection about a month ago. Guess it’s new gear season. I got Denon’s brand new flagship direct drive TT, the DP-3000NE. I LOVE IT!!! It’s so good, worth every damn penny (even tho I scored a rad open box deal).
Thanks Jeffery,
Wow that's a beautiful turntable, what a great score! I'd love to hear it!
@@ThePressingMatters c’mon over 😆
@@ThePressingMatters also the tube amp & speakers look gorgeous! Great choices!
Great stuff! Don't we enjoy a great hobby? Cheers!
Every day is Christmas lol! Hey if we don't spoil ourselves, who will 😁
I upgraded the power cord to my Art Audio Vinyl One phono stage. I was skeptical that it would make that much of a difference. I went from the stock power cord to a Shinyata Research Python Alpha. The difference was HUGE!
And agreed that used equipment can be a great bargain. System matching is so important, though. One piece of equipment (anything from speakers to interconnects) can sound great in one system while not so good in another.
Hi Jeff,
Great point about system matching of course, something that is a must to research and understand. A knowledgeable dealer is very helpful here.
I've never yet upgraded a power cord, as I am still working on the main cabling first. But I'm not surprised improvements can be attained. The fact that it was a huge improvement for you must have put a big smile on your face. An interesting upgrade that can really take things to another level.
@ThePressingMatters Not only did swapping out the power cord put a big smile on my face, but it astonished the heck out of me. I mean, I'm not a cynic, but I come into things as an informed skeptic. Cynics say, "Not possible". Skeptics say, "I doubt it, but let me check it out." I was willing as well as curious.
It is a blessing if you have a great dealer nearby who can allow you to borrow equipment. (It's also important that a dealer has similar goals when putting together systems. One dealer I visited was all about detail. I was more about the music. I didn't stick with that dealer.)
A big part of finding a good dealer is, indeed, being able to make sure that the pieces match. It sure is possible to put together a musical system for $1000 if chosen/matched well. It won't be as resolving or realistic as a well-matched $20,000 system, but one could put together a $20,000 that doesn't work well together as well. The balance may not be right or whatever.
Are you going through LTBS, or a different dealer?
Thanks!
Thank you for the donation Marco! I'm glad you found value in what I do!
Very nice looking turntable. A future upgrade that may be worth trying is the
MICHELL ENGINEERING TECNO WEIGHT.
Best wishes and happy listening to all.
Jim🏴🙂
Thank you Jim. Once I get everything sorted out with the speakers and some room treatment, I'll probably experiment with some tweaks and upgrades throughout the system. Thanks for the tip on the Techno Weight. I am aware of it, but hadn't considered anything except the weight clamp that is integral to the Basis design. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment!
@@ThePressingMatters no problem my friend. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Hi Scott thanks for the walk thru. If I could make a cheap upgrade solution : acrylic turntables are very quiet but also absorb some musical energy MF has often commented about this ….see if u can get a trial of a brass or copper record mat u need to put a slip mat under to avoid damaging the acrylic , I think u will find a lift in detail retrieval and dynamics of course will need to lift VTA 🎉
Very interesting, I'll certainly look into that. The designer of the Basis does not recommend any type of mat. I'm sure many types were tried and he felt it sounded best with the record directly locked to the platter. No harm in experimenting for myself though. The benefits you mention might bring things up a notch!
Try copper or brass I found aluminium to bright
@Andrew_from_Oz_Vinyl_Landscape Great, the last thing I want is a bright, overly detailed sound.
Scott, u needs an amazing speaker and we all want you to have one , please consider a refurbished Quad ESl ie a 57 with a series of mods: including longer legs and a tweeter addition which I think is to your taste and amplification
@@Andrew_from_Oz_Vinyl_Landscape Oh yes Andrew, I would love to have Quads once in my life! A friend has the exact ones as you describe and he's thrilled with them. I'm not sure I have the room to do them justice but maybe in a dedicated room someday.
Nice gear Scott! Try the mofi sourcepoint 10. Andrew jones. I am about 1.5 years on mine and they are amazing amazing for the price
Thanks! I am considering those too, I heard them under show conditions and they were very nice. Have to hear them again and then have an in home trial. Good to know you are loving them!
I’ve heard the Hana cartridges are very good
The new Blue Body one gets rave reviews
Yes, my buddy has one and absolutely loves it. He had the ML previously.
I have the Blue Hana. Fantastic Cartridge .Previous cartridge was the ML amazing how much better the Blue is! Highly recommended
@dock6945 It must be! Maybe next upgrade!
I recently got a Cayin MT-12N EL84EH integrated amp and at only 10 wpc it is pretty amazing to me.
They are very well built for the price, and I think they are a bargain. People tend to shy away from amps manufactured in China but they would be surprised at how many well known brands are manufactured there, often in the same top quality facility as the Cayin.
Glad you are loving yours too!
@@ThePressingMatters
Thanks, and have fun with your cool rig. I think I need to try a Hana cartridge myself.
I recommend going for the ML if you can swing it. My experience with the SL was not as good but my example might have been defective.
@@ThePressingMatters
I always go for a Microline stylus, and my current Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML moving coil is very nice. I don't understand why people use a Shibata since it was designed for quadraphonic records and supposedly creates more wear to the grooves and also wears out faster than a microline. But I guess if they think it sounds better that's up to them.
There's a ModWright dealer in the NH area? I'm in MA who sells ModWright locally?
Hi Mark,
I'm not sure. I haven't lived in NH for a long time, but you might check the Modwright website for a dealer list. Hopefully someone in the Boston area carries it. If you can't hear it anywhere, I'm sure you can get a 30 day trial in your home.
So big Q, where are you with buying some “Original Source” vinyl ?
I buy it from Amazon. I have most of them listed in The Pressing Matters storefront too, if you have trouble finding them. The link is in the description box. Since these are pressed at optimal, I like having the easy exchange policy.
Check out he Fyne loudspeaker
Thank you but I loved these so much I made it happen! Very happy with the sound and they are a gorgeous looking speaker as well. Getting to audition them for a month really was important. I don't feel a need to search anymore which is a great feeling!
I have nothing to add here as my system is a turd by comparison.
Well, it takes time and careful planning. You can get great sound on a smaller budget - there are high end components at all levels. A good advisor is essential so that you don't make any costly mistakes. Used equipment is a great path in a budget.
Honestly I'm not well heeled by any stretch, I've just cut spending everywhere I can to have been able to save for these things.
@ThePressingMatters as I've mentioned here before, my main system consists of Thorens, Marantz, Cerwin-Vega, and Yamaha.
Sounds great. Suits me fine for this period of my life.
By that I mean, I'm in my 60s now, and I can't justify upgrading to something that wouldn't make sense to me at this point. I don't know how much longer I've got.
Sounds morbid, but even I think about how long do I keep my records, or keep buying like I do, before I should consider selling them off.
All that said, if I were 20 years younger, I'd go for the kill on a system.
I understand. I have these thoughts too. I'm probably near your age and I sometimes think about these same things, but I probably have 20 years more to enjoy this hobby and as long as I am responsible with other financial considerations, I'm looking forward to the time when I retire and have the time to enjoy my system and the records to play on it. Our obsession is probably silly to many people but if it brings us joy, that's all that matters. That said I'm looking to downsize my record collection for sure, and get that to a nice concise collection, and add streaming in the near future.
@ThePressingMatters agreed. I need to downsize. There's so much I have that I don't play and won't play, anymore.
Still enjoy the hunt, dropping the needle, kicking back.
But I bet I could pull half of what I have to sell and still be good with it.
I have unloaded a lot. And still have 7 full boxes taking up space, not even counting what I could pull to free up space.
In the meantime, I guess we keep playing them as long as we can. ✌️
@@rcpsammy7186 looks like a good system you have to me, my friend.
I'm fifty nine and in ill health. I spend as much as I can afford on my hifi as it gives me great pleasure. I also think that after I'm gone my family can either keep it or sell it, so it will be of some use to them whatever they decide.
Best wishes and happy listening from Scotland.
Jim🏴🙂
And speaking of System Audio, there were extremely popular here in Michigan since 1993, or which I’ve owned 3 pairs of their mini-monitors. You’d definitely do a lot worse.
That's interesting. There must be (or have been) a dealer in that area? I've only heard two models, this and a newer, upper level model and I do prefer these. I'll be doing some more listening to other lines in the $4,000 and under price range before a final decision is made. It's a lot of money for me and I must try to hear as many contenders as possible.
Great system, awful acoustics, unfortunately. I can clearly hear the echo in that room. 😐
Working on that too, in fact I'll be doing something in the subject as it's addressed. Thanks for checking out the video!