Helicopter
Major Contributor
In fairness to AT, pretty sure the problem with my 440MLb is due damage from user error, but still got it tracking well.
good morning. Before loosening any screws, you need to know that those standard headshells all have some play in them, and simply twisting it left or right will give enough adjustment. Besides, simply Removing it, and reinstalling it will yield different results each time, so making any adjustments on the arm will not help anything. you can also achieve good azimuth adjustment by playing a vertical modulation test tone, and setting for an even L R level, that is, if the cartridge output balance is perfect, which it never is, hence the azimuth conundrum. Another thing that is extremely confusing is that the test LP’s aren’t so perfect either. simply from the fact that stereo cutter heads are being used to cut the tracks creates error. If a true mono single coil lateral cutter head is used, it can eliminate any channel balance error on the record, same with a vertical coil, however, the vertical error is also dependent on the lathe accuracy. If the head is mounted a little off, then the test record will reflect that. There is no true perfect solution for azimuth. It’s all about compromise. Maybe some day someone will come up with a way to use a laser or something.There are 2 screws on the bottom of the tonearm for adjusting azimuth.
You can buy a headshell that has its own azimuth adjustment though. Keep in mind that you will probably increase the weight of the headshell though (the Technics headshell only weighs 7.5g).
The default High frequency limit is, 20k. That gives an early roll off , I use High cutoff at 48k and do not Get the roll off seen here@amirm Are we really seeing a 1kHz overload at just 20mV for a typical MM gain set to 40dB? That's unbelievably poor for any phono stage, regardless of price. Even that little Realistic 40 year old horror-show had an 80mV overload.
Here's a block diagram I found in another review:
(audioXpress)View attachment 108457
And the RIAA deviation is shocking above 14kHz where it drops like a stone to end up nearly 3dB down at 20kHz. Is there an issue with feeding the front end with such a low source (AP ~20R)? Are you sure there was no filters or rolloffs set into it?
Due to loading and frequency response, whether it beats another preamp, will depend on the cartridge, and in theory, other parts of the system like speakers. I my practical experience with the Puffin, Cambridge Duo, a NAD pp2, and maybe 6 others, it did as well as anything else, and better than poorly engineered stuff.I've got zero experience with vinyl and only owned a turntable for a short time in the 80s. I was looking for a phono preamp that would let me control volume and gain (like with an actual knob) so I ended up buying a Puffin in March.
Since it's essentially a DSP that converts the phono signal to digital and then back to analog I was curious as to whether it has a different sound signature than a standard phono preamp. Personally I like it just fine and would happily recommend it on the basis of my own limited experience with vinyl. There's a lot of tweaking you can do to the sound. BUT, am I missing any of the vinyl "magic" (like in how an unprocessed analog vinyl signal sounds) that a normal phono preamp would provide or does the Puffin sound exactly the same as a mid-range affordable analog preamp?
My current setup has only digital inputs so was considering the Puffin with optical out option as a solution. My only concern is doesn't ADC then DAC or keeping digital out defeat the purpose of vinyl, which is surely a pure analog signal chain, with the inherent imperfections that may entail?
Is the Puffin purely for vinyl listeners who want to correct imperfections/artifacts etc rather than keep them?
OK thanks, it seems like a good option for a phono preamp and probably the one of the best options if I wanted to continue using my current DAC/preamp so needed an ADC.
If i was to use the RCA output on the Puffin I'd also need a headphone amp, I see the option for a digital output says it includes analog, do you know if is this a 6.35mm output which responds to the volume control, so it can be used as a headphone amp?
Many thanks
This is also Puffin, just with a touch of DIY after delivery
PSU for turntable. That project got a bit out of hand too. Enclosure decorations and paint is also home made. Designed PCB etc for it my self, got "way too good" capacitors etc. But hey, we only live onceReally nice!
What's to the left of the turntable?
PSU for turntable. That project got a bit out of hand too. Enclosure decorations and paint is also home made. Designed PCB etc for it my self, got "way too good" capacitors etc. But hey, we only live once
Wow, ambitious!
But on a quartz-locked direct drive TT, what effect does it have?
Was the DIY painting it white?This is also Puffin, just with a touch of DIY after delivery
Was the DIY painting it white?
What type of paint did you use? Any special process involved?On Puffin yes, on SL no.