Parks Audio Puffin Review (Phono Stage)

[BDWoody]

Yep, definitely a different cart / TT.

I do have one done from the VM540.

Pink Floyd (side 2)
DSOTM
PFRLP8

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10SE0CCf13mkkIiOwkEZmx_Dux9hmIVph/view

 

[watchnerd]

I do have one done from the VM540.

Pink Floyd
DSOTM
PFRLP8

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10SE0CCf13mkkIiOwkEZmx_Dux9hmIVph/view

Thanks.

I only have one pressing of DSOTM, and I'm not sure it's a favored one:

https://www.discogs.com/Pink-Floyd-The-Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon/release/9287809

 

[StefaanE]

The whole purpose of the hobby/enthusiasm is sound that is 100% in the analog domain.

In my case, it’s listening to records of my youth. And seeing that I now have active speakers, I would be very happy with the Puffin. The sooner the signal is in the digital domain, the cleaner the transmission between the components. Unfortunately, the Puffin is not easily available in Europe.

 

[BDWoody]

Thanks.

I only have one pressing of DSOTM, and I'm not sure it's a favored one:

https://www.discogs.com/Pink-Floyd-The-Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon/release/9287809

Don't thank me yet.

I'm running Aja through the Kenwood now... Maybe that stylus is a bit worn on the 310mc. Less sizzle...

 

[BDWoody]

Thanks.

I only have one pressing of DSOTM, and I'm not sure it's a favored one:

I have a few...I should figure out which is considered the best of the bunch.

So, for the sake of completion, here's our well known sample through the VM540.
That's a little better...(to me).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rXAZWDEBJNRQDMU6EEF-_wLUQZgtkG7G/view

 

[watchnerd]

I have a few...I should figure out which is considered the best of the bunch.

So, for the sake of completion, here's our well known sample through the VM540.
That's a little better...(to me).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rXAZWDEBJNRQDMU6EEF-_wLUQZgtkG7G/view

I think it sounds a little better, too.

 

[jhaider]

I don't understand though why anyone would use this as a phono preamp ?... Doesn't it defeat the whole purpose as it converts analog to digital before output ?

If the "whole purpose" is to play records, then no.

Besides, a good system requires A/D conversion somewhere downstream of the needle for room correction anyway.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I think I figured out how to measure a cartridge response.

1. Test record track with CONSTANT VELOCITY=linear =no RIAA compensatiion. A cartridge will give constant signal (voltage amplitude) from this
2. Record needle WITHOUT RIAA . Puffing Line IN, gain 70db.
3. Plot in CoolEditPro/Audacity/Adobe audition and plot. Import wav file to REW for different plot options

This gives the cartridge response without disturbance from RIAA stage errors

My test record is "Ortofon Pickup Test record, Signal and Music". Track1-3 Linear white noise. Not sure how flat/correct it is...
RIAA Parks Audio Puffin, Cart:AT OC9ML/II (from 2005.. new in Box)..

First a comparison of flat(line in) and RIAA compensation through Puffin. 70db gain load 200 ohm-

And flat cart response( no RIAA, but Line in setting on Puffin) with 0 3 6 air setting. imported and plotted in REW with 1/12th smoothing

Same file/data plotted in CoolEditPro

 

[watchnerd]

My test record is "Ortofon Pickup Test record, Signal and Music". Track1-3 Linear white noise. Not sure how flat/correct it is...

I don't think it's white noise.

According to the track listing, it's a sweep.

Also, the Ortofon test record is cut with RIAA built-in, so should be used with RIAA-on, so I'm a bit confused by the process you list above.

In contrast, STR-100 is a no-RIAA disk and should be used without RIAA.

If you want to graph a transfer, wouldn't it be easier to use a non-RIAA test disk and change the Puffin to Line input?

At least that's what I did....

 

[cochlea]

My mom just gave me her rather extensive collection of jazz records from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, the majority which are mono recordings. I have set the mode on my Puffin to mono and turned on magic, but I’m wondering if there are any other settings that would be helpful. Also, is my 2MM Bronze cartridge the best choice for mono? Thanks.

 

[watchnerd]

My mom just gave me her rather extensive collection of jazz records from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, the majority which are mono recordings. I have set the mode on my Puffin to mono and turned on magic, but I’m wondering if there are any other settings that would be helpful. Also, is my 2MM Bronze cartridge the best choice for mono? Thanks.

In theory, a true mono cartridge is better.

I have one.

In practice, I never bother to use it because it's just not worth the hassle to install it compared to just using the mono switch on any phono stage I'm using.

Some might also argue that a conical stylus is more appropriate, but I wouldn't worry about that, either, unless you plan to make a dedicated hobby out of listening to deep groove mono.

@cochlea what labels are they, i.e. Blue Note, Verve, Riverside, Columbia, etc?

 

[mhardy6647]

FWIW (@watchnerd, you know this, but other folks may not):
True mono = no vertical compliance.
Pre stereo-era mono was cut with groove "modulation" in only one dimension (lateral).
Of course, stereo changed all that, and to play a stereo record requires compliance of the stylus/cantilever assembly in two dimensions.

source: https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/cartridges-ranges/true-mono/

This is why very stereo album jackets sometimes (if not often) include warnings not to play them with mono cartridges. A "true mono" cartridge will damage a stereo record.

Eventually, mono records (i.e., the masters) started to be cut using stereo lathes, and "modern" mono records are, in essence, stereo records but with exactly the same information encoded for both stereo channels.

Similarly (perhaps paradoxically so), many "modern" mono hifi cartridges are (essentially) stereo cartridges with the two channels paralleled and thus have both vertical & lateral compliance.


But, there are still true mono cartridges (e.g., from Ortofon, per the link above).

So much to worry about...

 

[JP]

Some might also argue that a conical stylus is more appropriate, but I wouldn't worry about that, either, unless you plan to make a dedicated hobby out of listening to deep groove mono.

https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/labelography-2/blue-note-deep-groove/

 

[Francis Vaughan]

A true mono recording cut in stereo will still yield a cutting with only horizontal movements. Out of phase signal in the two channels results in vertical movement of the cutting. (The reason why bass is mixed to the centre in stereo, otherwise bass notes would bounce the stylus out of the groove.)
Reducing the compliance of the cartridge in the vertical direction might be helpful in managing warped records, as one could tune the arm’s vertical resonance differently to the horizontal. But, in principle, a stereo cartridge will recover exactly the same signal as a mono one.

 

[cochlea]

Columbia, RCA Victor,

In theory, a true mono cartridge is better.

I have one.

In practice, I never bother to use it because it's just not worth the hassle to install it compared to just using the mono switch on any phono stage I'm using.

Some might also argue that a conical stylus is more appropriate, but I wouldn't worry about that, either, unless you plan to make a dedicated hobby out of listening to deep groove mono.

@cochlea what labels are they, i.e. Blue Note, Verve, Riverside, Columbia, etc?

Mostly Columbia, some RCA Victor. I haven’t gotten through them all yet, but checkout this notice on the back of Peter Nero’s Reflections album. (sorry, getting off topic)

 

[watchnerd]

https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/labelography-2/blue-note-deep-groove/

I have a fair number of those...probably about 50 between the different labels.

At one point, I even went so far as using an Ortofon SPU to be 'more period appropriate.'

If I ever get ambitious enough to install the 2nd arm on the Gyro, the SPU might get dusted off.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I don't think it's white noise.

According to the track listing, it's a sweep.

Also, the Ortofon test record is cut with RIAA built-in, so should be used with RIAA-on, so I'm a bit confused by the process you list above.

In contrast, STR-100 is a no-RIAA disk and should be used without RIAA.

If you want to graph a transfer, wouldn't it be easier to use a non-RIAA test disk and change the Puffin to Line input?

At least that's what I did....

That is what i did too. My Ortofon is from 1975 The track on side 1 band 3 is whitenoise ( for noise check) with constant velocity -linear -and i used Puffin Line in. It is not the same Ortofon Test record as can be bougth today!!! So that explains the confusion I guess...
I also have Bruel&Kjær QR2010 with constant velocity sweep above 1k Hz . I will try that and compare. Still waiting for my TRS 1007 test reco

rd

 

[watchnerd]

That is what i did too. My Ortofon is from 1975 The track on side 1 band 3 is whitenoise ( for noise check) with constant velocity -linear -and i used Puffin Line in. It is not the same Ortofon Test record as can be bougth today!!! So that explains the confusion I guess...
I also have Bruel&Kjær QR2010 with constant velocity sweep above 1k Hz . I will try that and compare. Still waiting for my TRS 1007 test reco

View attachment 110306rd

Oh you have an old one.

The modern one has test tones.

I don't think white noise is the preferred method for FR analysis.

 

[mhardy6647]

...

If I ever get ambitious enough to install the 2nd arm on the Gyro, the SPU might get dusted off.

I do like the SPU family (FWIW -- and not that anyone asked).

 

[watchnerd]

I do like the SPU family (FWIW -- and not that anyone asked).

Why?