When a Turntable RUINS Streaming HI-RES Audio for me!

[@Jayiyagi]

*Hey guys, thank you for stopping by and hearing my turntable journey, Please let me know YOUR turntable story in the comments below! few extra things I want to touch base on, 1. once again, this is a pretty expensive and extensive turntable and it definitely took a long time before I got here, I started off with many budget vintage turntables but it was a heck of a journey and I don't regret it one bit 2. I know that some avid audiophiles out there will quickly point out the MoFi incident and say that many pressings are produced digitally anyways, However I am not talking about pure analog or making claims that pure analog sounds better, I am talking about analog playback and I think we can all agree that playing digitally produced music through any different source is going to sound different (ex, through streaming vs cd player vs turntable)* Disclaimer: This video was not sponsored or paid by Purefidelity. These are my honest opinions of a product I personally use* Purefidelity Turntables: purefidelity.ca/product-category/turntables/ Get your Purefidelity Turntable here: buypurefidelity.ca/ Purefidelity Stratos Cartridge: purefidelity.ca/product/stratos-mc/ Tonearms: purefidelity.ca/pure-fidelity-tonearms/ Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: kzbin.info/aero/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM 0:00 Intro 0:59 How is it different from budget Turntables? 8:23 Origin Live ToneArms 9:02 PureFidelity Statos Cartridge Review 13:28 PureFidelity Harmony Build Quality Review 14:15 PureFidelity Harmonty Sound Review

[@williamcampbell3868]

Hello Sir Jay!! This is from a 64 year old O.G Black man and music loving audiophile! (My full title 🤣)Back in May I purchased a pre-owned Sota Sapphire as a upgrade from a Sota Comet I've enjoyed for 30 years. The Sapphire has a classic Jelco tonearm on to which I attached a Grado Opus3 cartridge! Maaan! I been playing more vinyl than ever despite the fact that my Rotel cd14 mk2 is gloriously musical and satisfying. I'd like to point out that the Rotel cd14 mk2 and the Sapphire/Grado Opus3 are musically superior to streaming devices. People who have heard them remarked at the purity, power, and richness of the sound they produced compared to their streamers. They were especially surprised with the Sota Sapphire/Grado combo! These friends of mine are definitely non audiophiles and they swear they never heard or seen anything like it. After 44 years of high end audio experience, I was taken aback myself once I got it leveled, dialed in the tracking and skating, then began listening. I knew the sound was going to be on another level, but I was not ready to be completely blown away!

[@jaydee6268]

Hi Jay! Loved hearing your perspective on the turntable streaming debate. [Thank you for sharing.] I have never been a fan of records and was a huge fan of physical digital media, especially DATs, but as much as I like them, one of my best musical experiences involved a turntable setup that incorporated a DBX range expander. Absolutely loved how it lowered the sound floor while raising sound’s ceiling. It was noticeably and appreciatively more engaging than the same music on CD using the same system. This brings me to my question(s), given the recent rise in interest in turntables, why do [you] suppose there hasn’t there been a renewed interest in analogue range expanders and if one were available would you add it to your system? Edited for clarity (I hope). And oh yeah, congrats on reaching 100K!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I'm with you, vinyl played on a great turntable and cartridge sounds better than even Hi-Rez streaming. Better in the sense of more involving, for me absolutely. Of course if the recording itself is crap, well that's a different story.

[@williamcampbell3868]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliacGreetings Steve my man! This is the O.G Black man and music loving audiophile. Great to hear from you as always!👍😁 I agree with you 100%(I love my Sota Sapphire/Grado Opus3 set up!). I want to add that a high end analog turntable/cartridge, like any high resolution component in the system chain is also highly revealing of poor recordings. I think it just makes them sound less irritating. Digital sources make them worse. However I love my Rotel cd14 mk2 player! Just like a mosfet amplifier has tube attributes, the Rotel ( due to the chassis construction,Texas Instruments DAC's, and power supplies) has analog attributes in spades! It also looks more high end suave in the silver finish facia and casing.

[@cjay2]

Especially considering the squashed dynamics of almost everything digital, since the mid-90s.

[@dkernighan1]

Vinyl is not objectively “better” but the sound a good vinyl rig produces is without debate MUCH tastier. Delicious!

[@Thoughtflux]

Do you think vinyl can sound as holographic & wide as a R2R Dac?

[@Music_time82]

​@@Thoughtfluxnot being rude, But you haven't heard a properly setup rig. Unfortunately The sheer transparency and tone will yield alot of that 3d stage you speak of. But! It's rare to show up to a magical vinyl rig. So basically, you're correct if you were to say ratio of vinyl to digital setups probably sway towards the digital as setup correctly on average

[@filmnarr163]

So young and so wise... All the best from Vienna/Austria. P.S.: I am 66 and was a highend dealer for 30 years+ myself.

[@markwagner1997]

I've been an audiophile since the mid '70s. Until I started streaming 5 years ago vinyl was my source of choice. I still listen to vinyl about 15% of the time, CD 5% of the time and streaming 80% of the time. 4 years ago I got off of the must upgrade everything all the time merry-go-round and have been very happy. Reviews like this one are pretty useless IMHO... Claiming that one source ruins another source and that you must have this super expensive component to be happy with your sound quality. As a KZbinr, you make your living off of perpetuating the myth that we all need to buy more expensive components and upgrade everything often. I unsubscribed from you a few years ago for that reason. Nothing personal, you give great reviews and you seem like a genuinely nice and honest person. Best of luck to you Jay!

[@abxaudiophiles]

My favorite review of yours so far. Well done sir.. 100% spot on in all cases. ❤🎉😊

[@Inlinefour-m9j]

I created a new "ceremony".. Late every evening, I turn of my tv, my modem- everything except my tube amps & my turntable.. I put on a record, and listen..This is the best- just extremely relaxing.. And any type of streaming, just becomes irrelevant compared to that.

[@galan5302]

You have to match a cartridge to a tonearm (not necessarily the turntable) to minimize resonances among other things. You can find equations online for this. So, it’s not surprising that you and your friends found PureFidelity’s matched cartridge to this Origin tonearm that they offer to be more musical and naturally realistic than the possibly mismatched other cartridges for this particular tonearm.

[@Vinyl-Go-Pilates_Reiner]

I can fully relate with your observations regarding turntable listening versus high-res streaming. I found that my turntable, a Thorens TD 126 mk3, strongly reacted to each bit of upgrade I gave it. A Lustre Sound Tracer GST-1 tonearm, an IsoSlice turntable platform, IsoAcoustics OREA Indigo under the turntable platform, my 500 EUR system the MM Transrotor Uccello or the better phono preamplifier, the EAR Yoshino Phonobox. Nothing even close to what you showed in the video but still the same effect. Listening to a LP is like listening to a concert and not looking for the next track to play before the track playing has even ended. Thank you for a great video.

[@davidrivera2165]

Hi Jay! I'm 64 and an audiophile since 1979. My first Lp was gifted to me in 1971 as a Christmas gift at the age of 12. Unknowingly, your detailed description of the Harmony turntable is the exact reason why even some old guys like me no longer prefer vinyl. THE EXTREME HIGH COST for a true quality playback turntable, arms, stylus, phone stage. At $10k, you're just starting to truly access good analog playback. With $10k of electronic components (speakers not included), you're smack in the middle of high end hi res streaming. From 1979 to 1995 all my systems included a vinyl source playback component. In 95 after listening to my first SACD playback I realized vinyl had real competition. Today, as you're well aware, add a good tube preamp and/or a tube based dac to an excellent digital playback system, and you're 95% if not equal a $20k Vinyl playback source system can deliver. Vinyl can be excellent, but only if you love the slow, methodical, and often expensive approach. This old guy says: been there done that. Thanks for all you do Jay for our community.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thank you for sharing. Definitely for all the reasons you’ve provided, I stopped playing vinyl for a while and I guess I have regained enthusiasm after getting this turntable to go through and reconnect with the music that started all of this

[@emanuelduke701]

@@Jayiyagi No offense Jay, but if you now go into the analog "rabbit hole", specifically reviewing all that is analog (cartridges, arms, turntables, tweaks), one might think you do so for more content and sponsorship and not just for the music.

[@Jayiyagi]

No offence taken since its not true at all and I’d question why and what would lead someone to think that.

[@Darrylizer1]

One can get a used turntable for under 1000 dollars that will blow most modern turntables out of the water in terms of specs. Or one can buy a Technics 1200GR for 2000 dollars new. Either will give an amazing experience with a cartridge costing under 300 dollars. I'll never stream as the artists make almost nothing per play and I prefer physical media in any case. I collect vinyl, cds and high rez files, all of which are directly available from the artists I like.

[@ziggy149]

@@emanuelduke701 I’ll never understand why people whine about people they follow making new and different content. Isn’t that what we’re here for? Content?

[@markpocock183]

Thanks Jay! I wanted to comment that IMO it is the matching of the cartridge to the tonearm that is more important than cartridge to TT. The mass of the tonearm and compliance of the cartridge should be considered and optimized. This may be a factor in why your cartridge sounded better...although of course different cartridges sound different in and of themselves.

[@TombHermance]

Nice job. I love my Pure Fidelity Harmony turntable, too. I use it w/ a Kuzma arm & Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue cartridge. Keep it up! Cheers!

[@douglashavach4373]

Jay, I have watched about forty of your reviews over the past year and many of them had useful information and were enjoyable. This video review is one of your best for both content and presentation and I congratulate you for that. I have been listening to LPs for 50+ years and I mostly agree with what you say (so succinctly) about record playback. You keep getting better and better at what you do.

[@madmeister407]

Playing vinyl is a personal experience and is a journey of fun and adventure from start to finish. From your first turntable through to your ultimate vinyl spinner, including all the other kit that makes it enjoyable. I bought my very first record in 1969 and 55 years later I'm still buying them. My system has evolved into something I'm very proud of and it sounds (in my opinion) fantastic and very organic.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

. Time for a replacement stylus yet Mad? Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@Jayiyagi]

thanks for sharing!

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Very nice video. Very thoughtful and insightful. Well done! Here's to your well deserved upcoming 100K milestone Jay!

[@stevezeidman7224]

I’m 71 years old and grew up with records. This opinion will be unpopular I’m sure. It’s too much money and you can get great fidelity for 1/5 the cost with a moderately priced streamer and a great modestly priced dac like Geshelli. There, I said it. I’d just as soon listen to more music for less money.

[@Jayiyagi]

I think so too but there is always better right? But at the end of the day, music is music and there's more than one way to enjoy it. I still listen to music in my car and sing/dance to it even though its just stock speakers.

[@sbwlearning1372]

My refurbed technics 1200 (£500 ) with a slightly used AT oc9 xsl ( £300) spanks my Denafrips Venus DAC

[@cjay2]

Streamer? What happens when the streaming service decides to negate an artist that you like?

[@johncallaghan3097]

I'm 74 and long ago gave up vinyl, not primarily because I didn't like the sound, but because of the awful faffing around when what one wants to do is play favourites in succession from many different albums (for this, CDs are nearly as bad). These days I don't stream from the web but from my own local library of favourite CD tracks. If I want to listen to a selection of favourites, first of all only favourites are in my library, and secondly I can find them in seconds and be off to the races. IMHO, streaming from the Web is only good for finding new tracks one likes, and to do that doesn't cost anything if one uses KZbin. If I like a newly discovered artist, I can buy the CD and rip my new favourites from it. If you want to know what has most transformed my listening experience, it has been the acquisition of a Gustard R26 DAC coupled with a pair of home built open baffle speakers with a full-range Lii Song F-15 driver. Now: maybe the Harmony is everything you say, but would I ever return to all the faff? I think not. Is it possible you're becoming a young fogey, Jay? 😉

[@Jayiyagi]

haha, thank you for sharing John. I'd say it's the opposite of "fogey Jay" After all I have not grown up with vinyl. Cheers

[@kieronkelly959]

Great review Jay. I use both streaming and records and with streaming I often don’t even finish listening to a track before changing. Now that’s no way to listen to music. It’s actually too convenient for music. When I play a record I actually listen to the music.

[@Jayiyagi]

That's how I felt! And weirdly there's a sense of tranquility in that for me. Honestly if someone told me, I'd be like "right, ok, good for you" but actually experiencing it again for myself, it is quite transformative

[@Alextraz]

Hi Jay...I had a turntable foe few years but an entry level one from AT ... not grate not terrible. It was connected with a reasonable equipment kef R300 but it never got me excited...I don't have many records and soo i got back to streaming. Few months ago I started upgrading my system new speakera new amp new streamer...you know the drill ;). With more fidelity comming from my system i have found that streaming often lack dynamics clarity and that moment when you just sit and listen... With good recordings it was perfect with not so good so so...i went to a friend with a good amount of vinyl's and similar set up...maaan...this was something else everything was so lively...sold my old turntable bought a new one invested in some new high qualiy records plus a tube phono and i get so so much enjoyment out of it...sooo what can i say there is sonething and it is not may imagination....my set up is r3 meta, atoll in200(with build in dac), wiim pro with lenear power, project debut pro and project tube box s2. By the way i will be more than happy to suggest a better digital source or dac...anything that could bring more base, body sweetness to the digital sound. Thanks

[@secretsquirel5306]

Very interesting Jay. A few years ago I replaced the feet on my turntable because the rubber in the old feet had degraded over time. I originally tried the cheaper Orea feet which was really successful. However, everytime I had to move the turntable the Oreas would drop off the underside of the deck. To solve this I bought some GIA 1s which come with M6 and M8 fittings and fitted my turntable perfectly. Also, when I need to move the turntable the feet don't drop off. The Oreas did not go to waste either because they're now used under my streamer/server. Thoroughly recommend the ISOacoustics isolators and they're reasonably affordable.

[@jasonwebb6484]

I can’t say my mother or grandfather handed down a collection delightful 192kHz FLAC files. Certainly the appeal of some music is nostalgia and a sentimental human connection (tough to get those aspects via streaming, regardless of sound quality).

[@carlostmartinez7693]

Yes, I agree with your findings. I also listen to streaming for background music, when listening critically, I use my turntable and tube amp. I’ve heard high dollar systems in treated rooms at dealers, and they can sound good enough to live with. But I’m not ready to give up my tt.😊

[@christophmartin5381]

One thing I can learn from this channel is the sheer word wave of excitement for this product. I mean it is a turntable , obviously a better turntable. But man that could be expressed by much less words, anyway I like it passion is always the way to go.

[@renantebarroga6154]

You’re just realizing this now? I discovered that listening to vinyl was better than CD…this in 1985

[@LetThereBeSound1]

Congratulations sir and welcome to the club! 🙂 LOL ( I love it! )

[@kostasjezuz4846]

Nice! You forgot to mention what phono pre you were using during your listening sessions and the cartridge shootout. As you said, these cartridges have minuscule output, and as such the phono stage plays huge role and can explain your findings as well. Have to say I totally agree with the differences in the listening experience, I rarely use streaming for the same reasons, I prefer physical media, whatever they might be...

[@wesmiddaugh230]

i have about 10k records and have given many more to friends and family. i use 2 tts. 1 a 1960 Bogen/Lenco 70 that i built a heavy plinth and did a few upgrades. the other is a Denon 1200. the Lenco makes music explode out of the vinyl and places a big wide soundstage.

[@rogercoates2492]

I rebuild a Lenco 75 with heavy plinth and Origin Live tonearm. I also get a huge soundstage and stable tone quality.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thank you for sharing!

[@wesmiddaugh230]

@@rogercoates2492 i have a Jelco 370H that i got sometime back and was looking for something different very little out there under 1000 now. Jelco out of business a loss

[@kennethmajland]

Stereo was invented by Alan Blumlein with the screen in mind. He most likely would have loved digital, although he made many improvements to analog.

[@christopherhachet5184]

I prefer it but I still enjoy streaming and CD's.

[@wouterkolkman]

Thank you for your review Jay. Many points you make ring true for me. My vinyl collection consists of a few 100 albums, half of which used to belong to my late dad. This encouraged me to invest in a better deck with the Project RPM5 Carbon and Ortofon MC cartridge. Is it better than hires streaming? That question is irrelevant - I enjoy listening to vinyl as well as hires new recordings either downloaded or from a streaming service.

[@deanfisher1656]

Really well done Jay….heard this table at Axpona….it was impressive even in that environment. The build quality and look blew me away. Cool that you compared some other cartridges. My turntable still gives streaming a run for the money…..and I have a Holo Audio May Dac. Table is a 20 year old Rega P9 modified. 🤔 hmmmmm.

[@hificonspiracy]

You've escaped digital hell and the delta sigma endless spec upgrade cult. Congrats! Great vid!🔊

[@nick_yt23]

And entered the vinyl sectarianism and cartridge endless spec comparison cult that cost you an arm and a leg 😂

[@dominicvalois]

Really? Just let me know how much money one can throw in a good turntable, not counting the endless upgrades in cartridges, phono stages, tonearm, platers, etc... Vinyls are great but it's all a question of taste and you might think digital is inferior, it's not, it's just different, just like tape loops, etc... I would love people to say "I prefer" instead of "it's better", better for who? It's like a vegetarian saying beef is crap, might not be for you but it's not crap...

[@hificonspiracy]

@@nick_yt23 Funny, unlike digital and the Topping DAC cults. I don't recall any youtube channels dedicated to endless cartridge spec comparisons.

[@hificonspiracy]

@@dominicvalois You can get a lot of mileage out of Sl-100c and used Denon 103. Not much more then your average "cheap DAC of the week" I never said Digital is crap. I'm simply an advocate of analog sources. Typically, vinyl users don't fall into the same upgrade neurosis that digital users do. I think it has something to do with the delta sigma noise shaping frequency.

[@EskWIRED]

​@@dominicvaloisAgreed. The phono preamp alone can cost as much as a sports car.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

Having the best of both worlds, and everyone is happy. Well, I am.

[@eddylam224]

You know, Jay, I really enjoyed this review. The first half did a great job breaking down the insanity involved in making this turntable, but the second half really struck a chord with me. It reminded me of a recent trip to my public library, where I picked up this massive Nat Geo photography book. As I flipped through the pages, I was completely captivated-some of the photos stirred up so much emotion. When you used the sharpness analogy, it hit me: "God damn..." I wouldn't have felt the same way if I’d been scrolling through a digital version on a screen. I'm trying out tubes first, but I’ll definitely keep an open mind about vinyl.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thanks so much for that story Eddy ❤

[@ericlo6370]

Great post Jay! I think your Aurender sound signature is bit foursquare which you should perhaps try something more musical yet precise . I was like you thinking that the day has come that streaming is the future of music playback and vinyl is passe already But recently, under the influence of my friend and after hibernating on vinyl since I sold my Linn LP12 in 1991, I picked up a miniscule turntable and start enjoying sound from vinyl again! That is the Sound Burger from Audio Technica! It's small, easy to handle . wireless as it's battery charged and has even built in phono amp and can connect through Bluetooth and also via USB! To enjoy complete wireless sensation, I chose Bluetooth on my amazing little Douk U4 as recommended by Jeff Day. And the sound is actually very very respectable and enjoyable. I get enough details, soundstage and musicality from it that it is eating up my streaming time ! For vinyl beginners, Sound Burger is such a good introduction due to it's ease of use and decent sound quality~

[@Jayiyagi]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ericlo6370]

@@Jayiyagi I enjoy your post as you touch on musicality and connection to music which oft is missing in many reviewers !

[@psyphonyxaudio]

I love that you just let a little peak over your shoulder for the whole video .. I know your back was crooked after you filmed this for so long.. lol ... I have records.. and I don't own a turntable.. IF I ever get a turntable .. it will be LONG after I have everything else nailed down. Right now .. I need a new Pre-amp. I love the details.. it's a nice insight for what it takes to have a Turntable sound good in a system.

[@MartinHAndersen]

If modern records are made from digital masters, then a record represent the result of a D/A converter. Maybe the RIAA curve and the difference in the processing gives the better sound?

[@Dobiwankenobiwan]

Exactly what I was thinking. If you listen to a reel to reel, you’ll hear an equalization curve different from streaming or records.

[@joemartin6439]

Jay , I totally , my older Encore with the Hana ML . Playing my Vintage vinyl like Pete Fountain in New Orléans.

[@Thoughtflux]

Jay, Do you think vinyl can sound as holographic & wide as a R2R Dac? You are the perfect person to answer this question. I'm really curious.

[@christopherhachet5184]

There are a lot of things on old vinyl that I can't get on streaming.

[@robbase-f6x]

as someone who has been in the hobby for 40 years I can give you some tips .... . first thing before you worry about analog vs digital is getting your room right ,,,,, if your speakers are in high pressure areas of the room , too close to walls , lots of things in between speakers ,,,,,, everything will sound bad - so what does that mean? ,,,, it means look at on line videos about speaker placement from the sound pros .... you can start by learning the "Wilson" speaker placement method ..... pick the speaker size that matches your room ..... then depending on the speakers you get you can go with tube amps or solid state ,,,, tubes give a better 3d sound ,,,,,, SS gives better bass ,,,,,, oh so you want records ? ,,,, well what do you know about phono pre amps ? what do you know about step up coils ? ...... what kind of rock solid stand do you have ? ........ do you know what the difference is between moving magnet and moving coil ? You really don need that expensive a turntable but you do need knowledge ...... and what about cost ? ....... the records you will want are like 35 a pop so plan on spending thousands on records

[@hifirulezzz]

You are good to use any sound source whenever you like. I was doing the same over years and listening to the analog media formats made me joy for years. I was thinking the same, as I was quickly get tired from the digital sources. But, and a very big but. This year I purchased R2R DAC, which is quite expensive, but I give it a chance anyway. And ah man, how everything got changed. Warm and pleasant vocals, liveliness in the every instrument. This even pushed myself to go and replace my amp with MosFET end to end. No a single regret. Now I can really enjoy hi-res streaming as it sounds way better than my high end analog sources, like R2Rs and high-end cassette decks. Follow my channel to learn what decks I have heard and how I did modify them to sound even better.

[@psicolorama4918]

Enhorabuena un vídeo interesantísimo y completamente hipnótico

[@tankndg26]

Am I supposed to get up and change records after every song I'm in the mood to listen to? Buy endless vinyls for 1 or 2 songs good song? Start hunting the first 100 presses or master press LP for better sound and very expensive? My music collection is in the 1000s...the math and trouble don't add up. At Audio Shows, many exhibitors showed a comparison of LP vs Digital...the difference is minimal. A good DAC in the $6000 and more makes all the difference...Instead of spending $1000s of not $10,000s on turntables, pay the same (if not half) on a Re-clocker and DAC combo, and I never need to get up your couch...I'm all in.

[@andresco50]

Great video! Finally someone made a great review of this TT. What is the brand of the base that is under your harmony turntable! ??? Thanks

[@Jayiyagi]

The new isolation platform I am testing is called Tough Nut audio. I have few videos coming up and why I feel that they are the real deal with real tests to prove their products work better than anything else in the market

[@mrrocknroll84]

One of my favourite cartridges is the ortofon spu royal gold. It might work very well with your tt. You'll need the naked version with adapter. Not sure about the tonearm compliance. It has such an old school sound, very musical. Pair it with a transrotor preamp and it's all music

[@montycaps8235]

Great review !! I’ve owned an Origin lLive arm in the past and really enjoyed it. I have always been interested hearing the different between the Stratos and the Gold Note Donatello Gold Mc. They are almost identical and in specs and built the very same. I would believe that Gold Note oem’s them. I know I sure enjoyed the Donatello up until I replaced it with a Sumiko Starling.

[@joemartin6439]

Hi there I have a Pure Fidelity Encore older turntable. I use Lawrence Mittler’s MitMat evolution III 25 mm mate. And I have the Acoustic Signature TA-1000 .I use a Hana ML. It is all original back then 3 years Ago. Cheers John Toronto

[@middleearthltd]

Both digital and analog sources can sound fine for me The audiophile genres are not for me except for classical I tend to prefer black/death/doom which generally sound just fine on digital There are exceptions so it is not the either/or that some make it out it to be for me Fortunately we all have choices

[@hushpuppykl]

Yes ... a TT does sound 'better' than streaming. Streaming is still relatively new and the cost of high-end streamers will take a bit more time to be 'affordable'. BUT streaming will allow you to discover more music and we can track surf.

[@tweakerman]

Lovely deck, well done👏

[@joelowens5211]

Just depends on your budget and what you are after. I do not have time for turn tables and vinyl. I have a very successful business so want plug and play. I go into what I call my (relax room) in between deals and zone out for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time. With streaming it all depends on the quality of the file. I find on Tidal and Qobuz maybe 30% are really good high quality files the rest are junk. So the quest and fun is building the library and discovering the excellent files. My system is likely one of the top for streaming capabilities.

[@JohnKolesnikowicz]

If you are serious about your LPs, you need a good record cleaner like the Degritter. It makes a big difference in the sound and saves your stylus.

[@Jayiyagi]

I love my Degritter!

[@dougg1075]

Man I love my Thorens, and I’ve back to backed it with streaming and it’s both good but not the same. I can’t relax mentally as good with digital ( which I like). Can’t say why

[@Jayiyagi]

It is absolutely VERY odd to me and I know how I sound when I say I felt less stressed and more relaxed listening to vinyl... but its true and its mind boggling

[@jm_1214]

You're completely correct

[@joemartin6439]

Hi Jay will you be there at the audio show this year

[@cunawarit]

What ruined HI-RES streaming for me? Rediscovering the magic of audio cassettes through an old Sony Walkman TPS-L2 that I inherited-blame it all on nostalgia! These days, I’m all about cranking up my TEAC AD-850-SE through the AX-505 amp and letting those Q Acoustics Concept 500 speakers sing. Honestly, the whole setup blows my streaming experience out of the water! It’s a bit tragic, really, seeing my once-beloved Volumio Rivo just sitting there, collecting dust like it’s waiting for a firmware update that’ll never come.

[@gregoryjolly1734]

Great video Jay. I listen to more vinyl than streaming also.

[@normloo1590]

Do you think the synergy between cartridge and TT is more critical than tonearm and cartridge? It would be interested to hear how the Stratos sound on your friend's $20k arm.

[@bob-s-bit-s]

hi you are right it's what you like to use i have a soundcraft 381- 8 it has it's sound i had to sell all my records because i got in to cats note the records prices got silly as well and i was offered alot of 1 inch zonal tapes recorders do sound ace i love them till i got the deck i would never go back to them as prices are silly now and i have a otari mtr12 my cat loves to sit on alot of the time

[@bikeman7982]

Hi Res is mostly a marketing trick. It's all in the mastering. A well produced 16/44.1 master will sound nothing less than superb.

[@nick_yt23]

Digital is cheaper, infinitely more convenient and has a better objective audio quality than vinyl. Subjectively vinyl is maybe more pleasant and much cooler than digital reproduction especially those technological jewelries called turntables . BUT, digital has zero hum, no pops, no hiss , higher dinamic, better separation , lower distortion and for someone like me who deeply hates any noise during quiet music passages these qualities make digital the supreme king.😂

[@Jayiyagi]

Absolutely 👍

[@nick_yt23]

@@Jayiyagiand I forgot one of the most important, digital makes possible/easier digital room correction ,digital crossover and best of all the bass management of multiple subwoofers.

[@Jack14432]

Jay what do u recommend with $15000, an amp + a pair of speakers . They don’t have to brand new by the way. Thanks

[@minhtruong6553]

I have fall out of love for vinyl since we have so many satisfying DAC out there to own. Reasons being you spend a lot of money to get the best out of a turntable. You go and put a latest release record on and listen, it is sounded just like a CD. So what is the point. ( possibly I'm not the one go for warm sound transparency is my taste ). I still keeping my turntable for reasons still having a big record collections.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thanks for sharing

[@OCDmikey]

Isn't vinyl limiting as far as content, Jay ??? Do you get any cool new music on Vinyl ? How's that new vinyl compound vs the old one? I heard it's not comparable. How about getting the right pressing from back when ? Do you seek the good pressings or anything will do ? After checking vinyl and all its costs out, my feeling was buy a $26K DAC and it will equal or outperform even the mighty $150K Kronos system..

[@Jayiyagi]

Hey Mikey, thanks for commenting and great questions. Yes, I do get new music on Vinyl all the time. Where I live, there are some great shops and internet has allowed us to now even go online and order pressings we can't get locally. Give you an example, I have some Korean bands (not k-pop ) called Nerd Connection that I started to dig. Can't find them here but found an online website that sells international music on vinyl and so I ordered it and now eagerly waiting In regards to the compound or type of pressings, I don't care. But lets use some common sense here, If I really like a music piece and its available to me in better quality, then I'll buy it. Conversely, if I enjoy a certain music piece but only shit pressings are present, I'll still buy it because its the music I love. It makes no difference to me as I've openly disclosed in my video, majority of my collection consists mostly of nostalgic pieces. I am not sitting there comparing different pressings of the same music... no, I buy what I can and what's available to me and enjoy it. Hence why I enjoy a turntable that isn't overly analytical so that I can enjoy the music while compromising what I may be missing out of on a turntable that may make super duper recordings and pressings sound even more super duper. Lastly, your first question about vinyl being a limited content or format. Sure, but one can say the same thing about streaming. If you are someone who has every music piece they enjoy on streaming software, then you are very lucky. I for one, have music pieces that you can't find anywhere else, even on vinyl anymore...

[@thomascollins7932]

When I got my Harmony, I thought I would keep my Lyra Kleos ($4,000} and sell the Stratos. I sold the Kleos instead. The whole package just works together.

[@BobCoalWater]

On what tonearm is the Stratos mounted on?

[@OS_SWE]

Wouldn't call myself an audiophile but I'm definitely enjoying great sound. Almost as important as the music itself. But... I'm too much of a bass-head to be accepted fully into the audiophile community lol My rig is the Linn LP12 with many upgrades (subchassi, Lingo 3 power, Carousel etc etc), Rega RB2000 arm and a Cadenza Black. Going through a Lehmann Black Cube SE and into an old Maranz 2270. Fantastic sounding to me. I don't really engage in the debate of analogue vs digital. Digital is just boring to me. I like old stuff, old tech, and I love the vinyl medium. That's all. I love overcoming "obstacles", such as upgrading until I get rid of that final hint of inner groove distortion of that REALLY tricky record, if you get my drift. And getting rid of floor noise when upgrading from Cikus to Carousel on my Linn deck... JESUS, what a revelation. That's basically what I LOVE about vinyl. I'm sure I can get the same kind of audio quality with a great DAC and streaming for way cheaper than my current setup,, but I just don't care. Vinyl is where it's at for me.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thanks for sharing! I would argue that you are an audiophile chasing after great sound. I do not care if you are a bass head, you should and are fully accepted to the audiophile community in my eyes. cheers

[@ShortwaveLog]

Is not that it’s the recording to digital the issue not the representation from vinyl?

[@zarusobaman7084]

. I used to in vinyl records. Lucky that i made a decision tp sold all my collections even it hard at first. And go full with my cd, sacd and stream. Vinnyl is just if you want trouble. Why we spent so much money just for make more trouble waiting?

[@Jayiyagi]

What trouble are you specifically referring to?

[@zarusobaman7084]

@@Jayiyagi mostly accident. Drop the stylus. Trouble with clean vinyl everytime, ticks and pop sounds. Looping. Often use magnifier to clean .CD is the most convinient for me for my age.

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

I don't think listening to vinyl is any better than listening to decent digital sound files or even compact discs. The difference is typically negligible, but you have to have high quality audio equipment and a good set of ears in order to even be able to Tell a discernible difference.

[@Jayiyagi]

between vinyl and digital? There's actually a huge difference!

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

@@Jayiyagi I have decent audio equipment and a turntable. It's not high dollar stuff for sure, but it's not cheap either. Trust me my friend. It's in the ear of the beholder.

[@analogueman5364]

​@kwaki-serpi-niku no it's not. As Jay rightly says there is a big difference.

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

@@analogueman5364 So you're telling me that what I hear with my own ears as a difference between the high quality digital music that I listen to and the vinyl that I also own and listen to on my own equipment......is actually not what I am hearing and experiencing for myself. Do you see how that works? Listening to music is a purely subjective experience. There is no pure standard of fidelity.

[@rsmood8362]

How is that an unpopular or uncommon opinion? It's an extremely common for audiophiles to say vinyl sounds better.

[@williamcampbell3868]

Streaming has two advantages: It's easy and accessible everywhere. Sound wise it has nothing! My cd player and my turntable/cartridge blows streaming away sonically. People who have heard them wanted to get the same impact from their streaming devices.

[@NC-sb7bj]

Exactly. If you want to be a true audiophile/musicophile, you need to say that you prefer vinyl. For me, streaming sounds good enough. Its convenience lets me enjoy music much more than back when I played vinyl or CDs. It also enables me to discover new music more easioly.

[@petekutheis3822]

I coulda swore you covered this table before---well maybe you just highlighted it in a previous vid.

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

Can you make review about Audirvana??

[@stevieg2755]

I really liked the Sumiko Blackbird but after dropping on carpet the cantilever broke,this kind of thing happened twice,so no I will never buy an exposed cantilever without some type of guard that is removable

[@Jayiyagi]

Well maybe your solution is to not drop the cartridge! Jokes aside I think some guard is a good idea!

[@stevieg2755]

@@Jayiyagi yes I agree but I am older and lose feelings in my hands at the worst times

[@donbustoarigato2997]

Here we go again. As someone who grew up with vinyl, and is as OLD as dirt. Sorry, I don't HEAR this amazing vinyl sound. Some vinyl sounds fine, some sounds terrible, recordings make a difference. There is bad and good in every medium. I've heard some REALLY Hi-End vinyl setups and just shrugged my shoulders. Yeah it sounds OK but AMAZING? Not really. So why is it that we cannot hear the same things? Is it just our ears or subjective criteria? I guess we'll never know. I spent an afternoon with Mr. Vinyl. He had his turntable on a 300 lbs slate base. I had him play the table on that slate and on a normal piece of wood furniture. I could NOT hear any difference, none. I then had him play a record on his 10K TT and on a 1K turntable. Not much of a difference, very very SMALL differences. Not worth the price differential. Then I had him switch his cables from over a couple of thousand dollar cables to $50 cables. Again, nothing discernible. So what am I to say, should I lie to myself, call myself wrong and say sure there was a difference. Or maybe I need a hearing test, lol. The science just doesn't support most of the claims here. The specs for vinyl are just not that good. Anyone who has taken a course in Calculus has been exposed the the idea of Differentials/Integrals and Differentiation/Integration where as something discrete reaches a limit it becomes indistinguishable from a curve, or wave if you will. That's why this math was invented in many ways. In the realm of VIDEO. NO ONE is going to argue that analog is superior to 4K or 8K hi-res video. And even Hi-End theaters are using state of the art DIGITAL PROJECTION. Why doesn't analog trump digital here? And, soon, digital video will be able to EXCEED the analog capabilities of the HUMAN EYE. Discuss! I have a couple of tables and some vinyl. I almost never listen to them. They're a hassle and I do not hear the "magic". Let me add, that when a vinyl aficionado spends a fortune on a system he's is NOT going to be thinking, this is not the BEST sound possible. There is a vested interest in convincing oneself that one's money was well-spent, no?

[@Downhuman74]

"So why is it that we cannot hear the same things?" It's called confirmation bias. When you're spending that much money on something, you're expecting to hear a major difference. And, guess what, you will. Any detectable difference whatsoever will be construed as "better" by your brain. I'll give you 3 guesses what happens when you start doing double-blind listening tests.

[@HolgerBarske]

What took you so long?

[@jackfalco5351]

How much is it?

[@Feliciano12v]

Readers, you don't need to spend $8k+ to enjoy analog audio. My $1k mofi studiodeck is quiet and sounds great

[@Jayiyagi]

I agree. My previous table was the mofi ultradeck and it's a very very good table for the money. It may not look special but much like the purefidelity turntables, it is very well though out design where materials are used in correct places for correct reasons

[@stevieg2755]

That is so weird you tap on top of the delrin platter,see it doesn't ring,well that only counts when the stylus is touching ,that's like having an armpod detached from the table and ,look ma the arm isn't picking up energy

[@Jayiyagi]

I don't think you quite understood of why I mentioned that the platter doesn't ring. I didn't say that the Delrin platter is so non-resonant that it will play when you cause an earthquake by tapping the platter while playing. That would be odd and defy physics or how any material works in the first place. The reason why its important that the platter doesn't ring is because there are companies out there that make platters out of aluminum and sometimes hollow on the inside to make matters worse. And if you tap those, it rings, meaning heavy resonance.... meaning the sound from your speakers will transfer to the table, vibrate the platter (which u can feel sometimes if u touch it) and will transfer that resonant energy to your stylus.

[@stevieg2755]

@@Jayiyagi I would be more impressed if you had stylus on a record and tapped the sides and top of plinth,but I see your point

[@brucelee5465]

Please review the Musical Paradise Dac at behind.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Class

[@michaelorton9887]

If it's done right vinyl sounds better just the pops and scratches one day I got to thinking what would happen if I put baby oil on the record I put a little pure baby oil with my fingered I dabbed it a line from inner to outer just enough for the stylus to go through it and you wouldn't believe what a difference even the music sounded deeper it was a one time thing but it definitely had something good going on

[@Jayiyagi]

Id recommend not putting oil on your vinyl regardless of the sound outcome since that can lead to damage and grease build up over time…

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

Price! How much does this turntable without arm cost?

[@jasonwebb6484]

1:10 in the video.

[@scottgordon1721]

This is why I listen to CDs, TT are just another audio money pit,but hey if you have the disposable income dispose of it as you wish.However,I'd like to see the results of hearing test of middle aged and older audiophiles I bet they would be better off buying a high quality hearing aid for better sound and greater hearing range.

[@razzman2987]

A quality Cd player beats the vinyl 100%

[@turokforever007]

You missed the point on this video. Also, vinyl beats CD

[@laowho]

okay buddy. good video but how about a 600-1.5k solution?

[@Pete.across.the.street]

Why even bother if you're spending that little?

[@laowho]

@@Pete.across.the.street why build houses for less than 15 million

[@Pete.across.the.street]

Because there is a market for it.

[@Feliciano12v]

I have a studiodeck and it's great, focus on a good cartridge that works with your turntable is key.

[@rich.e]

Go Used/2nd hand… Planar 3 in front of a nice little amp (or a Rega Io) and a pair of Dali’s or Acoustic Energy or whatever you can find near you… it’ll be like a record hunt! I love my digital but vinyl playback has a certain X factor that’s hard to quantify - imho of course!

[@goodsound4756]

Didn't you review/present this same turntable already about half a year ago? The mastering for Vinyl for the same song may be different than digital, so again it could be the LP that makes the difference not the gear (granted, gear always makes some difference).

[@Jayiyagi]

I actually never reviewed the turntable as I've done here. I did do a tour of my reference analog set up before. I would argue its both and gear definitely matters here from my experience since I've tried these recordings on many turntables (as I've discussed in the video) and wasn't always the sound I was looking for.

[@piker3000]

I feel turntables vs streamers is a lot like a formal dinner vs fast food. Both ultimately accomplish the same goal but in different ways. The fact that we can do both is great. We can choose both as the needs require.

[@zacharyhbwells]

Good quality vinyl like Analogue Productions, Rhino Hifi, MOFI and some original pressings sound so much better on my setup than the best streaming I can do which is Qobuz hifi. Like a whole different plane better. Crap bog standard vinyl on the other hand sounds no better to me at all. In my experience in vinyl the specific pressing and mastering makes all the difference

[@Jayiyagi]

To me, that makes the least difference. If its a good pressing, of course I will go for it but many of the music I enjoy and are nostalgic to me are unfortunately poor pressings and “non-audiophile” but I still enjoy and love them

[@zacharyhbwells]

@@Jayiyagi Interesting and thanks for the response. Love your channel. My point would be that, for example, I have 3 pressings of Rumors, and they are vastly different. Two are far better than my best streaming on my system and one is worse.

[@D1N02]

Vinyl is only better when you throw a crapload of money at it. And all modern vinyl is digital. If i spend over 10,000 on a streamer like the Grimm Audio MU2 it will be great as well.

[@analogueman5364]

"All modern vinyl is digital" - that maybe but the playback method isn't and that's the difference.

[@francoisroberge5882]

Better sound - YES and YES..........Better way - NO Getting into streaming is a lot lees $$$ than 1) $$$ Turntable 2) $$$ cart 3) phono pre amp 4) $$ Vinyl records 5) static gun and more. If you like music a good power cord, streamer and Dac is more than adequate. If you got the MULA then JAY's vinyl se up is the way to go.

[@blairsprague8112]

I get the romantic and nostalgic notions of vinyl...I understand and can appreciate your reasons that vinyl is important to you as an avid audiophile...and that is some terrific gear you have spent $10k+ for a turntable setup...but but BUT there is one small issue no amount of $$$ can address with vinyl...not the $25K you spent or the $250K the retail outfit spent...your SOURCE material where all the sound emanated from is the same warped piece of 50 cent plastic/vinyl it was 50 to 60 yrs ago...we are talking about a needle bouncing around in a vinyl groove...same source technology as it has been forever...to even try to compare that sonically to the latest hi res streaming at 192khz and sell me that vinyl can come close to that simply does not make sense...it not sensible or a logical conclusion.

[@Jayiyagi]

We have digital cameras with all the same reasons you’ve said but you can still appreciate the film photos for what they are can’t you? Logically explain that to me

[@mr.b4444]

@@Jayiyagi Same old argument with digital cameras vs film. Been a photographer, musician, and audiophile for over 50 years. It's just a preference. I lived and used all these mediums and prefer digital over all. I would not have said that 15 to 20 years ago. For accuracy in film or music with today's technology, digital all the way. I think people like to escape reality to enjoy themselves. So for that reason film may be preferred over digital for some, same with records.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

@@mr.b4444 I just learned infrared film photography is a thing that exists.

[@blairsprague8112]

​@@Jayiyagisimple...you are talking about the visual with pictures and the associated impact...analog pics can alter the visual impact even though it is not as realistic...just like an artistic rendering by Van Gogh or the Impressionists can accomplish...but I am viewing Van Gogh with my 20/20 eyes. Sonic you do the same thing when you listen to Miles Davis and alter his musical rendering through you tube amp or ANK Dac or tube preamp...BUT you need to start in my view with 20/20 ears...not a needle bouncing around in a groove in a 50 cent piece of vinyl...just my opinion...I appreciate and understand your enjoyment of the overall vinyl experience...I am not trying to criticize...only attempting to be objective

[@Jayiyagi]

Hey Blair. That’s a valid perspective. I am thankful that we can have a civil conversation. I’ve heard many arguments of the source, dac, amp, speakers and so on needing to be accurate or 20/20. Logic that I thought sensible and subscribed to at some point in my journey (at least with sources and DACs). However if you subscribe to the belief (as I do) that altercation at any point in the signal path is acceptable but NOT at the source… I’d argue that it is the same thing as you saying that we must shoot with digital cameras and then alter it if we want to make it look more like “film” The irony of this is obvious, film starts as a film so it does not require altercation to make it look filmic and therefore what you will see in the photo is the filmic reproduction of what was captured. Dismissing a source format based on “needle dancing around on a 50 cent plastic” is like saying filming on film that costs 50 cents should also be dismissed. Its dismissal of the entire technology and technique that goes into a turntable in favour of a selective argument of imperfection. Its much like saying, welp streamers and or digital cameras have these small components and wires that are 2cent in the signal path so it cannot be good. Which I believe both of us can agree, dismisses the entire point and advantage of a streamer

[@michaelcorlet2998]

I would be suprised if it did not beat a streamer.8grand without arm or cartridge. How did you decide to buy that specific turntable.mmm

[@Jayiyagi]

I saw it at the toronto audio fest 2 years ago as I’ve said many times before!

[@peterw2714]

Having lived through the age when there was only tape or vinyl, I couldn’t live with the fact of buying an album for one or two good songs. Also the occasional pop was too much to listen to. It’s also very expensive. Streaming opens up way more choices and introduces people to new artist that ordinarily one would not buy. Also extremely inconvenient to skip a song.

[@ptg01]

Pure Fidelity makes excellent turntables. Just wished I could afford them...

[@chrisracer2007]

I think that if you said I got a 8000$ pick up out of context, most might think you are talking about a truck not a vinyl player 😅

[@eltoncrim3699]

I was a bit put off by this video as I think you mischaracterize the sound of Rega tables. I also think you don't really understand the goal. Rega tables have plinths that use what I like to call a material science approach. The materials in their tables especially P6 on up get lighter. The material used itself matters. It does not store or transmit vibrational energy and so you don't need to throw a really thick slab of the material at it. I've never heard a Rega table sound thin and brittle as you describe in this video. And if you heard that something was wrong, I'm guessing with the cartridge. Now I've never been a huge fan of their moving magnet cartridges (I have not heard the new generation coming out. But if you swap out their mm cartridge with something else with a low profile (I've used clear audio mm cartridges to great effect), I've always gotten warm, enjoyable sound with a decent sound stage. And I am excited to hear the new line of mm carts coming out. I've been in this hobby for a long time and in my experience heavy mass alone is not a panacea to guarantee a great sounding table though there are many great tables that use heavy mass. Your table also does not rely on heavy mass alone as it uses two layers of damping in addition to heavy mass. I have found many heavy mass tables have a sound (My perception) though it is difficult to know for sure if it's the mass or the table arm combo. Currently I have both a rebuilt lenco, with slate plinth and a modded Audiomods classic arm, and a Merrill-Williams 101.2 with a 12 inch Ortofon arm. The Merrill-Williams is thus far my favorite table of all times. George Merrill uses a material science approach to isolation and damping rather than heavy mass and it's one of the few tables I've heard which does not seem to have it's own sound. You simply hear the music. So in conclusion, I was just bother by the brittle comment as a descriptor for Rega tables. I'm not saying they are the best tables since sliced bread but they have never sounded as you described. Though I get your enthusiasm for your current table. When you get to a certain level of table you can finally hear what the fuss about vinyl as a source is all about. And they do spark a great deal of joy in listening to music.

[@nasdkhan254]

It is . The end

[@onemic-theminimalist]

The vast majority of vinyl albums made today come from a digital source, including reissues and yes, Yello - Kiss in Blue. So, you are spending a lot of money to add noise and distortion to your playback. I personally prefer to hear a high-res copy from the master tape. That is what the artist, producer, and mastering engineer experienced and approved. Having said that, it's nice to have the large-format art and liner notes.

[@christopherhachet5184]

It's all about the "Japanese Tea Ceremony" aspect of vinyl for me. I love the experience of spinning records. I am 17 again every time the needle drops.

[@nick_yt23]

Don’t ruin the vinyl cult believes.😂

[@Jayiyagi]

See pinned comment in regards to your comment about most albums made from digital sources In regard to the “intentions” of the studio world. As someone who has worked as a mastering engineer, I can tell you that its intended to sound good on $20 earphones…. Not on a turntable or an audiophile set up including digital streaming set ups so… the argument is valid but it would be just as valid for an audiophile streamer set up as it is with turntable set ups if we are arguing for the “intentions” of studio engineers

[@onemic-theminimalist]

@@Jayiyagi Hi Jay, I didn't use the word "intended" for a reason. As a mixer or mastering engineer, I am committed to delivering the highest quality sound, and I cannot know what the end user's playback device will be among the thousands of variables. Therefore, my approach, and that of every mastering engineer I know, is to make the audio sound as good as possible on our systems and ensure it meets today's delivery protocols. This is the essence of our work. I have never been asked to or have suggested to a customer that we add "Vinyl record artifacts" to a digital file to enchace the listening experence. So, if I can listen to a 96K - 24Bit digital file made from the output of the mastering console vs. a vinyl record that is likly flawed in many ways due to the dozen production steps, give me digital. If I want to sit back a smoke a joint and listen to Led Zepplin, a vinyl record is a fun trip down memory lane.

[@Jayiyagi]

@@onemic-theminimalist I think we agree more than we disagree. I think the disagreement here is based on our past studio work experiences. I wish every engineer was like yourself but many of the engineers I worked with cared very little about how it sounded in a stereo system, rather, it was more about making it sound great on what most people would be using in the real world (things like apple devices, wireless speakers, etc).

[@nathanevans6277]

In the mid 90s I had built a high end CD based system utilising one of the best cost-no-object players available at that time. I was working at a digital specialist hifi company at that time. I visited the home of one of my customers and had a listen to his relatively high end turntable. I was blown away by how much better his system sounded than mine even though my amps and speakers were much better than his. I immediately went out and bought a turntable even though I owned no records. This was in the days when vinyl was dieing. I have never looked back. I quit my job and went to university to study composite mechanical engineering. I did this as I wanted to learn as much as possible in order to design decks myself. Over a period of 10 years I experimented and designed and built my own deck and arm. I have put this deck against several high end ,£10k+, commercial decks. Only one has even come close. My deck was shown on Steve Guttenberg's viewer system of the day on the first of April this year. The Belanger and Bisson album is stunning.

[@Jayiyagi]

Thanks for sharing!