What do you expect

 I have just installed new speakers to replace my 30 year old transmission line ones. They do sound a little better but by not much of a margin. I wasn't expecting a big improvement but modern technology has improved matters. But as for night and day differences then no. If there is a night and day difference between the sound of your HIFI equipment then one or the components you are testing is not High Fidelity .It is possible that both components being tested are not HIFI too. You can't have your sound quality cake and eat it.

My new speakers are better able to show up differences between the performance of different cartridges and styluses. For instance I have a cartridge with a conical stylus and another cartridge with a micro-line stylus. If you read HIFI magazines then you will be told that micro-line styluses are so much better than conical ones, they are also much more  expensive. I cannot honestly say that the performance of the micro-line stylus is significantly better, and there is certainly not a night and day difference. My new speakers enabled me to hear more detail coming coming from the micro-line stylus especially when playing classical music but not much more. The speakers also reproduced the tiny clicks, that all LPs are plagued with, better. LPs are fun but I much prefer to play CDs of classical music because there are no physical flaws apparent from the medium. 

When using  an LP record player with my old speakers, compared to the new ones, I can hardly tell the difference between one stylus or another if at all. Classical music can be used to test HIFI performance because of the wider dynamic range and variety of instruments. Also you can compare the recorded performance against a live performance , if a recorded violin sounds exactly like a violin in the flesh then you have a good recording and good HIFI equipment. The same could be said for the human voice when listening to opera.

Modern HIFI has probably become as good as it can get. Therefore you can understand why HIFI magazines and Manufactures use so much hyperbole to manipulate your expectation that your  new piece of expensive equipment is so much better than your old one. Let's be honest it can only be marginally better and you may not be able to tell the difference in a double blind test. The same applies to digital sampling rates, as CD 16/44.1 kHz  streams are more than sufficient to playback all music with complete clarity.

I often ask myself why would you want to pay thousands of pounds to play back an LP record which is made of almost worthless plastic that is full of flaws. I can understand why pride of ownership is important and that we can all appreciate top notch engineering, so good luck to anyone who has ten grand in their back pocket to spare - even if the music won't sound very much better.

I have bought new speakers

 I wasn't going to buy new speakers until I heard a deterioration in my existing TDL RTL 2 transmission lines which are now over 30 years old. I was reluctant to change anything. However, I was listening to some opera about two weeks ago and heard some distortion when Mirella Freni sang an aria from La Boheme.

Her voice is very powerful and has a huge dynamic range when she was at full volume then her voice sounded distorted. My old speakers were tired at high volumes. I invested in a pair of Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2. I hadn't auditioned them but I knew I could send them back if I was not satisfied.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7923506--puccini-la-boheme

The speakers cost £600 for the pair. They offered terrific performance for the money from the outset without being "run in". I am not convinced that speakers need to be "run in" for that matter. Anyway, after playing Mirella Freni again the distortion had disappeared when she hit the high notes at high volume. The speakers sounded  noticeably better across the frequency and dynamic range. My wife also noticed that the the diction of the singers was clearer. The speakers were keepers and I was very pleased with them. The old speakers were almost holding their own especially when comparing pop music and jazz, but it was classical music that revealed the differences. I tested the sound reproduction by playing the BBC proms on Radio Three and I noticed the improved sound quality of the new speakers.

At one point when playing Beethoven's 9th symphony at higher than the usual volumes, I though that at some times the bass sounded a bit booming. However, this was more a function of the recording which was apparent when listening through a decent set of headphones.

I also tested LPs against their digital equivalent; I played Chasing The Dragon's Espana LP  which was recorded directly to vinyl without the intervention of a tape or digital recording machine. Essentially, I was listening to a live recording. Rosie Middleton's voice sounded almost perfect, and at at some points it felt as if two mezzo-sopranos were singing, as her voice was that rich. When I compared the LP to the digital recording which was made at the same time I could hardly notice any difference, which is a tribute to how good vinyl can sound if it is produced and recorded well. It is also a tribute to modern turntables and cartridges. However, the LP record reproduced some clicks perfectly. Clicks and static discharges annoy me intensely which is why I rarely buy classic LPs, I prefer the digital purity.  

https://snvinyl.co.uk/Espana

I also compared a remastered vinyl version of Miles Davis Blue Haze to its CD equivalent. Once again I could hardly notice much difference in sound quality, but the LP sounded more "lush" and "thicker "to my ears, some may call this warmer. Obviously, the CD produces better sound quality, and I prefer the accuracy of a well recorded CD, but I can understand why some people think that LPs sound better, as the inherent sound distortion of LP playback introduces extra harmonic features. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Haze

All in all replacing the speakers was a good HIFI experience for me and points out that when making comparisons and judgements there are too many variables to consider. One thing is certain; it is the quality of the recording that really matters. A £10,000 set of speakers will not improve a bad recording and won't stop you hearing the annoying clicks and crackles which are always present on vinyl LPs even brand new ones.

Audio Technica ATLP120 USB turntable

 In 2017 I bought the ATLP120USB turntable to play my old 45 rpm singles and to convert some old records, now deleted, to digital files for archiving. I was rather pleased with its performance. After some time I discovered that the turntable was rather good especially as I found a 180 gm remastered vinyl record of the " Turtles  Greatest Hits". I did  some research on the web and discovered  that the turntable was a big talking point on "audiophile" forums. Some people hated the table and traduced it. Others loved it.

The main criticisms were the following:

The built in phono pre-amp was useless and even affected the sound quality when you switched it off. Some enthusiasts ripped out the phono  pre-amp.

The anti-skate spring did not work.

You could hear cogging and other noises from the motor, which intruded into the sound when playing a record.

The wow and flutter, and signal to noise ratio specifications were not up to standard.

The general build quality was not up to the standard of a technics sl12000 mk2.

The plinth is resonant because it is made of ABS plastic and the body of the turntable is a bit hollow so that if you tap the plinth with your knuckle when a record is playing then you hear a thump.

Audio Technica quality control was not good enough.

I got the feeling that if you got a bad example then the criticism was justified. I also got the feeling that many of the complainers had never actually heard a good example of the turntable, and were basing their criticism on prejudice and comparisons of just the technical specifications with much more expensive turntables.

My experience is completely different I must have got a good specimen.

I accept the criticism of the phono pre-amp which I have replaced with an external one. My new pre-amp and existing amplifier and transmission line speakers are very good and make up for déficiences.

My anti-skate spring is weak but it does work but badly. I never use anti- skate as their is so much mumbo jumbo spoken about it. It is next to impossible to find the right setting on any turntable. Anyway, my tone arm, on the ATLP120, has never mis-tracked or skipped and the sound appears from the dead centre of a pair of headphone when playing a mono record. I don't notice any inner groove distortion.  This is a tribute to my particular turntable.

 I can't hear any noise coming from the motor even when I hold my ear up to the platter with cupped hands to amplify any sound. I can't hear any rumbling noises unless I listen with earphones turned well up; then it could just be surface noise for the recording itself.

I don't hear any wow and flutter so the turntable is up to standard. I find that that the signal to noise ratio is as good as most turntables. Audio Technica are probably being conservative with their stated specifications. 

Admittedly the build of the turntable is nowhere near thee quality of a Technics and the plinth does sound a bit hollow. However, who the hell raps the plinth with their knuckle when  record is playing to deliberately to make a thumping sound, are they mad? I have sited my turntable on a heavy metal and tempered glass stand this protects it from any vibration of footfall.

Overall the turntable sounds very good it does not sound as good as a Technics SL1200 Mk2 or a £30,000  rig but it comes very close.

I have compared a a well mastered LP to its well mastered digital equivalent on my set up. It is impossible for an LP to sound better than its well mastered digital equivalent. However, in my opinion, if a CD scores 100 for sound quality then the ATLP120 USB scores 96. A Technics 1200 MK2 probably scores 97. Do I want to spend £30,000 to get to 98 or 99; well no.

The ATLP120 USB cost me £250 in 2017 and represents phenomenal value for money. It now has a more modern and improved brother , which you can exchange if you get a duffer. I find it difficult to justify replacing my ATLP120 USB for cost and  sound quality reasons. It may not last forever but neither will I.

Buying new speakers

 In my last blog I talked about buying new speakers. After auditioning some alternatives, I have decided not to. The candidate speakers did not sound any better than my existing ones. One of my existing speakers shows some  slight peeling at the circumference. It is hardly noticeable by sight. The speaker still performs just a well as its twin. I like the speakers so much that I really don't want to part with them. I shall keep them until there is a noticeable deterioration in sound quality. 

All this goes to show that speaker technology has not progressed too much in the last 30 years, and it is my view that since the advent of CD technology, the quality of sound reproduction has not improved much in general. Most of the hyperbole attached to 'HD' sound reproduction is just hot air.

Buying New Speakers

 Soon I shall have to buy new speakers as my 35year old Transmission transducers are beginning to fade away . One of the speakers is in the process of slowly disintegrating, as the rubber is stating to peel away. I can't notice any deterioration in sound quality but soon the inevitable will happen. When I get my new speakers I am not expecting to hear much improvement in sound quality no matter how much I pay, unless I get something really cheap. One thing I won't be making any judgement for a new transducer on the opinions of hysterical HIFI magazine and Forum writers. Most of what they say is tosh and often it makes me laugh. I shall stick with renowned manufacturers. I shall also audit the speakers myself and if they do not meet my expectations then the speakers will go back to the retailer. I am not interested in reading about the pace, fast or slow of a HIFI product, it won't be sited on a running track or whether the speaker veils the music whatever that means. I am not interested in subjective opinions and marketing hyperbole. I couldn't careless whether or not a speaker can reproduce frequencies above the generally accepted sound limit of about 20 KHZ, which only the young can hear. Sounds, above 20KHZ,  which  my very young    ears could once hear were uncomfortably shrill and not at all musical.

I am not prepared to spend thousands of pounds on speakers that hardly perform better than than transducers that cost much less. The major manufacturers cracked the problem of producing acceptable sound for acceptable cost a long time ago in the 90's

Of course, you can spend a fortune on a pair of speakers from an independent manufacture which will sound glorious, and good luck to if you want the pride of ownership of a wonderful product. Sound engineers also deserve their jobs when the push the boundaries to find improvements for us all. I have a second sound system which uses much more modern speakers; they do sound a little better than my 35 year old transmission lines, but I will regret having to make changes.

More HIFI myths - running in

 I can't for the life of me see how running in electronic HIFI equipment can improve the sound. HIFI magazines often suggest that you should run in speakers etc. for hours or even days before you hear an improvement in sound. What are they talking about? You go to a HIFI shop and listen to some speakers that you want to buy, possibly  these speakers have been used for weeks. You decide to buy a set of new ones and get them home and after initially hearing them they sound different: what do you do, send them back or do you keep them hoping they will sound better after weeks of use? Retailers suggest that you run in HIFI equipment hoping that you will get used to the sound, after a few months, to encourage you to keep the equipment. This saves them money and time and effort. HIFI magazines have fallen for this one.

All this is nonsense, I have never heard an improvement in the sound quality of new HIFI equipment  after several months of use. All this with the exception of a turntable motor, I could swear that my turntable's motor was quieter after several months of use, even though I could scarcely hear it running initially  with my ear to the table. I did not hear an improvement in sound quality  after several months or was I fooling myself?

Other audio myths and annoyances

It  is time to expose some other audio myths , from my point of view.

Digital filters

My CD player, come DAC, is a good one. It has several digital filters: optimum, transient etc. I tried all the filters and could not hear any difference. I wonder what they are there for other than to look good. If you read audio forums about this, then you will see people going on about the pros and cons of digital filters; which to me seems like a waste of time.

Tone controls on the amplifier

My current amplifier does not have tone controls, some audiophiles claim that they create noise and are not necessary. But in some circumstances I miss them. Sometimes I play the audio of film DVDs through my HIFI system. One night I played the film "Gravity", the sound effects were too strong for bass, so much so that I felt uncomfortable and so did my wife. However, without tone controls I had to revert to my TV speakers to reduce the bass. Even, though I have no tone controls on my amplifier, I do not feel the need to buy a graphic equaliser. Do not believe for one minute that tone controls introduce audible electronic noise into  an amplifier circuitry, as I have never heard it on my previous amplifiers that always had tone controls. Modern amplifiers are good a filtering out all all sorts of noise such as mains hum, tone control hum etc. there is no need for HIFI magazines and HIFI  forum enthusiasts to go on about this.

Digital Jitter

Jitter is caused by errors in digital playback and recording, which cause timing errors and distortion of the music. Modern technology  overcomes this. I have never heard this in any of the digital equipment I use, cheap or expensive. I never hear jitter from my television. There is no need to buy super expensive equipment to eliminate jitter which you can't hear.

 The tactic is to suggest that jitter is a real problem for you, but here is an expensive way of fixing it. The cosmetic industry uses this tactic for wrinkles. Make up can cover wrinkles but it cannot eliminate them, everyone gets old eventually including audiophiles.

Anti-skate

Anti-skate is a condition of  vinyl-record playback where the stylus and cartridge have a tendency to skate across  the record towards the turntable spindle. If you look at You tube you will see plenty of demonstrations of this using blank LP records or CDs. There will also be lots of gobbledegook and pseudoscience.

According to some audiophiles anti-skate needs to set up using, little weights or springs attached to  tone arms. The weights etc. counteract the skating effect which drives the stylus towards the inside of the record. Audiophiles claim that skating forces cause mis-tracking, extra distortion, uneven channel sound reproduction, extra wear on the stylus and damage to the vinyl. I don't use anti-skating and I have never heard extra distortion or unbalanced channel separation. All vinyl records have built in distortion. Only once in recent times has my stylus jumped out of the groove, but this was caused by static electricity attracting a lot of fluff from the atmosphere. The record played effectively after the removal of the dust and fluff.

I always thought that to play an LP record the stylus had to freely move towards the spindle of the turntable so why try prevent this from happening with counteracting forces.

If you  have problems with stylus wear and vinyl record wear then there is a solution, and that is to buy a digital version of the music. Most digital records other than pop music do not suffer from the loudness war. You could then reserve your vinyl records for playing on special occasions. The same applies to distortion as  a well recorded CD won't have any. 

I have records from the early 60's and 70's which still play well even though they have been played umpteen times without anti-skating. Anti-skating became a fad in the mid-seventies, but some tone arm  and turntable manufacturers still do not make provision for anti-skating, and their turntables and tone arms work perfectly well.

If you insist  that  vinyl playing is de rigueur then you have to accept that the whole system is flawed. There is no perfect deck set up and no perfect LP. I love playing LP records but I accept their limitations and I would never make the false claim that vinyl record music reproduction is superior to a well recorded CD or lossless digital download.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk6ZMGI3LRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slgy5UB198Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grahWS5L5rE