System edited: Added Nagra MPS power supply.

jfrech August 14, 2015 21:37

Hi Jeff,

Over the years I've tried several different PS on the VPS. Starting with battery powered, DIY Power supplies, and Teddy Pardo PS. Each has its merits. But the Paul Hynes PS is head and shoulders above them all. But so is the cost.

Nagra recognizes the importance of a superb power supply, thus the creation of the MPS. What you heard with an upgraded PS (MPS) at your Dealer, is perhaps what I'm hearing with my Hynes PS.

Best,
Norm

norm July 22, 2015 15:17

Norm, I looked up the Paul Hynes PS, looks very interesting. When I demo'd the Nagra MPS, the AC side of it is excellent. More focus, bigger stage, more dynamic. The Paul Hynes seems like a big cost/performance deal...for sure

jfrech July 22, 2015 10:59

Jfrech, I'm not the Norm who posted above my post. That is all.

tbg July 21, 2015 23:02

Tbg...lost me...did someone hack your account?

jfrech July 21, 2015 22:38

This is not me, John.

Norm

tbg July 21, 2015 12:40

Hi John,

I've tried powering the Nagra VPS with batteries (2x lead acid car batteries in parallel). A noticeable improvement over the stock Nagra ACPS II. Mainly lower noise floor. Recently, I've transitioned to Paul Hynes PS, this was a quantum leap in performance. Better clarity, more detail, rock solid imaging, and much better dynamics.

I look forward in hearing your comments on the Nagra MPS.

Best,
Norm

norm July 20, 2015 16:00

dctom, I've read many great things about your preamp. One of these days I'll get to hear one. I tried one battery unit with my Nagra (Red Wine Audio Black lighting), it was a improvement. The Nagra MPS betters it. And appears to be doing something more than just a battery...when you open he cover of the Nagra the battery is connected to some circuitry with a bank of caps and I'm sure knowing Nagra the ac power supply does little harm on the charging side of things...

I can't wait to hear this for more than the 2 day demo I had !

jfrech July 20, 2015 12:56

Hi John

I have been using a Dartzeel phono built into the pre - battery powered- very quiet and transparent.

I should think your new MPS power unit will make a significant improvement when you get it.

dctom July 19, 2015 18:47

Hi Breezer, my favorite arm so far is the Spiral Groove Centroid. I've ran my Altas on 3 arms, all are good. Triplanar, Schroeder LT and currently the centroid.

I've also heard the Atlas on a friends SME V-12, it's great on that arm as well...

My Nagra VPS phono stage with Nagra VFS (isolation plates) is a fantastic match with the Lyra. Custom Nagra SUTs are part of the mc card for this phono stage. I've tried other SUT's...the Nagra SUTs that come with the MC card are special. I have a Nagra MPS (battery power supply) on order..takes this phono stage even higher in performance.

jfrech July 19, 2015 12:43

Hi,
What is your favourite and/or recommended tonearm and phonostage (maybe SUT?) for the Lyra Atlas?
Thanks, Balazs

breezer July 18, 2015 14:24

System edited: A few changes over the last few months. First was adding a Shunyata DPC-6 v2 and isolating my turntable motor controller, clock, transport and Apple TV from my Triton. The dpc-6 v2 is plugged into the Triton which also has my phono stage and preamp into it. The dpc-6 v2 is a very worthwhile upgrade. Next swapped a Transparent Opus mm2 for a Transparent Magnum Opus from my phono stage to my preamp. Holy smokes...I have now have the tone arm to phono Transparent Magnum Opus on order. (So going from transparent opus gen 5 to magnum opus)

jfrech June 14, 2015 20:42

Hey Peter,

VTA is via a set screw in the top of the arm. It's highly damped with resistance to turn. It's not really designed for changing for each record. Azimuth is via a heavier set screw in the counter weight (opposite side of pic. Anti skating via a weights, string, 2 ruby bearings...

This counter weight is very close to pivot...but also to the sides, underneath and in front of the pivot...part of the stabilization of the uni pivot bearing...

it's a clever design, with most settings slightly hidden...but all right there...

jfrech March 12, 2015 02:56

John, Congratulations on the new arm. I can't tell from the photo. How are VTA, azimuth and anti skating adjusted? And do you adjust VTA/SRA for different LPs?

I really like the low slung counterweight allowing the weight to be extremely close to the pivot point. I have manipulated the VTF on my SME V-12 to do the same by using a combination of dynamic and static VTF and the right number of extra weights to balance the cartridge. The SME counterweight sled is within a few mm of being as far forward (toward the pivot/bearing) as possible without obstructing movement.

The Centroid weight design is very clever, IMO.

peterayer March 11, 2015 21:30

It's for sure not a one trick pony...very even frequency balance top to bottom. I think some unipivots have been knocked over the years on the bass. Not this arm...tight, deep, dementional, loads of texture...but I'd say this across the spectrum...

jfrech March 11, 2015 12:18

In the few reviews out there, the reviewer says the bass is just wonderful. I assume the sound is balanced and not just a one trick pony.
Looking your pics makes me want one now. Time to save up.

pcosta March 11, 2015 01:37

I had to have the arm board custom made at a machine shop. It's the same metal as Grand Prix uses for their arm board and all CNC machined then bead blasted. My dealer was crucial here with all the measurements and really a turn key solution. All this said..the arm board was only $400 so pretty ok.

I have about 5 days listening now on the Centroid. I can say it's the quietest arm (in the groove) I've ever had. And that pays dividends in transparency, resolution, depth etc. I mentioned above about it being firm...their is a addictive solidity to the sound-while being transparent and natural...things are locked in space and the density of the notes comes through.

The absolute best of best vs other arms is the cueing. it's un damped...but perfectly machined threading that drops it right where you want...after a few uses of the cueing...you get the hang of it and really appreciate the cleverness of it's mechanism.

I'm impressed.

jfrech March 11, 2015 00:54

Jfrech

Good to see you're enjoying your new toy. I was really interested in the Centroid but was unsure of how it may react on my table. Keep up posted on your like and dislikes of the new arm.
Did Grand Prix make the armboard for you. Looks real good.
That was another thing that concerned me when talking to Allen from Spiral Groove was the height needed from top of platter to armboard height. I would have to make something like you have with the step down armboard.

pcosta March 10, 2015 14:31

Yep John, all well here. I'm about to audition Nat Audio Symmetrical pre/SE2SE SET monos using paired NOS '48 GE 211's per side, to see if they outperform my current Audion Quattro dual mono line stage/Black Shadow SETs using Elrog 845's. The Audions are a paragon of transparency in my system (not as spectacular as the Koda K10 I auditioned, but a better fit/synergy in my rig), just want to see what additional bass punch/grip the Nats bring to the party.
I do find it fascinating that the big technical advantage of linear tracking i.e. lack of distortion at points on the lp from the Schroeder LT is now in your experience not as critical as the overall lowering of noise floor across the whole lp that the Centroid provides.
Maybe the choice of tech is not as critical as the degree of engineering application in any given tech.
In my experience, I've yet to hear a standard pivoted arm I'd shelve my Trans Fi Terminator for, but it must be a lot of fun for you to eek out another level of analog bliss.

spiritofmusic March 08, 2015 00:46

Hey Spirit...hope all is going well. You'll never hear me bash the Schoeder LT. It's a excellent arm...and the engineering/geometry is unrivaled in my experience...as well as it's SQ.

We all get that itch to try new things :-)...part of what I love about this hobby...

jfrech March 07, 2015 23:21

Gosh John, after all the technical superiority you felt the Schroeder LT brought to the party, allied to it's superlative SQ as reported by you, i AM surprised you've moved on.
For me, the move to linear tracking has been so radically positive, I can NEVER see myself going back to a traditionally pivoted arm.

spiritofmusic March 07, 2015 22:57

Hi Albert,

The first thing you do notice is the noise floor...it's lower than any other arm I've had (SME IV.Vi, Triplanar, Schroeder). Which brings a resolution and sense of music launching with speed and stopping with speeed and then just decaying when it should... Music has a "firmness" and a "wetness" to the notes....in this respect it reminds me very much of your SME arm - they are similar in this regard and welcome compliment to the Atlas.

The Schoeder LT was excellent at the beginning and end of LP's...but I don't seem to miss that as much as I thought...this Spiral Grove has plenty of good attributes also...

I only have about 24 hours on this arm...I don't want to proclaim anything other than it's VERY good and certainly one of the very best. And that my toes are tapping :-)

jfrech March 07, 2015 22:52

John,

I’ve been waiting for you to comment on the Spiral Groove Centroid. There are lots of positive comments about it in press and from users.

How is it compared to Triplanar and Schroeder you had? Everyone says noise floor on the Centroid is out of this world but what about tonal balance?

albertporter March 07, 2015 19:41

System edited: Added Spiral Groove Centroid Tonearm & Opus Gen 5 Phono interconnects

jfrech March 07, 2015 12:01

Hi Sam, thanks. I've heard those Dali's before. REALLY great speakers, I bet those ribbon's sound wonderful with the BAT and Esoteric gear! I bet your system is equally enjoyable !

jfrech February 17, 2015 01:37