TT upgrade challenges CD5

When I purchased my Naim system this year-Nait5 and CD5- I also purchased a Rega P3. I felt that the CD5 outshined the Rega. Since I have quite a bit of Vinyl that I wanted to start listening to again (this was also the reason for the Nait5 instead of the 5i-it powered a Stageline)) I decided to give back the Rega and go for the "big KAHOUNA"- LP12+Lingo2.
The moral of the story- I don't listen to the CD5 anymore !

Gregg

SB
Can you elaborate on how the Origin Live motor upgrade improved the sound of your SystemdeK? I ask because I own the same tt and have been considering an upgrade for some time.

Have you or rather the tt experienced any speed stability problems with the OL motor?

Does the sound become clearer at the expense of loosing the bottom end?

I'd be really interested to hear your views. Incidentally, have you tried an OL modded RB250? I did and the difference was: bigger soundstage, more detail and more PRAT.

Cheers

I rate the OL kit as incredible value for money.

Firstly I wasn't aware of any speed stability problems. However all the reviews refer to the cogging effect of the AC motor. This will result in an Audio frequency "vibration" at some multiple of the 50Hz mains, not sure what the multiple is as I don't know the details of the old AC motor design.

So I guess moving to DC motor totally eliminates this effect, significantly stabilising the speed.

As for sound
1) much better overall clarity throughout the range
2) extended and deeper bass, so no lack of bottom end
3) bigger sound stage and greater stereo separation.

Another side benefit is the ability to switch between 33 and 45 instead of changing belts. So we are now listening to the singles collections from our youth :-)

I am still with the original Linn arm and this does show some limits of trackability with tricky media. AC/DC's Hells Bells from Back in Black is a really good example.

As for the kit itself. It was a little tricky to fit as the motor is much deeper than the original so I needed to put a cut-out in the base plate to get it to fit (Only a few mm too long but that was enough). Still took less than a couple of hours to get the whole thing up and running.

The other item which works really well is substiting the original felt mat with a Ringmat

Thanks for your views SB.

I'm definitely interested in upgrading my Systemdek now. My reference to the speed instability was meant to be iro the OL motor. There was a posting a while back in which an OL tt kit displayed speed instability problems whenever electrical items in the owners house were switched on or off. However you sound well pleased so I assume you had no problems.

I've never used the ringmat-is it worth the dosh?

Hi, No I haven't seen any speed issues with the OL kit. It is through a Russ Andrews power block with a PowerKord feeding it however.

Since the OL upgrade I haven't tried the TT without the ringmat, but it certainly made a significant difference with the old motor

quote:

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Originally posted by glevethan:
When I purchased my Naim system this year-Nait5 and CD5- I also purchased a Rega P3. I felt that the CD5 outshined the Rega.

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He he - interesting how we all hear things differently, as, while my CD5/FC is good, my Planar3 is still better on about 85% of my vinyl... I have an Ortofon 540/RB300/motor upgrade (so it's essentially a P3), but I also have a Flutterbuster.

The Flutterbuster totally transformed the Rega - loads of deep bass and decent tracking too

__________________________
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I also have an 18-year-old Systemdek IIXX with a cheap Mission 774 LC arm. I replaced the arm cable with the Extreme Phono Crimson cable (DIN-RCA) and installed a Goldring 1042.
These 2 simple upgrades improved significantly the TT performance, and appeared to be worth the dosh.

Daniele

Domfjbrown,

I too have a P3'd Planar 3 (with RB300 arms/Super Elys MM cart).

What on earth is a 'Flutterbuster' ??

Regards,

JonR

quote:

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while my CD5/FC is good, my Planar3 is still better on about 85% of my vinyl...

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I recently had a P3/Grado Green in my house, and it was absolutely no comparison to my CDX.
Hell, even my s/h Rotel RT935 tuner sounded way much better than the P3.
(could be the budget-cartridge, I don't know...)

regards,
Alco

I think this is to some extent; a personal perception issue.

To my ears, my relatively modest LP12 (Ittok/DV10x4) produces music that in some ways eclipses my CDS3.

That vinyl magic is very difficult to quantify.