System setup with a TT

There are a number of issues here:

• Don't put small current equipment near big current equipment (you're doing this correctly now).
  
• The TT and CDS need to be "on top".
  
• "Source First" is a good thing.
  
• The 135s should be on the same type of support.
  
• Mana likes one component per shelf.
  

Given all of these, I would probably put the Super-Cap on the floor (or on an MDF platform on ball-nutters). Then put move the CDPS down one shelf, and put the turntable or turntable on top of that rack.

As alternative, try putting the CDS2 on top of your CDPS. Perhaps having two components on one shelf is better than having one on the floor. When I auditioned my CDS2 at the shop before the final purchase, the head unit was sitting on the XPS, which was on an amp platform. It still sounded very good.

One option you may not have considered: you could store the turntable until you can afford a wall shelf.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

>>>As alternative, try putting the CDS2 on top of your CDPS.

Please do not do this. This is possibly the very worst thing you could do to the CDS becasue yoiu are putting x-formers/RFI in the CDSPS close to the CDS head unit. Very bad.

Result = Bad sound.

The thing to do if you don't want to move anything is to get a specially made MMT (Mana Mini Table) with longer legs, change the glass with board on the top of 4 tier, put the MMT on top, CDSPS can stay where it is. TT can go on top.

It still won't sound as good as a separate stand for the TT as the X-former in the CDSPS will interfere with the prefix in your TT.

Thanks Mike and Dev for your input.

I did a little experiment tonight: listening to my system with the CDPS off mana and then the Supercap off. I think these are my only options. Both were unacceptable! The mana stand have a very big impact on these components.

I guess I will have to budget in a sound frame.

Does anyone know if I can use the stageline with the 52? I was looking at the prefix option but with a soundframe manditory now I might have to consider the stageline.

John

If it were up to me...

If we chose to move any equipment off the racks, then the ones to go would be the 135s, not the power supplies. The power supplies suffer significantly when not on a suitable stand. The power amps are the least affected (I find).

Thus I would have the TT on top of the 2-tier rack, the CDS below it, possibly on top of the 52 (haven't thought that through, with the Hicap on the top of the 4-tier. I think I'd prefer the 52 to be on top of the 4-tier, Hicap next, CDPS below that and Supercap below that, 135s on the floor (or soundstage).

John, you have the option of going with the phono boards (a fine example of value for money if ever I heard one). Also, if memory serves, you can run a Prefix from a 52 directly can't you? Either option would save a tier. In the fullness of time you can add the hicap/stand (if I'm right - been a long time since I messed with a prefix).

All these options will have a detrimental effect on the CD's sound. The boards in the 52, the prefix run off the 52, the 135s on the floor. To maintain the current level of excellence (what an Americanism!), you'd have to buy an extra stand to put the TT on.

Regards,
Frank.

John:

You should check with Steve at FEA. You may be able to swap your 2 teir(plus $) for a 4 tier with him. If I recall correctly, he has done this in the past.

You may as wll bite the Mana bullet. From your posts it appears that you're not going to be happy until you have Mana under everything.

Frank's idea of a MC board is ok too. That can help keep your costs down for the interim and give you enough time to sort out which phono pre you eventually are going to go with.

What TT & cartridge have you decided on?

Arthur Bye

John:

I think there's a 3 tier for sale in Audiogon too

Arthur Bye

Arthur:

I saw the 3 tier on Audiogon but the person is in the US. It will cost me 22% to bring it across the line (14% tax + 8% duty). Ouch!

I could buy a single sound frame and put my CDPS in my oak cabinet. I think this is the cheapest path. My system sounded choked when I took 1 component off the Mana.

I haven't decided on the TT yet. The whole process is rather confusing for me right now. I now understand I need more Mana and I don't fully understand my Prefix or Stageline or ???? options. The cost on these products is high and this is before I consider the TT. Do you know if the stageline will work with my 52??? Are there any other products that I can use with the 52 that are readily available second hand?

I liked the Rega 25 but it is the only TT I have heard. I read two articles that state the Regas run a 44 rpm. I have no idea if this is true but I would also like to try the LP12 as finding a 2nd hand one might be easy and it seems to be the most popular. I equally worry about the LP12 going out of tune easily and it sounds like it's a setup nightmare.

I think I need to resolve the stand issue and Prefix/Stageline issue first before I can determine how high I want to jump in the TT/cartridge game. At least if I have the stand and prefix/stageline resloved I can demo the TT at home (I think??). I am trying to find a cheap sound frame and possibly buy a Prefix/Stageline second hand. Any ideas where to find these products?

John

John:

I haven't heard anything about the P25's running at 44 RPM. That would be a pretty egregious oversight by Rega. I can't imagine that they wouldn't fix something that was that off. What I like about the Rega's is that they're plug and play, more or less. You can get a pretty good idea of what you're going to get from a turntable with a P25, stock Elys cartridge and an MC card for your 52. This will give you a few months to see if you like what you hear and then go out and get the real deal.

A second hand LP12 is a good idea only if you've got a dealer who can show you proper setup. They need frequent tweaking and a lot of times it's hard to tell when they're off unless you had it for a while. I would also be suspicious of a second hand LP12 unless you know the prior owner. It's too easy to screw up the deck and tonearm. You're also going to get completely distracted by the hundreds of iterations the turntable/tonearm/power supply/step-up-amp has.

Too bad you're not closer. You could borrow my spare Mana reference table that I've had sitting around.

Arthur Bye