Update on Krystal and 250DR
Posted by: Allan Milne on 02 November 2016
Some of you may have read previous posts on my upgrade to Krystal cartridge on LP12 and 200 to 250DR.
Well they have both been well run-in now and a couple of moments today led me to post this update.
Everything is singing with detail of instruments well-defined in a wide and occasionally deep sound stage.
I am hearing a lot more clarity and realism in the sounds of instruments as well as more detail in the mix, sometimes hearing detail I had either not heard at all before or had not noticed.
The two moments I mentioned above are quite different 
Sorry if I offend anybody here but I got my latest release in the Jazz at 33 1/3 series and put it on ... Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra.
... well what a load of self-indulgent crap (that's the offensive bit in case you didn't notice)
... but I still managed to listen to almost a side and a half of it - why?
... well the quality of the sound being reproduced by the Krystal through the 250DR had me listening to the different instruments, where they were, how they were being played, etc.
... notice I was not listening to any music here, there wasn't much of this - I was listening to the sound.
So after that I had to get some comfort and pulled down my original copy of The Yes Album that I bought back in 1971 but hadn't played in ages - had played my digital version instead.
... I could now fill a novel with superlatives ...
First I was astonished that it still played with no surface noise, crackles or pops - I must have been really anal in those days
Then the detail that the Krystal got out of those grooves and the control that the 250DR had on the presentation.
... ok nothing is supposed to be new here since I have heard this so many times but it *was* new
... that piano hadn't been heard so much in the mix before
... wow that guitar has a great subtle sound on it
... those backing vocals now make more sense and can be heard with clarity
... the bass is distinct and balanced
... the balance between all the bass, guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals is beautifully controlled
... and the mix is even more complex and busy than I had heard before
... ah, music at last - huge grin.
All in all I am getting great separation, huge detail, rich tone, great control and a wonderful overall listening experience.
these upgrades have certainly done the trick
- well subjectively for me at least
listen on,
Allan
Hi Nigel,
It really is a fun and fine amp.
I'm glad I didn't have a great turntable years ago since I might also have been tempted to sell it to go down the CD and then digital route but I just kept a low/mid deck to play occasionally and now I'm loving my LP12
... and somehow there are more memories pulling out an LP than there is selecting the same album from a CD collection or digital store
Go on Nigel, you know you want to ... 
Allan
Allan, leave Nigel alone. He's saving up for a 552 
What a wonderful write up on LP12 and 250DR.
It's amazing how a good LP12 can sort out and lay bare some trully awaful pieces of recorded music.
My LP12 is relatively new (had it for 1 year now) but going back to some of the original old vinyls is a true revelation for me.
I think NigelB really needs an LP12 now. That 552 can wait a bit 