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Jazz Club

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Mr Pig View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26 May 2019 at 7:07pm
Hello,
I bought a Jazz Club phono stage about a month ago I think? Moving from an LP12 to a Rega RP10 I found that the internal stage of my meridian 101 pre just wasn't cutting it any more. I don't know why but I could hear the shortcomings more than I used to, don't know how that works. Tried both MM and MC but wasn't happy with either.

So I bought a used Moon LP110. More detailed but just sounded really flat and uninvolving. So much so I took it back to the shop and borrowed a new Moon LP110 V2. This was so much better I thought the first unit had to be faulty! Same detail but much more dynamic. Living with it for a week though it still niggled and ultimately just wasn't right. Sounded great on some stuff, not on others, just wasn't right. 

The Jazz Club does everything the Moon does, but better. Just as much detail but sounds more natural and organic with great bass weight. What's most impressive is that it manages to sound smooth yet still sounding very fast and involving. That's a neat trick not many bits of hi-fi kit pull off. 

Overall I think it's a fantastic phono stage and it'll be staying for a while. My only gripe is that it's MM only which obviously limits cartridge choice a lot. The 2M Black is a good cart but something less mechanical sounding and more airy would be nice and I'm not sure what MM would deliver that. I've not heard any.

No complaints about the sound of the Jazz Club though, it's spot on.  
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patientot View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote patientot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2019 at 12:32am
Originally posted by Mr Pig Mr Pig wrote:

Overall I think it's a fantastic phono stage and it'll be staying for a while. My only gripe is that it's MM only which obviously limits cartridge choice a lot. The 2M Black is a good cart but something less mechanical sounding and more airy would be nice and I'm not sure what MM would deliver that. I've not heard any.


You could get an Elevator to run LOMC with the Jazz Club.

You could also try a HOMC, which some people like (e.g. Hana, Dynavector, etc.). 

You could try a Soundsmith HOMI cart, which some people like. 

You could try a vintage cartridge, such as a Stanton 680/681/Pickering XV-15. Those can sound very wide and spacious with a sweetened top end, depending on what stylus you run on it. OEM styli aren't made anymore but Jico has high quality aftermarket options and there are custom retips available. 


Edited by patientot - 27 May 2019 at 12:39am
SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.
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Mr Pig View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mr Pig Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 May 2019 at 4:50pm
I hate buying cartridges! Good ones are not cheap and you have no idea whether or not you will like it until it's been in your system for a while. Really expected to like the L*nn Troika, did not. 

I've tried a couple of vintage carts but wasn't that impressed. My favorite MM is the Ortofon VMS 20e MkII. The Black is darn impressive and has a lot going for it, would probably be perfect on a warmer sounding turntable, but the Rega has a cool, airless sound. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote patientot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2019 at 3:23pm
Originally posted by Mr Pig Mr Pig wrote:

I hate buying cartridges! Good ones are not cheap and you have no idea whether or not you will like it until it's been in your system for a while. Really expected to like the L*nn Troika, did not. 

I've tried a couple of vintage carts but wasn't that impressed. My favorite MM is the Ortofon VMS 20e MkII. The Black is darn impressive and has a lot going for it, would probably be perfect on a warmer sounding turntable, but the Rega has a cool, airless sound. 

Do you still have the VM20e? Perhaps you could get that retipped by a specialist. 
SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.
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BackinBlack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2019 at 4:03pm
The VMS series are one of my favourites too. I have both 20 and 30 MkII bodies and several NOS plug in stylii. Unfortunately it's not just a case of retipping them, the suspension deteriorates over time and the NOS examples, although they have pristine tips, ride very low at the recommended VTA. This misaligns the moving iron in relation to the coil pole pieces and affecting the sound.
I keep meaning to find out if anyone can fit new suspension as well as retip.

Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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patientot View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote patientot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2019 at 4:11pm
Originally posted by BackinBlack BackinBlack wrote:

The VMS series are one of my favourites too. I have both 20 and 30 MkII bodies and several NOS plug in stylii. Unfortunately it's not just a case of retipping them, the suspension deteriorates over time and the NOS examples, although they have pristine tips, ride very low at the recommended VTA. This misaligns the moving iron in relation to the coil pole pieces and affecting the sound.
I keep meaning to find out if anyone can fit new suspension as well as retip.

Ian

Good info. 

This outfit IIRC has said they can replace suspensions on some vintage carts (e.g. Grace). They might be able to do it for the VMS also, not sure. 

SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.
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Richardl60 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richardl60 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2019 at 5:10pm
Yes my brother had a VMS20E, 30E and aftermarket 'Parabolic' but no idea where came from buts was the best of the 3 overall.  This/these were replaced by a Koetsu Black around 40 years ago and as suggested the suspension will likely be past its sell by date by now so some form of complete rebuild would be logical if possible and wanted to keep the body alive.  Was a very good cartridge for the price in its day.

Edited by Richardl60 - 28 May 2019 at 5:12pm
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