My current turntable

[JCOConnell]

My current turntable is a 2000 vintage VPI ARIES (I). I have mounted on it a Graham Engineering 2.2 tonearm with a shelter 501 mkII cartridge. The performance of this setup is very pleasing to my ears and
hence I haven't upgraded in years. My head amp and phono stage are tubed CJ units. I know there are higher performance analog gear out there, but somehow I am actually satisfied.

[mep]

It's always good to be satisfied. I owned a TNT table with SDS for years and enjoyed my time with it.

[MylesBAstor]

My current turntable is a 2000 vintage VPI ARIES (I). I have mounted on it a Graham Engineering 2.2 tonearm with a shelter 501 mkII cartridge. The performance of this setup is very pleasing to my ears and
hence I haven't upgraded in years. My head amp and phono stage are tubed CJ units. I know there are higher performance analog gear out there, but somehow I am actually satisfied.

I loved the cj phono section. Which one are you using? I only got rid of mine because of the sensitivity of the ART amp combined with wanting to review low output cartridges wasn't in the cards.

[JCOConnell]

I loved the cj phono section. Which one are you using? I only got rid of mine because of the sensitivity of the ART amp combined with wanting to review low output cartridges wasn't in the cards.

For my phono stage, I am using the MM tubed phono section of my CJ PV-10B (modified for mono and remote) and an external head amp for MC cartridges, the tubed CJ premier 6. I have plenty of gain, almost too much for the shelter.

[JCOConnell]

It's always good to be satisfied. I owned a TNT table with SDS for years and enjoyed my time with it.

when I bought the Aries, I also bought a SDS to drive it, but it recently died and I haven't had it repaired or replaced yet.

[JackD201]

The Aries 2 was was my first serious table. I would have stayed with it longer had I not been offered a screaming deal for the distributor's personal HRX that came with a Phantom I.

[WeatherB]

I recently took deliver of a VPI Prime. My first "serious" turntable in...well, ever. An amazing 'table. I haven't listened to my digital system (or wanted to for that matter) in almost a month.

[microstrip]

For my phono stage, I am using the MM tubed phono section of my CJ PV-10B (modified for mono and remote) and an external head amp for MC cartridges, the tubed CJ premier 6. I have plenty of gain, almost too much for the shelter.

The cj premier 6 was an interesting device. It used 6CW4 nuvistors - a very small metal can triode. I remember that it was not easy to get low noise nuvistors and even with the best it was not adequate for very low output MCs. Similarly the flagship premier 7 pramplifier also used the 6CW4. Great sounding phono units when used with adequate cartridges. The Shelter healthy output voltage should be an excellent match.

[MylesBAstor]

I recently took deliver of a VPI Prime. My first "serious" turntable in...well, ever. An amazing 'table. I haven't listened to my digital system (or wanted to for that matter) in almost a month.

Congrats and welcome!!!!

The Prime is a great table and great value. The Prime delivers a lot for the money and even looks nice. From what I understand, VPI can't keep the table in stock.

[MylesBAstor]

The cj premier 6 was an interesting device. It used 6CW4 nuvistors - a very small metal can triode. I remember that it was not easy to get low noise nuvistors and even with the best it was not adequate for very low output MCs. Similarly the flagship premier 7 pramplifier also used the 6CW4. Great sounding phono units when used with adequate cartridges. The Shelter healthy output voltage should be an excellent match.

I absolutely hated those nuvistors that were in the Evolution 20 preamp. Yes it afforded the design more gain but they inevitably went noisy very quickly.

[JCOConnell]

Since the CJ Premier 6 is only a step up device, its suitability for usage with low output cartridges is dependent on the gain of the MM phono stage it is coupled with. As it is, is has about 28 DB of voltage gain per channel.
Regarding the 6CW4 tubes, yes, they do vary in noise performance, but I have not found it difficult to cherry pick NOS tubes for good performance. Contrary to popular myth/experience, my tubes didn't degrade shorty after putting into service. The Premier 6 uses 4 6CW4 tube 2 for gain and 2 for buffering, only the 2 for gain are noise critical.

[PeterA]

SME 30/12A on a preloaded Vibraplane

[MylesBAstor]

SME 30/12A on a preloaded Vibraplane

Is that a Supreme?

Remind me how you figured out the "loading" for the Vibraplane.

[PeterA]

Is that a Supreme?

Remind me how you figured out the "loading" for the Vibraplane.

Yes, Myles, that is the Supreme, though I am alternating that with my MSL Signature Gold cartridge.

The Vibraplane model I use is optimized for 275 lbs of total load. My turntable and controller are about 120 so I had Kinetic Systems build me a custom metal plate weighing 136 lbs to preload the Vibraplane to approach the design load for most effective isolation. I works great and sounds tremendous.

[MylesBAstor]

Yes, Myles, that is the Supreme, though I am alternating that with my MSL Signature Gold cartridge.

The Vibraplane model I use is optimized for 275 lbs of total load. My turntable and controller are about 120 so I had Kinetic Systems build me a custom metal plate weighing 136 lbs to preload the Vibraplane to approach the design load for most effective isolation. I works great and sounds tremendous.

How far down does the Vibraplane isolate?