CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Vinyl Nutjob World => Topic started by: OJneg on September 08, 2015, 04:38:04 AM

Title: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 08, 2015, 04:38:04 AM
So here is the official Changstar Vinyl Reference Track, I've Got Mine, the Extended Cut from the most darn-swingity group of gringo reggae gurus to grace this great Earth.

Each track is a rip with the same exact system and recording chain, but with a very specific tweak being done to the turntable on each. It's actually not hard to notice if you know what to listen for. Overall I was surprised by the results, and I was going into it sighted. +10 to anyone who can guess the tweak in question and +20 to the pirate who can guess which is which.

For parity sake, everyone should give this a go on a 24/96 DAC. I need some honest feedback to see if tweak in question is worth doing. Also, be wary. Files are large.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-3pLmbfKrznfmJSWngwY1BvMFladm5nSnVORERVVGJKd0E2Nno2SVZpVGF1a0xNLU1jUmM&usp=sharing
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Chris F on September 08, 2015, 08:21:18 PM
Will check it out when I get home.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Anaxilus on September 08, 2015, 08:44:52 PM
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*added spoiler
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Chris F on September 09, 2015, 12:06:24 AM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 09, 2015, 12:35:44 AM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Clemmaster on September 09, 2015, 12:46:14 AM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: gurubhai on September 09, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 09, 2015, 02:32:50 AM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: shaizada on September 09, 2015, 11:16:37 PM
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Anaxilus on September 10, 2015, 12:35:13 AM
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Yup, it's got more of that tonal and dynamic compression as I like to call it. It's got that more forgiving sound some people like in their headphones and speakers. I'll refrain from naming brands.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: gurubhai on September 10, 2015, 06:27:21 PM
Yup, it's got more of that tonal and dynamic compression as I like to call it.
Hmm..
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 10, 2015, 07:58:27 PM
Yea, I expected levels to be not quite matched. But I promise I'm doing more than just tweaking the pot on the TCC.

Heck, this is analog/vinyl folks. Do the same exact rip after a few months and it might not have the same DR after so many plays.

Votes are more or less even, which is surprising.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 10, 2015, 08:24:51 PM
Levels are even harder to match if FR is different. Vinyl is challenging in that way. Pre-amps, carts, platters, weights, alignment, etc. are all going to have gross (easily measurable) impact on sound. It gets to be a cluster-fuck because the synergy thing does get to be very important.

Most people here are quite experienced and would be adjusting volume on the fly to suite their desired listening levels. At least I do. Nope, not scientific. Besides, I don't subscribe to the "louder is better" claims, at least with experienced listeners who have control over the volume knob.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: drfindley on September 10, 2015, 08:59:45 PM
Take a look at the DR database on vinyl, it always varies on even the same album.

Ok. I'm gonna guess on the differences:
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 11, 2015, 12:00:47 AM
Take a look at the DR database on vinyl, it always varies on even the same album.

Ok. I'm gonna guess on the differences:
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 11, 2015, 12:25:23 AM
You smeared your poop and jizzed all over your record?
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Anaxilus on September 11, 2015, 01:56:12 AM
I'll have to try that instead of wood glue sometime.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: gurubhai on September 11, 2015, 07:48:03 AM
Yea, I expected levels to be not quite matched. But I promise I'm doing more than just tweaking the pot on the TCC.

Heck, this is analog/vinyl folks. Do the same exact rip after a few months and it might not have the same DR after so many plays.

Votes are more or less even, which is surprising.
I wasn't complaining about the difference in levels, just that there was indeed a difference in dynamic range of the two samples.

My guess would be that
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 11, 2015, 08:02:24 AM
I wasn't complaining about the difference in levels, just that there was indeed a difference in dynamic range of the two samples.

My guess would be that
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Hahaha, no but good one though
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: drfindley on September 11, 2015, 08:55:27 AM
Ok, one more (final) guess:
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Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 11, 2015, 10:09:46 AM
tonearm dampening, either headshell or counterweight.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 11, 2015, 04:03:03 PM
Ok, one more (final) guess:
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Nope

tonearm dampening, either headshell or counterweight.

No water was added.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 11, 2015, 05:00:48 PM
Rubber bands, blutack, piece of poo, coins, whatever.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 11, 2015, 05:04:10 PM
This is simply the difference between 1.0g and 1.8g of tracking force. Although I have no way to verify those values without an accurate tracking guage. I'm sure you all could guess which is which.

BTW, initial needledrop impulse is the dead-giveaway.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 11, 2015, 05:09:00 PM
I thought someone already said increased VTF at the beginning.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: OJneg on September 11, 2015, 05:10:36 PM
1 is a little mid forward.  2 has more bass.  Makes the soundstage in 1 sound more forward, singer and sax is more up front.

As for what you did I am going to guess a downwards VTA adjustment which also slightly increased VTF.


Hence the partial credit.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: Marvey on September 11, 2015, 05:13:17 PM
Oh OK. I misread Chris's comments by skimming / misinterpreted your comments as completely discounting VTF. That what happens you when force every comment into a super gay spoiler box.
Title: Re: Experiments in Turntable Tweakage (AB comparison)
Post by: drfindley on September 11, 2015, 05:19:34 PM
I thought someone already said increased VTF at the beginning.
Me too.
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