I fought a problem with my old turntable till I finally cried uncle. But even this story has a good ending. I was able to pick up a Pro-Ject RM10 minus the isolation platform at a good savings. They mounted a Grado Reference Sonata cartridge for me and shipped to my house. I am not fortunate enough to have a high end dealer or even a stereo shop in my home town, nearest one is a good 3 hour drive. The TT was easy to set up and I am very pleased with it. I used the factory cable to connect to the ZP3 and at long last got sound.

I am not a stereo equipment reviewer by any means. I don't have that list of adjectives at my fingertips they use to explain what I am supposed to be hearing but today I heard vinyl at a different level than I am used to. The old TT was a decent Pro-Ject Prospective with Sumiko Blue Point Special. This Prospect, Grado combination is dead quiet between tracks and in low passages. First up was Linda Ronstadt Heart Like A Wheel, 180g reissue. I have listened to this album hundreds of times but never this clear. Next I listened to Eric Clapton from the box set on 180g vinyl and it blew me away. Not stopping I played Peter Gabriel So, one side of Mobile Fidelity Carmen, Sheffield Labs Dave Grusin and a bit of The Chieftans.

I can't stop smiling now. It was a long two week wait  but well worth it. Currently I am running a Cyro Mazda 5Y3GB, RCA 0A3, cyro Mullard 12ax7 new issue and Brimar 12au7. PS Audio Prelude power cord, Kimber hero and kimber silver streak into the ZP3 and I like it a lot.

I am getting close to my last dream system waiting on new Radials, some cables and a Z box. I think all this will be happening in the next few weeks and it will be a blessed event. To be honest my JMR Twin II / Velodine 4000 combination is pretty freaking good for my ears.

Good work Steve and everyone involved. I am glad I made the plunge. The $3K for a new TT was unexpected but I'm glad I did it.

Lon in my younger days I could have fixed that turntable but my hands aren't as steady as they once were. I used to do intricate detail work on small scale models some displayed in museums today. I think I could have done open heart surgery on a flea if I had some instruction. I can still cue up a record though