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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> ZP3 / ZMC1,2,3 >> 2m blk?
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Message started by Tripwr1964 on 12/08/15 at 03:15:58

Title: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/08/15 at 03:15:58

think there are a couple of you guys running 2m blk's with your zp3.... what do you think?
thinking of upgrading from a blue to a black. is the blk a good match for the zp3? i like my blue a bunch and don't want to "upgrade" for the sake of upgrading... then not be thrilled with it.
lpgear has them for $629 which is about as low as i've seen them.
thks

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by JD on 12/08/15 at 13:27:58

Love mine on my rega p6, i had to use a 2mm spacer for it to work. The sound is pristine. I've never heard the blue but love the 2m black.

JD

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Archie on 12/08/15 at 16:00:53

Tripwr,

I considered the 2M Black too. (I was using an Ortofon Concord with an OM 40 stylus which some even consider superior to the Black.) Instead I went with a MC cart. I decided on the Ortofon Kontrapunkt b which has now been replaced by the Cadenza Blue. The Kbs are still available at good prices.

I have a ZMC1 on order but I have been using my Kb through my ZP3, CSPS and ZMA with the gain turned way up. Although the normally slight ZP3 hum has been greatly enhanced, the sound is still head and shoulders above the MM cart. (The hum should go back to "normal" with the ZMC1.) The resolution and detail are unbelievable. I will never go back. I am starting to hear what Steve's amps are capable of.

If you're interested in more information just let me know. It's a lot of money to jump to the MC but still a relatively small price compared to the rest of the system, not to mention the vinyl itself.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by JD on 12/08/15 at 19:28:21

Archie,

You've got to stop tempting me to take the mc/sut transformer route, hahaha! To me that will be a 1700 hundred dollar jump...I've always told myself i'd get a mc dynavector cart ($1,000) + sut 700$ or so if and when I did.

That is ton of vinyl I could buy.

JD

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Archie on 12/08/15 at 23:14:06

JD,

The great thing is that your current vinyl will sound so good that you wont need to buy more.

Ha ha ha ha ha ... That's a lie. You'll want to buy a lot more! :D

Still, I was thinking about upgrading my digital front end but I realized that vinyl is 99% of what I listen to so I decided to make that my priority. From what I could gather, I'd kind of hit the wall with MM carts. Next year I can see getting one of Steve's ZDC-240s though. Good thing my daughter is done with college! :P

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/08/15 at 23:15:32

jd thks for confirmation of 2m blk, rb303, zp3 combo.

archie what arm you have that kb on?

yeah, i've heard a bunch of great mc setups but something about the mm simplicity and sound i like... i am sure i'll make the jump soon however.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Archie on 12/08/15 at 23:56:00

Tripwr,

My TT is a KAB modified Technics. Don't laugh, when Kevin gets done with one it's a different beast. Mine has everything he offers. I did the math and with the stock tonearm (rewired) it's about 9.5 Hz with the Kb. So far I haven't found anything it wont track. The fluid damped tonearm might also contribute to that.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/09/15 at 12:13:55

i believe that. my buddy had a tricked out 1200 that toneaudio did a review on and it was pretty cool and sounded great too. lot of potential in those tables.

thk for input guys.

for now i am going 2m black, the price is right. next move will be MC land...

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Archie on 12/09/15 at 16:35:43

I really love the simplicity of the direct drive of the Technics. I can clean LPs on the platter and I never worry about disc speed. Since I change LPs so much, it's nice not to have to finesse anything or be overly delicate. The built in dust cover is great too. My understanding is that Technics put a million dollars into R&D at a time when that was real money. The out-board power supply and strobe cancellation gets rid of RF interference and the fluid dampening takes care of a lot of micro interference not to mention the occasional record warp. The spin on clamp is an added bonus. All in all I highly recommend these TTs. But since I don't have anything else, I can't A/B. However, for me the subtle differences between quality TTs probably wouldn't be a factor.

BTW, I had a VPI Scout on order back in 2007 when I ran into Kevin at KAB on line. After I talked to him I never looked back. He's very convincing -- like Steve D. :D

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by pineman on 12/10/15 at 05:47:43

My 2m Black came with my VPI Classic when I bought it used about a year ago. Through the ZP3 it produces amazing detail which is never fatiguing. I find myself listening to vinyl much more than digital. I am very happy with this setup. Good luck!

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Lon on 12/10/15 at 14:15:01

Isn't the ZP3 just an astonishingly good preamp? :D

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/11/15 at 12:11:03

lon, yes it is! i like it more everyday. can't say that about most of my gear. i've had mine since april and it literally sounds better everytime i turn it on. crazy.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Lon on 12/11/15 at 12:16:18

Yes, it's crazy good. I have had mine for years now and I still find it improving (as I find how to improve implementing it in the system, tube roll, etc.) It's here to stay!

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/23/15 at 01:35:12

been running in the 2m blk for couple weeks now. it is definitely a step up from the blue in terms of detail and a bit more bottom end. i like it.

in the meantime i picked up a paradox pulse 3 (saw a deal on them on usaudiomart). its a repotted dl-103.
what ZMC is recommended with a denon DL-103? ZMC3?

its .38mV and 40ohm.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Archie on 12/23/15 at 16:21:07

I'm not sure that you will need a SUT at all with .38mV. Until my ZMC1 arrives I've been using my .048mV cart with just my ZP3, CSP3 into my ZMA. I can go well into clipping. However, I have everything turned way up and the slight amplifier hums get pretty bad. In my case the SUT will be needed. My MM cart put out .4mV and was more than fine.

I'd say to give it a try before buying any more equipment.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Tripwr1964 on 12/24/15 at 21:20:50

archie,
really? wow, wouldn't think that'd work. i've been running 2m blue and black at 5.5 and 5.0mV respectively. both work very well with zp3.
i'll try it however.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Syd on 12/25/15 at 11:40:17

I think Archie maybe in uncharted headroom territory trip [smiley=10.gif].
His ZMC will be ....well, a surprise I'm sure.
Merry Xmas from bonny Scotland to all !

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by mark58 on 12/25/15 at 12:50:20

Scotland? Syd, All this time I was thinking you were in England. One side of my family was Scotch-Irish. My Mother's grandfather was one of 4 brothers who came over to America from Ireland.

I'm beginning my day by watching the film "A Christmas Story" that runs nonstop on two channels here in the United States. Merry Christmas, Syd. Mark.

Title: Re: 2m blk?
Post by Lon on 12/25/15 at 13:06:58

Part Scotch-Irish here as well, with a Gaelic first name and a Scotch last name, although I'm about 3/4 German. Merry Christmas all!