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Vintage Asylum Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time. |
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Vintage Asylum Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time. |
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In Reply to: Eico hf-85 or Conrad johnson pv-3 ? posted by rodgen on July 20, 2008 at 18:07:53:
I'm coming into this thread a little late, but better late than silent, right ?. Are you keeping both preamps and wondering which to upgrade ? The PV-3, CJ's lowest cost preamp, was designed for bare bones features and maximum sonics. Modifying the CJ will not increase its value.
As a phono preamp, I need stereo reverse and mono functions, as I need my fave bass players on the correct channels, and mono discs to sound centered, with less noise. Also, with older discs, like 78s, the tone controls on the very high gain HF-85 come in very handily. I almost never use tone controls with LPs or 45s. But, you may need them as your record collection grows.
My favorite phono stage is the "lowly" Shure M-65, tweaked and hot- rodded, of course. I use this into the Aux In line stage of the HF-85. I do not love the HF-85 phono stage, but it can be changed. The tape head circuit could also be rewired for a second turntable, with variable phono EQ, a nice option for your record collecting versatility. The HF-85 usually has some nice black coupling caps, by Pyramid or General Instrument, the Imp types, which sound great ! You can leave them alone if they don't leak DC to their following stages. The ceramic and wax coated caps can be replaced, yielding upgraded sound. Noise is actually easy to reduce in the HF-85, as it is all point to point wired. The plate and cathode resistors are the culprits. Hum can be vanished with upgraded and uprated capacitance in the power supply. The simple mods become time constraints, requiring planning, and careful implementation, modding the CJ. If you love the CJ phono stage, how about using it into the Aux jacks on the HF-85 ? I adore the HF-85s abilities. I used to love the KT-600 by Lafayette, as my line stage preamp. I could enjoy the KT-600 phono stage, but not as much as a RIAA tweaked M-65. I only bring the KT into this thread as a comparison in value, as they fetch up to $800. easily, while the HF-85 yields closer to $200-300. The upgraded HF-85 has an even larger soundstage than the fantastic KT-600. You all know how important I consider 3D iullusions, and the Eico is admirable. The line stage of the HF-85 has less feedback compensation as well, making it also sound a bit faster. I used a KT-600 for over 10 years, by the way. By all means, the simplicity and easy upgrading of the HF-85 should easily make it your choice. ENJOY !!!!
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Follow Ups
- Are You Keeping Both: Eico HF-85 & CJ PV-3 ? - Interstage Tranny 07/21/0814:49:00 07/21/08 (0)
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