interesting conclusions on the comparison between the 103 and TSD, Lindsay.
When i ran the 103 on an lp12/ittok and switched to a ESCO'd troika on same, i found the troika to be a better cart overall - cleaner, faster and more detailed. Perhaps not surprising given the set up - but i also found that i really missed what the 103 did with vocals. To my mind, the 103 has a real knack of bringing vocals out of the mix and fleshing them out in a way that even the TSD on my emt can't. Perhaps its my fading aural memory - but there is something quite special about the 103 with vocals. I'd say, though, that everything else is considerably improved with the TSD (over the troika and 103, that is). [edit: tis an unfair comparison as i was comparing different systems in addition to carts].
One day, I'll get around to squeezing the 103 into the spare TSD headshell i've got and do a fairer comparison - but I'm also dubious about being able to get the right geometry. Not much room for fiddling unfortunately, unless its using a universal headshell such as yours.
On the issue of the extra cash of the TSD - I personally think its a no-brainer. What you're really paying for is the opportunity to hear the system as it was designed to be heard. Particularly if you're using the 155st. If it doesn't work to your ears, then tweak away or scrap it altogether. But forking out for the TSD is the only way to know what you've really got. That's what i thought anyways.
It also makes comparisons between the rather expensive EMT's and Lenco's/Garrards difficult as what you're paying for in the former is a rather fixed system (with attendant synergies IMHO) whereas the latter tend to be a a hodge-pogde/tweakers delight. Nothing wrong with that, mind. Indeed, my next project is a 301 restoration. Should be interesting to compare the overall systems, but will be nigh on impossible to make conclusions about the different components.
Best
Adrian
When i ran the 103 on an lp12/ittok and switched to a ESCO'd troika on same, i found the troika to be a better cart overall - cleaner, faster and more detailed. Perhaps not surprising given the set up - but i also found that i really missed what the 103 did with vocals. To my mind, the 103 has a real knack of bringing vocals out of the mix and fleshing them out in a way that even the TSD on my emt can't. Perhaps its my fading aural memory - but there is something quite special about the 103 with vocals. I'd say, though, that everything else is considerably improved with the TSD (over the troika and 103, that is). [edit: tis an unfair comparison as i was comparing different systems in addition to carts].
One day, I'll get around to squeezing the 103 into the spare TSD headshell i've got and do a fairer comparison - but I'm also dubious about being able to get the right geometry. Not much room for fiddling unfortunately, unless its using a universal headshell such as yours.
On the issue of the extra cash of the TSD - I personally think its a no-brainer. What you're really paying for is the opportunity to hear the system as it was designed to be heard. Particularly if you're using the 155st. If it doesn't work to your ears, then tweak away or scrap it altogether. But forking out for the TSD is the only way to know what you've really got. That's what i thought anyways.
It also makes comparisons between the rather expensive EMT's and Lenco's/Garrards difficult as what you're paying for in the former is a rather fixed system (with attendant synergies IMHO) whereas the latter tend to be a a hodge-pogde/tweakers delight. Nothing wrong with that, mind. Indeed, my next project is a 301 restoration. Should be interesting to compare the overall systems, but will be nigh on impossible to make conclusions about the different components.
Best
Adrian
