Avid Pulsus phono - Giant Killer, SUPERB!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2024
- Dear Friends, my finding has been concurred by neutral friends who came to listen. We like it most!!!
I almost overlooked this model... if not for one friend who has been looking for a sub US$2000 phonostage.... I would not have bothered to audition this model from Avid. My local Avid retailer himself is a very humble guy as he does not always talk about his kit and gears.... so I never asked him about this Pulsus too. Coz I thought that it would be an underwhelming MC phonostage.
Well I am in for a surprise. This thing sounded really really good.
Within the first few bars of music on first listening, my mouth opened in TOTAL DISBELIEF. Jaws dropped... my wife concurred. My neutral friends who later came by (even a competing hifi retailer of another brand of hifi) concurred too. This Pulsus is unbelievably good!!!
A teaching I received from, a teacher...
Thank you, teacher.
" In life, the aim is not to be better than others.
The aim is to be better FOR others. "
Best Regards to you and your families,
Ian :-)
Music used with permission from
www.purple-plan...
www.bensound.com - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
Ian, I learned of the Schiit Mani from you and was very impressed when I bought one. Mostly on your recommendation (and subsequent confirmation by other reviewers) I recently upgraded to the Avid Pulsus. Wow! I am blown away, it is a fantastic upgrade. Thanks very much for your most excellent reviews, I will be forever grateful as I happily enjoy my extensive record collection. You really are a godsend, I admire and respect you and your devotion to the audiophile experience. Thank you, Ian Macqueen from Ab, Canada.
Brother from Alberta👋😄🇨🇦!!!!! Thank YOU!for coming by and chatting me up!!!! I am very happy to know your journey and of course very, very glad and excited to know my recommendations are great for you!!!! Honesty always help people. And a rare commodity in human nature and character. I abide by it to be best of service to all you friends!!!!! Have a lovely Sunday morning and enjoy you vinyl analogue bliss 😄✌🎵🎶🎶🎶YAYYYYYY!!!!! Happiness in your home!
Hey Ian, I now am pairing my Pulsus with a Dynavector XX2Mk2 and it is pure heaven - everything that you said it would be. Thanks for the recommendation. I also found the comments to be very useful. I know that you’re not as actively posting as you used to be but I can assure you that your legacy lives on and your efforts are still much appreciated. 👍
Hi Ian, I too purchased this based your review and was not disappointed. Great detail, punchy and dynamic ... your review was spot on. Thank you from Ab, Canada
I like records. I like stereos. And one day, I will upgrade my pretty decent system with a much better one to really get the most out of my recently acquired collection of new records. But the real reason I come to this site is to watch and listen to this guy! He is so great! I wish I was more like him. Love these videos!
Thank you my fellow friend in Vinyl!!!
Best Regards to you and your vinyl-spinning friends and family members!!!
Have a good weekend too!
Ian:-D
...and may you realise your plans very soon!!
First hours with the avid, straight out of the box, in mm mode with 2m red all I can say is Wow...
Elton - the union, is a album I was really disappointed with, now it sounds incredible... the bass, clarity and instrument separation. did not think 2m red could sound this good.
"joe cocker - best of" again.. could not listen to it, now its a pleasure to listen.
miles davis - kind of blue ... well really can't focus on anything except the music.
First time A/B testing that my dac actually sounds dull compared to my analog setup.
thank you :) really really happy with the pulsus, worth every penny even for MM cartridges
No regrets even without burn in. It sounds incredible. also impressed with the build quality.
thank you, if we ever meet beers on me.
Thank you Brother Claudiu, for your happy updates all along.
I really like your description of your Joe Cocker and Miles Davis vinyl records playback!!! :-D and yes surprisingly the Pulsus doesn't need that much of running in to sound its best!
And kudos for your analog rig now triumphant over your dac. I'm sure you'll be enjoying that beautiful vinyl analogue sound and performance every day from now on.
Best Regards Claudiu!
Sincerely, Ian.
+HiViNyws channel Hi Ian,
Can you help me out with some suggestions on how you would configure the pulsus with dynavector 20x2L. Been playing around so far best results are with. Mc high (guess it's 60db) and 1k ohm.
Am I missing something ? Most people recommend 100ohm and 70db.
Thank you,
Claudiu
Dear Brother Claudiu! :-D
It is okay to accept 1k ohm as your preferred setting for your 20x2L. You are also right about setting up your gain to the highest too!
You're really right about your settings. Your ears are always right. Your settings are correct too. :-)
I'm free for you anytime brother. Sincerely, Ian.
Hi Ian ... just for your info; the Avid Pellar MM/MC Phono Stage is amazing value. A good audiophile friend of mine has just bought this. It will be my next and last phono stage preamp buy with three decent stages to play with. I bought the Schiit Mani after buying the Musical Fidelity LX LPS MM/MC Phono Stage - both excellent, but both very different in overall presentation with (to my ears) the Schiit Mani sounding more realistic, and since upgrading the power supply, more dynamic too! On my friends system the Avid Pellar added more space around instruments - sounding much more like a studio recording with added stereo imaging depth.
Wooooo that is super nice!!!!!! Thank you my friend!!!! I am thrilled to hear you discover the stupendous sound of the Pellar. Amazing kit isn't it!!! :-D Really happy for you my friend Chris!
Hi Ian. Thank you for this great review. This review was the reason why I bought the Pulsus! And you are right. It´s a giants killer indeed!! I sound so musical and dynamic here in my set up:
Rega RP10
Lyra Delos
Hegel H160
ProAc Respons D25
Are the other Avid phono stages worth the upgrade and the higher price? Just thinking about the future...
Dear Brother!!! Now you are onto the RP10!!! You have an amazing set-up now with RP10 & Lyra Delos matching with your Hegel H160 and ProAc Response D25!!! Wooohooohooo!!!
I will explain a bit:
I feel that the law of diminishing returns set in after the Pulsus, but that being said, we can rightly price the Pulsus at $5k based on the fact that it is beating all those phonostages below $5k :-D!!!
You have a giant-killer and I believe you have gotten the Pulsus at US$2k or even less? Hahahah...
So. This "$5k"-worthy Pulsus is a high price to start off with :-D. I apologise that the law of dimishing returns creep in from $5k onwards for much of audiophilia stuffs... for the price of having improvement in dynamics, detail and harmonics and musicality, different folks like us will have different perceptions of what is worthy of the price. Is it really worth it? I can't be the arbitrator of that perception :-D
Thank you amazingly for updating me all the time.... and I do miss your heavily modified SL1210Mk5 now!!! :-D
Hehhehehehehee..
I AM MOST, MOST, MOST HAPPY AND JUBILANT THAT YOU HAVE A CRAZY, SUPERB AVID PULSUS.
This is a crazy piece of equipment.
Shockingly great...
phew....
:-D
Anytime my friend, we can catch up!!!!
THank you for being such a good vinyl friend!
- ian :-)
Ian your insights details and hard work to get us definitive reviews is appreciated. I have ordered the Avid based on your review as I plan to move to a Linn Krystal MC from my current Dynavector HOMC, which has given me many years of service.
Dear Buddy :-D thank you for catching up! Great to see you.
I really congratulate you for acquiring the Avid Pulsus. This may be a 3 year old video, but I stand strong on this and still recommended to a friend 3 days ago on Saturday, to acquire it for his low-output MC cartridge.
This Pulsus is a giant killer.
Warmest Regards my friend,
~ ian
Finally got my Pulsus and found a good setting for my ancient Dynavector 20x. Amazing pre amp! Makes music 3D. I'll have to wait until end of the year to upgrade my MC to a better model and next year to replace my Rega Exel-R amp. Again, thank you for pointing me in this direction.
@@bshah4831 Dear Buddy :-D thank you for your update too!!! AMAZING isn't it!?!!!! This Avid Pulsus is top draw, and a superb piece of equipment. Fullstop.
Have fun my friend!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA :-D!!!!!!!!
I now have the Pulsus feeding my Musical Fidelity M6SPRE and M6SPRX with a LP12 with Keel, Ekos SE and Krystal MC. I'm super happy.
Thanks a lot for this! I bought a much expensive phono pre-amp to match my Sumiko Project Signature 10 turntable with Sumiko Palo Santos cartridge. I felt I was missing something about the sound even though detailed. So I purchased the Avid Pulsus and took your word for it. Now I'm happy with the Pulsus as it outperformed the more expensive phono preamp I had. Thus, saving money also for future upgrade. I just subscribed to your channel and thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Woahhh!!! I am so happy for you my friend!!!!!! :-D
Unbelievable. The same results keep repeating. I am just happy to have helped everybody save money off purchasing much more expensive MC phono preamps that still do not sound great and as what you said: "missing that something".
I am very happy to receive your sharing brother-in-Vinyl Luigi!!!!
Sincerely,
- ian :-)
I have just purchased this product from your recommendations
Putting a system together slowly Avid and Bryston BLP-1 Turntable
Looking for Great phono cartridge do you have any ideas as to a brand and model
budget $1000.US ... Great channel by the way you certainly love your HiFi
I can see when you visited the HiFi Shops in Singapore a smile from ear to ear :)
Dear Fred!!👍😄💪💪💪💪splendid!!! I'm very happy for you you've the superb Pulsus is coming to your home!!!! I'd recommend, the Dynavector 20x2L to make full use of the Pulsus superb MC phonostage circuit and design. No frills nor hype (no advertising monies paid to influence reviewers, there aren't many manufacturers brave enough not to advertise), the Avid phonostages are top top top. Great performances, top value, and superbly built like tanks.
It is difficult and rare for a MC phonostage-cartridge below $5k, to attain both refinement and detail, with dynamics, weight and punch, PLUS, the fluidity of analogue.
The Pulsus attained all of them.
I just bought the Avid Pulsus, based on your review. And Wow! That thing sounds fantastic! Playing with Rega Planar 3, Rega Exact cart, PrimaLuna amp and Monitor Audio speakers. Thanks for your excellent and unbiased advice!
Hi Brother John🤗🤗🤗!!! You're welcomed!!!!! Very welcomed!!! Yes I still stand by my decision, and if given $2I to buy the best MC/MM phonostage, I will rush to buy this home!!!! Its MC stage is tremendously great and is a STUPENDOUS giant killer 💪💪💪😄👍👍👍✌✌😄👍✌😄✌✌✌ thanks for letting us know your lovely system!!!!!
HAVE FUN AND ANALOGUE BLISS MY FRIEND, you're set!!✌😄✌!!!!🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎊🎆🎉
@@HiViNywschannel i need to get one also
@@kawada1 hi Brother Luis! The Pulsus is really fantastic. Get one if you can. Excellent in MC where many costlier MC phonos fail with low output MC cartridges. 👍😄🍀
@@HiViNywschannel hi hope you are well. Looking to go MC. kiseki blue or a dynavector
@@kawada1 brother, update me of your acquisition along the way! Am eager to hear your experiences and learn from them too🙏🤗👍
Sounds fantastic mate. Ian, can you do a video covering all the hifi gear you use in your systems? including the system with the valve amp?
Thanks for this great video review! I am sure the Avid Pulsus phonostage sounds more than amazing. I always like the concept of external power supplies.
Thanks for sharing :)
All the best!
Armien
AudiophileLaws Thank you Brother Armien :-D ... glad to see you again Vinyl brother!!! Hope your new place gives you even better space for your huge collection of vinyl records and give you even bigger soundstaging from your wonderful system!
Best Regards to you and your family,
Ian.
I love your B&W Speakers, Ian!! The Dynavector DV-20X2 is my dream cartridge! I really hope to get one someday for my Rega P3 turntable 🙏🏼
Wow. I really need to take a look and listen to one of these. I am considering upgrading to an external phono stage and this looks great. Thanks Ian.
Dear Buddy with FOUR systems to play different music!!!under one roof!!!! Hope you are loving your heavily modified Sansui AU-x711 CDP and AU- Alpha 907 Amp!!! Still keeping your Schiits, Pliniuses, PMCs, Myryad, Exposures and Ushers!?!!! Way to go man!!!
Brother, the Avid Pulsus, is, brilliant.
One note for you Buddy, becauase Avid does no advertising even on their home British magazines (whathifi, hfnnrr, hifi+, hifichoice), and of course not on U.S. (forget about Stereophile and AbsSound), the markup will be very little, with zero money paid to "influence" (influence is a heavily understated word) and to get good reviews. Thus you should usually be able to get a heavily discounted final transaction price on your Avid equipment. Avid, i think, would list their equipment at RRPs in comparable to other brands' products (marked-up due to the monies used to bribe people), i.e. an Avid product with a certain level of performance on par with another product from another brand that pays out bribing monies, would be listed at the same RRP. Thus the retailer for Avid (at the final BtoC end) would usually be able to slash prices off to help the customers. This is what I have noticed, and thus we are getting great honest-to-goodness products.
Warmest Regards,
~ ian.
@@HiViNywschannel Hi Ian. I've been wondering how you are going. Yes, been enjoying all my systems and am looking at adding to them in the future.
I've been looking at Avid here in Australia at a local dealer and they have some very nice gear. I'm using an older Pro-ject RPM5.1 as my main turntable however am looking to upgrade soon. Next time I am in Melbourne I may have a listen to an Avid.
Keep in touch mate and I hope you and your family are well.
Kind regards
Blake.
@@essendon72 Dear Blake, 🤗yes!!!! Enjoy the journey!!!and the auditioning and discovery!!! The ProJect tonearm is very unideal. An upgrade from ProJect to a Rega, Avid or MoFi deck, or Technics deck, is flying from below ground to the sky. Avid Ingenium or Diva with Jelco or SME will be absolutely gorgeous💪😄✌🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶!!!!!!!
Warmest Regards to you🇦🇺and your family and friends too!!!
~ ian
@@HiViNywschannel Hey Ian, is there any other way I can communicate with you? I want to ask you some questions.
Hey Ian, I just watched your review and really enjoyed it. Question for you: were you able to test the MM components as well? I currently have MC carts; but will plan to switch to the MP-500 MM cart at some point. Would you say the Pulsus handles MM carts as well as MC carts? Also, when pairing carts and phono stages, is price point the best way to match the two? How far up the ladder would the Pulsus go in terms of phono cartridges? My apology for all the questions. I trust your input very much! :-) Thanks Ian! Another great video! -Brad
Maybe one day I'll have a stereo system half as nice as yours. That phono-stage and those B&W speakers are awesome. Thank-you for your expertise ! Excellent presentation !
dearest Friend, I really thank you for your kindest support and encouragement...
I am humbled too...I came from a poor family, had a catastrophic accident in my teenage...and then suffered a lot and worked hard to be a medical doctor...a small time family doctor..then was fortunate to engage a distribution business with some kind hearted friends. I felt embarrassed to have a system like this because I do not want to give a feeling of superiority at all because my fellow audiophile acquaintances have Jeff Rowland 825, 90k Vitus photostages, YGs, Wilson top speakers, etc... of course they are not showy...but i feel that as long as I keep my feet on the ground, friends like you will know my sincerity to guide and to share. My Buddhist teacher taught me that "in life, it is not the aim to be better than others. The aim in life is to be better FOR others".
With that in mind, I wish to always be a resource to people...
Thank you Sir.
And :-)
Best regards to you and your family too!!!
sincerely Ian.
I've been running the Pulsus for several years now. Absolutely agree with your review. I only wish it had a mono button!
I have a question for you. Lately I've been trying out different loading options. Are the values on the dip switches cumulative?
If I wanted to use the 500R value, Would I switch the 100R, 200R and the 500R dip switches, or would I only use the 500R dip switch?
Equipment:
Avid Sequel SP / SME 309
Lyra Delos
Nordost Frey 2 phono cable
Avid Pulsus preamp
Dear Buddy :-D yes our Avid phonostages are really fantastic!!! Hi five!!!! Yes, to get at the 500R, just need to use the 500R switch.
Avid Sequel SP with 309 is superb!!! Bravo!!!! Enjoy too the rest of your equipment Nordost Frey2 and Delos :-D
Warmest Regards my friend!!!
~ ian.
@@HiViNywschannel
That's how I suspected it was, but the manual doesn't specify. The more I thought about it, the more I started to question myself.
Thanks!
Just now caught this video, excellent !
Hahaha... dear Richard. Thank you for coming by over here. The Avid Pulsus is crazily good.
Do read my other comments below corresponding to other friends here... :-D... the Pulsus rocks.
- ian :-)
Richard are you going to get that phono preamp that's the one I like
love your review. any plans to review hegel v10 phono?
I'm wondering if you will ever do a review/comparison of the best DACs around the $500 - $700 range?
Hi Ian, I'm sure the 'Pulsus' would probable leave my EAR 834P for dead in many respects but I like to fine tune the sound with different makes of valves, Mullards for example. Anyway thanks for a great review. My wife sends yours best wishes and does she remember the Candies? Apart from Jazz and classical I really like early 60s pop, Hirota Meiko, Peanuts and Ito Yukari . Grayhounds do some great cover versions that I've seen on youtube. What do you listen to other than Jazz? Not exactly sure when we will be in Japan but it would be good to meet up if the gods smile down. Long live the Vinyl empire, Regards, Derek.
+Derek Woolston Oh yes long live the Vinyl empire! Like the way you put it!
I will check with my wife again when I get back home from work... currently in the office now! I want to ask her these names you have mentioned: Hirota Meiko, Peanuts and Ito Yukari...I go ask her asap this evening!!
See you Mr and Mrs Woolston when the heavens smile on us and we meet in Japan soon this year hopefully!
Keep you updated again, talk to you again my friend!!!
Ian :-D
ps:Thank you for talking to us!
Great review, i've relly enjoyed watching your videos. Would you recommend this Phono stage ahead of the Rega Aria?
My deck is a RP8.
Thanjs
Dear Buddy :-D . ..thank you for catching up with my video contributions!..
Yes the Aria.. a great, superb phonostage in MM, but the Pulsus is miles ahead in MC performance. If you only wants MM, go for the Aria; if you want MC, go for the Pulsus!! Both are stupendous in these respective areas of strength.
Warmest Regards my friend!
~ ian
@@HiViNywschannel Hi Ian, thank you for the reply, Yes it will be for MC cart. I think I will go with the Pulsus thanks for your hard work with regards your reviews, fantastic channel.
Neil
Hi Ian!
Great videos. It's so refreshing and helpful to hear honest reviews. I am definitely a fan!
What kind of integrated amp should I consider to go along with the Avid Pulsus Phonostage? I have looked and looked and can't seem to make up my mind. I am trying to stay within the US $1000 to 1500 range. The world of hi-fi audio is so vast, and frankly, confusing.
Again, really appreciate the hard work you put into these reviews.
Wyas
Dear Wyas! :-D So happy to receive your message! Thank you very much for coming by, and your time and support. Let's keep up the vinyl spirit!
You may try home auditioning the Rega amplifiers to see if they suit your taste! I've heard them and found them engaging and musical.
Thank you! And may I see you again!
Best Regards to you and your family too!
Ian :-D
Hi Ian. Big fan of you channel!
Can I check if you are using Avid Pulsare phono? I am in search for a new phono and avid pulsare is in my shortlist. So would like to get your advice.
Thansk!
I got a home trial of Rega Aura phono from audio88 this week and it is very dynamic and transparent. Too bad sound decision has no pulsare II demo which is more versatile. It is interesting to compare these 2 which is around same price range
Hi Ian,
I am in the market for a phonostage. I have always read good things about the Pulsus but somehow the Pulsare ll has not got similarly enthusiastic reviews. I wonder if the Pulsare loses a bit in terms of outright musicality while trying to deliver more resolution and clarity? Please throw your honest light on this.
Does the Pulsus have the explosive dynamics of Pulsare and other $5-10k phonostages? I can stretch hard and get a Pulsare (may be used) but if Pulsus is close then I will just get Pulsus.
Hi Ian, how was the Plinius Koru? Compared to Pulsus?
Dear Buddy, sorry for my one day late reply...
:-D yes, the Pulsare2 is a super great phonostage!!! Its performance with LOMC is transcendental in my experience!!!!! The Pulsus does have the explosive dynamics and even better than most $5k phonostages!!!
The Pulsare2 still surpasses the Pulsus in outright liquidness and etherealism in soundstaging, but read this :-D :
The very capable $5k Plinius Koru still loses to the $2k Pulsus in analogueness, naturalness and beauty!!!
Get the Pulsus coz it is stupendous in value for money!!! :-D
Warmest Regards,
~ ian.
Thank you Ian for responding to my question. Your review of Pulsus is very helpful to me, as I am in the process of purchasing a phono stage. Unlike you the dealer in my area doesn't have a Pulsus for me to take home to audition. Relying on reviewers such as yourself.
Would you say the Pulsus has a warm and musical presentations similar to a valve phono stage?
You are doing an excellent job and thanks for sharing.
Gene dizon Dear Mr Dizon, thank you too. I am working hard all the time for my channel, I think about many things everyday about how to be as helpful as I can for all of us vinyl friends (of course taking care and spending time with my family first :-)... my wife thus is supportive of me)
*Very thank you to your kind comments and enquiry... I would say that, YES: the Pulsus has a very even, highly balanced tonality, 1) it is not euphonic and inaccurate like some valve phonostages, 2) it is not dysphonic like badly designed solid states which many abound..., 3) it showcases the best of both worlds, very forthcoming with tonal inflections, weighty, and warm without getting muffled!... great big midrange dynamics, never shy of showcasing the feelings of Halie Loren, Eva Cassidy... very accurately linear from LF to HF, great extension of LF and HF.
Hello Ian I watched this probably a year ago did not make a comment but have wanted this phono stage you ever since your great review
I currently have a Calypso origin live turntable silver tonearm shelter 501
My current photo stage is a modded Jasmine
Dearest Ron, you are one of first and foremost TH-cam video creator on Vinyl playback. I have watched your early videos five years ago and you inspired me to pursue vinyl playback. Your education has been fantastifc, and your strong passion never waivered. Thank you, Sir.
Humbly yours,
~ ian.
My Friend, Ian
WOW, really humbled by you reply, I love your passion as well as your great ear, and videos.
I think I watched them all a while back, now i need to catch up.
Its great to be back watching the VC. I have so many folks that watched my videos but they leave no comments, So that I never understood what I meant to some folks in the VC.
Like you, I never knew you even watched a single one lol. I am so happy to have this correspondence with you as I value your opinion greatly. I love your videos, you do a great job, Very interesting, they hold my interest all the way through. Cheers Ron
Sir, i will continue to plough through and work hard.
I am most humbled by an esteemed and more senior in terms of experience and years of vinyl usage, to appreciate my little works.
Another great video, just curious, how many more phono stage videos can we expect? :)
Dear Johnny :-),
I have arranged at least 3 more:-). I will do my best.
I am in the process now of careful obejectively listening, reviewing and comparing the Schiit Mani, the Rega Fono, Rega Mini, and the Lounge Audio MM phonostages.
I let them run as background first each for a sufficient number of hours for my ears to get used to each of them, see how is my casual response, watch my friends and even neighbours response to them when they come by, then do careful objective sweet spot listening and comparing :-)
Will be truthful again and will not take sides with brands... I have the Rega table but I will not take sides. I will be super objective and to help my cherished viewers and friends here who value my humble input :-)
Best regards Johnny and your family!
Ian
Do you prefer Avid Pulsus phono or Rega Aria?
hi! how do you compare it to rega aria?
Alamat I'm 5 yrs late to view your video Ian 😅... Is this still available in local dealer? Thx & stay safe. 👍😄
Yes Brother, it is still available at adelphi level4, Sound Decisions! Boss is Sam, sub-boss is Eugene😄....have fun Brudder!!!!!! 🇸🇬
Alright! Thx for your fast response Ian.
Best regards & stay safe. 👍😄
Ian, thanks for the great review. I am using an Avid Volvere SP with a PS Audio phono stage. Based on your review, I will definitely give the Pulsus some very serious consideration. I just wish it had balanced output, but if the noise floor is low, maybe I just don't need it. I am using a Lyra Delos MC. Thanks again for another great review. You do a terrific job on all of these.... Gerry
+Gerry Nemeth Dear Friend :-D Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement!!! Lyra Delos MC? Yup, you're onto great kit with the Volvere (3feet in equilateral triangle for supreme low noise and stability, no plinth which is the source of resonance, suspension for isolation, weighted platter for flywheel effect and speed stability, record clamp and suspension for diffusing off any platter/record resonance downwards to obilivion, precision engineering with military precision support which Avid came from, no nonsense company which doesn't do ads on magazines (i love this a lot) ). My friend has a Delos too and he enjoys it very very much!
You'd be on cloud9 soon with the Pulsus. I have done a lot of homework... many of my acquaintances and friends, trusting and distrusting, had gone on the realise for themselves, and bought for themselves, many units of Avid Pulsus. I think you're more than safe... :-D it should amaze you and delight you.
Thank you for your time and effort penning your words here.
Sincerely,
Ian.
+HiViNyws channel Thanks for your response, Ian. I see you use an Avid turntable too. Is this the Sequel or Volvere? I'm very pleased that you like the Avid with the Lyra Delos cartridge too. I am using the SME 309 tonearm too. Any comments will be appreciated. I am interesting in knowing what Avid you are using....thanks.
+Gerry Nemeth I also see that you have the top-of-the-line Avid phono stage....wow, what an AVID setup you have. The best of the best, Ian. Where in the world are you living?
+Gerry Nemeth Brother, I am living in Singapore :-) and I actually wanted to buy the Volvere early last year...but the retailer was very kind to offer me a price for the Sequel I can't say no to. I was lucky, really! Really not prepared to pay so much for the Sequel...but the price was just... okay I shall keep it private as agreed with my retailer on gentlemen's agreement. But brother....i would have gotten the Volvere if not for this stroke of luck. The Volvere is more than great enough for me!
I do not subscribe to fandom of a certain brand or manufacturer or retailer. My assessment of the products and the fact that I had bought the Avid turntable in Jan/Feb last year and then the Avid phonostage in March last year...was based on my rigorous and objective assessment of their performance. The fact that both models were Avid holds NO, ZERO relation with me flying the Avid flag or being an Avid fan.
Each of the 2 products were best in my opinion and punches above their weight and much above their pricepoints.
I hold no emotional attachment to the Avid brand...i believe, like you.
:-D
Dear friend,
A big thank you for your friendship and chat, and your kind support and encouragement.
Best Regards to you and your family, :-)
Ian.
+HiViNyws channel Thank you again, Ian. I should chat with you via e-mail. All the best to you in Singapore. I wish you luck and continued happy listening, my friend.
I wonder if Avid Pellere reachs the sonic refinement of Avid Pulsare II. It seems a less comfortable of configure but the chassis and the external power supply looks identical to its big brother. Avid Pulsare II is the best option if we are changing continously cartridges (your case!) But for people who change cartridge every couple of years (my case!) Avid Pellere can be perfect. It make sense to use an unbalanced tonearm/cartridge connection to Pellere's imput and an XLR connection from Pellere to an integrated amp? Thank very much again, Ian. Greetings from Spain!
Dearest Brother in Vinyl,
You have a great point there! Rather great points there! :-) all correct. It is okay to have the connection as you wrote : unbalanced -> XLR wise from tonearm-Pellere-amplifier.
The Pellere, is going to be a crazy performer at its price, simply omitting the convenience of the front-facing adjustment knobs :-D and just single vs double regulated power supplies. Other than that, I am really not sure about any more differences between the two models!!!! If you can get hte Pellere, you are going to get a steal. Though expensive, I feel the Pellere will still be a steal at its price for its outstanding MC performance.
Thanks for your (your case!) :-D.... very thoughtful of you my friend!!!!!!
:-D
Best, best, best regards,
ian.
....and will continue to update on the Black and MP500... :-D!!!
Hello,
You sure make a convincing case for the Pulsus. I am very tempted to try this unit, but alas, there is no Avid dealer anywhere near me. Fortunately a well known British online retailer has a 30 day return policy so I may take your word for it and order the beast to try it out. Just one question: did you audition with classical music as well? That would be a large part of my musical diet.
Kind regards from The Netherlands!
Dear Brother Frank from The Netherlands!!! :-D Although this review is not my latest in reviews, I still stand by it: the Pulsus is really, one helluva MC phonostage!!!!!!!!! A superb, great musical, analytical and detailed, yet powerful phonostage befitting of expensive MC cartridges, and also surpassing those more expensive ones e.g. the JC3+, Whest 3Sig, Whest ps.30rdt (and ps.40rdt which I have heard recently as well), Plinius Koru. You are wise and resourceful enough to source it from a British online responsible retailer. Wise move my friend :-D !!! Kudos to you!!! Here's to superb vinyl enjoyment for you very, very soon!!!
Warmest Regards,
ian.
HiViNyws channel Thank you again for this lovely review. There is a Pulsus heading my way as we speak. I'm very curious how it will perform...
Keep 'em spinnin'!
Just a short follow-up: A beautiful Avid Pulsus was delivered at my place this afternoon. It's been warming up for a few hours and I'm just doing some casual listening now. But it seems that you are right, sir: this thing is already trashing the first generation 2004 Project Tube Box (which was a proper box and not the silly thing it is now) that it replaced. The Pulsus has total authority over everything. I don't think I'll need Analogue Seduction's return policy...
Hi Ian...really enjoy your channel Question, i have a Well tempered TT with DV 20x2L, thinking of getting the Avid Pulsus but do you think the Pellar would be "enough" for my set up. Music ranges from Jazz to classic rock. thanks Ian. Keep up the good work
Dear Casey...
You have a good question.
I shall attempt to uncover the Pellar for you. If you can wait, it would be good.
I will be contacting my local Avid retailer very soon because quite a number of you friends have requested for me to assess the Pellar :-D
The Pulsus has thrilled and wowed many of my friends, and also acquaintances whom I have never met...they write long emails to me telling me their experiences and happiness after having auditioned many and eventually bought the Pulsus.
Brilliant performer.
I may assess and publish my findings in December this year, coz I would need to fulfil my promise to friends here to do the Group C ($170-200) cartridge reviews (AT440MLb, Goldring GR2100, Grado Red and Ortofon 2M Blue).
Best Regards,
ian.
I really would love to help you Casey.
It has been on my mind for some time... this Pellar.
Please catch up or email me any time at hivinyws@gmail.com too if you please.
Hi, have you heard unison research simply tube? I'm contemplating exchanging my whestTwo.2 for either avid or unison. Love it's transparency, staging and smoothness but it doesn't draw me to music as much as it'd need for me to keep it. from what I read I'm leaning towards avid but haven't found anyone comparing them directly. Any response much appreciated.
Good review. I'm very curious how it stacks up with your AVID phono stage?
Gene dizon Dear Mr Gene Dizon, first of all, thank you very much for your question and interaction over here, I do my best to answer and help!
Yes... as I was auditioning this Pulsus, it has been very interesting for me to realise that the house sound persists. Well, the Pulsare2 better the Pulsus further in terms of mostly microdetails/harmonics/air&decay, and dynamics and even deeper bass extension... however, Pulsus is already very very impressive!.. oh my goodness!!.. yes very good. I can live with it seriously if you take away my Pulsare2. The house sound is still all there, very very well rounded performance, superb dynamics, great bass extension, punchy, refined harmonics and most important of all that all important vinyl magic and naturalness unfolded and displayed all in front of you.
Best Regards!!
Thank you again Gene!
from Ian :-)
This or the Plinius Koru ??
Thank you for your fantastic reviews of vinyl audio components! Love your videos, so keep them comming:) I also see that you just bought a Technics SL-1200(mk2?). Congrats! All I can tell you... you are in for a treat if you modifiy it lightly. I have a heavy modified Technics SL-1210M5G and I love it:) Right now I´m looking for a new phono stage. Components in my system:
ProAc Response D25, Hegel H160 amp and the SL-1210M5G.
I had the Rega Aria as a loaner for a couple of weeks, but it had a slight hum. The dealer tried it in their system and the Rega Aria was faulty. So I might not have gotten the true impression of the Aria. So how do you compare the two; Rega Aria or Avid Pulsus? I was looking for a phono stage with XLR-out, but in your experience, is there really any need/ difference soundwise using XLR from the phono stage to the amplifier?
Regards
Chris
Thank you Chris!!! :-D Great to see you!
I will take time to reply you back again later.
Thank you brother!
AND HEH! THE Hegel H160! Yummy! Hahaha... enjoy enjoy!.. and happy to chat with you later again regarding your 1210mk5.
Best Regards!
Ian.
+HiViNyws channel Looking forward hearing from you. Have a great day:)
+Ch “Ronin73” Kemp Dear Chris, the Rega Aria is superb in MM mode, but falters in MC mode, as in most phonostages less than $4k unfortunately...all except the Avid Pulsus. The Avid Pulsus is a giantkilling piece of kit giving top-notch performance. I am not sure about XLR to phonostage but I do not think it is necessary to get one just for the possible cost. The phonostage circuitry per se is much much more important than the provision of xlr from phonostage to amplifier. Confidently! :-D
Best Regards to you and your family!
Ian!
+HiViNyws channel Hi, and thank you so much for your reply! Pulsus just moved to the top of my list, together with Electrocompaniet ECP-2 phono stage. If you ever have the chance to review the Electrocompaniet ECP-2 it would be great:)
I will continue to follow your channel; you are a fantastic reviewer, honest, funny and very informative! And you have my dream turntable; Avid Volvere!
Kind regards,
Chris
+Ch “Ronin73” Kemp Dear Sir... I am honoured to have your blessings... thank you Master of the Tech12!!!! Thank you!
I am really grateful and read with interest and always eager-eyed at your opinions and experience!!! I am really all ears my friend!
BEST REGARDS,
Ian.
Hello mr Ian!
Ive been following your videos for a couple of years and im currently rocking the MP200 and Schiit mani.
Now im curious of upgrading my phonostage and later on the cartridge.
Im thinking of Ear834p or Avid Pulsus. Have you listened to both?
Wish you the best!
Brother, thank you for your kind and long relationship with me in my videos for so long already!...
Thank you.
Brother, yes,, i have listened to both, I would take take the Pulsus because the EAR 834P sounds good in MC, but doesn't sound that good in MM. The Pulsus does both excellently! Are you thinking of getting a LOMC?🤗🌿
@@HiViNywschannelThank you so much for taking your time and answering :)!
I have not yet decided which cartridge im aiming for, For a while I were thinking about Lyra Delos, but Im not sure. I see you have recommended Dynavector Dv20l for some ppl - is that still what you belive is a winner? :)
@@breathplay112 go Dynavector. It's better. Less hype. Less marketing. Better honest to goodness performance.🌿👍💪
@@HiViNywschannel 👌👍!
One last question - I cant find any review of your AVID turntable, why is that? Have a wonderful day!
Have you had much experience with the Pellar? I've got one coming to go with my Rega P8. Thanks
Dear Buddy, sorry for my lateness in reply.
Brother, :-) btw, how has the Pellar been? You're using it in MC mode with a Ania MC cartridge :-) ?
Warmest Regards my friend,
~ ian.
yeah I also want to know how did it go with the Pellar as Ian does
Hi Ian
Did you realise the power supply is separate to the phono preamplifier with a cable between so you can put them a long way away apart from each other? Doing so will make it sound better.
Roger that Julian!!!! :-D Yes you are RIGHT!!!
Thank you very much for pointing it out and writing in!!!
Pleasure. I do enjoy your videos!
Happy day :) . Avid Pulsus just arrived. Curious how the MM ortofon 2m red will sound with the pulsus. Next week with the dynavector 20x2L cartridge. If I have time this weekend will see if I manage at the dealer a A/B comparison with moon 310lp :)
+Claudiu Apetrei Wow!!! Very happy for you Brother Claudiu!!! The Pulsus strength lies in its MC capabilities. You will be thrilled with the Dynavector 20x2L... But then again, if you haven't AB it at your home versus all the other phonostages, you may take the Pulsus' performance for granted :-D... you may think that every other phonostage should be able to sound great with dynamics, bass deepness and punchiness, vocal weight and midrange naturalness, imaging and soundstaging, treble extension and definition :-D... but no... the Pulsus is just pampering you big time. Hahaha... the Pulsus is the last one I have auditioned in the long line of Parasound JC3+, then Whest 3 Signature, then Plinius Koru, then Whest ps.30rdt...and thus it (pulsus) shocked me with its brilliance at the end of it all. And later, my friends and I heard the Allnic H1201 and Musical Surroundings Nova Phenomena. Again the Pulsus won by a long mile, clear margin. Very distinct.
It is great that you a-b with the 310lp :-D
+HiViNyws channel Thank you, The closest dealer to me is about 400km away. Will have to take your word and reviews of others. I listen to jazz mainly, so based on the lp-s you used for reviews pretty sure if you were happy with your equipment then I should love the pulsus also. Luckily you clearly pointed out my current phonos shortcomings for MC, otherwise would probably have missed than and had a big disappointment when switching to MC.
+Claudiu Apetrei Thank you Brother Claudiu. :-) I am really happy you didn't need to go through that disappointment when switching over to MC!!!!!! That is precisely what I have hope to achieve for all of you... the Pulsus came to our rescue saving us lots of money and of course, most importantly, lots and lots of smiles and "oomph!" and satisfaction!!!
:-D
Sincerely,
and best regards to you brother :-)
Ian.
+Claudiu Apetrei I have the 2M Blue and it sounds really good on the Rega Aria's MM stage. However, when I played the DV 20X2L through the Aria, I was sorely disappointed. So I am keen to to know your experience with the Pulsus and the DV 20X2L.
+Wong Ang Lai I tested it with the 2m Red this week. And I am really blown away by the difference between Lehmann Black cube se II and the pulsus. It's on a different level even for MM, had a few vinyl that I was planning on giving away because of the sound quality and somehow the avid managed to make some of them sound awesome. The lehmann was equal to my dac, with the avid the dac sounds like I'm streaming mp3. Apart from what differences I could notice it was really funny that I found myself tapping my feet (I'm usually more of a passive listener). This weekend picking up my new TT and the DV 20x2L. Will let you know how it goes :)
I had looked at this one, one time before, but wasnt' sure. How does this compare to your own pulsare and I guess your thinking it blows the Parasound JC3+ away, keep up the good work.
Thank you for your kind encouragement :-D ... I will continue to be absolutely unbiased and fair.
Best regards!
Ian :-)
szidon mcnulty Dear Mr McNulty! :-D glad to have you here again!!!
Ah yes...the parasound sounded unaccomplished on many parameters... to me it is not just the lowest amongst the quartet consisting of jc3+, plinius koru, avid pulsus and whest 3 signature, ...the parasound jc3+ is something that I will *NOT* recommend...the JC3+ has rolled off frequency extremes, soft dynamics, lack of conveyance of energy, and little realism.
Hello my friend. Thank you for your reviews. I just bought one of these Avid Pulsus, your review helped to convince me. It should arrive here next week. Can you try to do a review of the entry level Avid Ingenium turntable sometim? I'm thinking about buying one to upgrade my Rega RP40 and would be very interested to know what you think. How it compares to your Rega RP6 and to see if the Avid family sound is still intact compared to your much more expensive Avid turntable. Thanks in advance.
Dearest Brother-in-Vinyl!!!! :-D wowwww! CONGRATULATIONS for getting that Avid Pulsus phonostage!!! It is a bewildering piece of equipment...staggering performance... :-O!!!! makes my Pulsare2 scared and giving it a huge run for the money!!! I am really really happy for you dear friend!...
...regarding the Avid Ingenium, I have to say that it is a piece of engineering showcase with all the Avid tables' 1)essence and 2)physics meant to give you what exactly is in the grooves (nothing more, nothing less) being PRESERVED! - i mean... you're getting an excellent clamp, a great platter with installed cork mat, precision drive hubs, thick thick thick aluminium subchassis, isolated drive motor, elastomer vibration absorption feet all in!!!.. A chosen Project 9cc tonearm comes in together with the package at a hugely low price of US$2k or so.
Never a company that advertises on the magazines... and one confident of its engineering prowess..they have been making precision parts for you-know-what non-tolerance industry... You'd be getting a lot of sound and solid engineering.
I don't think I can bring it back home and AB it with the Rega RP6. Or it may take some time for me to arrange it with my local Avid Retailer. The other way is for me to bring my Rega RP6 to his hifi showroom to do a contest :-D Hahaha... I do my best.
In the meantime, hope you make your right choice even without my input. I believe you can!!! :-)
Best Regards to you and your dearest family,
I am humbled and very delighted to have been able to help you with the serious look-in and purchase of the Avid Pulsus:-),
Ian.
+HiViNyws channel
Thank you again my friend. If you find the Ingenium and RP6 comparison interesting enough for yourself and for a making a new video for your viewers then please go ahead with one :) Otherwise, please don't feel obligated about doing it because I think I can figure it out for myself. I understand if that comparison is too much trouble for you and I very much appreciate the thought and also your comments about it.
The dealerships in the USA for Avid are pretty terrible unfortunately. I think there are only about 5-6 dealers in all of the USA. Most only carry one of their tables, and some not even one, only ordering them in if a customer wants one. Asking them questions I realized most are not well versed in any technical information about Avid. It seems like things in Asia and Europe are much improved compared to here for the brand. It seems though from your own personal experience that you liked the Ingenium. Cheers!
+Yippie Yes I do Sir.. I do find the Ingenium technically very sound :-) ... gosh thank you very much for enlightening me about the Avid network in U.S. ... doesn't seem as easy as in Europe and Asia. Guess the U.S. turntable retailers do trust VPi solidity and have been settled with the Nomad, Scout, Prime, Classic 1-3, etc :-D :-D !!!... strong support there!
Thank you for taking care of my considerations on the RP6-Ingenium video comparison/shootout/ABtesting!!!! It is a fabulous idea and I do not know what I do now know (to coin Stephen Covey)... so I am really, and happy to welcome your suggestions and help to benefit me and other viewers.
Please just shoot. We're friends and we have frank and cordial easy discussions along the way!
Best Regards to you and your family,
Ian.
+HiViNyws channel I might have been a bit premature in my judgement. Second evening of listening to the Avid and I am liking it more and more.
Hi! May i inquire what guitar and vibes music is in the background?
what phono stage is that thats your regular ?
Hey Ian, I followed you around in your tokio trip last night, (of course, in a virtual mode), fun trip!, I really enjoyed it. By the way, I followed your advice and purchase the pulsus to go along with my black quintet mc cartridge and Im here at home ready to install it, all I know is that the quintet is a low output cartridge, but what is with all the color switches and numbers on the back panel of the pulsus, Im really into audio but no a pro so, where can I learn how to adjust this combination of pfs and Rs and Ks?, is there a particular setting for each cartridge?, all I can adjust is the MC LOW button but for the rest I dont have a clue, please help.
By the way, any time you come to Mexico, "Mi casa es su casa" my friend, cheers.
Dear Raul :-D thank you for following me along for the trip last night in virtual mode!! Hahhaa... thank you!
You can set MC - LOW (pull DIP switch to right),
and for the Resistance switches (blue green yellow orange red brown),
you can set to either 100R (i.e. 100ohms) i.e. blue DIP switch to right, green&yellow&orange&red&brown to left.
Or you can experiment with 300R (green switch to right, all others left), 500R or 1K.
100R means 100ohms
300R means 300ohms
500R means 500ohms
1K means 1,000ohms
5K means 5,000ohms
10K means 10,000ohms
Experiment with 100ohms, 300ohms, 500ohms or 1000ohms with your cartridge and see which setting you prefer most and sounds best. Have a great time with this superb phonostage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warmest Regards,
ian.
Man, your quick and helpfull, thanks for the help for all of us beginners, thanks thanks!, just one more question, should I leave the capacitance buttons as they came from the factory?
Ah yes! Sorry sorry Raul :-D I forgot about the capacitance guide. It should be set at 100pF :-D!!! apologies!
Everything is fine now! Have fun, have fun my friend!!!!!
You are having an really solid brilliant piece of machinery that punches way, way, way above its price point beating out many "magazine reviewed and recommended" phonostages up to USD$4000. Be confident you have the best below US$4000. And this Avid Pulsus is able to couple MC refinement WITH the dynamics, weight and scale of MM!!!! BEST of both worlds.
And lastly, SOUNDING BEAUTIFUL with that ANALOGUE MAGIC.
Way to go Iannn!, all set and ready to listen to it,,,(shot of tequila by the side of course), cheers my friend and many blessings,,, salud!
Have fun!!!! :-D You WILL.
Best,
ian.
Any suggestions around $500 that might be better then the shiit mani ?
Dear Buddy Ron :-D, would you be intending to use the phono preamp with an MM or a MC cartridge ? ~ ian
Probably mm but I would like a unit that does both but not a deal breaker if it doesn’t , I’m using a Rega planar 2
Hi, Just curious, have you had a chance to compare it to the moon 310lp ?
+Claudiu Apetrei Brother, I have not gotten the chance to do so :-)
If you want to try it, please go ahead! But do always ensure a A-B home audition for both product A and product B. It must be home audition. Never settle for anything less than that :-D
Sincerely,
Ian.
hey Ian, did you ever try the Avid Diva II SP?
Yes I had! Superbly made decks as usual from Avid company. I like their decks, sound engineering, solidly built to exacting standards (after I own one, I continue to discover bits and pieces of how well the whole deck is put together), and no hype nor advertising fees paid to review magazines. I like that.
@@HiViNywschannel thanks I got one and I am waiting for it to arrive, is the sound very far away from yours? its been a while since you uploaded a video, I hope you and your family are great!
@@juandv930722 Yes Buddy in Avid!!!! 😄🤜🤛😄✌✌✌🍀🍀🍀 Conrad Mas through my local agent, gives very good aftersales service too! I like that!!!! I have not compared head to head, the difference in SQ between the Diva/Volvere/Sequel...I apologize. I have only heard the Diva on itself at my retailer's place vs the Acutus. Brother, our Avids are here to stay, rest assured!!! You're onto a great journey!!!💪😄👍
@@HiViNywschannel I bet that acutus just butchered the Diva, such a wonderful looking turntable, so far you have been my counselor, I paid attention to your sl1200mk5+MP200+jelco head shell recommendation and you were sooo right, time for the next step and since its coming from you I'm quite confident is good advice.
@@juandv930722 Yes Buddy!...😄 great great!!!! Remember to transfer carefully that MP-200 onto your new Diva ii!!!! May I know what is the tonearm on your Diva?😁
How does it compare with the Pulsare ?
Hi Gavin! :-D How do you do!
Thank you for catching up...
The Pulsare would exhibit greater depths of detail and clarity, and especially harmonics.
However, if I had known about this Pulsus, I would have bought it and not the Pulsare2 because the Pulsus satisfies and ticks all the boxes for me with aplomb. I had told all my local friends about this as well.... the Pulsus indeed is a Giant Killer with its sonics capability. My local friends have auditioned a couple in the market as well and agreed that it is the one to have, and they bought the Pulsus too. They followed up with emails to me updating me about their happiness at home listening through the new Pulsus units.
Just sharing :-D
and Best Regards Gavin!!!
- ian
Great! Can't wait for the next review. However, I just checked MusicDirect.com and that unit lists for $2395.00USD.
Bob Ogus You are right Mr Ogus!!! I was very aware of musicdirect.com's prices :=D.. but still posted it as less than US$2k because I am sure in many countries this can be had for less than US$2k :-D... that being said... i will still buy it over the rest of the US$3-4k+ phonostages because it is soooo much better at 2395!!!... I guess the cost savings Conrad Mas made without sacrificing core design parameters resulted in such a high value product. It is my observation. I am not a Avid flag bearer, nor fly the Avid flag just because I own a Avid table... I don't align myself to brands that I own, because that is a very miniscule mindset to have :-D these are just inanimate steel and screws commodities...and I treat them fairly. Objectivitiy first and foremost. No subjectivity allowed in my reviews. Totally not :-D I am very happy to receive your comment notification when I woke up this morning here in Singapore!!! Thank you Mr Ogus for making my Sunday morning great with a big smile. Thank you my friend!
Best regards to you and your family,
Ian and family.
Great review, you are my favorite no B.S, uncorrupted reviewer, can you please review the Budjie Tube Phono pre amplifier when you get the chance please.
Bienvenido Sison Thank you again brother🤗🤗🤗!!! And yes there are a lot of unscrupulous and unavoidable BS and corruption going out there in circles, fogging our readings and perception.... i am not happy saying these above,..
However,
We can get through the fog!!!
We will win💪😄!!!!!!
I love your videos and thnx for the effort but please do not speak too close to the microphone , I have a really hard time hearing you with all the booming sounds from the microphone...
Thank you for your feedback :-) !!
See you again!
I am into Enneagram too...amazingly interesting, accurate and useful.
Best regards,
Ian.
Wats d price for it?
+Big Bad Wolf You can email me at hivinyws@gmail..com for it. Thank you.
I wouldn't call a $1,700 unit a "giant killer". It's a giant itself at that price! Most people don't have $1,700 in their turntable or speakers, so they definitely shouldn't be spending it on a preamp. This is the kind of thing that just turns people away from vinyl. They go on thinking they NEED something like this for it to sound good.
Dear Richard :-D thank you for your kind comments!!
Allow me to explain... taking for example, if a VW Golf R can beat a Porsche Cayman on straights and on turns, and afford more comfort and room, yes, the Golf R is a giant-killer. Brother, sorry as I am stating in relative terms: the Avid Pulsus vs the $4000 Plinius Koru, $3000 Parasound JC3+, Whest ps.30 .40rdt, Whest 3 Signature, Allnic H-1201, and Rega Aria in MC modes.
I hate audio snobbery, and when I bought a xx2mk2 MC cartridge in 2014, well meaning friends (i know them for long) advised me that for MC systems to shine, one needs "at least $8k" for a phonostage. They apologized for that too.
I didn't believe them, and went on a vengeance, a rampage, scouring the market, and grabbing home many MC phonostages to assess their MC performance to couple with the low output MC that I have. Indeed, after a couple of months, I am sad to hear that all, generally is not able to provide the dynamics, scale and weight (DSW) (a natural capability of MM systems) to go with the typical MC refinement.
E.g. the Rega Aria, Lehmann Black Cube SE2, Whest 3 Signature, Parasound JC3+ all sounding tinny despite my best efforts to tune into their ideal resistance loading. All tinny and lacking DSW. The Whest ps.30 did better but is "electronic sounding"...with a hazy electronic sheen to it, and defeats the purpose of going analogue. The Allnic H-1201 not too extended in the bass department, sounding a tad wobbly and lacking dynamics. The Plinius Koru did best, combining MC refinement with MM's DSW, but alas sounding tad sterile and lacking the harmonics retrieval.
I came away VERY disappointed.
Until eventually, I borrowed the Pulsus home from my local Avid retailer, and I was amazed, that this unit is able to conjure the MC refinement, MM DSW, and all the harmonics retrieval and sounding very analogue, smooth and fluid.
My friends auditioned the Musical Surroundings Phenomena Nova, etc, etc as well, and eventually chose the Avid Pulsus too.
Later on, i also discovered the EAR 834P and IconAudio PS1mk2 as great sounding MC phonostages that combine MC refinement with the typical monster traits of a MM system: dynamics, scale and weight.
I apologize. Yes, $1,700 is a hefty sum. It is in absolute terms, a giant of a price tag.
Precisely, and because of that I have been on a personal, dedicated, committed mission since 2015 to get at all the best MM carts and MM phonostages on the market, great sounding turntables, to assure all vinyl friends and buddies that one can achieve, have and enjoy SUPERB vinyl analogue sound availed to us at affordable prices. I have done GroupA cartridge shoot-outs, GroupB, etc (discovering the outstanding outlier of a performer: the Nagaoka MP-110 at $120), ran the phonostages shoot-out (recommending the $129 Schiit Mani), also went to lug back a 41,000yen Technics SL1200Mk5 turntable from Japan. Many friends and buddies have also taken my advice to acquire their SL1200Mk3/3D, Schiit Mani and Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge and pieced together superb sounding vinyl front ends that shocked their other friends and impressed them to come into vinyl analogue too :-D !!!
Thank you my friend.
Warmest Regards,
~ ian.
Dear Richard :-D thank you for your kind comments!!
Allow me to explain... taking for example, if a VW Golf R can beat a Porsche Cayman on straights and on turns, and afford more comfort and room, yes, the Golf R is a giant-killer. Brother, sorry as I am stating in relative terms: the Avid Pulsus vs the $4000 Plinius Koru, $3000 Parasound JC3+, Whest ps.30 .40rdt, Whest 3 Signature, Allnic H-1201, and Rega Aria in MC modes.
I hate audio snobbery, and when I bought a xx2mk2 MC cartridge in 2014, well meaning friends (i know them for long) advised me that for MC systems to shine, one needs "at least $8k" for a phonostage. They apologized for that too.
I didn't believe them, and went on a vengeance, a rampage, scouring the market, and grabbing home many MC phonostages to assess their MC performance to couple with the low output MC that I have. Indeed, after a couple of months, I am sad to hear that all, generally is not able to provide the dynamics, scale and weight (DSW) (a natural capability of MM systems) to go with the typical MC refinement.
E.g. the Rega Aria, Lehmann Black Cube SE2, Whest 3 Signature, Parasound JC3+ all sounding tinny despite my best efforts to tune into their ideal resistance loading. All tinny and lacking DSW. The Whest ps.30 did better but is "electronic sounding"...with a hazy electronic sheen to it, and defeats the purpose of going analogue. The Allnic H-1201 not too extended in the bass department, sounding a tad wobbly and lacking dynamics. The Plinius Koru did best, combining MC refinement with MM's DSW, but alas sounding tad sterile and lacking the harmonics retrieval.
I came away VERY disappointed.
Until eventually, I borrowed the Pulsus home from my local Avid retailer, and I was amazed, that this unit is able to conjure the MC refinement, MM DSW, and all the harmonics retrieval and sounding very analogue, smooth and fluid.
My friends auditioned the Musical Surroundings Phenomena Nova, etc, etc as well, and eventually chose the Avid Pulsus too.
Later on, i also discovered the EAR 834P and IconAudio PS1mk2 as great sounding MC phonostages that combine MC refinement with the typical monster traits of a MM system: dynamics, scale and weight.
I apologize. Yes, $1,700 is a hefty sum. It is in absolute terms, a giant of a price tag.
Precisely, and because of that I have been on a personal, dedicated, committed mission since 2015 to get at all the best MM carts and MM phonostages on the market, great sounding turntables, to assure all vinyl friends and buddies that one can achieve, have and enjoy SUPERB vinyl analogue sound availed to us at affordable prices. I have done GroupA cartridge shoot-outs, GroupB, etc (discovering the outstanding outlier of a performer: the Nagaoka MP-110 at $120), ran the phonostages shoot-out (recommending the $129 Schiit Mani), also went to lug back a 41,000yen Technics SL1200Mk5 turntable from Japan. Many friends and buddies have also taken my advice to acquire their SL1200Mk3/3D, Schiit Mani and Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge and pieced together superb sounding vinyl front ends that shocked their other friends and impressed them to come into vinyl analogue too :-D !!!
Thank you my friend.
Warmest Regards,
~ ian.
Shame you are so quick to comment and ctiticize but cannot even acknowledge a sensible reasoned and courteous reply.
@@Gez492 Dear Gerald, thank you so much for your kindness and time helping. I will continue to do my best answering every concern. I will...not easy. 1 answer takes about 1-5minutes to write properly. 50 answers... a few hours. My family understand my commitment to do my best to help. Warmest Regards my friend🤗!!! Hope you're enjoying a lovely Sunday!!
@@HiViNywschannel Thank you yes it's a do nothing day following a busy Friday and Saturday. I very much enjoy your output. Its refreshing to listen to honest, clear and detailed appraisal. I have a Linn LP12 which I am gradually improving and upgrading as funds and savings allow, fitting a Dynavector and changing my tone arm cable next before getting the Mober built in Hong Kong by a very clever friend called Edmund which comes with new silent motor and have shortlisted the Avid Pulsus along with product from Tom Evans. I am looking to fit the same Dynavector and new Custom made Solid silver tone arm cable. How you describe the Avid is exactly what I am looking for, gain but with a very low noise floor and excellent dynamics but finesse and fine detail too. I have heard that with Tom Evans but yet to audition the Avid Pulsus. I have learned that my Proac Response 3.8 speakers improve and fully reflect every improvement I make to the the signal I send to them. So this choice will be pivitol for me as I don't use a digital source and I thank you for your insight, it all helps. Take care my friend.
Umbilical. . Umm Bill Ah Call
Murnel Babineaux Thank you for pointing out my mistake in English pronunciation 👋😄!!! Thank you!!!
You're welcome, Ian
Murnel Babineaux May you have fun in your vinyl journey with many lovely friends🤗😄!!! See you Sir.
HELLO FRIEND , KIRK HERE . I ENJOY YOUR VIDEOS , BUT WOULD POLITELY ASK FOR YOU'RE HELP . YOUR ENGLISH IS VERY GOOD , BUT YOU STILL HAVE A STRONG ACCENT . SO COULD YOU SPEAK JUST A LITTLE ( SLOWER ) DURING THE VIDEO PRODUCTION . THIS WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASYER FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND YOU , AND I WON'T NEED TO REPLAY THE VIDEO MORE THAN TWICE . THANK YOU . KIRK'OUT'PEACE
Thank you Brother :-D!!! Thank you Captain Kirk!!!!!
May I ask what record you put on right after Daft Punk around 5:25? Great review. I was looking into the JC 3+. This may have steered me elsewhere. It seems like 60 and 70dB is on the hot end for MC. I currently and using a Blue Point No. 2. Might this be a little much? Thanks
+redballsman Dear Friend :-), the song after that is "Wayfaring Stranger", by Eva Cassidy :-) from her "Songbird" album. Dear Friend, avoid the Parasound JC3+. This is the first phonostage I brought home for audition prior to testing out the Plinius Koru, Whest 3 Signature, Whest ps.30rdt, and lastly the Avid Pulsus (for the big MC fight out amongst the $2k to $5k phonostages).
In a word, the Parasound fared so badly that i did not do a review because it is just too disappointing. And I would have nothing good to talk about it.
Plinius Koru, came in shortly and it was pretty good!.. linear, punch, great dynamics and warmth at the same time, but somehow the harmonics wasn't done right and it sounded clinical, cold and sterile.
Whest 3 Signature and Whest ps.30rdt came in thereafter and both sounded bad as well, very electrical sounding...and with a electronic haze all over the music. I do not understand why but even their top Whest Ref 5 Mk4 phonostage model also had the exact electrical sounding signature. My friend's Ref 5 even broke down shortly within 3years with one channel busted and he had to send it back to U.K. for repairs, and he has to pay for shipping to and fro Singapore-UK.
Avid Pulsus, although the cheapest of the pack, breaks my glasses right from the start, not to mean it is loud....but the performance is just so stupendous!!! Dynamics, low noise floor, linear and great frequency extension at both ends, 3D analogue magic, engaging and just pure musicality. You know Avid does no advertisements...and that's why I realise nobody talks about it as much as others. And that's why we pay bottom dollar for simply top draw performance... all these, I learnt along the way. You will realise that along the way too with all of Avid's turntables and phonostage models.
Buy with confidence. Many of my friends and a few somewhat friendly but distrusting acquaintances (it is okay, everybody has the right to not believe) have done their homework after my recommendation and all of them came back to me, admitting that they bought a Pulsus home.
Oh yes, i have missed out the Musical Surroundings Nova... one friend done his homework too and had a head to head test and found that the Nova is no comparison to the excellent Pulsus.
The Pulsus is great value for money. I can't recommend it high enough. Almost like a direct sales model, I feel, from manufacturer to customer, only adding 1 layer of the retailer earning a margin. No advertisement dollars that the consumer need to pay for. All these I speak from my own conviction and confidence.
Do not believe the ratings and recommendations by The Absolute Sound, Stereophile, 6moons, ToneAudio, etc... they have nothing to do with giving accurate reviews of audio components. I read them only to keep abreast of what models coming through and manufacturers' directions and developments.
Any audio magazine (online or newsstand), as long as they accept advertisement monies from manufacturers and retailers, has nothing to do with giving accurate reviews of audio components. You know why.
And also beware of moles within some audio forums.
Believe your ears.
Bring them home for audition too.
Best Regards to you and your family too!
Sincerely,
Ian :-)