Roberto's ET-7S2

[Big Dog RJ]

Yes, correct on the ECM label Robbo.

Now it's quite hard to find decent recorded LP's... most are just rubbish! Mostly copied from mp3 files or some very mediocre digital formats. I'm very careful with my LP purchase now, only looking at:
Mofi labels
CTI labels
Groove Works
Yarlum Records
ECM
Decca
Blue Note and maybe Verve if it's any good. Nothing else though! Not worth it.

CDs: mostly SACD's, Chesky, Impex, FIM, Verve, EMI, Naim & Esoteric have their own labels as well, really tops!
Most of the other stuff I've either donated to the Salvos or dumped in the bin!

No point in listening to junk on high quality gear...
Cheers, RJ

[roberto]

2F750CDD-D9B1-4852-B69F-A370B60EC726.jpeg (2.63 MiB) Viewed 7859 times

2F750CDD-D9B1-4852-B69F-A370B60EC726.jpeg (2.63 MiB) Viewed 7859 times

[AnotherJohnson]

[roberto]

Now sounding in my system at last!

First impressions: I’m speechless!! There are so many good things that I don’t know what I should say: the first thing is HARMONIC TEXTURE! Right now I have a lot of goosebumps! I forgot how really important is to have a superb preamplifier.

[AnotherJohnson]

Yup!

[roberto]

When I took it out of the box, I heard a loose thing inside...opened the top cover, and saw a little screw. I did a visual inspection and right where the tube is, there are 5 screws that surrounds the tube. The center was the one. I hope I put it right, because I could not find any other space for a screw.

I also changed the tube for a Genalex Gold Lion 6922. The one that came with the preamp is Philips tube. I do like a lot the Genalex.

I'm listening to AJA album by Steely Dan. What a great musicians and good band too. This is a 1977 recorded album. Gaucho is another good album. This recording was made in 2004. You can hear easily the recording improvement. Voices are projected to the air much better and also the guitar has an outstanding presence.

On Spyro Gyra The Deep End album, on Monsoon song, the bass is deeper than before...but it has more control. The stage is wider and perhaps with much detail. I sense more contrast and what is loud, is loud and what is quiet, is quiet. A big difference of what I was listening for much better.

Sophie Milman, In The Moonlight album, the first song Do It Again, the piano is fantastic. Her voice is projected with much energy and her feeling is marvellous. The strings are fine, and the drummer sings along with the music. Another singer like a canary.

More to come...

[AnotherJohnson]

Aja is a great album. I’ve got a huge collection of Spyro Gyra. I saw them live at Centennial Park in Nashville back in the 80’s. I used to use their albums for evaluation. Maybe I’ll dig out one of their CDs tonight.

I don’t think I have anything by Sophie Milman. I’ll have to look.

Listen to Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Sara Maclaughlin, Jennifer Warnes, Suzanne Vega, Paula Cole … and then back to Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, Lena Horne, et al. The ET7s2 will hold up very well.

[AnotherJohnson]

https://www.conradjohnsonowners.com/vie ... Dan#p18123

[Joe Appierto]

AJ's female singer recommendations are spot-on. I would add Loreena McKennitt (admittedly an acquired taste) and a 3rd Cole: Holly Cole.

[AnotherJohnson]

Susannah McCorkle is another.

I need to play my Mother’s Summertime solo with the current system.

[admin]

Now sounding in my system at last!

First impressions: I’m speechless!! There are so many good things that I don’t know what I should say: the first thing is HARMONIC TEXTURE! Right now I have a lot of goosebumps! I forgot how really important is to have a superb preamplifier.

Wonderful. My first sentiments were the same. And it only gets better from here!

When I took it out of the box, I heard a loose thing inside...opened the top cover, and saw a little screw. I did a visual inspection and right where the tube is, there are 5 screws that surrounds the tube. The center was the one. I hope I put it right, because I could not find any other space for a screw.

May have been from shipping. Same thing happened to me when I got the Holo Audio May DAC. When I contacted them about it, they were amazed and were certain it would not have passed QC with a random screw floating around. I'm sure it's the same with the ET7s2.

Here are some internal pictures to make sure you put the screw in the right place: https://www.conradjohnsonowners.com/vie ... php?t=1366

[Joe Appierto]

It's not a transit screw, right? The older models like the 17LS and the 16LS2 came with these screws on the tube assembly you were supposed to remove so they assembly would float. At least I think that's the way it was.

[admin]

It's not a transit screw, right? The older models like the 17LS and the 16LS2 came with these screws on the tube assembly you were supposed to remove so they assembly would float. At least I think that's the way it was.

I don't believe there is a transit screw on the ET7.

[AnotherJohnson]

There is no transit screw on the ET7s2. It’s a good thing since it was loose. If it had been a transit screw there would be more to worry about.

Knowing Roberto’s skills as a technician, I trust that he has found the correct home for the screw. If there was a threaded hole with no screw in it, I agree with his decision to screw it in there.

Knowing Roberto’s rapport with Jeff, I’m sure he’ll ask, and Jeff will confirm, or guide him to another hole.

This happened to me once with a product I’d ordered from Hong Kong. Although I was a bit upset when I discovered it, I found the correct fix by simple examination and logic, and there were no problems.

Hang in there Bobby! It’s a GREAT preamp. I’m very happy that it’s in your system at last.

[roberto]

Chicos,

I was lucky to find the right spot for the screw. AJ...with your ET7V2 pics confirmed me that I did screw it into the right place. I think that what happened is, when the PCB was secured, this screw was forgotten to be screwed. It was placed in the right position but was not tighten.

The first two tracks that I listened told me that something was wrong. I forgot that instead reverse the speakers cable for the right polarity, I told Audirvana to reverse it...and I forgot that I did that. But my ears told me so...and just moved the virtual switch for normal position and everything snapped right...my beloved CJ sound.

I love Rosa Passos, a Brazilian singer and she plays wonderful the guitar. Very complicated rhythm and chords too. Leila Pinheiro and Gal Costa are great Brazilian singers. Also Badi Assad and Ana Caram. Sara K, KD Lang with Tonny Bennet, Kari Bremnes (she has a great band), Patricia Barber, Melody Gardot, Aimee Mann, Shirley Horn, Shelby Lynne, Sunny Porter, Jacintha, (love the arranges and the musicians) Susan Wong, Susie Arioli, Trish Turner with her group, Tierney Sutton (Telarc artist), Valery Joyce, Vanessa Santí, Patricia Kaas, Nnenna Freelon, Maysa, Marta Gomez, Mariza, Madeleine Peyroux, Lyn Stanley, Greta Matassa, etc...

There are so many great singers out there with wonderful recording sound quality.

[roberto]

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As you can see, my library has a lot places to choose and also have Qobuz.

Great recommendations my dear friends!

The more I listen, the more I like what I’m listening!

[admin]

Glad the screw thing turned out ok. Again, I know the feeling as it happened to me as well (and like with AJ, it was from an overseas shipment).

Now you can settle down and just enjoy the music. You and I now have the same DAC and preamp. I hope you find the combination as rewarding as I have. They really seem to mesh well. The clarity has been unrivaled in any equipment I have ever owned. And I'm sure those wonderful CLX's do it justice.

Again, congrats and enjoy!

[roberto]

Thanks Admin,

I left the preamp on, with signal passing through. I power off the amp. So at Costa Rica time, now the unit has more than 18 hours of continued music playing. The magic is starting to showed up. There is more precision on the virtual stage but still far away of the full potential...just beginning the journey track.

[AnotherJohnson]

[roberto]

AJ, I have this wonderful musician. He is Brazilian. His name is Yamandu Costa and plays with much heart. He plays with a 7 string guitar...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq7neOyog7
Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeHPUMpM2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Mta0sHcW8&t=847s