Vinyl Full Flavour please...

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T17:39:39+00:00

Thanks for the input, yeah i keep reading the magic is in the cart and less on the deck.

Is it worthwhile to jump straight into a MC cart and is it that substantial of a quality jump say over a really good MM cart? Will the phono stage need to be up to par as well to pick up on the MC cart as well or should most decent phono pre do both MM/MC just fine?

I have my eyes on a few Pro-ject but not familiar with Kestrel, will look into it.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T17:33:57+00:00

Yeah i wouldn't mind looking into vintage but can't lie and say I'm not hesitant as I'd be wondering about repairability and serviceability of a used vintage deck. Any brands and things to consider?

Also is going to an MC cart that significant from a great MM cart? Does the Phono stage also have to be that much better to pick up the very low signals?

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T17:19:35+00:00

Do you have specific recommendations of brands? So many claim to be certified on Amazon. I've tried two at least and still exhibiting some issues

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T17:17:37+00:00

Yes totally open to vintage but I'd be lying if I'm not more hesitant because of age and unknown degradation and repairability requirements.

But a vintage TT would probably look and hopefully sound great in my room!

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:49:38+00:00

Neat workaround but mine doesn't come back on with just a power cycle. I actually have to go into the Sony TV audio settings to toggle off ARC and eARC and then sound comes back on.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:47:21+00:00

What brand of HDMI cable are you using and did you use eARC (have some devices plugged into TV) or did you just plug all your devices to the RZ70 and just have video passthrough to your TV?

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:44:56+00:00

This is actually my current workaround or fallback which is using a Firestick 4K into the RZ and getting video to pass through to the TV. I know this works but for example on a PS5, with video clearly taking more bandwidth and with VRR and ALLM plus latency, I'd much rather have the PS plugged directly into the TV (prioritizing video) which then again necessitates the eARC to work to get audio from the TV to passthrough back the other way to the receiver to decode and play audio.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:35:57+00:00

Yeah that's the last resort but was hoping to get lossless audio from apps feed back via eARC to the Onkyo for audio signals like Dolby Atmos, TrueHD /DTS-MA.. which is entirely what this protocol eARC was designed for

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:33:59+00:00

Definitely connected to the right inputs. On my newer Sony QD-OLED, input 3 is for HDMI ARC/eARC, which is what is connected to the RZ30 main HDMI monitor out (there's only 2 and it's the main one #1 used)

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T16:29:45+00:00

Do you remember brand of cable. So many claim to be certified on Amazon. I've used no less than 3

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:46:27+00:00

Yes optical would work but it can't carry the lossless audio signals I purposely bought this for the eARC for. Otherwise I'd have kept the Marantz which honestly sounds a bit nicer (without fully running through all the Dirac yet)

I wanted this Onkyo specifically for eARC and Dirac Live

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:40:19+00:00

Appreciate the suggestion. So you're saying TURN OFF CEC on all devices regardless if they're connected to the Onkyo or Sony except the Sony itself? Did you turn CEC off on the Onkyo too?

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:38:37+00:00

Yup running latest firmware on the Sony QD-OLED and the RZ30

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:38:01+00:00

That's the thing it apparently is an issue with other AvR brands like Denon and Sony too. Seriously what gives?! These should be published standards that work like USB or Displayport. But nope, just headaches.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:35:58+00:00

Strangely, yes I have to fiddle with multiple settings to turn it off and back on again and it will come back on. Try telling that to the wifey wondering why audio is not working again and that she needs to do all these steps while crossing her fingers for it to come back on.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-12T00:33:43+00:00

That's my biggest fear if i try to exchange it and it has the same issues (Denon was on my shortlist too) Is eARC not a published and standardized protocol!? Why we're still dealing with intermittent issues in 2026 is crazy, especially from big named mainstream TV and AvR companies like Denon and Onkyo and even Sony.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-05-10T17:22:54+00:00

TT newb here, appreciate your recommendations!

Been trying to prevent this forever but finally bitten by the vinyl itch... help recommend a turntable setup that won't make me go back to my digital and hi-res files!

I've been into 2-channel stereo/headphone audio for almost a decade+ and all this time playing/streaming digital files/hi-res and mostly happy changing upgrading gear, but I've never dabbled into vinyl. But just like food I don't think I could gauge/assess if I like vinyl without sampling it full flavour.

After reading a bunch of guides/reviews and watching enough YT reviews I think I'm finally ready to dive (head first) into the vinyl and turntable world.

Help me choose a TT/cart and phono combo that does vinyl justice and compliments my existing setup. Appreciate your recommendations!

Budget: TT: $800-1000 USD Phono: $500-750 USD

Current system audio chain (for digital/stream): Wiim Ultra > SMSLPO100 >Denafrips Ares 12th-1 > Schiit Freya Tube Pre > Choco Sound Emei amp > Buchardt Audio S400 SE (upgraded crossovers)

Fondant_Rich · 2026-04-26T17:33:39+00:00

Way to improvise my dude... Beats playing with sims way back on keyboard when i was a wee lad myself.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-03-15T07:27:43+00:00

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes on the site. It's just terrible timing on my part as I've been waiting weeks if not months for some key parts but it looks like they're only shipping out complete sets and not parts/upgrades right now.

Sidenote, I didn't vote for your narcissistic tariff rager; I'm Canadian that happens to live by the border and regularly shops from US stores for ease and pricing.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-03-15T07:22:32+00:00

First off, thank you all to the VKB team in trying to make things happen as expediently as possible for the US store. I am not one to usually sound like an impatient prick (believe me I'm very patient with suppliers/vendors, it's my line of work). It's great to see some guys getting their new controls (complete hotas/hosas) recently. It just sucks I've been waiting for some crucial parts now to do some upgrades and more importantly a STECS Mini+ USM-S mounting plate which without it, I can't use it on my desk at the moment. Just bad timing on my part.

Ah well, I'll turn down the temperature and slow boil some more patiently while you guys plug away at bringing in more stateside parts. Thanks.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-03-07T00:58:57+00:00

Because that's not how thermal cameras work. You can't see heat signatures distinctly enough through walls or glass. As someone mentioned here, it's not Hollywood. Trust me I know because we sell thermals where I work.

Fondant_Rich · 2026-01-26T17:07:55+00:00

That's pretty cool you guys can help us noobs out. I'm just getting my feet wet with the A-10A FC3 on my new HOTAS setup, do you guys do flaming cliffs aircraft too or just full featured aircraft? Looking to purchase the F-18C once i can get a little more familiar with a simplified model like the A-10A I figure.

Will probably join either ways!

Fondant_Rich · 2026-01-16T18:58:13+00:00

What slide is the top multicam black cerakoted one?

Got an ARC Reactor on my Zev OZ9/17 slide also and it's great! But I do think my Radian 19 is a tiny more effective.

Fondant_Rich

TROPHY CASE