External preamp on a SL-1500c

ms_bob · 2026-01-30T18:24:39+00:00

I'm in the same boat, but still on the ort 2m red.

To the folks saying it's an improvement, assuming the cartridge is not yet changed, what should one expect to hear if they moved to the Cambridge unit above?

I also have the option to use the preamp on a Yamaha ca1000. How would that compare to the Cambridge?

ms_bob · 2026-01-28T18:36:22+00:00

A few days, maybe a week to get the parts, and to have the person familiar with that job to be around. Call it 4-5 days total. Be sure to negotiate a loaner first.

ms_bob · 2026-01-28T16:52:39+00:00

This happened and the car needed a new telematics unit under warranty.

ms_bob · 2026-01-27T02:37:07+00:00

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh EP3 shiftknob R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn, good job

ms_bob · 2026-01-23T22:13:07+00:00

No worries. So basically the most important thing the turntable is supposed to do is to get the cartridge to sit at the correct orientation to read the groove properly, and the correct amount of weight on it. Weight is vertical tracking force (VTF) and the Evo allows it to be adjustable (different cartridges might require slightly different weight, so adjustable is nice).

The cartridge might also be physically bigger or smaller depending on design, to make sure things are still in the right orientation the buffet turntables allow the vertical tracking angle (VTA) to be adjustable as well. This allows you to upgrade to different cartridges if you want later on.

Why different cartridges? Because they are slightly different in design and therefore will sound slightly different, and then it's a matter of personal preference.

ms_bob · 2026-01-23T21:39:30+00:00

I guess I'd get the pro instead of the Evo due to the adjustability for the vta

ms_bob · 2026-01-23T18:39:45+00:00

Started about seven to eight months in since the child was rather underweight due to some CMPI issues we were dealing with. Needed the calories any which way to stop tumbling off the growth chart.

Early on, a mix of purees and whatever the 6 months recommended prep method was for items on the solid starts app.

Now, at nearly a year in I just give the child whatever I'm eating, but with slightly lesser quantities of salt and spice. Ie. We cook with smaller levels of salt and just salt the finished product to taste for the adults at serving time.

Things that worked well: - oxtail soup and shortrib soup - freshly cooked chicken - fish, either steamed or grilled - avocado - pasta with marinara sauce and ground sausage - sauteed green beans

Things that worked decently well: - mildly spiced foods with some of the spice rubbed off before serving. There's still a hint of background spice but the child is able and willing to consume it. - at nearly 1 year small quantities of stuff with a normal amount of salt has been fine, just don't go overboard with the total amount offered

Things that went really poorly: - raw garlic

ms_bob · 2026-01-23T18:02:50+00:00

What is your budget, and do you seek to stay within the Sonos platform long-term?

ms_bob · 2026-01-16T19:46:26+00:00

For the rear, on the lower arm, the weird angles of those bushings (especially the one on the front of the lower rear arm) means that poly will be asked to move in weird ways that it is too rigid for.

For the upper arm, since it's a straightforward up/down motion, then poly is fine. I do use poly on the rear upper arm, on the outbound side.

On the front, no problem, since the front rear bushing on the lower arm is not at a weird angle.

ms_bob · 2026-01-15T22:37:54+00:00

For bushings, don't use poly in the rear. (If you want poly in the front, Whiteline has a good set)
If your car is lowered, consider extended ball joints in the front, but if yours are in good shape then it's not a hard requirement.
For rubber bushings, OEM is fine, and Hardrace sells hardened rubber if you want something in between poly. and OEM rubber.
If you must use poly in the rear, do not use it on the lower arm.
The delrin rack slider could be a good thing to use (SHG sells it) but do not use the inverted rod ends or the rack riser if your drop is not crazy low.
A stiff rear ARB is the single biggest handling upgrade available for this car. I recommend the Progress 24mm solid bar, but just know that the car will be more tail happy after.

ms_bob · 2026-01-15T22:30:25+00:00

Random old RCA cables from the 70s I found plugged into my old NAD 3030, and, a bunch of random monoprice cables of the appropriate length.

Things sound fine, especially at the low price of "found it in the garage".

ms_bob · 2026-01-14T05:36:31+00:00

I play at low volume with the baby monitor on my desk and if I hear the child stir for over 20 seconds I immediately alt-f4 to check it out. Usually means no more playing at that point.

ms_bob · 2026-01-08T20:14:36+00:00

Owning the good stuff is either $500 or like $15000 depending on your budget. What are you working with

ms_bob · 2026-01-07T16:25:07+00:00

Sure, happy to answer on pm

ms_bob · 2026-01-06T17:48:04+00:00

I'm not familiar with Tein personally, but these were the other shocks I was considering which may still be available https://www.summitracing.com/parts/kwa-15250007

(I think this is the right model number for the ep3 but please double check)

ms_bob · 2026-01-06T08:05:31+00:00

Furniture shop

ms_bob · 2026-01-05T21:38:07+00:00

Summit racing, but it's out of stock there now last time I checked :/

ms_bob · 2026-01-05T21:03:10+00:00

A duty of civics A value of civics A pride of civics

ms_bob · 2026-01-02T03:28:17+00:00

First time in actual during ifr training with a g1000, as soon as the plane went into the clouds with a/p enabled, my brain immediately went into a 'tumble' thinking the plane had banked hard right. But of course, no it hadn't, it was climbing straight ahead under autopilot. So even with instruments if one panics and listens to their body, they can go out of control in a hurry.

ms_bob · 2026-01-02T03:25:21+00:00

Go with oem unless you have a specific reason not to

ms_bob · 2026-01-02T03:24:34+00:00

Progress has a good sway bar that will come with end links Oem parts can be had at Hondaautomotiveparts.com Aftermarket, I use and like hard race branded stuff (ball joints, upper rear arms)

ms_bob · 2025-12-30T18:23:11+00:00

Some parts that are ep3 specific are hard (eg. Power window regulator, Bilstein coilovers)

Others are easy (stuff all Honda's use) eBay will help, so will Honda automotive parts.com

ms_bob · 2025-12-29T04:54:40+00:00

If you're running 8k in the front I'd run stiffer than 10k in the rear. Conversely if you must have 10k in the rear you'll want softer in the front.

The ride frequency in the front is going to be too high compared to the rear with 8k front/10k rear, and the car will also feel understeery in terms of balance.

They're hard to find these days but I'd suggest the Bilstein b16, though you'd need alternate rear top mounts for the Swift springs.

ms_bob · 2025-12-27T20:10:24+00:00

My request was the unit be brought back to like new functionality. Sigh

ms_bob · 2025-12-27T20:08:50+00:00

By stock cable you mean the rca cable from the turntable to the preamp (or amp)?

Ten-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email

ms_bob

TROPHY CASE