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    RCA Victrola 711V3 2020 | His Master's Voice Reimagined

    RCA Victrola 711V3
    2020

    “HIS MASTER’S VOICE”
    Re-imagined

     

     

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    As a child, when we visited my grandmother's house, there was this radio console along the wall of her living room. I wish I had a picture of that room; my memory is a bit fuzzy. Fast forward a decade or more, my grandmother became too ill to stay in her home and that console ended up in the basement of my father's home. There it sat for another eternity!  I finally took the console home. To this day, I do not remember why I took it. It is terribly heavy.  We used it as a Dining Room side table.

     

    Fast forward to about 2017, I was getting fed up with the TV cabinet in our Living Room. While it was a nice piece of furniture, it was HUGE and there was no TV.

     

    Below is a picture from 2016 when I was reworking the gear inside. Back then, the MacMini was playing Audirvana. I used Rotel separates into B&W Matrix 805's. The speaker cables were Transparent Audio 14 ga cable. The interconnect cables were old Interlink Reference A. The network was WiFi, and the USB cables were generic. The DAC was an Arcam rDAC. There was an older Monster Cable power system. The remote control was Apple Remote Desktop from a MacBook Air.

     

    This system sounded so much better than two Sonos Play Five's sitting on top of the cabinet! Since then, I have upgraded everything and not in the sense of the Cybermen.

     

     

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    One of the first problems was to "steal" the side table from the Dining Room. Once that was agreed upon, progress slowly started. Here are some pictures from 2018 of the console before I started.    

     

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    There was a flurry of ideas in my head. First, I would keep the record storage section in place. It is not big, but it is convenient! The second was to take the section next to the records and put the main electronics in there. Next is the turntable. I HAD to find a "really good" turntable to put where the old 78 record player was. It was not until the Axpnoa 2019 show that I found what I thought was right. Progress has been slow until 2020.  

     

    It took three years of this one idea rattling around in my head of what to put in the pull-down door radio section!  I think I have found an interesting "Replacement Tuner.”

     

    When I started this project, I did not expect to be sidetracked by my DIY self. I took down the old TV cabinet and stripped out the Victrola about ten months ago.  I have been building, buying, testing, researching, and listening to digital gear for over two years, But:

     

     

    Goldilocks had not arrived yet.  

     

    So here I am with this beautiful cabinet, and I was trying to fit in the stack of modern electronics. Things just did not hit me right yet. There was still this harshness in the upper-frequency ranges. I resigned myself to keeping the server in the basement.   I used the Sonore OpticalModule and the SoTM tx-USB Ultra for cleanup. Two Euphony licenses and the music on a NAS. I found my highpoint in music sound quality.  

     

    During recent weeks I reviewed the JPLAY FEMTO Software and JCAT USB and NET FEMTO cards.  That review was a turning point for me, I had some corrections in thinking to make.  I realized that while all of this work had increased my learning and incrementally improved the sound quality, I was not satisfied. My wife still asks me to put something on the stereo at dinner time. I had not met my original goal of simplifying the system so anyone can use it or compacted the hardware down to fit into the Victrola. Gear is spread all over the house.

     

    I decided that I was going to fix this problem. The stereo would all fit into the cabinet, and that was that.   

     

     

    Back to the drawing board!

     

    The first thing was to tackle was the turntable. I had saved the roll out base from the old 78 rpm record player. I went back to the turntable I had targeted before, and sure enough, it was going to fit.    

     

    The Rega Planar 8

     

     

     

    I have not finalized the base for the Planar 8; I am using three layers of Oak Flooring material. I bonded it together and cut it to fit into the opening in the rolling tray. I know that this a compromise. I am looking at Butcher Block Acoustics maple blocks. I may get a 3in thick one and mill it to fit into the opening.

     

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    Getting the wiring from the turntable to the phono stage and power took some thought and planning. The cables have to move as the table rolls in and out. I removed the rear of the cabinet and cut a slot to fit the cables at the top of the side panel. Now the cables cleanly move and will not get damaged.

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little preview of where the cables go.  

     

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      The Planar 8 fits perfectly in the space I have available with its dust cover.

     

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    Enter the Digital Music portion of my project.

     

    Wow, where to start. I am going to summarize a bit here for clarity. In the last four years, I have tested many designs. 

     

    1. A co-located MacMini with the UpTone Audio modifications
    2. Two models of Sonic Transporters.
    3. The SoTM trifecta.
    4. Almost every Rendu, including the SE Optical one 
    5. I have built my own DIY Xeon Server, put an Intel NUC into a case.

     

     

    I have tried

     

    1. Multiple power supplies
    2. Apacer industrial RAM
    3. Intel Optane SSD.
    4. Windows, macOS, AudioLinux, Sonic Orbiter, Gentoo Player and Euphony OS.
    5. Multiple networking systems
    6. Countless cables

     

     

    All of my listening, research, construction, and wand-waving have led me to the conclusion that I cannot build my way up to what I want. So research time. Internet, Magazine archives, phone calls, emails, listening sessions.

     

    Here are my criteria:

     

    1. Run Roon
    2. Be #VictrolaFi or even better #KallaxFi
    3. RIP CDs
    4. Dual box, as I have proven to myself, it works the best. BRIDGING!
    5. Other outputs than USB, just in case
    6. User-supplied and upgradeable internal storage
    7. Wired networking
    8. Great Power Supplies 
    9. Proven track record.
    10. No user-managed OS (leaves out macOS and Windows)
    11. It goes without saying whatever I do had darn well sound a lot better than what I have now. 

     

     

    I could go over the last year of background work, but that might be boring. I ordered a full set of Antipodes Audio gear: CX, EX, P1, and P2, all of which have arrived for listening. I am delighted with the Antipodes Audio equipment.  They fit perfectly in the Victrola. I added a shelf to separate the two servers for airflow and mechanical isolation. The CX is running Roon Core and has the P1 ripper platform under it. The EX is the Roon Bridge Output and has the P2 DDC under it. Note that the platforms also act as vibration damping.

     

    And it all fits nicely in the old amplifier and speaker compartment #VictrolaFi. Or your favorite IKEA Kallax unit!  #KallaxFi

     

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    AM/FM/SW replaced by Roon Live Radio 

      

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    It took me a very long time to get this quadrant of the cabinet in order. 

     

    I have placed the NEO power supply for the Planar 8 and the Musical Fidelity Phono stage here. There is room on the shelf for turntable accessories. The stereo has a dedicated 12.9in iPad as the Roon Remote and more.

     

    The existing door did not open all the way.  I had to remove framing that was around the radio and the lever arm that held it up. I replaced the lever arm with a modern soft door opener that lets the door open 90 degrees.  

     

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    I mounted an iPad holder to the drop-down door.  I locked the rotation on the iPad so it  does not turn upside down when you close the door.  The Apple keyboard cover stores inside the cabinet along with the Apple Remote for the Kii Control and an Apple Pencil.  I am waiting for an iPad magnet mount which I think will work better.

     

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     Just one more thing (and it does not fit in the cabinet)

     

    I replaced all of the AC equipment with a Puritan Audio Laboratories PSM158 Master Purifier and six "Mains Cables." Four cables for the Kii Three System and one each for the Antipodes CX, EX servers. While this has only been with me for a short while, it is head and shoulders above my previous AC protection only equipment. It was amazing when I added the second set of power cords for the Kii Three + BXT speakers.

     

    There are two compromises right now. The AC power for the turntable and the phono stage do not go through the PSM158. The second compromise is that it does not fit in the cabinet because I have records in the fourth quadrant of the Victrola.

     

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    Loose ends

     

    There are always little things that I have not covered. The first item is the Puritan Audio Laboratories, Ground Master; it is a little box that connects the system to a separate outside earth ground. It is NOT an AC line ground or safety ground. The job of the Ground Master is to "drain off" electrical noise. I have it all installed, but I still have to do the testing with and without it to see what I can hear.   

     

     

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    The next loose end is that I cannot help my self but to try to isolate the ethernet from the rest of the house network. To that end, I have a Sonore opticalModule feeding the CX. The fiber cable then goes directly to my Ubiquity Switch.

     

    There are two battery-powered lights inside of the cabinet to help with lighting.

     

    Now just to add to the controversy of this "build!" During the tenure of both of my closed cabinets, there has been a heat problem. A few months ago, I did some research and found a Silent PC ventilation fan. The Noctua NF-A14 ULN fan makes no noise. It is a fixed speed 12volt fan, so there is no PWM modulator to make electrical noise. I mounted the fan at the top rear of the electronics side of the cabinet, and it exhausts outward. When I had the Xeon server the HDPLEX 400 power supply inside of this tiny Victrola box, it worked perfectly. So it stays!

     

     

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    There are Hue lights behind the speakers and the Victrola for ambiance.  There are five SMPS supplies behind the cabinet.  Still, this leaves a mess of cabling. I could never see using an open rack in a family living situation. Neither can my wife! 

     

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    Some final words

     

    Slideshow and Photo Album on Flickr

     

    Victrola Re-imagined |  Victrola Photo Album

     

     

    This is the culmination of about three years of thinking and work. It is almost scary to think I am done!   I just had two people over for an afternoon listening session. They both commented emphatically that the sound of the system is a lot better.  They seem to disagree on why.  I say it is the sum of all parts!

     

    Does this project end my DIY experimenting? I have graduated from the Command Line and Screwdriver undergraduate program. But, remember that I am an experimenter at heart. 

     

    Oh, there is the A/B with and without the Sonore opticalModule. Wait, I have not listened with and without the Ground Master.

     

    And yes, I still have to review the Allo Digione Signature. At least now I have something to compare.

     

    Note that I do Audio Systems Design Consulting and I sell some brands of equipment.  Please review my profile for that information.

     

    Now to setup profiles for my Wife and Son in Roon!  

     

     

     

     

    Another Little Black Box

     

    Welcome to the Victrola Blind Audition

     

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    One of the ongoing themes in my system designs is to make things simpler for everyone in the house.  The Kii Three’s are pretty simple.  Add Music Servers, Turntables, and the like then folks need training.  

     

    But what if you could, “Just ask Siri?” 

     

    By accident, I found “Another Little Black Box.” This box gives me voice control via Siri using Apple HomeKit. It is Airplay 2 compatible, and there is an App for your devices that can play local music files from the network and connect to services from virtually any service you can name. 

     

    If you live in Google Land or the Amazon World, it works there too! 

     

    Here are some of the services you can access (video): https://flic.kr/p/2iApTYF

     

     

    There is no software to install or manage on the device.  There are no controls on the device used during the operation.  

     

    The black box needs a network connection wired or wireless, or its unique wireless network. It can output VIA single-ended analog or Coax Digital, which I am using to feed the Kii Control.  There is also an analog input.

     

    Initial setup is reasonably straightforward; download app, run it, follow directions.  

     

    How does it sound? To my ears, it is reasonably pleasant. Better than that Amazon Echo Link I tried last year.  This device is about the simple operation, broad-brush access to multiple services, and family involvement. Win, Win, Win!

      

    Now switch inputs to the Antipodes CX+EX Roon server, and you hear a HUGE difference.  But Roon does not know Siri, Bandcamp, IDAGIO, or Spotify! 

     

    One more hint.  The company got yelled at by the Internet when they wanted to stop the support of some older hardware.  

     

    Have I given you enough clues?

     

     

    The Little Black Box is the:  

     

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    At $449 the SONOS Port is a very enjoyable addition to the system.  We are just starting to bring it into the fold. The only downside is that you have to ensure that the Kii Control is set to the Coax input when they shut down so that when you ask Siri, they wake up!

     

     

    System Video 

     

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    Equipment List

     

    Victrola 711V3 Cabinet 

    Kii Three Speakers, Kii Control and BXT modules

    Antipodes CX Server with 4tb of Samsung SSD 

    Antipodes P1 Ripper connected to the CX

    Antipodes EX Server 

    Antipodes P2 DDC for the EX as needed

    Sonos Port

    Rega Planar 9 Turntable with Ania cartridge

    Musical Fidelity MX-Vynl Phono Stage

    12.9in iPad Pro

    Sonore opticalModule

    Sonore/SGC 5v Linear Power Supply

    Cable Matters Cat 8 Jumper

    Transparent Cable High Performance USB (for EX to P2)

    Transparent Cable Ethernet (between CX and EX)

    Moon Audio Silver Dragon USB cable for the Kii Control

    Mogamai Balanced cables from Phono Stage to Kii Three

    Mogamai 3080 AES/EBU cable

     

    Puritan Audio Laboratories

    PSM158 Master Purifier

    Six Mains Cables

    Ground Master

     

    Roon Labs Core on CX and Roon Ready on EX

    Resilio Sync to keep CX and NAS in sync

    Sonos App as needed

     

    Noctua NF-A14 ULN fan




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    15 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

    Thanks for the article Bob. I love this type of stuff!

    Chris,

     

    Thanks for publishing this.  I had a lot of fun building the Victrola out.  

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    Terrific!  Especially nice to see a system that meets the wife's approval 😊

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    38 minutes ago, gocubs42 said:

    This is my1942 working ,1A62 AM Wells- Gardener Coronado Radio. When I picked this up the wooden vents was caked in mud due to a flooded basement years ago. Restored the best I could, added a pr of speakers, a small amp and an Echo Dot. I love streaming talk radio stations from the area on this. It's my time machine. Also on top of the radio is a working 1932 Westinghouse fan. That also was a restoration project.

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    This is the other radio I have in the house.  It is now non-functional.  It was in the Dining Room.  We had a defective dishwasher that leaked in the kitchen, It soaked the floor there and ran under the wall in to the Dining Room.  At that time the Radio had been left plugged in and the cloth cord soaked up the water and shorted out.   Big mess.

     

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    36 minutes ago, Superdad said:

    VERY cool Bob!  

    I had a truly beautiful 1961 Grundig Majestic that I always had plans to do something similar with.  It had a reel-to-reel deck, turntable, shortwave, and all original tubes and speaker drivers. But it had been years since it worked.  The cabinetry, wood species, and finish was what made me keep it for so long.

    Below is the exact model I had, though these photos are from the web.

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    That is beautiful.  I love project like this. 

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    Updating the Victrola

     

     

     

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    My music system has been going through a prolonged, slow evolutionary process.  Our use of the turntable has been zero.  My wife wanted to play CDs, and I am further simplifying the digital playback system.

     

    I am almost to the "Audiophile JukeBox" level of simplicity.

     

    To those ends, I have removed the turntable and phono stage and placed the new Pro-Ject AUDIO SYSTEMS top-loading CD transport in that bay.  I have connected the transport to my Heavenly Soundworks 517 speakers using the AES output of the CD transport.  I have removed the analog cables and the Hugo TT2 DAC, and the SRC-DX from the system.

     

    On the digital side,  I am now using an Aurender N100SC as the digital core.  I installed a 4TB SSD in the N100SC and connected the SPDIF output to the speakers.   Yes, I know that this limits me to PCM 24/192, which does not bother me!  I am PGGBing my few DSD albums to PCM!

     

    I kept my Bluesound Node 2i in the system using TOSLink; it is a third digital input.

     

     I am updating the power cord from the wall to the PSM156 with Puritan Audio Laboratories Ultimate AC cable.  The  AC cable to the Aurender has the same model cable. The speakers have the Puritan Basic power cords.

     

    These changes have eliminated the need for five Linear Power Supplies and a couple of SMPS units.  Finally, I will most likely upgrade the power supply on the CD Transport went it becomes available.

     

    I am currently listening with fiber ethernet to the Aurender, using a Sonore OpticalModule and one of their power supplies.  I still want to try VLANs on the network to reduce traffic to the Aurender and see if wired ethernet sounds different! If I can remove this from the stereo, we are down one more device and power supply.

     

     

    At this point, things are sounding pretty darn good. The system is more straightforward, easier to maintain, and is making the family happy!  

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    Victrola Update

    Saturday, September 18th 2021

     

    Today is a milestone in the system design, construction, and setup.  Over the summer I have been doing some physical arrangement work.  I moved the Victrola out of the room, adjusted speaker placement, and moved the Victrola back in.  I then adjusted the speakers a bit more.  The front of the speakers are now 36 in out from the front wall of the room.  

     

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    The speaker stands are on their spikes and that has improved clarity quite a bit. I continue to use the Isoacoustics isolators between the speakers and the stands. I have adjusted the wiring placement so that AC and signal wires for more separation and crossovers are at right angles where possible.  All the equipment is in the cabinet, nothing left on the floor.

     

    This morning, before breakfast, I listened to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon all the way through, and all I wanted to do was keep listening.
     

    The last three years have been personally frenetic, I have been out of control fiscally and time wise. Today I have FINALLY removed the furniture gliders from under the Victrola, what a milestone!

     

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    There is much more to this story that I am still documenting. 

     

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    RJF 

     

     

     

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