SOLE - Review and Fitting

[flatpopely]

A couple of months ago I jokingly suggested that John R might like to send me a SOLE for me to review, two days later it arrived!
I fitted it yesterday so I thought I would share my thoughts on how it sounds followed by some pics of it being fitted.

SOLE – Listening Review.

If I am being honest I did not expect a large improvement. I expected to hear a small improvement or maybe even just a change in sound, I was holding out to buy a Klone as I thought that was a big improvement to ex-brickies LP12; how wrong I was!
I played ‘Two Suns in the Sunset’ by Pink Floyd; I had recorded and listened to this the night before on my standard LP12. The first thing that struck me was the increase in bass (bit like the Klone did on ex-brickies deck) and a much bigger soundstage. As the track played on I realised that the bass had indeed been extended but with no loss in timbre and tightness. The SOLE had improved the bass no end, it was a revelation. There are a couple of bass slides in the track that I had not even really noticed before, now they were highlighted and easy to follow. Midrange took on a similar improvement. Vocals were easier to follow and Roger Waters’s inflections and phrasing was highlighted perfectly. The sax solo at the end was the icing on the cake for this track. You can hear the ‘lipping’ on the reed as the player increases or decreases the volume, its like hearing a real sax in your room.
I then played ‘Calypso’ by Suzanne Vega. Her voice had improved to the point where every single detail was defined. It’s not clinical just very accurate and detailed. As the song get busy every single part of the track remains at the correct volume, instruments are not swamped and remain easy to pick out.
On the deck next was ‘Tinto Brass’ by Porcupine Tree, just for YNWOAN. This track highlighted what the SOLE does. The kick drum throughout the entire track was powerful, deep and easy to follow. Previously it could get lost in the mix at certain points, not with the SOLE. It was easy to hear the individual hits on the skin through the whole track. The bass guitar was resolved in the same manner with Edwin’s playing easy to hear. At the same time cymbals had taken on a sweeter tone. The shimmers after the strike were much easier to hear.

The improvements I heard were:-

Extended, powerful and taught bass.
Realistic vocal expression.
All over detail retrieval.
Treble sweetness.
Soundstage.

In summary the SOLE is an absolute gem. For £300 (inc pre fitted Linn arm board) it’s a no brainer. If you have an LP12 I urge you to get one, you won’t regret it.
Despite my somewhat relentless 'rave' reviews of things I do to my system please take this one as read. Its staying.

I’ll write the fitting bit later today.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...E/DSC_3707.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...E/DSC_3711.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...E/DSC_3713.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...E/DSC_3716.jpg

Pre SOLE files:-

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wj4mytblmmw/Supertramp - Long Way Home (drop).wav

http://www.mediafire.com/file/uzmtxzyukzn/Talking Heads - And She Was (drop).wav

http://www.mediafire.com/file/dh1n4dzyr1t/JT Velvet Green Norm 0.wav

SOLE files:-

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wmgwzlgmdej/Supertramp - Long Way Home SOLE Norm 0 (drop).wav

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nmwndzmjdyw/Talking Heads - And She Was SOLE Norm 0 (drop).wav

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mrndizkgikx/JT Velvet Green SOLE Norm 0.wav

[CJ1045]

I know it is very hard to say but it sounds like the Sole gives you the same as the Klone but as the systems are so different it is near impossible for you to say what is best. However, given the price of the Sole then it seems that the Sole has it. It would be good if you could post the before and after recordings too please.

Thanks for the review/pics.

CJ

[flatpopely]

Before and after recordings up this afternoon/evening.

[lexi]

One things for sure. It is a definate engineering improvement on what was already in there. That`s got to feel good alone. Nice that you`ve heard improvements too.

[flatpopely]

Uploading music files now. Pink Floyd, 'Two suns in the Sunset'. A before and after SOLE recording. It's the full track as its so damn good! Hosted by MediaFire because people seem to have problems with Zshare. Be on the first post in an hour.

EDIT: Tonight guys as I have had a problem with the files. prpbably be the Talking Heads and Supertramp smippets now.

[John R]

Andrew.
It is clear that you are most impressed with my Sole sub-chassis upgrade for the LP12. I'm not one to pour heaps of acholades on a product of mine or bullshit about it for that matter. I'm an honest guy who prefers the truth be told about my products by those who've had the opportunity to hear them without pressure or duress, or by someone who tells you that you are hearing this or that etc.

Once the Sole is installed and set up as it should be, there's no need to constantly tweak this or that. It simply provides the enthusiast with a spanking LP12 that will delight for a long time.

Since manufacturing and developing the Sole (and fitting the prototype to my own LP12) I've not hankered after any other TT. I just need a better cartridge, arm and phonostage to do it justice.

Below I've listed some folk (too many to mention in isolation) who have heard the Sole in action and been suitably impressed, amongst these are pfm and crossover network members and many others besides who purchased via my website. So a big thankyou is in order to all those who've supported me in this venture.

Perhaps now the doubters and dissers will be silenced and will have no option than to accept there's another way to improving the LP12 at realistic cost - just as I've said all along.

Supporters and owners.... Apologies to those I've not mentioned by user name, there's so many of you!

Owners and associates of Jordan Acoustics
J7 at Audio Origami.
LesW at Avondale Audio.
Tony L
SDS
Chezie61
Torstoi
Herat.
Duncan.
TimH.
Trancera
Cowbob
EmilF
Steven kelby
Jo sharp.
Neil E
per-Sony-fied
Dowser
The proffessor
Dougie.
WullieD20
Copsaw.
Si74
rKay5
and many many more around the world from west coast USA to Australia.

FInally, a big thank you to flatpopely and YNWOAN for being so patient and honest. Cheers guys !

John R.

[MVV]

Hi all,

Thanks for another very helpful contribution Flatpopely.

John, can the Sole or Klone be fitted to a Pink Link deck? Just in case you may not know, this means the top plate and motor position is different. The thinking was to move the motor to about 7.30 so the belt pulls in line with the arm. (I think!)

[John R]

Originally Posted by MVV

Hi all

John, can the Sole or Klone be fitted to a Pink Link deck?

Well the Sole can as I have the motor in the Plink position, (7:30) on my LP12. I guess the Klone would be OK for this too.


John R.

[flatpopely]

Music files added, before and after. Let me know what you think!

[John]

Originally Posted by flatpopely

Music files added, before and after. Let me know what you think!

What happened to Velvet Green and Two Suns in the Sunset?

[flatpopely]

Originally Posted by John

What happened to Velvet Green and Two Suns in the Sunset?

human error!

[Robert]

Very nice write-up Andrew, I'll play the files later.
Certainly looks very professionally made, especially for the cash.

[per-Sony-fied]

Great review Andrew. I couldn't have done better so I didn't! In general keeping with what I have found but for me not 100% sure about the bass response.

Just on comparison with the Supertramp song it is sounding sooo much clearer, better defind & much less smeared.

EDIT: BTW great decision to use Mediafire

A note for John R

Which generation did you pass up to Andrew? Looks pretty similiar but has there been any differences?

[John R]

Originally Posted by per-Sony-fied

A note for John R

Which generation did you pass up to Andrew? Looks pretty similiar but has there been any differences?

4th generation Sole. Identical BM (bill of materials) to the original, but with a little more CNC work. 5th genertion a little while away yet.

Unfortunately, the 5th Generation will cary a slight price increase, but it will still be very competitive price wise - possibly still the lowest cost sub-chassis upgrade out there. Part of my original goal was to keep costs realistic whilst offering a genuine improvement, I want it to remain that way.


John R.

[CJ1045]

My complements on your improved hosting - much easier and faster

Thanks
CJ