The Skale, The Ekos SE, The Dynavector XV-1T And The Lowdown

[Dr_Eddie]

The Skale, The Ekos SE, The Dynavector XV-1T and The Lowdown

Just possibly, I was the first person ( apart from Peter ) to actually fit the new Tiger-Paw Skale to an Ekos SE tonearm equipped with a big daddy bamboo Dynavector.. The first part of the equation for me was getting the arm balanced out in equilibrium with the dial up weight set to zero, and also the bias backed right off.

I thought it a good idea, first, to weigh my Linn counterweight with Ittok mass ring blutacked onto the rear. This puts the counterweight close to the arm pillar, which is a highly desirable state of affairs, as it minimises the inertia of the CW as seen by the stylus and cantilever. This then allows the cartridge/generator assembly to accelerate more quickly to allow the stylus to read the groove more effectively. Obviously this is important if the full dynamic range of the groove cut into the vinyl originally by the cutter head on the lathe is to be fully realised. So the Golden Rule is CW as close to arm pillar as possible. This is the chief design aim of the Skale, but to be flexible with a wider range of cartridges than the CW supplied originally with the Ekos SE, Ekos 1 and 2 and also the Ittok. This will appeal to many people out there in other words. The total weight I measured was about 195 grams. This meant I needed to use both inserts supplied with the Skale and the longer screws.
I haven’t mentioned the off set feature of the armtube hole but this builds upon the inertia factor by lowering the centre of gravity of the CW more in line to the stylus/generator assembly. This pays big dividends in the final analysis. This is of course a feature of the Aro and some of that arms presentation is duly bestowed on the Ekos SE because of it I assure you. But leave that for the review proper. I digress.

Weighing this whole caboodle then threw up an anomaly, I was 15 grams short of the ideal weight needed.

I duly contacted Roger at Tiger-Paw at Peter’s request, who immediately posted a further set of inserts and even longer screws off to me. They arrived the very next morning. How’s that for service? Roger is keen to accommodate anyone who needs further inserts on request.
Peter actually picked up on this 6 weeks ago , but it was simply too late to delay the supply of Skales to dealers yet again, so in the interim, if you are a big DV user then an email to sales@tiger-paw.com will get you an additional 15gram/or 20 gram weight and longer screws. For the Akiva and similar cartridges you should be good to go in the interim. Eventually the Skale will ship with a further inserts and the long screws for a broader range of compatibility. Rome wasn’t built in a day though and I feel TP took the best decision to ship in the circumstances.

The insert screws are allen key headed and usefully the key is supplied. It also comes in handy for aligning the holes so that the inserts are correctly butted up and aligned to the hole in the CW for the armtube and the screw holes as well. Use the long end of the key for this. It sounds fiddly but its not, if one scew is inserted to hold it all together.

Keep the arm in its cradle rest and lightly breathe into the hole of the CW. This moistens the rubber O ring seals so that the CW mounts on to the armtube more easily. Make sure you keep the weight horizontal when doing this. You will immediately notice the weight is decoupled from the arm and is easy to waggle forwards towards the pillar. Use the concave dimple on top to keep the weight properly orientated with the least material above the armtube.

The finish of the Skale is right up there with the arm, it looks completely at home and as though it was part of the arm, as made by Linn. Because of the ingenious Triple O ring seal arrangement, the weight is easy to move on the arm and balancing out is child’s play. The Linn CW is very stiff by comparison, with little compliance if any at all. The Skale is very softly compliant. It feels odd, but is obviously part of the decoupling design.

So, it really looks and feels the part, how does it sound ? Well here comes the main body of the review from me and my mate Terry who has sent me his impressions via email.
Review 1.


I found myself wondering how to describe this latest improvement, for improvement it most certainly is. Leaving aside sound quality as a yardstick, consider the music.
I always think back to live music events I have been to. A good concert for example.
This holds true whether you like jazz, folk, rock, rock and roll, blues, big band, classical or rockabilly, country, hip hop, house, garage or even kitchen sink. Kitchen sink ?
What the hell is that ?

OK imagine Stanley Unwin narrating a concept with a fine 1960’s psychedelic band in tow. That might be called kitchen sink No? well, I listened to it anyway courtesy of a brilliantly underrated album called “Ogdens Nut Gone Flake by the Small Faces. My copy was on the Immediate label but reissued by the famous NEMS record store ( the one run by Brian Epstein in Liverpool ) in 1970.)
If you are of that era this album will be treasured by you, a reissue is sorely needed IMO, but I digress, the whole point being that whilst listening to live music, you will find it easy to listen to.
It is easy to follow the tune, easy to get involved in and easy to sing along/clap/dance to. You will move and the music moves you. There is an “air guitar “ or what I call the party factor at work. The better the musicianship, the more you are involved and so on. Unless it is too loud you will never find it fatiguing either. This is how it should be. Thoroughly, unconditionally enjoyable, it should leave you wanting more.

The Skale, I have to say, does this on a big ………………sorry for this,……….Scale.
It provides a delicious sense of flow and drive to the music. Singers seem to open their mouths more and have more lung power, backing vocalists are nearer the front of the stage. The drums and percussion, which are so important to the music are once again brought forward and being played far more forcibly. Anyone who feels that drums aren’t important would do well to watch the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games on IPlayer and hear what 1,000 drummers sound like live.

All of this makes the music more accessible, more enjoyable, easier to listen to and understand, richer and more emotional. Dynamics are heightened considerably, to a point that now is getting so close to reality that I have had to change a viewpoint I once held.
I once believed that no hifi system could ever fully realise the dynamic range of live music. Well, if not, my friends, here and now, it is coming very, very close, courtesy of the Skale, the Ekos SE and the sublime DV XV-1T. and, of course, the wonderful dear old fruitbox that it all sits on. Never was there a component so happy to be a part of the LP12 Orchestra as this or the Khan.

It is simply a no brainer, if you have a Khan, so much the better, it is more of the same wholesome pie.
Now then , I’ll have a big portion please…………………………………


Review 2 by Terry

Spent a little while getting the arm balance perfect and checking the playing weight was identical to before.

First album played was George Michael, Faith, side two. Second album, The Travelling Wilburys
It became very obvious after just a few minutes of playing we were in for a treat. The sound was sweeter and more natural, removing some of the Ekos SE upfront presentation. To my mind taking it towards the Naim Aro.

What was obvious was the additional detail that could be heard throughout the whole frequency bandwidth.
Bass was slightly more powerful, and tighter. Guitars had more tonal colour, cymbals less splashy. It was much easier to follow the music, with less effort, yet remaining very dynamic plus great PRAT.

The imaging had also improved, making vocals seem holographic just in front of the speakers and a wider soundstage too.
Bottom line is it takes you closer to the music with greater resolution without being forceful or sounding strained.
A really worthwhile improvement in my view, and it looks superb, matching the head shell of the Ekos SE.

A steal for £195.00, taking the LP12 Ekos SE to another level. Well done to Tiger Paw!!!!
Now lets get back to spinning some more Vinyl.

All the best.

Terry

My comments on the above:
many thanks for your input here Terry,

NB Terry still has the original SS top plate and not the Khan as yet.
His description of the Ekos SE presentation as being upfront is actually, in my opinion, a characteristic of the SS top plate that the Khan addresses in its design.
The Ekos SE, I find, is a remarkably uncoloured and transparent arm on the Khan, and the Skale builds on this, but is, without doubt, as you can see a great standalone upgrade too.

[HBerg]

Hi Eddie,

Haven't read the whole novel yet but will later. Just one question since I also have great interest in this. Have you tried and compared the sKale with the new heavier CW from Linn?

KR
Hallgrim

[HBerg]

(2012-07-29 13:57)Dr_Eddie Wrote:  It provides a delicious sense of flow and drive to the music. Singers seem to open their mouths more and have more lung power, backing vocalists are nearer the front of the stage. The drums and percussion, which are so important to the music are once again brought forward and being played far more forcibly.

Read the post now. Good writing as always, Eddie, just a little concerned of the description of backing vocalists nearer the front of the stage and drums/percussion brought forward.
Backing vocalists and drummers are normally at the rear of the stage and with a good recording and a decent stereo it is reproduced that way and make it more like the real thing. I hope the sKale don't make the presentation less 3 dimensional.
I know, I know, 3D is not important to the flat earthers but for me it is important to get the right live-feeling......

[Gaius]

Thanks Eddie, glad you like it!!!

Snip

" I duly contacted Roger at Tiger-Paw at Peter’s request, who immediately posted a further set of inserts and even longer screws off to me. They arrived the very next morning. How’s that for service? Roger is keen to accommodate anyone who needs further inserts on request.
Peter actually picked up on this 6 weeks ago , but it was simply too late to delay the supply of Skales to dealers yet again, so in the interim, if you are a big DV user then an email to sales@tiger-paw.com will get you an additional 15gram/or 20 gram weight and longer screws. For the Akiva and similar cartridges you should be good to go in the interim. Eventually the Skale will ship with a further inserts and the long screws for a broader range of compatibility. Rome wasn’t built in a day though and I feel TP took the best decision to ship in the circumstances."

Just to re iterate, anyone using the big Dynavector who needs an additional weight just let us know and one will be sent gratis.

Regards, Mark

[HBerg]

Excellent service. Keep up the good work

[Gaius]

(2012-07-29 17:08)HBerg Wrote:  Excellent service. Keep up the good work

Many thanks.

[Dr_Eddie]

I don't like talking about 3D for reasons that you all know, but for those of you whom it is important for and to answer Hberg's earlier question, and as Terry noted too. I haven't compared it to Linns version, but the Linn version is not intended to address the areas the TP Skale addresses, namely the musical result. All the Linn one addresses is the fulcrum point and getting the CW closer with heavier cartridges. Whether it can cope with the XV-1T is a moot point. I would be surprised if it does to the same extent as the Skale.

The Skale imparts an almost holographic 3D representation of the audio soundstage. I know this is not entirely needed to enjoy the music but it does make the experience incredibly lifelike.
After hearing the Pet Shop boys song West End Girls during the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Games, I decided to dig out my copy of Please, the album it was on.

It may be totally electronic and false, created in a studio by multitracking, but the Skale turned this into an audio version of Avatar with the most incredible effects I have ever heard. It may not be necessary, but by heck it was fun. I could hear exactly how it was intended to sound.

So don;t worry Hberg, you WILL be blown away.

[HBerg]

Thanks for your answer, Eddie. I have for a long time looked forward to Linn's heavier CW but maybe I should look elsewhere

[Dr_Eddie]

If it would have appeared earlier, I would have bought Linn's version, but after hearing the Skale I'm glad it didn't.
I would suggest you go to Peter for an audition. I know which one you'll go home with though.

[HBerg]

It will be a long walk and some swimming in the North Sea as well

But we will manage out something I guess