Recent content by BenWatts

  1. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Happy for you. I read many positive feedback on this one. Another device we should have tried I a lifetime. Decisions have to be made : to buy or not to buy, to swap, to ditch, to add, to move… Now on my side, it’s time to select the good cartridge for some years. Here again : a lot to read...
  2. BenWatts

    Your Song/Track of the Day

    https://open.qobuz.com/track/255138400
  3. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    I cannot feel any difference before and after. To me, my ears move more than the hardware.
  4. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Thanks guys. If someone’s looking for a phonostage, I wish you to try one / find one used.
  5. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Seeing it yesterday, I was scarred because of the amount of money but really reassured even before plugging it in with the weight, design and finishing. The box, the documentation, the rubber feet, the weight of the power supply is huge —everything was very reassuring. Saturday night, around...
  6. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Phono stage has landed yesterday. 200h are advised by the designer to get the better results. I am still convinced my gears will adapt more than hardware. BTW, with a spare RCA cable I had first impression to get more room between instruments but also between notes. Several LPs spinned last...
  7. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Thanks. It’s a gamble. No listening session before. Only specs, only in depths discussions with the designer/manufacturer. Time will tell.
  8. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    I tried the Domino and it was deceiving. Cold as I could not imagine a phono could be. I sent it back. We cannot compare the domino and the Audiomat. X10 ratio in Pricing
  9. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    You are right! It’s wise to consider maintenance according to that amount of money. Life is a gamble to me. Actually qi am not sure it’s a relevant investment due to poor quality of recent vinyls except specific ones with maestros like Kevin Gray for Blue Note Tone Poet editions or Speaker...
  10. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    my current device is an optional board made by Heed in an Obelisk SI3. I have tried just a few phono stage but no one won the battle. Up to a Musical Fidelity (roughly 1000€). The maintenance will be done by the owner directly. A warranty period has been agreed. Health as usual will set the limit.
  11. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    Please tell me it’s not that good: one month to wait. Already paid and arrived at a relative’s but … we cannot meet before March 28th. I am still not convinced it will be night and day with my current device. I can’t afford an MC for the moment. My strategy was to invest in a long term vision...
  12. BenWatts

    Question Three phono stage, which one ?

    And the chosen one is.. None of them. An incredible opportunity : Audiomat Phono 1.7 mk II. A handmade phono stage straight from the retired founder. Just to ditch the stock… Option : black face. No silver face at home. For all good opportunities, it has a drawback : I will have it in...
  13. BenWatts

    #nowspinning. What you spinning #nowplaying

    Fear inoculum in 2x45RPM is far better produced. But Vicarious and the pot are soooo good. I couldn’t resist.
  14. BenWatts

    Question Do you still buy vinyl records, and where from?

    Blue Note website and most of the time : Tone Poet series. https://store.bluenote.com/collections/tone-poet-series I also buy some vinyls on this one https://www.hhv.de/en Sometimes I can find a lot of good things in www.fnac.fr BTW: I use to buy vinyls at the merch after a concert. A lot...
  15. BenWatts

    New Audio Technica. AT VM745xML £280

    Impressed this afternoon after a P3 and AT VM745xml listening session ! Cambridge amp and Triangle speakers. Quite humble set up if you consider the bill but I sounded very nice. I did not challenge the cartridge with another one through an AB test. Only what I had in mind from home (Thorens...