I fancy a Cyrus 8 DAC to replace my Roksan Kandy LIII and Arcam rDAC, but the Cyrus doesn't have a built in phono stage. What dedicated phono amps should I audition to be at least as good or significantly better, if not too expensive, as the Roksan?
Phono amp to better Roksan Kandy??
- Thread starter ifor
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plastic penguin
Well-known member
You'll be hard pushed to better the Roksan built-in phono stage. They have a reputation of building excellent turntables, and this is demonstrated in their amps. Shame they didn't fit one to the Caspian...
plastic penguin
Well-known member
ifor said:
Depends on your budget. The minimum for decent stage is http://www.richersounds.com/product/phono-pre-amps/cambridge-audio/651p/camb-651p, for a Cyrus. Or you could consider a Pro-ject phono box or this http://www.whathifi.com/review/heed-audio-questar-mm.
I've heard the Cambridge 640 which was good value for money.
Al ears
Well-known member
You don't say what your cartridge is but i am assuming its a moving magnet.
As the Plastic Penguin says you are going to have to pay some to beat the inbuilt stage in the Roksan.
It might be worth your while looking at this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tom-Evans-Microgroove-Phono-Stage-/190706124579?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c66f88723
This will better the Cambridge suggested and is upgradeable to boot.
As the Plastic Penguin says you are going to have to pay some to beat the inbuilt stage in the Roksan.
It might be worth your while looking at this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tom-Evans-Microgroove-Phono-Stage-/190706124579?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c66f88723
This will better the Cambridge suggested and is upgradeable to boot.
I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day resultifor said:
gbhsi1 said:I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day resultifor said:
Interesting. What does your Dino feed?
it's connected to a pro-ject experience 2 turntable with a Rondo Red MC.ifor said:gbhsi1 said:I'd recommend a trichord dino - if you can get one second hand at a good price you can't go wrong. Also it will handle a MC cartridge when you feel like upgrading. I moved from my roksan kandy to trichord - night and day resultifor said:
Interesting. What does your Dino feed?
I'll heartily second the vote for the Dino - I've tried a few phono amps over recent years, but love the Dino to bits.
In fact I've got two of them on the go at the minute - a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. If you go looking for a second hand one, I have to admit that I can't really tell the difference between the mk 1 and the mk 2 - but you'll likely save yourself a few quid on a mk1.
I've currently got two turntables on the go - but my favourite combination is my Systemdek with a Origin live modified RB250 and the Goldring 1042. I really don't know if its the Dino Mk1 or 2 I've got wired up currently (I tend to fiddle with my set up) but it sounds sweet.
In fact I've got two of them on the go at the minute - a Mk 1 and a Mk 2. If you go looking for a second hand one, I have to admit that I can't really tell the difference between the mk 1 and the mk 2 - but you'll likely save yourself a few quid on a mk1.
I've currently got two turntables on the go - but my favourite combination is my Systemdek with a Origin live modified RB250 and the Goldring 1042. I really don't know if its the Dino Mk1 or 2 I've got wired up currently (I tend to fiddle with my set up) but it sounds sweet.
Al ears
Well-known member
The iPad had appeared unresponsive, but obviously it wasn't! I haven't worked out where it's possible to delete a post yet.
Read it elsewhere,people use Croft RIAA (new unit GBP500) phono stage instead the K2 phono. Havent seen a review on this unit, however Croft products are generally deemed as top quality.
I'm Trying to get a demo this weekend of the riaa.
I'm Trying to get a demo this weekend of the riaa.
Openwave said:
it's been recommended to me in the Art of Sound Forum as has Graham Slee's phon stages. I wouldn't get £500 past "administration" at present, but I look forward to your feedback.
Several months later I thought I'd come back with an update.
As I said in the previous post, Graham Slee's phono amps were being recommended by others elsewhere. I then discovered the Graham Slee Owners' Club Forum and it's associated home loan program. I had a two week home loan of his top of the range, for moving magnet, Reflex M. It was, quite simply, astoundingly better than the Kandy's inbuilt phono stage. Well, it's not cheap so it should be noticeably better. I'm now a few months into ownership of a Reflex M and it has to be one of the best purchases I've ever made. Records that used to sound dull now sound wonderful. Currently my listening is virtually 100% vinyl.
As I said in the previous post, Graham Slee's phono amps were being recommended by others elsewhere. I then discovered the Graham Slee Owners' Club Forum and it's associated home loan program. I had a two week home loan of his top of the range, for moving magnet, Reflex M. It was, quite simply, astoundingly better than the Kandy's inbuilt phono stage. Well, it's not cheap so it should be noticeably better. I'm now a few months into ownership of a Reflex M and it has to be one of the best purchases I've ever made. Records that used to sound dull now sound wonderful. Currently my listening is virtually 100% vinyl.
Al ears
Well-known member
My new problem is that my "new" second turntable is now using the phono stage of the Kandy and I know it's not doing justice to the TT.
Yes, more vinyl is being bought.
Yes, more vinyl is being bought.
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