Phono stage for Dummies

[Shrek]

I recectly purchased a Technics SL-1200GR2 since the purchase im enjoying listening to vinyl so much more.Its given my vinyl a whole new lease of life and enjoyment.

Im very happy with the sound. Actualy thats a understatement im ecstatic at how the sound has improved from my old AT-LP-120.

1.My question is if i was to purchase a separate Phono stage would it improve the sound ?
2.How much would i need to spend to hear a improvement .
3.What would you recommend .

Ive never owned a separate Phone stage so a complete dummy to this.

Thanks .

 

[Al ears]

I recectly purchased a Technics SL-1200GR2 since the purchase im enjoying listening to vinyl so much more.Its given my vinyl a whole new lease of life and enjoyment.

Im very happy with the sound. Actualy thats a understatement im ecstatic at how the sound has improved from my old AT-LP-120.

1.My question is if i was to purchase a separate Phono stage would it improve the sound ?
2.How much would i need to spend to hear a improvement .
3.What would you recommend .

Ive never owned a separate Phone stage so a complete dummy to this.

Thanks .

I'd have to ask just what in your signature is the turntable connected to?
What cartridge is on the turntable at present?

 

[Shrek]

The TT is connected to the pm7000nN .Ortofon Concorde Bronze.

 

[Entrigo]

The TT is connected to the pm7000nN .Ortofon Concorde Bronze.

Marantz normally do decent phono stages but also normally a dedicated stage would be better. What cart (s) are you using.? If MM, the Rega Fono is a pretty decent one for relatively little money (found it much better than a £350 Pro-ject). Or you could look at the Michael Fidler Spartans - they get rave reviews and, as you buy directly from him, they seem to be very good value.

 

[daytona600]

1.My question is if i was to purchase a separate Phono stage would it improve the sound ?
Yes the correct phono stage can transform your system
2.How much would i need to spend to hear a improvement .
What is your budget £100/500/£1000
3.What would you recommend .
Project have a huge range to suit all budgets. Also , Graham Slee , Rega , Rothwell , Talk Electronics etc

Funk Firm offer Upgrades for the GR2
APM Platter mat , Boing Feet , Houdini isolator

 

[Gray]

I appreciate that it would be difficult to audition, especially cartridges.
But having done genuinely blind testing of a few different phono stages and cartridges (with large price differences) my advice to you would be listen and compare.
If you did it blind, you might be as surprised as I was.....the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I can only say that the phono stage in my Marantz PM66KI was great - if your Marantz is as good, it might be wise to stick with it (especially if you can't get to hear alternatives).
I haven't tried it, but maybe put an ifi phono on your list to check out.

After posting this I just looked at the Tech News and noticed they've got a new Air model:

High-quality audio made affordable, courtesy of iFi's Zen Air 2 range

Air hellairh.

www.whathifi.com

 

[Paul AJ]

😉 You can ask as many questions as you want but you will only get what you want by looking after your own budget ?? By reading what everyone wants you to have can sometimes be the wrong way to go with all that is out there ?? So read all about different makes of gear but also enjoy what you already have because you will never be satisfied because we could all tell you what to buy next because that is the way we all work because we all love improving & trying to help out everyone but ?? your budget is the one that matters first & for most.🙂👍

 

[Al ears]

The TT is connected to the pm7000nN .Ortofon Concorde Bronze.

If you intend sticking with Moving Magnet cartridges like you have then I would say the inbuilt phono stage in your amp is sufficient unless you want to spend hundreds and have a facility for moving coil cartridges at some point.

 

[Integralista]

I recectly purchased a Technics SL-1200GR2 since the purchase im enjoying listening to vinyl so much more.Its given my vinyl a whole new lease of life and enjoyment.

Im very happy with the sound. Actualy thats a understatement im ecstatic at how the sound has improved from my old AT-LP-120.

1.My question is if i was to purchase a separate Phono stage would it improve the sound ?
2.How much would i need to spend to hear a improvement .
3.What would you recommend .

Ive never owned a separate Phone stage so a complete dummy to this.

Thanks .

Hi Shrek, Technics SL-1200GR2 is a proper turntable, congratulation! If I can give some hint for inspiration. I sold my first Rega Aria mk1 some 4 years ago to a friend with Project Debut TT and he took also my old Rega Exact MM cartridge. He was using also Marantz 7000N integrated and Monitor Audio Bronze 500 towers. He was using one of cheaper Project phono preamps. And he was so happy with the sound when again in the contact with him. Your Technics deserve proper phono stage at least so good like Rega Phono MM. Rega Aria is better and not by a margin. And with Aria or something similar good from Musical Fidelity or Atoll, Sugden or ... you get sound fuller, more dynamic, better soundstage. Lastly, we put my Rega Aria mk3 against Musical Fidelity M3X Vinyl owned by my friend. Result: he wants to buy my Aria...And just for record, he is using lovely refurbished Thorens 320 Turntable with Ortofon 2M Black cartridge, which is a great value for such TT. Pure black magic.😊

 

[Al ears]

Hi Shrek, Technics SL-1200GR2 is a proper turntable, congratulation! If I can give some hint for inspiration. I sold my first Rega Aria mk1 some 4 years ago to a friend with Project Debut TT and he took also my old Rega Exact MM cartridge. He was using also Marantz 7000N integrated and Monitor Audio Bronze 500 towers. He was using one of cheaper Project phono preamps. And he was so happy with the sound when again in the contact with him. Your Technics deserve proper phono stage at least so good like Rega Phono MM. Rega Aria is better and not by a margin. And with Aria or something similar good from Musical Fidelity or Atoll, Sugden or ... you get sound fuller, more dynamic, better soundstage. Lastly, we put my Rega Aria mk3 against Musical Fidelity M3X Vinyl owned by my friend. Result: he wants to buy my Aria...And just for record, he is using lovely refurbished Thorens 320 Turntable with Ortofon 2M Black cartridge, which is a great value for such TT. Pure black magic.😊

Good though it maybe they are now over £1100.....
Plenty of competition out there.
That said no idea as to what budget OP actually has.

 

[Shrek]

1.My question is if i was to purchase a separate Phono stage would it improve the sound ?
Yes the correct phono stage can transform your system
2.How much would i need to spend to hear a improvement .
What is your budget £100/500/£1000
3.What would you recommend .
Project have a huge range to suit all budgets. Also , Graham Slee , Rega , Rothwell , Talk Electronics etc

Funk Firm offer Upgrades for the GR2
APM Platter mat , Boing Feet , Houdini isolator

far to expensive for me I can dream .

 

[Shrek]

If you intend sticking with Moving Magnet cartridges like you have then I would say the inbuilt phono stage in your amp is sufficient unless you want to spend hundreds and have a facility for moving coil cartridges at some point.

Thanks Al from what ive read your the TT expert here . so a MC cartridge would be a improvement.With a MC Amp?

 

[Shrek]

Ive done a bit of research and the Rega MM keeps coming up has a good choice.

 

[Shrek]

This is what AI said thought i have a look

 

[Shrek]

also mentioned the cables.🤪 FOR YOU Jason 🤓

 

[Shrek]

Might give the Rega a go for not a lot of expense .I can always return it .

 

[DougK1]

I appreciate that it would be difficult to audition, especially cartridges.
But having done genuinely blind testing of a few different phono stages and cartridges (with large price differences) my advice to you would be listen and compare.
If you did it blind, you might be as surprised as I was.....the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I can only say that the phono stage in my Marantz PM66KI was great - if your Marantz is as good, it might be wise to stick with it (especially if you can't get to hear alternatives).
I haven't tried it, but maybe put an ifi phono on your list to check out.

After posting this I just looked at the Tech News and noticed they've got a new Air model:

High-quality audio made affordable, courtesy of iFi's Zen Air 2 range

Air hellairh.

www.whathifi.com

I agree with Gray here. I was in on the blind testing and there was little to naff all difference between a stage costing £150 and one costing £600. I've still got one to sell as I'm more than happy with the stage in my Marantz 🙂

 

[Shrek]

I agree with Gray here. I was in on the blind testing and there was little to naff all difference between a stage costing £150 and one costing £600. I've still got one to sell as I'm more than happy with the stage in my Marantz 🙂

Interesting thanks Doug 👍

 

[Al ears]

Thanks Al from what ive read your the TT expert here . so a MC cartridge would be a improvement.With a MC Amp?

Potentially but not a cheap way to go. As you say apart from an expensive cartridge you would need a suitable phono preamp.
The cartridge you have is excellent as far as I am aware so stick with it unless you have won the lottery.... 🙂

 

[Al ears]

Potentially but not a cheap way to go. As you say apart from an expensive cartridge you would need a suitable phono preamp.
The cartridge you have is excellent as far as I am aware so stick with it unless you have won the lottery.... 🙂

Note: I am no expert but have owned quite a few during my many years with a HiFi system, and learnt the hard way.....
Yes I use a low output MC cartridge but I got into them in a moment of madness when I did have a good job and bank balance.
Hope it continues for a few more years as couldn't afford to replace it now.

 

[Shrek]

Potentially but not a cheap way to go. As you say apart from an expensive cartridge you would need a suitable phono preamp.
The cartridge you have is excellent as far as I am aware so stick with it unless you have won the lottery.... 🙂

Thanks again AL 👍

 

[Shrek]

Note: I am no expert but have owned quite a few and learnt the hard way.....

Nothing beats experience AL

 

[Al ears]

Nothing beats experience AL

Very true, and a lot of that comes through trial and error, unfortunately....
🙂
Question: did that cartridge you have come fitted or did you go for it yourself?

 

[Shrek]

Very true, and a lot of that comes through trial and error, unfortunately....
🙂
Question: did that cartridge you have come fitted or did you go for it yourself?

The cartridge was inside the TT box in a sealed unit .When i purchased the TT from RS there was no mention of a cartridge ,i was planning to use my Shibata of my other TT .It was a nice surprise and free of charge .

 

[Shrek]

Here you go