Phono stage shenanigans

[Waxy]

Having happily listened to my Analogue Works TT1 through an on-board phono stage for the last few months, my ears and eyes are now turning once again to the potential of a dedicated phono stage.

Before I continue, I don't want a new valve amplifier, Steve... *biggrin*

So, I've been looking around, reading reviews from all and sundry on a plethora of stages and really I am none the wiser as to what I want. Should I be prepared to work my way through a few boxes, buying and selling on until I find one that fits? Do you have any advice, apart from the obvious "get a demo first"? There are so many models out there, it's bewildering to a phono-stage virgin.

 

[boshk]

good luck, let me know what you find out.

I'm in the same situation, been researching for the last.....umm....since I got my Project.

the cost is so vast, especially when it comes to the PSU bit, sometimes, the PSU bit cost more than the phono preamp itself.

something as simple as Rega Fono A2D which cost like 80pounds, has usb, MM

Trichord Dino 3, MM, MC but no usb, cost 400pounds but add in the PSU and its nearly 1000pounds!!

 

[Al ears]

Been there, done that. My advise would be to slow right down. At the moment (you don't say what cartridge you currently have) but my advise would be to look at upgrading this first as it is going to make the biggest difference.

Many phono preamps have passed through my hands until I plumped for the one I now have and that is as far as I am going, well at least until the next external power supply upgrade comes along.

I would urge you to decide on a budget (do let us know what it is) then decide if you want to stick with a moving magnet cartridge or possibly upgrade at a later date to a moving coil. Try not to make too many intermediate upgrades as you'll only end up losing a lot of money. Once you have decided on the make / model do not exclude buying second hand or ex-demo.

Ultimately you need to get it right now. Buy the best you can and make sure the basic preamp is going to suit your future needs without worrying too much about external power supply upgrades (if the units rubbish then a super dooper power supply is going to make little overall difference).

When you have a budget in mind repost...... this could get interesting.

 

[Waxy]

... It's tempting to go higher, but as a novice I'm not confident on making the right choice. I'm using a Nagaoka MP-200 and have been very impressed with it. I will likely end up just getting a replacement stylus when the time comes. The ability to handle MC cartridges is not a priority. I would rather concentrate on acquiring a stage that fits my system as it is.

One thing I have noticed during my look around is that quality stages seem to hold their value pretty well.

 

[Al ears]

... It's tempting to go higher, but as a novice I'm not confident on making the right choice. I'm using a Nagaoka MP-200 and have been very impressed with it. I will likely end up just getting a replacement stylus when the time comes. The ability to handle MC cartridges is not a priority. I would rather concentrate on acquiring a stage that fits my system as it is.

One thing I have noticed during my look around is that quality stages seem to hold their value pretty well.

Nice cartridge. You are correct in that phono stages do hold their value. You can occassionally find a good 'un on the likes of eBay if put up by a private seller and not a dealer.

For your sort of budget I know there are many people who will tell you all about Graham Slee phono stages but personally I think the best you will find is the Rothwell Audio Rialto at around £380 or better still the Tom Evans Audio Microgroove X for about £100 more (these are new prices not second-hand). I have used both of these in my search for the 'right one'.

Probably best to get one that will cater for mc cartridges because the are not much dearer than pure mm ones and you may get into low-output MC's once you have heard one. *biggrin*

 

[Waxy]

Thanks Al. Another one on the list then!

Graham Slee and Croft Acoustics are two manufacturers I have been exploring so far, along with a couple of stages from Puresound & Icon Audio.

 

[Al ears]

Thanks Al. Another one on the list then!

Graham Slee and Croft Acoustics are two manufacturers I have been exploring so far, along with a couple of stages from Puresound & Icon Audio.

Croft and Icon Audi worth a look if you want to go the valve route. Unfortunately the problem comes if you actually want to audition any of the more exotic preamps. There comes a point, as I found, where you just have to take other peoples word for it, bit the bullet and buy on gut instinct.

I did this with my Tom Evans Audio kit (took a couple of readings of the Six Moon's reviews before hand though) and was extremely glad I did. Then I found out it is manufactured about 20 minutes drive from my house, always a bonus should I need an upgrade.........

 

[Waxy]

There comes a point, as I found, where you just have to take other peoples word for it, bit the bullet and buy on gut instinct.

Luckily, I've potentially found someone willing to let me have stages on sale or return.

 

[Al ears]

There comes a point, as I found, where you just have to take other peoples word for it, bit the bullet and buy on gut instinct.

Luckily, I've potentially found someone willing to let me have stages on sale or return.

That's good. Not Graham Slee kit by any chance?

 

[Waxy]

*music2*

 

[stevebrock]

a PS1 ?????

 

[Waxy]

£1k plus on my first phono stage is a big gamble from my point of view

 

[Al ears]

a PS1 ?????

Nice plug stevebrock but I doubt waxy is going to have a hard time even finding a PS1 for his £500 budget.

Very nice phono stage though (prefer the PS3 myself).

 

[stevebrock]

a PS1 ?????

Nice plug stevebrock but I doubt waxy is going to have a hard time even finding a PS1 for his £500 budget.

Very nice phono stage though (prefer the PS3 myself).

Crikey I pefer the PS3 too, but I'm a pauper now !!

 

[Al ears]

a PS1 ?????

Nice plug stevebrock but I doubt waxy is going to have a hard time even finding a PS1 for his £500 budget.

Very nice phono stage though (prefer the PS3 myself).

Crikey I pefer the PS3 too, but I'm a pauper now !!

A pauper with a very nice sound system though. With a set-up like that you can stay at home and think of the money you're saving.... *biggrin*

 

[stevebrock]

a PS1 ?????

Nice plug stevebrock but I doubt waxy is going to have a hard time even finding a PS1 for his £500 budget.

Very nice phono stage though (prefer the PS3 myself).

Crikey I pefer the PS3 too, but I'm a pauper now !!

A pauper with a very nice sound system though. With a set-up like that you can stay at home and think of the money you're saving.... *biggrin*

It don't sound shabby Al !

 

[Waxy]

I finally took the phono stage plunge today and got hold of a heavily modded Jolida JD9 2. This is a valve stage, and my first step into the arcane world of vacuum tubes.

Is there any hope for me now?

 

[CnoEvil]

I finally took the phono stage plunge today and got hold of a heavily modded Jolida JD9 2. This is a valve stage, and my first step into the arcane world of vacuum tubes.

Is there any hope for me now?

With a Jolida phono stage, hope doesn't come into it! *yahoo*

 

[Waxy]

I finally took the phono stage plunge today and got hold of a heavily modded Jolida JD9 2. This is a valve stage, and my first step into the arcane world of vacuum tubes.

Is there any hope for me now?

With a Jolida phono stage, hope doesn't come into it! *yahoo*

But I'm definitely not going down the MC Cart road.... There's no convincing me. End of.

 

[CnoEvil]

But I'm definitely not going down the MC Cart road.... There's no convincing me. End of.

...of course you aren't! *diablo*

 

[Al ears]

You're absolutely right. Nothing at all to see down that route. Move along there. *music2*

 

[GeoffreyW]

Hi, Waxy, glad you're enjoying your new phono stage, and just wondered whether you'd considered the Arkless - modded CA640P or 651Pphono amp, which also has a superior "Turbo" version, and the good news is that there's a loaner model available to audition, just for comparison purposes. He usually requires a donor to modify, but there's plaenty around.

I borrowed it for a few days, to compare with my standard 640, and it sounded far better, but your ears may disagree, perhaps.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I finally took the phono stage plunge today and got hold of a heavily modded Jolida JD9 2. This is a valve stage, and my first step into the arcane world of vacuum tubes.

Is there any hope for me now?

None.

Once you get bitten by the special magic that only tubes do, there's no way back.

Soon you'll be trawling Fleabay for examples made in the 1950's and 60's, the 'golden era' of tube technology.

Enjoy!

 

[Waxy]

...on the deal, so some rolling will be in order at some point.

For now, I am just enjoying the sounds. I played around with the dip switches last night (listening to the same track over and over) and have settled on 47kOhms (for my Nagaoka MP-200) with no additional capacitance, just relying on that of the cartridge/wiring.

First impressions are*

A very quiet background

It seems to reveal more texture to bass instruments

A perceived richness of mid-range which wasn't there before - not sure how much of that is psychoacoustic effects though!

Snaps seem snappier and decays seem to last longer.

* the beer may be partly responsible

 

[Infiniteloop]

...on the deal, so some rolling will be in order at some point.

For now, I am just enjoying the sounds. I played around with the dip switches last night (listening to the same track over and over) and have settled on 47kOhms (for my Nagaoka MP-200) with no additional capacitance, just relying on that of the cartridge/wiring.

First impressions are*

A very quiet background

It seems to reveal more texture to bass instruments

A perceived richness of mid-range which wasn't there before - not sure how much of that is psychoacoustic effects though!

Snaps seem snappier and decays seem to last longer.

* the beer may be partly responsible

With valves, you can actually see the electrons which comprise the current that is your music, being made. - How's that for a 'psychoacoustic effect'?