Having recently added a phono stage of excellent pedigree and hearing the impact it has had on my system. I would love to hear what others are using, heck, I’d like to hear about your entire analog chain
Love the discussions on digital and mostly digital related tweaks. I’ve learned a lot from these discussions and have upgraded my digital side quite a bit over the last couple years, but vinyl still rules the day for me, not even close
The previously mentioned phono stage
RADA Precious One Silver (output transformers, wiring) Pure MM and requires the use of SUT’s, a positive in my opinion🙂 it sounds phenomenal!
Hope this doesn’t come off as a rant, not the intent whatsoever, spinning record after record this morning has got me jonesing for a bit more analog talk on what I consider the best, most welcoming and most informative audio forum on the interweb
Really looking forward to the new PSA offering, last I checked in, was set to launch early 2025?
I’m totally with you on this, JP.
While waiting for the delivery of my current preamp, I used a dirt cheap Schiit Mani which was excellent, especially for $129.
I had a borrowed Aesthetix Rhea for a month and I liked it, although it was a bit noisy, especially with a low output cartridge. (could have been the tubes)
The PS Audio is excellent and it’s keeping my nephew very happy in his system.
I’m now using Pass Labs. I started with their XP15, then XP25 and now I have the XP27. Each step up was substantial in performance and price.
Rega Aura phono preamp, Rega P10, and Rega Aphelion 2 MC cartridge. Not the most imaginative setup but I’m happy with the synergies. This setup relegated a Manley Chinook SE phono preamp, Technics SL-1200G turntable and Ortofon Cadenza Bronze MC cartridge to the family room system.
What’s your opinion of high end cartridges? Let’s say > $5K?
I’ve heard the improvements but as the stylus and suspension get tired after roughly 1,000 hours, does it make sense? For me, 1,000 hours is about one year.
My vinyl setup languished in the basement for 30 years. On a lark I brought it up about four years ago and hooked it up to an old NAD receiver that I had sitting around. After installing a set of 9 volt batteries in my Markof step up device I was good to go. My decades old Linn Asak moving coil still sounded like new! Then out with the NAD and step up device and in with a Schiit Mani and Freya +. Replaced the Mani with a PS Stellar phono stage and I haven’t looked back. I love adjusting the cartridge loading on the fly with the Stellar. I find different records can sound better with different loadings.
Digital is what I listen to most. Love the new Mt Blue Sky update. But I still enjoy the vinyl experience now and then. It’s different and that’s what I’m looking for.
Funny. I was slated to go to a friend’s house today to install and set of his Ortofon Anna. He called me this morning to cancel, or rather postpone. His Rhea went on the fritz. One channel is hissing badly, and after swapping in a brand new set of tubes on that side it’s no better. I recommended he flip the tube set from one channel to the other to see if he just happened to have a bum tube in that new set he put in.
As for me, I’m using a Pass XP-17, which I like very much after trying a handful of other phono pres over the years. Can’t afford a ‘27, unless @RonP sells me his. But actually, if I were to consider the next phono pre, it must have at least two inputs (my TT is outfitted with two arms… at the moment) and I’d like it to also have a transimpedance input. The only one I know of that meets these criteria without needing to break into a bank vault is the MoFi Master Phono stage. I toyed with the idea of trying one but I haven’t really heard much about it from users.
It may seem scandalous and heretical but I am using a PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter and sending DSD via HDMI into my DSD Mk II. In this way I am using the best cabling I have and I honestly really like the sound. (My turntable is a Rega RP3 with the TTPSU, Exact2, and Groovetracer Reference sub-platter, Delrin platter and counterweight and the most recent top of the line Rega belt).
I like it so much I even have a spare PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter on hand as a backup (as the first one went south on me once and I had to have it repaired at the mother ship).
I confess though that I listen to LPs about 2 percent or less of the time.
I have a bunch in that range and higher, Ron. Do they sound better than less expensive carts? Sure. Maybe. I think being able to tell really all depends on how good the analog setup is, including the phono pre, and whether a person likes the sound of a given cart or line. I love Benz carts and have used them for many years, but you’re right - the rebuild price is tough to swallow. The main carts I’ve been using recently are Peter Lederman’s. The Sussurro II Gold is probably technically and sonically the best cart I’ve ever used (although it’s not easy to optimize), and getting it retipped won’t cost a fortune. A win/win for me. My Benzes and the Soundsmths (LPS, Gullwing, Paua MkII, Sussurro Gold) all sound better to me than my Ortofon A-95, which is a phenomenal cart - for a few hours. If I want to extract everything off a record, that’s my chosen weapon. It’ll knock people off their feet, but to me it’s more of a “demo” cartridge than a “live with it day after day” cartridge. I know some folks who use it for their daily driver, however.
Never had the pleasure, most expensive is my current bff, a Lyra Kleos SL at $4,000
Lyra does not re-build carts, but instead offer a generous trade in for either the same model or a step up in the Lyra line. I may jump up to an Entna when the Kleos gets tired
Sutherland PhD phono pre, I loved that thing! Sold it for just a few hundred less than I paid for it and enjoyed it for 4-5 years. I also owned a Sutherland director pre-amp that I wish I still had. Love Sutherland’s stuff.
With the right phono cartridge the Sutherland Little Loco is wonderful. Provides the detail inherent in many recordings, without an etched or strident sound. The Little Loco is a current gain, transimpedance, pre-pre-amp preferring low impedance phono cartridges. A perfect match to my Mutech Hayabusa. Now for the Dos Locos, maybe someday.
Having Brian Walsh, aka turntable set-up guy, install it and fine tune the set-up was a worthy expenditure. Really enjoy what this MC cartridge brings to the listening experience.
Hana Umami Red-Clearaudio Performance SE/ Hana Mono-Music Hall Stealth—>Bobs Devices Sky 20-S—> Musical Surroundings Nova III with outboard power supply—>BHK Pre, and so on.
I started with whatever came with whatever a receiver/Integrated amp/preampprocessor offered. Then I got a PS Audio NuWave. Then a Sutherland Insight. Then an NBS Universal 2 Preamp. A friend borrowed me a PS Audio Stellar phono preamp. I preferred the two PS Audio phono preamps and the NBS. For the last couple of years I have been using a Gryphon Legato phono stage. It seems nicest. Sadly, Gryphon now makes a $65K phono preamp. I hope to never hear it. I will avoid it completely. (Hopefully)
For three years now I have relied on a My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum cartridge. It lists for over $10k. An absurd price. Wearing out a cartridge is a concern I have never had. I actually don’t believe in it. Mine can be rebuilt by the factory for a fraction of what a new one costs. Fortunately, my formally top of the My Sonic Lab line cartridge has been pushed aside by a new top of the line cartridge. When I feel like it I will try it and offer my Signature Platinum to someone who doesn’t believe cartridges wear out. To be fair, people who I respect a great deal believe cartridges wear out. But these folks have never held on to a cartridge long enough for it to wear out. (Or I missed them saying so) I have. And it hasn’t. Thankfully. I highly recommend My Sonic Lab cartridges. Even the under $7k models.
One thing no one is mentioning is the phono cable. Mine is from a company called Stealth Audio. It is very expensive but obviously audibly better. I have never regretted any of the money I have spent on vinyl playback gear. I have been listening to vinyl so much lately. I do not hear clicks, pops, or groove noise anymore. Rarely at worst. I believe somehow the PowerZone made a huge improvement in that regard. I will fully admit that that makes ZERO SENSE. But I believe it just the same.
Also, ultrasonic record cleaners are Crucial to quieting vinyl. Fortunately, the more affordable Kirmuss record cleaning system does a fine job. The Degritter does a wonderful job as well. I have the new Degritter floor standing unit on order. It is supposed to arrive late winter early spring. I also own the Autodesk Glass ultrasonic cleaner which I do not recommend. Stay away from it if you can. I have never tried vacuum cleaning record cleaners so I have no opinion on them. If you have a vinyl collection at least try the Kirmuss. It involves a hands on process that might bother some, but I kind of enjoy it. The Degritter on the other hand is a set the record in, push a button and wait for the beep on completion. It is wonderful.
And lastly, vinyl beats all at my house. Steaming is grand, CDs noticeably better, but vinyl, it stands tallest. What, you don’t agree? Oh well. Be a nice guy and keep those thoughts to yourself. You won’t convince me otherwise.
Ooops, one last thing. A friend of mine owns the $19,000 optical cartridge that requires a $45k optical phono preamp. Sadly, it sounds as good as anything could. It is spellbinding. I am glad I can drive to his house to hear it. It is not in my future. A fella has to have limits.
I recommended he flip the tube set from one channel to the other to see if he just happened to have a bum tube in that new set he put in.
But actually, if I were to consider the next phono pre, it must have at least two inputs (my TT is outfitted with two arms… at the moment) and I’d like it to also have a transimpedance input. The only one I know of that meets these criteria without needing to break into a bank vault is the MoFi Master Phono stage. I toyed with the idea of trying one but I haven’t really heard much about it from users.
If I want to extract everything off a record, that’s my chosen weapon. It’ll knock people off their feet, but to me it’s more of a “demo” cartridge than a “live with it day after day” cartridge. I know some folks who use it for their daily driver, however.
