Advise please: phono stage?

[Colinijohnson]

Do you have a level ? To check that the turntable itself is level ?

Also , it appears that your arm is a SME S2 Improved , I can't tell if it has fixed or removable headshell , but in my mind the cartridge is entirely the wrong choice for the arm .

Nagaoka MP150 is very low dynamic compliance cartridge that likes a high effective mass tonearm .


SME S2 Improved with fixed headshell has effective mass of 6,5 grams :- would like cartridge with dynamic compliance between 20 and 31 ( x10-6 cm/Dyne )

SME S2 Improved with removable headshell has effective mass of 9 grams ( assuming original SME headshell is fitted ) :- would like cartridge with dynamic compliance between 18 and 25 ( x10-6 cm/Dyne )

https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridg..._evaluator.php

Here is a list of moving magnet cartridges that may be better suited to your arm :

https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridg...=&prhi=&page=0

From looking at the list it appears that the easiest option will be the Ortofon 2M's ( red to black , depending on budget ) .

Also , I don't know about the Project phonostage , for the money I would go for a Vista Audio phonostage , looks like crap , sounds like heaven .

http://www.vista-audio.com/products/...mkII/index.htm

Thanks for that



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ari]

Thanks for that
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It is good to learn about the resonance evaluators , dynamic compliance etc. , I've come to realize that almost any arm can sound amazing , provided it is matched with the right cart . I hope I made it understandable , I have a tendency to get terribly technical .

And here's a link to cartridge alignment protractors , I recommend the Stevenson alignment protractor . Print it out , mount on the turntable , loosen those little acorn nuts a little ( don't undo them completely ) and move the arm backwards and forward till it aligns at both points . I still believe the MP150 is the wrong cartridge for the arm .

https://www.vinylengine.com/cartridg...tractors.shtml

For starters , move the piece of gut ( fishline ) attached to the bias counterweight inwards completely ( the opposite end to what is indicated on your photos ) .

[RothwellAudio]

Doesn't the anti-skate bias have to pull the arm out from the centre to counteract the skating force? Of course, there is no skating force until the stylus touches the record, so the arm should drift outwards as it descends.

[Ari]

Doesn't the anti-skate bias have to pull the arm out from the centre to counteract the skating force? Of course, there is no skating force until the stylus touches the record, so the arm should drift outwards as it descends.

Hi Andrew - yes , the anti-skate force will pull the arm away from the centre of the record whilst lowering the arm . I also recognize , though , that in this case the anti-skate is set waaay too high .

I own ~10 SME3009 arms and a 3012 ranging from early to S2 to S2 improved . I'm quite taken , when it comes to the SME3009 , and quite adept at setting them up .

[Colinijohnson]

Just a wee update - I bought some scales, the cartridge was tracking at 1-5g, so after altering to 1-8g, things improved a lot. Today I dropped the deck off at Retro Tech Audio in Caterham. These guys service Thorens decks, so they'll check alignment etc for me. Anyone had experience of them? I also acquired a Cambridge Audio pre amp & sent it off to Arkless for the upgrade. I'm looking forward to the results and will post some feedback. Thanks all for your help. Next project will be to upgrade my Cyrus 7 amp. I'm not sure whether to do this via Cyrus to an 8, and get the power supply or try something different. Any thoughts anyone? Or should I start a new thread? Colin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ari]

Just a wee update - I bought some scales, the cartridge was tracking at 1-5g, so after altering to 1-8g, things improved a lot. Today I dropped the deck off at Retro Tech Audio in Caterham. These guys service Thorens decks, so they'll check alignment etc for me. Anyone had experience of them? I also acquired a Cambridge Audio pre amp & sent it off to Arkless for the upgrade. I'm looking forward to the results and will post some feedback. Thanks all for your help. Next project will be to upgrade my Cyrus 7 amp. I'm not sure whether to do this via Cyrus to an 8, and get the power supply or try something different. Any thoughts anyone? Or should I start a new thread? Colin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Motion 15 has a sensitivity 92 dB @ 2.83 volts/meter @ 5 Ohms . Pretty efficient for a bookshelve speaker , and I'd say efficient enough to be driven by a ~ 20-30 wpc valve amplifier . Something like a Mullard 5 20 or a Quad II . Nothing like the magic of valves IMHO . What's your budget for an amp ? I see the Cyrus 7 has pre-outs , so you could use that as a pre-amp with a valve power-amp .

If you'd like to stay with solid state power , and have loads of power , the Nord amplifiers look fantastic : http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/hypex-amps

[Colinijohnson]

Thanks for that - I think a 2nd hand power amp is the way to go. My budget is 300-500 . I've had the deck & arm set up properly with great results and an arkless Pre amp is on its way to me. Can't wait! Any suggestions on power amps would be welcome using my Cyrus 7 as a Pre. (I play largely rock & pop)
Thanks to all for your advice. Colin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[walpurgis]

Any suggestions on power amps would be welcome using my Cyrus 7 as a Pre. (I play largely rock & pop)
Thanks to all for your advice. Colin

The natural choice would be a Cyrus power amp. But a Quad might be good, maybe a 606 Mk.2? It's a good amp with plenty of power.

Specs here:

[Ari]

Hey Colin

I was just wondering about how it's going with your system , checked my email , lo and behold !

I can't wait to hear of your impression of your modded phono-stage when you get it , and properly setup arm .

Here is a link to Cyrus power amplifiers for sale in the UK on fleabay : http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...ifier&_sacat=0

If you get a power amp closely matching the specs of your Cyrus 7 you could try bi-amping the Motion 15's , using the amplifiers in your Cyrus 7 and the separate power amp .

Meridian power : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meridian-T...kAAOSwuLZY6NcM Quick ! Bid on this now - 1 day left .

Cambridge Audio : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cambridge-...UAAOSw5cNYXUUO

Linn LK140 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Linn-LK140...QAAOSwTM5YyArX

Quad Pre Amp and 2x Quad 306 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quad-Pre-A...sAAOSwr~lYrwUc

Roksan Kandy KMA 2/3 Power Amplifier Mk III : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Kan...kAAOSwCU1Y1SHN

CONRAD JOHNSON SONOGRAPHE SA 150 POWER AMP : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CONRAD-JOHNSON-SONOGRAPHE-SA-150-POWER-AMP-/282420046246?hash=item41c18be9a6:gOUAAOSwdGFYsqP0

Naim NAP-150 : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Naim-NAP-1...8AAOSw4CFYrxHh

The Meridian , Conrad Johnson and NAP-150 would be first on my list , closely followed by the Linn . Perhaps other members could voice their opinions .

[Colinijohnson]

Thanks - funds limited , but tempted to bid on the Meridan!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk