View Full Version : phono stage???
Ive just dropped off my lp12 to be serviced and set up and was chatting to the guy about cartridges and stylus etc,he mentioned i would get a good improvement from getting a better phono stage first,this is something id not considered and he went on to explain that whilst my sony 700es amp was good it was from a time when cd was king and that not many manufactures were spending money on parts that hardly anyone was going to use.
This seemed logical to me so what do you think guys? if you agree then can you give me some good advice as to what phono stage i should get or look out for?
regards.
j.
Yup i would concur that a separate one could easily give better results. Depends on budget tbh but I am now using a £120 Mani and really like it; coming from a firebottle plus to this has not upset my decks sound much if at all .....does both mm and mc too.
oh here we go,more bloody things to buy then! lol ive just done some reading up and it would appear the amps phono satge is good to start with,is having a better phono stage like getting a better cartridge kinda thing on the ear?
I'd say get a good phono stage initially(not necessaries to be a great one, and then explore the carts.no point in doing it the other way round really. I dont know how good the sony's stage is but I'd bet it is not anywhere as good as the Mani
I have to do this - I've got a nice phono stage for sale :whistle:
walpurgis
22-07-2015, 18:11
I have to do this - I've got a nice phono stage for sale :whistle:
You forgot the bit about 'what and how much'.
walpurgis
22-07-2015, 18:15
I'd say your LP12 guy is right Jamie. Although there are exceptions, an integrated amp phono stage is usually rather 'basic' in sound quality. Best think about how much you want to spend, what sorts of cartridges you'll be using and what type of sound you want to achieve.
Maybe you should be on the Firebottle phono MM/MC loan list. Then you could try one out before you buy.
Ammonite Audio
22-07-2015, 18:22
I'd say the answer here is to borrow a fairly decent phono stage to try against the Sony's. Other 770ES owners have spoken quite highly of its inbuilt phono stage, so it may turn out to be the best option. Only one way to find out!
walpurgis
22-07-2015, 18:31
I had one of these and was knocked out by how good it sounded: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Graham-Slee-V-Era-Gold-MM-Phono-Stage-/161767154256?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25aa12e250
I've now got the one above it, the Reflex, but if the price of this stays sensible I may grab it, I really miss mine. It was better than the EAR 834P valve phono stage I was using at the time. Used with good MC and SUT it's stunningly musical.
Best think about how much you want to spend,
i was scared you might say this :)
i might dip my toe so to speak with one like grant has.
Firebottle
22-07-2015, 19:00
The EAR 834 is flawed, IMHO of course.
It has too much gain, also uses 12AX7/ECC83 valves which restrict the dynamics, and it uses feed back equalisation. Passive equalisation done right is so much more open.
:)
walpurgis
22-07-2015, 19:04
The EAR 834 is flawed, IMHO of course.
It has too much gain, also uses 12AX7/ECC83 valves which restrict the dynamics, and it uses feed back equalisation. Passive equalisation done right is so much more open.
:)
Not sure TDP would like to hear that. Some people swear by them. I found it pleasant, but a bit loose at the bottom end and not the most dynamic sound about. Also, mine was the MC version and the inbuilt SUTs are crap.
i might dip my toe so to speak with one like grant has.
For the money I've not heard anything as good. Kondo(charlie) heard it a while back and agreed that it sounded very good indeed....I thought it may just be me lol.
Firebottle
22-07-2015, 19:31
Not sure TDP would like to hear that. Some people swear by them. I found it pleasant, but a bit loose at the bottom end and not the most dynamic sound about. Also, mine was the MC version and the inbuilt SUTs are crap.
I'm sure TDP wouldn't like to hear it but hey there are better out there. Agree that the inbuilt SUTs leave a lot to be desired.
Presumably people swearing by them haven't heard a better comparison :scratch:
If you buy a phono stage online, including the NVA's I have dealings with, you should have an option to return if they're not up to your requirements.
Sony are a funny Hifi brand. Their best is truly up there with the state of the art, yet there's some crap bearing their name as well and for years if not now, there was this overwhelming urge to change a lot of models once or twice a year :(
ive just read this on the web,
The F700ES has a double output push-pull of Sanken A1186/C2897, high Gm FETs in the phono section, Great Supply ELNAs and, as always, an assortment of exotic Nichicon MUSE.
it means bugger all to me but perhaps those in the know may be able to tell me if that means ive got a good phono stage? :)
You forgot the bit about 'what and how much'.
True. But, I followed up with a tactical bump. It's a Trichord Dino, at under £200 posted.
Not tried the mk2 but liked the mk1
Audio Al
23-07-2015, 04:32
These are rated quite highly
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?38405-quot-Jez-Arkless-Turbo-phono-stage-for-sale-quot
Owned one myself and was impressed for the money ;)
Phil Lawton
23-07-2015, 09:23
I can personally vouch for the Graham Slee Gram Amp II.
£260 new, but the occasional bargain can be found on eBay.
Arkless Electronics
23-07-2015, 22:08
ive just read this on the web,
The F700ES has a double output push-pull of Sanken A1186/C2897, high Gm FETs in the phono section, Great Supply ELNAs and, as always, an assortment of exotic Nichicon MUSE.
it means bugger all to me but perhaps those in the know may be able to tell me if that means ive got a good phono stage? :)
I would guess that if they've gone to the trouble of using the FETs in the phono stage it is probably good...
I came very close indeed to getting one of these recently... £129 delivered.
YAQIN MS23B Valve Phono Stage... (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAQIN-MS-23B-Stereo-Tube-MM-RIAA-Phono-Stage-pre-amplifier-Updating-MS22B-UK-/310812717840?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item485de1b310)
remember you will have import charges with that(20% usually) supposedly quite good although will almost certainly be 220v irrelevant of what they say.
True. But, I followed up with a tactical bump. It's a Trichord Dino, at under £200 posted.great stage,had one
Ive just dropped off my lp12 to be serviced and set up and was chatting to the guy about cartridges and stylus etc,he mentioned i would get a good improvement from getting a better phono stage first,this is something id not considered and he went on to explain that whilst my sony 700es amp was good it was from a time when cd was king and that not many manufactures were spending money on parts that hardly anyone was going to use.
Looks like he was assuming that the Sony's phono stage was an op-amp effort, in which case it would be fair comment. But since it is a proper discrete stage I suspect you would have to get something really good to get an improvement rather than just a difference. Make sure you can try before you buy!
Looks like he was assuming that the Sony's phono stage was an op-amp effort, in which case it would be fair comment. But since it is a proper discrete stage I suspect you would have to get something really good to get an improvement rather than just a difference. Make sure you can try before you buy!
hi,my stage uses op amps and ic,s sounds pretty good,astintrew at8000,
So does the MM/MC stage in the XTZ amp I have and that is also just a couple of chips. But it is not difficult to better it with a proper, discrete stage.
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