cartridge or phono amp?

[skimminstones]

On my Thorens 160 im currently using a Goldring Elektra cart and a Cambridge Audio 551P phono amp

Would i get more benefit from upgrading the cart or the phono? Not looked into budget as of yet, just wondering which area would give the better improvement first.

[struth]

Both could be improved on but i would start with the phono stage. You can get good bang for your buck with phono stages these days if you look around

[hifi_dave]

I would say the phono stage but it depends on your budget and which amp you have now. A better phono stage can easily cost as much as an amplifier and if your's isn't up to much, you might do better by changing that for a similar price.

[skimminstones]

Ive a primare i21 amp and monitor audio bx5 speakers. Not really interested in changing either of those as i am loving the sound at the moment. Just curious really about improving the 2 things i mentioned.

I thought the phono might be the way to go but by all accounts its a pretty good one. Would i get a significant improvement with £100-£150? Maybe stretch to £200 if it gave me a wow factor.

Im wary of spending if the differences arent noticeably worth it. Ive tried different dacs over the last year or so and found the differences negligible at best frankly.

[hifi_dave]

OK. The amp is good enough for you to spend a bit on an improved phono stage but I doubt you will better what you have now with £100-150.

[Jimbo]

I would change the phono stage, maybe try a Firebottle or Croft.

[Arkless Electronics]

You won't get more bang for your buck than the Arkless 640P which I make, hence it's in the sites VFM list elsewhere in "Blank Canvas". It is £185 plus you need a Cambridge 640P or 651P as a donor unit (your 551P is not suitable). Total about £250.

[struth]

The Emotiva xps 1 is about £150 once imported from the US. Marvellous phono stage..does both mm and mc. Nothing i have heard comes close for the money. Look on amazon us .thats where i got mine

Not heard jez s one but it gets good reviews. Ive had a firebottle too and its a very good stage but pricier

[skimminstones]

i read a while ago about the graham slee phono being decent? Also the rega fono is £200, i did try a rega amp last year which i did like the sound of, would the phono have similar sound to that?

[Arkless Electronics]

i read a while ago about the graham slee phono being decent? Also the rega fono is £200, i did try a rega amp last year which i did like the sound of, would the phono have similar sound to that?

The one I make will thrash either of those!

[hifi_dave]

The Rega Fono stage is very good and roughly equivalent to the one in the Elicit-r. Is sweeter and more full bodied than the Slees. Cost is £198.

[skimminstones]

Just been reading some reviews and the Schiit Mani seems to be preferred over the Rega and for £70 less. Anyone ever used one?

[struth]

Just been reading some reviews and the Schiit Mani seems to be preferred over the Rega and for £70 less. Anyone ever used one?

Yup, I had one after I had my firebottle, but it was ousted by the emotiva. The schiit is very good though and does both mm and mc as well. well made, solid little fella, as it the emotiva. Only my opinion, but its(the emotiva) the best for the money by a margin Ive come across.

[Ammonite Audio]

The Schiit Mani has rather limited loading options of 47 ohms or 47kohms, but otherwise it's a very decent thing.

[struth]

indeed... the emotiva has 4 for mc and 1 for mm

http://audiofi-net.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Emotiva-XPS-1_d.jpg

[skimminstones]

to be honest thats all over my head lol. I just want something i can plug in and make the records sound better.

[struth]

These loading settings are for mc carts, and if your sticking with a mm cartridge, then there is no need to worry about them MM carts are retty much all set at 47k. the emotiva is automatically set on 47k when the mm switches are in the mm position. The shiit comes with a diagram and info as to how to set its dil switches, which in its case are on the bottom.. the other one they are conveniently on the top.
Anyways, we digress, whether it be the rega, a jez one, or the 2 i mentioned they will all out perform the cambridge you currently have; just that some may have more scope for mc carts, and simple selection should you ever go down that route, and you wont have to buy another phono stage to try one out.

[DSJR]

I disliked the Elektra at the time as it has absolutely no hf at all, the rolloff incredibly severe over 1k - several db drop to 10k and less over this frequency. I'm sure the Cambridge would happily take better! Gawd, I bet e Rega Carbon at 1.8g would eat it alive and this latter isn't a sparkler by any means... Got a fab bass though ;)

The Mani seems good value but care must me taken, due to the earthing situation... Rega Fono no issue.

[Ammonite Audio]

I disliked the Elektra at the time as it has absolutely no hf at all, the rolloff incredibly severe over 1k - several db drop to 10k and less over this frequency. I'm sure the Cambridge would happily take better! Gawd, I bet e Rega Carbon at 1.8g would eat it alive and this latter isn't a sparkler by any means... Got a fab bass though ;)

The Mani seems good value but care must me taken, due to the earthing situation... Rega Fono no issue.

What earthing situation? I had no problems with mine; indeed it was possibly the quietest phono stage that I've owned - quiet as the proverbial tomb, with no hum whatsoever.

The Mani is remarkable for its low price and the fact that they manage to make it entirely in the States.

[struth]

mine was dead silent too.

[skimminstones]

Arghhhh ebay is tempting me with a rega phono as until 10pm tonight they have 20% off everything. Means i could get a rega for £158 if i do so now. There isnt a schiit or emotiva on there.

[skimminstones]

The Emotiva xps 1 is about £150 once imported from the US. Marvellous phono stage..does both mm and mc. Nothing i have heard comes close for the money. Look on amazon us .thats where i got mine


Does the Emotiva come with a suitable UK plug or will i need a power supply?

[danilo]

to be honest thats all over my head lol. I just want something i can plug in and make the records sound better.

Understand the sentiment. But the audio hobby is currently diving into 2 camps in it's Sunset years.
A) Buy one's gear.
Serious coin involved though, for stuff that actually delivers, although price is not the ultimate determinant of goodness..happily.
B) Build one's gear.
Involves a level of independence and the willingness to spend precious time researching, assembling and fumbling. Always a learning curve.
Happily Most decent DIY gear Can outclass Store bought stuff.. sometimes surprisingly so, sometimes not :-)
G'luck in your chosen route

[Clive197]

Many years ago I went to see my Dr who in turn sent me to see a Specialist who sent me for a myriad of test. When I went back to the Specialist he diagnosed UPGRADEITIS for which he told me that there is no known cure.

My point is that you are embarking down a very very slippery slope. If you upgrade your Phonostage you may notice some improvements but then you will be unhappy with the cartridge which onwardly may show up the deficiencies with your speakers, you improve those and the amp comes under suspicion, it NEVER ends.

That is the nature of our hobby, you start with a modest but good system and go on to spend many many thousands, your wife divorces you, your bank manager is permanently on your back, you can't sleep at night for worrying if you've got the right kit, your friends don't speak to you any more because your only conversation is about the kit, wires, mains etc. Such is the life of an audiophile. I'm one of the lucky ones, my wife has resigned herself to my obsession, my friends tolerate me (so long as I don't talk HiFi).

[Zoidburg]

Why not put yourself down for a loan of the firebottle demo unit?

At very least it will give you an idea of if its worth saving a few extra pennies for a purchase at a later date.

[struth]

Does the Emotiva come with a suitable UK plug or will i need a power supply?

It comes with a mini smps that has scuko pins..you need a us/uk adaptor for it..it does 100 to 240 v and outputs 12v dc..its actually very good in its own right. I got one off Amazon for 6 quid and imported the unit from amazon .com

[skimminstones]

Many years ago I went to see my Dr who in turn sent me to see a Specialist who sent me for a myriad of test. When I went back to the Specialist he diagnosed UPGRADEITIS for which he told me that there is no known cure.

My point is that you are embarking down a very very slippery slope. If you upgrade your Phonostage you may notice some improvements but then you will be unhappy with the cartridge which onwardly may show up the deficiencies with your speakers, you improve those and the amp comes under suspicion, it NEVER ends.

That is the nature of our hobby, you start with a modest but good system and go on to spend many many thousands, your wife divorces you, your bank manager is permanently on your back, you can't sleep at night for worrying if you've got the right kit, your friends don't speak to you any more because your only conversation is about the kit, wires, mains etc. Such is the life of an audiophile. I'm one of the lucky ones, my wife has resigned herself to my obsession, my friends tolerate me (so long as I don't talk HiFi).

Thanks but if i followed that id never buy anything and still be stuck with the ford focus and sanyo midi system i had in 1987. Personally i buy things when i can afford them and if i think its a good deal. I dont often treat myself to something hi fi related.