Phono stage help [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

freem

30-11-2009, 10:17

hifi_dave

30-11-2009, 10:30

EAR 834p. You can buy it for MM only or MM/MC and it sounds great, is silent and very practical. If you are going MM only, then the Croft phono stage is difficult to equal at anywhere near the price of £500. Stunning.

Alex Nikitin

30-11-2009, 10:34

Thinking of buying a phono stage to go with my Timestep modded SL1200/Sme309/Musicmaker3 set up.
At present using the mm section in my McIntosh C2200, but general opinion suggests this isn' great.
Considering Icon PS3, ANT Kora, Whest, but would be grateful for your views.
I like a musical sound rather than clinical with a sweet top end and plenty of width and depth.
Cheers Paul.

Hi Paul,

For MusicMaker3 I would strongly recommend my Kora 3T LE (moving magnet version). It is a very good match for it. Len Gregory, the creator of the MusicMaker, is actually using one in his home system.

Cheers

Alex

Marco

30-11-2009, 10:46

Hi Paul,

I'd second the recommendation for the Kora 3T LE (moving magnet version), as understandably Alex would. I, however, have no natural bias and currently have the very beastie above on loan.

It's quite simply a phenomenal sounding phono stage and, IMO, eats the others mentioned for breakfast (other than perhaps the Croft which Dave recommends, if you don't mind using valves).

I have no doubts whatsoever that it would be a great match for your Musicmaker 3... Simply buy and enjoy! There's really no more to say than that :)

Marco.

freem

30-11-2009, 11:27

Hi Alex
If I bought a Kora and later changed to mc what would be the best option.

Regards Paul.

Alex Nikitin

30-11-2009, 11:35

Hi Alex
If I bought a Kora and later changed to mc what would be the best option.

Regards Paul.
Hi Paul,

There are two options - first, you can still use Kora 3T MM LE with a SUT, and second you can swap it for the MC version. Talk to Dave Cawley about it ;) . Both options have advantages and disadvantages and some people prefer transformers, some - MC amps.

Regards

Alex

freem

30-11-2009, 12:19

Kora looking likely but any views re Icon PS3. Seems well regarded by HiFi World.
Paul.

NRG

30-11-2009, 12:39

I would also highly recommend the World Designs PhonoIII and PSU.

MM or MC for £650 built or the fully tricked out version the 'S' with dual MM/MC inputs and switchable loading for £850 built.

These are also available in very easy to assemble kit form saving you a shed load of £££ and waaaay better than commercial offerings at the price or above. ;) :eyebrows:

Dave Cawley

30-11-2009, 16:32

I liked the A.N.T. so much I took on world distribution. So far every dealer that has tried one has asked to keep it.

I use the A.N.T. at shows and of course it just won the Hi Fi World phonostage of the year award and AOS discounts apply regardless of if you buy it from me or from your local dealer.

Regards

Dave

DSJR

30-11-2009, 16:56

I'd go with the other two Dave's suggestions and when you've done that, a cartridge upgrade could be in order - Grado's can be soooo dulllllll.........:ner:

On a very serious note, how's things up your way? Were you caught in the flooding?????

freem

30-11-2009, 17:09

Thanks for your suggestion Kora LE now ordered.
Thankfully I escaped the floods but it has been unbelievable. Come to think of it my hifi is insured so if it had been washed away I could have started all over again. Interesting thought.
Thanks Paul

DSJR

30-11-2009, 17:11

Hey, if you have a decent HiFi, don't let it be washed away, especially if there's some vintage stuff in there :)

REM

30-11-2009, 20:13

I thought my hi-fi gear was comprehensively covered until I checked the small print, after going through things thoroughly the premium more than doubled. Lps/cds would have to be listed and covered by specialist insurers (at huge expense) to be fully covered, in the event of a total loss the insurers will make an 'offer' for their replacement value. Well worth checking these things, insurance companies view hi-fi gear as an all-in-one sort of system, so when they say, for instance, you are covered up to £2, £3k or £5k, whatever, that usually means for 'all' your kit, not per item.

hifi_dave

01-12-2009, 16:20

Alex_UK

01-12-2009, 16:46

That is correct but I believe, as the items are not specified you can claim for any one item up to the sum insured. If in doubt you need to confirm the items and insured value with the company, just to be on the safe side.:doh:

Sorry for the thread hijack - there is likely to be a Single Article Limit - which is self explanatory - anything over that would need to be specified. Also check the policy wording for limits on "collections" - some policies will impose a limit - and of course records or CDs are classed as a collection - you'd also be surprised at how quickly the cost of replacing your music adds up, too, so make sure the overall value is enough.

I might see if I can get someone at work to write an article about what to look out for when insuring hi-fi/record collections, which might be useful?

Alex_UK

01-12-2009, 16:56

Oh, and don't forget the "average" clause - if you are underinsured, then any claim will be settled in the same proportion - so, if the total value of all your contents is £100,000 but your sum insured is only £50,000 - essentially you are only insuring 50% of your belongings, so any claim will be paid out in the same proportion - you will only get £1,000 for a £2,000 claim, for example.

REM

01-12-2009, 20:09

Insurance of any sort can be a bit of a minefield but I was really shocked at how 'under insured' I was and tbh I'm still not convinced I've got the cover I think I have, if you see what I mean. So, Alex if you can get your colleague to do a guide I think there will be many here who would benefit, even if they don't realise it atm.

Cheers