Phono stage thoughts please

[clarkey555]

I am looking for any advice or suggestions regarding a great phono stage to use with my REGA RP6/EXACT 2 combo. I am currently using a Cambridge audio 651p stage however its struggling to keep up with the rest of my kit. Looking forward to seeing what you guys suggest/recommend. Forgot to mention budgets up to £300
cheers
Peter

[Zoidburg]

Gotta be worth considering the firebottle stage even if it's slightly above your budget.

[Yomanze]

Vista Audio Phono 1 mkII will be a clear upgrade at the budget. One that keeps the tube fans happy, but is solid state.

My vinyl setup is not currently in use, you can borrow mine for a week or two of you'd like.

[Scooby]

The obvious choice would seem to be sending the 651 to Jez Arkless. His rebuilt 640 or 651 has built quite a reputation. As you already own the donor unit, it would mean you don't have to buy a new one or sell your 651 on.

[Arkless Electronics]

The obvious choice would seem to be sending the 651 to Jez Arkless. His rebuilt 640 or 651 has built quite a reputation. As you already own the donor unit, it would mean you don't have to buy a new one or sell your 651 on.

That would make sense indeed. Current price for the basic unit is £225 so well within budget. Some googling will soon find many rave reviews, especially on pfm forum.

[clarkey555]

Thanks for the info Jez I will look into that��

[clarkey555]

Vista Audio Phono 1 mkII will be a clear upgrade at the budget. One that keeps the tube fans happy, but is solid state.

My vinyl setup is not currently in use, you can borrow mine for a week or two of you'd like.

Another one to ponder cheers

[clarkey555]

That would make sense indeed. Current price for the basic unit is £225 so well within budget. Some googling will soon find many rave reviews, especially on pfm forum.

Hi Jez have you got a demo unit doing the rounds. Just had a quick scout around and your 651p upgrade has very favourable reviews/comments

[IslandPink]

Dunno if £300 will do this - depends on how much stuff you have upstairs !
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6369&start=15

[Arkless Electronics]

Hi Jez have you got a demo unit doing the rounds. Just had a quick scout around and your 651p upgrade has very favourable reviews/comments

I do indeed. As you are just up the road could you collect it from my place? If you like it as much as I'm sure you will you can bring your standard one in for surgery when you bring the demo unit back:)

[clarkey555]

Sounds good to me Jez. I will give you a bell sometime today and arrange pick up.
Cheers bud
ATB
Pete

[clarkey555]

Thanks for everyone's input much appreciated I am going to demo the phono stage of Jez and hopefully that's me done for a great phono stage happy days ahead

[Bigman80]

A wise move. Very good reviews.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Scooby]

Definitely a good call, especially as you're only a short car drive away. What could be better than having an unmodded Cambridge and an Arkless phono side by side to compare? I'd really like to hear your thoughts about this too, if you have time to write it up.

[Arkless Electronics]

Sounds good to me Jez. I will give you a bell sometime today and arrange pick up.
Cheers bud
ATB
Pete

No problem :)

[clarkey555]

Definitely a good call, especially as you're only a short car drive away. What could be better than having an unmodded Cambridge and an Arkless phono side by side to compare? I'd really like to hear your thoughts about this too, if you have time to write it up.

Deffo will do Andy it won't be as professional as a hifi choice review haa haa I don't do graphs and charts I let my ears do the science

[Qwin]

At the price point your looking at and already having the Cambridge, going with Jez's unit is a no brainer.

Its not really an upgrade of the Cambridge, its a better phono stage built around the Cambridge case/board to keep costs down and will therefore stand up to units costing considerably more.

Be prepared to have your socks blown. :eyebrows:

[brian2957]

Nice one Pete . Hope it'e what you're looking for . Please keep us posted on this :)

[Natara]

Rega Fono Mk 2 system symmetry from cartridge to amp, a great phono stage and all for -200 quid.

[karma67]

if you come across a nakamichi ca-5 pre amp,the phono stage on that is excellent.

[DSJR]

Looks like it's a done deal, but I still think it fair to mention this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/222282791963?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=39159866351&rlsatarget=pla-268911523098&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=9045063&device=c&campaignid=698622927&crdt=0

It's about the *message* not the *man* and the above delivers the *musical message* better than most as it's basically a simple thing with larger supply than most that come with wall-warts. At the end of the day, it depends on how well sorted the deck, arm and cartridge are and my gawd, there's some crap in use out there..


P.S, To calm Scooby's sensibilities via PM, I confirm yet again that I do occasionally make some NVA gear on a freelance self employed basis from time to time and am paid a little for my trouble. I've been asked not to put anything in my signature as my views on some aspects of audio, especially speakers, did not jive with the 'corporate NVA view' so I removed them. Apologies if this confuses newbies to AOS, but since most posters are old regulars, I didn't think it mattered so much now. I was obviously wrong.

[Arkless Electronics]

At the price point your looking at and already having the Cambridge, going with Jez's unit is a no brainer.

Its not really an upgrade of the Cambridge, its a better phono stage built around the Cambridge case/board to keep costs down and will therefore stand up to units costing considerably more.

Be prepared to have your socks blown. :eyebrows:

Cheers for the accurate description Ken! :) Most assume, wrongly, that I just fit better capacitors or what have you....

[Arkless Electronics]

Looks like it's a done deal, but I still think it fair to mention this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/222282791963?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=39159866351&rlsatarget=pla-268911523098&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=9045063&device=c&campaignid=698622927&crdt=0

It's about the *message* not the *man* and the above delivers the *musical message* better than most as it's basically a simple thing with larger supply than most that come with wall-warts. At the end of the day, it depends on how well sorted the deck, arm and cartridge are and my gawd, there's some crap in use out there..

I've had to explain this numerous times but so long as the internal circuitry of the phono stage is properly designed there is ZERO to be gained by having anything better than a wall wart supply... I should have this repeated for 10 lines as my signature but IT'S THE REGULATORS THAT MATTER, NOT THE EXTERNAL PSU.

Yes there are ifs, buts and caveats but as a general rule the above is true. Unfortunately in the last year or so linear wall warts have become almost unobtainium, but the one used with the 640P is a linear AC supply.

[danilo]

Pissing into the wind.. Unfortunately.
Everybody! knows that bigger Is better... :lol:

[sq225917]

Yen but no reg is perfect. High output current, wide bandwith, low noise, fast acting, low z out, cheap. Pick any four....

[clarkey555]

Well first impressions are very very positive I have only listened to one lp so far a cherry red sampler from the 80s pillows and prayers and there is a vast difference between the stock 651p and The arkless 651p. A proper listening session Saturday should confirm my thoughts not a sidestep but a genuine upgrade. Good work Jez will speak with you tomorrow
And will post a more in depth review.

[clarkey555]

Nice one Pete . Hope it'e what you're looking for . Please keep us posted on this :)

Cheers Brian review should be posted Saturday btw I will make a mention of your excellent silver hybrid cables.

[Arkless Electronics]

Yen but no reg is perfect. High output current, wide bandwith, low noise, fast acting, low z out, cheap. Pick any four....

Yer missed out stable :D

[clarkey555]

Right I have had a good listening session today playing various genres of music from punk to prog to pop to rock and all I can say is wow what a difference to the standard Cambridge 651p I don't know how Jez does it but the mans a genius. Let's start with detail now when I first got the Rega I was underwhelmed with only 5 out of every 10 albums sounding half decent now it's every album has plenty of detail a bit aggressive occasionally however this could be rectified with cabling or maybe the gain adjusted slightly Jez will no doubt rectify this. Now onto the bass which was sadly lacking with the bog standard 651p it's now there with no overhang or bloatedness it even surpasses digital cd in my system. Timbre is also excellent with correct leading edges of notes. Soundstage is very good with really nice separation and individual instruments having there place with plenty of air allowing an unbiased presentation. Overall without getting into anything technical this is a tremendous piece of kit and I will wholeheartedly recommend this phono stage a giant killer you better believe it and the icing on the cake is Jez Arkless who knows his stuff and has been a great help.
A big 2 thumbs up from me
Now what albums going on next

[Scooby]

Nice write up. Sounds like you'll have a great time ahead as you revisit your record collection and discover all the things he never heard before :)

Enjoy!

[Arkless Electronics]

Right I have had a good listening session today playing various genres of music from punk to prog to pop to rock and all I can say is wow what a difference to the standard Cambridge 651p I don't know how Jez does it but the mans a genius. Let's start with detail now when I first got the Rega I was underwhelmed with only 5 out of every 10 albums sounding half decent now it's every album has plenty of detail a bit aggressive occasionally however this could be rectified with cabling or maybe the gain adjusted slightly Jez will no doubt rectify this. Now onto the bass which was sadly lacking with the bog standard 651p it's now there with no overhang or bloatedness it even surpasses digital cd in my system. Timbre is also excellent with correct leading edges of notes. Soundstage is very good with really nice separation and individual instruments having there place with plenty of air allowing an unbiased presentation. Overall without getting into anything technical this is a tremendous piece of kit and I will wholeheartedly recommend this phono stage a giant killer you better believe it and the icing on the cake is Jez Arkless who knows his stuff and has been a great help.
A big 2 thumbs up from me
Now what albums going on next

Aw shucks you're too kind.... :D

Gain is higher than the standard unit and capacitive loading plugs can be used to help cartridge matching but I wouldn't say it is an aggressive sounding unit at all... It is much more open and extended at the top end than the rather woolly sounding standard unit and will be much more revealing of TT/arm/cart set up etc. It could also be that your new cartridge needs to "wear in" a bit more yet as well....

[brian2957]

Nice write up Pete , looks like you could be on to a winner here :)

[Floyddroid]

May i suggest taking it to the next NEBO meet and allowing the unit to be played with a few combinations of TT/cart and systems?
Nice write up Pete , looks like you could be on to a winner here :)

[brian2957]

May i suggest taking it to the next NEBO meet and allowing the unit to be played with a few combinations of TT/cart and systems?

Excellent idea Steve . I , for one , would like to hear this :)

[Arkless Electronics]

We'll have to see if he buys one yet :D Pete's reviewette is of the demo unit he collected from me last night...

[mad-moon]

This is a very accurate review from Pete...I've heard this stage this evening...at my house in my system..using a Logic DM101 tt...with a Nagaoka stilton cart and mp50 stylus..using my Denon pre and monobloc power amps into Roksan Darius speakers....Stevie Wonder was on the spin...It's a very gutsy stage..with incredible gain..very fast and tight..amazing bass...only small criticism would be it's a bit too ballsy/hard...for my taste...but as Pete says..with some tweaking from the builder...this could be tailored to the individuals needs by Jez....very impressed with this stage...I was sceptical, until I heard it...hearing is believing...this unit will stamp on some mid/high-end stages without a doubt...

Ooops..sorry Pete...I know you told me not to say anything about the arkless stage being here...but I don't think Jez will mind...:ner:



Right I have had a good listening session today playing various genres of music from punk to prog to pop to rock and all I can say is wow what a difference to the standard Cambridge 651p I don't know how Jez does it but the mans a genius. Let's start with detail now when I first got the Rega I was underwhelmed with only 5 out of every 10 albums sounding half decent now it's every album has plenty of detail a bit aggressive occasionally however this could be rectified with cabling or maybe the gain adjusted slightly Jez will no doubt rectify this. Now onto the bass which was sadly lacking with the bog standard 651p it's now there with no overhang or bloatedness it even surpasses digital cd in my system. Timbre is also excellent with correct leading edges of notes. Soundstage is very good with really nice separation and individual instruments having there place with plenty of air allowing an unbiased presentation. Overall without getting into anything technical this is a tremendous piece of kit and I will wholeheartedly recommend this phono stage a giant killer you better believe it and the icing on the cake is Jez Arkless who knows his stuff and has been a great help.
A big 2 thumbs up from me
Now what albums going on next

[Arkless Electronics]

This is a very accurate review from Pete...I've heard this stage this evening...at my house in my system..using a Logic DM101 tt...with a Nagaoka stilton cart and mp50 stylus..using my Denon pre and monobloc power amps into Roksan Darius speakers....Stevie Wonder was on the spin...It's a very gutsy stage..with incredible gain..very fast and tight..amazing bass...only small criticism would be it's a bit too ballsy/hard...for my taste...but as Pete says..with some tweaking from the builder...this could be tailored to the individuals needs by Jez....very impressed with this stage...I was sceptical, until I heard it...hearing is believing...this unit will stamp on some mid/high-end stages without a doubt...

Ooops..sorry Pete...I know you told me not to say anything about the arkless stage being here...but I don't think Jez will mind...:ner:

Nah I don't mind :) Extra review innit.... Anyone else local (or I guess not so local...) want to try it shortly?

[clarkey555]

This is a very accurate review from Pete...I've heard this stage this evening...at my house in my system..using a Logic DM101 tt...with a Nagaoka stilton cart and mp50 stylus..using my Denon pre and monobloc power amps into Roksan Darius speakers....Stevie Wonder was on the spin...It's a very gutsy stage..with incredible gain..very fast and tight..amazing bass...only small criticism would be it's a bit too ballsy/hard...for my taste...but as Pete says..with some tweaking from the builder...this could be tailored to the individuals needs by Jez....very impressed with this stage...I was sceptical, until I heard it...hearing is believing...this unit will stamp on some mid/high-end stages without a doubt...

Ooops..sorry Pete...I know you told me not to say anything about the arkless stage being here...but I don't think Jez will mind...:ner:

Aye tell the truth Al you were so blown away with the Rega fono anything else was just by the by haa haa

[clarkey555]

Nah I don't mind :) Extra review innit.... Anyone else local (or I guess not so local...) want to try it shortly?


Hi Jez I do believe vinyl junky Steve wants a listen if that's ok I am popping round his later so could take it with me saves on time and postage also are you free sir around about 5.30 to take a call.
Cheers bud

[clarkey555]

Nice write up Pete , looks like you could be on to a winner here :)

Cheers Brian it is very good indeed
@floydroid
Good shout Steve it definitely deserves a larger audience
Got some new year recommendations for you young man
ASTRA: THE WEARDING
ASTRA: BLACK CHORD
and something very very special
BORIS BLANK: ELECTRIFIED

[Arkless Electronics]

Hi Jez I do believe vinyl junky Steve wants a listen if that's ok I am popping round his later so could take it with me saves on time and postage also are you free sir around about 5.30 to take a call.
Cheers bud

Yeah no problem.

[vinyljunky]

Just had Pete round with his arkless phonostage produced by jez arkless of this Parrish we put it up against my primare r32 phonostage.First off we put my 1st press gentle giant power and the glory we took the primare out of the equation and fed in the arkless I know this album quite well.I was immediately struck by the lively and energetic presentation not just that all the detail was there as well as soundstage and separation of instruments my foot was really tapping.Next up was burial x untrue a bit of electronica renown for very deep bass in parts the arkless did not embarrass itself the bass was there nice and deep and tight.We then put the primare r32 back in and put gentle giant back on yeah the detail was there timing and separation but compared to the arkless it seemed a touch laid back.We then put country joe and the fish feel like I'm fixing to die 1st press on vanguard it was just how I remember this album.Then out came the primare back in with the arkless playing the same album I was struck again by the more energetic and lively performance very musical my foot has never tapped so much for some reason the arkless is synergising amazingly well with the Wilson benesch I have a feeling these speakers my be a touch laid back and with the lively and energetic presentation of the arkless a seemingly match made in heaven I use a low output mc a zyx Yatra r100 .All in all first impressions are jez you've done a superb job to compete with a primare r32 I tip my hat off to you well done sir.


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[Arkless Electronics]

Thanks for the good review Steve:)

This is the basic Arkless 640P being described here, £225 for the mods plus you need to get hold of a second hand Cambridge Audio 640P or 651P... The Primare is £850....

[vinyljunky]

No sitting on the fence with me jez if it was shite I would have told you but I came into this listening session with no preconceptions about the price of the r32 as against your phonostage.Your phonostage in my system just seemed to give a more musical presention after all that's what I presume people want with hifi to be entertained or am I missing the point.

[clarkey555]

Just had Pete round with his arkless phonostage produced by jez arkless of this Parrish we put it up against my primare r32 phonostage.First off we put my 1st press gentle giant power and the glory we took the primare out of the equation and fed in the arkless I know this album quite well.I was immediately struck by the lively and energetic presentation not just that all the detail was there as well as soundstage and separation of instruments my foot was really tapping.Next up was burial x untrue a bit of electronica renown for very deep bass in parts the arkless did not embarrass itself the bass was there nice and deep and tight.We then put the primare r32 back in and put gentle giant back on yeah the detail was there timing and separation but compared to the arkless it seemed a touch laid back.We then put country joe and the fish feel like I'm fixing to die 1st press on vanguard it was just how I remember this album.Then out came the primare back in with the arkless playing the same album I was struck again by the more energetic and lively performance very musical my foot has never tapped so much for some reason the arkless is synergising amazingly well with the Wilson benesch I have a feeling these speakers my be a touch laid back and with the lively and energetic presentation of the arkless a seemingly match made in heaven I use a low output mc a zyx Yatra r100 .All in all first impressions are jez you've done a superb job to compete with a primare r32 I tip my hat off to you well done sir.


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Just to add I was thoroughly impressed with the arkless phono stage in Steve's system there was wonderful synergy going on there and having heard Steve's system many times it was the best I have heard it. I have had more time today also with the phono stage in my system and what I initially thought was slight aggressiveness was just my ears readjusting to so much more detail dynamics and a much wider presentation in fact I am so impressed I have pulled the plug and will soon be the happy owner of my very own Jez Arkless phono stage and boy am I happy I found Jez.

[brian2957]

Excellent Pete . Please keep us posted on this .

[vinyljunky]

I would urge anyone looking at getting a new phonostage to give the arkless a go you've got nothing to lose everything to gain It gave me a big suprise if I hadn't of tried it I would never have known this hifi lark springs up many surprises often good.

[clarkey555]

Excellent Pete . Please keep us posted on this .

Nee worries Brian I will do
Btw are you still spinning wax on your new deck

[brian2957]

Nee worries Brian I will do
Btw are you still spinning wax on your new deck

Yep , but I've been asking for help with sibilance in my setup Pete .

[Arkless Electronics]

I would urge anyone looking at getting a new phonostage to give the arkless a go you've got nothing to lose everything to gain It gave me a big suprise if I hadn't of tried it I would never have known this hifi lark springs up many surprises often good.

Cheers!
With such delights as the Zyx Yatra cart in your front end have you considered going further up market on the phono stage front? You can try the valve hybrid phono stage you briefly heard at my place if you like.... It's not cheap but with a top notch cart like that it should bring out what the cart is really capable of. It's MC only BTW.

[Arkless Electronics]

Just to add I was thoroughly impressed with the arkless phono stage in Steve's system there was wonderful synergy going on there and having heard Steve's system many times it was the best I have heard it. I have had more time today also with the phono stage in my system and what I initially thought was slight aggressiveness was just my ears readjusting to so much more detail dynamics and a much wider presentation in fact I am so impressed I have pulled the plug and will soon be the happy owner of my very own Jez Arkless phono stage and boy am I happy I found Jez.

:) :) :)

[Bigman80]

Pleased to see some good reviews for this but most of all SOME SALES ! Well done Jez.

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[Arkless Electronics]

Pleased to see some good reviews for this but most of all SOME SALES ! Well done Jez.

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Thanks Oliver :) Indeed converting even rave reviews into sales is the crossing of the Rubicon...

[Scooby]

Really great to hear three different sets of ears and three different systems have all yielded the same excellent results. These very rarely seem to get sold on and the only one I've ever seen appeared to hold its value very well indeed. Given what people say that you have to spend to beat them, no wonder they are keepers :)

[brian2957]

Jez , can you please give us a list of all the models which are suitable for your mods .

[Arkless Electronics]

Jez , can you please give us a list of all the models which are suitable for your mods .

640P and 651P only. The 540P and 551P are not suitable. The 640P and 651P are identical electrically. The later 651P had a slight re-styling and an on/off switch was added.