Hello everybody

[Bigbird]

Hi guys , my names Karl, I'm new to the forum, I'm 32 years old and have recently moved to the Melbourne area of oz from the UK. my current setup is a modded rp6 with exact cart, brio r, GS gram amp 2 se with PSU1 , and Q acoustics 3050 connnected with chord cables. Iv loved my music since my late teens when I got into the mod scene and collecting records and gigging has been a big part of my growing up ,and the last 5/6 years or so iv got more serious about my hifi aswell and getting the best sound possible(that I can afford).As iv got older my music tastes have branched out from just the usual soul, rnb, 60s, weller,oasis ,ocs etc into psych, prog , electronica and much more . I thought I would join the forum as I'm interested in going valve with my phono stage and you guys would be able to offer knowledge, recommendations,advice etc on the dos and donts. Looking forward to hearing from you
Cheers

[walpurgis]

Hi Karl. Welcome to AOS.

I went from valve phono stage to solid state, so the opposite of what you have in mind. What models were you looking at?

Tell us if you have any other plans for your Hi-Fi.

Feel free to join in the chat here. there's loads going on and the members are friendly.


Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

[struth]

Nice intro Karl. Hope you find site a help

[Bigbird]

Thanks grant, iv had a brief look around the forum and I'm sure there are a few brains out there worth picking on the subject.im not realy one for the technical side of things if I'm honest ,which is why I just let my ears do the judging with a bit of guidance from helpful people like yourselves .
Cheers mate

[Macca]

Hi Karl, welcome to the forum. They know all about valves here so ask away. Not me though, I just think of them as little light bulbs.

[Bigbird]

Thanks Geoff, there are a few that keep popping up within my £500 budget. The croft, pursound p10, Alans firebottle, and possibly the new project ds2. Iv even got my eye on a used ear 834p on eBay if the price doesn't get to high(which I'm sure it will). I like the idea of having MC and MM as I'm thinking of trying MC when I can afford it so a few will be crossed off the list as I can't afford a SUT aswell at the moment.
Cheers
Karl

[walpurgis]

I went from an EAR 834P to a Graham Slee Era Gold V. The Slee was far better. As you already have the PSU1, it could be worth considering.

The 834P is nice enough, but overrated and way overpriced now. I paid £200 for my MM/MC version some years ago. Seems some sellers think they are worth a grand these days. They're not!

The MC input on the 834P is pretty poor by the way.

[Bigbird]

Haha thanks Martin , I'm the same hence me looking for some guidance. but if they make my records sound better that's fine with me
Cheers

[Bigbird]

Well my original plan was to go with the reflex as I loved the gram amp so much,but then I wanted different cartridge options so was set on a trichord dino, then after hearing some valves (very expensive ones) I had a change of heart. I'm just wondering with my budget if it would be worth the change

[walpurgis]

I just sold a Reflex. I enjoyed it, but thought the Era Gold V possibly just a bit more musical. I used a decent SUT with both of them when I wanted to listen to an MC. Great combination.

[Bigbird]

Was your reflex an ultra linear one. I here they just about pip the gold v. But then again a lot of this hifi game is all down to taste. I think I'd lik to give the firebottle a go as they get rave reviews on here and I will move it on quickly if things don't work out, although I'm sure it would be a step up from the gram amp SE. If I'm happy with that for a while. Then il look at a used dynavector 20x2 as Iv never been blown away by the exact