Phono stage options

[Harrybob]

Hi all,

Just wondered if I could get some opinions on where I could go next with a phono stage as I’ve got the upgrade itch. I’m currently using a Sonneteer Sedley with my Michell Orbe and SME IV plus MP500 cartridge. This runs into an Arcam Delta 290 although I’m also thinking of getting a separate preamp and using the Arcam as a power amp. I’d probably be looking used to get more bang for buck with perhaps a budget of £1000-£1500.

I would be grateful for any ideas 🙂

Thanks

Alun

[topoxforddoc]

Alun,

Lots of options at that price range. My personal presence would be for a TRON Convergence, which comes perfectly in your price range - beautifully made and great sound for the money - a true taste of high end for mid range money. Other options would include a second hand Art Audio Vinyl One, Croft RIAA RS. I'm sure others will chip in with their suggestions.

Charlie

BTW, You could go and audition it at the manufacturer's, which is only a few miles off J16 on the M25

[struth]

theres a primare r32 in pe.. its very good and might surprise. lower budget even new but still up there.

[crimsondonkey]

Hi all,

Just wondered if I could get some opinions on where I could go next with a phono stage as I’ve got the upgrade itch. I’m currently using a Sonneteer Sedley with my Michell Orbe and SME IV plus MP500 cartridge. This runs into an Arcam Delta 290 although I’m also thinking of getting a separate preamp and using the Arcam as a power amp. I’d probably be looking used to get more bang for buck with perhaps a budget of £1000-£1500.

I would be grateful for any ideas ��

Thanks

Alun

First things first, are you keeping your cart or considering going to MC?

[Harrybob]

Hi guys, thanks for the suggestions so far, I’ll keep them in mind.

Crimsondonkey - I’ll be keeping the MP500 at the moment it sounds great :)

Thanks

Alun

[Jac Hawk]

ok so you have an expensive arm and turntable, a very good MM cart and Phonostage and you're running it through an amp i can pick up on ebay for less than £200, my initial thought would be to upgrade the amp, maybe try a Primaluna integrated and a MC cart if your budget stretches that far.

[jandl100]

ok so you have an expensive arm and turntable, a very good MM cart and Phonostage and you're running it through an amp i can pick up on ebay for less than £200, my initial thought would be to upgrade the amp, maybe try a Primaluna integrated and a MC cart if your budget stretches that far.

Yup, amp first - that's a real bottleneck imo.
A fancy phonostage would be largely wasted. Once again imo. :)

[Ali Tait]

Yes agreed, a new amp would be the way to go. What speakers are you using?

[crimsondonkey]

Hi guys, thanks for the suggestions so far, I’ll keep them in mind.

Crimsondonkey - I’ll be keeping the MP500 at the moment it sounds great :)

Thanks

Alun

If you’re staying MM then the most I would spend is £500, and on something like a Croft RIAA, or a Valab LCR (for a bit more, but has MC for when you decide to try one).

[Harrybob]

Ok fair point on the amp, that was one reason I was thinking of getting a new preamp. My understanding was that the Arcam was well respected albeit old, although it was a better power amp than preamp.

Also on the MM vs MC thing I figured I would have to spend quite a bit to get an MC that would out perform the MP500, but this is only going by what others have said. ��

[Harrybob]

Sorry, speakers are Monitor Audio gold GS20 floorstanders.

Cheers

[crimsondonkey]

Sorry, speakers are Monitor Audio gold GS20 floorstanders.

Cheers

To be honest if I had £1500 to spend it would be on replacing your speakers and a nice amp to drive them.

[hifi_dave]

The Sedley is a very good phono stage but your amp is letting it down.

I would suggest you go for a better amp and with your budget you can get something decent.

[Harrybob]

Ok, I appreciate the feedback. Any other suggestions on alternative amps ?

Thanks

Alun

[Bigman80]

Ok, I appreciate the feedback. Any other suggestions on alternative amps ?

Thanks

AlunBuy a Krell, never worry about the amp again.

[Ali Tait]

Guess the first thing to decide is valve or SS.

[Harrybob]

I was contemplating getting a passive preamp with stepped attenuator so would then need to look at a new power amp If the Arcam is below par.

[crimsondonkey]

Not meaning to sound rude, but no amp, not a Krell or anything else is going to make MA GS20s sound anything other than the wallpaper strippers that they are to my ears.

If you haven’t already, I’d spend some time at bake offs having a listen to how other speakers present music. If you already have and you’ve chosen the GS20s then we have very different ears!

[Jac Hawk]

Not meaning to sound rude, but no amp, not a Krell or anything else is going to make MA GS20s sound anything other than the wallpaper strippers that they are to my ears.

If you haven’t already, I’d spend some time at bake offs having a listen to how other speakers present music. If you already have and you’ve chosen the GS20s then we have very different ears!

I've not heard the GS20's but was thinking on getting a pair of PL300 mkii to upgrade to from my pair of MA PMC 705's as i've been so taken with the sound and reproduction

[Harrybob]

Each to their own I guess. I’ve always enjoyed the Monitor Audio sound ��

[Ali Tait]

These would be good-

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?64306-FS-Hypex-Ncore-Monoblocks

[YNWaN]

Oh, I may have etched the front panels for those - I certainly did some panels for a pair of N-core amps.

[Bigman80]

Not meaning to sound rude, but no amp, not a Krell or anything else is going to make MA GS20s sound anything other than the wallpaper strippers that they are to my ears.

If you haven’t already, I’d spend some time at bake offs having a listen to how other speakers present music. If you already have and you’ve chosen the GS20s then we have very different ears!

I have heard this model on a number of occasions and yes, i can imagine with the wrong amp they could get a little strident but that's because the are very revealing speakers. I'd wager them being fine on the end of a good old school Krell. If the OP is anywhere near W.Midlands, he is welcome to bring them and see how they behave with the Big Krell.

[Harrybob]

Thank you for the offer Bigman unfortunately I’m way down south :( I agree with you, they probably could sound too much in the wrong setup, but they have such a wonderfully clear mid range.

I’m thinking I’ll keep an eye out for a nice power amp and get hold of a khozmo attenuator preamp, I’ve heard great things �� thanks everyone for their help and suggestions ��

[Bigman80]

Thank you for the offer Bigman unfortunately I’m way down south :( I agree with you, they probably could sound too much in the wrong setup, but they have such a wonderfully clear mid range.

I’m thinking I’ll keep an eye out for a nice power amp and get hold of a khozmo attenuator preamp, I’ve heard great things �� thanks everyone for their help and suggestions ��No problem.

[Lawrence001]

Look at the Copland and Musical Fidelity hybrid amps, IIRC they have a nice smooth sound with a bit of sparkle that would match your MA speakers and a decent photo stage. Nice lookers too! Btw those GS20s are supposed to be nice, the earlier GR20s had an edge to them though.

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[crimsondonkey]

I have heard this model on a number of occasions and yes, i can imagine with the wrong amp they could get a little strident but that's because the are very revealing speakers. I'd wager them being fine on the end of a good old school Krell. If the OP is anywhere near W.Midlands, he is welcome to bring them and see how they behave with the Big Krell.

As much as I like KSA50/100, its not going to save MA GS20s. 'Strident' is polite for forward, bright and in your face. The Krell might grip them and improve things but it can't make them change personality!

It just depends what kind of presentation you prefer. If the OP has heard different ones and prefers how MA present then great, but I do wonder whether a bit of wider sampling might not prove quite valuable.

[Bigman80]

As much as I like KSA50/100, its not going to save MA GS20s. 'Strident' is polite for forward, bright and in your face. The Krell might grip them and improve things but it can't make them change personality!

It just depends what kind of presentation you prefer. If the OP has heard different ones and prefers how MA present then great, but I do wonder whether a bit of wider sampling might not prove quite valuable.Wider sampling? Are you suggesting I am not of sufficient experience to judge lol!!!

No, I don't totally agree about them however that doesn't mean I'd buy them personally. I wouldn't be binning them off until I tried a few amps first.

[struth]

One man's 'Strident' is another's fine.... just remember that you are dissing something the op may like

[GJO]

As said go to some bake off's,however this forum doesn't seem to have many members that are willing to participate,I listed one on here and only got one person turn up,on another site I always have to set a limit of 8 and generally have to have a subs bench.

[struth]

We dont have many members up here, and some are spread out a bit but we usually get decent numbers considering.. maybe just forum dynamics in your area playing a part. also timing can have an effect too

[GJO]

I generally have them in Mar and Sept on a Saturday as hopefully the weather will be OK for travelling.have been hosting them for over a decade now.my last one in Mar had 3 newbies which was great and they all enjoyed them selves and want to come to the next one.

Grant,this isn't a criticism of the forum,I guess its just the way things are.

[crimsondonkey]

Wider sampling? Are you suggesting I am not of sufficient experience to judge lol!!!

No, I don't totally agree about them however that doesn't mean I'd buy them personally. I wouldn't be binning them off until I tried a few amps first.

Read carefully, the suggestion, and that’s all it is, was directed to the OP.

I’m not dissing the OPs taste, I’ve said several times that if that presentation is his genuine preference then all good. However it is always good to listen to different approaches to inspire or to confirm your original choice.

Hah, to the think the OP started off wanted to splash a wedge on a new phono stage :lol:

[Bigman80]

Read carefully, the suggestion, and that’s all it is, was directed to the OP.

I’m not dissing the OPs taste, I’ve said several times that if that presentation is his genuine preference then all good. However it is always good to listen to different approaches to inspire or to confirm your original choice.

Hah, to the think the OP started off wanted to splash a wedge on a new phono stage [emoji38]I was only pulling your leg mate [emoji12]

[struth]

I generally have them in Mar and Sept on a Saturday as hopefully the weather will be OK for travelling.have been hosting them for over a decade now.my last one in Mar had 3 newbies which was great and they all enjoyed them selves and want to come to the next one.

Grant,this isn't a criticism of the forum,I guess its just the way things are.

i didnt take it as one. just thought id give my impressions of how they seem to work here:)

[crimsondonkey]

I was only pulling your leg mate [emoji12]

Well I should also declare my interest as Chairman of the Campaign for Monitor Audio Extinction :mad:

[Bigman80]

Well I should also declare my interest as Chairman of the Campaign for Monitor Audio Extinction :mad:Lmao [emoji1787]

[Macca]

Best budget amplifier match for modern Monitor Audio is .... Arcam

Never heard them with a Krell but it should work.

I'd try a passive pre-amp with the Arcam as a power amp and see how that goes. Cheap experiment.

To get an MC cart that is better than a Nag MP500 will be expensive.

[Harrybob]

Best budget amplifier match for modern Monitor Audio is .... Arcam

Never heard them with a Krell but it should work.

I'd try a passive pre-amp with the Arcam as a power amp and see how that goes. Cheap experiment.

To get an MC cart that is better than a Nag MP500 will be expensive.

Thanks Macca, that’s exactly what I’m planning to do, although I’m definitely thinking of finding a better power amp in due course.

Cheers

Alun

[Jac Hawk]

Well I'm running my Monitor Audio PMC 705's from my Marantz PM66 kis and they sound awsome from cd and even better from vinyl via the Firebottle OTP 3 phono stage, so much so after the amp upgrade this Xmas I'm eying up a pair of PM300 mk2's in the new year

[Rush2112]

Well lots of advice there and lots of options too. For my part the front end is a solid package and deserving of a great phono stage and I've tried many over the years and lived with my current one for some time and have no itch to change bar the latest upgrade. So my suggestion is the Iota Signature Reference phono stage:

https://www.iota-audio-design.com/phono-stages


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[Rush2112]

I also run this in full balanced mode into my Krell pre / power amps. Can't comment on the particular Monitor Audios but have heard many with Krells and never found them offensive in the way described.

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