Pro-Ject Phono Box USB V or Emotiva XPS-1?

I am using Systemdek turntable with Denon DL-103 moving coil cartridge mounted on Rega RB300 tonearm. The signal goes into a step-up transformer (SUT) and then into Pro-Ject Phono Box USB V MM stage. I was wondering if replacing Pro-Ject Phono Box USB V with Emotiva XPS-1 would improve the sound quality? Has anyone tried these two phono preamps?

not had the project but I do run the Emotiva XPS-1. Top class stage for little money. does mm and is a very good mc too with selesctable gubbins ;) Its been my best buy for a while now. Ive had dearer but none any better.

PS Alex, you need to show your location in the box somewhere.. ta.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by struth

not had the project but I do run the Emotiva XPS-1. Top class stage for little money. does mm and is a very good mc too with selesctable gubbins ;) Its been my best buy for a while now. Ive had dearer but none any better.

PS Alex, you need to show your location in the box somewhere.. ta.

---

Thanks Grant. Did Emotiva XPS-1 take a lot of time to break in?

P.S. I've added my location, as you've asked...

What SUT are you using?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by walpurgis

What SUT are you using?

---

No name SUT hand built by my dealer (with matching DIY looks ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by magiccarpetride

Thanks Grant. Did Emotiva XPS-1 take a lot of time to break in?

P.S. I've added my location, as you've asked...

---

Thanks..
..was pretty good out of box Alex, but did improve a bit too over a week or 3. :D Used to have a schiit before and before that a firebottle, then before that a whest. My search for a stage is now ended with this. Its also very nicely built.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by struth

Thanks..
..was pretty good out of box Alex, but did improve a bit too over a week or 3. :D Used to have a schiit before and before that a firebottle, then before that a whest. My search for a stage is now ended with this. Its also very nicely built.

---

Good to hear, Grant. My Emotiva XPS-1 just arrived, will be doing a bit of A/B testing vis-à-vis Project. Hopefully Emotiva outperforms Project (I would hate to have to send XPS-1 back...)

Will keep you posted on my sound impressions (always extremely unreliable, btw)

try it on mc as well as using your Tx coils. no idea how it will perform with the denon. Its an odd cart. needs a lot of weight in the headshell i believe

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by magiccarpetride

No name SUT hand built by my dealer (with matching DIY looks ;)

---

Can you borrow a known good alternative for comparison? A poor SUT can be disastrous for the sound. Yours may be OK, but it's worth checking.

There is possibly a way to check its influence. Use the MC direct into the MM input without the SUT. You'll have to turn the volume up a lot higher, but you should get enough sound. If it sounds way better, then the SUT is suspect.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by struth

try it on mc as well as using your Tx coils

---

Will do. What impedance do you think works the best for Denon DL-103?