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Me too, the Vinyl Song LCR has elements on Nick's LCR phono stage. The Ergo Cole Max is a further development of Thorsten's LCR design but it seems hard to get hold of now, I'm not sure they are doing it any more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
this thread interests me a great deal as im currently hooking my Gyro Dec up to a Yamaha DSP-595A straight (tin can set up compared to most here!) The Gyro Dec has a Rega Arm and a Denon DL-103 cartridge.
My issue is having to turn up the volume for better listening (Nancy Wilson sounds so smooth!) but alas without a proper pre-amp or phono stage I am not getting the best with my set up.
Ive seen that the Denon AU-300LC plus a pre-amp helps with the cartridge I have, but I'm unsure what is the best option for me as I am on a tight budget.
All my music is played thru my current Bose speakers which have been working well, If possible I'd like to use a cheap phono stage with out extra outlay on more speakers and pre-amp+power amp just to appreciate what I have now.
I would like to update my set up at a later date but right now i just need some advice on how to progress.
Any help is appreciated.
I have been looking at the Musical Fidelity XLP-S and also the Michell Iso with hera psu. would these suit me better? or something newer like the Musical Fidelity VLPS 2?
Hi Raz,
I think there are quite a few cheap phono stage options available. How much do you want to spend?
Even with a separate phono amp, however, you may possibly not sort out the problem you're finding with mismatched levels.
I understand that the Iso is ideally best optimised for the cartridge that you intend to use it with. When you ordered one from new, you were able to specify which, so that the settings were chosen to make the best match. Do you know what cartridge the Iso you're thinking of buying was matched to? I'm sure it can still be reconfigured, but it may add to your overall cost. Just worth knowing about.
Personally, I'd be inclined to look at alternative speaker options to the ones you use now. When they are sorted, I'd look into making changes to the amp.
thanks for the replies, The cartrisge is a Denon DL-103. I could stretch to £119 for the Musical Fidelity VLPS 2, they have them at audio affair. There is a Michell Iso plus Hera PSU on ebay i did bid on it but it has some time to go, im expecting the price to rise to equal that of the VLPS-2 or maybe more. So I#m not sure if I should wait 5 days for the chance that I can win the auction or just buy something new.
just an update, I managed to find a michell iso from a non ebay source. It was being sold by a very nice gentleman who gave me plenty of info and of course an Iso lol This doesnt have a hera psu but thats not a problem as it was looked at by john michell himself and was also being used on a gyrodec as well.
I will get it on tuesday, I cant wait!
Nice one, Raz. Don't forget to tell us how it sounds when you get it connected in.
Sure thing Martin, I've a Clash double album on its way to add to the others I'll be testing it with. My main objective here was to upgrade in stages starting with a phono amp. the gyrodec is still the ac model (black & bronze) without any upgrades but has been kept in immaculate condition since purchase. Im the 2nd owner so would like to upgrade it in time.
My eye was on the Iso mainly for the reason that I cant really afford the more expensive models out there and this at least gives me a good starting point to progress. Ive read that the Iso can have the same Lithos regs added, has anyone had this done and have an idea of the cost and performance gains?
The output from the Iso will for now be fed into my Yamaha av amp (dsp-a595) directly, I'd like to upgrade the amp soon along with speakers to suit, My question on this would be should I upgrade to a better av amp or aim to have a dedicated pre and power amp for music only?
I did read a nice interview on the 6moons site with Tom Evans, apologies if this is old.
Thanks again for all the help
Hi Raz,Quote:
the gyrodec is still the ac model (black & bronze) without any upgrades
You should bear in mind that some folks prefer the AC version, so it might pay not to jump into that until you've explored the consequences properly.
You're always going to be better off with dedicated stereo equipment. The compromises made in 5 channel gear are too great.
Also - for the other end - you could always upgrade to a step-up transformer for the Denon cartridge and reconfigure the Iso for mm. You'll be surprised at the sound quality improvement this can give you.
thanks guys, I did want this to be a gradual but enjoyable progression. so i wont be hasty and will keep testing and researching as I go on. I have had a 10 year run with my bose and yamaha iirc so it is due for an upgrade/eviction!. but having a pure music system does appeal to me the most. so everyone's help with this greatly appreciated.
I had read about the denon step up transformer, so aiming for something like that plus pre/power amp and of course new speakers is needed. I am paranoid about the gyrodec, esp when fitting the dc motor. i did hear that about the sound difference too and also plus/minuses about the orb platter upgrade.
im not sure what version it is, only know its been kept so well.
here is a photo, it has its own table to rest on lol
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8...1112015547.jpghttp://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4...1112015953.jpg