The dilemma of paradise.

[worrasf]

Hi Steve,

Much as I love the Paradise phono stage, having heard versions of it now on three occasions, I'm not sure that it's particularly suited to the DL-103 any more so than it is to any other high-quality MC cartridge.

In my experience, which with optimising DL-103s is considerable, they really 'like' a quality valve MM phono stage (such as anything Jez, Firebottle or lurcher could build for you), used in conjunction with an equally high-quality MC head amp (again made by any of the trio of gents mentioned) or SUT.

Or, as Andy says, you could use a Lentek head amp, with any of said valve MM stages, which you can usually pick up on ebay for about £70. The Lentek positively LOVES the DL-103, and used in conjunction with a quality valve MM stage, you'd be blown away by the sound produced. Trust me!

Marco.

This matches my experience.
I have a 103 that has been heavily reworked by Dom at Northwest Analogue - I'm using a Croft valve MC headamp with external PSU same as the one for the 25RS into the MM phono stage of the Croft 25RS - the results are "better" than any of the various SUT's I've tried. Sound character is very valve dependent IMO - I've settled on using Seimens CCa's in the headamp
Steve


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[Wakefield Turntables]

Yes Simon has built at least 16 Paradise units, I know as I bought no 14. Miles better than my previous phono stage Whest Audio 30R good as it is but the Paradise is on another planet.

Regards,

Martin

Nice to see someone else actually thinks the paradise trumps the Whest. I personally cant see what the big thing is with Whest phonostages.

[struth]

wasnt overly impressed with my whest

[337alant]

I wasent impressed at all with Steves Whest
Steve I will let you know how the 103 sounds with the Paradise shortly
I also have a little lentek and a MM stage so I will try that as well


paradise 1 by Alan Towell, on Flickr


. by Alan Towell, on Flickr





Alan

[Floyddroid]

I had a Whest 30R and had nothing but Earth problems with it. When i eventually got it sorted i still wasn't happy with it's performance. As well documented i had an NVA Phono 2 for a short while and that was much better.

[Floyddroid]

Been having a shuffty around for a Lentek Step up. Nowt! rare as rocking horse shite.

[martinjohn308]

The only downside to owning the Paradise is that it comes in 4 boxes a la Naim 110 size. The plus side is that it's a wonderful phono stage. Trust me you won't be looking for anything else you've reached Nirvana!

PM Simon he's a great chap to deal with also he's build quality is second to none.

Regards,

Martin

[sq225917]

Andy, I really need to mod yours to current spec. Ten new caps, four swapped transistors, four new resistors.

[337alant]

Simon
Are these worthwhile mods?.
If so do you have more details please.

Alan

[Wakefield Turntables]

Andy, I really need to mod yours to current spec. Ten new caps, four swapped transistors, four new resistors.

You have a PM.