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Thread: Phono stage options

  1. #1
    Join Date: Mar 2018

    Location: Surrey, just outside the M25

    Posts: 25
    I'm Alun.

    Default Phono stage options

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jul 2010

    Location: Cheltenham

    Posts: 982
    I'm Charlie.

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    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
    R2R: Studer A820 1/2 inch 2 track; Otari MTR-12 1/4 inch 2 track; Sony APR 5003; Sony APR 5002; Studer A807/II. Vinyl: Platine Verdier Allaerts MC1B/Schroeder Reference & Model 2 Decca C4E/Hadcock 228 TRON Seven Reference phono. Keith Monks MkII RCM Other analogue source: Nakamichi Dragon with ANT4066 mods. Amplification: TRON Meteor preamp TRON Voyager 20B SET power. Speakers: Avantgarde Duo. Digital: computing at last with Prism Sound Lyra 2 A2D converter

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

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    theres a primare r32 in pe.. its very good and might surprise. lower budget even new but still up there.
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Midlands

    Posts: 185
    I'm Wayne.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Harrybob View Post
    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?

  5. #5
    Join Date: Mar 2018

    Location: Surrey, just outside the M25

    Posts: 25
    I'm Alun.

    Default

    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

  6. #6
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Chorley, Lancs

    Posts: 2,734
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    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.


    As the late Colonel Sanders once said
    "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken!!"

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: gone

    Posts: 11,519
    I'm gone.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jac Hawk View Post
    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.
    .

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Yes agreed, a new amp would be the way to go. What speakers are you using?
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Midlands

    Posts: 185
    I'm Wayne.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Harrybob View Post
    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).

  10. #10
    Join Date: Mar 2018

    Location: Surrey, just outside the M25

    Posts: 25
    I'm Alun.

    Default

    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. ��

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