If you look at the Stereophile review of even the old SoundLab A1, they measured the panel as flat out past 20kHz, so the need for a super tweeter escapes me. But of course ESLs do beam at HF. Depends where you sit, and your hearing acuity. Your present digital volume control would seem to be wanting in fidelity. Ok if you can run wide open.
Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2
Thanks to the recommendations from many users on this Audiogon blog, I think I was able to make a more informed purchase of a turntable, the Dohmann Helix One Mk 2. I've really been enjoying the turntable for the past month!
The next phase of my system now needs attention: the phono stage. Currently, I'm using a Manley Steelhead v2 running into an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE pre-amplifier (into Ypsilon Hyperion monoblocks, into Sound Lab M745PX electrostatic speakers).
I've been told that I could really improve my system by upgrading the phono stage from the Manley Steelhead (although I've also been told that the Manley Steelhead is one of the best phono stages ever made).
Interestingly, two of the top phono stages that I'm considering require a step-up transformer (SUT). I'm not fully informed about any inherent advantages or disadvantages of using an SUT versus connecting directly to the phono stage itself.
I suppose my current top two considerations for a phono stage are the Ypsilon VPS-100 and the EM/IA LR Phono Corrector, both of which utilize an SUT. I don't have a particular price range, but I find it hard to spend $100k on stereo components, so I'm probably looking in the $15k - $70k price range.
Thanks.
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@mijostyn : " It is all digitally recorded. "
For many years many of us knowed that and so what?. I can't control recording proccess. Can you? R. |
Mijo, You wrote, "Analog crossovers add distortion and phase shifts. Some can shift phase 180 degrees with a knob but only by ear which is a trial and error nightmare." Do you seriously believe that doing a DAC to ADC conversion, where also the signal is manipulated in the digital domain, in the signal path adds no distortion? With the very steep filters you favor, there would be phase shift too; does your TACT enable you to correct for phase shift? For me, phase shift is a non-issue, because with my speakers and no crossover, neither I nor anyone else can hear a 180 degree change of phase. Double-blind tested with my wife and son and other experienced listeners. Once you add a subwoof, I suppose that phase between the main ESL and the subwoof needs to be set appropriately, but that is easy; there is just one variable. I credit your taste in components (other than the digital ones), which makes me very curious to hear your system some day. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. |
@lewm , any decent processor corrects phase and time. Once in numbers you can do pretty much anything without adding any distortion. It is hard for old analog guys to believe. If there is anything detrimental in the process the advantages far outweigh it. It is a new world. Some of the old ways still apply after all, our ears are analog devices. However, when it comes to processing signals to do exactly what you want, digital rules. Lew, if we were face to face I would have absolutely no problem proving that to you. @rauliruegas Of course not! That does not change the fact that it is digital recordings we are listening to and they are superior in many ways to older analog ones assuming they are mixed correctly and not compressed into oblivion. |
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