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Phonostage/preamp recommendations. Parasound JC3 Jr.?

Hello all. After searching for hours and not quite understanding if I’m processing the information right, I figured I would sign up ask the question directly with my specific information. Obviously new to home audio so please go easy. I bought a "new to me" Sota Sapphire with a Sumiko Premier FT-3 tonearm and Dynavector DV-10X5 cart. I leveled it out and set up the arm. Hooked it up to my Denon DRA-800H receiver (which says it has a phono input) paired up with Polk RTI A3 bookshelves. Everything "works" fine. Highs are clean and crisp. No funky sounds or anything like that so overall success. My issue comes with the overall loudness of the playback (having to almost max the volume at 70 before achieving listenable levels) and the lack of bass and overall dimension in the music. Not having a sub and understanding they are only bookshelves I don’t expect the world of them but I was thinking it should sound better than my bluetooth Bose Soundlink? Being an MC cart the person a bought the turntable from suggested I could benefit from running a dedicated phonostage before the Denon. The Parasound Jr. looks good giving the option to switch from MM to MC and seems to have a good fanbase.  Am I on the right track to a decent starter system? Any recommendations? looking for something I won’t have to upgrade for a while, but not looking to sell my bike either. Please help school me on this rabbit hole I’ve ventured into! Also not opposed to tubes, but I’m sure that’s a whole other world I shouldn’t be exploring quite yet. Thanks in advance.

Recap on what I have:
Sota Sapphire
Sumiko Premier FT-3
Dynavector DV-10X5
Denon DRA-800h
Polk RTI A3
tommyd902688
tommyd902688 OP
9 posts
 
Some interesting feedback here. In regards to the SUT, I’m not sure I would want to go that route based on my very limited knowledge on how they work (emphasis on limited) I would want something more versatile. Example I may or may not want an MM cart in the future or a different MC and I would want to buy something now that can accommodate a fairly large variety of options vs something that’s more specific to one type of setup. Buy once cry once if you will...with limitations of course. Very interesting on the two posts regarding the Ph-10 vs Jc3 Jr. Two different opinions on opposite sides regarding noise.

mofimadness: Is there anything in particular that was lacking with the Ph-10? Or you just feel the Parasound was a notch above overall? I kind of like being able to switch settings from the front without pulling it off the shelf. Having some Decca London records from the 50s and 60s (mostly classical pieces) I don’t know if having those options on the fly would be a game changer or more of a gimmick. Just thinking out loud. Also any specific thoughts on low bass range from the two?

Any other thoughts out there?
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
They are both excellent units.  The other poster had a JC3+, not a Junior.  The JC3+ should have been even better?

I had an original JC3 years ago and it was the closest I have ever come to my favorite phono stage ever...the Vendetta Research, (same designer, John Curl).  I would assume the JC3+ is better, but I couldn't afford it, so I opted for the Junior.

I don't have any LPs that would benefit from the different RIAA curves, so that wasn't an issue.

Once you initially set up the Junior, you won't need to change the settings, so that shouldn't be an issue either.

Again, you couldn't go wrong buying either one...
alucard19
362 posts
 
If you can swing around 2K to 3K you might want to try the Manley Chinook or the Manley Chinook SE MKII both great phono pre's there is a used one here on AGon for $1,950.00 that would last you even if you upgrade the TT and cartridge, very well made and versatile and able to run MM or MC cartridges.
alucard19
362 posts
 
Just because a cartridge lists that it should have a gain of 50 you can always try it at 60 or 64 it's what sounds best to your ears that matters, the same goes for the load if the cartridge says 100ohms you can still try 150, 200, or even higher it depends on your speakers and how it sounds to you.The higher the load the clearer the mids and highs will be but you will lose some low end, you just need to experiment with the settings until you get to what sounds good to you, everyone's ears are different.
tommyd902688 OP
9 posts
 
Alucard19: Actually although I've read a lot of good things about the Chinook on this forums articles and elsewhere, it is about double my price point. The other 2 options suggested in this post are also more than I was hoping to spend but maybe justifiable if I can find a good deal. I do absolutly agree though that once I do decide on a new stage that numbers alone won't get me where I need to be. There will be a lot of playing involved!
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