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Step Up or new Phono Preamp ??

My system is as follows: Basis 2001 Signature, Vector 1 arm, Grado Reference (High Output) Master (retail $800.00),
McIntosh C2200 phono & preamp, Ayre V5X amp & Maggies 3.6R.
I am getting the upgrade bug and seriously cosidering getting a Shelter 501 II but I will need to either add a Step Up as the C2200
can't drive a LO MC or get a new phone stage to add to the C2200,
which I love and am not parting with. I added NOS tubes to the C2200 and it sounds great with my SACD player as well as my Basis TT but believe I may get better sound with the Shelter 501. I guess what I'm really after is much better staging, and even though
the HO Grado is a very good cart. soundstaging is not one of its strong suits.
So do I get a step up and if so what do you recommend?
Do I get a new phono-I've looked a the Underwood modded PS
Audio GCPH but have not heard it anywhere.
I'd like to buy the cart & step up or new phono(which one do you
recommend) and spend no more than $2,200 and less spent
would be much better from the WAF perspective. I really like the
C2200 so a new add on phono stage would have to be very
highly recommended for me to consider. However, I've never
used a step up and am concerned about the not knowing much
about step ups.

ANY thoughts and recommendations would be most appreciated.Thank you very much !!

luvsmusic
luvsmusic OP
10 posts
 
Thanks very much Nsgarch, Jomoinc, Dan_ed and Raul. All of your ideas are great!!! I'm going to look into cost, etc with regard to
modding my Mac C2200 and adding a LO MC as well as check out some better carts with no new phono needed...such as a
Musicmaker. I do have a question however: Do any of you think a
Musicmaker or Blackbird is a better cart than my HO Grado Master in general, and specifically do any of you believe these soundstage a fair amount better than the Grado?? Thanks again to all of you!!
Please enjoy Your music !!!
david12
1,454 posts
 
I know the prevailing view is step ups bad, active gain good, the usual respondents are there like Raul and I would'nt claim to be as knowledgeable as they, but I get very good results with a step up in my phono stage.
In a sense I agree with the earlier respondents, if you like the Mac and whats not to like, get a quality HO MC or MM cartridge to match it. I agree with NSGARCH, whats wrong with a HO MC, there seems to be prevailing view that the lower output the better a cartridge and I suppose that fewer windings have theoretical advantages, but there are still many wonderful higher output cartridges.
If you want to go the medium or low output route, try and audition a step up. I tried and liked the EAR MC3, my own phono stage uses Lundahl transformers. Looking at the various discussion sites, the best current bet seems the Bent Audio units, compact, using excellent English transformers and easily user adjustable. I don't know if the manufacturers would lend you a Demo set. Be aware, you must audition before buying, external as opposed to built in step ups, are plagued by high noise levels in some cases. You need to try it first.
jomoinc
62 posts
 
Hey another thing worth considering is to see if your existing tonearm cable is capable of passing any more information. Moving magnet, moving iron , moving coil, all have different requirements ie capacitance, resistance, loading issues into the various preamp or step up device used. You may have already done this but it never hurts to verify your existing cart / cable specs capacitance, resitance, loading etc. and then find the optimal range - receipe for your input device of choice. Possible changes or upgrade required for the phono cable and/or tonearm cable or maybe a separate phono stage should be considered for synergy / functionality before giving up on making what you already have more satisfying. "Check the foundation before the remodel, know your weaknesses and then built on a good base" I have learned from experience, now if I could only take my own advice....One of the old school "system matching" techniques was to get something hot to balance something cold or cool as opposed to trying to keep everything link in the chain neutral and "tone free". Have fun discovering which way you want to go... If your arm can handle it, maybe a London Decca Super Gold Cartridge...+7mv... I am thinking about one also....
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