2. analog
  3. 135066-90127

Ugraditus is calling....again. Phono stage?

There is likely nothing wrong at all with present phono stage but you know how it is.

Present analog front end consists of.

Nottingham Analog Spacedeck with Spacearm.
Shelter 501 mk3 cartridge with maybe 250 hours on it, regularly treated with Lyra.
Dynavector P75 mk3 phono stage.
Feeds into Lyngdorf 2170 via Nordost Red Dawn RCA cables.

My thoughts were that possibly the Dynavector is the weakest link and would pay most dividend on an upgrade but.....

What do I perceive I am lacking right now?
Really hard to say as this is highest quality analog front end ever owned.
Possibly lacking a little in sheer scale and dynamics? Bass is very very good, instruments are well separated and defined.
Just as an overall presentation I feel it lacks that final wow factor as a whole.
Not sure if that makes any sense?
Please comment honestly especially if you feel it is another area that may reap larger benefits. Or if should just leave well alone....lol.

Oh btw I am fairly sure it is setup correctly in regards to vta etc, at least to the best of my abilities right now. And yes setting it up correctly from initial purchase did make considerable gains in sq.
128x128uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Well first impressions....
What a piece of audio art!
Superbly built and crafted.
Very impressed.
But what does it sound like?
I set it up as per cart specs with loading of 100 and...well it sounded very bright tbh.
Love the fact that to alter load and gain its just a couple of pushes of the front button,no tearing it open, instant comparison.

Best sound realised so far is 0db gain and loading of 470 which is quite a bit more than recommended but my ears like this the best!
Of course it is brand new and may need tweaking after some serious hours on it.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Oh and it sounded marginally better through the xlr into the Lyngdorf, not much in it though tbh, I could live with the single ended as well.

Not even begun to play with the curves yet, just trying riaa standard to get a baseline first
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hi Uberwaltz,

Atmasphere (Ralph) has explained in some past threads that for a low output moving coil cartridge optimal loading is mainly dependent on the phono stage, and not on the cartridge. And in particular it is mainly dependent on effects on audible frequencies that may occur in the phono stage as a result of sensitivity it may have to RF frequencies. RF frequencies will be present at the input of the phono stage as a consequence of the high frequency resonance that results from the interaction of cartridge inductance and load capacitance.

So for example Keith Herron recommends that when an LOMC is used with the VTPH-2 users may often find that no loading whatsoever (meaning a nearly infinite number of ohms, in the case of the VTPH-2) is often optimal. And I and some others here have found that to be true with the combination of an Audio Technica ART9 and the VTPH-2.

So I would feel free to disregard the 100 ohm load recommendation the manufacturer provides for your cartridge.

Enjoy! Best regards,
-- Al

robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uberwaltz,

It is definitely a looker for sure! 

My MC cart is .47mv so I use -3db for gain, 220 loading, and RIAA Enhanced curve.

Cartridge dependant, personal preference of course.  

Have fun!  Give it at least 20 hours of play, and I would leave it on throughout the weekend, before any critical listening.  Mine hit it's peak at approx 30hrs, give or take.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Thanks Al, clears things up a bit.

Robert
Just been playing with the curves 
Atm, really liking Decca London and set at 0db gain and now 220 loading.


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