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Vinyl Front End Upgrade

I've been sitting on the sidelines without vinyl playback for far too long and am looking to get back in the game. I've got a VPI Scout/JMW 9/Dynavector 20XM (1mv version). I've got no phonostage since I sold my ARC SP16 and bought an LS26. The rest of the system is an ARC SD135 driving Daedalus Audio DA-1.1's through Empirical Design cables. I've spent the last few months listening to digital source material through my Esoteric X-03SE, saving my pennies toward a vinyl upgrade. My plan is to keep the Scout and work on a cartridge and phonostage pairing that will give me vinyl playback as good or better than what I'm getting on the digital side. I've got $3K to spend on new or used components. I'd appreciate some suggestions.
128x128dodgealum
nolitan
865 posts
 
Im curious, how does the VPI scout with Whest stack up against the ESO Digital player ? Is it close ? Or the vinyl rules ? thanks.
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum OP
1,404 posts
 
I've got the Whest dialed in at 65db of gain and a 100ohm load and it sounds phenomenal. I wasn't sure how big a role the phonostage plays in vinyl reproduction but now I'm a believer. The Whest is very, very dynamic, detailed and has fantastic PRaT. Tonal balance is very neutral. Voices and instruments have appropriate warmth and body and there is good dimensionality. Comparing my Scout/JMW9/Dyna 20XM with the same recordings played through my Esoteric X-03SE is interesting. With my old phonostage (built into the ARC SP-16) there was NO CONTEST--the Esoteric killed it. Now my vinyl and CD/SACD playback are on par. The vinyl is a bit more three dimensional, layered and organic while the digital has rock solid bass and dynamics. It's a toss up which I prefer, which is exactly where I hoped I would end up. Of course, comparing the Whest to the ARC SP16 isn't entirely fair. Since I sold the SP16 I've upgraded to an LS26 and an SD135 so the Whest is feeding better components down the chain. Regardless, I am very pleased with the Whest and would recommend it highly. It performed better in my system than the EAR 834P, ARC PH5 and the Acoustic Sounds PH-1. Really a super phonostage for the money.
paperw8
165 posts
 
If you're using a cartridge that produces 1mv output, 65dB of gain sounds to me to be about 10dB too high. At 65dB I would imagine that you aren't able to turn the volume very high on your pre-amp. I have a Bryston BP-20 preamplifier, which has an input sensitivity of 0.5v. I have a Lyra Delos cartridge, which outputs 0.6mv, so I use a gain setting of 60dB to send a 0.6v input to the pre-amplifier.
hiendmuse
257 posts
 
I have A Super Scoutmaster, originally came with a Dynavector cartridge (high output moving coil)installed by VPI. I got a Graham Slee ERA Gold phono pre-amp which I have been very happy with and a great match for the Dynavector. I have since upgraded to a Lyra Titan-i, and had to get a Graham Slee Elevator due to the lower output of the Lyra. Excellent combo the ERA Gold and Elevator.
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