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
 
May just put a new cartridge on hold for a while.
Just added a SR Blue fuse to the Gold Note and I definitely can hear a sq improvement, very tight and more focused.
Actually very very enjoyable so I am not in the mood to upset the apple cart right now.
I know there are a lot of fuse haters and doubters out there but I am not one of them!
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uberwaltz,

I’m with you on fuses. If the listener can hear a difference/improvement - that’s all that matters.

Still waiting for the PSU to be released, I will definitely purchase one when available.

Happy to hear you're enjoying the PH-10 too!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Robert
I was truly so enthralled by the SQ last night I was flipping vinyl until 1.30am...lol.

Another nice aspect of the lyngdorf 2170 and the goldnote, nottingham combo is I can reduce my listening level for these very late night sessions and not really lose anything much at all in dynamics or details.
Definitely not something that has always been the case with prior incarnations of gear in my setup.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Still pondering on a change of cartridge just because!

Looking at the ART9, various ZYX models and a Transfiguration Axia.

Choices, choices!
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uberwaltz,

About a week ago I installed the back-up to my back-up cart, an Ortofon 2M Bronze -- I fricken love it! I probably only have 50 hours tops on it, but the sound is so lush, detailed, & inviting! Dead quiet too. It’s staying on for the time being..

For reference, my main cart is a Sound Smith modded Ortofon Kontrapunkt B (Boron Cant, Ruby Fine Line) and the back-up is a Clearaudio Maestro V2. These are fantastic as well, but different sound signatures.

I’m always fidgeting with my system, but I love to have choices. When my mood changes, the cart changes.

Have you thought about trying a couple out, that are less expensive? You may be surprised how many great options there are without emptying your pocket. I really love Ortofon as you can tell, and I’ve had two Clearaudio MM, the other being a Virtuoso, very nice sound. I’ve had both Dynavector 10x5 and 20x2h. Equally impressive.
More to discover