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
 
The ART is coming from Germany, it is in transit but that is all the tracking says.

Rookie mistake on the zyx yesterday.
Set the alignment, set the vtf and dropped the needle to play as excited.
Doh, did not set the vta! And the zyx is a lot shallower cart than the Shelter so needed a lot of change.
Then it sounded much better, nowhere near as bright as previous and a lot more tonal midrange really noticeable on male vocals and acoustic guitar.
Same settings on ph10 apart from curve to riaa now.
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
My PH-10 always stays on RIAA curve.  I don't think I own any records that are more than 20 years old, so no need (yet) to make curve adjustments.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I do have a number of 60,s and 70,s records and some of them need help....lol.
Tbh the America Columbia curve tames the brightness and harsnhess a fair bit.
Which is why the zyx sounded better but ONLY because the vta was way to steep.
Once this was corrected riaa regular sounded the best.
Certainly glad to have the flexibility of the ph10 and think it was a very good choice for my new phono stage.
All those changes in seconds with immediate confirmation from listening not 10 minutes memory.
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
PH-10 owners:

Do you ever turn your PH-10 off?  

I don't think I've turned mine off for at least three weeks, even though there has been a day or two during that span that I did not use it. 

Definitely sounds better after it's been on a few hours, but I'm curious if any of you believe it's good to give it a rest every now and again?

I do usually have the display turned off, as I do with all my components.  The PH-10's screen does get quite bright, and I feel I'm at the least saving some power, but can say there's any SQ improvement with it on or off.

I look forward to reading your opinions.

Robert

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Robelvick

Have never turned mine off since buying it, apart from when I moved stuff round on the racks
Do not even turn the display off.
I also usually leave the 2170 on as well so it is instant high quality music
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