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
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
rsf507
2,351 posts
 
Don’t turn my PH10 off except every 7-10 days will shut down for 2-3 hrs then turn back on. I think it helps break-in better this based on how I’ve done other gear over the years. I’m also experimenting with AC cords my dealer is loaning me to try, yes they are making a nice improvement in SQ more to come.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Robert
Are you still using the balanced outs from the PH-10 to feed the Micromega?
I did try the balanced vs the single ended into the 2170 and tbh preferred the sound of the single ended.
Just curious
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uberwaltz,

I have tried singled ended with both the 2170 & Micromega, but prefer balanced outs feeding both.

The S/N ratio on the Micromega’s balanced inputs are about +3db quieter than the singled ended inputs, and the extra gain using balanced outputs allows me to set the PH-10 at -3db gain which has a much quieter noise floor. Using singled ended outputs, I have to set the PH-10 to 0db or +3db to get the same dynamics, but can’t stand the extra noise that goes with it.

The balanced combo has sounded the best everytime, no matter which cart I’m using.


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