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
 
Nice shortlist.
I assume you will be returning the iFi to Amazon as it was more of a tube sound test than anything?

I know the Manley was highly recommended earlier, just did not sound like it would have been a good impedance match to the 2170.
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Uber,

Still undecided on the iFi.  I'm using it with my CD player right now, and like what i'm hearing.  I find that I'm listening to albums that are easily accessible through Tidal, but now with a "tube" sound and it's a blast.

That being said, if I return it, that's an extra $399 towards a new phono preamp.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Uberwaltz, the Chinook has particularly low output impedance (50 ohms nominal according to its manual; 91 ohms and a recommended minimum load of 2.5K according to its website description), so it won’t have any problem driving the 2170. Or most other preamps or integrated amps, for that matter.

Best regards,
-- Al
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Al,
I thought much earlier it was thought that most of the tube phono stages discussed would not be a good match for the 2170?
Not that it matters too much at this stage as I am very happy with the ph10 and Robert has moved on from the 2170.

Edit....just reread your first post on the impedance issue and yes you stated the Chinook should have no issues at all with the 2170.
Not sure how I translated that to be all the tube phono stages mentioned would be a poor match!
My bad but still very happy with the ph10 so far.
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