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
 
Uber,

I agree with you.  Maybe best to wait until some actual PH10 users have had some time with the PSU, and hear their findings.
rsf507
2,347 posts
 
Anyone hear the new Gold Note PSU-10? I heard it is retailing at $1250! Ouch. Maybe $750 and I would try one.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Thought the retail was $1100 according to an email I got from Toska, but would charge me $1000 as I bought the ph10 from him.

So not sure where $1250 came from, however even at $1000 I am going to pass as with my equicore 1800 supplying juice not sure if it would be a cost effective $1000 upgrade for me.
amgradmd's avatar
amgradmd
10 posts
 
I have the PSU-10 and it takes all of the great things about the PH-10 and significantly improves on them. Much lower noise floor, especially if you don't have a power conditioner. (I measured with an SPL meter) Better soundstage and more precise imaging. More bass slam and beautiful high end sparkle without being harsh. It really is a great unit. Oh, and @robelvick, the combination of the PH-10 and PSU-10 absolutely slays the PS Audio NPC. I know - I have one and compared back to back. Shoot, the PH-10 kills the NCP, but then again the NPC has a very good ADC, which is what I use it for. I cannot recommend this combination highly enough. If there is a better unit for $2500 out there, I'd like to hear it! 
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
amgradmd,

Thanks for the update.  Makes me wish I would've held out a little longer so I could have tried the PSU-10.

I also did test the NPC and PH-10 side by side, and in my system, the PS Audio outperformed the PH10 with just about everything I threw at it.  I don't use the ADC, just the phono stage.  Just my opinion of course, and my choice of music.

I'm sure the PH10 and PSU-10 combo sounds fantastic though, as I did love the PH10 when I was using it.  You can find the NPC used for under $700 now, and in my case it was a no-brainer since I was trying to fund other items.
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