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Help me pick a phono, pre and cart

Hi all,
My WF spending restraints are going away so I’m going to upgrade my system.
I primarily play CD, but also have an MMF-5 with Glass platter, Golding GX1022 cart going through a Clear Audio Nano to Ayre Ax-7e to Sig 2 Ce’s.

This year I’m going to Quatro CT’s and upgrading my vinyl pre and source side. Next year I’m upgrading my main pre and power amp.

I’m looking for help in picking a phono player pre and cart. My musical taste is pretty wide: female vocals, rock, blues, jazz; not much classical on vinyl. Think Amy Winehouse/Cold Specks/Pixies/Weezer/Jeff Beck/Johnny Winter/Winton Marsalis and Maynard Ferguson for you other old timers. LOL
My budget is about $8-10k

Right now my main thoughts are VPI Prime Scout or Prime with Grado Statement series cart, and an Ayre Px-5e pre.
In addition to specific item recommendations, I’m very interested in how to split the budget item wise. In other words more or less on player vs cart vs pre, I.e. Scout with Statement2 or Prime with Reference2 for example. Or go higher than 20-30% on the pre?
I lean towards spending the most on what’s least upgradeable - sorry if that’s too general or obvious.
Thanks much
Jim

jetson
jperry
2,475 posts
 
I would buy a Dr. Feickert Woodpecker turntable with Jelco tonearm, and look for a used Audio Research phono stage, maybe a PH-6 and a new AudioTechnica ART-9.

The Dr. Feickert is a great turntable.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
From the specs provided at arcdb.ws for both the PH-6 and the PH-8:
Output impedance:  200 ohms Unbalanced. Recommended load 50K-100K ohms and 100pF. (10K ohms minimum and 2000pF maximum.)
From the manual for the Herron VTPH-2A:
We recommend that the VTPH-2A be used with a line stage having an input impedance of 50,000 ohms or higher for optimum performance.

All three of those phono stages provide only unbalanced outputs.  The input impedance of the unbalanced inputs of the Ayre AX-7e is 20K, as I mentioned earlier.

Regards,
-- Al
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,409 posts
 
Some strong recommendations made here--I like the setup @bpoletti has recommended, having run it myself with good results. The Prime/OC9MLII/Herron is a great combination. I would agree also with upgrading the VPI feet--I'm using HRX Mini Feet with the Symposium Prime/Classic inserts which do provide some additional isolation. I'd love to try the Stillpoints, which are likely a much better route, but those would break my bank.
jperry
2,475 posts
 
Based on the comments from Al I would get an Ayre phono preamp instead of the Audio Research. You can get the Dr. Feickert, Ayre phono (used), and AT cartridge for about $10K.
jetson OP
140 posts
 
Thanks all - you are a tremendous resource. 
@jperry Thanks for the suggestion. I was leaning VPI due to their Rep and the fact I live in Jersey. 
Let’s assume I’m going with the prime and ART9.  On to the pre - and matching.

It looks like several of you guys are pretty fond of the Herron. I researched at his site, and although much of the specifics is beyond my knowledge, I like his design approach; particularly with the way he allows for loading adjustments. 
@almarg Thanks for bringing the input impedance requirements of the VTPH-2A to my attention.
That the AX-7A doesn’t meet them should be a temporary problem as I plan on upgrading the amp section next year. How much would the mis-match affect the sound until then?
Would I be better off getting a different used pre that’s a better match to the Ax-7 for now? 


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