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Phonostage/preamp recommendations. Parasound JC3 Jr.?

Hello all. After searching for hours and not quite understanding if I’m processing the information right, I figured I would sign up ask the question directly with my specific information. Obviously new to home audio so please go easy. I bought a "new to me" Sota Sapphire with a Sumiko Premier FT-3 tonearm and Dynavector DV-10X5 cart. I leveled it out and set up the arm. Hooked it up to my Denon DRA-800H receiver (which says it has a phono input) paired up with Polk RTI A3 bookshelves. Everything "works" fine. Highs are clean and crisp. No funky sounds or anything like that so overall success. My issue comes with the overall loudness of the playback (having to almost max the volume at 70 before achieving listenable levels) and the lack of bass and overall dimension in the music. Not having a sub and understanding they are only bookshelves I don’t expect the world of them but I was thinking it should sound better than my bluetooth Bose Soundlink? Being an MC cart the person a bought the turntable from suggested I could benefit from running a dedicated phonostage before the Denon. The Parasound Jr. looks good giving the option to switch from MM to MC and seems to have a good fanbase.  Am I on the right track to a decent starter system? Any recommendations? looking for something I won’t have to upgrade for a while, but not looking to sell my bike either. Please help school me on this rabbit hole I’ve ventured into! Also not opposed to tubes, but I’m sure that’s a whole other world I shouldn’t be exploring quite yet. Thanks in advance.

Recap on what I have:
Sota Sapphire
Sumiko Premier FT-3
Dynavector DV-10X5
Denon DRA-800h
Polk RTI A3
tommyd902688
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,987 posts
 
I owned a GoldNote PH-10 for quite awhile.  Excellent unit, top notch...until I tried the JC3 Junior.

The Junior had an absolute black background, (NO noise at all) and the music just exploded from it.  Dynamic with a finesse that's hard to beat.  I have a lot of different tables and carts and tried quite a few.  

Needless to say, I sold the PH-10 and kept the Junior.  Couldn't be happier.

IMHO, both are excellent units.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
I would go with a SUT. You can get a Bobs Devices SUT for less than the price of a good phono stage. You will be amazed. 
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,987 posts
 
Unless I missed something, (which is probably the case), the OP has a high output MC, (Dyna 10X5, 2.5mv). No need for a SUT, it would over-load it.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

https://www.dynavector.com/products/cart/e_10x5.html

2.5mv

tommyd902688 OP
9 posts
 
Some interesting feedback here. In regards to the SUT, I’m not sure I would want to go that route based on my very limited knowledge on how they work (emphasis on limited) I would want something more versatile. Example I may or may not want an MM cart in the future or a different MC and I would want to buy something now that can accommodate a fairly large variety of options vs something that’s more specific to one type of setup. Buy once cry once if you will...with limitations of course. Very interesting on the two posts regarding the Ph-10 vs Jc3 Jr. Two different opinions on opposite sides regarding noise.

mofimadness: Is there anything in particular that was lacking with the Ph-10? Or you just feel the Parasound was a notch above overall? I kind of like being able to switch settings from the front without pulling it off the shelf. Having some Decca London records from the 50s and 60s (mostly classical pieces) I don’t know if having those options on the fly would be a game changer or more of a gimmick. Just thinking out loud. Also any specific thoughts on low bass range from the two?

Any other thoughts out there?
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