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Well since I already had the zphono in my cart ready to buy that certainly throws a monkey wrench into things....Besides, I don't really want a quicky bandaid to my issue. Having a decent preamp would not only fix my current issue, but also open doors for future exploration with other cartridges. Although if I did go the cartridge route. How would I find the RIGHT cartridge? |
Just my thoughts if you go with the PH10 I don't think you will be looking to change or upgrade your phono unit for a VERY long time.
Most of the recommendations in this thread would be fine, enjoy whatever you go with. |
No offense to the posters or yourself but your looking at spending a decent amount of cash for used phono preamp when you could secure a nice integrated amp with a built in phono preamp that would be step up in sound quality and also with a built in phono preamp as well...Rogue Audio, Musical Fidelity, Arcam are just a few of the brands out there.
The Dynavector Cartridge is a fantastic Cartridge for the money and a MM phono is all you need as it’s a HO Mc Cartridge....anyone suggesting a step up is giving you the wrong advice and spending $800 plus for a dedicated phono preamp based on your current set up is also wrong advice. There are plenty of good choices out there used in a $3-500 range for a phono preamp that supports both MM & MC Cartridges that would be a improvement over your built in phono in the Denon. You need to remember the Denon is built to a price point so you decide where to spend your money. Quality used integrated with built phono for less than 1k used or a more suitable alternative phono preamp based on your current set up and spend $300-500 or even better by a Emotiva XPS-1 for $199 and call it a day. |
You may NEVER find the right cartridge, but you will have a lot of fun along the way.
I am advocating MM over MC, and a new cartridge, i.e. new stylus, and HIGH output, for NOW.
Not only solves LP sound right away, it lets you take more time and do more research before you move to new, more important, mpore expensive equipment. And, more time to carefully asses you desired features.
The point of a basic elliptical, high output, is it will be your base for future comparison to future cartridges (returns accepted!).
Keep the existing MC, High Output 2.5mv, it may sound fantastic on eventual new equipment with no need for MC pre-pre stage.
Ortofom 2M Red produces 5.5mv, $100.
https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-Red-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge/dp/B000WMCEKK/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_pm?ac_md=3-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkNTAgYW5kICQyMDA%3D-ac_d_pm&keywords=phono+cartridge&pd_rd_i=B000WMCEKK&pd_rd_r=c69f59d7-1390-4f4d-8e48-8cbd1c56731a&pd_rd_w=JXnwC&pd_rd_wg=MR0Jx&pf_rd_p=aba5dc0d-7593-4752-a14d-357ecc5c98cc&pf_rd_r=VQHY3XZSAGASYAE5D0QM&psc=1&qid=1576685064
excerpt about 2M Red
The Absolute Sound Product of the Year and Editors' Choice Award-Winning Ortofon 2M Red Sets the Standard for Entry-Level High-End Moving-Magnet Phono Cartridges The Ortofon 2M Red MM phono cartridge is as good as audiophile-grade moving-magnet types come at its price point. It features Ortofon's trademark split pole pins, an invention which enables moving-magnet cartridges to have flat frequency response, just like a moving-coil cartridge. 2M Red also uses an improved engine, which provides an increased output of 5.5mV. The 2M Red features a tipped elliptical diamond , engineered for precise and accurate retrieval of the information in the record groove. The Japanese company's 2M series was developed in conjunction with Danish designer Møller Jensen Design. Inspired by the facets of a diamond, whose contours gracefully trace the grooves on a record's surface, 2M 's handsome elegance establishes a great combination of form and functionality. Ortofon' s philosophy is to make cartridges which reproduce the record grooves as accurately as possible, without coloring the sound. The 2M series design has been optimized for ease of mounting and their weight and size fit virtually any current turntable. “[This] is one sophisticated and musical cartridge—for the price of a nice dinner for two.” —Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound , Editors’ Choice Award “If you’re looking for a high-value cartridge…the 2M Red is an excellent place to start.” — Stereophile , Class D Recommended Component “It’s worth experimenting, because at best this is one of the most detailed cartridges we’ve come across at this kind of price.” — Tech Radar “The midrange is full and expressive, handling vocals with sensitivity and warmth. The bass and treble interact well here, and while we'd like more authority from the bass, You need time to consider whether you will try Tubes, preamp or amp also, another reason to get listening right away with a basic elliptical.
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