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Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration

I have recently completely overhauled my analog front end. I have gone from a Marantz TTS TT-15S1 with a Clearaudio Charisma to a Rega Planar 8 with a Soundsmith Paua II cartridge. There have been definite improvements; improvements in dynamics, resolution, and spatial separation.  Phono stage is currently a Tavish Adagio running into a Prima Luna Evo 300 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp; speakers are Monitor Audio PL 100 II. I’m overall pleased with the system but I find it a little too modern sounding; instrument separation, and mid and low bass are a tad too tight and disciplined. While the Paua generally outclasses the Charisma; I preferred the tonality of the Charisma. Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.


I would like to make change to Phono stage to address these issues, so looking for recommendations on a phono stage that has a bit more of a vintage coloration, body, warmth, slightly looser bass and low noise floor and retains good top end extension. I currently have the PS Audio Stellar phono on order for a home trial but every review I have read has praised it for its neutrality but what I really want is added coloration that I find pleasing.  I guess I can try tube rolling the Adagio but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to find low microphonic NOS tubes. Finally I want to stay under $3K and I’m open to vintage phono preamps (but I don’t want to sacrifice dynamics and sound stage).


arize84
dover
2,262 posts
 
The Paua is not a lean cartridge, I know from experience.
I listened to the Paua many times mounted on an SME 20 TT with both the Soundsmith phono and Linn Uphorik - both solid state, but have the ability to load up to 1000ohms.

As I stated in my earlier posts it requires loading between 500-1000 ohms.

The Tavish has Jensen transformers for the MC gain which I suspect limits your loading to a max of 470ohms, and I believe the source of your problem is the use of SUT's ( in the Tavish ).

I think you will find out if you try the PS Audio or Soundsmith phono or a suitable phono that provides loading options 500-1000 ohms withut the use of SUT's, you will be better off.

The other issue that may be causing brightness, might be VTA. Since the Rega tonearm has to be shimmed to get the VTA correct - has this been attended to ? If you can measure the height of the Paua and compare it to the height of a Rega cartridge ( from top of cartridge to stylus ) this will give you an indicator of whether you need to adjust VTA.


johnss
581 posts
 
@arize84, roll in some shuguang 12A_7 TG types...very musical sounding tube and none of the analytical qualities.
arize84 OP
57 posts
 
@dover The PS Audio came and I have been listening to it for a few hours. From out of the box it was better than the Adagio.
  • It has a more muscular presentation and I'm getting more punch out of the cartridge
  • Using higher loading options(750 ohms); I got real benefits in the higher frequencies and upper mid range
  • What surprised me the most was in the increase in sound stage depth (both front and back).
  • It is also much quieter than the adagio
  • Finally build quality is really nice and very aesthetically pleasing

I also forgot to mention that I have only had the Paua for 2 weeks and I guess it is still breaking in; it now sounds a touch more lush than a couple of days ago.
dover
2,262 posts
 
arize84
That sounds very promising. Looks like if you just let everything settle in you are on the way. I would suggest just enjoy, and have another look at fine tuning with loading  once everything is run in in a couple of weeks.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,952 posts
 
Hagerman Trumpet MC is your guy. Beautiful warm open sound quality without going too overboard. In my system it competes with the $14K VAC Renaissance SE in musicality where nothing else can. And it only costs $1K new. It also has excellent loading and gain options - with all loading settings equally available at all gain levels. 
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