Upgrading phono stage

It's been a while since I heard a Rogue built-in stage, and I know they've supposedly improved it in v3, but back in the day the gap from their entry level built-in (e.g. old Cronus) to their top Ares stand-alone stage was massive. The Rogue 99 Magnum had an optional built-in tube-based board (I auditioned one a long while ago) that was a real cut above the cheaper SS built-ins, but still didn't reach the Ares' level of sound quality. There's only so much they can do with a small SS module (almost certainly opamp based) in a $1300 integrated amp, so I'd imagine it still has to be below the level of the 99's tube board. I'd really encourage you to keep considering the dedicated phono stage upgrade; it's one of the higher ROI's in our hobby. 

What you get from a quality dedicated stage in the $1K - $2K range: so much more information, dynamics, expansive soundstage, and the beauty of vinyl truly starts shine through. Phono stage is such a critical component of analog systems, and your results are highly dependent on the quality of its design/implementation/parts AND proper matching to your cartridge. 

I still suggest the Hagerman Trumpet MC at $1100 is worth stretching for. I've used mine on my $30K turntable with a rotation of fine cartridges - Shelter Accord on the low end, Koetsu Coralstone DC on the high end - and really it come surprisingly close to my $14K VAC phono stage. And its loading + gain settings allow it to accommodate a wider range of cartridges than the VAC. I take this same Trumpet over to my girlfriend's home where she has a Fluance RT-85 with Ortofon 2M Blue. And wow, I am truly shocked at how great it sounds. That phono stage elevates the performance of the whole system.

The Trumpet MC is warm, expansive, and romantic sounding. It won't let you shave on the leading edge of notes but I find gear that does this to be annoying and unmusical anyways. I still have my Ares Magnum and I can say that's a great stage too, and more neutral, but at the end of the day I actually prefer the Trumpet MC (and the Ares Magnum lists for $2800 too). I've had other great stages too like the Herron. I have no connection to Hagerman btw - the Trumpet MC is just a bargain. 

I agree with everyone that says an outboard phono stage will make a huge difference. If you have 2500 to spend you can go pretty far actually. You can get a musical surroundings Nova III for 1500 or so new or closer to 1k used. If you really wanna step it up get the linear power supply for 600 or so more. That still leaves you up to 1k for a cartridge and you can get a lot for that. Could try a Hana MC in the 500-1k range. You'd be all in for 2500 and it will blow your mind. More detail, better soundstage. You'll be amazed. 

Yep I agree with @rmdmoore about the MC cartridge too. The Blue 2M is really great for the money but with a dedicated phono stage and (properly matched) low/medium output MC cartridge (shoot for something in the range of 0.3mv - 0.8 mV) you will be in analog hog heaven! What you get with MC is a more vivid, extended sonic picture with gobs of detail (the good kind).

The trick is that lower output MC cartridges have a notable sonic advantage over high output MC’s due to lower mass coils, but once you get too low then you’re going to allow the noise floor of the phono stage to creep into the picture. 0.4mV - 0.6mV is what I would consider the sweet spot until you get into more exotic phono stages and step-up transformers.

Thank you @mulveling I have been waiting for someone I trust to review a Trumpet MC for a while now. I would like to try a tube phono stage at some point just for fun but can not justify shelling out big money on a Herron or Zesto just to match it with my Stanton 981 HZS MM cart.

I would like to know if a linear power supply would upgrade performance of a Trumpet MC and I am not sure if MM signal goes thru j fet or straight to first tube stage?


@cpdkee I was using a Ray Samuels Nighthawk and Dynavector with good results but a switch to Stanton 981 HZS was not a good fit gain wise.
I have been using a Audiokultura Iskra 1 (made with copper Milfex caps as extra option at purchase) for about a year now, I think it is keeper.

I would like to try a tube phono stage at some point just for fun but can not justify shelling out big money on a Herron or Zesto just to match it with my Stanton 981 HZS MM cart.

@jeffrey75

Great cartridge, much better than new MM, all you need is JLTi mk5 phono stage with manufacturer mod to let you run an MM not only with 47k Ohm, but with 100k Ohm.

There is no problem to match an MM cart with any MM phono stage, but not every phono stage will give you 100k Ohm loading for MM.

This JLTi phono stage with RCA plug Load Resistors is the best you can get for the money. You can try whatever loading you want if you will ask for the mod (internal load resistors can be 500k Ohm) and parallel RCA plug-in resistors can be whatever you want for MM or MC.

You can change the capasitance only by phono cable, not by phono stage. This is pure way to enjoy MM.

I’m a huge fan of top Stanton and Pickering cartridges.

** Low impedance models are also great, there was an 980 LZS with .06 mV Output designed for high gain phono stages or for headamp (or SUT).

Not sure why do you thing there could be any problem with gain for standard HZS version?