Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2


Thanks to the recommendations from many users on this Audiogon blog, I think I was able to make a more informed purchase of a turntable, the Dohmann Helix One Mk 2.  I've really been enjoying the turntable for the past month!  

The next phase of my system now needs attention:  the phono stage.  Currently, I'm using a Manley Steelhead v2 running into an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE pre-amplifier (into Ypsilon Hyperion monoblocks, into Sound Lab M745PX electrostatic speakers). 

I've been told that I could really improve my system by upgrading the phono stage from the Manley Steelhead (although I've also been told that the Manley Steelhead is one of the best phono stages ever made).  
Interestingly, two of the top phono stages that I'm considering require a step-up transformer (SUT).  I'm not fully informed about any inherent advantages or disadvantages of using an SUT versus connecting directly to the phono stage itself.  

I suppose my current top two considerations for a phono stage are the Ypsilon VPS-100 and the EM/IA  LR Phono Corrector, both of which utilize an SUT.  I don't have a particular price range, but I find it hard to spend $100k on stereo components, so I'm probably looking in the $15k - $70k price range. 
Thanks. 

drbond

@holmz

My pre-amplifier has two outputs: RCA and XLR, so I can run the RCA to the amplifier and the XLR to the subwoofer, or vice-versa, as the amplifier has both RCA and XLR inputs. I was leaning towards a lower crossover for the HPF, somthing like 80 Hz, or maybe 60-80 Hz, to keep the midrange in the ESL’s. The input impedance of the Ypsilon Hyperion is 22 kOhm, and I was looking at a silver capacitor to make the HPF happen, although, I’ve got much to learn about the science and the curves.

I figure I could use a digital LPF crossover for the subwoofers, since the signal to the bass might not be so noticeably affected by the change.  

Dear @drbond  : As you go followwed reading through google you will make more false assumptions as that one that Velodyne are more for multi-channel HT. Your ststement is not only false but wrong Nothing bad with that because you are or better yet you want to be a newcomer to the sub's room/system integration.

 

ML is no better than Velodyne: the cone are made by aluminum even Paradigm carbon X and the kind of fiberglass by Velodyne surpass the ML and as almost all subs ML uses too     las D amps but there is something crucial that in this thread already was posted and that crucial issue is that we add subwoofers in our high end room/system first to make the IMD and THD goes as lower we can and this issue is to improve severely the whole room/system quality performance ML only bla, bla, bla, in its site ( I know that this bla, bla is something you like it. Ok but means almost nothing ) but with out facts/measures no other but Magico shows its sub's THD a 20hz full SPL.

Velodyne 12" has a better and lower measured frequency response than the ML. So What's your deal about?

Do you think that all those subwofeers manufacturers that use clas D amplifiers all those amps are almost the same ? yes?  wrong all those amps are different because each used woofer is different, its self unique characteristics  demads that the amplifier can achieve what that woofer     needs to shows at its best.

 

No, your class A or AB you own can't even the woofer needs and this means higher distortions.

@mijostyn  is the " worst "  ( no offense. )  audiophile gentleman to take it as an example because what he found out was the " holly grail " on that bass rangebut that " holly grail " is only his " holly grail " . He likes to play with his computer/digital that at the ends he used as a very advanced digital equalizer because he manipulated the system frequency response on  some discrete frequency to tame the tone color to the tone color that likes mijostyn. Fine with me but not my cup of tea because it does not make sense to put all his efforst in analogue TT/TONEAR/CArtridges and the like when the system signal at the end the signal coming from his speakers/subs are both digital that pass through two filters: ADC/DAC. Again fine with me.

Silver Duelund cap?, ( no offense please ) but you are the typical audiophile that as higher its price has to be better when that Duelund is no more that a mid-fi capacitor. You can read my capacitor thread where you find out several links and first hand experiences with information why the Duelund is mid-fi and what is the role of a cap that has nothing to do with its price. You are a novice too on caps., even some manufaturers of speakers  too.

 

My opinion is that your first step in the " rigth " direction to trial sub's is not the external HPF but a complete subwoofer unit as the 12" Velodyne ones.

 

R.

 

 

 

Mijostyn, Speaking for myself only, I am curious to learn what you use to effect steep crossover points in the digital domain. 

I didn't state it previously, but the crossover is a matter of trade-offs.  Mijo makes the case for a very steep hi-pass filter.  The rationale for that is you want as much as possible to reduce the burden on the main speakers to produce bass frequencies.  To do that, of course a steep HPF slope is in order.  The problem is that filters with very steep slopes are very likely to color the upper frequencies (because a lot of parts are needed to effect a steep slope, each of which is likely to reduce fidelity) and to introduce phase shift.  (I am not convinced phase shift is such an audible problem if kept moderate, especially with our dipolar radiators.)  One reason I am intrigued by the Pass XVR1 is that it can do a 24db/octave slope with Linkwitz-Riley character.  In L-R, the phase shift is no worse than that of a Butterworth 6db/octave filter. The XVR1 is a stand alone electronic crossover; in theory you would use it with a subwoofer that had no built-in crossover and which was driven by a separate outboard amplifier.  Does anyone know of a commercial subwoofer with built in x-over and amplification that also affords a L-R filter?  On the other hand, selecting a HPF with 6db/octave slope, whether done actively (using whatever HPS is built in to your chosen high end subwoofer) or passively, using a capacitor in series with the amplifier input is least likely to do harm to the main speaker's output.  Obviously, in a given case with lots of $$$ having been spent, a steep HPF might sound great.  That's why I am curious to know what Mijo uses for a digital filter ahead of his speakers.

drbond, for your amplifiers with a 22K ohm input impedance, about an 0.1uF capacitor would give you a HPF at 80Hz, 6db/octave, assuming a single-ended input.  My choice among capacitors I have heard would probably be a Russian SSG silver mica capacitor,

Hi drbond:

I’m using the KRONOS PHONO PREAMPLIER.

I only can say that it deserves a chance.

I could use words to describe the sound and silence, but 

much better if you can test it. No come back.

Can support all LOMC.

I enjoy the electrostatic sound of SOUNDLAB U-545

and Atma-Sphere. The combo is magic when you feel all details.

Regards,

 

 

My speakers are Soundlab 545

I would suggest that going a bit slow is not a crime.,, and doing it right can be a chin-scratcher.

You can call or find dealer and look at what is on offer.
And some manufacturers answer the phone.

I could not find Velodyne, but Martin Logan has a bunch of dealers around Sarasota, and Vandersteen in Miami or Atlanta.

 

My pre-amplifier has two outputs: RCA and XLR, so I can run the RCA to the amplifier and the XLR to the subwoofer, or vice-versa, as the amplifier has both RCA and XLR inputs.

That works if the sub needs an RCA input and has its own filtering scheme.
I have not been overly shy in liking the approach of pulling the signal off of the binding posts.

 

I was leaning towards a lower crossover for the HPF, something like 80 Hz, or maybe 60-80 Hz, to keep the midrange in the ESL’s

Again I have not been shy in advocating the 1st order (6 dB/octave) at 100Hz.

  • You attach the HPF at the amp side of the cable.
  • Attach the line level cables to the speaker posts.
  • Turn some pots on the back to set the levels.

and then you’re I’m done.

I would suggest seeing what the fuss is about, and if you go with a Velodyne or ML, then you at least went in with the eyes open.