Current sensing phono stages w/Rega?


Hey folks,

Anyone using Channel D Lino C 2.0 or the Sutherland Little Loco with a Rega RP8? 

I got some great advice here on researching my first cartridge and phono stage upgrade.

Cartridge was upgraded from the Exact MM to the Ania Pro MC on my Rega RP8.

After researching the suggested phono stages, I home demoed a Musical Surroundings Nova III (with both stock walwart and optional LPS), Rega ARIA MK3 MM/MC, Black Ice Audio F159, and a Konus Audio Vinyle 1000MC Mark II.

The Konus is the only current sensing unit and the one I like the best. 

Two other current sensing units I would like to try are the Channel D Lino C 2.0 and the Sutherland Little Loco but came across the following:

The Absolute Sound Channel D Lino C 2.0 review excerpt:

Briefly, any phono cable/tonearm combination where twisted-pair-conductor cables are employed and the two conductors are not connected to the turntable (or shield) ground can be used. An example of a tonearm/cable that can’t be used would be a standard Rega ’arm where the shield is connected to one of the outer shells of the RCA, which is also a signal connection.

Stereophile Sutherland Little Loco review excerpt:

Your tonearm wiring must be fully balanced between cartridge and phono preamp, with no connections between any of the tonearm leads and ground. That means that the Little Loco won't work, for example, with your Rega arm, unless it's rewired. 

Has anyone rewired a Rega to work with either?

Thanks everyone!

hleeid

@dover

 

Thank you Dover!! Yes I’d prefer them to do it since they chose this stupid method of grounding that creates limitations.

The one thing I will say for Rega is they support the heck out of their products. I love the TT so I don’t want to give it back to the dealer but I also HATE this limitation.

@lewm 

 

It just means it's not to earth (see plug on Rega power supply), it's floating because it's using the ground of the other piece of equipment through the RCA rather than the neutral wire of the power supply on the power supply itself. So simply put, it's a ground not attached Earth, just some other thing, in this case Chassis. 

Regardless of your definition of “it”, read Dover’s post again. All you have to do is disconnect tonearm ground from left channel ground, and then you’re free to use a balanced connection. The tonearm itself can then be grounded separately.

@dover 

 

Where did you get the information that Rega will make a balanced arm? Their US distributor is stating they have NEVER done that for anyone.