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Reasonable tube phono stage for Oracle Alexandria?

Hello all,

I have an Oracle Alexandria with Sumiko MMT and Bluepoint cartridge. Currently using the internal phono stage of my Unison Research Unico, however, this has become an intolerable limiting factor and I feel it is time to upgrade. I am interested in tubes but am at a complete loss as to what might be a reasonably-priced phono stage for this set up or if tubes are even the most appropriate way to go here. I do know that any phonostage I purchase should accomodate both MM and MC cartridges since I experiment with both regularly. And as long as I have your attention, does anyone have any experience with or opinions on suitable tonearm upgrades since that project is looming as well? Any suggestions, experiences, or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
rickk
rickk OP
15 posts
 
I have heard a lot of good things about the ARC PH3, but I think I am looking for something a little bit cheaper, and more user friendly as far as switching between MC and MM is concerned. I'm not trying to set up a workshop over this; I'll settle for a switch or button or maybe even a jumper.

Does anyone have experience with the ASL offerings in this area?

I actually really like the performance of Bluepoints for the money.

Hammy, I have been looking at the Dynavector 10x4 and will own one sooner than later.

Any ideas on a good tonearm upgrade for this table? Some previous threads indicate that the Alexandria can be fickle this way.
readster
241 posts
 
go for the dyna 10x5, it's a better cartridge, lot's of improvements over the 10x4
hammy
176 posts
 
What advantages does the 10X5 have readster? I'm sure it's better, but please elaborate.
newbee
4,822 posts
 
Your Oracle Alexander/MMT set up is an extremely cost effective combo as it is, assuming that you have it is operating properly and set up well. You really won't get any kind of major improvement by getting a new tone arm. (I have owned this system for the past 10+ years and it competes with my Delphi, but doesn't best it).

Re phono stage, if you are going to get a MC cartridge be sure your phono stage allows you to adjust the load or matching cartridges will be a crap shoot. Personally I like the EAR 834P, but it might be a tad more costly than your budget.

In selecting a cartridge be sure to match the mass of the tone arm to the comnpliance of the cartridge. The MMT is a medium mass arm and your cartridge compliance should not be too high or low. FWIW I use a Micro Benz Glider on my Alexander.
kkonet2
12 posts
 
I posted the same question a week or so ago over on audioasylum. I also have an Alexandria/MMT rig. The response I received on Audioasylum is the same as the responses your question received here. Basically, the arm is a good match for the 'table and that the table/arm combo is a very good performance value for the money. Here's a link to my Audioasylum post:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=334759&highlight=alexandria&r=&session=
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