Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

[duke86fan]

Tubes are not that sensitive. As far as sound impartation it’s kind of like adding very subtle compression. Especially on a phono unit where it’s simply adding gain so it’s up to line level. To me it more glues things together and smooths things out than changes the sound dramatically.

Volume? I think you mean on the DS? That’s an impedance knob. You are using MM carts so on this unit it will be bypassed the way you would be running it. It essentially does nothing the way it will be configured. Plus side is if you do go up to MC carts later you can use this unit.

dunno if i would go tube or not... same with a tube headphones amplifier... mostly because no higher spaces to hold both the preamp and headphone amp as well stacking tubes seems very very very very bad for both parts

 

[lovehatelove]

Thinking about buying a Rolls VP29. The preamp built into my technics reciever doesn't sound too good. Has anyone had any experience with the VP29? Would you recommend it?

 

[apholden]

If you have a cat, then I wouldn't recommend tubes on the floor. Tubes get lava-hot when they're running, and I would hate for the cat to burn itself.

 

[VMPKJ]

If you have a cat, then I wouldn't recommend tubes on the floor. Tubes get lava-hot when they're running, and I would hate for the cat to burn itself.

Ah, I see. We’re thinking the cat will get hurt not the tubes. The DS tubes are deep in the unit and have guards on top. I don’t think it would be an issue. That said it does not sound like the poster is after tubes.

 

[VMPKJ]

dunno if i would go tube or not... same with a tube headphones amplifier... mostly because no higher spaces to hold both the preamp and headphone amp as well stacking tubes seems very very very very bad for both parts

Sure. Gotta know your set up.

 

[VMPKJ]

Honestly I’d set a budget and buy the best piece of equipment that you can get within it. Synergy is important but you don’t need to have a whole set of equipment from the same manufacturer to achieve it.

Tubes are great, I love my tube power amplifier, but if we are talking phono stage I wouldn’t bother if it’s going to be one that just uses a tube buffer, unless it just so happens to be the best stage for your budget. If it’s a full tube phono stage that’s well thought of then maybe, but they tend to be pricy.

Totally agree on budget and sound quality for the range. Tubes as buffers are certainly much less impactful than in full on pre and power amps but they are not inconsequential.

To be clear I wasn’t recommending the DS as a tube option originally. It’s just a fantastic sounding quiet phono.

 

[duke86fan]

Sure. Gotta know your set up.

currently using a Uturn Orbit customed with a grado black1 (will update to a red or gold beforehand), a schiit mani preamp stacked on top of some some powered speakers on the carpet that im planning to move to a schiit magni (or another one if there is a better choice). which connect into my sennheiser 58X

all going through super cheap monoprice and preincluded cables though i could move to bluejeans or audioquest soon

 

[Joe Mac]

Totally agree on budget and sound quality for the range. Tubes as buffers are certainly much less impactful than in full on pre and power amps but they are not inconsequential.

To be clear I wasn’t recommending the DS as a tube option originally. It’s just a fantastic sounding quiet phono.

fair enough, I was more replying to Gello‘s post, I hadn’t really noticed your one. Good to hear the DS is a nice pre, it is in Very competitive waters price wise though with some very good stages in and around it.

 

[Bsdmr2]

do you think the Aria is too much for my setup though? (my speakers are Dynaudio Xeo 2s)

Im thinking the Fono but maybe long term the Aria would be good because I’d just hang on to that sucker.

and should I take a look at tube amps?

It depends on where you think you’ll take your source to in the future. And how long that journey will take.

I’d maybe get the fono for now, and it’ll be a good step-up over current - save the extra cash for records or future kit upgrade pot. Then if you ever move on to a p6 or p8 then you could get the Aria at the same time - maybe as part of a deal with a trusted dealer.

 

[Mather]

It depends on where you think you’ll take your source to in the future. And how long that journey will take.

I’d maybe get the fono for now, and it’ll be a good step-up over current - save the extra cash for records or future kit upgrade pot. Then if you ever move on to a p6 or p8 then you could get the Aria at the same time - maybe as part of a deal with a trusted dealer.

@GelloJive As an Aria owner I only have good things to say about it, and I haven't even used the dedicated MC circuit yet. Not saying to get it now but if and when you do I think you'll be pleased.

 

[Joe Mac]

@GelloJive As an Aria owner I only have good things to say about it, and I haven't even used the dedicated MC circuit yet. Not saying to get it now but if and when you do I think you'll be pleased.

I think in that price bracket it’s the only other one that was in my consideration when I got the MX-VYNL, I think it really is the flip of a coin between the two.

 

[Mather]

I think in that price bracket it’s the only other one that was in my consideration when I got the MX-VYNL, I think it really the flip of a coin between the two.

Yeah I couldn't pull the trigger on a Sutherland since with the 40% discount I got in the Rega made it like half the price. I'm sure it'll get upgraded somewhere down the line but for the time being it's great, and like I said I haven't even tried out an MC cart with it yet. I haven't heard the MX but it has great reviews.

 

[Joe Mac]

Yeah I couldn't pull the trigger on a Sutherland since with the 40% discount I got in the Rega made it like half the price. I'm sure it'll get upgraded somewhere down the line but for the time being it's great, and like I said I haven't even tried out an MC cart with it yet. I haven't heard the MX but it has great reviews.

Im really happy with it, it made an enormous difference when it went into the old gear and it’s stepped up really nicely. I’m more likely to get a linear power supply for it than upgrade it right now. The reviews between the two on What HiFi are so close that it actually came down to the fact that the MX had £50 off when I was buying and that I could get it in silver like the rest of my gear at the time

 

[Mather]

Im really happy with it, it made an enormous difference when it went into the old gear and it’s stepped up really nicely. I’m more likely to get a linear power supply for it than upgrade it right now. The reviews between the two on What HiFi are so close that it actually came down to the fact that the MX had £50 off when I was buying and that I could get it in silver like the rest of my gear at the time

Yeah I'm not sure why but the MX is a full $600 cheaper here than the Rega, that's a great buy at that price. Pricing can be so strange in Canada...

 

[Joe Mac]

Yeah I'm not sure why but the MX is a full $600 cheaper here than the Rega, that's a great buy at that price. Pricing can be so strange in Canada...

The MX is around £100 cheaper now but almost 2 years ago when I was buying they were nearer in price. They’re approx £700 and £800 in the UK now. I do hear that regas bought outside Europe have a bit of a dealer/distributor premium on them.

 

[AnthonyI]

Steve's great

 

[bluzuner]

Hi, thought I'd ask about upgrading my phono preamp...

My main system has an U Turn Pluto in it. I also have a NAD PP-2e in the system in the bedroom. I'd like to replace the Pluto. My equipment goes Audio Technica VM540ML--Music Hall 2.3 SE--Cambridge CXA60--Q Acoustics 3030i.

I don't necessarily dislike the Pluto for what it is, but I feel like it struggles to get a grip on the high-end. As the volume rises, it gets a tad grainy. I do like it more than the NAD, but it does get a little shouty up top. And it's that way with most any cartridge. I use LC-1's for interconnects, so I think I'm safe there. I'm looking to spend $300-500 for this.

I'm looking for a new product, not one used. Although open boxes and demos are fine.

I know the two MoFi's are popular here, and have both gotten great reviews pretty much everywhere. One question I have is what does the step up from the StudioPhono to the UltraPhono get you? Also, I've somewhat interested in the ProJect Tube Box DS. That's moved down to $400 since it's gotten replaced. I'm open to others, also.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Joe Mac]

Hi, thought I'd ask about upgrading my phono preamp...

My main system has an U Turn Pluto in it. I also have a NAD PP-2e in the system in the bedroom. I'd like to replace the Pluto. My equipment goes Audio Technica VM540ML--Music Hall 2.3 SE--Cambridge CXA60--Q Acoustics 3030i.

I don't necessarily dislike the Pluto for what it is, but I feel like it struggles to get a grip on the high-end. As the volume rises, it gets a tad grainy. I do like it more than the NAD, but it does get a little shouty up top. And it's that way with most any cartridge. I use LC-1's for interconnects, so I think I'm safe there. I'm looking to spend $300-500 for this.

I'm looking for a new product, not one used. Although open boxes and demos are fine.

I know the two MoFi's are popular here, and have both gotten great reviews pretty much everywhere. One question I have is what does the step up from the StudioPhono to the UltraPhono get you? Also, I've somewhat interested in the ProJect Tube Box DS. That's moved down to $400 since it's gotten replaced. I'm open to others, also.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Quite a few people on here bought these before Christmas and were very keen on them.

Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS Phonostage

The V90-LPS is a Phono Stage with outstanding sound quality at a highly affordable price.

upscaleaudio.com

Here’s a review

Home review

This engaging phono amp deserves to be heard...

www.whathifi.com

If you have a bit of give in your budget I have it’s big brother and adore it and it’s currently got a nice discount at upscale

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Phonostage

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Our favorite $1000 phonostage is on sale now! The MX-VYNL is a fully balanced, very high-performance phono stage, able to operate with virtually any moving coil or moving magnet cartridge. With both traditional RCA inputs and a unique XLR fully balanced connection the...

upscaleaudio.com

And here’s a review for it

Home review

A top class premium phono stage with generous features and superb sound...

www.whathifi.com

 

[bluzuner]

Quite a few people on here bought these before Christmas and were very keen on them.

Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS Phonostage

The V90-LPS is a Phono Stage with outstanding sound quality at a highly affordable price.

upscaleaudio.com

Here’s a review

Home review

This engaging phono amp deserves to be heard...

www.whathifi.com

If you have a bit of give in your budget I have it’s big brother and adore it and it’s currently got a nice discount at upscale

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Phonostage

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Our favorite $1000 phonostage is on sale now! The MX-VYNL is a fully balanced, very high-performance phono stage, able to operate with virtually any moving coil or moving magnet cartridge. With both traditional RCA inputs and a unique XLR fully balanced connection the...

upscaleaudio.com

And here’s a review for it

Home review

A top class premium phono stage with generous features and superb sound...

www.whathifi.com

Thank you!

I actually read that lx2 review earlier, and I think that could work nicely. I'd love to get the one that you have, but I told myself not to go down this rabbit hole too far...although those self-discussions are usually ignored when I see the "new and shiny" things.

Maybe I should read that review and then...ponder. I'd like to get some ideas from those that have MoFi preamps too.

Are you the guy that has the sandbox for your turntable? I that's you, I wouldn't mind getting a link to the people that built it for you. I have the spongiest floors in existence, and nowhere good for a shelf.

Thanks again.

 

[Joe Mac]

Thank you!

I actually read that lx2 review earlier, and I think that could work nicely. I'd love to get the one that you have, but I told myself not to go down this rabbit hole too far...although those self-discussions are usually ignored when I see the "new and shiny" things.

Maybe I should read that review and then...ponder. I'd like to get some ideas from those that have MoFi preamps too.

Are you the guy that has the sandbox for your turntable? I that's you, I wouldn't mind getting a link to the people that built it for you. I have the spongiest floors in existence, and nowhere good for a shelf.

Thanks again.

I have an isolation box but it not filled with sand. It’s real wood veneered mdf and uses quite a bit of sorbothane and some fancy feet to damp the vibrations.

I used an English audio specialist to build it bespoke for me, was around £300. He’s a good guy and his prices are fair but shipping might make it too expensive. He will talk you through everything via email and quote you prices before you have to make that decision though. His website is

www.acoustand.co.uk

The two mofis are definitely good options too, there are a few on here who have them so you should get some feedback on them from someone!