Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Thanks for the many suggestions. I do think I'm mostly convinced on the preamp I'm going with, the issue really was more over the question of using a SUT to an MM configuration or getting the MC version. I may still change my mind and go with something different, but I'm not sure I want to go with anything I haven't demoed or at least heard, even if not on my system. Thankfully I have a few months before I plan to pull the trigger so I might still be able to check out some other options.
 
Joe Mac said:
i think id probably look at a phono that has two inputs, like the one i have and a few other mobile fidelity and pro-ject ones. Can flick a switch between the two and quickly switch the settings.
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The Mudical Fidelity M6x Vinyl was awesome, and I used it for just this situation. Front panel adjustments and memory for each cart type…think it would be set and forget in this case.

*sorry. Just saw that you’re set on the Graham Slee.
 
Slimwhit33 said:
The Mudical Fidelity M6x Vinyl was awesome, and I used it for just this situation. Front panel adjustments and memory for each cart type…think it would be set and forget in this case.

*sorry. Just saw that you’re set on the Graham Slee.
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I might still change my mind, but I really like how it sounds. More than most I've checked out.
 
Hemotep said:
Thanks for the many suggestions. I do think I'm mostly convinced on the preamp I'm going with, the issue really was more over the question of using a SUT to an MM configuration or getting the MC version.
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Unless you plan to go MC only using this phono, then the SUT option is the way to go. Alternatively to a SUT, you could consider the Graham Slee Elevator EXP - MC Step-up headamp. Personally, I’d prefer a SUT to a headamp for lower noise, but SUTs can sometimes cause ground loops that are hard to chase down.

You can easily go from a dedicated MM phono to a MC setup, but you cannot easily go from a dedicated MC phono to MM.
 
Angsty said:
Unless you plan to go MC only using this phono, then the SUT option is the way to go. Alternatively to a SUT, you could consider the Graham Slee Elevator EXP - MC Step-up headamp. Personally, I’d prefer a SUT to a headamp for lower noise, but SUTs can sometimes cause ground loops that are hard to chase down.

You can easily go from a dedicated MM phono to a MC setup, but you cannot easily go from a dedicated MC phono to MM.
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Thanks for this! It's what I was a bit unsure I was fully understanding, but aligns with what I thought.

I have an idea of what I'd like my system to eventually be, so I'm more interesting in buying pieces that I love and can fit into my "end game" vision than in getting gear that solves a problem but doesn't scratch the upgrade itch right. Might be silly, but this is where I can indulge my irrational desires.
 
After reading what Graham Slee has to say about its Elevator headamp, it gives me pause. The comments about SUT hum, DC/low frequency input and excitation current are all misleading. Not completely false, but misapplied when talking about signals from MC cartridges.

I certainly hope that they do a better job with their engineering than their marketing.
 
Angsty said:
After reading what Graham Slee has to say about its Elevator headamp, it gives me pause. The comments about SUT hum, DC/low frequency input and excitation current are all misleading. Not completely false, but misapplied when talking about signals from MC cartridges.

I certainly hope that they do a better job with their engineering than their marketing.
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They don't really market at all, and Graham talks a lot about how he doesn't think MC cartridge offer any advantage over MM cartridges. His approach is pretty different in design for a phono stage than any other that I've come across. While the layman's explanation of it makes sense to me, I can't say that I understand the engineering logic well enough to defend anything. I only know that when I've compared the Accession to the other units I was interested in, it sounded like another stratosphere.
 
Hemotep said:
They don't really market at all, and Graham talks a lot about how he doesn't think MC cartridge offer any advantage over MM cartridges. His approach is pretty different in design for a phono stage than any other that I've come across. While the layman's explanation of it makes sense to me, I can't say that I understand the engineering logic well enough to defend anything. I only know that when I've compared the Accession to the other units I was interested in, it sounded like another stratosphere.
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I agree that MC’s offer few if any advantages over MM’s/MI’s that are not counterbalanced with drawbacks. I’ve found that I can enjoy both types equally but I’m currently in the MC camp. I may go back to a MI once it is time to re-tip.
 
Hemotep said:
Thanks for this! It's what I was a bit unsure I was fully understanding, but aligns with what I thought.

I have an idea of what I'd like my system to eventually be, so I'm more interesting in buying pieces that I love and can fit into my "end game" vision than in getting gear that solves a problem but doesn't scratch the upgrade itch right. Might be silly, but this is where I can indulge my irrational desires.
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Based on what I know and hear now, get a SUT. It's absolutely the way when hooking up a MC.
I'm still amazed playing records and the level of fidelity with guitar strings, vocals etc.
I even picked up on Jimmy Forrest taking breaths during his session on Out Of The Forrest.
Of course this is a reward of the entire system but SUT was a game changer to add to the audio chain.


The type of SUT and turn ratio all factor in with the cart too. So maybe pick your MC cart first if you go down this path.
 
The Elevator EXP is not a SUT, it is a head amp. See that it has a power socket. I was annoyed by the video presenter continually calling it a “transformer”.

I’m in the SUT camp as my Bryston phono has an SUT in its chassis an a MM/MC toggle switch. I never got around to trying the Sutherland Insight with a SUT to see if I preferred it to just using the 60 dB gain setting.
 
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Portland Sheriff said:
Not gonna turn this into the Def Audiophile forum, but if you like that breathy sound, check out Arnett Cobb - Party Time from that AP Prestige series if you don’t already have it. I have both Party Time and Out of the Forrest (among others from the series), and they both sound amazing with that sound you’re describing.
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I have it. Will need to pull it for another spin today. Thanks
 
I read this article a few days ago and I thought it offered meaningful advice from a top engineer in audio electronics.

benchmarkmedia.com

Audiophile Snake Oil

The Audiophile Wild West Audiophiles live in the wild west. $495 will buy an "audiophile fuse" to replace the $1 generic fuse that came in your audio amplifier. $10,000 will buy a set of "audiophile speaker cables" to replace the $20 wires you purchased at the local hardware store. We are told...
benchmarkmedia.com benchmarkmedia.com

I only detected one truly self-serving quip: “Replace any component that cannot deliver at least a 115 dB SNR.” With that, you’d never own vinyl!
 
Angsty said:
I read this article a few days ago and I thought it offered meaningful advice from a top engineer in audio electronics.

benchmarkmedia.com

Audiophile Snake Oil

The Audiophile Wild West Audiophiles live in the wild west. $495 will buy an "audiophile fuse" to replace the $1 generic fuse that came in your audio amplifier. $10,000 will buy a set of "audiophile speaker cables" to replace the $20 wires you purchased at the local hardware store. We are told...
benchmarkmedia.com benchmarkmedia.com

I only detected one truly self-serving quip: “Replace any component that cannot deliver at least a 115 dB SNR.” With that, you’d never own vinyl!
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Interesting article or at the very least entertaining.
Yes there is that notion that vinyl would not make the cut.
The author states “Why not invest in audio accessories that can produce differences that are clearly audible and easily measured?”
I have been investing/devolving towards audio “color” or “warmth” or distortion be it second order or whatever.
Single ended tube amps and most recently the

Magni Piety​

“A rich-sounding solid state amp with tube-like characteristics.”
“Magni…Piety exhibits distortion characteristics, gain curves, and square waves resembling tube amps.”
I really like it but some/most would probably not like it.
It is a headphone amplifier that also functions as a preamplifier
which is how I use it.
$175 and recommended as far as I am concerned.
I like both the clean solid-state sound as well as some audio color depending on what I am listening to.
 
displayname said:
@Ghost and @mindhead1 - y’all still rocking the Kinki amps? I’m considering going back to solid state and I keep coming back to this one.

Curious what else y’all demoed and if you got to demo the Kinki or did you bite based on reviews?
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Still living Kinki and still loving it. It's so easy to live with in terms of being able to start it up in a few secs and get listening to Tidal, Records, or TV. Its a gorgeous piece in the space and the build quality is just tremendous, even the remote is a thing of beauty.

As for the sound, I'm blown away everyday by how pleasant it has made my listening experience. Always hearing little details in the music that I never heard before. I'm falling in love all over again with my records and my rig.

That being said I didn't demo anything else, I went fully off of reviews but absolutely no regrets.

If you have specific questions I'm happy to answer! Lmk. @mindhead1 was a great resource for me when I was considering the move.
 
displayname said:
@Ghost and @mindhead1 - y’all still rocking the Kinki amps? I’m considering going back to solid state and I keep coming back to this one.

Curious what else y’all demoed and if you got to demo the Kinki or did you bite based on reviews?
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I'm still living the Kinki life and loving it. As @Ghost mentioned it's a quality piece in terms of performance and looks. Even the remote.

I didn't have a chance to audition it prior to purchasing, I relied on reviews from the likes of Nemo Propaganda, Steve Huff, Jay's Iyagi and New Record Day. I liked the idea of a purpose built piece that didn't have a DAC or Phono Pre I wouldn't use. The EX-M1+ provides great detail and dynamics even at lower volumes. The highs and mid are smooth and rich, and bass is controlled and punchy.

Compared to my previous amps there was a marked improvement when all my sources are connected and the Kinki amp drives my speakers (Buchardt s400 II and Triangle Comet EZ) very well.

My previous amps were a Yamaha as301, Cambridge Audio CXA81, and Wilsenton R8 (still have). All of these amps are very good, IMO, but the Kinki is superior to all of them which it should be at its price point of 2x - 3x more than my previous amps. Kinki Studio gear gets a strong recommendation from me.

The only negative thing about this amp is it's gotten me curious about other high end amplification. Can it get better, or have I reached the point of diminishing returns. Only one way to find out, but that's for the future. For now, I'm very content with my Kinki amp.
 
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