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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

Showing 3 responses by dover

dover
2,295 posts
 

judging by my own experience, a cartridge over 10 ohms would have so little gain in current mode that the signal to noise ratio would be pretty bad. 

Clearly you have little experience.

I use a current sensing step up with a range of MC's from 3-40 ohms - ultra quiet and plenty of gain.

I also listen regularly to a Van den hul grand cru, a high impedance mc,  with the van den hul current gain phono stage - ultra low noise floor - as in deathly quiet.

I have also heard the Nibiru and BMC current phonos in a friends system.

With these 4 current type phonos - they all react differently to cartridges with different internal resistance.You cant generalise - each current type phono has to be assessed individually with a variety of cartridges.

dover
2,295 posts
 

The problem with Rega tonearms is that instead of earthing the tonearm through a separate earth lead like most arms, they use the left channel negative wire ( blue ) to earth the arm ( there is a strap inside the arm base connecting the left channel negative to the physical arm).

Its a stupid system and prevents Rega arms from operating with balanced inputs.

Notwithstanding that, Rega will wire an arm for use with balanced inputs on request. I have seen this for use with the balanced inputs on an Aqvox phono.

 

 

dover
2,295 posts
 

@jc51373

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.

Local dealer here in New Zealand - I saw the arm when it came back.

Distributors and dealers often say things that are not true because they cant be bothered to do anything outside the norm.

I suggest you contact Britaudio in the US - they do re-wires on Rega arms and may be able to help you.

 

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