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!
No worries, I get it trust me. I am sure it's something I could do if I could find time to focus on it for a couple of days and figure it all out. 3 kids, and a busy job in real estate give me barely enough time to listen let alone tinker. Part of why I went with the Rega set up since it's relatively closed up one and done. Now this! Might as well got a table I could easily modify! I am sure I will track it down through trial and error, ground loops are just a mystery to most. |
I am using the Hana Umami Red. My table has not been rewired, I am referring to the fact Rega uses a floating ground and doesn't use a balanced connection when I say that. I've tried a few combinations and the hum is still very present. Not sure how I feel about putting a filter on my system for this. Too bad because this is a spectacular PS for the money. Low level listening is best I've heard. |
@jc51373 I use the subsonic filter because my woofer cones were visibly oscillating. I have never noticed any hum. I get the balanced connection issue now. This was something I didn't pay attention to when I got my RP8. But I agree with you that the Konus is really special. |
Since hum by conventional definition is usually 60Hz or 120Hz, you really cannot filter it out without destroying bass response. I don't understand "floating ground" with a single-ended connection. (You say Rega does not use a balanced connection; SE is the only other alternative.) In an SE circuit, the signal MUST see ground or maybe that is why you have hum. (One normally gets a very loud hum if audio ground is disconnected.) In a balanced phono circuit, the signal is divided into pos and neg phases and audio ground is left to "float", which is to say there is no ground reference. |
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.
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