First phono stage upgrade

@hleeid

You’re welcome. There is nothing like finding that sweet spot. Enjoy!

@gestalt Hi Colin!

Apologies for the long overdue shout out!

Yes. Absolutely loving the Konus!

Definitely a made a big improvement with the turntable and cartridge, and in my listening room, and my ears.

What I posted doesn't quite lend justice in describing the complete satisfaction and confidence I have enjoyed during my phonostage upgrade journey.

I have no business affiliation with Colin or Gestalt Audio.

But I am now another extremely happy and loyal customer.

@hleeid thrilled you're loving the Konus!

@jc51373

I did get the Konus. It is the Vinyle 1000 MC.

But first, a huge shout out to Colin King at Gestalt Audio.
I had a great customer experience. Colin is extremely knowledgeable and generous with his time. He helped me cut through lots of confusion on many things about vinyl.

I completely happy with my purchase. Colin was very polite, professional, and
always willing to spend time speaking with me.
Even after the sale.

I have come across a handful of individuals who are vendors but of the highest caliber (Duke from AudioKinesis, Richard from Renaissance Audio).

Colin definitely has a place on that list.

Back to the Konus.

This is my first upgrade so I consider myself still somewhat new to vinyl.
So here is my best evaluation as a newbie.

After home auditioning the Musical Surrounding Nova III and a Black Ice Audio F159 from a local shop, I was able to hear the improvement over my starter phonostage (Vincent PHO 8).
At the same decibel reading on my phone app, almost all records "sounded" louder with the loaners.
Orchestral pieces were more distinct with more discernable placement of instruments.
Bass track heavy jazz (Herbie Hancock HeadHunters) sounded less congested and boomy.
Diana Krall had more texture and form to her spoken/sung words.

I could listen at lower volumes without losing detail and dynamic range.

Not all improvements were significant. Sometimes I would have to repeat a track to confirm the details I heard with the loaner units at the lower volume.
Other times I could not hear any difference.

Kind of fun doing testing against the Vincent.
I also noticed the sound quality of the Vincent coming very close to the loaners on some tracks. Sometimes I would have to repeat tracks to try to hear differences.

Very noticeable improvements at the extreme upper and lower frequencies.
The most noticeable improvements were the ability to play at low volumes without sacrificing SQL.

Then I got the Konus for a trial.

It bested the Musical Surrounding Nova III and a Black Ice Audio F159 similar to how these loaners bested my Vincent PHO 8.

Honestly, I feel the improvement from the Konus over the loaners was not as significant as the improvement from the loaners over my Vincent.

But also, almost every record sounded less forced. Like the system wasn’t stretching to reveal clarity and detail in the highs.

Bass? Well, that’s tough to describe.
I wouldn’t say controlled. Maybe more distinct and technical.
Easier to follow the bass lines without them being overbearing.

Thanks again to Colin King!
Thanks to @lalitk for the introductions!

@hleeid 

What phono stage did you settle on? Did you get the Konus? 

@dayglow 

Given your system specifics and your ear I see your logic.

I considered and auditioned a P9/RB1000 but bought an Amazon Model One with a Moerch. I do think that it's good that Grand Prix Audio and Rega follow the low energy storage model and the idea of making the deck smaller and more minimalist - most technology moves in the direction of making things smaller. It's not the sound for me. This highlights the question of the OP and the need to hear a different phono stage in your system. :) 

@lohanimal    Yes, it is a bold statement. You can't hear everything! I have not heard a Whest product in over 10 years. I plan on attending the 2023 Florida Audio Expo and will be on the lookout for Whest. There could be some unknown very small company that's here today gone tomorrow that currently holds the < $10k phono crown. Since I own a Rega P9/RB1000 I respect the flagship Rega sound. Yes, Rega can be somewhat forward/aggressive but it lets you engage in your music regardless of genre. Many Audiophile speakers are overly polite adding a Rega P10 or an Aura phono stage could be the perfect balance. Just recently heard a Burmester Phono 100 in a >$200k system which was nearly perfect but lacked that bite and drive when vinyl was played. The Burmester 100 implemented in a different system might be sublime and destroy the Aura? Bottomline is the Aura($6695) might not win any beauty contest but is tough to beat in a low/mid true hi-end system.

@hleeid You have done well to adopt the method of receiving a Home Demo' of items if interest.

This in itself will prove to be very beneficial in your learning the Sonic Signature and Performance on offer from a certain Topology used within a Certain Design within a Certain Price range. I say this, as my experiences have shown on occasions, where I have been in the Company of quite a few Phonostages, that the Sonic Signatures is perceivable, and it is reasonably easy to detect when a Topology for a schematic is a similar arrangement and a design that is not too far adrift from others being used at the time. It is not usual for a certain design, and topology to be offered within a certain price range that are closely related in their asking prices. There comes a point when a particular design, one that is not the 'off the shelf' commonly found designs, is able to show a clear difference between other Phons', especially for the better.   

Do set yourself up for a success in preparation for these demos at home and allow the items to have a pre-warm.

Phonostages all seem to benefit from a period of warming. If the Models to be tried are quite new, they will certainly benefit from a run time and possibly many more than is able to be used during your demo' period. 

When I have home trialled Phon's in the Past, to save on the Stylus Life, I have used a CDP with a Hagerman Inverted / Reverse RIAA between the CDP and Phonostage.

This is left on Repeat Play in earshot for multiple hours at a time, it soon becomes apparent the Phonostage has made a change and the impression being made is very different for the previous in front of the speaker visits to assess the presentation.

There comes a point the Phonostage is begging to be used with the LP Source, as it just sounds so ready for the occasion.   

@dayglow Rega Aura best under $10,000. That’s some serious claim. I personally have a soft spot for those made by Whest - I have their first one and assume the later ones are better still. If you can get hold of one - find a second hand Vendetta scp2a. I will say that phono stages vary hugely - most good dealers will lend you one so take that up and trust ur ears

@jerryg123 

Thanks! IME, the phono stage is a very critical component in analog chain. Not saying cart, tonearm or TT is any less important but man, finding a ‘right’ phono stage may take few trials. Been there :-)

@lalitk I agree 100% and wish others would give this kind of advise instead of wholesale endorsements.

Let your ears decide. 

There is no substitute for the ability to audition gear within your system. Let your ears decide what’s sounds best in your budget. 

Try the Lehmann Black Cube SE II.  Includes LPS and for ~ $1200 is a super good deal.  

@hleeid

You’re welcome! I’m looking forward to your feedback. 

@lalitk I got in touch with Colin. Thanks for the referral!

Trying out the Konus Audio Vinyle 1000 MC MKII. It should arrive sometime next week.

Interesting that it is current sensing (vs voltage sensing). I am very curious to try it as I am auditioning the Nova III and Black Ice Audio F159 over the next week.

Anyone else using a Konus? Impressions?

So far I am enjoying the upgrade from the Exact MM to Ania Pro!

Not sure what your budget is but when you make small incremental steps you lose money and time. Since you own a Rega P8 consider a Rega Aura which might be the best all round phono stage under $10k. If you ever upgrade to a P10 or your turntable of choice the Aura will stay.

The power supply option is called Linear Charging Power Supply (LCPS).

I checked out the gestalt audio site. Might reach out to Colin and check out the suggested units.

But they are located in Nashville. I live in Massachusetts. Maybe Colin can work something out for auditioning.

There is no substitute for the ability to audition gear within your system. Let your ears decide what’s sounds best in your budget. 

Around $2K, the phono options comes to mind are Tron Convergence, Gold Note PH-10 and Konus Audio Vinyle 1000MM Mark II. If you’re interested, give Colin a call @gestalt audio for a possible home audition. 

Best of luck. I am interested in the power supply testing. Does the linear supply have a name? 650 seems a bit steep, but who knows?