I just replaced my PH 10 with a Musical Surroundings Nova iii. I use a MM Audio Technica AT20ss cartridge and I find the Nova iii was superior for this type of cart as it has the 100K input impedance loading which was suggested by Clakster. I didn’t think that high of an impedance was going to be too good for the AT20ss, but since the Nova iii was sold to me with a 60 day trial period, I thought why not give it an a/b against the PH10.
As much as I enjoyed the PH10, I have to say the Nova iii for top of the line MM carts is really the better choice. The ability to switch capacitance and impedance along with 16 gain settings makes it very well suited for the MM user. The upper mid/treble is far superior and the low end is much more powerful. I am told the mids will open up more with use as I only have around 15 hours on the Nova. I plan on ordering in the Linear Power Supply as this is said to be another good upgrade to the presentation.
Thanks Clakster for pushing the 100K ohm impedance, you were 100 percent on target. I find the 100 and 200 pf capacitance is very good too. It’s just a matter of preference.
The sound stage and imaging in the Nova iii is very much more pronounced with only 15 hours of break in; I am anxiously awaiting to hear the performance at 50 to 100 hours and with the LPS.
As much as I enjoyed the PH10, I have to say the Nova iii for top of the line MM carts is really the better choice. The ability to switch capacitance and impedance along with 16 gain settings makes it very well suited for the MM user. The upper mid/treble is far superior and the low end is much more powerful. I am told the mids will open up more with use as I only have around 15 hours on the Nova. I plan on ordering in the Linear Power Supply as this is said to be another good upgrade to the presentation.
Thanks Clakster for pushing the 100K ohm impedance, you were 100 percent on target. I find the 100 and 200 pf capacitance is very good too. It’s just a matter of preference.
The sound stage and imaging in the Nova iii is very much more pronounced with only 15 hours of break in; I am anxiously awaiting to hear the performance at 50 to 100 hours and with the LPS.