Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

Jcharvet, do you use the Coincident Phono like a line-stage for your digital source also ?
Seems it has input for CD player too, so can bypass having a line stage completely.
If you do, can you please tell how good it is with acting as a Line stage for a digital source.

Thanks for your advice Charles1dad.

Thanks Banquo363 for your answer.

Whats the budget for a cart that might match this amp ?

I know the world of cart is a big one, and hard to answer without experience, but as a beginner whats a first stab at a cart that would start to do justice to this pre-amp. I need to figure that out, so that I can plan my budget.

even 4.5K for this amp, might be a stretch for me, but might be worth it, given the step-up I experienced after getting a Coincident amp.

onhwy61, Thanks for your pragmatic advice.

My components are definitely of not the same quality. Am sure my cartridge is not, which I knew from the start and do not mind upgrading.

I did expect to keep the TT (Clearaudio Concept) for a few years.
I hope getting the Coincident will not make do that upgrade too. If so, I might wait and gain some more experience with Vinyl before getting the Coincident.

Money is limited, as it always is, otherwise I would have bought the Coincident and asked questions later.

Iso, I agree with what you are saying. That it will be good match. But I wonder if getting the Coincident pre-amp will force me to make upgrades I am not ready yet.

I talked to Israel, he says that the "line-stage" in the phono is passive (no gain), so its not a "true" linestage.

I apologize for beating this topic to death, but yesterday I dealer demo-ed the CAT SL1 Renaissance with built-in Phono.

I was wondering how the Coincident Phono compares to this pre-amp.
The CAT was unbelievable. Blew my mind.

Would the Coincident Phono + Coincident Dragon
beat
CAT SL1 Preamp + Coincident Dragon.

If they are both close I would prefer the Coincident for sure.

Basically I am trying to understand if after buying the Coincident Phono, will i have to splurge on a World class pre-amp to get the best performance.

Hi Charles1dad.
Unfortunately there is no way for me to audition the Coincident without purchasing it.
And yes your assumption is right about phono perf being primary consideration.

Banquo, your words are full of wisdom. My LP collection is already rivaling my CD collection in quality, though far far less in quantity (25 LPs). Hence the anxiety to get the phono quick.

I am hoping that the Coincident Phono does not need a line stage to reach its maximum potential, given that I own a Coincident Amp.

onhwy61, That was a good question and I was pondering upon it myself too.
What cartridge would I get, if I go for the coincident.

I know cartridges are a world in itself. I would just start with the most inexpensive MC cartridge that would be compatible with the Concept turnarm.

I do not know what that would be. My best guess right now is Sumiko Bluepoint evo 3. Since the dealer from whom I bought the TT (used), suggested it.

Metralla,
Here is another way I look at my system.
I have been looking and its very hard to find an EAR 834P used (They have come up only 3 times in the 3 months)

Buying one new = $2000 (with taxes)
Sell it down the road -> $1000 loss
OR
sell the Triode ($2000) + $2500 = Coincident Phono
Risk is that Coincident Phono does have a great line stage as stereomojo suggests. And i have to get a line stage down the road for my digital.

3 Months Later. To provide a conclusion to this fantastic thread.

I first made the "rational" choice and got the EAR 834P. Enjoyed it for a while.

I was later convinced that getting CSPS would obviate the need for a line stage for my Digital (so true!).

Sold the EAR 834P and my Coincident Phono arrived just yesterday !

Am super excited.

The line stage of the CSPS sounds as good if not better than my previous line stage.

Still need to updgrade my analog frontend to become MC (its MM now) sigh!
But do not regret the decision.

The CSPS at $4500 even $6000 is a steal !

Hi Lewm,

Actually the line stage on Coincident Phono is better than direct CD player connection to the Coincident power amp (which has its own volume control).
The bass and "weight" of the music came back and "deflation" caused by lack of pre-amp has vanished.

Burn-in will take some time. Then I will know if I can live without an active line-stage (fingers crossed).

The line-stage in the phono does not have any gain however its not passive.

Am trying to figure out a MC Cartridge for Clearaudio Concept, which is proving to be a challenge (i do not want to get the clearaudio mc cart).