2. analog
  3. 1425506299

Musical Fidelity A5 Phono Stage

Need some advice. My rig is:

Pro-ject Debut Carbon with 2M Blue, Herbie Mat, isolation table, feet, etc. speed controller.
Musical Fidelity Integrated A5 amp
B&W 804N speakers

the analog rig is performing pretty well. Some albums are epic, some are just ok. par for the vinyl course i suppose.

I'm trying to get everything to full potential and i'm concerned with the integrated phono stage. it has a bit of 60 cycle hum when the volume is turned up past about 10 o'clock; much higher to achieve similar volume on other inputs. (yes, even with the turntable off).

I'm considering an upgrade. probably SS. my concern with tubes is maybe a loss in clarity. i love tubes but not sure this is the best place to put them with such a delicate signal.

I see a turntable upgrade in the next 12 months so i dont mind the phono stage outperforming the table at this point. would probably be on a $500 budget, but would be open to a used stage.

any suggestions?

Cheers
kevindh

Showing 1 response by erikt

erikt
270 posts
 
I have the A5 int amp as well - but I don't hear the hum you are describing and I sometimes go higher than 10 o'clock.

The phono section of the A5 does an admirable job.

I once tried a Jolida external phono pre, but no matter what I set it to, could not get it to match the sq of the A5.

I'm sure there are other ext phono pres that would offer better sq, but you may want to solve the hum problem - which may not be the A5.
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