2. analog
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Parasound Halo JC 3 vs Whest PS .30R for the Lyra Delos

Hello,

I am looking to reduce the noise floor in the analog section of my system.  I am using a Lyra Delos, Michell Tecnodek, Whest PS .30R, Audio Research tube amp & preamp, and Rockport Mira Monitors.

Full system can be seen here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421

Through the help of various members, I have determined that the noise I am complaining about, which is subtle, but present, is coming from my Whest phono preamp.  Because of the design of my ARC preamp, and the fact that I own the cables, I want to maintain a phono preamp with balanced outputs, which is less common, and hence not a ton of choice, especially at the price point I want to be at.

My Whest retails for $3500 and is probably worth about $2500, and that is where I want to keep the top of my budget.  if I score a great deal on the Whest, and a great deal on a replacement, I can use the surplus to upgrade the cables perhaps, or another tweak, such as fuses, or perhaps some new vinyl!

I am wondering if the Lyra Delos - Parasound Halo JC 3 combo will be better than the Whest in 2 departments:  lower noise, and similar or better overall sound quality.  I am not looking to shoot myself in the foot and get lower quality sound at the cost of a lower noise floor!

Thoughts?

PS>  If anyone is bored, or super motivated, here is the thread in which we flush out the issue of the noise...
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/will-changing-my-100-watt-tube-amp-to-a-200-watt-ss-amp-solve...

marktomaras
audiojedi
225 posts
 
I am running a Delos into a JC3 on my Rega RP10 and it's incredibly clean and quiet sounding no hiss or hum at all.

This combo running into my LFD NCSE pretty well has me off the merry go round I've been happily just enjoying the music for quite a while now.

Definitely a good match...


jasonsim
113 posts
 
Have you considered a Sutherland?  The 20/20 model is around $2300.  

I am selling a Sutherland Insight on Audiogon at the moment, it retails for $1400.  Very good phono stage and very quiet. 

Jason
ebromley
1 posts
 
EB
I have to agree with Moonglum: I have been using a Whest PS.30r with a Lyra Kleos mounted on an SME V on an Oracle TT. The Whest\Kleos combo is absolutely quiet.  Not a hint of hum or any other noise. Hum is usually generated by a ground loop. You need to have BOTH your TT and the cartridge/tonearm grounded to your first output device - the Whest - and not to anything else.. If you are using a noise supression power strip - conditioner-  make sure that it allows the ground to pass - many do not..  Try connecting the TT, and Whest, and your AR preamp directly to a regular grounded outlet. If that works, try moving the AR back  to the power conditioner. Leave the Whest and TT alone. The Whest is a really good phono stage and if the Delos is 3/4 as good as my Kleos, its a beautiful analog combo.  
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