Phone pre advice - Would I benefit from this upgrade?


I currently have a U-Turn table with an Ortofon 2m Blue. I am running that into my Yamaha AS-2200. Reviews say the AS-2200 has a great phono stage, but I don’t know how great.

 

I’m curious to try the Elac alchemy ppa-2 and see if I notice an improvement to sound.

I plan to invest in a new table down the line most likely in the $2,000 range.

I am running Kef R11s in a well treated room and really enjoy my current sound. I’d love to hear more depth but currently have a very wide soundstage.

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

jwaller50

Phono pre's are my favorite upgrade. I can honestly recommend all that I've had. Musical Surroundings Nova III and Manley Chinook. Both fantastic and fun upgrades. I can also recommend the Clearaudio Concept Wood coming from a Rega P2. Whatever path you take, you're in a fun place. 

If the Orbit is not the special, the platter upgrade should probably be considered for purchase. The platter upgrade makes quite an audible difference. Also consider their record weight or anyone else’s weight for that matter. Once those items are added, the Orbit is quite a nice unit. Also the newer units have an improved tonearm. 

@jwaller50 I've had great sonic success with the DL-160 it's older sibling. I am told they are very similar. 

You could put the 2m Bronze on that turntable, I think it’s the same weight. I think even the Musical Fidelity lx2 lps phono would be better than what the Yanaha offers. It can still be had for about $379. So, an $800 investment. On second thought, the fact you mention a new table @ 2k makes me think the music hall mmf-7.3 with the 2m Bronze already installed. For that table, I’d move up from the aforementioned musical fidelity to the pro-ject tube box DS2, which I think is still available @ about $899. The 2m Bronze matches well with tube preamps.

Try a Puffin, you’ll never go back.

If you want LP wow maybe an AT 540ML,  740ML or 750SH first.

Involving. 

Is your system wonderfully involving with other sources? 

Not so involving with just Phono?

 

If it were I, I would get a Mobile Fidelity  turntable which can be had for less than 2K.  Your present TT is entry level.  It makes much more sense to upgrade the table, you may be pleasantly surprised how good your system will sound.

@russ69 I will email customer support, thanks for this suggestion!

Edit : I did find on their site that they use a standard mount. They suggest trying a Denon DL-110 MC. Has anyone tried this cartridge or have other suggestions?

UTurn doesn't offer a cartridge higher than the 2m blue, I don't believe their tonearm supports anything else, but I could just be really ignorant on that.

If it fits a 2m Blue, there are a number of cartridges that will fit. Other than compliance and gain, cartridges are pretty generic 99% of the time.  

@russ69 UTurn doesn't offer a cartridge higher than the 2m blue, I don't believe their tonearm supports anything else, but I could just be really ignorant on that.

Just a general comment. Even on a quality Integrated like the Yamaha AS-2200, they usually don't spend much money on the phono section and the Elac can support a lot of cartridges. However, your best bang for the buck might be a better cartridge first.

I’m curious to try the Elac alchemy ppa-2 and see if I notice an improvement to sound.

Would I benefit from this upgrade?

Yes. A good phono preamp is always a great addition IMO. this one will apparently be good for the TT upgrade as well.