Phono Preamplifier Redux .. Damn This is Getting Expensive


I posted previously in search of a phono preamplifier, but as I put together a system I refined what I was looking for.

My current Analog food chain consists of Technics 1200G turntable, Hana ML cartridge, unknown phono preamplifier, McIntosh MA12000 integrated, Sabrina X, pair of REL S/812 subs.  Also, Shunyata Everest 8000 power conditioner and a mix of Alpha V2 NR and Venom V10NR power cables.  Other cables: AQ Earth balanced interconnects, William Tell full range speaker cables.  Also, had to make some room acoustic modifications.

So, here is the problem.  I just got a Holo May DAC DTE and have been streaming by Roon, mostly purchased and ripped files on a Synology NAS.  The problem is that my digital side sounds much more musical than my analog.  Part of the remedy is on the way with 3" Tiger Maple equipment rack, but digital and analog are not close.  My Sutherland 20/20 LPT is going back.  It has limited front/back sound stage and the upper mids and treble are a bit shrill.  I say this because the Holo is just beautifully musical throughout.

Music Direct will be taking Sutherland back and has suggested the Esoteric E-02 Balanced as a solution.  So this post I'm raising my budget to 9-10K new, or used and prefer balanced out.  Looking for detail, dynamics and silent background.  I just can't have the digital so much more enjoyable... of course there is always selling all analog and staying digital, but that doesn't feel right.  

So, where do I go for balanced out and more musical, but retaining micro detail and dynamics?

vonhelmholtz

Showing 1 response by foxtan

When I decided to changed my phono stage a year ago, I have similar requirement like you, it must have true balance output, and I need multiple input, flexibility of input impedance and gain control, because my Van Den Hul Black Beauty MC cartridge seems to sounding better with higher impedance such as 500 or 1K ohms, with my limited budget, I finally settle for the Gold Note PH-10 with PSU-10 Power supply. The PH-10 alone is performing well for what it asked for, but adding the PSU-10 really makes the PH-10 improved to another level.

With 1k ohms of input impedance, the VDH tonal balance, coherence, extension at both ends are much better than what I experience with this cartridge before! Other than the VDH cartridge, it does sound well with my other cartridge such as Supex, Dynavector, Ortofon, Technics MM series, SAEC and many others. Changing impedance and gain level is extremely easy, just rotate the knob and press it, the LCD  screen will show all the info, no need to guess or flipping the manual to confirm!

If you just need ONE input with balance out and a well built and musical phono stage, and don;t mind to play with those DIP switch, you may try Whest Audio phono form UK!! It is one of the more musical phono stage I ever audited before, high in resolution and details, but you will not distracted by the rich information and inner details of the recording, you will just wonder why you never heard those details before, and yet you would be indulged in the music.

To me, Hana cartridge is just another OEM cartridge with successful marketing scheme, with the same amount of money, I would spend it on those brand having long history or only focus on phono cartridge and analog stuff production. If you finally decided to have another cartridge, I would suggest you pick one meeting your budget from Ortofon, Benz Micro, Dynavector, Soundsmith, I have audited various model from these brand, they are all have strong background of producing musical cartridge and would match well with your Technics Turntable tonearm.