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Phono Stage Advice

Looking to add a phono stage to my recently upgraded system.

A few months ago I went the tube route by adding an Audio Research Ref 160S amplifier and a Ref 6SE line stage preamplifier.  In addition I got back into vinyl with a Pro-ject 6 Perspex SB.  I have decided to stay in the vinyl game but believe I need to add a dedicated phono stage to improve my phono sound.  Currently, I have my phono connected into my HT MX160 McIntosh preamp and then I put the ref 6se preamp into pass thru mode. My belief is that I can get much better sound if I directly connect my phono into the ref 6SE (bypassing McIntosh MX160) but to do that I need a phono stage OR am I overthinking this and will not get a much better sound and stick with current set up.  I am impressed with the tube sound but open to SS if that makes better sense.

Additional Components involved:

Wilson Audio Alexia speakers, transparent cabling, sumiko cartridge, Lumin T2 connected directly into Audio Research preamp.  Predominantly listen to 50/60's Jazz, Classical and some rock.

I am also open to upgrading my TT if you think that should be part of my solution.

I would like to stay under $10K for the phono line stage and separately under $10K for a phono upgrade including cartridge.

Look forward to the creative solutions and thanks in advance for your thoughts and input.

Woots

 

 

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xwoots

Showing 2 responses by sbank

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 

You're on the right track to get a separate phono stage and eliminate bypassing your AR line stage and using the McI. 

You are asking a pretty complex question if you've got $20K total to invest in table/arm/cart and phono stage. IMHO, the Project is okay, but modest vs. your other gear, and an upgrade would better leverage your electronics investment. You need to account for many factors, each which deserves research and is usually discussed in separate threads:

  • cartridges will be MM, HOMC or LOMC and whichever output level you choose needs to be paired w/ compatible phono stage
  • cartridge's compliance needs to be matched to the tonearm's to eliminate audible resonance. Research "cartridge resonance calculator". To oversimplify...lighter carts on heavier arms & vice-versa, but not exactly
  • pros/cons of ss phono stages vs. tubed. Many start w/ SS because the low signals from phono are much more noise-susceptible than other signals. RFI from radio, etc. are far more challenging w/tubed phono stages. OTOH tubed can be glorious in right circumstances.
  • belt vs. direct drive tables -- a giant rabbit hole in itself.  

Saw an ad pop today for SME20/Graham Phantom/Lyra Titan for $9K. IMHO this is a great deal that would WOW you with any decent phono stage. 

Whatever you consider, be sure to confirm a number of users having reported success matching the cart with the arm, the output level of the cart with the phono stage.   Cheers,

Spencer

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 

@woots I've had near the top of VPI and Technics previously and now I've been very happy with Sota. My system page has pics and documents those changes over many years. Calling Donna at Sota is always worthwhile. She will share arm and cart matching advice for their tables too. She saved me some bucks with Bstock walnut cabinet which you'd never know is Bstock.

Cheers,

Spencer

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