2. amps-preamps
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Phonostage/preamp recommendations. Parasound JC3 Jr.?

Hello all. After searching for hours and not quite understanding if I’m processing the information right, I figured I would sign up ask the question directly with my specific information. Obviously new to home audio so please go easy. I bought a "new to me" Sota Sapphire with a Sumiko Premier FT-3 tonearm and Dynavector DV-10X5 cart. I leveled it out and set up the arm. Hooked it up to my Denon DRA-800H receiver (which says it has a phono input) paired up with Polk RTI A3 bookshelves. Everything "works" fine. Highs are clean and crisp. No funky sounds or anything like that so overall success. My issue comes with the overall loudness of the playback (having to almost max the volume at 70 before achieving listenable levels) and the lack of bass and overall dimension in the music. Not having a sub and understanding they are only bookshelves I don’t expect the world of them but I was thinking it should sound better than my bluetooth Bose Soundlink? Being an MC cart the person a bought the turntable from suggested I could benefit from running a dedicated phonostage before the Denon. The Parasound Jr. looks good giving the option to switch from MM to MC and seems to have a good fanbase.  Am I on the right track to a decent starter system? Any recommendations? looking for something I won’t have to upgrade for a while, but not looking to sell my bike either. Please help school me on this rabbit hole I’ve ventured into! Also not opposed to tubes, but I’m sure that’s a whole other world I shouldn’t be exploring quite yet. Thanks in advance.

Recap on what I have:
Sota Sapphire
Sumiko Premier FT-3
Dynavector DV-10X5
Denon DRA-800h
Polk RTI A3
tommyd902688

Showing 4 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,868 posts
 
Oh yeah, future preamp/amp/integrated changes:

modern features, like remote volume, and, remote balance are high on my preamp or integrated amp requirements.

Finding remote balance, even if a unit has it, is very hard, often not mentioned, remotes often not pictured, feature often buried in menu with no dedicated button. 

I use this Chase Remote Line Contoller for for some equipment, other equipment direct to the tube integrated. Dedicated buttons for remote volume and remote balance. I just bought a 3rd one. It is dead silent, no one has ever been able to tell if it is in or out.

this one, description says new in box. my 3: they are trouble free.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chase-Technologies-RLC-1-Remote-Line-Controller/303296959112?hash=item469de85288:g:kMwAAOSw2addirlA

I also like McIntosh MODE switch, which includes Mono to play Mono LPs, as well as Stereo Reverse, L to l+r; r to l+r, l to r, r to l. I use it to fine tune my system/speakers, and as a final test of LP anti-skating.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,868 posts
 
some remote volume and remote balance answers here

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/remote-balance-control-on-tube-integrated-amp

I decided to stick with my Chase for remote volume and remote balance combined with my old tube tuner/preamp mx110z which has my beloved MODE switch. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,868 posts
 
Personally, to simply solve LP volume, tomorrow in time for the holidays, and make big changes later, I would change to a MM cartridge, powerful output, this one is 4.5mv.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Myu1lZdgw0w/p_057VM520EB/Audio-Technica-VM520EB.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=374031561037&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=194311404237&awdv=c&awug=9003512&gclid=CjwKCAiAluLvBRASEiwAAbX3GUWE3pfOsKffbKGTNY-oG7J6q_OLbWhNKOFK1qj40Fa4qvuvqfyvKhoCiAsQAvD_BwE

Your Moving Coil is high output as noted, for a moving coil, however, it's 2.5v is not enough for your Denon, your current problem.

Any new high output MM cartridge will be your base of comparison in the future. I have supposedly better, both 
Shure and Audio Terchnica micro ridge stylus/cartridges, I prefer the Shure 97xe, elliptical like the one above.

Shure is out of the cartridge/stylus business, so the price went up, which is why I did a quickie search, the Audio Technica came up.

Later, I would encourage a new amp, and a new preamp. Using MM rather than MC will both widen the preamp choices, and lower the cost, new or used.

I would also recommend you try tube preamp with good MM phono first, and then, depending on your speaker's efficiency (high please) try tube amp.
.....................................
If you take the 'change only phono cartridge now' approach, I am sure members here can suggest alternates to the one I quickly found (never heard it, but like other AT models I have owned).

Best of luck,
elliottbnewcombjr
5,868 posts
 

You may NEVER find the right cartridge, but you will have a lot of fun along the way.

I am advocating MM over MC, and a new cartridge, i.e. new stylus, and HIGH output, for NOW.

Not only solves LP sound right away, it lets you take more time and do more research before you move to new, more important, mpore expensive equipment. And, more time to carefully asses you desired features.

The point of a basic elliptical, high output, is it will be your base for future comparison to future cartridges (returns accepted!).

Keep the existing MC, High Output 2.5mv, it may sound fantastic on eventual new equipment with no need for MC pre-pre stage.

Ortofom 2M Red produces 5.5mv, $100.

https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-Red-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge/dp/B000WMCEKK/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_pm?ac_md=3-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkNTAgYW5kICQyMDA%3D-ac_d_pm&keywords=phono+cartridge&pd_rd_i=B000WMCEKK&pd_rd_r=c69f59d7-1390-4f4d-8e48-8cbd1c56731a&pd_rd_w=JXnwC&pd_rd_wg=MR0Jx&pf_rd_p=aba5dc0d-7593-4752-a14d-357ecc5c98cc&pf_rd_r=VQHY3XZSAGASYAE5D0QM&psc=1&qid=1576685064



excerpt about 2M Red

The Absolute Sound Product of the Year and Editors' Choice Award-Winning Ortofon 2M Red Sets the Standard for Entry-Level High-End Moving-Magnet Phono Cartridges The Ortofon 2M Red MM phono cartridge is as good as audiophile-grade moving-magnet types come at its price point. It features Ortofon's trademark split pole pins, an invention which enables moving-magnet cartridges to have flat frequency response, just like a moving-coil cartridge.   2M Red also uses an improved engine, which provides an increased output of 5.5mV. The 2M Red features a tipped elliptical diamond , engineered for precise and accurate retrieval of the information in the record groove. The Japanese company's 2M series was developed in conjunction with Danish designer Møller Jensen Design. Inspired by the facets of a diamond, whose contours gracefully trace the grooves on a record's surface, 2M 's handsome elegance establishes a great combination of form and functionality. Ortofon' s philosophy is to make cartridges which reproduce the record grooves as accurately as possible, without coloring the sound. The 2M series design has been optimized for ease of mounting and their weight and size fit virtually any current turntable. “[This] is one sophisticated and musical cartridge—for the price of a nice dinner for two.” —Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound , Editors’ Choice Award “If you’re looking for a high-value cartridge…the 2M Red is an excellent place to start.” — Stereophile , Class D Recommended Component “It’s worth experimenting, because at best this is one of the most detailed cartridges we’ve come across at this kind of price.” — Tech Radar “The midrange is full and expressive, handling vocals with sensitivity and warmth. The bass and treble interact well here, and while we'd like more authority from the bass,

You need time to consider whether you will try Tubes, preamp or amp also, another reason to get listening right away with a basic elliptical.
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