Please evaluate my system...


Interested in what you guys think of the following and if there are any obvious weaknesses:

- VPI Super Scoutmaster (standard)
- Denon DL103 with Paratrace retip
- Linn Linto phono stage
- Audio Research Ref 3 preamp
- Cyrus APA7.5 Monoblocks
- Focal Scala Utopia III Version 1

Not sure where to take the system next! Thanks, Tim

tim_field

Showing 2 responses by mapman

I have stock DL103R cart in my system. My soundstage is wall to wall with excellent imaging and detail.

Just for comparison, my system is DL103R on Linn Axis table with Linn Basik tonearm, to Electrcompaniet step up transformer to Audio Research sp16 pre-amp (tube) to BEl Canto Ref1000m amps to OHM Walsh 5 series 3 speakers which has similar lowest impedance specs.

Take a look at the ref1000m amp specs online. You will see where this mates well to the ARC tube pre-amp (100kohm input impedance) and is also well suited to control and  drive the speakers well in that the damping factor is fairly high, which is a big + for the OHMs in particular.  

It’s impossible to know exactly what something will sound like without actually hearing it, but from what you indicate, were it I,  I would very much want to hear what a different amp perhaps better mated to pre-amp and speakers might sound like in your setup. I would expect better detail, more balanced tonality, lower distortion and larger soundstage going in.


All good stuff. What aspects of the sound do you find lacking?

Off the cuff, have not heard that amp but on paper its input impedance is on the low side for use with a tube pre-amp. 60Kohm input impedance or higher ( a common rating for amps designed to work well with tube pre-amps) would likely yield better dynamics and less distortion. Also I would probably think twice about using a zero feedback amp (higher output impedance) with speakers that dip below 4 ohm impedance at some frequencies despite 8ohm nominal rating.

So teh overall integration of amp/pre-amp/speakers is worth considerations and some discussion and might be improved if you find there are issues with dynamics, detail and/or tonality.

Also of course worthwhile making sure speakers are set up well? Enough distance from walls to avoid early reflections that obscure detail? Isolated from floors perhaps if fllors are not a solid foundation rather suspended plywood? Fat or too much mid bass that obscures mid-range detail would be an indicator of that.