Solid State Phono Stages

Dear @thiefoflight  :  +/- 0.2b means that the RIAA deviation has a maximum of 0.2b below or over the eq.  then the swing is 0.4db. In your model that deviation starts at 40hz.

Normally the RIAA deviation spec starts at 20hz and due that Audionet decided to starts at 40hz that means that below 40hz de deviation is higher. Normally too phono stages higher eq. RIAA inverse deviation happens in the low bass frequency range.

You can read about the phonolinepreamp that I'm using in the Agon virtual system.

R.

Dear @grk  : You came to the thread a little late. The OP already bougth not one but two phono stages. The Audionet is one of them.

R.

@thiefoflight  : Directly in the Audionet. This I pasted from there:

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Dear @thiefoflight  : That swing of 0.4db came from the Audionet.

R.

Dear @herman ​@thiefoflight  :  " at the end of the day it’s how it sounds to me, and in my room, and that matters the most. "

I agree with you and with herman too about those 10db developed by almost any room system where 0.4db deviation can see " silly " to considerate.

What any one of us like to listen how it sounds always has different quality levels. We can be satisfied iwht a truly expensive room/audio system but even there exist other " better " quality levels.

Of what depends that wuality levels/grading of what we like? depends of many room/system issues but mainly of what be our MUSIC/sound targets. Through the years as almost any one of you I builded what I have trying to achieve that target and still am in that quest.

My target is try to stay nearer to the recording no matters what and for I can stay nearer to the rcording any room/system link is critical to achieve that target. At each single liiiiiink in the system chain I must look that that link develops the lower any kind of distortions from the source to my ears.

If we are talking of the way imperfect analog medium the inverse RIAA eq. curve deviation is way important because any db fraction affects at least one and a half octave and obviously its harmonics. Phono stage is only and example of what I look to achieve my target and this is why my hono line preamps has a deviation RIAA that measure 0.011 db No this kind of specs is not what makes the whole difference on what I'm listening but that ridiculous deviation RIAA counts in the overall room/system MUSIC/sound reproduction. I take care at any system link.

In the other side a swing of that silly 0.4db amkes me think that something is not really good in that expensive phono stage design, that's all. Today a 2k phono stage gives us 0.1db in that spec. It's not a true critic to the OP unit is only a " way of thinking in " loud " way ".

The main advantage that gives us that target and how been there is that if we have any system link at its minimum distortion levels there is no way that the room/system MUSIC/sound reproduction don't like it: no way, always will like any one of us .

I don't try to disturb the op or any one else and I don't want to derail the thread.

R.

Dear @herman : Rather silly? is a fools game ? could be for you that have different MUSIC/audio targets than me.

" It is certainly NOT the "main critical characteristic.. "

Statement totally false for say the least. Look, the phono stage exist because the cartridge signal NEEDS the INVERSE RIAA EQ.

If the cartridge signal did not needs it then the phono stage was not not a necessity because with a line stage preamp is more than enough. A linepreamp with a selector for: CD,MM,MC and the like. No inverse RIAA eq. heavy signal degradation ! ! !

Can you imagine the huge improvement in what all of us should listen it with out?

R.

Dear @mijostyn : It’s true that the SETA L20 MK2 is an excellent phono stage but as nothing in audio is not perfect.

The unit I have in my system outperform it in some specs as the RIAA eq. measurements and the noise level of my unit is almost " there " as its frequency range and several other specs.

You can go to the Channel D site and its RIAA is not so accurated as should be for a unit of that caliber. Look there its " critical " performance from 50hz and down and compare against what I own:

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/104284617601331669309/album/AF1QipMFuJ0YVzL64lrK46jDWyUx7h0SGhNyKWFEifag/AF1QipOKpGytlEsRi_miCPtIm-J7b45dCmz3bGV_Yb2f?authKey=CKaK_bnM-of_9AE

Of course that specs tell you many things but can’t explain perfectly what you are listening. I can tell you that my unit performs at very high quality levels. In the other side I never had the opportunity to listen the L20 MK2 that I’m sure is ( again ) excellent but overall the phonolinepreamp I own could compete with.

R.

Dear @thiefoflight  : Congratulations.As with any audio item almost always exist a " but " and in your unit is that's weird that the RIAA deviation ( that's the main critical characteristic along gain for a phono stage. ) has a swing of 0.4db ! and even the manufacturer does not disclose rthe RIAA deviation at 20hz but from 40hz and up. It's normal that if has 0.4db at 40hz then at 20hz could be higher. Not a good thing for an item with its " pedigree " level. Yes, is high for a unit coming from that manufacturer. 

Anyway, enjoy it,

R.

@thiefoflight  : The suggestion on the Boulder 508 is very good too and along the SimsAudio all the others, including the ARs and your MR,  are beated easily.

Just an opinion.

R. 

Dear  @thiefoflight  :  Just pull the triger for the 610 by SimsAudio, no tube or hybrid designs can " touch " it. Latter on you can make an upgrade to the 610 with the external 820S power supply that not even the 810 has it. Obviously I'm in agreement with the gentlemans that posted here and that support the 610/810. Don't waist your time and as soon is posible start to enjoy the SimsAudio. You can't go wrong with and fulfill your tragets:

" when it should be, and also gentle and refined when it should be. " Yes, when it should be.

I think that in the same system with the same cartridge if you listen to the 610 and 810 will be extremely hard that you can say which one in true is better, not only different but better,

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.