I don’t know all of the science for sure but one thing I do know with absolute certainty is that on my MOFI copy of Dire Straits Communique, which I have listened to more than any record that I own, I’m hearing fingertips on fretboards and nuances that I did not detect in the past. It likely wasn’t a volume or sensitivity issue. The A5s are sensitive. I sometimes use a 100wpc solid state amp instead of my little 2A3s, I THINK the SUT is revealing more, at least compared to my inboard phono pre. I’m going to do an extended listening session tonight. The blue note collection is coming out.
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Exactly. As I sit here listening, I try to listen to the music and not the equipment but we all know that is hard to do
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It was nice to see input from everyone who replied . My posts are not exciting by any standards so I appreciated the exchanges. Thank you all. This forum is a very valuable tool. I don’t post a lot but I read here every night, typically for about an hour. Again, thanks for contributing. Adrian
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@lewm The synergy cartridge is .5mv, whereas the century is .2, and the #1 carts are .18 When I first tried it, I had the SUT on 3, and the Pro-next on 65 and i literally thought I blew my speakers it was so distorted. At 10 ohms and 60 db my volume knob is at 25% to get 90db at my chair. It used to need to be at 35-40. Do you still suggest I go down to 50db gain ??
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I don’t know why it keeps auto correcting the Pro-Ject to Pro-next. I swear I’m literate. 😵💫
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Using an Ortofon SPU synergy at the 10 ohm setting through a Pro-ject tube box sounds a lot better through my line stage than my MC input ever sounded
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Tighter bass and extended highs were the immediate improvements but soundstage is huge now
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@elliott your reply was extremely informative though. I appreciate you sir !! I always stayed away from SUTs because I didn’t understand the math and the best way to match them with my cart. I have a sumiko blackbird, Ortofon SPU century, synergy, #1s, #1e, and an AT OC9XML I bought the Entre plus a FR3 so I could experiment with different settings to see what I like best. I haven’t even hooked up the Fidelity Research yet. It seems like the Entre will cover the range of carts I have from .18 up to .6. The internal impedances vary quite a bit also but the 3 and 10 ohm settings both work well unless I use the 3 ohm setting on the .5mv cart. It was extremely overdriven and distorted. This is a fun experiment for sure.
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The preamp is a C47, not a 27. It’s a modern unit
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Oh yea I mentioned earlier im using a project tube box MM phono pre at 60db gain into the line level input of the Mac. I want a better standalone phono preamp after I know with certainty what features I want. The pro-next was an inexpensive way to test the waters.
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Hey Lewm ! Yes your assumptions were correct as you described my signal path. Let me add some information that may clarify some things. I do have an SPU Synergy, an SPU Century 100th anniversary model, then the #1 spherical and #1 elliptical. I also own a sumiko blackbird MC cart as well as an Audio technica OC9XML. I listed all of them because I have 3 turntables and one of them has 2 arms. I typically listen to the SPU synergy but it could possibly be any of the other carts. That’s why I tried the Entre SUT since it gave me choices. Also that Pro-ject tube box has multiple gain settings from 40db, to 65db, in 5 db increments. Fortunately the synergy and both of the #1 carts weigh the same so they swap easily. The century model is heavier and requires rebalancing of the arm. I guess the oddball is the Synergy with its higher output at .5. Maby that will clarify my earlier posts. When I find my favorite combo, I’ll likely leave it there and maby rotate carts every month or two. Adrian
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Well I suspected that the McIntosh phono stage left something to be desired. It was proven when the project bested it. This was an experiment in SUT and phono stages. I got all of them cheap enough that I won’t lose any money when I sell. I hoped to learn what to purchase for my keeper setup. Between the knowledge gained in this thread, plus my own observations from listening I should be able to make an informed decision when I get something better. As far as cantilevers and stylus go, soundsmith has built 2 of my carts with boron cantilevers and micro line diamonds. The purpose of the Spherical and conical styluses was not necessarily in pursuit of perfection. Maby more about period correctness and enjoying vintage sound. I have a TD124, with 12” Ortofon arm and an SME, using 2A3 mono blocks, through Altec A5s. All of my gear in that chain is from the 60s except for the Mac preamp because I wanted a remote control. Maby it’s not hifi but I sure love it 😃. I appreciate all comments and thank you for taking time to read it. Time is valuable and I appreciate yours. Adrian
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I’m following along. As pleased as I am currently, I think my next upgrade is the phono stage for sure. My turntables are 100% restored, my cartridges are where I want to be. My flea watt amps get too loud for my heavily treated room. I have a 21” horn sub, a PB16 ultra, and 3 sets of Altec speakers with custom crossovers. Being an underpaid Paramedic only allows me to spend about 10K annually on this hobby including record purchases. I’ll likely make a move on a phono stage late summer this year. I’d probably spend 3-4K realistically. Any more may not be appreciated at my mid-fi level of everything else but that is my plan today. I just need to continue to study so that I make a good choice. As with a lot of things, I can’t afford an expensive one twice. The pro-ject cost me one 12 hour shift so it was a fair trade. In my ignorance I thought the Mac was IT ! lol. I’m learning. Thank you all.
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My system is likely very different sounding because I use a PA style horn sub, as well as horn speakers. It sounds a lot like a small venue. When I play a record, it feels and sounds like the house of blues. My sweeps in REQ wizard are not flat. Not even close. My room treatments helped tremendously but I did not want to kill the sound. I like the live sound. It does not sound like a studio. It is not sterile. I can close my eyes and feel like I’m in the audience somewhere. This is my preferred sound. I think if I wanted 100% accuracy, I would try headphones.
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