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Tube Phono Stage with balls, and slam!!

Hello friends
I have a Well tempered TT, classic made in the 90's, with a Zu Denon 103 Catrtridge , and a Vacume Tube, phono stage, wich is solid state,  with a tube push and pull intergrated amp, with Zu speaker's
It seems to me that the set up, might be bright, on 60% or recordings, with the piano on the up, and femails, on volcals, seem a bit bright!!
Should I go for the Decaware, phono stage, which is tube based!!, or would this be to much, on the soft side??
I like my music, with deep bass, with slam!!(I do get this with some recordings) , but sometime some recordings are a  bit bright!!, I have a solid state phono stage, with RCA plug's, that fit in the rear of the unit, to excite, or tame the above, my tast in music, is Rock,Punk, new wave, power jazz etc!!, I have used 100ohms, plugs, and 275 ohms, but can't seem to get it right, I'm almost there!!
Any thoughts
David Spry
Australia
128x128daveyonthecoast
tomwh
150 posts
 
On the cheap I would try adding some weight to your arm.  It has ben said by many people that denon 103 family love really heavy tonearms.  I have been building lots of tonearms lately and the heavy 12.5 wood ones are magic with 103 and 103r.  If you want music to sound real, tubes are the way to go across the board.  If you want your upright sting bass to sound like a over driven electric bass things are easier.

I am also a big lover of sut's make sure you make or buy one where you can adjust the load to match your system.

Enjoy the ride

Tom
jhconnor's avatar
jhconnor
58 posts
 
I have the new Audio Research Ref Phono 3. I've been amazed at the punch, slam, speed it delivers. By far the best phono preamp that they have made- (I haven't heard the Ref 10) which is saying something. 
thecablepro
5 posts
 
Hello daveyonthecoast, I believe the 100 ohm setting will yield the most balanced result with that cartridge. Secondly, I don't think a new phono stage is in order here. Careful, precise setup of the tonearm and its interface with the phono cartridge is critical. Without a proper alignment nothing else you do will matter one iota. If you get that part right all else will fall into place. You'll find that setting the tracking angle properly once all is right can change the tonal balance of the presentation. Each LP is different. Find a happy medium or make adjustments for each LP, it's up to you.
bpoletti
1,540 posts
 
Herron VTPH-2.  IMO, the best available regardless of price or any other factors.  I have never heard better. 

But I agree that there are a lot of factors, like careful set-up, exact VTA and VTF.  A good arm, cartridge and table are critical. 

I know there are a lot of people that think the 103 is a great cartridge.  I just think it's OK for the money.  But the price point a couple of hundred dollars more is loaded with cartridges that shame a 103.  
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Vincent pho-700 solid-state/tube hybrid two boxes mc/mc phono pre-amp 😎
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