Well I did eventually progress to a tube phono stage after all.
With a much more impedance friendly integrated doing duty than the Lyngdorf , I decided to bite the bullet.
Was looking at Herron, Manley Chinook, even a BAT PK5.
A Manley Chinook SE was available at a very fair price so decided to give it a spin.
Well I am definitely impressed so far.
A lot more air and dynamics especially concerning vocals,piano and acoustic instruments.
And QUIET!
I mean REALLY QUIET.....
Just a nice inky black background which allows the music to just pop.
That might be the most surprising aspect Tbh. A lot less background noise or hiss than the Gold Note ph10.
No regrets at all . |
I had sort of stated that I was done changing equipment.
But this is not really a change is it?
More like an essential piece of the PH10 puzzle … lol
That's my rationale for this one and I am sticking to it!
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Yes Robert it was you indeed! Lol
However I can also confirm that rsf is indeed correct on the price of the psu10 from sounds of silence.
Very interesting indeed. |
I did check Italian supplier Chakster and that is where I got the €799 price.
Definitely could not find the price you are referring to.
Do you remember the exact supplier? |
Was that new?
Where is sounds of silence located? |
Best euro price I could find was €799.90 so by time added shipping and rate change not a massive saving for what would now amount to a "grey import".
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Chakster.
Yes now I remember you saying you did this.
Can you say was big upgrade over running standard mains AC though?
While $800 approx is better than $1100 a very good lps can likely be had for $300 to $400 IF could figure out the connection and voltage/ampage etc.
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A member I know got a great deal on a lightly used ph10 and psu10 together.
They had owned just the ph10 previously so had some baseline to compare.
Their thoughts were it helped a little but might not be worth an $1100 purchase as an upgrade.
My thoughts are that if you could find the right connector you could likely buy a LPS for a lot less money but research would need to be done first, connector, voltage, amps etc.
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I think the $1100 list here in the USA has likely put a few people off upgrading to the psu.
I have an original Grace F9e that I need to get round to trying someday. |
@chakster
Have you tried any of your collection of vintage MM carts through it yet?
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@chakster
So glad to hear you are happy with the ph-10 and its ability to drive ultra lomc.
Makes me think I made the right choice after all.
The ease of use and speed of changes cannot be bettered by anything out there at any price imho.
The optional power supply is supposed to improve things further but at $1000 I have given that a miss for now.
My present cart is 0.24mv and I run that at -0.3db and the background is the quietest I have ever heard.
Time to stop thinking about a change of phono I feel, maybe just time to look at additional carts for that breath of fresh air.
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Now that I am not using the Lyngdorf 2170 amp any more with its input impedance restriction, I am left wondering just what the HERRON would sound like in my system.
It seems to have numerous advocates by respected members for sure.
However I do love the simplicity of the PH-10 and the sq is to my ears stunning but you just never know.
Of course that would mean more used gear to sell at an ever increasing loss in this extremely depressed market and not sure I can handle any more of that right now either.
May just keep my eyes open for a used Herron but have never seen one yet.
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I have to report that the ph10 is a much better match with the Ayre than it was with the 2170 to my ears.
It definitely has a more analog, warmer, fuller feel to it.
Been flipping vinyl all day.
One nice thing that is likely helping is the gain in the Ayre on the balanced input I am running the ph10 into seems fairly high. This allowed me to reduce the gain of the ph10 to -3db again which helped reduce the background hiss considerably.
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May well be Robert
But $1100 got me an Ayre AX7E so its definitely more towards the bottom of my considered upgrade list. |
At $1100 I gave that a miss.
Not sure I would get that value as I power everything already through an Equicore 1800. |
$1295?
New? Here in the USA?
Darn that is CHEAP!
I paid $1595..... grrrr…...
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Thought the retail was $1100 according to an email I got from Toska, but would charge me $1000 as I bought the ph10 from him.
So not sure where $1250 came from, however even at $1000 I am going to pass as with my equicore 1800 supplying juice not sure if it would be a cost effective $1000 upgrade for me.
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Not sure how much benefit I would see from a separate psu for the ph10 as I presently feed it from my equicore 1800.
Especially at $1100. |
Al,
I thought much earlier it was thought that most of the tube phono stages discussed would not be a good match for the 2170?
Not that it matters too much at this stage as I am very happy with the ph10 and Robert has moved on from the 2170.
Edit....just reread your first post on the impedance issue and yes you stated the Chinook should have no issues at all with the 2170.
Not sure how I translated that to be all the tube phono stages mentioned would be a poor match!
My bad but still very happy with the ph10 so far. |
Nice shortlist.
I assume you will be returning the iFi to Amazon as it was more of a tube sound test than anything?
I know the Manley was highly recommended earlier, just did not sound like it would have been a good impedance match to the 2170. |
@slaw
Not really sure why you have decided to make it your mission to criticize my actions or posts but whatever makes you happy. Not my intention to provoke your ire, I am just here to learn what I can, share my experiences and enjoy the music!
Lets see though...
Lyngdorf 2170..... likely here to stay
Nottingham Analog Spacedeck……. likely here to stay
GoldNote PH-10 phono stage.... likely here to stay
Cartridges... yes they will be an evolving mission
Cables...… pretty much done with them now Grannyring has made me a superb set of XLR cables.
Bluesound Vault 2... was thinking of an update after 18 months but nothing much better around at all.
Speakers, yes just decided to update from my old Wilson Witt mk1 to a pair of the new Tekton Di, which have rave reviews by actual owners everywhere.
Nakamichi 582 tape deck.... likely here to stay.
Underpant….yep changing them frequently.
Seriously though not sure of your "dig".
Most of my purchases have been used and as used there really is no "burnin" required so what I hear is what I get right away and some items I have bought just were instant, "well not a good fit at all"
In all honesty if my posts and actions offend you then probably best to just ignore them. Its a hobby, I enjoy it and the music that flows forth and if I decided to mix things up earlier to get to where I am now then where is the harm in that?
Oh and when I listen to music at least 5 to 6 hours a day I get PLENTY of time to evaluate changes I have made tbh, at least in my system to my ears and imho.
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Nice to see somebody who changes their equipment more often than myself....lol.
Most earlier phono suggestions were tube based and as you just bought that ifi microtube not sure if that would have much point |
I thought this was my private chat room........
😂😂 |
Robert
Definitely sounds intriguing
I wonder who I might know that still has a ph10 and a 2170.....
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I usually forget to check Amazon!
The wife lives on it but I am still stuck on eBay...lol |
Robert.
Looks very interesting indeed.
Lots of good reviews.
Please keep us updated.
About $500? |
Robert
that was one of my main concerns on opening it up. The other being from Al,s information provided it would appear the art9 would be better suited to my musical tastes. |
Robert
An art cartridge did indeed arrive, however it was not the art 9, it was the art 7, they shipped the wrong one.
They are completely in the wrong but are now baulking about replacing it with the correct one and suggest I try it which I really do not want to do.
I will work it out....lol. |
Well it looks like the Wireworld eclipse6 were just a poor fit in the mix.
Bought a cheap pair of Audioquest Coral xlr I saw on local cl for a test and a whole world of difference.
Still think I prefer the sound of the Nordost red dawn RCA right now but I can at least listen to the Corals without wanting to turn it off!
Grannyring is making me a couple pair of xlr cables for me to test so it is good to know it was just the timbre of the cable that did not gel here. |
As I think on, the same issue arose on both the OPPO and the PH-10 sothe common factor there was the cables or the 2170 inputs.
I have ruled out the cables as being terminated incorrectly and I would be shocked if it was just the tonality of those cables making such a profound difference.
Which would leave just the xlr inputs on the 2170.
How would I easily test them?
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Well cables measure correctly and thank the Lord for my lighted magnifying glass!
All go to correct pins and no multi crossed signals so next will try them in the Gold note but its time to venture to the airport for another week of fun in sunny Wisconsin!
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Al
Kind of where my thought process was moving as I noted a few posts ago that SOMETHING is likely wired incorrectly direct from the factory.
But you are right, the cables are relatively easy to test, if they pan out I guess I could plug them into the Gold note and repeat the same test which would hopefully point the way further.
And agreed it is easy to confuse the pinout from one end to the other.
We use similar style plugs for 270vac power in our equipment and some of the "apprentices " in the shop regular misconnect one end in relation to the other, good job we have circuit breakers on all circuits...lol!
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Only have one set right now
Wireworld gold eclipse 7.
The rca are Nordost red dawn which are traditionally supposed to give a leaner sound so I would be surprised if it was just the make of cable.
How bad it sounds I am thinking something a little more involved |
I have considered the possibility of something being wrong using balanced but this would mean 1 of 3 things.
1/ Goldnote wired their xlr plugs incorrectly direct at factory.
2/ Lyngdorf wired their xlr plugs incorrectly direct at factory.
3/ Wireworld wired their cables incorrectly direct at factory.
None of those seem likely but who knows and short of opening things up I am not sure how you can easily test for mistakes like that and how to nail down which would be the culprit if this is the case. |
Interesting.
I did a back to back on both and it was not noise floor or dynamics that were the issue.
The xlr just gave me a very bright brittle sound with loss of mid and bass. Very tipped up at the top. no manner of adjustment cured that at all.
I ran xlr at -3db and rca at present 0db.
Matched db levels with the 2170 input sensitivity but to no avail. Just sounded horrible on xlr in my system.
Very odd.
I wonder if I am missing something in 2170 setup as my OPPO was the same results although much more pronounced on the ph10
You do not have to change anything on the ph10 for the balanced output do you? |
Robert
Are you still using the balanced outs from the PH-10 to feed the Micromega?
I did try the balanced vs the single ended into the 2170 and tbh preferred the sound of the single ended.
Just curious |
Robelvick
Have never turned mine off since buying it, apart from when I moved stuff round on the racks
Do not even turn the display off.
I also usually leave the 2170 on as well so it is instant high quality music |
I do have a number of 60,s and 70,s records and some of them need help....lol.
Tbh the America Columbia curve tames the brightness and harsnhess a fair bit.
Which is why the zyx sounded better but ONLY because the vta was way to steep.
Once this was corrected riaa regular sounded the best.
Certainly glad to have the flexibility of the ph10 and think it was a very good choice for my new phono stage.
All those changes in seconds with immediate confirmation from listening not 10 minutes memory.
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The ART is coming from Germany, it is in transit but that is all the tracking says.
Rookie mistake on the zyx yesterday.
Set the alignment, set the vtf and dropped the needle to play as excited.
Doh, did not set the vta! And the zyx is a lot shallower cart than the Shelter so needed a lot of change.
Then it sounded much better, nowhere near as bright as previous and a lot more tonal midrange really noticeable on male vocals and acoustic guitar.
Same settings on ph10 apart from curve to riaa now. |
Well the ZYX RS30 showed up today so of course I had to fit it right away!
First thoughts, thank heaven for the ph10! Needed to scroll through various setting to get the sound as I preferred it, not something easily done when you have to keep opening a box up and moving jumpers around!.
So first impression of the cartridge.
Quite a bit brighter and detailed than the Shelter. So far I like it with 0db gain( it is 0.24mv) and loading of 470 and the America Columbia curve.But this may change as it breaks in and I cycle through a few more albums.
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No problem
And yes that is correct on fuse size |
Amgradmd
Nice to hear from fellow ph10 owners.
As far as the fuse I went with Sr blue because I had previously used SR black in a DAC with excellent results.
And the sr blue thread has very positive reviews on this fuse.
I can only concur and it is a superb improvement for just $150.
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rsf507
Glad to hear it, it should just keep getting better!
Now take a leap of faith and try and aftermarket fuse in it too, there is even more to be had! |
Sounds good Robert
I am sure there are much better amps out than the 2170 but the wonders it revealed in my terrible acoustic room means it stays...for now...lol.
What I have done is buy two carts, ebay had 15% off today so used my account to buy one and the wifes to buy the second, $180 saved total.
ART-9 and ZYX RS30
Both coming from outside the usa so have a couple weeks to wait before I can so some serious comparao testing |
Robert
Nothing as yet
He did say would email me when in stock but may have to remind him...
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Robert
I had a Clearaudio tt with a Clearaudio cart ( do not remember which the cart was about $550). I remember not being too impressed at the time.
However a lot of changes in my system since then.
I see you can get the Ortofon 2m Bronze for like $380 shipped on eBay, not a lot of cash for a trial for sure.
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Have faith, its gets better and better with 50 plus hours on it.
Also you may want to consider trying an aftermarket fuse and power cord, both made noticeable improvements to my ears.
Good luck and enjoy |
Still pondering on a change of cartridge just because!
Looking at the ART9, various ZYX models and a Transfiguration Axia.
Choices, choices! |
Robert
I was truly so enthralled by the SQ last night I was flipping vinyl until 1.30am...lol.
Another nice aspect of the lyngdorf 2170 and the goldnote, nottingham combo is I can reduce my listening level for these very late night sessions and not really lose anything much at all in dynamics or details.
Definitely not something that has always been the case with prior incarnations of gear in my setup. |
May just put a new cartridge on hold for a while.
Just added a SR Blue fuse to the Gold Note and I definitely can hear a sq improvement, very tight and more focused.
Actually very very enjoyable so I am not in the mood to upset the apple cart right now.
I know there are a lot of fuse haters and doubters out there but I am not one of them!
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