VM540ML cartridge - what phono preamp is a good match
I can’t imagine the Sony has much of a phono stage. It’s a recipe for what you hear. But I think you know that. Look at a Schiit Mani phono or explore their products for a phono and preamp/power amp or look at the Mani with a tube integrated etc. Do you still have the Time Frame speakers? If so, try angle them upwards a small amount so the tweeters fire over your ears. |
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The cartridge now has a little over 20 hours, which I thought might be enough run-in time. Maybe it needs more. But I suspect, like y'all do, that the built-in phono stage isn't much to begin with, and may present more input capacitance than the A-T wants to see, as well. The EAR 834 is way beyond my budget for this, but it sure does get some glowing reviews. There are limited opportunities to hear anything around here, other than one shop that carries Rega equipment (where I bought my new turntable), or the BestBuys that carry McIntosh (waaayyy beyond my budget). So, other than a Rega Fono (MM or Mini), it looks I'll have to rely on reviews or recommendations. |
There are EAR clones online for around $600... Single tube phono amps are generally hybrid op-amp based devices with a tube output stage. Check out this guy's reviews of phono amps and lots of stuff in your budget. |
Johnss & noromance ...are you talking about the ones from China that include EAR834 in the title? The ones I see are only $200 or so. Are they pretty good? noromance ... I have played about 50 LP's on it. Sounds a bit better, but the stridency is still there on some recordings...especially on 1960's DG roberjerman ... regarding the Bellari, does the input capacitance matter? Can't find the specs on this unit, but several have commented that the VM540 doesn't like anything above 200pF total. Does the tube overcome that? |
Yes, I've seen comments elsewhere to that effect about the A-T's brightness being tamed by letting them run a little low in the tail. That's why I didn't add shims to raise the arm. Or is it that it enhances the bass a little, which makes us perceive the treble to be moderated? I wondered about the DG's from that period. I have several late Mozart symphonies on DG - Karl Bohm and Berlin...the violins are a bit strident. It just wasn't noticeable on the Technics linear tracker/AT152LP I used for 30 years. |
2ndtrumpet, yes, there is quite a range in what is offered though. Doukmall sells what is basically a nearly direct clone for 430 bucks +/- there are also several sellers now offering Marantz 7 phono stage clones. I just picked one of those up. Excellent, excellent build quality, decent quality parts, and chassis construction that is comparable to US made phono stages at the mid 4 figure price level. Am dying to try it out when it shows up. Some versions even have valve rectification which the original did not have. also agree that the late DG lps can be strident and a bit edgy. But the new re-issues of same recording from DG are not, they are quite good. very natural and balanced sounding. |
We now have two outboard preamps in the house, a ProJect Phono Box S2 and a Musical Fidelity LX-LPS. Neither is very expensive, but both are a noticeable improvement over the Sony AV receiver's phono stage. I have some time to compare them in a rolling A/B test before I have to decide on which to keep. So far, I hear some differences, but they are more subtle than the differences between them and the Sony. |
I have owned most of the MF phono gear. the more expensive units are quite nice. if both are an improvement over the sony AV receiver, then take the jump and buy one of the EAR clones. I have the real EAR as well as several of the clones. Clones are quite a bargain. and you can get them with ship to the US for around 300. |
