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Phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC?

A rookie needs some help please...
Would you buy a phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC? Which one? Why? It's an Ikeda 9TT (2ohm, 0.2mV) with a VPI Classic, and Dynaudio BM5 MKiii monitors with volume box.
I have found the following options in the past few days. Phono:
Gold Note PH-10 (0.1mV)
Gold Note PH-1 (0.15mV)
Gold Note PH-7 (0.15mV)
EAR 834p (0.22mV)
Nighthawk F117 (???mV)
Which one would you choose?
I am leaning towards the PH10, but honestly I dont need all those settings, but if IT sounds superior than the other then I would go for it. The Nighthawk sounds really good also for the price but I couldn't find the specifications and I am not sure if it's good as any of the Gold Notes. Used EAR 834p can be an option also but I read really mixed opinions about it. 
Now what I have now is a Musical Fidelity MX VYNL (0.4mV if its balanced), now I am running unbalanced. It's biggest advantage is I could run it full balanced all the way from the tonearm to the monitors and maybe some factory upgrade is possible, regarding to the website in the gain and plus a PSU.

Or step up?
Ortofon?
Denon?
It must be Max 1000pounds used.

Thank you all :)
128x128korakotta
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,832 posts
 
Dear @korakotta:   

https://www.passlabs.com/products/preamplifiers/xp-phono-series

https://www.stereophile.com/content/parasound-halo-jc-3-phono-preamplifier

https://www.stereophile.com/content/liberty-audio-b2b-1-phono-preamplifier

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bmc-phono-mcci-phono-preamplifier

https://simaudio.com/en/product/neo-310lp-phono-preamplifier/


R.


hdm
1,055 posts
 
Korakotta:

There is always a propensity on audio forums for advice that involves change and spending more money.

I can understand fully your preference for running balanced, especially if you have been able to hear your MF phono pre in fully balanced mode. I’ve been running fully balanced on the analog side for 10 years now and there will be a performance enhancement with most phono preamps running balanced vs. single ended with low output moving coils. There can also be a pretty significant lowering of noise levels moving from a single ended input to the balanced input on many phono preamps and it appears that this is exactly what you experienced with your MF.

From the sensitivity spec of your MF phono preamp it would appear that you have about 56-58 db of gain. In most balanced phono preamps, running fully balanced in and out of the phono stage will give you an additional 6 dB of gain. It is not clear from the MF specs whether this is indeed the case-I would recommend that you contact MF and see if it actually is and get their thoughts on running with a .2 mV cartridge. If there is indeed an additional 6 dB of gain running fully balanced in and out, the MF should be a very good match with your cartridge and require you to do nothing more than properly terminate your tonearm lead with the necessary, albeit a bit unusual MF balanced connector.

It sounds like you were able to source an appropriate tonearm lead to audition your MF phono pre in balanced mode before. Would be great if you could do that again with your existing cartridge.
sksos1
387 posts
 
I'm no expert but listen with my ears and over the last 20 years I have found adding a SUT has really improved the SQ with just about every cartridge and phono unit I've used. For 12 years I've found the Kondo SFz to be wonderful especially when used with the Kondo cartridge but recently have found a SUT that has beaten the Kondo IMO. 

(Dealer disclaimer)
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

About 10 years ago Dertonarm explained to me why he prefers

SUT's and FR-7 kinds. But his SUT ''theory'' was that both

impedance and inductance need to ''correspond'' for optimal

result. Because of my, uh, ignorance, I thought that I would

need an separate SUT for each of my MC carts and was not

willing (than) to sell my home for the SUT's. So I bought my first

(expensive) phono-pre: Basis Exclusive with battery power supply.

With my present knowledge or rather experience I would save

about 4000 euro by buying Denon AU-S1. According to the

user manual this SUT covers all impedances form 2-40 Ohms

while my MC collection also covers 2-40 impedances. So only

the inductance is not known. To ''cover'' this lack of knowledge

I bought Denon's special made cart for this SUT: DL-S1.

I assume that Denon knows the theory and consequently

adjusted also the inductance accordingly.

korakotta's avatar
korakotta OP
50 posts
 
I got down to the following options. It`s not not gonna be a SUT, but a phono upgrade first -but I am open to purchase one later-
I am living in Norway, so my options are a bit limited.

Which one would you choose from the following?

1. MF PSU + go full balanced from the tonearm to monitors (already balanced from the phono to the monitors). Eventually MF is offering upgrade in the phono, but I have to send it to the UK what is additional costs. I am gonna call them on tuesday to find out the costs. I am happy with the sound overall, so it can be considerable. BUT. Then I don`t have the option later for the SUT. 

2. Gold Note PH-10. Upgradable, regarding to the specs, reviews, it would be a significant improvement for about 500pound extra, if I could sell the MF

3. Moon 310LP. I could get this one for the price of the PH-10. Excellent reviews, but I couldn`t find out if it would go well with a 0.2mV cart. THe seller says maybe.

4.  ASR Mini Basis Exclusive High Voltage editon with  Analog Devices (AD843SQ) chip. This one would cost about 800 pounds extra. Possible good ,but I couldnt find much specs.
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