2. amps-preamps
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advice for warming up phono sound

I currently have a Rega P3 with a Nagaoka mp200 running to a schitt mani phono pre and a Peachtree nova 300 and Paradigm prestige 75 speakers.  I'm finding the sound to be a bit harsh.  Saxophones lack a little body and reverb is very pronounced and a bit glassy.  I'm thinking of replacing the phono pre.  I've heard great things about the Avid Pellar but I'm wondering, if I want to warm up the sound to something more natural, should I be thinking tubes?  I'm also wondering if anybody has any thoughts about replacing the glass platter with delrin as way to warm things up.  Thanks!
adam8179
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Get a cork mat and recheck the alignment of the cartridge - particularly the SRA. Also check the tracking force. Give the stylus a good cleaning with a Magic Eraser (use it after every side!). Don't forget that LPs vary widely in SQ!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Almost forgot: get and use a record weight to get a better coupling of the record to the mat!
adam8179 OP
68 posts
 
Thanks roberjerman, I will switch to the cork mat and get a magic eraser

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,544 posts
 
Drop stylus into Magic Eraser. Do not drag it over tip.
johnss
564 posts
 
the harshness is likely coming from your phono pre.
if you are a DIYer you can replace those red wima caps with Nichicon XY series, much better sounding cap.

If not a DIYer, then would suggest looking for a diff phono pre.
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