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Phono Preamplifier Redux .. Damn This is Getting Expensive

I posted previously in search of a phono preamplifier, but as I put together a system I refined what I was looking for.

My current Analog food chain consists of Technics 1200G turntable, Hana ML cartridge, unknown phono preamplifier, McIntosh MA12000 integrated, Sabrina X, pair of REL S/812 subs.  Also, Shunyata Everest 8000 power conditioner and a mix of Alpha V2 NR and Venom V10NR power cables.  Other cables: AQ Earth balanced interconnects, William Tell full range speaker cables.  Also, had to make some room acoustic modifications.

So, here is the problem.  I just got a Holo May DAC DTE and have been streaming by Roon, mostly purchased and ripped files on a Synology NAS.  The problem is that my digital side sounds much more musical than my analog.  Part of the remedy is on the way with 3" Tiger Maple equipment rack, but digital and analog are not close.  My Sutherland 20/20 LPT is going back.  It has limited front/back sound stage and the upper mids and treble are a bit shrill.  I say this because the Holo is just beautifully musical throughout.

Music Direct will be taking Sutherland back and has suggested the Esoteric E-02 Balanced as a solution.  So this post I'm raising my budget to 9-10K new, or used and prefer balanced out.  Looking for detail, dynamics and silent background.  I just can't have the digital so much more enjoyable... of course there is always selling all analog and staying digital, but that doesn't feel right.  

So, where do I go for balanced out and more musical, but retaining micro detail and dynamics?

vonhelmholtz
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,292 posts
 

The Hana ML is an incredible value. It excels in tone, detail and soundstage.  
To beat it you’ll probably need to spend 2-3x more for the cartridge.

Funny how we chase this…I’m in the same boat. My analog set up (MoFi UltraDeck/Hana ML/Sutherland KC Vibe II) sounded better than digital (benchmark DAC 3 HGC). I upgraded the DAC and now the digital sounds awesome and the analog is lagging slightly behind. There’s no end to it. You’re most likely going to end up beating your digital with your next analog upgrade and be on a mary go round with the DAC. 😂

On a serious note though…assuming your current analog set up is properly done, you might need to swap your table for something like Dr. Feichert with Kuzma arm, swap the ML and get Umami Red or mid tier Koetsu and get a phono amp like ARC Ref3SE. And then you’ll be right where I predicted…

urbie
275 posts
 

if you want to get rid of all the bass vibrations going through the floor up your equipment and back up the speakers again check out the Townshend podiums, they're the best speaker isolation on the market they're not cheap but OMG do they make a difference, when I put them underneath my monitor audio platinum 200 ll it was like I had upgraded to better electronics and any room problems just totally disappear.

hdm
1,055 posts
 

You might find you'd get more responses if you had this in the analog forum. 

What settings are you using on the Sutherland with the Hana. If you are using 64 dB of gain I would immediately change the gain to 58 dB and loading to 100 ohms and at least try that before sending it back. 64 dB of gain with that cartridge would definitely contribute to what you're describing and hearing IMO. 

If you are already set at 58 dB and 100 ohms (which should be essentially ideal for that cartridge) I'd carry on and look elsewhere at other equipment but that is a rabbit hole of course. Typical of the hobby. 

cwory
8 posts
 

Consider looking at the Zesto Audio line of phono preamps. It is a smaller brand but consistently get great reviews. They are tube based amps that perform well above their price point and can be found within your price range. 

bpoletti
1,529 posts
 

Stop worrying about an upgrade.  Hold out for a used Herron VTPH-2A.  There are no further upgrades available.  

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